I'm a double cancer survivor, cyclist and walker who does various challenges for different charities, mainly cancer-related.

In 2016 I climbed every single 'Birkett' in the Lake District - all 542 fells over 1,000' within the National Park, including all 214 Wainwrights. I've also done a three-week cycle tour of Tasmania in February 2015 and amongst other things, I've cycled from Land's End to John o'Groats (2003), Rotterdam to Lemvig (Denmark) (2005), walked the Pennine Way (2008) completed (my first) ascent of all 214 'Wainwrights' in the Lake District in only 55 days (2009), cycled 4,500 miles around the coast of Great Britain (2011), cycled all 42 of the accessible Western Isles of Scotland in under a month (2012), twice abseiled 230 ft from the top of The Big One in Blackpool, cycled the WWI Western Front from London to Compiegne via Ypres and Arras (2014), cycled 750 miles in the Yellowstone National Park and Grand Teton (2014), done a bit of sky-diving and cycled Australia's Great Ocean Road - just before lockdown in 2020.

Altogether I've raised over £120,000 for my charities including The Christie, Cancer Research UK, the Rosemere Cancer Foundation, and ABF (The Soldiers' Charity) and I was mightily chuffed to receive the British Empire Medal in the 2014 New Year's Honours List.

I'm a Rotarian and give illustrated talks about my adventures in exchange for a donation to charity, so if you're looking for a speaker leave me a message. I am also Event Organiser for the Ribble Valley Ride Cycle Sportive, to be held this year on Sunday 5 September 2021 - more details at www.ribblevalleyride.org

You can also follow me on Twitter - @CancerBikeMan and on Facebook - just search for Bill Honeywell

Cancer Research UK is the world's leading charity dedicated to beating cancer through research, whilst The Rosemere does fantastic work for patients in Lancashire and South Cumbria.

Tuesday, 10 May 2011

We're Off At Last!















After all the planning, not to mention a few last minute dramas, this morning I finally got on my way on the Cycle Round Britain's Coast for Cancer Research UK.  Despite the early hour, scores of people turned up at the gates to Clitheroe Castle to see me off with my colleagues for the first day. From left to right Mick Wood (Day 1) Richard Dugdale (Days 1-3), Me, Alan Taylor (Week 3) and Mick Bryan (Day 1).

Included in those present were Sarah McPhee from Cancer Research UK and my mum and dad - mum there to bring more cakes and biscuits, whilst father waved the flag to set us off.  I've never seen so many cameras - it was just like being hounded by the paparazzi!

Further notable presences were David and Susan Bleazard - I mention this because since retiring Susan has never seen more than one 8 o'clock in a day and it isn't the morning one - nephew Dylan with mum Fiona were there before going to school - and several of the van 'crew' who will be joining us at some stage, all resplendent in our T-shirts.

What an occasion! Made even better by the fact that even Radio 2's Chris Evans gave us a mention on his show around 7 o'clock.

We left everyone at about 8.20 and set off for Preston, Lytham and beyond - I'll tell you about it shortly.
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