Pedal power around UK

Chris Sprules is on the fifth day of his one man and his bike journey from the southern to the northern tip of the mainland.

He started from Land's End on Sunday and has averaged about 50 to 55 miles a day.

The strong wind of the opening stages hindered his initial progress but he remained confident he would reach John O'Groats after some 22 days on the road.

His journey will have 1,000 miles and raised an expected 2,000 for the British Heart Foundation.

Mr Sprules (55), of The Millers, said: "This journey is about 940 miles longer than I have cycled before.

"But I am absolutely confident that I will finish it provided that I don't have any accidents or serious breakdowns or injuries.

"I have always wanted to do this ride but, like most things in life, I put it off until I realised as I got older that I had to do it."

He is staying in b&bs and youth hostels along the way.

All his world is packed into two panniers on his trusty Globe City lightweight straight handlebar cycle. Its 27 gears have proved useful for the hilly country which marked the opening two days of his ride in contrast to the mainly flat conditions which civil servant Mr Sprules usually cycles around.

"I cycle most weekends with a couple of big rides each year," he explained.

"I've been on longer rides in recent weekends of about 50 miles each day in training for my big cycle ride."

Mr Sprules has completed the annual London to Brighton bike ride in aid of the NHF which prompted him to back the charity as he set out on his cross-country ride.

He is being supported by his wife Anne and nine-year-old daughter Francesca.

Further details of his journey are on his website http://lejog2007.mysite.orange. co.uk