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Review after Finish

"Hello,
You have kindly followed us as we cycled from northern Scotland to the northernmost bit of road in the British Isles, and back. The stats are: cycled 717kms and climbed approximately 25,538ft, so just short of the height of Everest.

We met kind and helpful people, saw lovely countryside, endured soaking rains and battering winds and enjoyed peaceful and sunny conditions when the elements relented.  In Scotland we cycled almost the entire length of a great fishing river, twice.  On Orkney we were struck by the dark green fields. In one a distinctive black bull stood on a hillock in the morning sun surrounded by buttercups, looking down at his progeny clustered around their mothers. In the Shetlands we noted the abundance of birdsong on the open moorlands suggesting a lack of foxes. When on the ferries we were entranced by the many seabirds darting, skimming and feeding.  And we visited sites of deep historical interest, some from almost the beginning of recorded time.  

Most importantly though, with your generous support we have raised a substantial sum that we know PTSD Resolution will put to very good use. Your generosity has made our efforts completely worthwhile.
Thank you and goodbye,
Jonathan, Jim, Matt & Jez"

PS It would be impossible to show our journey in a few photos but please see below for a small selection 

Day7 Finish

"Hello,
It was foggy when we pulled out of Kirkwall this morning.  The wind was asleep and the turbines struggling to get going, not unlike your cyclists. However, we were quickly back in the lush farmlands of Orkney with handsome black cows, chubby and content sheep all amongst the deep green grass. Our route took us via the Ring of Brodgar, a Neolithic henge, and the Standing Stones of Stenes both estimated to be over 5,000 years old.

As we crossed from Orkney back to Scotland the Pentland Firth was flat giving us a superb view of seabirds with fast beating wings scuttling inches above the water like little hovercraft. A of a school of dolphins pottered by on their early morning business so there was lots to see. And then we were back in Scotland  cycling the 50km back up through the hills beside an excellent fishing river until we reached our start point at Forsinard. We had finished and achieved our aim - the end of an extraordinary week which will take time to digest.

Tomorrow we will attempt to summarise.
Thank you for following us,
Jonathan, on behalf of Jez, Jim and Matt, my fellow Pilgrims "

Our pictures show: the Ring of Brodgar seen as we cycled by, and our maps of the day,
Stats of the day we cycled only 83kms because we had to catch a ferry, and climbed only 2,047ft.

Day 6

"Hello,
Today, our last on Shetland, we headed east on a lovely and calm morning.  The waters of Sullom Voe rippled in the unusually light breeze. Lambs, with their little tails wagging furiously, sought out their mothers because they wanted some breakfast. A rabbit, also looking for food popped its nose out of its burrow but saw a very large crow so scuttled back underground. The crow realised that his breakfast was now probably not on, so flew away - all of life was there for us to see.  On the coast we noticed the extra lushness of the wild flowers with bright yellow vetch by the road, a mass of irises further in and on the hillside clouds of cotton grass that looked like a late winter snowfall; they nodded in the breeze as we cycled by.
 
Our route east took us to the waters where the World War ll Shetland Bus started operations before moving to Scalloway. We then cycled south along the coast on a lovely bobbly and narrow road.  In the higher hills we passed a massive wind farm still under construction but well placed to catch the big winds that struck us in the afternoon, battering our puny man-powered machines as we made our way.  But our ferry beckoned so our ride was slightly curtailed although we still have the ride into Kirkwall late this evening.
   
Tomorrow we wake up on Orkney, cycle via new routes to our ferry back to Scotland and thence back up to our start point in Forsinard. 

Thank you for following us,
Best regards
Jonathan, on behalf of Jim, Jez and Matt, fellow pilgrims "

Our stats today: cycled 86km, + 4 km into Kirkwall = 90km, with 3,387ft of climb

Our pictures show cotton grass blowing in the wind, and our map of the day.

Day 5

"Hello,
A long day that saw us cycle as far north in the British Isles as is possible on flimsy road bikes.  We took four ferry crossings as we travelled to and from the islands of Yell and Unst.  Our route took us past the nascent UK Saxa Vord Space Port which will lie just to the south of what was our final point. 
    Our day took us over high moorlands, home to hundreds of ground nesting birds which produce a cacophony of intermingling sound. Earlier a small flock of starlings took fright as we approached.  Skylarks hovered above us as we cycled, chattering in their distinctive way.  Sparrows clustered in the few hedges and as we sailed between the islands a gannet did a perfect and lightening fast vertical dive into the sea as it sought its prey.
   Tomorrow we turn south, back to Lerwick for an evening ferry to Orkney as we retrace our steps but we know that we will have barely scratched the surface of what there is to see and learn in the isolated and lovely places we've been privileged to visit.

