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.

Friday, 1 July 2011

Day 50 – Stoke Fleming to Hope Cove

A day off almost, only 27 miles, making a total of 3,223 miles.

It’s the first day of July, so now I can say I will finish the ride this month.  By the way, I ought to mention the caravan site at Stoke Fleming run by the Camping and Caravanning Club – they call themselves the Friendly Club and it’s well deserved: the people there were really helpful and although it was a last minute decision we had a great stay there.

































After my full English at the Venus Café at Blackpool Sands, I set off up the road through the village of Strete and then on to Slapton Ley, where there is a memorial to all the American soldiers killed during the preparations for D-Day in the Second World War.

































Then I turned inland, on to the narrow, high-sided lanes so typical of Devon, before heading out to Start Point, a fantastic viewpoint looking back up along Start Bay – it was so nice I could have stayed there all day.

The lanes got narrower and steeper and steeper and narrower, until I arrived at East Portlemouth where the access to the ferry seems to be a closely guarded secret!  Anyway, someone pointed it out for me and I found the tiny boat which took me and a few others across to Salcombe.  Where there are a lot of steps to carry the bike up before regaining the road!

































After Malborough I wanted to keep as near the coast as possible, and in doing so encountered the narrowest, dustiest roads so far – almost claustrophobic, and hard work again with constant ups and downs.


































But the steepest bit was reserved for the last, when I arrived at Hope Cove and toiled up the road to the house of my good friends Roger and Dianne Lewis, where a warm welcome awaited and a great rest afternoon, with a trip to the Hope and Anchor pub followed by some bike maintenance work.

We’re eating in tonight – Dianne is preparing something that smells so delicious I’m salivating as I write this blog!

Saturday tomorrow, so a change of crew – Val and Alan are heading home once Ian Hardy and Richard Dugdale arrive, probably with the changeover near Looe.  I have 71 miles to do – with more undulations of course, a ferry across Plymouth Sound to Mount Edgcumbe and another ferry at Bodinnick.  Best get an early night.
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