A team of six soldiers from one of the London’s leading TA regiments, The Royal Yeomanry (RY) based in Fulham High Street, undertook a marathon cycle challenge from John O’Groats to Land’s End in order to raise as much money as possible for its own regimental charity, the Royal Yeomanry Regimental Association (RYRA).  The RYRA provides financial and practical support to soldiers away on operations and their families.

Riding from John O’Groats to Land’s End is no easy task and this team of amateur cyclists averaged over 82 miles each day to succeed in their endeavour to cover the 990 mile route in just twelve days.

The ride took place from 27 September – 9 October 2011, and was supported by several sponsors (Maximuscle, Wiggle, Garmin, Gore and Lucozade) who generously provided the team with equipment, energy supplements and accommodation. Project Officer and team leader, Staff-Sergeant Mick Stone said: “As a keen cyclist, triathlete, fund raiser and having just come back from a serious back injury (I was knocked off my bike whilst out training in October 2010)  I was looking for a fresh challenge this year.   When it was suggested that I lead a team of relatively inexperienced RY personnel on an end to end cycle challenge it was an offer I couldn’t refuse.   Finding six volunteers proved no problem hence the team was formed and training started almost immediately.”  He continued “Having participated in this event before, I have been more than happy to pass on my experiences to other team members.  However, most of our training rides have been solo so the cycle itself was a great opportunity to operate as a close knit team.  Some of the legs were very difficult and despite the variable weather, we achieved the course ahead of plan most days.”

The team included reservist, Warrant Officer 2 (WO2) Adrian Jenkins, age 45, a scientist from the Health Protection Agency, from New Southgate, North London N11 who serves with Regimental Headquarters in Fulham : "I first heard about the ride in May and having taken part in a Help for Heroes Ride to Paris in 2009, I knew this route would be more challenging and very rewarding.  It was also a good opportunity to raise funds for my Regiment's own Charity, the Royal Yeomanry Regimental Association.”  WO2 Jenkins trained regularly spending many hours in the saddle.  He said “Training for End to End gave me the push that I needed to commute to and from work on my bike cycling the 20 round mile trip 3-4 times a week as well as going out on weekend rides. Having completed the ride I’m now even more inspired to do more cycling.”  The other team members were: Captain Paul Maxwell, Warrant Officer 1 (WO1) RSM Eddie Rooke, Warrant Officer 2 (WO2) Pat McCormack and Corporal Chet Patel with Sergeant Nicky Hall and Brian Clark providing team support.

The Royal Yeomanry’s Commanding Officer, Lieutenant Colonel Newton Astbury, is full of pride about his soldiers: “Cycling from one end of the country to the other was an enormous challenge and tested all the qualities and skills of leadership, organisation and determination, not to mention physical fitness that I expect from all members of the regiment.  I am proud of everyone associated with this enterprise and delighted with their success and know that the entire regiment and all our affiliates and friends supported them throughout their demanding cycle. Raising awareness and money for our Charity is vitally important, as the Royal Yeomanry currently has over 40 people away from their families and civilian jobs in Afghanistan and Cyprus; we have mobilised in excess of 250 previously and we expect to be sending close to another 100 soldiers on operations over the next two years”.