I was doing the Lakeland Loop cycle challenge and was out in front on me own (no, really!) when I caught up with these two other blokes riding the same way. Got talking to them, they introduced themselves as Mark and Billy. It was only after yapping to them for about half an hour that the subject of Fell running came up. I said I did a bit and Billy said 'Oh, you might have heard of me then. Billy Bland.' I nearly fell off my bike!
We had a good old chin wag and I had a surreal moment later finding myself chatting to Billy about football whilst riding up Hardknott Pass!
Anyway, what a top bloke he is. It was a pleasure to spend some time with him. He's not too shabby on a bike either, by the way!