This is a thing from Performance Bikes Mag, each year it's either Lands End to JoG or the reverse.. It's for Cancer Research charity and has to be done in 1 hit on the longest day of the year.To all "Longest Day Down Legends” - past and present.
It’s the shortest day of the year today, which means it’s also the day that I’m going to create a new folder on my computer and start a spreadsheet called “LDU21”.
It shouldn’t really need saying that 2020 has been a challenging year for everyone, and I sincerely hope that you and your families haven’t been too affected directly or indirectly by Covid. I don’t know about you all, but I’m really missing travelling, meeting new people and socialising, and I know for certain that charities are desperately missing out on fund-raising.
The 2020 event was under the circumstances a huge success, raising £20,700 despite not being on the Longest Day OR from Lands End to John O’Groats, and as usual I salute everyone who helped to make it possible. The 14 riders who literally rode round in circles for 24 hours, the pit stop volunteers, and the invisible helpers Mitch, Dan, Heds and Dave all collectively made a huge difference to the fine people at CRUK.
However, that was then and this is now………
LDU21 is not really an option in my opinion. It simply HAS to happen for so many reasons, even if I have to do it on my own, there will be at least one shitty £300 motorbike riding from Lands End to John O’Groats on Monday 21st June 2021. However, I suspect I won’t need to resort to doing it again, and instead take up my usual role in the broom wagon with the ever suffering Mrs. McAvoy !
So, what’s the plan ??
Pretty straight forward really…..
I’m just going to assume that by next June, things (specifically hotels) will be open again and fully functioning.
We’ll return to the previous format of riding from Lands End to John O’Groats on the 21st June on £300 motorbikes (not including the cost of tyres/brakes/MOT).
I have to limit it to 25 riders.
Proceeds to CRUK
There is one difference though…….
I promised all the riders who committed/took part in LDU20 that given that we had to abandon the Lands End-John O’Groats route, that they would get first dibs on a place for the 2021 event.
So, if anyone who is interested to take part in LDU21 could let me know in the next few weeks, that would be great. As you know, at this stage it’s just registering your interest so I can get an idea of what I may be looking at on the understanding that LDU20 riders get priority. Once I get an idea of what the picture looks like, I’ll cook up a plan that hopefully keeps everyone happy and set out a timeline of deposits etc. so I can get the accommodation booked.
I think that’s all for now.
The only thing left to say, is that I hope you all have a nice Christmas break and to stay safe.
JM
I've looked at it a few times, but time, money and overall expense have put paid to the idea.
As above, you get a £300 bike and you do the jaunt.... Everyone is a winner.. but of course there's a winner too
I was thinking whether we put in an entry as a forum, people donate either time, money, effort, bike, whatever and between us, someone rides it all the way. Your 'help' could be trailering the bike down to the start point, or back from Scotland, or paying for hotel the night before/after, some brake pads, some fuel... or indeed "Yeah i'll do the riding"
Any thoughts, let me know.
