Ride4Hugo, The Lans, Bristol (2026)

07/09/2025

A night in a playground and nap by a helipad

After setting off from RAF Benson I headed into the night, the legs felt pretty sapped of energy, so I wasn’t sure how much longer I had left in me. As the clocks chimed midnight I came into a sleepy village feeling very sleepy. Spotted the cricket ground, thinking that would be a great little spot on the porch of the pavilion, however, it was still alive with the bustle of boozers, clearly recalling the days play. So it was the village hall playground that was to be my abode.

An early morning rise, I set off to find some breakfast, but first my morning constitution with quite the view over the rolling hills of Buckinghamshire. I hoped to find a nice independent cafe for my breakfast, however, this was the land of Milton Keynes, so it was Costa or Costa. However, came to my rescue as I passed through Bedford, the sign caught my eye and I was sold. When they found out what I was doing, they very kindly gave it to me.

Then it was on to Huntingdon for the , as it was a weekend I did risk that there might not be anyone there, and it was the case. So I had a little sit down, then a little lie down , before I knew it I was asleep. It turns out a helicopter coming into land is a pretty good alarm clock. After a 30 minute Power Nap the crew returned, I got a chance to chat with them, restock my bottles before I was going to be on my way.

Link to donate in bio or ride4hugo.co.uk

02/09/2025

Druids and The Downs

I had been looking forward to the next leg quite a bit as it was not only going close to our old school, Marlborough College, but it also took in the Ridgeway which offers glorious views and great riding.

It started off back on the Kennet and Avon Canal all the way to Devizes, via the famous Lock climb. Then a bit of time on the road up to Avebury. As it was heating up, I was very grateful for Andy meeting me along the way with an ice cream. Then off to Avebury, sadly no druids spotted, and off on to the chalk undulating (uppy-Downys) way!!

I raced to try and make the farm shop before it shut and got there with 2 minutes to spare. I did pass the 50,000 Calorie point today. So after devouring all the food I could lay my hands on from the deli counter, I set off for RAF Benson. As the sun set I was treated to some incredible views.

Arriving just after 2100 it turned out to that the Heli had been put to bed. However, I was lucky that was there just enjoying his dinner. He very kindly shared a meal prep, hot brew and some good conversation. It was great to hear his story and find out more about Then we managed to sneak into the hanger for a photo before it was time to wrap up, put the lights on and into the night I went.

Link to donate in bio or ride4hugo.co.uk

01/09/2025

First tumble and a very British welcome

So after putting the world to right with the GWAA crew, I set off for my journey east. Although sad to not go into Bristol, with so many great coffee shops it would not have been good for keeping me on schedule. The first part of the journey was in the Bristol to Bath railway line, which in a Saturday was absolutely heaving!! But a very much needed flat and clear run all the way to Bath.

Upon entering Bath I did have to start playing tourist Slalom, given that I am still here and with no outstanding claims against me, I think I can say I won. Then it was onto the Kennet and Avon canal all the way. This was where I came a cropper in the game of Tom vs incorrectly secured mooring lines. I was over the handle bars before I could blink. I managed to avoid any serious injuries and just picked up some grazes. The most annoying part was knocking my aero bars around, given the congested nature of my cockpit, sorting them out was an absolute nightmare.

Coffee and cake sorted a lot of it out and I carried on my way, after a short 400m off the canal I was at base. We are incredibly grateful to them as they have actually been to two crashes involving our family. The first almost 15 years ago, involved my Cousin, who thankfully was ok. The most recent, was they were the 3rd HEMS to attend Hugo’s car crash.

As it was a weekend, it was just the crew on. However, they certainly made me feel very welcome with the most British of foods upon arrival, crumpets!! It was great to meet them, see around the base and the helicopter and hear about the incredible work they do. It was also great to have a friend pop over with his son to meet me at the base.

Link to donate in bio or ride4hugo.co.uk

30/08/2025

Serendipitous timing and TV..

This leg was almost the breaking of me. The head winds and rain were really not much fun, but the big part was the mechanical that I discovered as I took off the rear wheel to fix a slow puncture, and the cassette just fell off!! This explained the wobbling side to side of the bike. Luckily I was close enough to home that I was able to simply do a one for one swap with as we have his and hers .mountain wheels, it did mean I was now rocking a pink valve.

