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Sunday 8 January 2012
Thursday 9 July 2009
My Way
Its now just over two weeks since I finished my ride and I've had chance to reflect upon the same and to sort my thoughts out. I intended to write this post shortly after I got home, but time pressures meant now is the 1st chance I have to complete this post.
I've been on my bike everyday since I got back. However, most days I've been riding my fixed wheel bike again. Its good to be back riding fixed. I know I couldn't do LEJoG on it though.
Yesterday, Tom & I took part in the British Heart Foundation London - Southend Ride, some 52+miles. It wasn't long enough, so we rode up to the start as well, adding another 8 miles on. The main ride we had planned to do at a leisurely pace, expecting including stops to take about 5 hours. As it happened, despite Tom having a puncture, we did it in about 3hrs 08mins riding time ( 3 hrs 20mins in total- including changing the puncture). Jo was to meet us in Southend at 12 noon, but we told her of our good pace and got her to meet us there at 11am instead! We then made it to Southend by about 10:20am. I'm sure that Tom would want me to tell you all that as last year, I beat him to southend, even after he sat on my wheel for 50 miles. Next year son....
The first thing to say is that it was a great experience and I'd do it again like a shot. Tom, get some miles in and we can do it together....!
As a rather fat and unfit 40something, the idea of doing LEJoG (or even JoGLE) was surely an unrealistic challenge. I really only started cycling about 8 years ago, and then only to accompany my son when he rode his bike. Tom was about 8 then. I eventually got fit enough to cycle to / from work, then some 20 miles a day. From there I have done the odd longer ride, but before starting LEJoG, I had never ridden more than 70 miles in a day.
Gradual building up of stamina between January and May was achieved by increasing my commute from 12.5 miles each way to 25 miles each way. This obviously took more time, but meant that I could get the miles in daily without too much effort. Its hard getting up and out of the house in January to ride to work, setting off in the dark before 7 am. When the snow hit in February, apart from changing to my touring bike and missing 2 days riding, I continued to ride to work.
I never managed to get any long weekend rides in, but my son Tom did encourage me to ride, and the thought that he had done the Coast to Coast ride last year made me determined to get fit enough to go one better and do LEJoG. What's that I hear you say about me being a competitive father? I have also been encouraged and helped by my partner Jo, who has got out her bike and ridden with me. At the start of the year, she had not ridden more than about 10 miles in one go. By the time I finished LEJoG, she had managed to ride 30 miles in busy traffic, and since then has managed over 40 miles on a very lumpy route with Tom and I. She has done incredibly well to increase her riding ability in so few rides.
To reflect on the ride a little
Was it worth doing?
Absolutely. It was a great personal challenge and a chance to see Great Britain at a relatively leisurely pace. I would go back and do it again tomorrow if I could get the time off work and could afford to do it.
What was Best Part of LEJoG?
I have asked myself this so many times and can't give a single answer. There were so many highlights along the way.
1. Seeing my friends in Penzance before I set off. I get to see so little of John & Jayne these days, so to spend a night with them and their daughter was a real pleasure.
2. Completing my first ever 100 mile ride at Monmouth.
3. The feeling of achievement at riding up the climb at Underbarrow( & later at Drumnadrochit).
4. Completing the ride up and over Shap Fell. That was thanks to the help of my father who rode with me (I'll even forgive him for taking me on a detour up that incredible climb at Underbarrow).
5. Passing through Carlisle and over the Border into Scotland only 6 days after setting off.
5. Completing the 104 miles from Crianlarich to Drumnadrochit via Rannoch Moor, Glen Coe, Fort William and Loch Ness. It was the longest ride I have ever done, and the fastest ride of the trip.
6. Reaching the top of Berriedale Braes, and seeing the cemetery there and realising the plot set aside for me was not needed and the knowledge that there were no more major hills between there and JoG.
7. Seeing JoG and riding down into the village. It was a very proud moment for me, especially as Jo, Tom and my parents were there to meet me.
The Worst Part?
1. The climb out of Tavistock up onto /Dartmoor.
2. Getting the bonk after leaving Chepstow and struggling to Tintern, hardly ably to keep turning the pedals on the bike
3. THAT CLIMB at Underbarrow after following my father's suggestion to change the route. It was possibly the steepest part of the whole ride, and was at least a mile long. Everytime I went round a bend thinking this was the top, another climb loomed.
4. The CLIMB out of Drumnadrochit, see comments re Underbarrow, except this time it was my change of route choice!
5. The view out of the Hotel at Navidale- the hotel that night looked directly up at the 2 mile climb I would have to complete the next morning. Not a view to make for a relaxing night's sleep.
6. Reaching JoG - Why you ask, well two reasons, firstly the thought that my trip was coming to an end and secondly because I had only done 50+ miles that day. It wasn't enough.
I wanted to get back on my bike and ride further. I felt I hadn't done enough that day.
&. The worst part however must be the realisation between Loch Lomond & Crianlarich on day 8 that I was going to have to stop the ride owing to injury. I can't tell you how bad that feeling was. I've seen my football team be relegated 3 times & lose in 3 cup finals and 2 semi-finals, and it never felt as bad or hurt as much!
Memories?
There are so many memories, but a few of the ones that spring to mind immediately are:
1. Seeing Dartmoor Prison and knowing I was at the highest point on Dartmoor, little realising that the steepest parts of that day's ride were yet to come!
2. Seeing how green and Beautiful Great Britain is. In a car you whizz past places at speed and don't realise how beautiful the country is. There are so many places I want to go back and spend time in, excluding Devon of course as that day hurt! Tintern and Monmouth are gorgeous places and worth going to see. The Lake District of course, Glen Coe, the far North of Scotland. Jo, I will take you to visit some of these places- honest! [Note I never said we won't have to cycle to them ;-) ]
3. Perhaps surprisingly to some, the courtesy shown to me all the way by motorists, and especially HGV drivers. I travelled a lot of busy roads and had less problems in the 900 miles on LEJoG than I do on a typical ride to work.
4. The hospitality shown at all the cafes, B&B etc I used on the way. It was no problem to anywhere I used to store my bike, fill water bottles, even providing bowls of cereal at 3pm in the afternoon at one cafe.
Advice to Potential LEJoGgers?
Don't think about it, set a date, train for it and do it. With apologies to Nike, but "JUST DO IT"
It is a fantastic experience, a great holiday and a chance to become an ENDER.
You can do it. if I can do it, at my weight, then anyone can do it.
What Kit to Take?
This is one of the perennial debates. Everyone has different tips. these are from my experience.
Bike
I used a Bronx touring bike with a triple chainset. It got me there without any major incidents. I removed the pannier racks from the bike to reduce the weight. http://www.bronxcycles.com/rx1000t.html
Bag
I used a Carradice camper longflap bag supplied by Spa Cycles. Great firm and I thoroughly recommend them. http://www.spacycles.co.uk/products.php?plid=m2b5s73p51 . You will also need a bracket to fix the bag to the bike. I used the SQR bracket, again from Spa Cycles http://www.spacycles.co.uk/products.php?plid=m2b5s73p1040 . This bag, I have used daily for my commute to work. Its excellent, and a good investment.
Tools & Spare Parts
I chose to take no spare spokes. I took 3 spare inner tubes (brand new ones), a multi tool, the Topeak Alien http://www.wiggle.co.uk/p/cycle/7/Topeak_Alien_II_26_Function_Multitool/5360011565/
I took the essential cable ties and electrical tape- these will bodge a repair until you can find a bike shop.
I took 2 sets of tyre levers, metal ones and plastic ones, but will probably only take the metal ones next time.
I had a small bike lock- a cable lock to lock bike up if I popped into a shop etc, but most times made sure I was never more than a couple of feet from my bike unless it was in hotel room or their secure storage area.
Clothing
I had the shirt, cycling shoes (spd)and bib tights I cycled in, one spare long sleeved cycling top, one t-shirt, a pair of very lightweight trousers ( thanks Jo) and 3 pairs of socks. As I was going to be cycling all day and only in t shirt and trousers for a couple of hours on a night, I didn't need any more clothing. I used my cycling shoes as evening wear also. 1 pair of sunglasses with spare clear lenses depending on weather
Toiletries
most hotels & B&Bs provide toiletries in room, so took a LYNX travel pack- fits into cycling shirt pocket. I took my glasses, enough contact lenses to last. The razor stayed at home to make room for the most essential item, the tub of sudocrem.
The best advice I ever heard about packing for a cycling tour is: -
1. Select your bag
2. Pack the bag ensuring you can properly close the bag
3. Open the bag again, throw away at least half the stuff
4. Get a new bag 1/2 the size of the original bag,
5. Pack the new bag ensuring you can close the same properly
6. Open the bag and throw away at least half the stuff.
Accommodation
The only accommodation I pre-booked was with John & Jayne in Penzance the night before I set off. I had no problems finding accommodation anywhere along the way. This allowed me to stop when I felt tired, and on the good days to continue on as far as I wanted. However, bear in mind I was cycling outside the school holidays AND I was looking for rooms for 1 person, not for a group. I also ensured I had enough cash to pay for accommodation as some places don't take cards and were not near cash machines.
Navigation
I did not take any paper maps with me. I purchased a Garmin Etrex Vista HCx and City Navigator maps from http://www.gpsw.co.uk/ . I plotted my route on there using mainly the CTC fast route together with some changes after reading other people's blogs. I had no problems finding my way, possibly helped by the fact I have a decent knowledge of the geography of Great Britain, so apart from in major towns I could have got away without the GPS- but it did provide me with lots of useful data whilst I was riding.
Route
as I said above, I used mainly the CTC fast route, with minor variations. If I did it again, I personally think I would stay on the A30 throughout Cornwall and Devon, despite the CTC advising against this.
