Glen Hickman

A survivor who sustained multiple brain injuries following a serious cycling incident in 2021 has completed an extraordinary challenge of cycling the length of mainland Britain.

Glen Hickman cycled over 1000 miles from Land’s End, on the tip of Cornwall, through to John O’Groats, at the very top of mainland Scotland, raising over £1800 for Headway UK.

This is a brief account of his incredible ‘LEJOG’ challenge.

Day 1- Arrival at Land's End

After four trains, three changes and a “fair amount of travelling anxiety”, Glen arrived at Land’s End, ready for his ride to begin the following day.

Day 2- Land’s End to Truro

“A nice gentle introductory ride today at 64km distance and an ascent of 900m. It was gentle from a distance perspective, but the weather was less gentle with quite high winds. Some of the climbs were quite tough!

“We stopped at The Merry Maidens Stone Circle, which legends says 19 maidens were turned to stone as punishment for dancing on a Sunday.

Day 3, 4, 5 and 6- Truro, Launceston, Tiverton, Cheddar and Chepstow

On day 3, Glen fuelled up for an 88km ride with a full vegan English fry up!

Day 4 saw him leave Cornwall, while day 5 brought strong winds and 100km of riding.

Glen left England and crossed into Wales on day 6, with the day starting with a 300m climb.

Day 7- Chepstow to Hereford

“It was nice to have a relatively gentle day, but we had to take a diversion due to a fallen tree that added several kilometres.

“The hailstones, rain and headwinds detracted from an otherwise lovely ride through some beautiful scenery.

“Hopefully the pictures tell a story of where we have been and what we’ve seen!”

Day 8 and 9- Hereford, Ironbridge, Hartford

On day 8 of the challenge, Glen was feeling mentally fatigued but pushed on and said he felt better once out on the road.

Day 9 saw the longest ride so far at 102km, with some out-of-the-saddle steep parts!

Day 10- Hartford to Mellor

“We stopped off at the Anderton Boat Lift this morning. It wasn’t lifting anything today but would normally use hydrologic power to lift/ lower boats- incredible engineering.

“It rained really, really heavily just before lunch and rain, spray from traffic and splashes from water on the road made an exciting 360° water torrent!

“When we stopped for lunch, the sun came out and we saw some Canada Geese and two baby goslings.”

Day 11, 12, 13 and 14- Mellor, Casterton, Hallbankgate, Peebles and Kinross

On day 11 Glen was faced with a climb of 1092m- a kilometre climb!

Day 12 saw him struggle with a headache, highlighting the reality of living with a brain injury while undertaking an extraordinary challenge.

And on day 13, Glen arrived into Scotland and enjoyed a beer and a nice meal.

Day 14 was a rest day – or laundry day as Glen dubbed it- and saw him rest his legs before getting back on his bike for the final week of cycling.

Day 15- Peebles to Kinross

“Here we go again! Final week of cycling.

“The weather has taken a turn for the better. Only one layer today, and a short-sleeve layer as well. 

Day 16 and 17- Kinross, Bridge of Cally and Tomintoul

Day 16 brought a relaxed ride in the sunshine while day 17 was a struggle, with Glen saying he felt worn out but pleased he managed to ride the whole way.

Day 17 also marked 80% of the total distance completed!

Day 18 and 19- Tomintoul, Inverness and Lairg

Day 18 saw Glen and the group visit Balnuaran of Clava, a 4000-year-old Bronze Age cemetery near Inverness. They also went under/ past the Nairn Viaduct, an amazing piece of engineering that is over 100 years old.

Day 19 was a beautiful route in warm weather as the group spotted Mallards, Oyster Catchers, Shelducks and some Gulls.

Day 20- Lairg to Bettyhill

“A really lovely, penultimate ride today in the sunshine.

“We had coffee in The Crask Inn, Scotland’s most remote pub. I had a huge slice of chocolate brownie!

“Tomorrow, we ride to John O’Groats and the end of our cycling labours. At the start of this ride, I was really looking forward to the end of the ride but now it’s almost here, I’m not so sure anymore!”

Day 21- Bettyhill to John O’Groats

“And done!

“The ride was planned to be 80km but it was suggested to cycle to Dunnet Head, the most Northerly point of the UK mainland. So, that’s what four of us did, making it 95km. It was well worth the extra cycling.

“1633km distance and nearly 19km of climbing, over 80 hours in 19 days. It has been challenging, enjoyable, emotive, educational and reassuring.

“To have accomplished this means so very much, on many levels. For one, it shows the truth in a phrase I heard on a TV show: ‘Scars show us where we’ve been, not where we’re going.’