Biking for BESO (British Executive Service Overseas).

`From an idea as crazy as that, somebody ought to benefit,' I told my husband Brian when he announced that he wanted to cycle the length of Britain from Land's End to John O'Groats for his 70th birthday.

Unbeknown to me, the idea had been in his mind since he was recuperating from major cancer surgery in 1993, after which he had been told he had a 50 per cent chance of surviving for five years.

Some friends suggested, `You could do it for BESO.'

British Executive Service Overseas sends expert volunteers to developing countries to give advice without any payment.

`And we'll support you on your ride,' continued the friends. `Well is it on then?' one of them asked Brian, looking him in the eye from close range.

`Er ... yes,' he replied.

So, about eight months later, 15 people rode into John O'Groats on a wild and foggy morning, greeted by triumphant tooting of horns and banging of tins--a wonderful welcome which culminated in the reading of a message of congratulation from Princess Anne who is Patron of BESO and who had met some of the riders part-way.

The 57 riders who took part in at least some of the event raised about [pounds sterling] 18,000. We did it in four stages, with about a week's pause between each one. Four couples from West Yorkshire, all BESO volunteers, supported the different stages, providing snacks, meals and unfailing encouragement.

Accommodation was as varied as the scenery, from friends' houses to youth hostels, from floors in churches to the homes of countless kind folk who offered us a bed and often an evening meal as well. DHL International Express lent a van which meant that we could minimize the weight of the luggage on our bikes.

As one of the four who completed the whole journey, I can honestly say that I enjoyed every minute of the ride, whether it was pouring rain or glorious sunshine. Battling up steep hills and screaming down the other side, with strong winds either in your face or at your back, with wild flowers all along the way, fields of orchids, curlews calling across the Scottish moorland or a treecreeper feeding its young on a tree trunk--there were many highlights.

In the past 25 years BESO has completed 5,000 assignments overseas. The bike ride was the first major fund-raising event organized by the volunteers themselves.

I am just wondering what Brian's next crazy idea will be. Like to join us for a ride in Northern Ireland next year?