My Story

To celebrate the 100th birthday of the last Dambuster, George 'Johnny' Johnson MBE DFM, and to help raise funds for the RAF Benevolent Fund, I rode over 5600 miles between 1st January and 16 September 2021.

The cumulative total of 5600 miles represented 100 miles for each crew member of the eight Lancasters that did not return to Scampton from the mission. Within the annual challenge there were 3 key events.  On the anniversary of the raid, I rode over 200 miles from RAF Scampton to Jonnny's home near Bristol; leaving at 2201, the time that Johnny's aircraft took off on the raid.  To signify the four dams attacked on the raid, I will completed four 100-mile rides on four consecutive days over the main weekend of the official Dambusters sportive in July.  Then, to mark the end of the challenge, I rode 175-miles from the International Bomber Command Centre near Lincoln to the Bomber Command Memorial in London.

I was joined on one of my rides by my friend Mary Temple with whom I have ridden several 100-mile rides including training for the Prudential Ride London 100 sportive in 2019 to raise funds for the RAF Benevolent Fund’s Centenary. In that year the Fund helped more than 71,700 current and former members of the RAF and their families.

The RAF Benevolent Fund is the RAF's leading welfare charity and has been there, through thick and thin, for the RAF for more than 100 years. It is a cause that is close to Mike’s heart and with your support the Fund can continue to be there for veterans, serving personnel and their families.

Facebook: @DambustersRides2021