A 64-year-old amputee and triple bypass survivor has returned from a seven-week cycling trip across Great Britain a changed man.

James McCulloch said the 1,000-mile journey from Land's End, the southern most tip of the UK, to John O'Groats, at the top of the UK, improved his health and fitness.

More importantly, he said the adventure taught him about the kindness of others and how to count life's little blessings.

"The generosity has inspired me both here and in the UK. The support I have received both from friends, colleagues and complete strangers has cheered me up enormously.

"I also have an enormous sense of achievement that I did it. There were times when I wasn't sure I would finish but I did."

Mr. McCulloch completed the cycling feat to raise money for Age Concern Bermuda — a support charity for seniors — and met several people along the way who instinctively gave.

"Once I explained what I was doing they just put their hands in the pockets and gave me some pounds [sterling]," he said.

He met some businessmen in the lobby of a hotel and after speaking briefly one reached into his pocket and gave him £20. Two elderly women in Inverness, Scotland, also went into their handbags and gave Mr. McCulloch cash.

"The shopkeepers and the bed and breakfast landladies gave me money without being asked. On top of that people went online where there is a method for donating electronically."

So far Mr. McCulloch has raised between $6,000 and $7,000 for Age Concern, but hopes to raise even more in the weeks ahead.

Outside of financial donations, people from around the world tracked his progress each day on his blog.

Family and friends also rooted for him, including one of his youngest supporters, his six-year-old granddaughter Kiara. Her class at Saltus Cavendish had a map on the wall and stuck pins in it from time to time as the journey progressed.

Mr. McCulloch had some health challenges along the way, particularly with his amputated leg. He also had some trouble cycling through the hilly parts of the UK, like Devon and Cornwall.

Still he said for the most part he was "very fortunate" and got some of the best weather in British history.

"There was glorious sunshine. In all seven weeks of riding there were only three days where I had to wear my wet weather gear. I was also fortunate with the bike. I had no punctures, no breakdowns. I was able to just keep on going.

"My own health was good and held up. I had some troubles with my knees and with my prosthetic leg, but apart from that it was fine. I just took a few rest days off to recuperate and then got back on the road again.

"My accommodation was fine — it was bed and breakfasts and motels, and I was met by some friends living in the UK who came to say hello on the way," he added.

Though the journey usually takes cyclists between ten and 14 days to complete, Mr. McCulloch took time to explore the British countryside.

He said he liked that he could choose whether to have a hard and fast day or saunter along on the bike, stopping to explore churches or to chat with someone working in the fields.

In fact, he said crossing the finish line was a bittersweet moment. "Although there was this great sense of achievement and it's over, it's finished, and it's a relief, there was a part of me that didn't want to stop. There was a part of me that wanted to keep going.

"It was probably because your whole life is resolved to one bicycle and nothing else. That is all there is, and you decide when you are going to go, you know where everything is in your pockets and pouches.

"You are completely self-contained. I found I liked the solitude of it all, that only I am going to decide where I am going to go to tomorrow, how far I am going to reach."

Mr. McCulloch plans to continue cycling to stay fit and later down the road hopes to explore America, Australia or New Zealand by motorcycle or car.