Mike Tomlinson and daughter Rebecca are repeating one of the events which first catapulted the cancer heroine to public attention.

They are cycling the 1,400-mile route from John O'Groats to Lands End, almost exactly five years after Jane completed the same incredible journey while suffering from terminal cancer.

Graeme Hodgson, the events director for Leeds 10k Jane Tomlinson's Run For All, will be the only other cyclist to accompany the pair for the entire journey.

And they're taking us with them. Follow Mike's blog in words, pictures and video right here....

Wednesday, July 31

Newquay to Land's End

This ride took us from Launceston to Newquay and the first six miles took us nearly an hour and a half. It would probably have been quicker to have been sitting in a supermarket trolley and been pushed. It was caused by three flat tyres and adverse weather conditions. The weather conditions lasted all day and only the last hour was done in anything other than driving rain.

The ride itself was quite tough with lots of short sharp climbs. The countryside was amazing. At one point we were asked to stop to let a group of horses past. We thought incorrectly that they would be accompanied by riders. But they were being driven down without restraint - about 20-30 of them.

Today I am sad. I'd actually just like to be cycling on my own. With my own thoughts and in my own head. The grief has completely overtaken me this morning.



Tuesday, July 29

Tiverton to Launceston

55 miles

Yesterday's leg involved numerous hills, torrential downpours and multiple punctures. We had six punctures, bizarrely always on rear wheels. With the wind also against us most of the day, it was a long day.

This morning we have got up to continuing downpours. It has been like this for the last two hours and there is no sign of change. I can't imagine today's ride from Launceston to Newquay will be much fun at all. If there was ever any reason to go for a holiday abroad, today is the day to make you decide. It looks as though it is going to be by far our worst day.

I think all of us are a little fatigued and ready for the finish. Personally, I'm already regretting going for a beer last night. But I'm sure that it won't stop me having another tonight.

There's only just over 100 miles to go and I'm looking forward to a day's rest on Friday.

Monday, July 28

Wells To Tiverton

55 Miles

Today was a fast day on the road and for once we finished in a respectable time, completing the 55 mile cycle in just over three hours on the road. The down side of this was that the route took us on some A-roads and so the day was functional as opposed to aesthetically pleasing.

With only three days to go to the finish, it does now feel as though we are winding down for the end of the road. This is exemplified by the fact that the family has joined us. I hope that for the next three days we can reflect on what Jane achieved and celebrate her life.

Tomorrow is the last really difficult stage as we head up to Launceston and cross Exmoor. I think we all feel slightly fatigued but I for one will miss the cycling on Friday morning.


Sunday, July 27

Marlborough To Wells

56 miles

It's the law on the ride that when the TV cameras aren't here we have an action packed day. This morning we had a Tour de France style crash. We have been joined on the ride by my brother-in-law John, his daughter Lol, 9, riding on a trailer bike with him, and my nephew Jack, 12.

Jack was making a sharp descent on a road which had a lot of loose gravel, the bottom of which was sharp, right-handed bend. Jack's bike slid from under him and he crashed underneath the bike. Becca who was following closely, couldn't avoid him and flipped over the top of him. Jack's leg got stuck between the handle bars and frame and could only be released by removing the handle bars.

An ambulance was called and he was taken to hospital to have a couple of stitches in his knee. His Mum said "You'll be all right Jack; you'll soon be back on the bike because we can get it mended." Jack's response, "That's great Mum think about the bike but not my leg!"

Becca was distraught to find that having gone over the top of Jack and landed on him she emerged unscathed. She said, "At least with such a dramatic crash I would have like to have had some wounds to show." Both Jack and Becca are fine, but we don't think Jack who was due to rude the last five stages will be able to ride again until Thursday.

Tomorrow we head down to Tiverton and hopefully as the TV cameras soon return the ride will become uneventful again.


Friday
London to Henley
56 miles

The ride from Wellingborough to London on Thursday was the longest day's ride, in terms of hours, since Jane started doing bike rides five years ago. We barely covered an average that Jane would have done in the States. To say we were slow would be to credit the riders.

