End to End: The Land's End to John o'Groats Cycling Record: A Year of Obsession, Hallucination and Happiness

End to End is a partial British social and political history, memoir, and confessional book that chronicles the longest place-to-place cycling record in Britain, 842 miles from Land's End to John O'Groats. Paul Jones embarked on the journey to understand the physical and mental challenges involved and met with amazing cyclists, including Eileen Sheridan and Michael Broadwith. The book explores the meaning of journeys, the contours of the mind, and the courage, obsession, and joy that accompany them.

Format: Hardback
Length: 320 pages
Publication date: 01 April 2021
Publisher: Little, Brown Book Group

Conquista


The End to End record stands as the longest place-to-place cycling record in Britain, spanning an impressive 842 miles. For the individuals who embark on this daunting challenge, there is no second place; only the binary outcome of total success or failure. Paul Jones, driven by a desire to understand the relentless physical and mental demands of the journey, decided to ride from Land's End to John O' Groats.


End to End


This captivating and beautifully written narrative intertwines a lyrical account of the journey with insightful encounters with remarkable cyclists. Among them are Eileen Sheridan, who accomplished the distance in under three days in 1954, and current men's record holder Michael Broadwith, who achieved it in a scarcely believable 43 hours. Paul Jones delves further back in time, exploring the initial attempts made in the 1880s, undertaken on penny farthings, fueled by Victorian values and patent medicine.


For the author, what began as a simple framework for the narrative evolves into a profound exploration of meaning amidst the ceaseless clamor of life, work, and relationships. It becomes a voyage through the contours of the mind, as well as the physical landscape, from Bodmin Moor to Shap Fell, the Cairngorms, and the Caithness coast.


End to End


End to End is a portrayal of hope and ambition, capturing what transpires when things go awry and the challenges involved in rectifying them. It delves into the realms of courage, obsession, and joy, but above all, it offers a compelling exploration of why journeys hold significance for all of us. Through his journey, Paul Jones discovers that the End to End record is not just about the physical distance covered, but about the personal growth and transformation that occurs along the way. It is a testament to the power of determination, resilience, and the human spirit to push beyond boundaries and embrace the unknown.

Weight: 554g
Dimension: 162 x 240 x 32 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781408712733