Between Friday 22nd April and Monday 1st May Joe Clarke, Rhys Bowen, Robert Scoltock, Steve Bolton and Ollie Houston will be cycling the length of the British Isles from John O'Groats to Landsend averaging 90 miles a day. We are doing this on behalf of two charities: Raft (www.raft.ac.uk/) and Childhope (www.childhope.org.uk) so please give generously on our donations page http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/thecycleoflife. In addition you can keep up to date with our progress, learn of our route and find out a bit about us. Thanks for taking a look!

Interviews

Interviews with people we have met along the way:

Name: Elise Bromley

Place of Existence: I exist in many places! I live in a little village called Tadworth near Epsom Downs and work for Edexcel in Holborn, central London.

How did you meet the cyclists? I know Joe from work as we're both on the Edexcel graduate scheme and I met Joe's crazy friends when I went on the Olympic Ride.

What’s your favourite cycling song? Umm…it would have to be any Prodigy, Fire Starter. That's what got me up Ditchling Beacon on the London to Brighton cycle ride last year!

If you could cycle anywhere, where would it be? I've always wanted to do the London to Paris cycle ride, especially because I've never been to Paris before
practice cycle ride number 3. I’m not sure whether the scariest moment was Rob throwing himself in front of a dustbin truck or teaching him how to mend a puncture :S .

Who would you like to cycle on a tandem with and why?
It would have to be Ben Fogle as he's always up for a good adventure. I also think he would do most of the work so that I could sit back and relax!
                                                                                                                     

Name: Lee

Place of Existence: from Warrington, exist in London

How did you meet the cyclists? Bumped into them on their way to Brighton.

What cycling achievements do you have under your belt? John o groats to lands end, Calais to Cannes, London to leuven and a few alpine climbs.

What are your recommendations for the cycle of life team? Many. Main one is eat, drink, eat, drink, eat, drink. Also always start early. You'll come to value rest time in the evenings.
                                                                                                                     
Name: Greg

Place of Existence: Milton Keynes

How did you meet the cyclists? On the train journey from London going north. These guys were taking up much needed bicycle room.

What are your plans this Easter weekend? I plan to complete John o groats to Lands End in 14 days and meet my family down in Cornwall to celebrate at the end. I am taking it nice and easy at the start and at the end, averaging 60 miles a day.
 
Have you done much training? Not as much as I should have. Working in London, its quite hard to find the time to cycle. I was really into it 5-6 years ago cycling through the Netherlands and Czech Republic so hopefully I can draw on those experiences to see me through. 

Do you have any good cycling facts? You can sew tyres to fix them!!
                                                                                                                     

Name: Kelvin & Carole

Place of Existence: Tain, Scotland

How did you meet the cyclists? We own the Dunbius Guesthouse in Tain and the cyclists came to stay with us after their first day on the roads.

How many cyclist visitors do you have staying each year? It could range anything from about 50 to over 500 but usually we get about 5 a week.

What makes your place stand out for future cyclists coming this way? We offer a full Celtic Breakfast and have a nice homely feel  to our guesthouse with great views out on to lake dunfermline.
                                                                                                                     

Name: Brian

Place of Existence: Carlisle

How did you meet the cyclists? I was looking for conversation in and around Aldi and I came across them and thought they will do..

What do you know about cycling? I had a bike once. They are a lot cheaper nowadays. So are washing machines in fact. Do you know why? Its because there are a lot more of them.

Do you recommend Carlisle as a place to visit? Carlisle is fantastic. I have lived in many place, abroad and at home and you cannot beat Carlisle. We have a good church, Hadriens Wall and a really good atmosphere.
                                                                                                                     



Name: Bill Clarke

Place of Existence: Ickenham, UK

How did you meet the cyclists? I was at one of their births.

What inspired you to join the cyclists on part of their quest? I wanted to see Scotland, the Lake District, the Ribblehead Viaduct, White Scar Caves and Blackpool.

What are your cycling abilities? It would take me four times longer to do it but I don't need stabilisers so I guess I am an intermediate.