Tristram Carter gets ready for the John o’ Groats to Land’s End Cycle Challenge

Flight Lieutenant Tristram Carter of 605 (County of Warwick) Squadron Royal Auxiliary Air Force, based at RAF Cosford in the West Midlands, is on his way up to Scotland to start the John o’ Groats to Land’s End Cycle Challenge.

Updates will be posted here so that we can all be kept up-to-date with Tristram’s progress.

Wallis will be sponsoring Flight Lieutenant Tristram Carter and we hope everyone that is reading this can give as much as they can by going to Tristram’s just giving page: https://www.justgiving.com/tristram-carter1

More information on the RAF Benevolent Fund can be found by following this link: https://www.rafbf.org/

If you would like to read more on the challenge facing Tristram then follow this link: https://www.rafbf.org/news-and-blogs/900-miles-14-days-two-small-wheels

Day 1:

A good day for Flight Lieutenant Tristram Carter, after having to cycle 16 miles in a strong headwind just to get to the start line Tristram started the Cycle Challenge. After travelling 64.4 miles he sent us this brief update:

“A good first day. Camped in Brora having done over 60 miles. Tonight I hope to camp out overlooking Loch Ness. It’s 0800 and I’m all packed and ready to go.”

Day 2:

Tristram managed an astonishing 80 miles yesterday in the John o’ Groats to Land’s End Cycle Challenge and sent over the below update:

“I did 80 miles from Brora to Drumnadrochit close to Loch Ness. Am heading off to Fort William and then on to Oban today. I will get wet as heavy rain is forecast. Oh well! Thankfully rain will clear through and several days of good weather can be expected”

Day 3:

Friday proved to be a very challenging day for Tristram on the John o’ Groats to Land’s End Cycle Challenge:

“Friday was the hardest day so far. 55 miles done in constant heavy rain. I’m now in Fort William and well rested after cycling alongside Loch Ness and then I followed the Caledonian Canal to Fort William. Today I continue south to Oban.”

Day 6:

Tristram has now made it to Gretna and is racking up the miles:

“I have made it as far as Gretna having done 82 miles yesterday. At last the weather is getting better after the heavy rain I endured for two days in Scotland, although I had to shelter under trees twice yesterday as short showers hit. My body is coping well with the ride and the bike is holding up well. Today I tackle the big hills of the Lake District. Will be challenging.”

Day 7:

Yesterday seemed like the perfect day for a bike ride and Tristram made the most of the stunning weather:

“A great day of cycling. Beautiful weather and stunning scenery as I rode from Gretna to Kendal in the Lake District. I stayed in a lovely campsite last night. Sadly the good weather was short-lived as it’s raining again. Oh well.!”

Day 8:

Another excellent day for Tristram and ideal preparation for one of the longest day’s of this challenge awaiting him:

“74 miles from Kendal in the Lake District to RAF Woodvale just north of Liverpool. I rode through some beautiful countryside and I went via the seaside town of Southport where I had fish and chips at the weekly biker get together on the seafront. I also had fun in the hall of mirrors. Today is a long one with 90 miles to go to my home base at RAF Cosford.”

Day 9:

Tristram has been enjoying the recent lovely weather on his cycle challenge. He has currently raised just over £1500. £44 of which has been raised by generous donations from people that he is meeting on his travels.

“Another good day yesterday. I cycled 80 miles from RAF Woodvale just north of Liverpool to my home base at RAF Cosford in the West Midlands. The weather has been good most of the way.”

Day 12:

Tristram has had a strong weekend and is on the home straight of the John o’ Groats to Land’s End Cycle Challenge. Tristram is confident of finishing this challenge on Wednesday and is no doubt in need of a long rest.

“A great weekend of cycling, although Sunday was rather wet. I’m now in Taunton and heading for Tavistock. Last night I camped in a lovely apple Orchard. I hope to complete the ride on Wednesday.”

Day 13:

Not far now for Tristram and we can imagine that he will enjoy spending the evening in his own bed as he makes a quick stop in Truro.

“Nearly there. Last night I got to Moretonhampstead on Dartmoor and today I’m heading for my home in Truro in Cornwall. Then tomorrow will be the final leg to Land’s End. The weather is overcast but generally dry so I can’t complain. The wind on the top of Dartmoor is quite cold. So I am well wrapped up.”

Day 14:

Today is the last leg for Tristram on the John o’ Groats to Land’s End Cycle Challenge.

“Yesterday was hard. 15 hrs from Moretonhampstead on Dartmoor to my home in Truro in Cornwall. It was raining most of the way so not very pleasant at all. Today it is raining again but hopefully it will clear before I commence the final leg of 40 miles to Land’s End.”

Tristram has cycled the length of the country in just 2 weeks, please show your support by clicking here to donate https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/tristram-carter1. All proceeds go to the RAF Benevolent Fund.

Day 15:

Tristram has done it!

“I reached Land’s End at 3pm yesterday after riding the last leg of 40 miles from my home in Truro. Yesterday had been tough with me riding 80 miles from Moretonhampstead on Dartmoor to Truro the day before. So the 40 miles were a welcome relief. I had a small welcome party waiting for me at Land’s End and it was very emotional for me to cross the line. I have raised over £2000 so far for the RAF Benevolent Fund. I have also met so many kind people on my travels. With so much danger in our lives it was so nice to be reminded of the goodness that is out there.”

Congratulations from us all at A. N. Wallis.