I chose to ride the old A74 from Gretna to Glasgow- now the B7076/B7078, its a brilliant road being dual carriageway but with nothing on it. However the last 20 miles of this before hitting Glasgow the road surface is very poor. Also, after Dingwall, I stayed on the A9, and despite what the CTC say, I will go this way again. Riding through Glasgow was a piece of cake, but that may be because I did it on a Saturday morning!
THANKS
Thank you all for reading this blog, for your support through out my ride.
Thank you to Jo for coming to Scotland, not once, but twice to support me on this ride
Thank you Tom for giving me the incentive to do this ride by your completing the Coast2Coast last summer
Thanks to my parents for acting as support vehicle on more than one occasion. Thanks to my Dad for showing me how steep a hill there is at Underbarrow and redeeming himself by pacing my up and over Shap Fell.
What Next?
Well I fancy another LEJOG ride, but this event has taken my fancy http://www.raceacrossamerica.org/raam/home.php?N_webcat_id=1 - anyone fancy riding it with me? I'll have to stop typing now as some men in white coats are at the door and they seem to have some form of jacket with them.....
Alternatively, a return trip to Gretna could be a better option
I've been on my bike everyday since I got back. However, most days I've been riding my fixed wheel bike again. Its good to be back riding fixed. I know I couldn't do LEJoG on it though.
Yesterday, Tom & I took part in the British Heart Foundation London - Southend Ride, some 52+miles. It wasn't long enough, so we rode up to the start as well, adding another 8 miles on. The main ride we had planned to do at a leisurely pace, expecting including stops to take about 5 hours. As it happened, despite Tom having a puncture, we did it in about 3hrs 08mins riding time ( 3 hrs 20mins in total- including changing the puncture). Jo was to meet us in Southend at 12 noon, but we told her of our good pace and got her to meet us there at 11am instead! We then made it to Southend by about 10:20am. I'm sure that Tom would want me to tell you all that as last year, I beat him to southend, even after he sat on my wheel for 50 miles. Next year son....
The loser offers his congratulations to the winner who has already received his cup...
The first thing to say is that it was a great experience and I'd do it again like a shot. Tom, get some miles in and we can do it together....!
As a rather fat and unfit 40something, the idea of doing LEJoG (or even JoGLE) was surely an unrealistic challenge. I really only started cycling about 8 years ago, and then only to accompany my son when he rode his bike. Tom was about 8 then. I eventually got fit enough to cycle to / from work, then some 20 miles a day. From there I have done the odd longer ride, but before starting LEJoG, I had never ridden more than 70 miles in a day.
Gradual building up of stamina between January and May was achieved by increasing my commute from 12.5 miles each way to 25 miles each way. This obviously took more time, but meant that I could get the miles in daily without too much effort. Its hard getting up and out of the house in January to ride to work, setting off in the dark before 7 am. When the snow hit in February, apart from changing to my touring bike and missing 2 days riding, I continued to ride to work.
I never managed to get any long weekend rides in, but my son Tom did encourage me to ride, and the thought that he had done the Coast to Coast ride last year made me determined to get fit enough to go one better and do LEJoG. What's that I hear you say about me being a competitive father? I have also been encouraged and helped by my partner Jo, who has got out her bike and ridden with me. At the start of the year, she had not ridden more than about 10 miles in one go. By the time I finished LEJoG, she had managed to ride 30 miles in busy traffic, and since then has managed over 40 miles on a very lumpy route with Tom and I. She has done incredibly well to increase her riding ability in so few rides.
To reflect on the ride a little
Was it worth doing?
Absolutely. It was a great personal challenge and a chance to see Great Britain at a relatively leisurely pace. I would go back and do it again tomorrow if I could get the time off work and could afford to do it.
What was Best Part of LEJoG?
I have asked myself this so many times and can't give a single answer. There were so many highlights along the way.
1. Seeing my friends in Penzance before I set off. I get to see so little of John & Jayne these days, so to spend a night with them and their daughter was a real pleasure.
2. Completing my first ever 100 mile ride at Monmouth.
3. The feeling of achievement at riding up the climb at Underbarrow( & later at Drumnadrochit).
4. Completing the ride up and over Shap Fell. That was thanks to the help of my father who rode with me (I'll even forgive him for taking me on a detour up that incredible climb at Underbarrow).
5. Passing through Carlisle and over the Border into Scotland only 6 days after setting off.
5. Completing the 104 miles from Crianlarich to Drumnadrochit via Rannoch Moor, Glen Coe, Fort William and Loch Ness. It was the longest ride I have ever done, and the fastest ride of the trip.
6. Reaching the top of Berriedale Braes, and seeing the cemetery there and realising the plot set aside for me was not needed and the knowledge that there were no more major hills between there and JoG.
7. Seeing JoG and riding down into the village. It was a very proud moment for me, especially as Jo, Tom and my parents were there to meet me.
The Worst Part?
1. The climb out of Tavistock up onto /Dartmoor.
2. Getting the bonk after leaving Chepstow and struggling to Tintern, hardly ably to keep turning the pedals on the bike
3. THAT CLIMB at Underbarrow after following my father's suggestion to change the route. It was possibly the steepest part of the whole ride, and was at least a mile long. Everytime I went round a bend thinking this was the top, another climb loomed.
4. The CLIMB out of Drumnadrochit, see comments re Underbarrow, except this time it was my change of route choice!
5. The view out of the Hotel at Navidale- the hotel that night looked directly up at the 2 mile climb I would have to complete the next morning. Not a view to make for a relaxing night's sleep.
6. Reaching JoG - Why you ask, well two reasons, firstly the thought that my trip was coming to an end and secondly because I had only done 50+ miles that day. It wasn't enough.
I wanted to get back on my bike and ride further. I felt I hadn't done enough that day.
&. The worst part however must be the realisation between Loch Lomond & Crianlarich on day 8 that I was going to have to stop the ride owing to injury. I can't tell you how bad that feeling was. I've seen my football team be relegated 3 times & lose in 3 cup finals and 2 semi-finals, and it never felt as bad or hurt as much!
Memories?
There are so many memories, but a few of the ones that spring to mind immediately are:
1. Seeing Dartmoor Prison and knowing I was at the highest point on Dartmoor, little realising that the steepest parts of that day's ride were yet to come!
2. Seeing how green and Beautiful Great Britain is. In a car you whizz past places at speed and don't realise how beautiful the country is. There are so many places I want to go back and spend time in, excluding Devon of course as that day hurt! Tintern and Monmouth are gorgeous places and worth going to see. The Lake District of course, Glen Coe, the far North of Scotland. Jo, I will take you to visit some of these places- honest! [Note I never said we won't have to cycle to them ;-) ]
3. Perhaps surprisingly to some, the courtesy shown to me all the way by motorists, and especially HGV drivers. I travelled a lot of busy roads and had less problems in the 900 miles on LEJoG than I do on a typical ride to work.
4. The hospitality shown at all the cafes, B&B etc I used on the way. It was no problem to anywhere I used to store my bike, fill water bottles, even providing bowls of cereal at 3pm in the afternoon at one cafe.
Advice to Potential LEJoGgers?
Don't think about it, set a date, train for it and do it. With apologies to Nike, but "JUST DO IT"
It is a fantastic experience, a great holiday and a chance to become an ENDER.
You can do it. if I can do it, at my weight, then anyone can do it.
What Kit to Take?
This is one of the perennial debates. Everyone has different tips. these are from my experience.
Bike
I used a Bronx touring bike with a triple chainset. It got me there without any major incidents. I removed the pannier racks from the bike to reduce the weight. http://www.bronxcycles.com/rx1000t.html
Bag
I used a Carradice camper longflap bag supplied by Spa Cycles. Great firm and I thoroughly recommend them. http://www.spacycles.co.uk/products.php?plid=m2b5s73p51 . You will also need a bracket to fix the bag to the bike. I used the SQR bracket, again from Spa Cycles http://www.spacycles.co.uk/products.php?plid=m2b5s73p1040 . This bag, I have used daily for my commute to work. Its excellent, and a good investment.
Tools & Spare Parts
I chose to take no spare spokes. I took 3 spare inner tubes (brand new ones), a multi tool, the Topeak Alien http://www.wiggle.co.uk/p/cycle/7/Topeak_Alien_II_26_Function_Multitool/5360011565/
I took the essential cable ties and electrical tape- these will bodge a repair until you can find a bike shop.
I took 2 sets of tyre levers, metal ones and plastic ones, but will probably only take the metal ones next time.
I had a small bike lock- a cable lock to lock bike up if I popped into a shop etc, but most times made sure I was never more than a couple of feet from my bike unless it was in hotel room or their secure storage area.
Clothing
I had the shirt, cycling shoes (spd)and bib tights I cycled in, one spare long sleeved cycling top, one t-shirt, a pair of very lightweight trousers ( thanks Jo) and 3 pairs of socks. As I was going to be cycling all day and only in t shirt and trousers for a couple of hours on a night, I didn't need any more clothing. I used my cycling shoes as evening wear also. 1 pair of sunglasses with spare clear lenses depending on weather
Toiletries
most hotels & B&Bs provide toiletries in room, so took a LYNX travel pack- fits into cycling shirt pocket. I took my glasses, enough contact lenses to last. The razor stayed at home to make room for the most essential item, the tub of sudocrem.
The best advice I ever heard about packing for a cycling tour is: -
1. Select your bag
2. Pack the bag ensuring you can properly close the bag
3. Open the bag again, throw away at least half the stuff
4. Get a new bag 1/2 the size of the original bag,
5. Pack the new bag ensuring you can close the same properly
6. Open the bag and throw away at least half the stuff.
Accommodation
The only accommodation I pre-booked was with John & Jayne in Penzance the night before I set off. I had no problems finding accommodation anywhere along the way. This allowed me to stop when I felt tired, and on the good days to continue on as far as I wanted. However, bear in mind I was cycling outside the school holidays AND I was looking for rooms for 1 person, not for a group. I also ensured I had enough cash to pay for accommodation as some places don't take cards and were not near cash machines.
