Our final assault on the Scottish roads was upon us. It began with an awakening in the Town of Tain after a restless nights sleep! Breakfast consisted of Muesli and a full Scottish breakfast (without haggis and black pudding) before making the final preparations for our charge "over the top".
My bike had lasted well but the bottom bracket was seriously on its last legs and I was having doubts about whether it would make it. For all the non-cyclists, a broken bottom bracket makes cycling feel like pedalling through syrup. Would I actually make John O'Groats, now was the time to find out!
We set-out on the road in what was a chilly breeze and slight mist with 87 miles to go.... We were quickly over the Dornoch Firth and onto the A9 which would be our home for much of the day!
Our first stop was scheduled to be just short of Helmsdale after which there was a steady and never-ending incline, which was shrouded in the fog and made it defeatingly difficult to keep cycling, not knowing where the summit lay. Andy and I charged up the hill and then waited above the fog in a rather picturesque stopping point where the fog slowly rolled up the hill, blown by the sea-breeze.
The day wore on and we were riding the lay of the land in inclines and descents, taking in the (at times) spectacular coastal scenery!
At our second stop we met a rather nice bloke who forewarned us of the blind and treacherous corners that lay ahead.... A daunting prospect! Snacking on the same chocolate and energy bars/drinks was really taking it's toll on the morale, but the thought of being being so close to the finish drove me on through...
It was on this stint before Wick of which I reached the highest speed of the trip, hitting 43.8mph! This was great until I saw the hill the other side! This was an epic hill of monumental proportions, and half way up lay some traffic lights! It was too dangerous to cycle with the volume of traffic and so the decision was taken to walk up the hill - a wise but disappointing decision!
We hit Wick and then it was 16miles to JOG! The final final assault was upon us with one scheduled stop left... A brief stop for fuel saw us encouraging fellow cyclists as they sailed on by. We soon mounted up and were on the road again and it wasn't long before we saw the final hill - a crippling 400ft climb of a hill before a descent down to JOG. The feeling of nearly finishing was making me want to cycle faster and harder to get to the finishing post but we were to finish this together. After having the obligatory photo taken at the JOG sign, we entered the town and were on the look out for the signpost. We descended the final hill to the car park where the support crew filmed us as we arrived! My no-hands punching the air routine as we went down the hill nearly ended badly as gravity took hold and I sailed down the hill in front of the others (unintentionally!) and nearly hit a motorcyclist!
We had finished in 57hours and 57minutes covering 887miles at an average of 14.84mph! Eight and a half days of cycling had been worth it! The achievement wasn't sinking in as more relief came flooding to the forefront of my mind, but the feeling was still incredible! We had only had one puncture, a broken spoke and a broken gear cable between three of us - a magnificent achievement!
It was under the sign that we had a couple of glasses of champagne and let the world know of our success! The photos were taken, gift shop visited, post-cards written and we loaded the bikes to start the trip home.
We drove 2hours back to Alness where we stayed at a B&B run by a bloke who was originally from Devon and we finished the trip with a curry and a beer, which was most, most welcome!
I shall elaborate more in tomorrow's blog of the "review", but until then, Adios Amigos!
TK
Tuesday, 14 September 2010
Saturday, 4 September 2010
Day 8 - I spoke too soon!
Today started with amazing weather and a healthy appetite to get on the road! We departed Glencoe and were quickly through Fort William and beyond onto Loch Lochey! Here we beat the support crew to the rendezvous! This is when I discovered I had a broken spoke on my brand new wheels! A change of wheels and gear cassettes took 20 minutes and we were on the road again!
Soon we were upon the shores of Loch Ness! I thought I saw the monster, but it turned out to be a rather large stick - Something that I think can have tricked many people ;)
It was along these roads that I suffered my second mechanical failure of the day - a snapped gear cable. This meant cycling the final 8 miles with only 8 gears which made life very difficult. By Urquart Castle I changed the cable whilst eating on the go and we were away again!
