Veteran cyclist Graham Daly has achieved a rare feat cycling the length of both Britain and France.
His long-distance double came 20 years apart with his latest ride, from Land’s End to John O’Groats (LEJOG), raising more than £2,000 for East Cheshire Hospice.
Back in 2005, he rode from Perpignan to Dieppe on a tandem with wife Chris, using their marathon nine-week adventure as a sightseeing holiday.
This summer Graham went alone as he took a scenic route through the UK with plenty of family support.
At 79, Graham is one of the older cyclists to have completed LEJOG on a non-electric bike and age was a factor.
He said: “My wife and I rode our tandem for almost 20 years in France, the Netherlands and Germany.
“I could never top our French tandem ride. I knew how to tour and wasn’t concerned on that score, but I was getting older.
“I knew what was involved, planned it carefully and satisfied myself I could do it.
“I didn’t intend to fundraise because if I’d have fallen off my bike in Penzance I’d have felt an idiot.”
A collection tin was filled with the help of two unlikely supporters – a coach driver and a B&B owner whose guests donated generously on hearing about his challenge.
He spent 37 days cycling, covering 1,120 miles, a further distance than necessary after choosing a more scenic route.
Son Richard, and granddaughter Celeste presented him with a specially designed cycling top bearing the Hospice logo when he passed through Clitheroe. He then wore it every day.
Graham also visited their other son Tim, in Scotland.
Graham, a retired industrial engineer, said: “I walked only 50 metres up one tough hill. I’ll remember the ride forever and am delighted to have done it.
“I’m pleased I raised a decent amount for the Hospice. I was only aiming for £500.
“I was a volunteer driver for the Sunflower Centre and remember selling raffle tickets for a fundraising initiative at Macclesfield Town years ago.
“Fans came down from the stands to drop money into a tin. They weren’t bothered about buying the tickets and just wanted to donate.
“That’s when I saw the sense of community and generosity towards the Hospice.
“I’ve never forgotten that experience. It stuck with me. The Hospice has a fabulous reputation.”
