Well, what a wonderful day.

96 miles by most of us, some a little more .......... we have found we are not as good map readers as we thought we were !!

Cycled through some gorgeous Cornish countryside. Lots of steep hills, but lots of down hills as well. Undulating is an understatement !!
Everyone did brilliantly.



We started in rain at Lands End, but that soon left us, and most of the day has been a day of sunshine and clouds.


We then arrived into an amazing evening of hospitality given to us by Janet and Oz in Bude, who some of us had met out in Zambia.

Cold beers, lots of lasagne and food galore all laid on. So brilliant.

Big thank you, Janet and Oz.




























Left Bury at 7.15am and arrived in Penzance at 7.30pm after collecting various people en-route.
Weather gradually got worse as we got nearer to the South West until eventually in Penzance we arrived to driving, heavy rain !

Unfortunately the fan belt on the van decided to pack up on the road down here, but a superb RAC man, kept us smiling with his enthusiasm and jovial manner.

A great pasta meal eventually followed, ready for tomorrow !



Thanks to Paul Heffer for loaning us his minivan.

We will NOT be missed !!!



Getting nervous now !!

But knowing it's a wonderful cause, and we WILL get to John O'Groats !!!!


For those of you who have not heard, this years main fundraiser for St. Monicahs is a cycle trip from Lands End to John O'Groats !

Over 900 miles from end to end.

We've been training for over 6 months now, but the nearer it gets the more daunting it seems !
Cycling starts on sunday 24th June. Keep watching this blog to see daily updates !

9 Cyclists starting, Martyn & Ben Ryan, Davy Brown, Ray Balmer, Bob Brough, Dax Hall, Jon Scrivener, Kenny Ross and Roger Maughan. Chris Chester and then Shaun Byford driving the support vehicle.

The reason for this ride is to raise funds for St. Monicahs school. We need to buy a piece of land so we can build them their own school, giving them security for the future. Helping give children from the slum area hope of breaking out of the cycle of poverty.

Do please support us by CLICKING HERE, and sponsoring us.


Yesterday, St Monicah's were able to have a little party with a grand selection of food and drink, sponsored by Ixworth Primary school.

Below are a few pictures from there day . . . .










How fast time flies! It is now 12 weeks since Josh, Davis and I were in kenya. I know this because Josh's sister Meg has just come back after being there for three months. She came out with us when we went! So much has taken shape at the school over the last few months as you know. We have the sponsorship scheme in place, we have finished off some classrooms and made repairs to others.

More exciting developments have taken place this week. We have finally managed to negotiate a vehicle for the school. It had been such a great need for the school. Firewood, food and stationary all needed to be collected each week and this makes it so much easier. Also some children that live far away can be taken home after school when the rainy season is in full flow rather than getting soaked! We are so pleased to have a vehicle.

Also, this morning i went into Ixworth Primary School. Ixworth have really taken on the project and are doing so many fantastic things to raise funds. From a recent event, over £130 was raised. With this the school have asked if they can get some more skipping ropes, a hammer (which they have never had!) and the rest is going to be spent on a party! The kids at the school often don't get to eat much so we thought it would be a lovely idea for them to buy some food and drink and have a little party! So hopefully in a couple of weeks we will have some pictures of this and of the new skipping ropes in action!

Once again, thank you to everyone for your continued support - keep on keeping on!!

Ben