Our Story So Far

The idea of cycling on a tandem from one end of the UK to the other, totally unsupported and over a limited time period (July 11th-21st 2010) came to Nichola and Boo during another cold and uneventful training run around north London in late October 2009.

Boo's increasing blindness and Nichola's ever present need for a new physical challenge provided the perfect catalyst for planning and preparing for the near 1000 mile ride from John O'Groats (Scotland) to Land's End (Cornwall) scheduled for July 2010.

During the weeks and months of endurance cycle training, the "1blind1blonde" duo discovered an intense team spirit and a passionate shared desire to reach peak physical and mental fitness that would eventually carry them through the trials that lay ahead. Their objectives were clear - to not only raise money for a deserving charity (National Blind Children's Society) but also prove to the blind and partially sighted communities that you "don't need eyes to see"

After leaving John O'Groats on July 11th at 0845, Nichola and Julian arrived in Land's End at 5pm on July 21st - 11 days and 105 hours of peddling later, having covered 987 miles of some of Great Britain's most beautiful countryside, landmarks and coastline - and also raised over £12,000 for the NBCS!

For two amateur cyclists with only a few months of training together, the 'End to End' ride proved to be a major challenge on so many levels. Despite the atrocious weather conditions, mechanical hiccups and frequently severe inclines, the 1Blind1Blonde team made it through will only minor injuries and a newly acquired motto; 'Expect the unexpected, expect the best and plan for the worst!'

As Julian commented after the ride "I really feel as though I have seen and experienced every inch of my country - the different landscapes, surfaces, terrains and gradients, as well as the kaleidoscope of changing smells and sounds along the way. Nichola's consistent and vivid commentary painted such a wonderful picture in my head that it inspired me to push on to the end. We were continually astounded and deeply touched by the extraordinary, spontaneous generosity and support shown by passers by, many of whom had heard about our ride on BBC Radio 4 - it really restored our faith in humankind!"

Nichola found the whole experience 'life changing'. She said "I felt, and still do feel, extremely fortunate to have been Julian's eyes and guide him around the country. Being in this intense team situation was something I will always cherish. I was forced to really see the country myself, as I wanted Julian to experience and get a feel for what I was seeing as clearly and accurately as I could by describing every colour, texture and shape around us.

The thought of showing Julian my country New Zealand and the country which I think is the most beautiful in world and one that everyone she experience 'seeing' whether fully sighted, partially sighted or blind really excites me. I still don't think I have come down from the immense feeling of achievement and exhilaration I felt once we crossed the finish line.. And I don't think I ew k;ffcver will!"

The 1Blind1Blonde Team is now busily preparing for their next challenge, an End to End ride through New Zealand scheduled for March 2011. Watch this space!