UPDATE - 1043 miles challenge completed!  Read how it went below:

This year Sustrans organised our first ever ride from Land’s End to John O’Groats with the help of Saddle Skedaddle, to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the National Cycle Network and raise vital funds for Sustrans. Over 15 days in June and July, eight people met for the first time to travel the length of the UK, from bottom to top, mainly on the Network’s quiet on-road and traffic-free routes. Here’s Marjory Hatvany’s story…

When details of the ride came up on my Facebook feed, my initial thought was that I wouldn’t be able to do it. It was such a long way, and would be a massive ask to leave my family for two weeks. But the more research I did, the bigger the urge I felt to go for it. For a start, the ride would take us through Peebles, Scotland, where I used to live. And we’d be cycling in a group, on quiet roads, with our luggage carried for us, and food provided during the day. I had to do it!

I go mountain biking regularly and I use my bike to commute, but I needed to train for the event. I had less than three months to prepare and by the end I was tackling long rides on consecutive days – to see how I would cope.

On 28 June we set off. We cycled for just over two weeks – ranging from around 50 to 85 miles a day. The beauty of starting at the bottom of the country was that we overcame the biggest hills at the beginning, in Devon and Cornwall. I was a little worried about how I would cope in terms of my own fitness compared to the rest of the group, but after the first day I realised I was going to be fine.

We all rode at our own pace, tending to cycle in smaller groups. Some days I’d join the group at the front and we’d get a really good pedal on. Then I’d drop back and chat to the middle group for a bit, and then make my way to the back. We developed a real sense of team – we really bonded.

The ride was my first long-distance challenge, and it felt like an adventure. It was a tremendous way to see our country and find out what a beautiful place it is. I noticed the countryside changing every day, and the accents!

There were so many highlights. I liked the stone circles we passed – one called Long Meg, near Penrith, Cumbria. Another highlight was making our way up to Sutherland. It’s beautiful – wilderness with mountains. And I loved seeing my mum, sisters and big brother when we got to Peebles, Scotland.

The final section along the North coast was one of the most rewarding – we were nearly there and excited to have accomplished so much. By this point the climbs were steadier and longer, with enjoyable swooping descents, and we could see for miles.

We had one wet day when we arrived in Ludlow, and we experienced one headwind in Scotland. But besides that the weather was amazing. We cycled in a heatwave too!

The whole experience with Sustrans and Skedaddle was fantastic – we didn’t rush the challenge just to get it done. We used quieter roads and as much of the National Cycle Network as possible; including the Two Tunnels in Bath. This meant we could feel the peacefulness, and appreciate what we were doing. It certainly felt safer too. For anyone else thinking of doing this ride with Sustrans in the future, I would say ‘definitely do it’! I think anyone could do it with a bit of training, especially because you can take things at your own pace.

Frome's  Missing Links aim to create a traffic-free path from Frome, linking with the Collier's Way towards Radstock, and hopefully later to connect Frome with Longleat.

Frome's Missing Link volunteers have already put in a huge amount of time and effort.  They have worked in chain gangs to clear old railway tracks, secured landowners' agreements, sought planning permissions and funding and have already completed the first phase.  Now they need help to get Phase II going.  All permissions are in place, and all they need is £20,000 to get started.  By raising this 10% locally,  Sustrans will be able to unlock the rest of the £200,000 required!