Record rides: John Woodburn’s record breaking End-to-End, 1982

Eighties hardman John Woodburn talks about his epic End-to-End feat

Photo: Cycling Weekly Archive

"The old man’s back,” John Woodburn announced to the ragtag army of helpers, friends, sponsors, journalists and Road Records Association officials who had followed him for 848 miles over the last two days and two nights.

Journey’s end for the weary but jubilant group was the faded lounge of the John O'Groats House Hotel, a wedding-cake-like Victorian folly whose whitewashed Baronial towers and crenellated battlements had failed to protect the resort against a gradual decline in visitor numbers to mainland Britain’s most north-easterly point.

Thank you for reading 20 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access

Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1

*Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription

Join now for unlimited access

Try first month for just £1 / $1 / €1