* You'll never do it,' they said. ' You're mad . . .' but Dickon Sandbach and Nick Bale, undeterred, brought to reality their dream: a charity cycle ride from Land's End to John O'Groats. For two years they planned the ride as a worthwhile project for their 'year off' after leaving school in December 1974. From the previous October they had collected sponsors and, after some training runs, they set out on July 2, completing the 1,009 miles by July 17. About £750 was raised for the RNLI as well as a good sum for Shelter..