By the time we arrived in London the light was failing and we were at the point of having to abandon the day. We arrived in Westminster at 9.15pm, twelve and a quarter hours after setting off. It is quite beoyond my grasp why it took us so long. All credit to BBC Look North's Harry Gration for keeping going despite being exceptionally tired. If I'd been Harry I'd have been begging for a lift after 30 miles.

Everyone on the road was a little tired after two long stages. Today we've cycled out of London to Henley. It's been a posh day. They were setting up the grounds of Windsor Castle for a polo tournament and Henley is still festooned with decorations from the regatta. It's a little different to home, but none the better for it.

On a separate note, St Albans may be a wealthy town but clearly non of that money is spent on the highways as the road had more pot holes than the Yorkshire Dales and trust me some were bigger.


Wednesday
Retford To Wellingborough
90 miles

It was a slow day today. We started at 9am and finished at about 7.30pm. Unbelievable therefore that we only managed 90 miles. What would Jane have said?

I can't explain why it took so long. Maybe it was mid-ride blues. I managed to fall off for the second day out of three. Again in a rather pathetic way, by getting my right foot caught in the pedal. It was completely undignified and really rather pointless because we had taken a detour to visit Jane's Gran's old farm.

Considering I have just spent seven hours in the saddle I feel remarkably refreshed and could have continued riding. I can't say that I am looking forward to tomorrow's ride into central London however. I've yet to plan a route and no doubt there will be a crescendo of complaints from my co-riders at whatever route I choose. I may resort to sticking pins in the map. I've even thought of cutting the corner off, but we probably wouldn't get away with that.

The countryside on today's ride was really quite lovely and some of the villages were quaint in an old, English way. It was quite hot today and my tan line is looking extremely embarrassing now coupled with the fact we were smeared with oil and crap when we finished. The photos taken by the Northants Evening Post and filming by BBC Look North should be avoided by anyone with any degree of taste.

Harry Gration is joining us again tomorrow although I can't figure out why anyone would choose to wish to cycle into London.




Tuesday
Leeds to Retford
51 Miles

It was strange to be at home last night, although the reality was that of washing and sorting out suitcases. There was little time to spend with Steven.

I had decided that as it was Steven's last day at primary school I wouldn't set off until he had finished, giving me the opportunity to attend his leaving mass and to collect him from school for one last time.

When he started primary school in September 2001, Jane felt lucky to be alive and it had been the first major objective that she had set, despite it being inevitable that she would be unable to see him conclude his days there. That sadness pervaded every aspect of this morning. It brought home just how young Steven is to have lost his Mum and it is a credit to him that he has been so mature all year.

So, while the others started off at 8.30am, I was 6.5 hours behind them. I set off just after 2pm with Maggie. I was glad of the company although saddened that it took 30 miles to realise what a performance it was for her to get her foot in the pedals after every junction. If only I had known.

Although she said she had done little training, I don't believe her as she managed to grind out an average 20mph for the last 16 miles. What some people will do to get away from me. More alarmingly, for everyone, was that she was mistaken for my daughter three times, I can't quite begin to understand why as there is barely a decade between us.

Today was 50 miles. Tomorrow we are set to do almost 100 miles between Retford and Wellingborough and how we are looking forward to it.


Monday
Settle to Leeds
43 miles
Today was a special stage, cycling form Settle to Leeds via Airton, Burnsall, Bolton Abbey and Otley Chevin. We got a civic send off in Settle which was fantastic. I grew up there and still feel that it's my home town.

As a special treat I decided that we would take the difficult road out of town, up If Hill, which rises 500ft almost vertically. No-one had, had a chance to warm up and within two minutes, 50 per cent of people were walking. I'm pleased to say that none of the walkers were anyone who had been cycling all the way.

We had glorious weather and the Dales countryside was as beautiful as anything we had seen so far. We enjoyed lunch at Bolton Abbey and an ice-cream in Otley, before heading off up the Chevin, which again tested some riders. It was a stonking day and memorable for all the right reasons. Jane was omnipresent for Rebecca and I throughout the day.