Thank you for following us,
Jonathan on behalf of Jim, Jez and Matt
Our pictures show us at Journey's End, on the island of Unst, and just one map (there are 6 of them).  The stats are: 135kms ridden and 5,661ft of climb. "

Day 5 1-6

Day 5 2-5

Day 5 3-4

Day 4

Hello,
We slipped ashore from our overnight ferry  into the soft rain that swept across Shetland, and cycled over the hills to Scalloway, the World War 2 base of the Shetland Bus.  This was a small fleet of Norwegian fishing boats that sailed in and out of Norwegian waters, facing huge danger with legendary bravery.   From there we cycled over high moorlands to the Atlantic coast where, in a small sandy bay, a seal poked his nose above the water in welcome.
   
We spent much of today in mist and rain so visibility was poor. But we enjoyed a profusion of highly coloured wild flowers that flowed by our busy feet, even on the high moors. Above us a variety of bird life - curlews, oyster-catchers and lapwings to name a few, made their presence felt with riotous song and occasional dive-bombing forays, but we survived and had an excellent day.
 
Tomorrow we tackle a long ride to the far north which will include four ferry crossings and some complicated timings.
Thank you for following us,

Jonathan, on behalf of Jim, Matt & Jez, fellow pilgrims

Our stats today: we cycled 102kms with approximately 4,500ft of climb. There is slight confusion over this last figure because the weather conditions may have altered the readings on my very basic machine. I've used a consensus figure instead. 
My pictures show:  map of the day; a cyclist heading for mist & rain; and flowers by the roadside 

Day 4 Map

 

Day 3 - Orkney



Hello,

Later we cycled past the Royal Hotel, shore headquarters of the Commander in Chief and his Staff in those distant years.  Ghosts from history stalk the land, emphasised by the immaculate Royal Navy cemetery which gave poignant reminders of ships long past. 

Hoy is an island in two parts.  We cycled the southern end amongst its luscious green fields home to well fattened lambs keeping close to their mothers.

 And then we headed north, into heather clad hills which provide challenging climbs for the cyclist.  Their impressive cliffs are also home to a huge number of sea birds, some of which accompanied our late afternoon ferry, skimming the water as they sped past on urgent business.  A long day full of unusual experiences.

Next we head overnight for Shetland, hoping to arrive there in the early morning for fresh adventure in a different land.

   Thank you for following us and go well, 

Jonathan, on behalf of Jez, Kim and Matt

 Our photos show a lone cyclist passing an empty Scapa Flow, and the maps from the three rides that were separated by our two sea-crossings. Stats for the day: 100km of cycling and 3,251 ft of climb.

Day 3 Route 1

Day 3 Route 2

Day 3 Route 3

Day 2 - Orkney

Hello,

We breakfasted solidly. As we cycled through bullying wind and lashing rain our bodies demanded more calories and the stokers within shovelled much needed porridge-derived energy into our bloodstreams and we went well. But sodden we finally sort refuge and enjoyed nourishing toasties, emerging a bit drier to a good afternoon.

Our route took us up long hills and past large and stunningly green fields studied with bright yellow buttercups and little unidentified white flowers.  In boggy corners young irises bobbled in the wind and by roadsides we found small purple orchids surviving the daily traffic. A curlew, lots of oyster catchers and, unusually a barn owl on the prowl were amongst the ornithological delights on offer.

Tomorrow we explore the other side of Scapa Flow and cross to the island of Hoy.

Go well, and thank you for following us,
Jonathan on behalf of Jim, Jez and Matt, fellow pilgrims

Day 1 - Start of the ride

Hello,
The start of an Expedition is always a good moment confirming as it does planning, training and fitness and so it was today as we set off down the lovely single-track road that took us to the sea. House Martins patrolled the skies and highland cattle, deep in the undergrowth noted our passing with uncomprehending eyes. Little brown drumlins dotted the upper valley overlooking the clear and bubbling river. However, all changed as we turned east towards Scrabster and our ferry. A strong wind was on the nose to the delight of the many wind turbines that were turning busily but to the dismay of the hardworking cyclist.

And then we went to sea across the Pentland  Firth, past the Old Man of Hoy and some huge cliffs and on to our place of rest 50km distant. Tomorrow we explore Scapa Flow.

Thank you for following us,
Jonathan, on behalf of Jez, Jim & Matt, fellow pilgrims. 
Pictures below show our two routes for today, split by the Pentland Firth, and The Old Man of Hoy, picture taken from our ferry today by Jez

Day 1 Route 1

Day 1 Route 2 

The Next days.......






