A cyclist from Pakefield has completed a once-in-a-lifetime bike ride around the county and raised over £1,000 for the All Hallows Healthcare Trust in the process.
David Bullock, 47, rode 200 miles on Saturday, July 12 and the challenge was made all the more remarkable as the longest ride he had ever completed was 100 miles in total.
Mr Bullock departed at 5am, riding to places including Diss, Thetford, Mildenhall, Downham Market and across to Swaffham, Fakenham, Holt, Sheringham and Cromer. After previously working as a delivery driver, Mr Bullock said 'he knew most of the routes' but did describe how after a while 'he was sick of seeing fields.'
In total, his charity mission took him over 19 hours but Mr Bullock faced a tough decision when he returned in Lowestoft, after realising he still had 13 miles left to complete.
'I got back to Tesco and I still had 13 miles to do and I just wanted to go home as my backside was so sore,' he said.
'I couldn't come all the way and not do the 200 miles so I just went up and down Tom Crisp Way to make up the miles.
'I must have biked 17 hours at least because I only stopped for five or ten minutes breaks. I didn't want to stop for too long because you start shutting down.
'The first 80 miles was a headwind, my left knee was hurting and my muscle was aching.'
Mr Bullock also faced soaring temperatures on his ride, with the humidity playing a part on the route.
'There was not a lot I could do about it,' he added.
'My face was quite burnt but I just got along with it. I stopped for a bag of chips, cold drinks and an ice cream in Cromer, but by the time I got home I was so tired I felt no emotion.
'I laid on the bed all day Sunday, too tired to watch the Wimbledon final. I just laid there with my eyes shut nearly all day.'
'It is a weight off my shoulders, I really enjoyed the experience and it couldn't have gone any better.'
Mr Bullock is still taking donations on his online page. To pledge your support visit: www.virginmoneygiving.com/DavidBullock1
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