What a fantastic day.

This year's End-to-End attracted more than 2,000 participants to raise money for some of Bermuda's most worthy causes.

Education, music and the environment were this year's themes, and if ever there was motivation to spur you on it was experiencing the Island's natural beauty on such a glorious spring day.

Taking part in the End-to-End Cycle, we set off shortly after 10 a.m. from King's Square in St. George's. The sun was shining and, pedalling over the Causeway, the waters of Castle Harbour were a brilliant blue.

The route took us along Harrington Sound and through the pristine greens of Tucker's Point and Mid Ocean Golf Club.

From there it was just a short hop to John Smith's Bay, where slices of oranges from the water stop never tasted so good.

Along South Road, the scenery was so beautiful I wasn't really thinking about how tired my legs were getting but when I reached Bermuda College in Paget, the realisation I was less than halfway there was harsh.

With the sun baking down, I could feel my Factor 45 sun cream starting to lose its effect and my face was turning pink from the heat and exertion.

As I pedalled up the hill towards Elbow Beach, my knees were aching and I wondered whether I would complete my mission.

As I hit South Shore however, there was a new lease of energy. The long hills allowed you to coast along the coast, cooled down by a refreshing breeze.

Bermuda never looked so beautiful. Over the azure ocean, longtails swooped in the sky and the sun glistened on the water.

It was a beautiful ride. Once iin Sandys, Scaur Hill was tough but on those last few miles, you were buoyed by the wonderful people along the roadsides, shouting: "You can do it" and "You're almost there!"

It was a fantastic atmosphere and even participants who walked those gruelling 24 miles were happy laughing and joking with each other as they neared the finish at Dockyard.

Young and old, the community really united on Saturday to raise money for a better society and environment.

Would I do it again? Absolutely.