May Day Cycle "Retreat"

May Day sees retired Church Army Evangelist John Richards celebrating his 66th birthday and first year of "voluntary ministry" by starting a 900 mile mainly "white road" journey from Lands End to John o' Groats - by bicycle! "Since I was a teenager, I have always wanted to do it," said John. "I am not setting out to break any records or even raise funds for good causes. I think the record is just under 48 hours. Even if I do it in under 48 days, it just will not matter." The plan is to try and cover around 70 miles a day on his 21 geared lightweight £700 touring cycle and have a complete rest day on Sundays. Gloria, John's wife, is his life support system, providing him with sandwiches and water each morning. John contacts her towards the end of his daily tally, she picks him up and they spend each night in their small caravan. The following day, Gloria takes him back to the point where he can continue his ride. Gloria also has a purpose as she hopes to visit as many Cathedrals en route as possible. "I am really having a kind of retreat," added John. "It will be a spiritual experience as I shall have creation to marvel at and shall chat with God as I cycle along." John and Gloria, who are active in the church of St Mary and St Berin, Berinsfield, in the Oxford Diocese, hope to have an actual holiday together about halfway through the "retreat".