Here we took a route which resulted in a climb of a 10% hill which was around a mile and a half long. This led to Andy and I walking the final half mile, but this was most definitely the hardest hill of the entire trip so far!
We cycled the final miles to our night's stay in Tain... The base camp for the assault on John O'Groats for the final day's cycling! It's gone so quickly - one day we're counting down to day nine and in the blink of an eye, it's here!!!!
I don't know how it's going to feel when we finish, but I imagine, pretty good!
I'll keep you updated!
TK
Soon we were upon the shores of Loch Ness! I thought I saw the monster, but it turned out to be a rather large stick - Something that I think can have tricked many people ;)
It was along these roads that I suffered my second mechanical failure of the day - a snapped gear cable. This meant cycling the final 8 miles with only 8 gears which made life very difficult. By Urquart Castle I changed the cable whilst eating on the go and we were away again!
Here we took a route which resulted in a climb of a 10% hill which was around a mile and a half long. This led to Andy and I walking the final half mile, but this was most definitely the hardest hill of the entire trip so far!
We cycled the final miles to our night's stay in Tain... The base camp for the assault on John O'Groats for the final day's cycling! It's gone so quickly - one day we're counting down to day nine and in the blink of an eye, it's here!!!!
I don't know how it's going to feel when we finish, but I imagine, pretty good!
I'll keep you updated!
TK
Wednesday, 1 September 2010
Day Seven - Mummy Bear, Daddy Bear and Baby Bear......
Day Seven of Nine! It doesn't seem like yesterday that we were looking at nine days of cycling ahead of us and now there are only two! This trip has gone in the blink of an eye!
Today our plan was to reach Fort William via the Highlands.... This was something that I found to be daunting but decided to go with the flow and take it as it comes!
We spent the first hour of the day negotiating traffic, roadworks and dodgy standard highways out of East Kilbride and towards Paisley and off past the airport towards Loch Lommond. Ian watched and took photos of planes as they landed and took off very much like and excited school boy, which I found highly amusing and offered him one of my anorachs!
We crossed Erskine Bridge and carried onto Loch Lommond which we reached in good time. Here we resided at Duck Bay and had a soup and took in the view! This Loch reminded me of Italian lakes shown on films and was absolutely stunning! We cycled from one end to the other and enjoyed most of it with the sun beating down on our backs (exacerbating my already ludicrous tan-lines!). At the furthest end we met the support crew and had an ice-cream (a great idea from Ian!) and refueled for the next leg!
From Loch Lommond we cycled on into the Highlands and met some real characters along the way (including a couple of New Zealanders in a Winnabego) who gave us some useful advice on what to expect as we followed the A82 past some enormous mountains and the ski centre! Here we had a climb from 400ft to over 1,200 before making a 9mile decsent down to Glencoe.
The climbs came steady and regularly with some flats breaking the monotony of the grind. Once at the summit we were looking upon a baron land with spectacular views before winding our way down to Glencoe.
Glencoe was the stopping point for the evening as all the hotels and guesthouses between here and Fort William were full. We had sent our fabulous support crew out to get us lodgings for the evening and they came up absolute trumps with the Glencoe Hotel! Unfortunately the room we had consisted of a large double bed (Andy's), a large single bed (mine) and a put-me-up cot (Ians's) all in one room, reminding me of the story of Goldilocks and the three Bears! This has bought us straight back to a 20mile deficit to be overcome if we are to finish on schedule... This means that a trip of 120miles is on the cards for tomorrow and so therefore I need to get a good meal and a good nights sleep and so I shall sign off for now!
Take care!
TK x
Today our plan was to reach Fort William via the Highlands.... This was something that I found to be daunting but decided to go with the flow and take it as it comes!
We spent the first hour of the day negotiating traffic, roadworks and dodgy standard highways out of East Kilbride and towards Paisley and off past the airport towards Loch Lommond. Ian watched and took photos of planes as they landed and took off very much like and excited school boy, which I found highly amusing and offered him one of my anorachs!
