Back in 2010, I set out to ride my brother's old Giant mountain bike from Lands End to John O'Groats. If you cast your eye over the old blog posts here, you will see that I took a somewhat circuitous route via, Snowdon, Sca Fell and Ben Nevis. A journey that took me 3 weeks through some of the most beautiful countryside the west coast of the UK has to offer.

At the time, I was riding to raise money for the Samaritans in memory of my cousin William, who tragically took his own life a few months previously. We still hold you in our hearts.

In the intervening 11 years my cycling has taken on a slightly different bent, riding longer distances on an altogether different bike and in a completely different style. Having met the late inspirational Mike Hall, through the Transcontinental Race, rides of late have been light weight and long. The record to date, 304 miles non stop from Aberystwyth to Lowestoft.

This summer though I am pulling the old workhorse from her stable. She is as strong and reliable as ever and oh so much more comfortable to ride and I am being joined by my eldest son George, now 13 and my daughter Anna, as we head to Arran for a week of touring, walking, wildlife watching and wild camping. I cannot wait! 

Incidentally George and his mum met up with me in Snowdonia all the years ago, along with my old old friend Caber, then 10 whom you can see looking a little unsure about being placed on the trig point atop Snowdon all those years ago.

So, I hope that you will join me again for a new adventure and tales with johnnygiant here at johnnygiant.blogspot.com. Let's go.