Deputy Chief Executive of Stockport Council cycles length of Great Britain
Paul Richards cycled from Land's End in Cornwall to John o' Groats in the north of Scotland
Deputy Chief Executive of Stockport Council, Paul Richards has completed a cycle from Land’s End to John o’ Groats in aid of Moya Cole Hospice and Signposts for Carers.
“I’ve always wanted to do it,” Paul said. “I remember being in secondary school and some of the sixth formers had done it the summer previously. It always seemed like such an amazing challenge.”
Moya Cole Hospice and Signposts for Carers are the Mayor of Stockport’s charities of the year for his term. Signposts for Carers is an independent local charity who has been supporting carers for more than 30 years in the Stockport area.
Paul was originally meant to conduct the challenge a few years ago but had to postpone it because of Covid.
This was the first time I actually ended up in Land's End with a bike. As far as cycling challenges go, it's one of the biggies in terms of UK challenges anyway Paul Richards, Deputy Chief Executive of Stockport Council
“This was the first time I actually ended up in Land’s End with a bike. As far as cycling challenges go, it’s one of the biggies in terms of UK challenges anyway.”
The challenge took 11 days and besides being over 1,000 miles long and carrying all his own kit, it was made more difficult by taking place during the UK heatwave where temperatures were reaching the mid 30s on some days.
“It was like having a job where you get no time off and have to work 11 days solid. It was about 12 or 13 hours on the road. It was amazing and horrific in equal measure. I got to see some really amazing places. Parts of the country you wouldn’t know about.
“It’s an experience very few people have actually experienced and I’m thankful I have had the opportunity to do it.”
As he is an avid cyclist, Paul admitted that he foolishly thought the challenge was going to be a lot easier than it actually was.
I'm used to going out on my road bike and cycling 100 miles. I thought how much harder can it be? The bike I was using, a touring bike with all my bags on it, was probably about three times heavier than my road bike Paul Richards, Deputy Chief Executive of Stockport Council
“You don’t realise how much heavier and slower it is, especially in hotter temperatures. It turned into a proper endurance test. Even with all the training I’ve done, it was difficult.”
According to Paul he chose to cycle for the mayor’s charities as he felt they were two organisations built into the very fibre of Stockport.
“They are both real pillars of the community. There was no question in my mind that it was the right thing to support these two charities.
“People have been incredibly generous and supportive. I had over 200 different donors and raised £7,500. I would highly recommend the challenge to anyone,” Paul said.
If you would like to donate to Paul’s cause, you can click here.