Land’s End to John O’Groats in aid of Englesea Brook Chapel

A Methodist preacher who cycled the length of Britain to mark his 75th birthday has completed his epic challenge. 

Geoff Dickinson undertook the journey from Land’s End to John O’Groats in aid of Englesea Brook Chapel and Museum of Primitive Methodism in Cheshire and has raised just over £1,700 so far. 

Geoff, a local  preacher and Senior Circuit Steward in the Cheshire South Circuit undertook the massive cycle ride just months after hip surgery which left him doubly bionic in the hips. 

Geoff was joined by his wife Jane, as he left the tip of Cornwall on 10 May, who was taking on her own challenge in aid of local hospice St Lukes, Winsford.

The pair racked up to 80 miles a day, witnessing the breathtaking scenery as they cycled through Truro, Bristol, Hereford, Edinburgh, Perth and Inverness, seeing iconic sights like the Severn Bridge and the old Forth Road Bridge before arriving in the most northerly tip of Scotland on Friday 29 May. 

Geoff and Jane were greeted with bucketing rain as they completed their journey. 

Geoff said: “It was an interesting arrival. We had a good 50-mile ride with wind behind. As the afternoon moved on, we had a few showers and then just as we arrived it threw it down cats and dogs so celebrations were a little muted as we were drenched!”

They posed at the iconic John O’Groats sign that marks the massive 874 miles from Land’s End. 

Geoff, a keen cyclist who had already racked up 1,000 miles on his bike this year before taking on the challenge, said the ride was full of memories. 

He said: “The ride had many highlights. The hills in Cornwall and Devon were challenging, but riding up Cheddar Gorge was amazing. 

“The big bridges – Avon Gorge, Severn Bridge and Forth Road Bridge – were a great experience. 

“We visited ancient monuments, Ironbridge where the Industrial Revolution began, and had interesting wildlife as we moved up country. 

“Our ride through Lancashire was wet but once through the Scottish Lowlands we had great weather and scenery as we travelled through Scotland.”

At the time of writing, Geoff has raised a total of £1,705 for Englesea Brook Chapel and Museum of Primitive Methodism. His fundraising page can be found here: Crowdfunding For Good From JustGiving

Visitors can also enjoy the peace and quiet of the small chapel of the Primitive Methodists, where occasional services are still held, and explore the graveyard as well as the exhibitions and displays in the adjacent museum.

Previously, Ruth Hilton, project director of Englesea Brook Chapel and Museum of Primitive Methodism, expressed her thanks and said the challenge was ‘remarkable’.

She said: “To take on such a demanding physical challenge to mark his 75th birthday is truly remarkable and serves to reflect the dedication and commitment he has brought to the museum over many years of being a volunteer.

“The funds raised through this sponsored ride will make a profound difference to our ongoing work to share the story of the Primitive Methodists. We are cheering him on every mile of the way.”