Cycling in Celebration: Jonathan Dawson's Epic Cycle Challenge

Twenty years after his father walked the length of the UK, Jonathan Dawson sat down with us in a recent episode of The #LincsLivesNatters Podcast to discuss his preparation to cycle the same monumental route, honouring his dad's memory and raising awareness for bereavement support. A full-time accountant and dedicated cyclist, Jonathan is embarking on a profoundly personal and inspiring challenge.

A Father's Footsteps, A Son's Pedals

Jonathan’s dad, a proper character by all accounts, undertook one of the UK’s most formidable walking challenges two decades ago: Land’s End to John O’Groats, affectionately known as LeJog. Now, Jonathan is set to follow in his father’s footsteps, or more accurately, his pedal strokes, by cycling the very same epic route.

Jonathan paints a picture of his dad as a “gentle man,” caring, modest, and, as Jonathan fondly puts it, “stubborn as a mule.” He proved a true role model, particularly after Jonathan lost his mum at a young age, leaving his dad to fill both parental roles. The profound grief of losing his wife, Jonathan revealed, was perhaps the biggest challenge his dad faced, impacting him for half a century. Indeed, nothing truly prepares you for such a loss.

Initially, the elder Mr Dawson’s motivation for his monumental walk was simply “something to do.” Having already conquered most long-distance walks in the UK, including the Pennine Way, the West Highland Way, and Offa’s Dyke, LeJog was envisioned as his "final hurrah." This decision came as he had already been diagnosed with Parkinson's, and his health was beginning to be affected. At the suggestion of a good friend, he chose to raise money for a local charity hospice.

The Resurfacing of a Memory

While unpacking on his move to Lincolnshire three years ago, a newspaper clipping about his dad’s walk resurfaced. Then, at the beginning of this year, whilst sorting his home office, it popped up again. The timing felt serendipitous for Jonathan. "I thought, wow, 20 years. I need to do something to celebrate my dad's life," he recounts, and thus his own LeJog challenge was born. His wife, Heidi, is fully supportive of this epic undertaking.

Jonathan’s version will not mirror his dad’s 80 day walk; he is aiming for a speedy 11 days by bike. Yet, it has not been all plain sailing. Life has thrown Jonathan curveballs; recently, he has endured two double fractures, breaking his shoulder after a trip near Brayford pool in Lincoln and his pelvis in a bike fall at Nettleham. Despite these setbacks, his determination shines through, and he is being incredibly patient with his recovery. He has already rebooked train journeys and accommodation, planning a route that takes him up the east side of England so he can even spend at least one night in his own bed.

More Than a Physical Challenge

This journey is far more than just a physical test; it is deeply personal for Jonathan. He is raising funds and awareness for causes close to his heart. While he has previously supported Cancer Research and Parkinson’s, both of which affected his dad later in life, this time he is championing bereavement support. Losing his mum so young highlighted for him the sheer lack of awareness around support services like CRUSE (bereavement support) some 50 years ago. He hopes his ride will encourage people to talk more openly about grief, a topic that often remains difficult to approach. As he puts it, "there are only two certainties in life, death and taxes." He jokingly mentions that his day job as an accountant covers taxes, and on this ride, he will be covering death.

Jonathan firmly believes that, as a country, we are still uncomfortable discussing grief. He points out that when people ask "How are you?" after a loss, the default British response is often "I'm fine, thank you," even when the unspoken truth is, "I'm a complete mess. I don't know which way is up." His goal is to raise awareness that support is indeed available, something he did not fully realise until he researched it himself. He was particularly impressed when CRUSE, a national organisation, proactively reached out to him to check if he still needed support. It is a powerful message: extending kindness to each other and recognising that others might be struggling in silence.

The Road Ahead (Literally)

Jonathan's epic route spans about 1,100 miles, carrying him through stunning parts of the country he has yet to explore. He anticipates the initial two or three days in Devon and Cornwall will prove particularly challenging, especially with the steep hills. Despite the demanding start, he looks forward to several highlights along the way. He has specifically scheduled a visit to the Kelpies, the impressive horse sculptures near Falkirk, and is eager to experience the “stunning” but “barren” north coast of Scotland, a region he has never seen before on his way to John O’Groats. On day five, his journey will bring him through Lincolnshire, passing through Lincoln and Market Rasen, where he expects to be quite tired upon arrival.

Jonathan also shared vivid memories from his father’s original walk. He recalled dropping his dad off at Land's End, a moment filled with a "degree of sadness and trepidation," a feeling he imagines his wife Heidi will likely share for his own journey. There was a time he had to collect his father from Oakhampton after an injury, only to return him to the route once recovered. Another particularly memorable incident involved his dad falling into a stream on the Pennine Way, unable to get up due to his heavy rucksack. Considering these events, coupled with his own recent injuries, Jonathan muses that their family is "inordinately accident prone."

Jonathan's new improved plan has him setting off the week after the August bank holiday, hoping to be back in Lincolnshire, having completed it, by the 11th of the month. He had to push back his original plan, which would have had him finished by early May, primarily to avoid the Scottish midges.

How You Can Support Jonathan Dawson

If you would like to support Jonathan on his incredible journey, he will have QR codes on his pannier bags and even on the back of his cycling jersey, so you can scan and donate on the go! His wife, Heidi, has even set up a Facebook group for his journey, and he is committed to updating it so people can track his progress. You can find his Facebook group and sponsorship page here:

Facebook Group

Givewheel

Every penny, even a single pound, goes a long way to helping raise awareness for bereavement support, which is often overlooked; as Jonathan says, the awareness is more important than the fundraising.

Jonathan's story is a beautiful reminder of the enduring power of family, the challenges we face, and the importance of connecting with others, especially during times of loss. His dad, he believes, would be "proud" and "worried," but ultimately trusted his son to make his own decisions. It is a powerful message of remembrance and resilience, delivered with a healthy dose of British understatement.

Listen to the full episode here