We ended the public part of the day at Leeds Met riding under a finishing banner. Sadly we are now actually only half way. The fours of us, Mick, Graeme, Rebecca and I, then had to ride across Leeds in the rush hour traffic which was grid-locked because of an accident by the Merrion Centre.

As a special treat for the motorists I managed an undignified fall from the bike when my foot got caught in the pedal. It was one of those moments when you know you are going to fall and there is nothing you can do about it.

At least it cheered up some passing drivers!


Sunday
Kirkby Stephen to Settle
40 miles
Today was set to be the easiest day of the ride, so I took advantage by going out on the lash with Jane's brother Mark last night in Appleby and then Brough.

Appleby's Hare and Hounds had an Eighties fancy dress theme in the out and I have to say a stranger collection of costumes I have never seen. Quite what any tourist would make of it I'm not sure. It was, though, a long time since I have seen dry ice in a pub. There was a range of interesting characters from the 60-year-old air guitar hero to leg warmer-clad youths.

We went back to The Castle Hotel in Brough and stayed in the bar until it shut at 2.30am. Needless to say we slept well.

This morning I didn't feel too great. I thought, perhaps naively, that this would improve if I started riding. How wrong was I.

When everyone stopped in Hawes for a coffee. I felt too sick so continued cycling on to Settle. The last 20 miles I rode on my own, trying to finish as quickly as possible. I managed in just the nick of time before pay back for last night was complete. I won't be drinking again in the tour.

Being in Settle obviously brings back lots of happy memories with Jane. And this afternoon I have spent five hours proof reading the last 100 pages of the new book and reliving the last part of Jane's life which has brought into focus why I'm on the bike ride.

Tomorrow I have no doubt will be a sad day with the solace being that at least I will get to see Steven.


Saturday
Carlisle to Kirkby Stephen
45 miles

We were joined by four guest riders, plus reporter Paul Ogden from the BBC, making us a party of nine. We are still awarding our virtual monkey and everybody staked a claim for winning it. After a dull and uninteresting day on Friday, Saturday was the complete reverse.

A lovely couple from Scotland, Dave and Kim, joined. Unfortunately after 13 miles Kim took a tumble on a tricky descent where the road was a little greasy with the gravel covering. She gashed her leg and needed treatment so was unable to continue. All co-riders were upset and we pass on our best wishes to both Kim and Dave. Graeme and the two support vehicles left the ride to accompany Kim to seek medical attention.

Of the six riders left Paul Ogden from the BBC fell into the same trap as Harry (Gration), promising to see us later. We didn't see him again. It's something that the BBC seem to be specialising in – rubbish bikes and no navigational sense.

We stopped for lunch at Melmerby. By this stage, out of the nine of us, there were only five remaining. Don't worry this number was to reduce further.

With the inevitable delays caused by the accident and the usual BBC lost person, the day was lengthening, so the tow riders from sponsors PWC decided to make a mad dash to the finish in Kirkby Stephen. We never saw them again.

Mick, Becca and I tootled along to Appleby where just after the town Becca decided that her hayfever was too bad because she couldn't see the road. Being a youth, she'd forgotten to take her medication in the morning and wasn't wearing her glasses. I'd like to say she wouldn't do that again. But she will.

Mick who was 100 yards ahead of us didn't see us turn back and continued. It was surprising therefore that when we reached Kirkby Stephen that Mick hadn't arrived. The ghost of Harry lived with Mick and he went 290 miles in the wrong direction. Not bad for someone local to the area.

The day finished for us at 3pm, but for Graeme it was a solo ride and he didn't get in until 5.30pm.


Friday 18 July

Hawick to Carlisle

40 miles

Today was unadventurous on the bike, miserable weather was our companion on route from Eskdalemuir. We stayed last night in Selkirk at the Heatherlie House Hotel and without doubt it's been our best accommodation on the trip. Made to feel very welcome, a big discount was given and all the drinks were "on the house" and it's a vast chasm to the Premier Inn tonight where almost every opportunity to extract a surcharge is taken.

