Every so often, a story arrives that reminds me why I began this podcast in the first place — to celebrate the extraordinary things ordinary people do when curiosity nudges them forward. Today’s tale belongs to two such people: Nick Peksa and his remarkable son, Harry. And while Travel With Us A While usually takes you by land, air, and sea, these two definitely belong in the “and beyond” category.
I first stumbled across their adventures years ago whenKen and I were sailing the Inner Hebrides with friends we had met in Vanuatu. Liz Gorringe, a friend I had met in Africa, sent me a link to their Facebook page: a father and son cycling the length of Britain, raising money for hedgehogs.
I was hooked from day one. And after sitting down to chat with them for this episode… goodness me, their story is even better in their own words.
A Six-Year-Old, a Tiny Bike, and a 100-Mile Dream
Their journey didn’t begin with a grand plan or a bucket list. It began because six-year-old Harry wanted to join the Beavers. When the leader said the only way to get a spot was if a parent volunteered, Nick put his hand up — and unknowingly signed himself up for years of adventure.
One of the badges required a personal challenge. Other kids chose things like brushing teeth or feeding a cat.
Harry chose cycling 100 miles.
On a 10-inch-wheeled bike.
As you do when you’re six.
Nick laughed at first. “Do you know how long a mile is?” he asked. Harry didn’t — but that didn’t matter. They set off in small sections, and quickly learned their first important lesson: Dad must ride at Harry-speed, not the other way around.
And somewhere along the way, as they rolled through small villages photographing war memorials, people began asking: “Which charity are you raising money for?”
Harry chose hedgehogs. Tiggywinkles, to be exact. Because his mum once told him hedgehogs could go extinct one day, and six-year-old Harry decided he’d do something about it.
My heart absolutely melted.
Land’s End to John O’Groats — And the Mountains Too
Their first long-distance adventure came during the on-again-off-again lockdowns, when holidays weren’t happening and spirits needed lifting. Nick wanted to tick off his bucket list: cycling from Land’s End to John O’Groats. Campervan support crew in tow (who, hilariously, were sometimes more interested in surfing than supporting), he rode the length of the country.
Then seven-year-old Harry threw in a curveball:
“I want to climb all three highest mountains in the UK.”
Just casually. As kids do.
So they added Snowdon, Scafell Pike and Ben Nevis — another 300–400 miles of detours — and did the lot.
One of my favourite stories from this trip is the “KFC-at-the-top-of-the-mountain” prank, where Harry would loudly tell descending kids that the summit had a fast-food restaurant. Cue hopeful small people tugging their parents’ arms. Pure mischief. Pure joy.
The First Crossing Goes Viral
A year later, eight-year-old Harry decided he wanted to cycle the whole thing too. Properly. On his own bike. All 800 miles.
With no training.
They set off — and within hours ended up in the middle of a media whirlwind. A giant foam puzzle piece at Land’s End (yes, really) led them accidentally to BBC Radio 1’s Greg James, who shared their hedgehog charity story live on air.
Their fundraiser exploded overnight.
Soon people were honking from car windows, cheering them on as they pedalled up through England, past castles, around lakes, and steadily into Scotland. To keep an eight-year-old entertained for hours on the move, they played endless games — including Animal–Vegetable–Mineral, which became increasingly absurd as Harry introduced concepts like Wi-Fi.
Nick invented one excellent game of his own: “How long can you stay silent?”
The prize: chocolate. Brilliant.
At the end of that journey, they submitted their log to the Land’s End–John O’Groats Association, hoping Harry might win the Youngest Rider trophy. Heartbreak: someone else beat him by one month.
But they did win the highest fundraiser award — a huge win for the hedgehogs.
Harry still wanted that youngest trophy though.
Attempt Two: Parkruns, Hebrides & Dolphins
The next year, they went again. But this time, they made it Nick-and-Harry style.
- Every Saturday: a Parkrun
- Seven ferries through the Outer Hebrides
- Cycling down white-sand causeways
- Picnics with dolphins leaping offshore
It was spectacular. And I remember following along on social media thinking how magical it felt — a father and son exploring Britain one tiny moment at a time.
Blue Peter, Bear Grylls & a Maggot
And then… the call came.
Blue Peter.
Harry had been nominated for a Gold Blue Peter Badge — the same award given to David Attenborough, King Charles, Steven Spielberg and David Beckham. Not bad company for a ten-year-old on a bike.
The show staged a surprise reveal. Harry rounded a corner mid-interview — and out popped Bear Grylls.
Of course, Bear couldn’t resist challenging him.
Harry had to eat a maggot.
Bless him, it wasn’t alive. I’m not sure I could have coped if it wriggled.
After chewing the thing thoroughly (protein, apparently!), Harry received his Chief Scout Silver Award on the spot. Then Bear asked him:
“What’s your next challenge?”
Harry didn’t hesitate:
“Cycle the length of Britain — and back again.”
Double the distance. Double the adventure. Double the snack budget.
Nick sat on the sidelines thinking, Oh no… here we go again.
The Double Journey & the Royal Highland Games
Their third crossing was the longest yet, done “the Scouting Way” — staying in scout huts, delivering environmental talks, handing out badges, meeting local groups.
And then came the moment I love most from their story.
They reached John O’Groats on the very day the Royal Highland Games were on.
King Charles was there.
Security said no to approaching him for sponsorship. So they shrugged, bought hot dogs, and soaked up the atmosphere.
Suddenly over the loudspeaker came:
“All competitors aged 8 to 12, please enter the arena.”
Nick looked at Harry. “That’s you.”
And so Harry accidentally became a competitor at the Royal Highland Games — after already completing his morning Parkrun, mind you — and ran the most chaotic 40-metre race you can imagine. Kids grabbing collars, falling over, elbows everywhere. Harry thought it would be 2 km and paced himself accordingly.
The photos Nick took of Harry’s unimpressed face are priceless.
A Story of Heart, Momentum & Childhood Magic
Speaking to Nick and Harry reminded me how powerful childhood curiosity is — and how incredible things can happen when parents simply says ‘yes’.
A six-year-old wanting to cycle 100 miles.
A seven-year-old climbing mountains adults struggle with.
An eight-year-old riding the length of Britain.
A ten-year-old cycling it twice.
A kid raising thousands for hedgehogs.
A boy who keeps seeing the world with wonder.
And through all of it, a father who goes at his son’s pace — literally and figuratively.
What a gift.
Click here to listen to the full Spotify podcast with Nick and Harry here.
NB: If YOU would like to be a guest on my podcast please reach out to me in the comments. I would love to share YOUR story on my podcast and create a blog using your photos too.