We crossed Erskine Bridge and carried onto Loch Lommond which we reached in good time. Here we resided at Duck Bay and had a soup and took in the view! This Loch reminded me of Italian lakes shown on films and was absolutely stunning! We cycled from one end to the other and enjoyed most of it with the sun beating down on our backs (exacerbating my already ludicrous tan-lines!). At the furthest end we met the support crew and had an ice-cream (a great idea from Ian!) and refueled for the next leg!
From Loch Lommond we cycled on into the Highlands and met some real characters along the way (including a couple of New Zealanders in a Winnabego) who gave us some useful advice on what to expect as we followed the A82 past some enormous mountains and the ski centre! Here we had a climb from 400ft to over 1,200 before making a 9mile decsent down to Glencoe.
The climbs came steady and regularly with some flats breaking the monotony of the grind. Once at the summit we were looking upon a baron land with spectacular views before winding our way down to Glencoe.
Glencoe was the stopping point for the evening as all the hotels and guesthouses between here and Fort William were full. We had sent our fabulous support crew out to get us lodgings for the evening and they came up absolute trumps with the Glencoe Hotel! Unfortunately the room we had consisted of a large double bed (Andy's), a large single bed (mine) and a put-me-up cot (Ians's) all in one room, reminding me of the story of Goldilocks and the three Bears! This has bought us straight back to a 20mile deficit to be overcome if we are to finish on schedule... This means that a trip of 120miles is on the cards for tomorrow and so therefore I need to get a good meal and a good nights sleep and so I shall sign off for now!
Take care!
TK x
Day six.... The English Invasion of Scotland!!
Day six.... This is the day that we mount the attack on Scotland!
We had eaten the previous evening at a hotel in which I felt extremely underdressed having entered to find a maitre'd waiting and I was wearing a hoodie, jeans and flip-flops! Here I consumed vast quantities of food and a cheeky pint (or two) of cider before retiring to our room!
We left Penrith after consuming a breakfast cooked my Mohammed Al Fayed's former personal chef - with it defeating me yet again! The day immediately got off to a bad start as I took the wrong turning out of the cul-de-sac and had tp be retrieved by phone! The jaunt towards the border was a leisurely one and we were bathed in glorious sun as we made our way through Carlisle and through Hadrian's Wall.
We entered Scotland via Gretna Green early on in the morning passing the old marriage house and across the border. This has been worrying me as I didn't have my passport or shots! ;)
It was here wereby I spent nearly an hour changing all of my worn out brake blocks and refueling for the arduous Scottish hills! Surprisingly it wasn't the hills that killed me, but the condition of the Scottish roads!!!! The roads did their best to repel our English invasion but this was a battle of which they won only in my mind!
The roads took us through some stunning scenery but the road surfaces were so bumpy at times it felt as though my bike was going to shake itself apart! This surface took it's toll on us all both mentally and physically but it was to be 113miles to our destination of Glasgow to get back on track after the shortfall encountered on day 4!
We finally set camp at the Premier Inn in East Kilbride where the staff were fantastic and were eager to help in any way! It was here that Andy, Ian, Gerald and I all had a carvery of three different meats, and the entire trimmings for £4.99 - value that you can't possibly fault!
Today was arduous but was really rewarding considering what we had overcome! Tommorrow we leave Glasgow and head for the highlands by way of Loch Lommond and passing Ben Nevis (including the ski centre!), but that's a story for another day...
Please keep supporting us by donating whatever you can as the causes are very worthy!
All the best,
TK x
We had eaten the previous evening at a hotel in which I felt extremely underdressed having entered to find a maitre'd waiting and I was wearing a hoodie, jeans and flip-flops! Here I consumed vast quantities of food and a cheeky pint (or two) of cider before retiring to our room!