Paul Ogden from the BBC joined us today for the ride and once again his bike put him at a severe disadvantage. His legs sup the pedals like a hamster in a wheel, furiously peddling without achieving any distance. Rather like a boring day at work we filled the time unproductively cycling the measly 40 miles in just over 3 hours yet still not finishing until nearly three o'clock.

It was an uninspiring day…….so I won't bore you further!


Thursday 17 July


Edinburgh To Hawick

51 miles

A frequently asked question of us in Scotland is how are finding the weather. The answer is simple, "F****ing miserable." Actually, until today it had been reasonable. For September.

This morning we were treated to a lashing of rain which was unfortunate as we suffered our first puncture half way up a hill on the busy A7 leaving Edinburgh. Already drenched each passing lorry added to our misery.

Today's puncture was self-inflicted and the recipient the winner of the day's virtual monkey. Mick, despite being the strongest cyclist in the group, has spent the whole 400 miles drafting each one of us. To be honst, he may as well have attached a tow-rope to Becca's bike and got a free lift down.

But yesterday justice was delivered when following closely behind Becca on the Forth Road Bridge. She swerved to avoid an electric box which Mick subsequently careered into. Mick's loss was our loss. Not only damaging the inner tube he destroyed the tyre.

Last night's late finish meant Mick's puncture was not spotted until this morning. It also happened on a day when our support vehicle was getting its brakes changed as a consequence we spent three hours cycling nowhere stuck in the Scottish Borders with a watering can above our heads.

Today's simple 51 mile journey turned into a marathon we could have run it faster ( well Becca could).

There has been little teamwork during the ride and the drafting has got so bad that at various points, like track cyclists, we have slowed to almost a standstill with the person who was likely to fall off being forced into the front position.

It's all very childish and dangerous as we weave across the road. We are thinking of this being our own fuel protest as we cross central London next Friday.


Wednesday 16 July

Blairgowrie to Edinburgh

68.5 miles

We lost the monkey today. Graeme, who was the custodian of the monkey, managed to lose it on his first day as keeper. We think it's a trait with people from Hartlepool. So we now have a virtual monkey which was today awarded to a virtual rider.

Ryan, who rode across America with Jane, was due to cycle with us at some point but we are still waiting for his first appearance.

Those who were cycling today managed 68.5miles from Blairgowrie to just south of Edinburgh. It was an uninspiring ride after the peace and magnificent scenery we had enjoyed in days previous. The high point was crossing the Forth Road Bridge.

Midway across the bridge we chanced upon five cyclists on the end to end route in the opposite direction. We asked them to take a photo of us on the bridge whereupon they remarked that they had discussed amongst themselves their chances of meeting with us and agreed that it was extremely slim.

After crossing the bridge we dropped into Queensferry which is underneath the Forth Rail Bridge and it brought back memories of Jane five years ago. It was, at that time, the first point I had seen Jane on her journey and the recollection was as vivid a picture today as it was then.

It has left me feeling decidedly melancholy which I guess is just part of a grieving process.

We cycled to the Edinburgh outskirts and I treated my co-riders to an exhibition of how to cut up cars and generally ride in a completely reckless and life endangering manor. A few choice words have been exchanged as I was responsible for navigation and they felt inclined to have to follow me.

At one point speeding past a row of stationary cars at traffic lights on the outside I was nearly taken off but could only smile.

Tuesday 15 July

Leicht Pass to Blairgowrie

59.5 miles

Today was tough, we covered 59.5 miles including 5,000ft of climbing in appalling conditions.

We set off from Leicht Pass at 8.30am and it was blowing a gale sideways. Becca struggled to keep her bike up and the wind kept trying to take the front wheel from under her. We had to descend at 7.5mph and it was a battle with the wind all the way down.

Once at the foot of Leicht Pass we had two more climbs before we reached Balmoral Castle and then dropped down again. The road from Balmoral to Braemar was a really beautiful stretch, through the woods and along the River Dee .

As we turned west the wind returned, this time a ferocious headwind. Our progress became really slow. The climb of the Spital of Glenshee - which ascends 2,100ft - was awful. The wind was in our fcaes and it was a real slog. Becca felt really drained today and she suffered big style.

