The VC’s Life Cycle 4 Blog: Day 7 – Chipping Campden to Market Drayton

At 82 miles, today was shorter, and I was in by 1800. But more of that later, let’s begin with the most important aspect of today. It was Joseph Foote’s day, and Andy was riding in his honour. Andy and Jude lost Joe age 9 and their determination to transform tragedy into hope for others …

The VC’s Life Cycle 4 Blog: Day 6 – Guildford to Chipping Campden

Last night we stayed in the Travelodge at Guildford. Tonight we are staying at The Kings Hotel in Chipping Campden. The latter is unambiguously superior in every respect bar one: to write a blog you need a table and chair, this (otherwise very nice room) has neither. So I am writing perched on the thing …

The VC’s Life Cycle 4 Blog: Day 5 – Hythe to Guildford

Today was a tough one: 95 miles, 5,000 feet of climbing, and all into a constant head wind. More of that later. Keira Lee was the child being honoured today, with Steve Wright as the nominated rider. Keira sadly passed away last December, age two. One of our stops was at Keira’s home in Smallfield …

The VC’s Life Cycle 4 Blog: Day 4 – Worthing to Hythe

Today Marion was riding in honour of Abbie Mifsud, whose parents came to welcome us at Hythe this evening. Marion commented: ‘Abbie was a special little girl, who added much to the lives of all who knew her. Riding in honour of Abbie had made the whole challenge personal for me, and spurs me on …

The VC’s Life Cycle 4 Blog: Day 3 – Bournemouth to Worthing

Today was Sam White’s day. I had the privilege of riding in his honour. I first met Sam in 2011. He did an interview at the University, in front of a live audience, about his experience of battling a brain tumour. I was struck by his poise, maturity and confidence; I was also struck by …

The VC’s Life Cycle 4 Blog: Day 2 – Exeter to Bournemouth

Let me start with the Support Team today. What a great group. Three newbies in Helen, Adam and Andy, and one old hand in Paul. So a nearly new team, but you wouldn’t know it such is the professionalism and poise with they do their job. And it is a bigger job than in any …

The VC’s Life Cycle 4 Blog: Day 1 – Truro to Exeter

‘This Time is Different’ is the title of a terrific book on financial crises by Carmen Reinhart and Ken Rogoff; its sub-title is ‘800 Years of Financial Folly’. The interplay of the two tells you a lot. Every time we have a crisis, the familiar refrain from financial markets is ‘this time is different’ but …

The VC’s Life Cycle 4 Blog: Day 0 – Nottingham, Newquay, and Land’s End to Truro

16:25, Thursday September 8th 2011, was the last time I was at Land’s End. We had just finished the first Life Cycle (from John O’Groats). I said a few words to the team, including ‘my next birthday will be my sixtieth…..I will not be doing this again…..you are all much younger and might…..but just in …