Navigation
I did not take any paper maps with me. I purchased a Garmin Etrex Vista HCx and City Navigator maps from http://www.gpsw.co.uk/ . I plotted my route on there using mainly the CTC fast route together with some changes after reading other people's blogs. I had no problems finding my way, possibly helped by the fact I have a decent knowledge of the geography of Great Britain, so apart from in major towns I could have got away without the GPS- but it did provide me with lots of useful data whilst I was riding.
Route
as I said above, I used mainly the CTC fast route, with minor variations. If I did it again, I personally think I would stay on the A30 throughout Cornwall and Devon, despite the CTC advising against this.
I chose to ride the old A74 from Gretna to Glasgow- now the B7076/B7078, its a brilliant road being dual carriageway but with nothing on it. However the last 20 miles of this before hitting Glasgow the road surface is very poor. Also, after Dingwall, I stayed on the A9, and despite what the CTC say, I will go this way again. Riding through Glasgow was a piece of cake, but that may be because I did it on a Saturday morning!
THANKS
Thank you all for reading this blog, for your support through out my ride.
Thank you to Jo for coming to Scotland, not once, but twice to support me on this ride
Thank you Tom for giving me the incentive to do this ride by your completing the Coast2Coast last summer
Thanks to my parents for acting as support vehicle on more than one occasion. Thanks to my Dad for showing me how steep a hill there is at Underbarrow and redeeming himself by pacing my up and over Shap Fell.
What Next?
Well I fancy another LEJOG ride, but this event has taken my fancy http://www.raceacrossamerica.org/raam/home.php?N_webcat_id=1 - anyone fancy riding it with me? I'll have to stop typing now as some men in white coats are at the door and they seem to have some form of jacket with them.....
Alternatively, a return trip to Gretna could be a better option
Sunday 5 July 2009
Keep Right On
Day 11 - Friday 3rd July 2009
Today was simply the end of the road. The day I finally reached John o Groats. I can't begin to explain how good it felt to roll down the hill within sight of JoG. More about that later....
I was up and on the road just after 08:10 this morning ready to face the daunting prospect of Helmsdale and less than 10 miles later the infamous Berriedale Braes. The latter being a series of infamous Hairpins that climb at an AVERAGE of 13%. I spent most of the last 12 hours wondering why I had chosen to go via this route instead of via the flatter route I had initially planned to use.
Looking up /down parts of the Berriedale Braes
I suprised myself in getting up Helmsdale and still able to feel good at the top of the same. In fact still being able to pedal was an achievement in itself that I did not expect when viewing the climb last night & this morning.
I made my way on towards Berriedale, expecting to reach it about 7 or so miles from the top of Helmsdale, but it was much sooner than that. There is a very fast descent, then a series of hairpins before the bottom is reached.
Now the fun started and I was beginning the ascent of the Braes. I got up the first two hairpins before stopping at a parking bay to let the queue of traffic pass me.(Well that was my excuse) it was interesting to observe how the lorries, vans and even cars all laboured to get up the hill. A clearing in the traffic and I set off again up the hill and on the final hairpin I noticed a church and a cemetery - the bodies of those LEJoGgers who failed to ascend the Braes?
Whilst the average gradient of the Braes is 13%, it is much steeper when you are going round the inside turn of the hairpin. That is rather steep!
After reaching the top of Berriedale, it was comforting to know (or was that hope?) that the worst of the day's climbing had been done in the first 10 or so miles. Now, it was just 40 + miles to JoG. I did not know where my support team were, and indeed when I stopped for a drink of water at Lybster, I tried to text all four of them and call all of them, but could not contact any of them - some support team eh? Still in bed was my guess ;-).
The road from Helmsdale followed the coast all the way to JoG via the A9 and A99. Having since driven back along the route in the car, it is more undulating than I realised whilst cycling it. I guess that the excitement of knowing I was nearing the end of this ride blinded me to the effort I was making.
I eventually met Jo & Tom on the road heading towards Wick, well about 8 miles from Wick, and we arranged a rendezvous there with my parents also. Before Jo & Tom set off again, I once again refreshed my water bottle from their bottles of water. I was by now feeling good and averaged over 20 mph for the last 8 miles into Wick.
Wick is home to the smallest street in the world. Apparently I rode past it as I came into the centre of the town. I was too focused on the road ahead to have even noticed the street. So much for seeing Britain by bike eh?
Stopping in Wick with Jo, Tom and my parents provided a chance for a last cup of tea and a scone before JoG, and a chance to refill those water bottles etc. We passed a chip shop in Wick that made the one yesterday in Dingwall (open at 10:30) look like a late opener. This one opened at 09:00. It raises the question as to what sort of people go to buy fish and chips at 09:00? Who answered "Scottish people"?
So now I had approximately only 17 miles to go from Wick to JoG and the end of the ride. I estimated it would take me between 1 - 1.5 hours to get there. Jo & Tom were to get some pictures of me on my final leg of the ride before meeting me at JoG when I arrived.
The sheer exhilaration of being in striking distance of my goal meant that I rode the shade over 17 miles in under 43 minutes, averaging around 24mph. I passed Jo & Tom doing well over 30mph, in fact it was so fast that they missed me with the picture they took. They made up for it with several other stops for photographs and shouts of support and encouragement. It was funny hearing Tom shout the same things in encouragement that I used to shout to him when he competed in cycle races.
As I closed in on JoG, I saw several group of cyclists obviously setting off for Lands End.
What do you say to them?
"There's only 900 miles to go"
"There's only Berriedale and Helmsdale that are bad today"
"Don't worry about Berriedale, it will seem ok when you compare it to Shap or Dartmoor"
"Don't do it"?
In the end, a simple "hello" was all that I could say.
15 miles after leaving Wick and over 49 miles from last night's hotel in Helmsdale, I was coming up the final hill and I could see JoG in the distance maybe a mile or more away. What a great feeling knowing I was nearing my goal. Strangely it was also tinged with sadness knowing the end of adventure was near.
My mind started suggesting that I could turn round at JoG and cycle back to Lands End. Was I losing the few marbles I had left?
The tired aching limbs suddenly felt refreshed, I was now in the big chain ring and pushing a 53x11 gear and flying down the last few bends and corners, past the coach companydepot on the right, the Seaview Hotel on the left and into the car park at JoG. Now all I had to do was find the finish line. I knew it was near the derelict hotel. I headed for the hotel, and ended up riding along a footpath to get there as I had taken a slightly wrong turnn in the car park. Jo, Tom & my parents were watching the main road as I sneaked in to their side and reached the finish line at 12:49. It was funny watching them look the wrong way as I crept passed them
Photos, handshakes and congratulations were received from all, including others who had finished their own LEJoG earlier. Most importantly though, I signed the register and got my record card stamped. I was now officially an "Ender". I had completed my own personal End to End. It matters not that other did it faster, on fixed wheel bikes, camping, in one go or whatever; I had done my LEJoG.
Today was my shortest ride at only 51.4 miles and I have to confess to a feeling of having cheated as 51.4 miles seemed too short. I wanted to get back on my bike and ride some more to make a full day's riding. However, the chance of a cold pint of beer persuaded me otherwise. What a good idea to have a licensed bar at the finish.
The day ended with trip by car to Dunnet's Head (the most northerly point in Great Britain)and to the hotel in Dunnet's Bay. I wanted to ride these 20 or so miles, but was banned from my bike.
Later with my support team, I had a celebration glass or two of bubbly and a cake before a meal at a hotel in Dunnet's Bay.
Thanks to everyone for the help and support they have provided.
TODAYS STATISTICS
Distance ridden: 51.4 miles
Time Taken: 03:31
Average Speed 14.6 mph
Distance Climbed: 3125 feet
Today was simply the end of the road. The day I finally reached John o Groats. I can't begin to explain how good it felt to roll down the hill within sight of JoG. More about that later....
I was up and on the road just after 08:10 this morning ready to face the daunting prospect of Helmsdale and less than 10 miles later the infamous Berriedale Braes. The latter being a series of infamous Hairpins that climb at an AVERAGE of 13%. I spent most of the last 12 hours wondering why I had chosen to go via this route instead of via the flatter route I had initially planned to use.
Looking up /down parts of the Berriedale Braes
I suprised myself in getting up Helmsdale and still able to feel good at the top of the same. In fact still being able to pedal was an achievement in itself that I did not expect when viewing the climb last night & this morning.
I made my way on towards Berriedale, expecting to reach it about 7 or so miles from the top of Helmsdale, but it was much sooner than that. There is a very fast descent, then a series of hairpins before the bottom is reached.
Now the fun started and I was beginning the ascent of the Braes. I got up the first two hairpins before stopping at a parking bay to let the queue of traffic pass me.(Well that was my excuse) it was interesting to observe how the lorries, vans and even cars all laboured to get up the hill. A clearing in the traffic and I set off again up the hill and on the final hairpin I noticed a church and a cemetery - the bodies of those LEJoGgers who failed to ascend the Braes?
Whilst the average gradient of the Braes is 13%, it is much steeper when you are going round the inside turn of the hairpin. That is rather steep!
After reaching the top of Berriedale, it was comforting to know (or was that hope?) that the worst of the day's climbing had been done in the first 10 or so miles. Now, it was just 40 + miles to JoG. I did not know where my support team were, and indeed when I stopped for a drink of water at Lybster, I tried to text all four of them and call all of them, but could not contact any of them - some support team eh? Still in bed was my guess ;-).
The road from Helmsdale followed the coast all the way to JoG via the A9 and A99. Having since driven back along the route in the car, it is more undulating than I realised whilst cycling it. I guess that the excitement of knowing I was nearing the end of this ride blinded me to the effort I was making.
I eventually met Jo & Tom on the road heading towards Wick, well about 8 miles from Wick, and we arranged a rendezvous there with my parents also. Before Jo & Tom set off again, I once again refreshed my water bottle from their bottles of water. I was by now feeling good and averaged over 20 mph for the last 8 miles into Wick.
