Cirencester granddad in Land's End to John O'Groats cycle bid (From Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard)
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Cirencester granddad in Land's End to John O'Groats cycle bid
9:00am Saturday 26th May 2012 in News By Ian Craig
Fundraising cyclist Mick Ponting at Land’s End at the start of his epic journey
A RETIRED Cirencester vet is nearing the end of his attempt to cycle from Land’s End to John O’Groats to raise money for his grandson’s school.
Former veterinary surgeon and lecturer at the Royal Agricultural College Mick Ponting, 68, is raising money for Miserden Primary School, where he is a governor and his five-year-old grandson Fred is a pupil.
Mick, who has lived in Cirencester all his life, has been doing the trip in stages since October, having cycled 650 of the trip so far, with 400 miles to go.
He set off on the penultimate leg of his trip on his specially made bike by Poulton-based Performance Cycles from Dumfries last weekend, and is planning to reach Oban by Monday May 28.
“I’ve done one or two long cycle rides so I thought I’d try and do one to raise some money,” he said.
“The direct route is around 800 miles, but I’m sticking to cycle paths, canals and suchlike, so by the end I’ll have done well over 1,000 miles.
“It’s a lovely way to see Britain"
Mick Ponting
“There’s a lot of people who’ve done this trip, but not many of my age “The record for doing the whole trip is two days but I certainly couldn’t manage that.”
The final leg, which will take Mick from Oban to John O’Groats planned for the end of next month, during which he will pass by the famous Loch Ness.
Mick, who recently recovered from prostate cancer, said he had taken up cycling on the advice of his orthopaedic surgeon.
“It’s a lovely way to see Britain,” he said.
“We’re all tearing around in cars these days and most people don’t take the time to enjoy the scenery or talk to people.”
Mick has so far raised around £2,000, including donations from as far afield as America, and is funding all the costs of the trip himself so every penny raised will go directly to the school.
To donate to Mick’s effort, visit his fundraising page at virginmoneygiving.com/MSFA