We left Penrith after consuming a breakfast cooked my Mohammed Al Fayed's former personal chef - with it defeating me yet again! The day immediately got off to a bad start as I took the wrong turning out of the cul-de-sac and had tp be retrieved by phone! The jaunt towards the border was a leisurely one and we were bathed in glorious sun as we made our way through Carlisle and through Hadrian's Wall.
We entered Scotland via Gretna Green early on in the morning passing the old marriage house and across the border. This has been worrying me as I didn't have my passport or shots! ;)
It was here wereby I spent nearly an hour changing all of my worn out brake blocks and refueling for the arduous Scottish hills! Surprisingly it wasn't the hills that killed me, but the condition of the Scottish roads!!!! The roads did their best to repel our English invasion but this was a battle of which they won only in my mind!
The roads took us through some stunning scenery but the road surfaces were so bumpy at times it felt as though my bike was going to shake itself apart! This surface took it's toll on us all both mentally and physically but it was to be 113miles to our destination of Glasgow to get back on track after the shortfall encountered on day 4!
We finally set camp at the Premier Inn in East Kilbride where the staff were fantastic and were eager to help in any way! It was here that Andy, Ian, Gerald and I all had a carvery of three different meats, and the entire trimmings for £4.99 - value that you can't possibly fault!
Today was arduous but was really rewarding considering what we had overcome! Tommorrow we leave Glasgow and head for the highlands by way of Loch Lommond and passing Ben Nevis (including the ski centre!), but that's a story for another day...
Please keep supporting us by donating whatever you can as the causes are very worthy!
All the best,
TK x
Tuesday, 31 August 2010
Day 5 - " I Think I've Shap Myself"
This morning was not a good morning to be me! I woke up with an even worse head-cold than I had yesterday and was rushed to get out of bed and to breakfast... From here we mounted the support wagon and picked up Ian....
Ian's uncle was very kind to cycle with us to the North of Junction 27 and by coincidence upon saying our good-byes, George's friend's Ronnie and Mike turned up on their rather fetching Trek Madones (I was very jealous!). Ronnie and Mike kindly agreed to be our guides to negotiate the perils of Preston. We cycled following them (with one section becoming very similar to a down-hill mountain bike section) but we were extremely grateful for their assistance as without it, we would have been in a right old mess!
We had the enjoyable prospect of a day of quite flat terrain which would be then interupted by the inconveneince of a rather large hill known as Shap!
After ridden through Carnforth, we stopped just outside Kendal which we made our base camp just before mounting the assault on probably the biggest climb of the ride! At the 68mile mark we started embarking on a climb which lasted to a summit at 1,400 feet over what turned out to be 15 miles! We were treated to some spectacular views before Andy and I became rather competitive and tried to see who would reach the summit first... Something that I won and then proceeded to celebrate over the final brow in a celebration reminiscent of a Tour De Framce Winner cycling with no hands and punching the air (on video I hope) but no prize.....
Here we took some photographs and met some fellow LEJOG'ers who were following a very similar route. From Shap to Penrith it was mostly down hill and we had a little bit of a race with the fellow LEJOG'ers which once again, Andy and I won - who says that we're competitive?!
We reached Penrith having sent Gerald and Anne forward to locate some establishment where we could rest out heads. We had lost 20 miles on our target yesterday due to the wind but unfortunately had no opportunity to recover some of the lost mileage, therefore we would have to try and make up for this tomorrow. Gerald and Anne found a corking B&B which has got the world's tiniest shower! For an individual who has a slightly larger "build" cleaning yourself in this over-grown sardine can became a rather comical event which lead to me standing outside the shower and showering my legs completely seperately! The toilet and bedroom also had some technology which I have never seen before including a light which switches on and off at the waft of a hand and a toilet seat which shuts itself without slamming down - A-Maz-Ing!
Today marked the half-way point of the ride and with only 4 days remaining, we are breaking into Scotland tomorrow... I have my passport ready and my immunisations done as we are going "abroad"!!!