Wick is home to the smallest street in the world. Apparently I rode past it as I came into the centre of the town. I was too focused on the road ahead to have even noticed the street. So much for seeing Britain by bike eh?
Stopping in Wick with Jo, Tom and my parents provided a chance for a last cup of tea and a scone before JoG, and a chance to refill those water bottles etc. We passed a chip shop in Wick that made the one yesterday in Dingwall (open at 10:30) look like a late opener. This one opened at 09:00. It raises the question as to what sort of people go to buy fish and chips at 09:00? Who answered "Scottish people"?
So now I had approximately only 17 miles to go from Wick to JoG and the end of the ride. I estimated it would take me between 1 - 1.5 hours to get there. Jo & Tom were to get some pictures of me on my final leg of the ride before meeting me at JoG when I arrived.
The sheer exhilaration of being in striking distance of my goal meant that I rode the shade over 17 miles in under 43 minutes, averaging around 24mph. I passed Jo & Tom doing well over 30mph, in fact it was so fast that they missed me with the picture they took. They made up for it with several other stops for photographs and shouts of support and encouragement. It was funny hearing Tom shout the same things in encouragement that I used to shout to him when he competed in cycle races.
As I closed in on JoG, I saw several group of cyclists obviously setting off for Lands End.
What do you say to them?
"There's only 900 miles to go"
"There's only Berriedale and Helmsdale that are bad today"
"Don't worry about Berriedale, it will seem ok when you compare it to Shap or Dartmoor"
"Don't do it"?
In the end, a simple "hello" was all that I could say.
15 miles after leaving Wick and over 49 miles from last night's hotel in Helmsdale, I was coming up the final hill and I could see JoG in the distance maybe a mile or more away. What a great feeling knowing I was nearing my goal. Strangely it was also tinged with sadness knowing the end of adventure was near.
My mind started suggesting that I could turn round at JoG and cycle back to Lands End. Was I losing the few marbles I had left?
The tired aching limbs suddenly felt refreshed, I was now in the big chain ring and pushing a 53x11 gear and flying down the last few bends and corners, past the coach companydepot on the right, the Seaview Hotel on the left and into the car park at JoG. Now all I had to do was find the finish line. I knew it was near the derelict hotel. I headed for the hotel, and ended up riding along a footpath to get there as I had taken a slightly wrong turnn in the car park. Jo, Tom & my parents were watching the main road as I sneaked in to their side and reached the finish line at 12:49. It was funny watching them look the wrong way as I crept passed them
Photos, handshakes and congratulations were received from all, including others who had finished their own LEJoG earlier. Most importantly though, I signed the register and got my record card stamped. I was now officially an "Ender". I had completed my own personal End to End. It matters not that other did it faster, on fixed wheel bikes, camping, in one go or whatever; I had done my LEJoG.
Today was my shortest ride at only 51.4 miles and I have to confess to a feeling of having cheated as 51.4 miles seemed too short. I wanted to get back on my bike and ride some more to make a full day's riding. However, the chance of a cold pint of beer persuaded me otherwise. What a good idea to have a licensed bar at the finish.
The day ended with trip by car to Dunnet's Head (the most northerly point in Great Britain)and to the hotel in Dunnet's Bay. I wanted to ride these 20 or so miles, but was banned from my bike.
Later with my support team, I had a celebration glass or two of bubbly and a cake before a meal at a hotel in Dunnet's Bay.
Thanks to everyone for the help and support they have provided.
TODAYS STATISTICS
Distance ridden: 51.4 miles
Time Taken: 03:31
Average Speed 14.6 mph
Distance Climbed: 3125 feet
Stormy weather
DAY 10 - 2nd July 2009
The day began in Drumnadrochit on the banks of Loch Ness. Instead of carrying on up the banks of the Loch to Inverness, I had planned to go the more direct route via the Muir of Ord. this was described in a guide book as being a "steep but punchy" route.
Steep is an understatement. The first 3 miles were the hardest of the ride so far. It was not what I expected! fortunately, I was able to keep breathing when I got to the top of the hill and carried on towards the Muir of Ord. I was not sure if there were more steep hills to come as the route guides I had seen did refer to it being steep over the Muir of Ord, which was 10-15 miles from Drumnadrochit.
Meanwhile, my parents were driving from Fort Augustus to Drumnadrochit to collect my bag from my hotel and heading up to catch me up. Also, my partner Jo and my son Tom were driving up from Nottingham to meet me. where would we meet up? As ever, there was no real plan, to the location, I knew they would eventually pass me and we could then sort out a meeting place.
I got through Dingwall before 10:30 and saw a chip shop open at that time and people coming out with chips at that time in the morning. They say the Scots have chips on their shoulder, its probably because their stomachs are so full of chips there is no other place for them.
I continued on in the baking sun up the A9, eventually stopping in a little place called Alness for a cup of tea. It was so hot that I had to move inside the cafe out of the sun whilst having my tea. I used this stop to arrange to meet my parents and Jo & Tom at Tain for lunch. As I got to Tain, I received texts saying they were still some 15 miles away, so I pushed on, in the now falling rain towards Dornoch for a lunch stop.
Crossing the Dornoch Firth, the rain stopped and the sun came out. I stopped at a garage near Dornoch to meet up with the travelling clan. Text message told me they were miles behind still, so I set off onwards towards Golspie, intending to lunch there. Shortly after restarting, Jo & Tom passed me, and after exchanging pleasantries, and pinching all the water from their car for my water bottles to try to conquer the dehydration I was feeling, I set off to Golspie.
I reached Golspie having done 60 miles and had a late lunch stop - circa 15:30. As usual a massive lunch of a scone and a cup of tea and I set off to do the last 20 or so miles towards Helmsdale.
The last two major hills of the ride were due to be at Helmsdale and a bit further on at Berriedale Brae. If I rode 90 miles, today I would have done both Berriedale and Helmsdale, but there was no where really to stop after Helmsdale. Jo had been requested to find somewhere to stay at or near Helmsdale.
Leaving Golspie, the weather changed and the promised thunder storms arrived. Sadly for my my parents had headed on to Helmsdale and had my bag with my overshoes, arm and leg warmers etc. I was left riding in torrential rain, thunder and lightning with no wet weather kit apart from my shower jacket. There was so much rain that when riding uphill, I had rivers of water to contend with.
At one point whilst riding in the rain, I passed a golf course and saw 2 men playing golf, with one holding the umbrella over his colleague whilst he putted. I remember thinking what mugs they were playing in the rain. I mean who is that devoted to their hobby? Then reality hit me and I remembered what I was doing. Oooops!
As I crossed the bridge into Helmsdale, Jo had come in her car, and told me she had booked us into a hotel up the hill about a mile on the road. I saw the hill through Helmsdale and thought, its no problem if its only 1 mile to the hotel. The infamous Helmsdale hill isn't that bad i thought. I got up the hill and turned right into the hotel and as I dismounted from my bike I looked behind me and saw a long climb, some 2 - 2.5 miles long! Ooops, I had not climbed up Helmsdale at all and would have to face it tomorrow morning first thing.
The hotel we stayed in was a beautiful place, perched on the edge of the cliff and a really romantic place. Jo had done me proud in finding it. It was a shame that I was too tired from cycling to stay awake beyond about 21:00 and similar for Jo with her having driven 500+ miles that day.
I later learned that the weather in the area had been so bad the police had closed the A9 road I had been riding on. The railway line which ran parallel to the road was hit by lightning and the train service suspended. Yet I have to say I loved riding in the storm. Am I mad? Who said yes....?
RIDE STATISTICS
Distance: 81.7 miles
Time Taken: 05:41
Average Speed: 14.3 mph
Distance Climbed: 3609 feet
The day began in Drumnadrochit on the banks of Loch Ness. Instead of carrying on up the banks of the Loch to Inverness, I had planned to go the more direct route via the Muir of Ord. this was described in a guide book as being a "steep but punchy" route.
Steep is an understatement. The first 3 miles were the hardest of the ride so far. It was not what I expected! fortunately, I was able to keep breathing when I got to the top of the hill and carried on towards the Muir of Ord. I was not sure if there were more steep hills to come as the route guides I had seen did refer to it being steep over the Muir of Ord, which was 10-15 miles from Drumnadrochit.
Meanwhile, my parents were driving from Fort Augustus to Drumnadrochit to collect my bag from my hotel and heading up to catch me up. Also, my partner Jo and my son Tom were driving up from Nottingham to meet me. where would we meet up? As ever, there was no real plan, to the location, I knew they would eventually pass me and we could then sort out a meeting place.
I got through Dingwall before 10:30 and saw a chip shop open at that time and people coming out with chips at that time in the morning. They say the Scots have chips on their shoulder, its probably because their stomachs are so full of chips there is no other place for them.
I continued on in the baking sun up the A9, eventually stopping in a little place called Alness for a cup of tea. It was so hot that I had to move inside the cafe out of the sun whilst having my tea. I used this stop to arrange to meet my parents and Jo & Tom at Tain for lunch. As I got to Tain, I received texts saying they were still some 15 miles away, so I pushed on, in the now falling rain towards Dornoch for a lunch stop.
Crossing the Dornoch Firth, the rain stopped and the sun came out. I stopped at a garage near Dornoch to meet up with the travelling clan. Text message told me they were miles behind still, so I set off onwards towards Golspie, intending to lunch there. Shortly after restarting, Jo & Tom passed me, and after exchanging pleasantries, and pinching all the water from their car for my water bottles to try to conquer the dehydration I was feeling, I set off to Golspie.
I reached Golspie having done 60 miles and had a late lunch stop - circa 15:30. As usual a massive lunch of a scone and a cup of tea and I set off to do the last 20 or so miles towards Helmsdale.
The last two major hills of the ride were due to be at Helmsdale and a bit further on at Berriedale Brae. If I rode 90 miles, today I would have done both Berriedale and Helmsdale, but there was no where really to stop after Helmsdale. Jo had been requested to find somewhere to stay at or near Helmsdale.