Day 6-1

Day 7-1

Da7-2 Finish

After epic rides around Scotland, the Pyrenees and Wales, 78-year old ex-Marine Jonathan Thomson is heading further North this year.

On Sunday 18th June a team of four intrepid cyclists will set off from Northern Scotland on a dramatic 7-day, 750 km bike ride around the Orkney and Shetland islands - all to raise much-needed funds for UK veterans’ mental health charity, PTSD Resolution, through the Just Giving website.

On Sunday 18th June a team of four intrepid cyclists will set off from Northern Scotland on a dramatic 7-day, 750 km bike ride around the Orkney and Shetland islands - all to raise much-needed funds for UK Veterans’ mental health charity, PTSD Resolution.

Founded in 2009, PTSD Resolution provides therapy for Forces’ Veterans, Reservists and their families. Therapy is free, effective and delivered both promptly and locally through a UK-wide network of 200 therapists - with treatment also available online or by phone.

The charity is a ‘lean’ operation with no salaried staff or assets, yet has had well over 3,500 referrals to date. Therapy is delivered across an average of six sessions, with 78% of cases seeing an improvement in reported symptoms to where no further therapy is needed.

This will be Jonathan’s fourth cycle ride for PTSD Resolution, his fundraising total currently sitting at an impressive £75,000. With a standard course of therapy costing the charity £750, and delivered for free, Jonathan has helped up to 100 Veterans out of the darkness:

“Too many of our Veterans suffer the evil effects of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, or PTSD,” he says. “This wrecks their lives and deeply affects those of their families and close friends. It is also a major cause of suicide.”

Joining Jonathan on ‘Shetland ’23’ will be Jim, a former naval pilot; Matt, a former Royal Marine; and Jez, also an ex-Marine and an amputee. The route will take the team from Forsinard in the Scottish Highlands to the Northern-most point of Shetland - coinciding with the Longest Day on 21st June.

The 7-day schedule includes a great deal of island-hopping - 10 ferry crossings, with one over-night - and some very complicated timings. Bikes will be laden with all their kit as the team will have no support and very little back-up. “We are not the youngest team on the road either,” Jonathan says. “When we start we will be 78, 73, 64 and 42.”

- All costs are covered privately by the team, so all funds raised will go direct to PTSD Resolution

Training for ‘Shetland ’23' has been underway for months and is intensifying as June draws closer. “Cycling 100km plus in a day is not difficult - but doing so for seven days causes tiredness to build up,” Jonathans says. 

“If we are to achieve our goal we have to be fit, strong and well prepared, which means we train at least four days a week, sometimes for 3-4 hours. So ‘Shetland ’23’ is indeed a challenge!”

“Getting fit and strong enough is a bit like baking a cake – an uncertain business and one never knows whether all is well until the day comes.”

Since his 2020 solo cycle around the north coast of Scotland, Jonathan’s expeditions have steadily gained momentum. In 2021 he was joined by fellow cyclists for ‘Raid ’21’, a gruelling journey across the Pyrenees from the Mediterranean to the Atlantic - and last year a team of four cycled the length & breadth of Wales.

This year, the ‘Shetland ’23’ team are hoping to hit a new fundraising record.

“PTSD Resolution is a remarkable organisation that deserves our support,” says Jonathan. “Please help me support them.”

“All funds raised are used to support their therapy and outreach programme. They provide essential treatment for the pernicious condition of PTSD - thereby also helping families, friends and colleagues.”

“It would be terrific if you found you could support this enterprise. All expedition costs will be met privately so all funds raised will go straight to where they are needed."

You can help ‘Team Shetland ’23’ help UK Veterans, Reservists & families - by donating here: www.justgiving.com/page/jonathan-thomson-6

PTSD Resolution CEO, Charles Highett, wishes the ‘Shetland ’23’ team well on their very northerly adventure:

“Jonathan’s various challenges have, to date, facilitated the mental health recovery of 100 UK Veterans. PTSD Resolution has helped over 3600 Veterans, Reservists and family members to recover their mental health, and we continue to receive an average of 8 new referrals a week. 

“Jonathan and his cycling teams display the sort of energy & dedication that enables us to continue in our important work.

“We thank Jonathan and the ‘Shetland ’23’ team as they train & prepare  - and ask all potential donors to support this valiant effort as far as they are able.

We publish a regular Newsletter that contains lots of information about people that we have helped, the work that we do etc. If you would like to receive it, please Click Here to sign up to the Newsletter List.

Contact: 0300 302 0551 or contact@ptsdresolution.org .  www.ptsdresolution.org