I’ve done it!

David Southworth: journey's end

Gales, lashing rain and 1,030 miles in the saddle...Dave’s epic charity ride
WITH 1,030 miles of tough cycling under his belt, Dave Southworth still had the strength to hoist his bike over his head and shout: “I’ve done it.”

Now back home in Royton and triumphant, the charity cyclist is resting his aching muscles after pedalling from Land’s End to John O’Groats to raise vital cash for Dr Kershaw’s Hospice.

He completed the gruelling challenge in 12 days to raise an amazing £4,000 — and still counting.

The 41-year-old clocked up more than 3,000 miles since May with the epic ride and training.

He and his wife, Lynne, funded the trip, and every penny raised will go to the hospice.

A proud Lynne said: “He went straight in at the deep end, but he absolutely loved it and he is so glad he did it. He deserves a medal.”

Dave’s daily routine was up at 6.30am for breakfast, then out on his bike with a group of other charity cyclists by 8am for an average day of 90 miles.

He saw some stunning scenery, particularly in the Wye Valley and the Scottish Highlands, and tackled massive climbs at Dartmoor, Shap Fell and close to Loch Ness.

Lynne said: “The weather stayed fine until he reached Preston where he got an absolute soaking.

“It then rained every day for the remainder of the trip. He arrived in Scotland to torrential rain and gales plus extremely rough road surfaces.

“One of the days, some of the cyclists were so wet and cold that the support crew had to get blankets out at the lunch stop, and six cyclists skidded and came off their bikes suffering cuts and grazes.”

Dave and his fellow cyclists got a boost when family members from Oldham and Gloucester turned up at Tiverton and Tintern to cheer them on in a surprise visit.

The final day dawned with heavy rain and strong head winds, but the weary crew arrived at John O’Groats to crack open a bottle of champagne.

Dave said: “It was a brilliant trip and a fantastic experience with great people.

“We would like to say a massive thank-you to everyone who took time to send wonderful messages of support and donations to Dr Kershaw’s.”

There is still time to make a donation through www.justgiving.com/lynnesouthworth  or contact lynnesouthworth@yahoo.co.uk  or Dr Kershaw’s on 0161-624 9984.