Lunch was at the ski station at the top and then this afternoon we descended to Blairgowrie. For the first 10 miles we struggled again to keep our bikes upright as the wind swirled and whipped around us. It was a wonder no-one came off.

On the way into Blairgowrie we saw the best shop sign of the journey so far, a lovely hairdressers called Curl Up 'n' Dye. I think we all feel like that.

Blairgowrie, which is in Perthshire, is lovely. The town is full of Eastern European fruit pickers here to pick the strawberries and raspberries.

Tonight we are going for a curry because everyone here seems to recommend the local curry house.

I had a charming text from a friend this afternoon. "How's your a***? (Obviously it's better than your face)". For the record, my backside is beginning to suffer tonight and I've had to resort to slouching in my chair.

Tomorrow we are heading south for Edinburgh, 70 miles away.


Monday 14 July

Inverness to Leicht Pass

58 miles

We set off at 8.30am as planned for the first time. We intended to travel 51 miles.

Five miles into the day's ride we stopped at Culloden battlefield to do some filming. Although only five miles into the ride Becca was feeling quite cold. I had already got up with a dodgy tummy - no I hadn't had curry or beer last night.

Fillming done, we headed on to some backroads towards the Grampians. It wasn't long before the roads became difficult to navigate and I spent my time between making sure that BBC Look North's Harry Gration was on the right road and Becca, who was behind, was ok. Becca's eyes were swelling like a prize fighter who had just finished 15 rounds. It was her hayfever causing her problems.

Harry, though, was keen with his new bike and with a sense of increasing strength pedalled off into the distance. Sadly he was taking the route that none of the rest of us were and ended up going 18 miles in the wrong direction. This slowed the rest of us down and as we sat atop a field muttering "Where's Harry?" in a chivalrous tone we all decided it was every man for himself, and Harry was on his own .

The four of us headed on as quickly as possible to Grantown on Spey. Fortunately our support driver had picked Harry up in Nairn and drove him to the lunchtime stop. Harry decided this would be a good time to not cycle further. Strangely enough the afternoon consisted of a series of torturous hills. Did Harry go in the wrong direction?

With us all strong we got to Tomintoul and decided that we would carry on for a further six miles to the Leicht Pass summit at 2,000ft, just so that we can start tomorrow going downhill.

Each day a monkey is handed to the person who has done something noteworthy to the day. Tomorrow Graeme is the proud recipient for his unerring ability to answer is mobile phone wherever he is cycling.

TO SEE A SLIDESHOW OF IMAGES FROM DAYS THREE AND FOUR, CLICK HERE.

Sunday 13 July

Bonarbridge To Inverness

58.5 Miles

Today was a tough day today, really tough. I don't think any of us expected it to be as tough as it was.

Last night we stayed in a beautiful hotel on the banks of Loch Shin, where we were fantastically well looked after. But we had a 26 mile drive to this morning's start point and from the off it was just one of those days which was destined to be a pain in the backside.

The day's cycling should have started by 9am but because of the long drive to the start point were not underway until 10am. Once we were on the road we had to turn back a number of times for bike repairs bike. On top of that we had a lot of media commitments along the way which added to the delays.

We did not arrive in Inverness until 4pm, so it was a long as well as frustrating day in saddle. For most of the day we were cycling into headwind for most of the day, which really slowed us down. We only really got benefit of any wind for last 12 miles. Everyone is tired tonight and Becca and I have got upset stomachs.

But, on the upside, we met some really nice people on the road today and were given a lot of money for the appeal - about £200. At one pub we stopped at in Alness they had, had a collection in the bar for us which was very, very nice.

Tonight we are staying at the Premier Inn in Inverness which is a bit of a comedown from the beautiful surroundings of last night – especially as it is far more expensive ( it even costs five pounds to go on internet for an hour).

I'm looking forward to getting some rest, but before that can happen I have to sort out the route for tomorrow when we head for Tomintoul.

TO SEE A SLIDESHOW OF IMAGES FROM DAYS THREE AND FOUR, CLICK HERE.