Leaving Golspie, the weather changed and the promised thunder storms arrived. Sadly for my my parents had headed on to Helmsdale and had my bag with my overshoes, arm and leg warmers etc. I was left riding in torrential rain, thunder and lightning with no wet weather kit apart from my shower jacket. There was so much rain that when riding uphill, I had rivers of water to contend with.
At one point whilst riding in the rain, I passed a golf course and saw 2 men playing golf, with one holding the umbrella over his colleague whilst he putted. I remember thinking what mugs they were playing in the rain. I mean who is that devoted to their hobby? Then reality hit me and I remembered what I was doing. Oooops!
As I crossed the bridge into Helmsdale, Jo had come in her car, and told me she had booked us into a hotel up the hill about a mile on the road. I saw the hill through Helmsdale and thought, its no problem if its only 1 mile to the hotel. The infamous Helmsdale hill isn't that bad i thought. I got up the hill and turned right into the hotel and as I dismounted from my bike I looked behind me and saw a long climb, some 2 - 2.5 miles long! Ooops, I had not climbed up Helmsdale at all and would have to face it tomorrow morning first thing.
The hotel we stayed in was a beautiful place, perched on the edge of the cliff and a really romantic place. Jo had done me proud in finding it. It was a shame that I was too tired from cycling to stay awake beyond about 21:00 and similar for Jo with her having driven 500+ miles that day.
I later learned that the weather in the area had been so bad the police had closed the A9 road I had been riding on. The railway line which ran parallel to the road was hit by lightning and the train service suspended. Yet I have to say I loved riding in the storm. Am I mad? Who said yes....?
RIDE STATISTICS
Distance: 81.7 miles
Time Taken: 05:41
Average Speed: 14.3 mph
Distance Climbed: 3609 feet
Night Train
Tuesday 30th June brought the start of part two of my attempt at LEJoG.
After a day at work, I was to ride up to Euston to get the sleeper train to Crianlarich and start off next breakfast time on my trip to JoG, some 280 miles of cycling.
I had managed to get a first class sleeper ticket so could use the first class lounge at Euston. The receptionist there looked on open mouthed as a scruffy cyclist walked into the lounge with his bike and proceeded to park it in the entrance hall. After proving I had a first class ticket, I was able to avail myself of the showers, tea, coffee, computers and even phone charger.
Boarding the train brought the first worry of the night. I was booked in coach G, but there appeared to be 3 separate carriages all coach G. The train is about 20 carriages long when it leaves Euston and gradually splits into separate trains to Fort William, Inverness and Aberdeen. When I asked about the guards van for the Fort William sleeper, I was told there wasn't one until Edinburgh and I would have to rely on the staff at Edinburgh moving my bike from the Aberdeen sleeper train to the Fort William one. That sounded like a recipe for disaster. I had visions of waking up in Crianlarich but my bike being in Aberdeen. Fortunately the "host" on the carriage I was sleeping in managed to put the bike in the spare pantry on that carriage, so I would be able to sleep safely knowing my bike was going with me to Crianlarich.
The "host" however had bad news for me in that the air conditioning in the sleeper compartments was not working & the windows in the compartments do not open, meaning the night was going to be very hot and sweaty - despite being alone.
I did eventually get to sleep after a fashion. When I woke the next morning, I had a shock in that the train was now moving in the opposite direction to the way it had been when I went to sleep! this must have been when it split at Edinburgh at some silly hour in the morning.
A knock on the door at 7am brought a nice cooked breakfast and the morning papers. Reading the Scottish view on the world is interesting. The paper was discussing the English Rugby Football Union being awarded the 2015 World Cup Final and started it was going to be a great decade for BRITISH sport, with London holding the 2012 Olympics, England hosting the 2015 Rugby World Cup and potentially England hosting the Football World Cup Finals in 2018.
0735 the train arrives at Crianlarich early (due in 742). Bike disembarked, and I'm off... well all of 2 yards anyway... I have a flat front tyre. Arrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrgh the fairy has been travelling on the train. I changed the inner tube but could not find a hole in the original tube. That was something I would investigate later. I rode up to Tyndrum (5 miles) and met my parents, dumping my saddle bag with them and raiding the fridge for snacks. Then it was off on towards Rannoch Moor, Glen Coe and beyond.
The weather was very hot, but I did have a tail wind. I had intended to make an early tea stop, but was making such good progress that I did not stop till after I had been over Rannoch Moor and into Glen Coe.
A tea stop in Glen Coe and communication with my parents left me realising I wouldn't be meeting them there for coffee. They were still on their campsite. I was now over 30 miles ahead of them. We agreed to meet in Fort William for lunch. This would be 52 miles in before lunch. I reached there around 12noon.
Arriving at McDonalds in Fort William, I found the fairy had visited again, and another flat front tyre. I was waiting for my parents, so examined the tyre. There was no puncture in the tube, it seems that I had a dodgy valve on this inner tube. I also examined the tube I replaced at Crianlarich and found that it did not have a puncture either, just a dodgy valve which I was able to fix and used that tube again.
I had done 52 miles before lunch out of a hoped for 83 miles. This was an extension of the original plan to do 76 miles. My parents were staying on a campsite at Fort Augustus at the start of Loch Ness. I carried on from Fort William and reached Fort Augustus by around 15:30 pm. The weather was great, I was feeling good, so what do I do? Yes, I carried on eventually reaching Drumnadrochit some 20 or so miles up the road from Fort Augustus. I had done 104 miles by then, my longest ever ride and at an average speed of 16.4mph. My fastest ride on LEJoG.
I then had to persuade my parents to bring my bag to Drumnadrochit as I had nothing other than my very smelly cycling kit that I stood in. They came to my hotel and we dined together there and made plans for the next day.
After studying the maps, I decided to change my routes for the rest of the trip. I decided to take the hilly but shorter routes.
GLEN COE MASSACRE - A HISTORY LESSON
Glen Coe was the scene of the famous massacre of the McDonalds by the Campbells. There is a big visitors centre there telling you the history of the incident. I didn't have time to stop there though.
I had plenty of time to muse over the incident whilst cycling and thing about its consequences. History will record that despite being massacred at Glen Coe, the McDonalds have had the last laugh.
Just think about it- how many kids these days eat Campbell's soup compared to the number who eat Big Macs etc.
Ride Statistics
Distance: 104 miles
Time Taken: 06:20
Av speed 16.4 mph
Distance Climbed 4569 feet
After a day at work, I was to ride up to Euston to get the sleeper train to Crianlarich and start off next breakfast time on my trip to JoG, some 280 miles of cycling.
I had managed to get a first class sleeper ticket so could use the first class lounge at Euston. The receptionist there looked on open mouthed as a scruffy cyclist walked into the lounge with his bike and proceeded to park it in the entrance hall. After proving I had a first class ticket, I was able to avail myself of the showers, tea, coffee, computers and even phone charger.
Boarding the train brought the first worry of the night. I was booked in coach G, but there appeared to be 3 separate carriages all coach G. The train is about 20 carriages long when it leaves Euston and gradually splits into separate trains to Fort William, Inverness and Aberdeen. When I asked about the guards van for the Fort William sleeper, I was told there wasn't one until Edinburgh and I would have to rely on the staff at Edinburgh moving my bike from the Aberdeen sleeper train to the Fort William one. That sounded like a recipe for disaster. I had visions of waking up in Crianlarich but my bike being in Aberdeen. Fortunately the "host" on the carriage I was sleeping in managed to put the bike in the spare pantry on that carriage, so I would be able to sleep safely knowing my bike was going with me to Crianlarich.
The "host" however had bad news for me in that the air conditioning in the sleeper compartments was not working & the windows in the compartments do not open, meaning the night was going to be very hot and sweaty - despite being alone.
I did eventually get to sleep after a fashion. When I woke the next morning, I had a shock in that the train was now moving in the opposite direction to the way it had been when I went to sleep! this must have been when it split at Edinburgh at some silly hour in the morning.
A knock on the door at 7am brought a nice cooked breakfast and the morning papers. Reading the Scottish view on the world is interesting. The paper was discussing the English Rugby Football Union being awarded the 2015 World Cup Final and started it was going to be a great decade for BRITISH sport, with London holding the 2012 Olympics, England hosting the 2015 Rugby World Cup and potentially England hosting the Football World Cup Finals in 2018.
0735 the train arrives at Crianlarich early (due in 742). Bike disembarked, and I'm off... well all of 2 yards anyway... I have a flat front tyre. Arrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrgh the fairy has been travelling on the train. I changed the inner tube but could not find a hole in the original tube. That was something I would investigate later. I rode up to Tyndrum (5 miles) and met my parents, dumping my saddle bag with them and raiding the fridge for snacks. Then it was off on towards Rannoch Moor, Glen Coe and beyond.
The weather was very hot, but I did have a tail wind. I had intended to make an early tea stop, but was making such good progress that I did not stop till after I had been over Rannoch Moor and into Glen Coe.
A tea stop in Glen Coe and communication with my parents left me realising I wouldn't be meeting them there for coffee. They were still on their campsite. I was now over 30 miles ahead of them. We agreed to meet in Fort William for lunch. This would be 52 miles in before lunch. I reached there around 12noon.
Arriving at McDonalds in Fort William, I found the fairy had visited again, and another flat front tyre. I was waiting for my parents, so examined the tyre. There was no puncture in the tube, it seems that I had a dodgy valve on this inner tube. I also examined the tube I replaced at Crianlarich and found that it did not have a puncture either, just a dodgy valve which I was able to fix and used that tube again.
I had done 52 miles before lunch out of a hoped for 83 miles. This was an extension of the original plan to do 76 miles. My parents were staying on a campsite at Fort Augustus at the start of Loch Ness. I carried on from Fort William and reached Fort Augustus by around 15:30 pm. The weather was great, I was feeling good, so what do I do? Yes, I carried on eventually reaching Drumnadrochit some 20 or so miles up the road from Fort Augustus. I had done 104 miles by then, my longest ever ride and at an average speed of 16.4mph. My fastest ride on LEJoG.
