Jonny's North Coast 500 Challenge For Cancer Research UK

As most of my LinkedIn connections will testify after seeing my occasional "non-work related posts' on here, I’m an avid motorcycle enthusiast and over the years have been on many tours and long distance rides and adventures round the UK and Europe. For those non-bikers out there the NC500 is a 516-mile scenic route around the north coast of Scotland, starting and ending at Inverness Castle. The route was launched in 2015, linking many features in the north Highlands of Scotland in one touring route. More information can be found at https://www.northcoast500.com/about-nc500/ for those of you who fancy giving it a go.

So back in 2019 I attempted the NC500 with my good friend Iain Adams. It was an unforgettable experience that pushed us as riders and after 4 amazing days I did manage to complete it despite crashing my 2001 Aprilia RSV1000, needing to get recovered and eventually limping across the finish line on a hire bike. I know what you bikers out there are thinking "why would he select a near 20yr old Italian bike for that route, but in my defence everything was going well until I began thinking I was a certain Italian professional rider....

As soon as we finished though, Iain and myself both agreed that we just had to do this incredible ride again only next time switch out the steady ish East Coast section and replace it with the even more challenging central route (we had been drinking when we came to that conclusion obviously).

Initially I was planning on using my 2008 Honda Fireblade CBR1000RR. A bike that I have used many times over the years with proven reliability, adequate comfort (for a sport bike) and amazing performance. This has been my go to bike over the years and was most recently used on a tour of the Italian Lakes as seen below.

One night whilst looking and planning the slightly longer and alternative 500+ route (still been confirmed), and whilst my kids laughed and watched a Grand Tour Special in the background, I just thought that the next trip would present a good opportunity to try and raise a little money for a good cause whilst enjoying and challenging myself. The initial idea been to source and purchase a bike for less than ￡500, that is more than 500cc and to complete the route on that. It seemed like a good way to raise a little bot of money for a good cause and make it more interesting, especially given I didn’t manage to complete the challenge previously just on the Aprilia.

As for the good cause, for this challenge I selected https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/ . We all know people that have been affected by cancer and I couldn't think of better recipient or motivation to complete the challenge.

Any donations will be greatly appreciated and genuinely make a difference to peoples lives. All money raised will go to Cancer Research UK via my JustGiving page https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/jonathan-betts8

Here’s my QR code to help any supporters find my page more easily.

You just need to open up the camera on your smart phone and point it at this screen and it’ll take you directly to my page.

After discussing the idea with Iain, the search has now commenced for a suitable motorcycle, any suggestions will be welcomed. Initially we were planning on attempting the route in July although with all the lockdowns now in place and Covid19 restrictions it looks as though we may have to delay this until later in the summer.

I will be posting updates on the on the challenge, date confirmations, information, pictures and blogs on LinkedIn and Instagram during the challenge itself.

Instagram Search: Jonny_The_Biker_19

More to follow and thank you all for your support