Saturday 12 July

Bettyhill to Bonarbridge

56 miles

Last night we ate in Bettyhill one of the most northern parts of Scotland. Dinner was fantastic because whatever food you ordered, something else arrived. The two polish waiters struggled to understand anything we said, but when it did arrive it was quality.

Today's ride started in mist and rain but we soon headed out into beautiful woodland scenery along the banks of the River Nevan. It was a beautiful morning ride but I was soon tailed off after changing batteries in my GPS. The ride took us up towards Craskin where we stopped for lunch of four plates of sandwiches. It was a beautiful stop, the highlight of which was Graeme asking Harry Gration if he was setting a new fashion in wearing bicycle gloves because for two days he'd been wearing them the wrong way round (padded side out).

After lunch we dropped down into the town of Lairg. Harry set off at a fair pace buoyed by his lunch, but was soon overtaken by Becca who averaged 20 miles an hour for the first hour after lunch. Because we had had a tail wind all day we decided to add an extra 10 miles to the day's stage and have finished in Bonarbridge.

I am pleased to say we have already collected more cash on the road than in the 10 weeks we spent in America (£60).

Tonight I have been sent a photo of Steven with a pint in his hand saying "Cheers dad, I hope your arse is ok!" and I feel homesick. The sender ( thank you Darren) who was due to join us on the ride is having second thoughts after seeing Harry Gration on the telly last night.

TO SEE A SLIDESHOW OF IMAGES FROM DAY TWO, CLICK HERE.

Friday 11 July

John O'Groats to Bettyhill

51 Miles

Today we finished in Bettyhill after departing John O'Groats at 10am. I found the first part of the day difficult and it was impossible to shake the image of Jane from my head.

John O'Groats is a desperate place, devoid of any character and reminiscent of Land's End in only a sense of anti-climax. Even more appalling was that we had to pay 20p to go to the loo. It was good to get on the road but within two miles Becca was complaining that she couldn't cycle at our pace.

The first 30 miles passed easily with little discomfort. We were pleased to see that Harry Gration from the BBC had decided to pack a sit-up-and-beg bike which was built like a tank. It was a surprise to no-one that he soon dropped off the pace, missing a scheduled interview at 1.30pm. Indeed he arrived for dinner as we left.

The last 19 miles were hell. Suitably cold from dinner Becca and I suffered in turn. Facing a head wind driving rain Becca cycled alongside me saying, "This is f***ing hard." The last five miles were torturous and I ended up spending the last 30 minutes cursing Jane.

You will be pleased to know that our cycling kit has finally arrived, at 6pm tonight. Unfortunately too late to avoid me hand washing today's shorts.

TO SEE A SLIDESHOW OF IMAGES FROM DAY ONE, CLICK HERE.

*****

Thursday 10 July, Leeds to Bettyhill

Set off from Leeds at 5am this morning. We got to just over the Pennines on the A66 and the heavens opened. Rain of biblical proportions ensued. At least we now know why they don't play cricket in Scotland.

It was a good journey, although slow going after Inverness. The highlight was seeing potentially the smallest camper van in the world – on the single-track A-road with passing places from Tain to Melvich - with the names Vera and Fred emblazoned on the back .

Pleased to report that Becca is already disillusioned with being on the road with her dad; the very familiar refrain, "You are such a loser" being heard every hour. Becca spent the vast proportion of day sat on the back seat wearing her hoody like a straight-jacket, with the hood pulled up over her face and i-pod plugged in, only surfacing to complain about the music in the car.

Organisation for the ride is proving to be troublesome. The cycling clothing hasn't arrived, but fortunately every rider recognised that this was a strong possibility and brought back-up kit. The rooms were under-booked in the hotel and we're not sure we have got the right insurance on the cars. We knew there would be some pieces of equipment forgotten, but at present Becca wins the award for most obvious mistake by leaving her helmet at home on the kitchen table. Otherwise everything is hunky-dory.

Bettyhill, where we are staying tonight seems to be appropriately named. I'm not looking forward to last mile of tomorrow's journey. If indeed I get that far!

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