Take care,
TK x
Ian's uncle was very kind to cycle with us to the North of Junction 27 and by coincidence upon saying our good-byes, George's friend's Ronnie and Mike turned up on their rather fetching Trek Madones (I was very jealous!). Ronnie and Mike kindly agreed to be our guides to negotiate the perils of Preston. We cycled following them (with one section becoming very similar to a down-hill mountain bike section) but we were extremely grateful for their assistance as without it, we would have been in a right old mess!
We had the enjoyable prospect of a day of quite flat terrain which would be then interupted by the inconveneince of a rather large hill known as Shap!
After ridden through Carnforth, we stopped just outside Kendal which we made our base camp just before mounting the assault on probably the biggest climb of the ride! At the 68mile mark we started embarking on a climb which lasted to a summit at 1,400 feet over what turned out to be 15 miles! We were treated to some spectacular views before Andy and I became rather competitive and tried to see who would reach the summit first... Something that I won and then proceeded to celebrate over the final brow in a celebration reminiscent of a Tour De Framce Winner cycling with no hands and punching the air (on video I hope) but no prize.....
Here we took some photographs and met some fellow LEJOG'ers who were following a very similar route. From Shap to Penrith it was mostly down hill and we had a little bit of a race with the fellow LEJOG'ers which once again, Andy and I won - who says that we're competitive?!
We reached Penrith having sent Gerald and Anne forward to locate some establishment where we could rest out heads. We had lost 20 miles on our target yesterday due to the wind but unfortunately had no opportunity to recover some of the lost mileage, therefore we would have to try and make up for this tomorrow. Gerald and Anne found a corking B&B which has got the world's tiniest shower! For an individual who has a slightly larger "build" cleaning yourself in this over-grown sardine can became a rather comical event which lead to me standing outside the shower and showering my legs completely seperately! The toilet and bedroom also had some technology which I have never seen before including a light which switches on and off at the waft of a hand and a toilet seat which shuts itself without slamming down - A-Maz-Ing!
Today marked the half-way point of the ride and with only 4 days remaining, we are breaking into Scotland tomorrow... I have my passport ready and my immunisations done as we are going "abroad"!!!
Take care,
TK x
Monday, 30 August 2010
Day 4 - Andy's Sprinker, Wind and Cheshire and a Day at the Races...
Today was a day where I awoke to the start of a head-cold of man-flu proportions! We started teh day awaking in the room of the Croft Hotel in Bridgnorth after completing the previous day's last 15 miles with a flurry of climbs and falls!
Breakfast was a affair whereby I was defeated at the first hurdle after only being able to manage a sausage and a half wih some bacon and scrambled egg! The day got off to an even worse start by the fact that we didn't get going until 10am and in the rain!
The rain lasted only in short bursts but following Andy's bike was a bit like following a garden sprinkler with a large rooster tail covering me in muddy water at sporadic intervals..... The main obsticle of the day was facing a 35-40mph head wind for the duration of the day! As we entered Cheshire the wind did not receed and we ended up fighting it all the way to Bridgnorth. This is a battle that I lost and ended the day mentally defeated.
Ian had arranged for his Uncle George to meet up with us late in the afternoon to guide us through the minefield that was Wigan but we weren't to make Preston and therefore only made Ashton-In-Makerfield (20 miles short). George very kindly took us back to his abode (via a ride over Haydock Racecourse) where he and his good wife (Eileen) accomodated us very hospitably and with great generosity!
Our home for the night was to be the Premier Inn in Ashton-In-Makerfield (Ian stayed at his Uncle's) who were very accomodating but I was a bit narked by the fact that they demanded £10 for 24 hours non transferable interent access - a rip-off if you ask me!!!!
I shall let you know of tomorrow's dealings as they arise, but until then, I bid you good night!
TK x
Breakfast was a affair whereby I was defeated at the first hurdle after only being able to manage a sausage and a half wih some bacon and scrambled egg! The day got off to an even worse start by the fact that we didn't get going until 10am and in the rain!