A restful night at home really helped, seeing Isla(she loves playing with our phones) and Oliver reenergised me ready to set off for , our local one and for an interview for today.

It was great to see the incredible set up that they have at their, newish, base at RAF Cosford. The welcome was amazing with everyone turning out to cheer me on.

Link to donate in bio or ride4hugo.co.uk

22/08/2025

Head winds, rain and breakages

It was not a long trip down from Lincoln to Nottingham Heliport to get to however, it was certainly eventful.

Shortly, after leaving I felt a strange movement from the rear of the bike, it turned out that the bolts holding the aero pack had come loose and fallen out. So a quick bodge and I was back in.

The rest of the route was uneventful, other than headwind most of the way and a good bit of rain. I did start to feel another odd movement from the rear of the bike, but couldn’t see any issues so just put it down to the headwind.. I would find out it was a it more serious later on..

It was great to turn off the busy dual carriageway, after being shouted a few times to find the air base and meet the team. A bit of warmth, cup of coffee and I was ready for the next stint across the midlands to home.

Link to donate in bio or ride4hugo.co.uk

21/08/2025

Midnight dash and some blokes in red

After quickly escaping off the air field, no perimeter fence, typical RAF security. I was treated to a fresh meal, shower and rest by Sarah and , friends from our skiing days together, I think they might have won a few races in their time!! It was nice to catch up even if I didn’t make for great company!! I also went for what was meant to be a quick nap, turned out to be a 2.5hr one. So I set off at about 2200, a few hours behind schedule, heading for York.

York is another city I was fortunate to be based in for a bit, so have some very fond memories of it. Sadly as I passed through about midnight, I was not able to go to some of my favourite bougie cafes, but had to settle for a battered sausage and chips with some drunken students!! Before setting off further into the night on my journey south.

After a few words with myself I got to about 0430, when the Long heard General () messaged to tell me to go to bed. This was quite fortunate timing as it had just started to rain and I was passing under a bridge. So after a quick met check, which said it was going to rain for 2hrs, I decided to get my head down for a couple of hours.

After restarting, I still had a good few hours of low country to push through to get down to . With only one hill to think about I came up onto the flats around RAF Waddington to be treated to a front row seat of the training. Which was an amazing arrival, only then topped by what seemed the whole of the office turning out, cow bells included, to welcome me in.

Sadly, I didn’t get to meet the crew as they were out on job 4 of the day at that point. However, I was treated to some exceptional sandwiches and a resupply point for my stuff.

Link to donate in bio or ride4hugo.co.uk

21/08/2025

Yorrrrrrrkshire

Having already enjoyed a Full Yorkshire Breakfast, I knew I was in the self-declared ‘God’s County’ (my Yorkshire great grandfather would I’m sure take issue with the self declared part of that statement). It was only meant to be a short hop down to RAF Topcliffe to meet the team there. However, Yorkshire farmers had a different view. After coming a cropper in a field of cows that definitely didn’t have the bridal path that should have been there, and the gates not kept up, it was back onto the road to avoid this happening again.

joined me for a good couple of hours, which was amazing to have the company. Much appreciated after a few days of solo riding. Especially given that he was on leave and off on holiday the next day. Very good of his long haired general to release him.

After he left it was a bit far to go, luckily as I arrived the heli was just coming into land. So I got through security, luckily nice and easy given my day job. Then went over to meet the team, who at first were a little surprised but the Yorkshire hospitality quickly kicked in and I was 4 biscuits deep in a cup of tea before I knew it. It was an amazing to meet them and see the incredible work they do.

Link to donate in bio or ride4hugo.co.uk

20/08/2025

The North

After the relative flats of the Rochdale Canal I was handed my first proper Hike-a-Bike section as I headed up on the Pennine Way. There really was no break, it was just up. The views it revealed though were stunning,

One of the reasons for doing it in a MTB was to highlight the fact that Air Ambulances often go to places that are not easily accessible. The Pennine Way was great example of this. As it changed form road, footpath, Bridleway it was quite the contrast, only common theme was gates and some more gates, which are rather frustrating when bike packing.