I then had to persuade my parents to bring my bag to Drumnadrochit as I had nothing other than my very smelly cycling kit that I stood in. They came to my hotel and we dined together there and made plans for the next day.
After studying the maps, I decided to change my routes for the rest of the trip. I decided to take the hilly but shorter routes.
GLEN COE MASSACRE - A HISTORY LESSON
Glen Coe was the scene of the famous massacre of the McDonalds by the Campbells. There is a big visitors centre there telling you the history of the incident. I didn't have time to stop there though.
I had plenty of time to muse over the incident whilst cycling and thing about its consequences. History will record that despite being massacred at Glen Coe, the McDonalds have had the last laugh.
Just think about it- how many kids these days eat Campbell's soup compared to the number who eat Big Macs etc.
Ride Statistics
Distance: 104 miles
Time Taken: 06:20
Av speed 16.4 mph
Distance Climbed 4569 feet
Monday 29 June 2009
The Heat Is On
The Heat is indeed on at present. London is very hot humid and sticky. That is both during the day and the night time. The weather forecaster tonight said temperature in London won't fall below 19C, which is apparently the average temperature in the daytime for this time of year. Hot & sweaty time in bed- and I'm alone! It can't be said that there "ain't no sunshine" to end June.
I'd love to tell you all about the wonderful week of preparation I have had for the remaining stage of my ride. However, I have not done loads. I did 15 miles on Monday from work to home, 41+ miles on each of Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday and nothing on Friday as I didn't ride to work.
Saturday brought a day on the bike with Jo, (she's my "girlfriend" and for the doubters amongst you, "the girl is mine") in for the main part strong sunshine and lots of heat & humidity. We were out for 9 hours, but only managed 20 miles as I was helping out at Lee Valley Youth Cycling Club for 3 or so hours in the morning. Then after that we rode down to Beckton as Jo wanted to go shopping. We then had a rather pleasant lunch and rode back into Ilford, via Halfords for another new mirror for Jo's bike. We sat in the park at Ilford for about an hour or so watching the cricket before the rain came.
I say rain, it was actually, rain, hail, thunder and lightning. It was a very heavy down pour and we had a couple of miles to ride getting pelted by hailstones. Once home we watched a spectacular storm and the heavy rain.
Sunday brought about another beautiful morning, and a ride up into Central London for coffee and lunch in St James' Park before riding along the Thames to the Isle of Dogs and an ice cream in Greenwich, before riding home via Woolwich and the ferry and then Beckton, Barking and Goodmayes. A total ride of 41.5miles. It was very hot and humid and not pleasant to ride a long distance. Praise must go to Jo for achieving by far her longest ever ride especially in the strength zapping humidity.
Back home after the ride, the reaction to catching the sun over the last 2 days differed. Jo was horrified that she has "strap" marks on her shoulders from her vest top, whereas I display my two tone cyclists suntanned arms and legs as a badge of honour.
Riding up into Central London took us past the end of Brick Lane/ Petticoat Lane and reminded me that it is many years since I made an early start to visit the market(s) there on a sunny (or otherwise)Sunday morning. I will have to get myself up there again and see how it has changed over the years.
It did dawn on me today, that since I returned home from Scotland, I have not ridden a single mile on a geared bike. All my riding has been on one of my two fixed wheel bikes. Was that a sensible idea? - only the next few days will tell me the answer. Its always strange switching back to riding a geared bike and being able to freewheel.
Well in addition to riding my bike, I have entered and paid for Tom (my son) and I to do the London - Southend bike ride in July. This is organised by the same people who arrange the London- Brighton event each year. Its a similar distance, but instead of 27,000 people going to Brighton there are only about 5000 riders riding to Southend. This suits Tom and I as it means we can ride without having to stop and try to avoid those once a year ( or less often) people on bikes who have no road sense and who can't ride either up a bank or in a straight line. This year's ride is on 19th July from victoria Park in Hackney Come along and join us. Tom & I will be aiming to be amongst the first riders off at 0700 after having riden up to the start (about 7-8 miles). Last year we did an incredibly fast time aided by a very strong tailwind - no not the sprout & baked bean curry the night before!
I have now hopefully sorted out my route planning for the last 4 days of this ride and just have to pack my bag, and I'm ready to go. Is just "human nature" to want to go back and finish what I started. I'm not going to let Scotland get the better of me, I'm going to "beat it". 650 miles done and about 300 to go, so that voice keeps saying to me "we're almost there." mind you, what has that voice done to deserve some of the credit, I'm not sure.
Departure time looms and the little voice in my head is saying "we're almost there." Hopefully my next blog entry will be after the adventure has started again. I'm due to travel on the overnight sleeper train tomorrow night from London Euston to Crianlarich. Being the snob that I am, its a first class sleeper for me. I mean, if I went second class I may have to share a compartment with some fat slob who would snore and break wind all night.
I've never travelled on a sleeper train, so this will be a new adventure for me. I'd had many memorable train trips and slept on trains, tubes, metros etc, but not in a sleeper train in the UK. I did once travel to Berlin from the Hook of Holland in a couchette on a dutch train, but for some reason there was no bedding in our compartment. I still blame Mr Stella and his mates Mr Vodka and Mr Bacardi for that! Not all memorable train trips were memorable for sleeping, but at this point I'm going to follow my legal adice and say "no comment" to all further questions as what you hear may make you think that I'm "bad".
I'm grateful to have "one more chance" to complete this trip and am going to give it my best effort. After all "what more can I give". Another failure would make me want to "cry". Some of the big hills to come have the benefit of big descents down the other side. Bombing down those at speed will be a bit of a "thriller"
The weather forecast for London for the rest of the week is getting hotter and sunnier. Instead, where I'm going in Scotland, there "ain't no sunshine", instead its 4 days of rain forecast!
Well its time for me to end another "off the wall" blog entry, so I'll "remember the time" & head for bed now.
Just got to say hello to Tom who is also going to join Jo & my parents in Scotland to support me, or is that jeer me? I'll be in JoG by Saturday night, the question now is "will you be there."
I'd love to tell you all about the wonderful week of preparation I have had for the remaining stage of my ride. However, I have not done loads. I did 15 miles on Monday from work to home, 41+ miles on each of Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday and nothing on Friday as I didn't ride to work.
Saturday brought a day on the bike with Jo, (she's my "girlfriend" and for the doubters amongst you, "the girl is mine") in for the main part strong sunshine and lots of heat & humidity. We were out for 9 hours, but only managed 20 miles as I was helping out at Lee Valley Youth Cycling Club for 3 or so hours in the morning. Then after that we rode down to Beckton as Jo wanted to go shopping. We then had a rather pleasant lunch and rode back into Ilford, via Halfords for another new mirror for Jo's bike. We sat in the park at Ilford for about an hour or so watching the cricket before the rain came.
I say rain, it was actually, rain, hail, thunder and lightning. It was a very heavy down pour and we had a couple of miles to ride getting pelted by hailstones. Once home we watched a spectacular storm and the heavy rain.
Sunday brought about another beautiful morning, and a ride up into Central London for coffee and lunch in St James' Park before riding along the Thames to the Isle of Dogs and an ice cream in Greenwich, before riding home via Woolwich and the ferry and then Beckton, Barking and Goodmayes. A total ride of 41.5miles. It was very hot and humid and not pleasant to ride a long distance. Praise must go to Jo for achieving by far her longest ever ride especially in the strength zapping humidity.
Back home after the ride, the reaction to catching the sun over the last 2 days differed. Jo was horrified that she has "strap" marks on her shoulders from her vest top, whereas I display my two tone cyclists suntanned arms and legs as a badge of honour.
Riding up into Central London took us past the end of Brick Lane/ Petticoat Lane and reminded me that it is many years since I made an early start to visit the market(s) there on a sunny (or otherwise)Sunday morning. I will have to get myself up there again and see how it has changed over the years.
It did dawn on me today, that since I returned home from Scotland, I have not ridden a single mile on a geared bike. All my riding has been on one of my two fixed wheel bikes. Was that a sensible idea? - only the next few days will tell me the answer. Its always strange switching back to riding a geared bike and being able to freewheel.
Well in addition to riding my bike, I have entered and paid for Tom (my son) and I to do the London - Southend bike ride in July. This is organised by the same people who arrange the London- Brighton event each year. Its a similar distance, but instead of 27,000 people going to Brighton there are only about 5000 riders riding to Southend. This suits Tom and I as it means we can ride without having to stop and try to avoid those once a year ( or less often) people on bikes who have no road sense and who can't ride either up a bank or in a straight line. This year's ride is on 19th July from victoria Park in Hackney Come along and join us. Tom & I will be aiming to be amongst the first riders off at 0700 after having riden up to the start (about 7-8 miles). Last year we did an incredibly fast time aided by a very strong tailwind - no not the sprout & baked bean curry the night before!
I have now hopefully sorted out my route planning for the last 4 days of this ride and just have to pack my bag, and I'm ready to go. Is just "human nature" to want to go back and finish what I started. I'm not going to let Scotland get the better of me, I'm going to "beat it". 650 miles done and about 300 to go, so that voice keeps saying to me "we're almost there." mind you, what has that voice done to deserve some of the credit, I'm not sure.
Departure time looms and the little voice in my head is saying "we're almost there." Hopefully my next blog entry will be after the adventure has started again. I'm due to travel on the overnight sleeper train tomorrow night from London Euston to Crianlarich. Being the snob that I am, its a first class sleeper for me. I mean, if I went second class I may have to share a compartment with some fat slob who would snore and break wind all night.