The rain lasted only in short bursts but following Andy's bike was a bit like following a garden sprinkler with a large rooster tail covering me in muddy water at sporadic intervals..... The main obsticle of the day was facing a 35-40mph head wind for the duration of the day! As we entered Cheshire the wind did not receed and we ended up fighting it all the way to Bridgnorth. This is a battle that I lost and ended the day mentally defeated.
Ian had arranged for his Uncle George to meet up with us late in the afternoon to guide us through the minefield that was Wigan but we weren't to make Preston and therefore only made Ashton-In-Makerfield (20 miles short). George very kindly took us back to his abode (via a ride over Haydock Racecourse) where he and his good wife (Eileen) accomodated us very hospitably and with great generosity!
Our home for the night was to be the Premier Inn in Ashton-In-Makerfield (Ian stayed at his Uncle's) who were very accomodating but I was a bit narked by the fact that they demanded £10 for 24 hours non transferable interent access - a rip-off if you ask me!!!!
I shall let you know of tomorrow's dealings as they arise, but until then, I bid you good night!
TK x
Saturday, 28 August 2010
Day Three - Get 'Yer Bristols Out.....
Day three started at 7.15am and we were ready and down at breakfast at 8.00am (this time should not be legal on a Saturday!). Once a very big breakfast had been consumed we set out on the road. We were hoping for some nice even terrain to get the averages up!
We started the day with just what we had asked for and we came into Bristol. At one point we ahd a bizarre scenario of heading uphill at 26mph courtesy of the wind! The centre of Bristol was busy and we had to negotiate some rather insideous bus drivers who only had a care forthemselves which led to a number of near misses and encountered some colourful language from yours truly!
The good going lasted until we hit the edge of the Malvern Hills. From here we had a head-wind all the way to Gloucester and Tewkesbury but made very good headway! Special mention has to be made to the catering for cyclists in Gloucester with designated cycling pavements which made navigation very easy!
We headed to Worcester and then at Stourport-on Severn headed to Bewdley (which is an amazing picturesque town)! The route we chose followed the River Severn and we went through some amazing scenery and then all the way to Bridgnorth took roads which were exceptionally undulating and a tough test of endurance and stamina. We finished the day with a total of 115 miles, 2,800 fete climbed and 5,708 calories burnt!
We were staying at the very nice Croft Hotel and headed to the Castle for a meal! Andy and I both demolished two 22oz steaks between us which were most welcome after a hard day's slog!
Well I'm now defnitely up for bed and so will inform you of our adventures on the way to Preston!
Adios amigos!
TK x
We started the day with just what we had asked for and we came into Bristol. At one point we ahd a bizarre scenario of heading uphill at 26mph courtesy of the wind! The centre of Bristol was busy and we had to negotiate some rather insideous bus drivers who only had a care forthemselves which led to a number of near misses and encountered some colourful language from yours truly!
The good going lasted until we hit the edge of the Malvern Hills. From here we had a head-wind all the way to Gloucester and Tewkesbury but made very good headway! Special mention has to be made to the catering for cyclists in Gloucester with designated cycling pavements which made navigation very easy!
We headed to Worcester and then at Stourport-on Severn headed to Bewdley (which is an amazing picturesque town)! The route we chose followed the River Severn and we went through some amazing scenery and then all the way to Bridgnorth took roads which were exceptionally undulating and a tough test of endurance and stamina. We finished the day with a total of 115 miles, 2,800 fete climbed and 5,708 calories burnt!
We were staying at the very nice Croft Hotel and headed to the Castle for a meal! Andy and I both demolished two 22oz steaks between us which were most welcome after a hard day's slog!
Well I'm now defnitely up for bed and so will inform you of our adventures on the way to Preston!
Adios amigos!
TK x
Day Two - Clotted Cream County....
