The fact that he wasn’t a veteran cyclist did not discourage Hilary Galea-Lauri from cycling across the UK in aid of charity. He shares the myriad memorable moments from the trip, together with some advice for those wanting to attempt a similar trek.

It started with a random thought, one fine morning, as I got up at five on the dot, as usual. Why not undertake a physical challenge beyond the norm, one which would see me push my boundaries in endurance and – at the same time – raise funds for the many needs of the beneficiaries of Inspire Foundation?

Helping out when other cyclists suffered a flat tyre.

That thought quickly matured into a definite dream and, before I knew it, I was researching a long-distance cycle trip, stumbling on the iconic ride from Land’s End to John o’ Groats (LEJOG).

The ride transverses the whole length of the UK between its two extremities, covering some 1,600 kilometers in under 12 days.

That was early in 2014 without yet owning a road bike. The next step was to order (my now priceless) Cannondale Synapse. The next question I had to address was whether my road bike would arrive in time for me to clock the miles in preparation for the event later that year. The answer to the question did not favour me, at least for that year. But, true to my no-quitter approach to a challenge, I settled for a shorter ride in 2014 from London to Paris, which I completed in just over two days.

John o’Groats in northern Scotland.

As 2015 rolled in, coinciding with my 50th birthday, the prospect of cycling the length of the UK started to haunt me again.

Early this year I began looking into the logistics behind the trip, enrolling to kick off my ride on September 1.

The days and months started to fly by and, again, there I was unable to keep up with the demanding training schedule, due to the many conflicting calls on my time. I knew then that I had to condition my mind to persevere against all odds. At the end of the day, it all came down to mind-over-matter. I do believe that willpower can overcome physical obstacles – and so it was.

Ahead of my adventure, I recall myself saying that 50 per cent of the challenge was getting myself to the start. When I did, I had to deal, among other things, with a train strike in the days leading up to the ride, which meant that I almost ended up missing it.

Then there was the nutrition issue – both before and during the challenge. In reality, this was a challenge within itself.

I read as much as I could about the subject and found vastly conflicting views. In the end, I allowed myself to be guided by a well-balanced diet combining carbohydrates (about 60 per cent), protein (about 15 per cent) and fat (about 25 per cent), with carbohydrates providing the main source of energy.

Hilary Galea-Lauri

A useful tool turned out to be the Glycemic Index (GI). This gives a ranking of carbohydrates on a scale from 0 to 100, according to the extent to which they raise blood sugar levels after eating. The higher the GI, the more rapidly digested and absorbed its energy is. In general, I discovered, it is a good idea to eat foods with low GI values in order to help maintain a steady blood sugar level. However, while on the road, I knew I had to consume high GI foods to provide a quick boost to the system.

The toughest physical challenge I’ve ever done since summiting Mount Kilimanjaro

My daily routine was to pack in some low GI foods before I start and then to keep up a regular supply of medium / high GI foods interspersed with low GI foods (and fluids, best not forget those!) while doing the hard work.

Although the challenge aspect played a big part in the proceedings, this was also an occasion for me to explore the length and breadth of the UK. It turned out to be the perfect way to get off the beaten track in order to really experience the country at close quarters.

When travelling, few people have time to explore the locations that aren’t as popular with tourists; there’s only a certain amount of walking, one can pack in a day, after all.

But cycling through gave me just about the right balance of completing it in a manageable time and being able to appreciate the journey.

But besides the adventure and the scenery, there was the physical fatigue aspect to deal with. I had only taken up cycling in any serious way in the recent past, which meant that I still had a lot to learn.  My muscles are used to medium-to-long distance running, trekking up mountains and resistance training, but cycling gives a rather different workout than my body was used to.

I would be lying if I said that the journey was a breeze which I completed in my own stride. It was tough – the toughest physical challenge I’ve ever done since summiting Mount Kilimanjaro in Africa in 2007 – and it didn’t help that I travelled over to the UK only partly recovered from an elbow injury.

There’s no denying that the pain of a sore arm pulling on my bike’s handlebar, especially as I climbed some seemingly endless hills and through the discomfort of being cold or wet, were tough at the time.

Not to mention the headwinds and the hail I had to embrace as I cycled further into Scotland through to the finish in John o’ Groats, after first routing through Dunnet Head (the most northerly point of the mainland of the UK, known as Easter Head).

In a nutshell, it was hard work all the way, having endured exhaustion, battled lactic acid, and a burn and a boil or two in uncomfortable places. But all the hardships are easily forgotten and it was definitely worth it for the overall experience.

Besides crossing the finish line, one of the most notable moments I experienced was the Shap Fell climb over a distance of 16 kilometres, with a height gain of 382 metres, a height altitude of 423 meters and a maximum gradient of 9 per cent. The feeling at the summit was exuberant, especially as I then looked ahead at the (scary) descent – one that I then enjoyed tremendously.

In writing this article, I cannot fail to mention some of the most scenic places I was so lucky to set my eyes on, particularly when riding through Cornwall in the southwest of England and the Highlands in Scotland. Some of these are really only accessible when off-the-beaten-track and no words can adequately describe them.

The people I came to meet were equally memorable. Those I was honoured to ride with were simply amazing, each recounting their own stories and purpose. Helping each other out when coming across a fellow rider in difficulty – typically changing a tube or a chain, something that I also experienced – resulted in bonding and new friendships.

The locals I met also enriched my experience, as I enjoyed conversations with them about the history and traditions of their country.

Highland cattle and other animals wandering loosely across the moorlands provided interesting encounters when it came to deciding who had the right of way. They did, of course, slowing me down on the ride but affording me the time to capture them through my lenses (while keeping my distance).What I’m now left with is a sense of achievement and the wonderful memories of places, sounds, smells and people. There are many other places I want to visit and this trip has just whetted my appetite for tougher and more enduring challenges, so watch this space.

My advice to people thinking of cycling across the UK from end-to-end is to not underestimate the time and effort the trip will take.

You need to bear in mind that this is a commitment that goes far beyond just the time it takes to cycle the route.  And if you are not the resilient type, go for something within your reach.

Finally, the response to the parallel challenge I set for myself in raising €5,000 (which subsequently became € 10,000) in aid of the Inspire Foundation was just overwhelming. The figure currently stands in excess of €13,000. People (including many unknown to me) have been incredibly kind and generous in donating money. That, in itself, was also part of the motivation which had me pedalling away.