King's End to End charity ride raises £13,000 so far

Peter King, British Cycling?s executive director, has so far raised close on £13,000 following the completion of his eight-day End-to-End charity ride in aid of Prostate UK last Friday afternoon.

King pedalled 897 miles in seven and half days riding from Land?s End to John O?Groats, to fulfil a pledge made five years ago to the surgeon who treated him for prostate cancer.

King was backed by an array of sponsors, as befits a man who rescued the crisis hit British Cycling Federation of the 1990s, setting it on course to become Britain?s leading Olympic sport.

?The ride went with scarcely a hiccup - no punctures, no mechanicals, apart from a minor glitch with the gears,? said King.

?I was well looked after at all of the overnight stops with Holiday Inn, Express by Holiday Inn, Hilton, Swallow and The Bridge Hotel in Helmsdale all doing their best to ease my progress and discounting and rebating their charges to support me. Equipment and clothing provided by Phil Griffiths at Yellow Limited and by Garmin covered every eventuality and proved the value of having the best available.?

King had mostly good weather until Scotland when on three successive days he was greeted by headwinds and icy rain.

Undeterred, he pressed on, over bad road surfaces peppered with potholes, so bad he could hardly spare an eye for the scenery. But at least the sun broke through at each day?s end.

He had company on four out of eight days, as cyclists met up and rode with him for a spell.

?Thanks to the dozen or so of you who turned out along the way to guide and chat, often keeping me off main roads and knowing the best en route cafes!

?Thanks again to all those who have already donated so generously that the total raised for Prostate UK is pushing £12,500 and still rising. www.justgiving.com/peterking2

King returned south on the Caledonian Sleeper, but first enjoyed a slap up dinner in the restaurant car.