Day two started with a bleary eyed awakening following a restless night disturbed by snoring and a over efficient duvet cover! It started with a breakfast consisting of both cooked and cereal elements! Andy started the day with a flat tire but this was quickly resolved!
We were on the A30 at 9.30 and were soon negotiating the climbs and the traffic of a very fast road! It wasn't long until we were on the B road coming out of Okehampton and quickly made headway to Crediton. After negotiating some dodgy drivers and roadworks we took a road with a 700ft climb we were treated to some fantastic scenery and a great ride! This was punishing at times but we soon overcame it and stopped for lunch.
From here we headed to Taunton which we hit at nigh on rush hour and took great peril negotiating the traffic and road systems! We finished the final 30 miles with pretty much even terrain all the way to Weston!
Once at Weston we showered and hit the local Yates for some grub with the Henery clan! We ate very well until the staff asked that we move once we finsh so they could erect "the pole"! It's at this point we left! 102 miles, 3,230ft climbed, 5,500 calories burnt but due to a charity sweepstake taking place at work, I can't divulge the time cycled but can confirm the breaks taken were prolific!!!
Tomorrow is 110 miles and a daunting task.... I shall let you know the tales tomorrow!
Enjoy!!!
TK
We were on the A30 at 9.30 and were soon negotiating the climbs and the traffic of a very fast road! It wasn't long until we were on the B road coming out of Okehampton and quickly made headway to Crediton. After negotiating some dodgy drivers and roadworks we took a road with a 700ft climb we were treated to some fantastic scenery and a great ride! This was punishing at times but we soon overcame it and stopped for lunch.
From here we headed to Taunton which we hit at nigh on rush hour and took great peril negotiating the traffic and road systems! We finished the final 30 miles with pretty much even terrain all the way to Weston!
Once at Weston we showered and hit the local Yates for some grub with the Henery clan! We ate very well until the staff asked that we move once we finsh so they could erect "the pole"! It's at this point we left! 102 miles, 3,230ft climbed, 5,500 calories burnt but due to a charity sweepstake taking place at work, I can't divulge the time cycled but can confirm the breaks taken were prolific!!!
Tomorrow is 110 miles and a daunting task.... I shall let you know the tales tomorrow!
Enjoy!!!
TK
Thursday, 26 August 2010
Day One - Antisocial Starts and A Breakdown....
Day one got off to a very antisocial start as my alarm went off at 5.15am! Caroline very kindly gave a lift to my chariot that was Ian and his daughter... By 6.15am we were packed and leaving Warminster! We had breakfast just outside Honiton at an imitation grotty Little Chef which served us a hearty breakfast for the day ahead! I wish that I could say that the rest of the journey was uneventful but that would be lieing! At our chosen overnight spot of Launceston the support wagon lost power and we were struggling to find garage that was open! Eventually we stumbled upon one and the very kind Cornish gents sorted us out and we were on our way!
We got to Land's End 2 hours late but managed to get the obligatory picture taken and off we set! The A30 was our chosen route for the day, a very fast and dangerous road! A light bit of rain and 77 miles later we arrived at our destination! Tommy-two dinners lived up to his name and demolished a steak and a half!!!
This is only half a blog as i'musing my iPhone but as soon as I have wi-fi again,I shall fill you in on the details
Tomorrow- Weston beckons!
Take care and please keep donating!!
TK x
The full blog!
I finally have internet and here's the backdated blog!
We started off from Land's End at around 2pm and cycled along the very dangerous A30. Andy and I stopped to wait for Ian and whilst were weren't looking Ian cycled past. We kept waiting for a while and then decided to cycle back a half mile and look for him. After not finding him, we phoned him to find that he was several miles in front! It took us some time but we finally caught up with hime and we took to the dual carriageways!
Whilst on the dual carriageway we were negotiating roadworks and Ian did a decent David Attenborough impersonation by heading up the embankment but thankfully at no cost to his health.
After numerous hours cycling it slowly started raining and we finished the day in dark and rainy conditions.
