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 18 May 2012

To The End Of The Day

The ride down the length of South Uist seemed take longer than expected and my legs were beginning to complain, so I was glad to find that extreme rarity in the Outer Hebrides - a café - at Kildonan. One of only two on a stretch of road running to at least 40 miles'

After a few more miles of pleasant, if not breathtaking, scenery, we arrived at Dalabrog, a few miles from Lochboisdale. The choice of accommodation was an uninviting Bunk House / Hostel or the Bhorrodail Hotel. We did our best to negotiate a deal at the hotel and after getting 33% off realised that was the bottom line. Still a bit dearer than a B&B, but compared to last night's effort, much better value! So I've dipped into the 'next holiday' fund - sorry Val! Our first night in a hotel on this trip.

What, I hear you ask, was the matter with last night's B&B? ...

The big old house was so cold. The heating eventually came on around 6 pm but the radiator in the Residents' Lounge was on the frost-stat setting. The bathroom was freezing and I only found out in the morning that the light was one of those infra-red 'pig lamps'. The TV in our tiny bedroom wouldn't work. At breakfast, EVERYTHING was to order. I asked for Weetabix and muesli, which our host brought in the bowl, saying "I didn't know whether you wanted one Weetabix or two, so I gave you just one." Thanks. I had to ask for fruit juice. And all this for an almost eye-watering £32 pppn. But now I feel a tiny bit guilty: after taking the money she gave me £5 back for Cancer Research.

Which reminds me - wouldn't you like to help the fight against cancer? It's very easy - make sure you have a credit/denit card handy, then just follow one of the links on this blog, and you can make a difference, and show that you're at least as generous as our B&B host last night!

Thank you!

No, don't shut down this page yet! Please make a donation, however small!
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