Mark Parsons, Assistant Principal of Curriculum at Cheshire College has completed the mammoth cycle from Land’s End to John O’Groats and back again within just 18 days, raising over £7,000 for the Multiple Sclerosis Society (MS Society).
After setting off from Cornwall on Friday 16th July, Mark rode just short of 1,000 miles from the southwestern tip of England to the most north-easterly point of Scotland, before embarking on the journey back which he completed earlier this month.
Mark battled through heatwaves and heavy rain, but his spirits remained high as he patiently pedalled with stunning backdrops of the Scottish Highlands, The Shap Summit in Cumbria, Cheddar Gorge in Somerset and the Welsh hills in Monmouth.
Upon completion of the challenge, Mark commented: “The entire ride has been an amazing blend of euphoria, fatigue, camaraderie, along with an enormous sense of achievement. The highs have definitely outweighed the low moments.
“I have been training for over a year, and although the ride has tested me physically and mentally, the support from family, friends and colleagues has helped me push through at every level. I have been blown away by the number of messages of positivity and encouragement I have received daily.
“It really has been an experience of a lifetime and I am so pleased to have raised a significant amount for such a worthy cause.”
Mark is one of the very few individuals to complete the ride and in record time, as many that take on the gruelling Land’s End to John O’Groats challenge aim to complete one way in 14 days.
Numerous local businesses supported Mark’s immense challenge, including, Body Perfect (Wrexham), who donated a van for Mark’s support team to travel in, Gym Gear, who provided Mark with a spin bike to enable further training, LA Clothing, who sponsored all cycling clothing needed and Eniga Bikes, who designed, and custom built a brand new bike ensuring that Mark was travelling in style and many more.
There is still time to donate quickly, safely and securely to the MS Society, click here to visit Mark’s JustGiving page.
To catch up on Mark’s journey, click here visit his Facebook page.