At the remarkable age of 90, Peter Langford is believed to have become the oldest man to cycle from Land’s End to John O’Groats, from Cornwall to Caithness.
The former vicar took the mammoth challenge to cycle the 1,100-mile route again to raise money for the homeless, having previously completed it aged 75, 80 and 85.
He used B roads and narrow lanes, with the most challenging segment being the steep hills in the South West.
It took him a month to complete the challenge and has raised £37,000 to be split equally between the Salvation Army and the Access Community Trust, which supports socially isolated individuals and communities in Norfolk and Suffolk.
Speaking to Premier, Langford admitted there were times when he when he questioned his ability to complete the challenge, but feeling that God meant for him to do it carried him through. He said he drew particular strength from Ephesians 3:16.
“I have a very strong sense of people's prayers. I have a very strong sense of God's presence. And various passages from the Bible. I mean, I think my favourite, which I often came back to was: ‘I pray to God the Father, that out of his riches, you will grant you to be strengthened with His Spirit in your inner being so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith’ and it goes on. It's a wonderful passage. What could one want more than Christ's dwelling man's heart.”
Despite his arthritis, he said he feels “30 years younger” every time he is on his bike. He cycled about 120 miles a week in preparation for the big challenge, which he concluded on 21st September.