Treatment for breast cancer followed by a double hip replacement left 68-year-old Fiona Berry, from Ayrshire, feeling extremely fatigued and unfit. But when her friend of two decades, Bill Miller, 60, of Glasgow, suggested a long-distance bike ride to raise funds for a charity close to his heart, Fiona grabbed the opportunity and discovered the perfect way to become motivated for exercise again.
This week, the pair reached the north of Scotland at John o’ Groats after a 23-day cycle and more than 1130 miles from Land’s End on the south coast of England.
Fiona said: “It has been an amazing journey and the ideal goal as I recovered from the two hip replacements and cancer.
“I have never cycled so far before and there were times when I wanted to give up but when we rode towards John o’ Groats I had a fantastic feeling of achievement.”
Cancer, hip replacements and a new goal
It was just after the Covid pandemic lockdown that Fiona was diagnosed with cancer. She faced surgery, then many months of gruelling chemotherapy and radiotherapy. As she started to recover, she received the go-ahead for a hip replacement in June 2023, followed by the other hip replacement in April 2024.
“I felt floored physically,” Fiona said. “There had been a lot to deal with physically and mentally it was hard to get started with exercise and fitness again.
“Bill, who I know through Creag Dhont Mountaineering Club, had always wanted to cycle Land’s End to John o’ Groats and he asked if I wanted to join him.
“While Bill has completed some other long-distance rides, I had not but I knew it would be a good goal to motivate myself to get fitter again.”
The LEJOG also served as a fundraiser for the Ocean Youth Trust Scotland, a charity that Bill volunteers with.
Fiona said: “Bill and I have both had careers in social work although we are now retired. The Ocean Youth Trust supports young people from disadvantaged backgrounds through adventure sailing and because Bill is a volunteer, we decided to raise cash for this cause as we cycled.
“The aim was £1 a mile to reach £1138. We have actually raised double this.”
Land’s End to John o’ Groats cycling challenge
Fiona and Bill, 60, of Glasgow, rode through Cornwall and Devon and then aimed for as much of the east coast of England and Scotland as possible. On reaching Inverness, they then headed north to John o’ Groats.
The first few days were unsupported and the friends carried all their own kit. After this, friends and family supported them by transporting luggage and providing food and overnight stops.
Fiona said: “The first section through Cornwall and Devon was hard and there was no way to avoid the hills. We aimed for three days of fewer miles.
“Then we averaged about 50 miles each day, with a longest day of 66 miles.
“We chose the eastern side of the country because Bill reckoned it would be less hilly compared to the west.
“There were still some tough times for both of us. I wanted to give up as we cycled through Nottingham. There was a lot of route finding and more hills than I had expected and it felt very tough. But Bill encouraged me to keep going.
“He also had his low moments, for example when he suffered an allergic reaction in the north-east of England.
“But overall it was an amazing experience. We were so lucky with the weather and with all the help from family and friends.
“Once we crossed the border into Scotland, things really started to go well. The scenery and views were fantastic and our fitness had improved. I greatly enjoyed the final part of our ride.
“Then, cycling to John o’ Groats, with a crowd of people applauding us, was incredible. It was overwhelming.
“I feel fortunate to have been able to take on the challenge and to raise money for charity. I have a friend who is going through cancer treatment just now and he said that following my progress has inspired him to ride an extra mile each day on his static bike. If I can help one other person, it has been worth it. “
You can donate to the fundraiser: Just Giving.