A cyclist from Linlithgow took on an incredible endurance cycle across the UK - from Edinburgh down to London and back.
John Scholes, from Linlithgow took on the cycling challenge earlier this month.
John is the long distance specialist cyclist in the West Lothian Clarion Cycling Club and is no stranger to long-distance cycling - having completed the Paris-Brest-Paris cycle a few years ago.
The 1500km self-supported cycle ride between Scotland and England’s capital leaves participants with only 125 hours to make it to London and back.
Along the route are 13 volunteer-run control points, which provide riders with hot meals, drinks, showers and toilets, dormitory beds, and mechanical support.
The cycle route is set up to be a test of a cyclist's mental and physical resilience . If things go wrong between control points, it’s up to cyclists to set them right.
The London Edinburgh London is a 1500km self-supported cycle ride across the United Kingdom, between the cities of England and Scotland.
Occurring only once every four years, the long distance cycling route is one of the biggest in the UK.
John set off with 1500 other riders, and managed to complete the cycle in 121 hours - or five days and one hour.
John Scholes said: ”I managed to complete the Edinburgh-London-Edinburgh in five days - to put it into context some semi-professional cyclists can do it in just 60 hours.
“It was a lot of fun - the camaraderie between cyclists you met on the road or at control points was certainly a highlight for me - you get to meet so many interesting people.
“The ride certainly isn’t for everyone but I’ve cycled all my life, I started off cycling with my mum in the evenings after school and I’ve not really stopped since then.
“Going 300km (190 miles) a day was intense. You don’t get much sleep as you’re cycling anywhere between 15 to 18 hours a day. My longest day was on the Wednesday where I cycled for 20 hours straight.
“The best part of the ride by far was towards the end just off the forth road bridge along the route - my wife and friends from the West Lothian Clarion met me along the way with cowbells and cake.
“Along the whole route I had supportive messages coming in from friends, it was a great experience.”
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