Blog. 1,000KM in 10 days

Why do you think the hospitality industry needs a charity like Hospitality Action?

The hospitality industry has been absolutely crushed and yet here’s an incredible example of the sector pulling together. Although the pandemic has really shone a light on the sector – the phrase ‘you don’t know what you’ve got until it’s gone’ leaps to mind – organisations like Hospitality Action supported hospitality households long before the pandemic and will continue to do so when Covid is a distant memory. Although the last two years have been some of the worst of times, we’ve also seen incredible examples of determination, resilience and community and I hope it’s these memories that carry forward.

What inspired you to cycle 1,000KM in 10 days?

When I was considering what to do, I knew it had to be significant – a 10km run just wasn’t going to cut it. It’s rewarding to be able to have a focus and I feel very lucky to be able to do something for our industry. What started out with me on my bike with a sleeping bag developed into corporate sponsors, a branded support vehicle, media interest and commercial support. The support and generosity makes me emotional because it’s very personal. It made me more determined to succeed because of the degree of responsibility that comes with it. We’re all doing our bit and this is my bit.

How did you prepare, both mentally and physically, for such a great undertaking?

I wanted to make this a success and to make it a success I knew I had to be as fit as possible and dedicate as much time as I could to training. A seven month training programme that included 360km each week on my bike seemed the least I could do to repay the support and encouragement shown to me.

I was also acutely aware that this challenge was going to take me to places I don’t normally go, places of loneliness and pain and I tried to prepare for this as much as I could. Without wishing to sound trite, knowing that any money raised was going to help some of the most vulnerable people across our industry, those facing homelessness, mental health challenges that threaten to overwhelm them, physical illness or addition, is a pretty motivating factor when you’re attempting to cycle up the highest point in England in the lashing rain.

What were the most memorable moments of your challenge?

Taking a wrong turn (entirely due to bad route planning) and having to be recused by a friendly farmer who accidently snapped my bike when trying to be helpful by scooping it into his front loader to get me back on course was a particular highlight. I was also treated incredibly kindly by the whole team at Ribble when I made an unscheduled and unannounced detour to their bike factory in Preston. Little acts of kindness are immensely nourishing.

What do you have planned for the future?

For at least the next week, I plan on doing very little, letting my body recover and staying as far away from my bike as possible. I’ll also be sharing the story of my adventure and encouraging anyone who is able to donate, even the smallest amount, to do so before I take down the donation link. It’s remarkable how generous everyone has been with their cash, time and energy and I’m hugely grateful to every single person and look forward to buying some drinks at a wonderful hospitality venue at some point in the hopefully not too distant future to thank them all.

If you want to support Peter’s challenge you can still donate here: https://umbali.org/challenge/1000km-uk-hospitality-bike-ride

And if hearing Peter’s story has inspired you to want to set your own fundraising challenge, please get in touch.