For most people taking on a gruelling 969 mile cycle ride from Land’s Ends to John O’Groats is something they wouldn’t dare contemplate.
But spare a thought for managing director of Wolverhampton, Stourbridge and Redditch Volkswagen Andrew Hockedy who completed the challenge despite having three operations to replace two knees and a hip – all in the last 18 months.
Andrew, aged 55, took on the nine- day ride in aid of Marie Curie Cancer Care, helping to raise £5,200 in the process.
It was the second time the father-of-two had faced the near 1,000 mile challenge with his latest trek including a 126 mile stretch in one day as they closed in on the finish in Scotland.
Andrew said: “I did the ride for the first time when I was 50 and I’ve had a number of operations since then but it hasn’t put me off getting on the saddle and going for a cycle.
“When you’re on the bike your mind is completely focused and you go into cruise control. We were averaging climbs of one-and-half mile each day so it’s certainly no easy feat but it was all for a great cause and giving up wasn’t an option.
“People won’t believe me but the toughest part was having to rough it in a tent.”
Andrew said there are no plans to hang up the bike helmet yet and already has his eyes set on the next challenge.
He explained: “I’d like to do Land’s End to John O’Groats again when I’m 60 so that’s something I’ll be definitely considering.
“But before that I’d like to try the Paris-Brest-Paris bike race, it’s a 1,200km ride and thought to be one of the oldest in the world so that’s something I’m aiming to do in the next couple of years.
“One thing for sure is I’m not planning on giving up my bike.”