I've never travelled on a sleeper train, so this will be a new adventure for me. I'd had many memorable train trips and slept on trains, tubes, metros etc, but not in a sleeper train in the UK. I did once travel to Berlin from the Hook of Holland in a couchette on a dutch train, but for some reason there was no bedding in our compartment. I still blame Mr Stella and his mates Mr Vodka and Mr Bacardi for that! Not all memorable train trips were memorable for sleeping, but at this point I'm going to follow my legal adice and say "no comment" to all further questions as what you hear may make you think that I'm "bad".
I'm grateful to have "one more chance" to complete this trip and am going to give it my best effort. After all "what more can I give". Another failure would make me want to "cry". Some of the big hills to come have the benefit of big descents down the other side. Bombing down those at speed will be a bit of a "thriller"
The weather forecast for London for the rest of the week is getting hotter and sunnier. Instead, where I'm going in Scotland, there "ain't no sunshine", instead its 4 days of rain forecast!
Well its time for me to end another "off the wall" blog entry, so I'll "remember the time" & head for bed now.
Just got to say hello to Tom who is also going to join Jo & my parents in Scotland to support me, or is that jeer me? I'll be in JoG by Saturday night, the question now is "will you be there."
Sunday 21 June 2009
Scarborough Fair
Well its now only 9 days till I set off again to do battle with Scotland. since I returned from Crianlarich, I have not ridden more than 40 miles in a day, but have averaged about 30 miles each week days.
This weekend, I have made important preparations for the trip. I attended the Cyclist Touring Club's annual York Rally and made my annual shopping for cycle kit and accessories, numerous inner tubes, new shoes, bib tights, patches,etc etc. Then it was on to Scarborough for the night. Trips to the seaside are always memorable. This was no exception. Ice cream on the seafront, good food, good company. More importantly, I received some birthday presents even though my birthday was days ago!
Back to Nottingham today, and its the train to London tomorrow morning. Hopefully, I will get a few miles in this week and at the weekend. Then its time to sort out final preparations before the sleeper train on Tuesday night to Crianlarich. I have had some interesting adventures on the train in the past and some incidents I'll not repeat on a family website, but I have never slept in a bed on a train.
I have not yet sorted out my route. I have made a number of amendments in my mind to the route, extending it by about 15-20 miles to avoid a nasty hill at the end of one day.
I should have a few people to cheer me on as not only are my parents going to be there, but Jo has taken a couple of days off work and is driving all the way to JoG to be there when I finish, and then drive me back to Nottingham before I head off to London.
This last week has been a busy one for me, with my mother, sister, brother and my son Tom visiting me on Monday & Tuesday and then I travelled to York & Scarborough. I even fitted in a visit to the Doctor and to the hospital. Far more importantly though, the football fixture lists came out this week, so I can start plotting my weekends till May.
This weekend, I have made important preparations for the trip. I attended the Cyclist Touring Club's annual York Rally and made my annual shopping for cycle kit and accessories, numerous inner tubes, new shoes, bib tights, patches,etc etc. Then it was on to Scarborough for the night. Trips to the seaside are always memorable. This was no exception. Ice cream on the seafront, good food, good company. More importantly, I received some birthday presents even though my birthday was days ago!
Back to Nottingham today, and its the train to London tomorrow morning. Hopefully, I will get a few miles in this week and at the weekend. Then its time to sort out final preparations before the sleeper train on Tuesday night to Crianlarich. I have had some interesting adventures on the train in the past and some incidents I'll not repeat on a family website, but I have never slept in a bed on a train.
I have not yet sorted out my route. I have made a number of amendments in my mind to the route, extending it by about 15-20 miles to avoid a nasty hill at the end of one day.
I should have a few people to cheer me on as not only are my parents going to be there, but Jo has taken a couple of days off work and is driving all the way to JoG to be there when I finish, and then drive me back to Nottingham before I head off to London.
This last week has been a busy one for me, with my mother, sister, brother and my son Tom visiting me on Monday & Tuesday and then I travelled to York & Scarborough. I even fitted in a visit to the Doctor and to the hospital. Far more importantly though, the football fixture lists came out this week, so I can start plotting my weekends till May.
Wednesday 3 June 2009
The Boy Does Nothing
Well its over 2 weeks since my LEJoG was temporarily halted by that pesky muscle injury.
The title of the post is pretty accurate for what I have been up to in the intervening time. After the injury struck, Jo had to drive for the next few days as I couldn't even drive. Those who know me will realise how bad my injury must have been to make me agree to be a passenger not driver in a car. Its no comment on Jo's driving, but more on the fact that I am the world's worst passenger in a car.
We drove up as far as Inverness, but I refused to go to JoG as that is to be achieved on my bike. We drove back via Aviemore and stayed a night there, then 2 nights in Edinburgh, 2 on Tyneside, a visit to Beamish Open Air Museum included. I thoroughly recommend the place, but it is a full day visit.
I got the chance to show Jo the beautiful scenery in Northumberland, including a drive over to Holy Island as the tide was just going out as we got to the Causeway. I also got to see my favourite view in England, the castle at Bamburgh. It is beautiful and I think Jo appreciates now why I keep going on about it so much. Driving from Bamburgh to Tyneside brought back memories of childhood day trips to the coast and also memories of various courts I have visited when I used to work on Tyneside.
We spent a night at my parents house and met up with my sister and her partner there. Sadly as ever my parents temperance views prevailed at dinner ;-). The next day we went to Scarborough to visit Jo's parents and to see her father on his birthday. I had to suffer the pain of watching on TV Newcastle drop out of the Premier League as well that day. 2 tragic events in one week for me. If I had not planned to do LEJoG, I would have been at Villa Park for the wake. Never mind- Old Trafford, The Emirates and Anfield are no match for trips to Scunthorpe, Plymouth and Bristol City.
A comment on the weather in Scotland- it rained, and when it was not raining, it was wet and foggy.
The rest of the last week was spent in Nottingham doing very little, apart from on Friday when I ventured onto my bike for a gentle 20 miles round the water sport centre in Nottingham. It is flat and therefore was no strain on my leg.
Monday brought a return to work, and a cycle commute- back on my fixed wheel bike. Its like what I imagine being reunited with a former lover again feels like! I did 30 miles yesterday, but did not commute home as I was staying in London the night. I did another 22 tonight on the way home and all appears well with the muscle so far.
The countdown to my return to Crianlarich is on! Only 250 miles left to ride on LEJoG
The title of the post is pretty accurate for what I have been up to in the intervening time. After the injury struck, Jo had to drive for the next few days as I couldn't even drive. Those who know me will realise how bad my injury must have been to make me agree to be a passenger not driver in a car. Its no comment on Jo's driving, but more on the fact that I am the world's worst passenger in a car.
We drove up as far as Inverness, but I refused to go to JoG as that is to be achieved on my bike. We drove back via Aviemore and stayed a night there, then 2 nights in Edinburgh, 2 on Tyneside, a visit to Beamish Open Air Museum included. I thoroughly recommend the place, but it is a full day visit.
I got the chance to show Jo the beautiful scenery in Northumberland, including a drive over to Holy Island as the tide was just going out as we got to the Causeway. I also got to see my favourite view in England, the castle at Bamburgh. It is beautiful and I think Jo appreciates now why I keep going on about it so much. Driving from Bamburgh to Tyneside brought back memories of childhood day trips to the coast and also memories of various courts I have visited when I used to work on Tyneside.
We spent a night at my parents house and met up with my sister and her partner there. Sadly as ever my parents temperance views prevailed at dinner ;-). The next day we went to Scarborough to visit Jo's parents and to see her father on his birthday. I had to suffer the pain of watching on TV Newcastle drop out of the Premier League as well that day. 2 tragic events in one week for me. If I had not planned to do LEJoG, I would have been at Villa Park for the wake. Never mind- Old Trafford, The Emirates and Anfield are no match for trips to Scunthorpe, Plymouth and Bristol City.
A comment on the weather in Scotland- it rained, and when it was not raining, it was wet and foggy.
The rest of the last week was spent in Nottingham doing very little, apart from on Friday when I ventured onto my bike for a gentle 20 miles round the water sport centre in Nottingham. It is flat and therefore was no strain on my leg.
Monday brought a return to work, and a cycle commute- back on my fixed wheel bike. Its like what I imagine being reunited with a former lover again feels like! I did 30 miles yesterday, but did not commute home as I was staying in London the night. I did another 22 tonight on the way home and all appears well with the muscle so far.
The countdown to my return to Crianlarich is on! Only 250 miles left to ride on LEJoG
Monday 18 May 2009
I Don't Like Mondays
Not good news to report today.
I have had to postpone the completion of the last 280 miles of this ride. I set off bright and early in the rain from Crianlarich this morning, but within 5 miles the pain from the thigh injury was such that I was unable to continue riding. indeed, even standing up was very painful. I have already spent 36 hours resting the muscle, but today's riding has made it far worse than it was on Saturday. There is little prospect of my being able to continue to ride and complete the ride this week.
I have therefore decided to postpone the remaining part of this ride until later in the year when I am fit again. I will use my summer holidays to complete the ride.
Just to make things worse, the car Jo was driving would not start and we needed to call out the breakdown service just to get started!
No wonder I feel Bob Geldof was right with his song!
Jo has driven me over Rannock Moor to Fort William, from where I am typing this. The ride over there was throughincredible countryside, but eminently rideable. indeed it was much flatter than much of the terrain I have ridden over.
I have to confess to being disappointed at not being able to finish the ride this week. This is even more so when I think about the nature of the injury. if I had suffered knee problems, ankle problems, neck or shoulder injuries it would have been understandable. Getting a thigh strain when cycling is not something I contemplated. apart from my thigh, I feel the fittest I have ever felt and am raing to ride my bike. Mentally and physically (apart from my thigh) I felt very strong this morning. riding in the rain was not an issue, I enjoyed the challenge of taking on mother nature.
Don't feel sorry for me, feel instead sorry for Jo who has to put up with my whinging for the next 10 days. We are spending the remainder of this week taking it easy in Scotland, in the rain. Jo is having to drive as I cannot use my left leg to operate the clutch on the car. Those who know me, will know that I am the world's worst passenger. I'm sure Jo will be happier if I fall asleep in the car!
