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Aside from the obvious reason of raising money for the hospital that saved my daughter's life, I had other reasons for putting my body through the grueling endeavour of cycling nearly 1000 miles in 12 days (968 to be precise) - the journey that is Lands End to John O'Groats in the UK.

The trip was about overcoming something challenging, just like Tara has done. It was about fighting for every inch, just like Tara had to fight for every second. So it was a means for me to understand, in some small way, some of what Tara has had to go through. 

The second half of day 1 we cycled along busy roads, up a couple of long hills, and further than I'd ever done before. And I set off a bit too fast, so blew up on the last ten miles. Consequently my body has ached ever since, and beginning each day with aches and pains and finding it difficult to sit down before a 100 mile cycle is tough. Shrewsbury to Preston was dour - busy roads once more, and I never want to see Warrington, Wigan or St Helens ever again. However, I would still rather live in any of those places than New Cumnock, on the way to Kilmarnock.

Dartmoor was beautiful and not as tough as my mind had decided during the night before. Likewise Shap Fell - I actually enjoyed the long slog up to the top - I think my body was getting used to cycling for mile upon mile by then. And Scotland has been beautiful pretty much all the way up, but especially from Kilmarnock (with much quieter roads toboot); the ride from Inverarry to Invergarry was stunning, as was Carbisdale Castle to Bettyhill. I will be visiting Scotland again, hopefully soon.

Bettyhill to John O'Groats - 50 miles, 38.9mph top speed, average 13.5. Finished at last! Knackered, but thrilled to have completed the "End to End".

From the stunning Carbisdale Castle hostel to Bettyhill, through stunning landscape, with a coffee stop at the remote Crask Inn. Never been on such a long road with no side turns. Total 53 miles, 3:59 saddle time, top speed 29.5mph, 13.2 average.

Inverrary to Carbisdale Castle, a spectacular hostel in the Highlands. 85.76 miles, 6h:07 saddle time, average 13.9mph, max 41! Went alongside Loch Ness, through Fort Augusta, then up a 15% climb before plummeting down to Beauly and on to Bonnar Bridge.

From Inverrary to Invergary - 96 miles. Top speed 33.4mph, average 14.1. Beautiful Loch side cycling. My favourite day - Scotland is stunning.

Kilmarnock to Inverrary, 79 miles around beautiful Loch Fyne. Top speed 33.4mph, average 13.3.

From Carlisle, around Dumfries and up to Kilmarnock. 96.2 miles, 7:23 saddle time, av' 13mph, top 28.5. My achilles were hurting, but they're okay now I'm not riding. Also, my wife realised I wasn't getting any protein, so I've had humous and chickpeas for lunch, and chickpeas immediately after the ride. Hopefully it will help my muscles recover properly. And I'm having a massage later. Maybe tomorrow I'll be riding in less pain.

We've reached the halfway point both in terms of miles and days. We did 87 miles today, averaging 13.1mph. That included a long climb over Shap Fell. Tomorrow we cross the border into Scotland, and I've just seen the ride profiles for the Highlands - we have some tough days ahead, especially Wednesday, when we do 1200 feet of climbing*. Whoever said Dartmoor was the toughest day, lied**.

*It turned out to be just 5000
**No they didn't