Del decided to try and make a break for freedom, but was luckily recovered. After a restock and some time on the valley floor, it was a nighttime crossing into Wensleydale. At 0030 it was certainly blowing an absolute hooley!! A quick torchlight descent into Hawes and it was time to make my bed in a porch way.

Early morning views did not disappoint but I still had one big climb to get over to Richmond, where a big Yorkshire Breakfast awaited. This acted as a reset as I headed the last bit mainly down hill and flat out to new base at Eaglescliffe. It was great to meet the team and I was well looked after at their new Cafe. Northern hospitality was certainly what I remember it from my time at university up here, another pin badge acquired and it was on my way south before I knew it.

Link to donate in bio or ride4hugo.co.uk

19/08/2025

Back in the old stomping ground

After crossing into Cheshire, I had been posted to Chester for 3 glorious years as a Platoon Commander with 2 , I stopped for a Nando’s replenishment and catch up with an old comrade. Which was lovely, I recall the area with such fondness!!

But I had to push on through the dark and onto where I arrived at about 0100 in the morning. Thankfully the absolute legends there looked after me, after a brew and cake I was making the office my home for the night. It was a little less exposed than my plan to tuck myself away under cover at old stomping ground the AJ Bell stadium just down the road. It was much needed as I had a big hilly parcours the following day.

Del was branded with a Pin and that began something that would carry on the rest of the journey. After a quick meet and greet with the team and also with Jen from and Jess from both of whom have been fantastic in the planning of the trip, I was off into the suburbs of Manchester making my way Northwards. Thank god for the northern industrialists and their canals!!

Another couple of random acts of kindness meant my breakfast and first coffee shop .endurancehub were on the house. Off to the North I went!!!

Link to donate in bio or ride4hugo.co.uk

19/08/2025

Last of the Celts

I landed at Holyhead in the midst of Storm Floris, which certainly made for a wet and windy start to a Monday morning, but also seemed fitting for arriving in the last of the Celtic nations.

The last time I was riding up in Anglesey, I was with Hugo for his big ride for so it was very special to be back. By the time I got to Carnafean the weather had subsided and it was quite a pleasant trip out to the Airport to meet the Team.

As you can imagine they were particularly welcoming, a tray of baked goods from the cafe below and a few coffees. Before they got a shout out that was then stood down, much to the disappointment of the cafe patrons, who were hoping to see the heli fly.

Given the weather and continued storm in Eryi I opted for the costal path to the north west, which had some beautiful views. A little battered by the wind and covered in sand at one point, but with the wind in my back I made some great time heading for Chester.

Link to donate in bio or ride4hugo.co.uk

18/08/2025

Over the seas

Day 3 saw an early arrival into Belfast, a quick breakfast in St George’s Market, where another random act of kindness saw a fellow cyclist donate to the cause. Then on down the river to Lisburn and where I was made to feel very welcome.

Then youngest air ambulance, it is in the old search building of the infamous Maze Prison. It was great to meet the team, as well as the slightly mental who is walking the length of Ireland carrying the Drs first aid bag. An incredible effort, definitely check out his journey..

After a bit of lunch, quick BFBS interview with it was time for a 48hr break for wedding and some time with .

Sunday saw me back at it as I powered down to Dublin to try and get an early ferry to avoid Storm Floris. Luckily I made it, so a quick sleep on the ferry and off to the final Celtic nation I headed.

Link to donate in bio or ride4hugo.co.uk

18/08/2025

The Start

0900 on the 30th of June saw me set off from the first of the Celtic nations with in Perth. A bit of a cross country route over the Lowlands, crossing the Forth to Edinburgh, then for the union canal to Glasgow. My first night out in a church yard about 15km outside of Glasgow.

Day 2 saw me push on through down to Cairnryan for the ferry over to Belfast. The rolling Scottish hills certainly didn’t disappoint with incredible views, random castles and several random acts of kindness. Finally arriving in time to get a bit of kip in the ferry terminal for an early hours departure to Belfast.

Ride4Hugo

07/09/2025

02/09/2025

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30/08/2025

22/08/2025

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