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Grandad, 76, sets off on 5,000-mile coastal cycle

Shehnaz KhanWest Midlands
Norman Brown A man wearing a cycling jersey stands in the open doorway of a train at a station platform, with the train visible beside them. Norman Brown
Norman Brown, 76, is aiming to cycle around the coast of Great Britain in two months

A 76-year-old man has set off on a 5,000-mile (8,000km) bike ride around the coast of Great Britain to raise money for charity and inspire others to "stay fit and healthy".

Norman Brown, a grandad-of-four from Coventry, is bike-packing for the next two months, to raise money for charities Prostate Cancer UK and The Myton Hospices.

He aims to complete the coastal route, heading to Land's End before travelling up the west coast and finishing back at his starting point in Exmouth, in August.

Brown, who began his challenge on Tuesday, said he had found the first couple of days "extremely challenging", but it was what he had "set himself up for".

The semi-retired personal trainer said his aim was to raise a total of £5,000 for the charities, after coming across many men who had suffered with prostate cancer while working in joint pain programmes at Nuffield Health.

Norman Brown A man with a bike stands on the grass. His bike is loaded up with supplies in panniers. Behind him is a street with cars and a row of houses. He is wearing a cycle helmet, sunglasses and blue and black cycling gear, Norman Brown
Brown aims to raise £5,000 for Prostate Cancer UK and The Myton Hospices

Brown said his original plan was to ride about 50 miles a day, but he has since had to reduce that slightly because of the severity of the climbs in Devon and Cornwall.

"I've had to moderate my expectations and my abilities and actually try and slow down and enjoy the experience and the journey, rather than flog myself to death," he said.

He is travelling with all his gear on his bike to keep costs under control and to meet other people, while seeing the "amazing coast".

"I've got my little tent all set up and my kit laid out and tiny little one pot stove on the boil," Brown added.

Norman Brown A man with a bike stands outside a brick building. He is wearing a red top and black shorts and has a helmet and sunglasses on.Norman Brown
Brown will end in his challenge in Exmouth in August

Brown, who has previously taken part in ultramarathons, said his grandchildren had been "very supportive" of his challenge.

He also wants to inspire others of all ages to keep healthy.

"One of the other main drivers for me doing this is because it's become more and more apparent to me, because of the work that I do, that I'm there to inspire people to keep healthy," he explained.

"And that's another really important aspect of what I'm trying to do now and let people know that... you could still do these things.

"There's no reason to slow down stop completely. You've got to stay fit and healthy."

Norman Brown A bike with bags is parked inside a train carriage between seats.Norman Brown
Brown is bike-packing, carrying all his gear on his bike, along the whole route

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