We finally made our over-night stop and very quickly found Jim Morrison of Kidney Research UK who was there to find out a bit more about us. He was a very nice guy who kindly bought us a drink each and provided us with advertising paraphanalea. A nice steak followed and an early bed.....
We got to Land's End 2 hours late but managed to get the obligatory picture taken and off we set! The A30 was our chosen route for the day, a very fast and dangerous road! A light bit of rain and 77 miles later we arrived at our destination! Tommy-two dinners lived up to his name and demolished a steak and a half!!!
This is only half a blog as i'musing my iPhone but as soon as I have wi-fi again,I shall fill you in on the details
Tomorrow- Weston beckons!
Take care and please keep donating!!
TK x
The full blog!
I finally have internet and here's the backdated blog!
We started off from Land's End at around 2pm and cycled along the very dangerous A30. Andy and I stopped to wait for Ian and whilst were weren't looking Ian cycled past. We kept waiting for a while and then decided to cycle back a half mile and look for him. After not finding him, we phoned him to find that he was several miles in front! It took us some time but we finally caught up with hime and we took to the dual carriageways!
Whilst on the dual carriageway we were negotiating roadworks and Ian did a decent David Attenborough impersonation by heading up the embankment but thankfully at no cost to his health.
After numerous hours cycling it slowly started raining and we finished the day in dark and rainy conditions.
We finally made our over-night stop and very quickly found Jim Morrison of Kidney Research UK who was there to find out a bit more about us. He was a very nice guy who kindly bought us a drink each and provided us with advertising paraphanalea. A nice steak followed and an early bed.....
Tuesday, 24 August 2010
The Plan......
On Thursday 26th August 2010, Andy Wheeler, Ian Henery and Tom Kyte from Goodman Nash will don the Lycra and cycle the 1,000 miles from Land’s End to John O’ Groats in only ten days!
Cycling for charities which are close to our hearts, the aim is to raise £10,000 which will be pooled (after reasonable expenses) and then split equally amongst them. These include:
The Multiple Sclerosis Society Of Great Britain And Northern Ireland
CALM - Childrens Cancer and Leukaemia Movement
Leukaemia Research
Kidney Research UK
After leaving Land’s End the schedule takes us:
Launceston – Thursday 26th August
Weston-Super-Mare – Friday 27th August
Bridgnorth – Saturday 28th August
Preston – Sunday 29th August
Carlisle – Monday 30th August
Glasgow – Tuesday 31st August
Fort William – Wednesday 1st September
Bonar Bridge – Thursday 2nd September
John O’ Groats – Friday 3rd September
For more information e-mail us at gn-lejog@hotmail.com or contact us on 01380 739 112
Please sponsor/donate at http://www.charitygiving.co.uk/gn-lejog
Tom will be keeping a daily blog with updates of photos, maps and comments of anguish along the route. Please subscribe and donate to keep us going......
Cycling for charities which are close to our hearts, the aim is to raise £10,000 which will be pooled (after reasonable expenses) and then split equally amongst them. These include:
The Multiple Sclerosis Society Of Great Britain And Northern Ireland
CALM - Childrens Cancer and Leukaemia Movement
Leukaemia Research
Kidney Research UK
After leaving Land’s End the schedule takes us:
Launceston – Thursday 26th August
Weston-Super-Mare – Friday 27th August
Bridgnorth – Saturday 28th August
Preston – Sunday 29th August
Carlisle – Monday 30th August
Glasgow – Tuesday 31st August
Fort William – Wednesday 1st September
Bonar Bridge – Thursday 2nd September
John O’ Groats – Friday 3rd September
For more information e-mail us at gn-lejog@hotmail.com or contact us on 01380 739 112
Please sponsor/donate at http://www.charitygiving.co.uk/gn-lejog
Tom will be keeping a daily blog with updates of photos, maps and comments of anguish along the route. Please subscribe and donate to keep us going......
Ian, Andy and Tom
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