© Biggleswade Sandy Lions 2011 - 2012
A Second Coast to Coast for Ian
It started with walking along Hadrian's Wall in 2010 raising funds for Multiple Sclerosis.
We all know that Hadrian's Wall is a “hop, skip and jump” in the world of UK Coast to Coast challenges.
Lion Ian Williamson spent September doing the ultimate UK Coast To Coast; cycling from Lands End to John O’Groats with his sister and brother-in-law. Such was his enthusiasm for this Project that whilst concentrating on the training; he forgot to start fund raising until a month before setting off.
He still managed to raise £1,025 for the Ivel Stroke Club!
Ian’s highlights
- Crossing the Severn Bridge
- Iron Bridge with all its history
- Being blown across the Forth Bridge by gale force winds
- Going over Glenshee and the Cairngorm's
- Presenting a cheque for £1,025 to the Ivel Stroke Club
Interesting Facts
- Google Maps gives a route distance of 837 miles taking some 15 hours by car; an average of 55.8 miles per hour.
- Ian’s cycle route via the local Railway Stations to and from the Start and Finish points was 1111 miles and took 18 Days, an average of 61.7 miles per day.
- Ian recommends at least a month’s training in preparation for this challenge.
- This route included 11½ miles of hills, which is approximately twice the height of Mount Everest. On the bright side, this gave them the opportunity for 11½ miles of free-wheeling downhill
- Ian was not accompanied by a support vehicle and on occasion essential maintenance and thus their continued progress relied heavily on the availability of local cycle businesses.