A Norfolk adventurer is dodging sunburn, punctures and saddle sore on a 2,500 mile epic cycle ride from John O'Groats to Gibraltar.
Jack Firman, 25, from Long Stratton, travelled from Norwich Station to John O'Groats on June 19 to begin his long ride south raising money for mental health charity aid Mind.
His journey will take him the length of the UK, France and Spain, before finishing at the top of the rock of Gibraltar, hopefully some time in mid-August.
As if he didn't face enough pedalling, the part time adventurer who is soon to take up a job as a lawyer based in Leeds, also took detours to climb Ben Nevis, Scafell Pike and Snowdon, the three highest peaks in Scotland, England and Wales.
He has already overcome a heatwave in Scotland and numerous mechanical issues. He is camping along the way, and is currently in South Wales.
He said: 'I think the toughest part is likely to going through the Pyrenees, hopefully by then my legs will be good for the mountains, and also the heat in Spain.'
This is not first time he has undertaken an adventure. In 2012 he trekked 180km up to Everest base camp and back. And in 2016 he kayaked down the river Danube from its source in the Black Forest of Germany, through Austria and Hungary to its end in Romania where it flows into the Black Sea.
But he admits to not being a keen cyclist. 'I've have done some in the months leading up to this but mainly I've done things like hiking,' he said.
'I'm really from a non-cycling background so I've had it all to get to grips with in terms of the mechanics, punctures and pieces falling off the bike when they shouldn't be.'
He is hoping to raise £2,500 for Mind, explaining that: 'Young men my age are heavily impacted by mental health issues. I am going into law which is quite a stressful career and there are a lot of people around my age, especially young men, with mental health problems. I have had friends who have had issues, but it is perhaps something that is not spoken about.'
• You can follow his blog about his trip at jackfirman.com • He is fundraising in aid of Mind at justgiving.com/fundraising/jack-firman
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here