A word of warning to the Scottish highlands - I'll be back later this year to finish this trip. I finished driving route 66 in america after a delay. I will finish cycling my LEJoG, after a much shorter delay.
The last 3 or 4 days of this ride are only postponed, not abandoned.
Anyone fancy joining me for a few days cycling in the Scottish highlands?
To Be Continued.....
I have had to postpone the completion of the last 280 miles of this ride. I set off bright and early in the rain from Crianlarich this morning, but within 5 miles the pain from the thigh injury was such that I was unable to continue riding. indeed, even standing up was very painful. I have already spent 36 hours resting the muscle, but today's riding has made it far worse than it was on Saturday. There is little prospect of my being able to continue to ride and complete the ride this week.
I have therefore decided to postpone the remaining part of this ride until later in the year when I am fit again. I will use my summer holidays to complete the ride.
Just to make things worse, the car Jo was driving would not start and we needed to call out the breakdown service just to get started!
No wonder I feel Bob Geldof was right with his song!
Jo has driven me over Rannock Moor to Fort William, from where I am typing this. The ride over there was throughincredible countryside, but eminently rideable. indeed it was much flatter than much of the terrain I have ridden over.
I have to confess to being disappointed at not being able to finish the ride this week. This is even more so when I think about the nature of the injury. if I had suffered knee problems, ankle problems, neck or shoulder injuries it would have been understandable. Getting a thigh strain when cycling is not something I contemplated. apart from my thigh, I feel the fittest I have ever felt and am raing to ride my bike. Mentally and physically (apart from my thigh) I felt very strong this morning. riding in the rain was not an issue, I enjoyed the challenge of taking on mother nature.
Don't feel sorry for me, feel instead sorry for Jo who has to put up with my whinging for the next 10 days. We are spending the remainder of this week taking it easy in Scotland, in the rain. Jo is having to drive as I cannot use my left leg to operate the clutch on the car. Those who know me, will know that I am the world's worst passenger. I'm sure Jo will be happier if I fall asleep in the car!
A word of warning to the Scottish highlands - I'll be back later this year to finish this trip. I finished driving route 66 in america after a delay. I will finish cycling my LEJoG, after a much shorter delay.
The last 3 or 4 days of this ride are only postponed, not abandoned.
Anyone fancy joining me for a few days cycling in the Scottish highlands?
To Be Continued.....
Sunday 17 May 2009
Sunday Bloody Sunday
Day 9 (or not day 9?)
For a change, I will start with today's data.
0 miles ridden
0 hours taken
average speed 0 mph
Height ascended = the equivalent of 14 stairs (but done in a lift)
From the data, the budding detectives amongst you will deduce that I did not ride today. For the benefit of the religious amongst you, this was to observe the Sabbath day. for the rest of you this was because my leg injury prevented me from riding.
I decided after taking medical advice from Nurse Jo (she still isn't wearing that uniform though) to give myself a day of rest and hope that Monday will allow me to recommence my ride.
So what to do on a Sunday in the gateway to the Scottish highlands? Well, a full Scottish breakfast, a read of the morning papers and a cuppa seemed a good start to the day.
My chauffeur then took me to the port of Oban for a look round the place, and a short gentle stroll along the sea front. We resisted the temptation to take the ferry to Mull. The scenery on the way to Oban and around Oban was spectacular and a reminder of some of the scenery in New Zealand. Both Jo and I would recommend a visit to the place (actually to both places, Oban and New Zealand). We returned home mid afternoon and after applying a heat patch to my thigh, we lay down to watch TV in bed, which of course led to the inevitable.....No, not that you dirty minded lot, we fell asleep!
We also learned this afternoon that the railway line runs immediately past our hotel room at a level that all the passengers can see into our room. Thankfully as usual the train was a couple of minutes late!
Oban Bay
Jo & I in Oban
An evening meal in this most hospitable hotel and a post on the blog rounds off a frustrating but enjoyable day. I'm grateful Jo was here as being here on my own would have been very difficult to cope with. I feel like a sailor becalmed waiting for the wind to get me on my way. I did toy with calling this post "SAILING" and having the linked song as http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zW2-_01i48w .
Our Detention Centre
View from the Detention Centre
One thing that made my day and will delight Mr & Mrs Camm to know is that I got my paws on some great buns today. Many thanks for those. They brought me much pleasure.
Hopefully tomorrow will bring some cycling progress
Saturday 16 May 2009
Rain and Pain
Day 8
This always promised to be a momentous day. It never failed to live up to that expectation.
Firstly, I said au revoir to my parents after breakfast this morning and gave them my dirty washing to take with them! I only did it to make my mum feel younger. It was to remind her of when I used to come home from University for the weekend and give her a present of my dirty washing and collected the same all neatly laundered at the end of the weekend. I hope my mother appreciates the things I do for her.
I left my parents in Uddingston and set off north for Glasgow and beyond. Heading into Glasgow, I went past Celtic FC's ground at Parkhead, a "temple" to Fenian politics and one of the ugly faces of Catholicism. Heading into the centre of Glasgow, I then passed the main Muslim mosque and saw slogans of support for Al Quaeda nearby. Passing across the centre of town, I was delayed by an Orange Order parade and have to say, the behaviour and triumphalism of some of those taking part in the parade showed a side of the Protestant denomination that should no longer exist. In the space of perhaps 4 miles I had seen the ugly side of 3 religions. Mind you, I'm sure the Glaswegians who saw me think they have seen the ugly face of English cyclists.
Riding through Glasgow reminded me of my last visit to the city in November 1999 to see England beat Scotland 2-0 in the European Championship Play off tie. I had a ticket in the Scotland end and think I upset the locals when I jumped out of my seat each time England scored. I'm sure the term sassenach, the liberal use of anglo saxon language and the questioning of my parentage were not terms of endearment, nor were the missiles flying in my direction.
I made some good progress after this along the A82 past Erskine Bridge and Dumbarton. This road was a very busy dual carriageway. It was however a fast road to cycle on and the traffic didn't phase me after years of commuting in London. Finding a cafe stop proved more difficult. After about 25 miles, I stopped in a lay by and asked a coach driver where I could find a cafe. He told me it was about 10 miles up the road to the next cafe. He seemed surprised that I said this was no problem and that I would go there instead of turning off into a village near the route. By this time the rain had started to fall.
I stopped in a little place on the banks of loch Lomond called Luss for a cuppa and a flapjack. Another couple came in and chatting to them, it turns out they know a number of members of the Lea Valley Youth Cycling Club that I am the child welfare officer of. Its a small world!
Whilst I was heading north, Jo was driving up to join me at Crianlarich for the night. The speed she was travelling at, I suspect I will have several Notices of Intended Prosecution when I get home (only joking!).
I started around this time to be troubled by a minor twinge in my left thigh. This continued to get worse, and after I stopped for lunch it was considerably worse. It was pouring with rain and I was soaked through. This did not help. The rain was the heaviest I had ridden in for sometime. I was only 15 miles from Crianlarich by now and Jo was already there. I battled on the last 15 miles, struggling at times to turn the pedals with my left leg. I was in pain. The road was uphill climbing some 500-600 feet towards Crianlarich. I was determined to get to the destination. My thinking being that if I get there, I could if necessary spend a day there resting and hoping the thigh strain would heal.
I did eventually arrive at the hotel Jo was waiting at. The meeting was slightly difficult as i was far too wet to hug Jo. Fortunately the hotel has a drying room so I was able to put my wet kit in there and also leave my bike there.
The hotel is beautiful and well recommended. I am posting this on the hotel wi-fi connection. A great meal in the hotel and good company (and hopefully some TLC) will see me back on the road either tomorrow or Monday. I can think of worse places to be holed up in. The countryside is spectacular and the hotel is great. I also have a young lady to fuss over me, even if she won't wear a nurses' uniform!
One thing that is noticeable as I progress is the change of terrain. in Cornwall and Devon there was lots of ups and downs, short steep hills. In Scotland there are not so many ups and downs, but the climbs and descents tend to be longer more gentle gradients. Here in the start of the Highlands, the roads tend to pass through the valleys rather than going over the tops of hills.
Will I be riding tomorrow? I hope so, but that is in the hands of God. He has me in a great place if a day's delay is needed, and great company too, so i'm not too worried if I am delayed a day- as long as I am able to continue to JoG eventually.
TODAY'S DATA
60 miles travelled
Time taken 4 hrs 17 mins
Average speed 14.0
2550 feet ascended
This always promised to be a momentous day. It never failed to live up to that expectation.
Firstly, I said au revoir to my parents after breakfast this morning and gave them my dirty washing to take with them! I only did it to make my mum feel younger. It was to remind her of when I used to come home from University for the weekend and give her a present of my dirty washing and collected the same all neatly laundered at the end of the weekend. I hope my mother appreciates the things I do for her.
I left my parents in Uddingston and set off north for Glasgow and beyond. Heading into Glasgow, I went past Celtic FC's ground at Parkhead, a "temple" to Fenian politics and one of the ugly faces of Catholicism. Heading into the centre of Glasgow, I then passed the main Muslim mosque and saw slogans of support for Al Quaeda nearby. Passing across the centre of town, I was delayed by an Orange Order parade and have to say, the behaviour and triumphalism of some of those taking part in the parade showed a side of the Protestant denomination that should no longer exist. In the space of perhaps 4 miles I had seen the ugly side of 3 religions. Mind you, I'm sure the Glaswegians who saw me think they have seen the ugly face of English cyclists.
Riding through Glasgow reminded me of my last visit to the city in November 1999 to see England beat Scotland 2-0 in the European Championship Play off tie. I had a ticket in the Scotland end and think I upset the locals when I jumped out of my seat each time England scored. I'm sure the term sassenach, the liberal use of anglo saxon language and the questioning of my parentage were not terms of endearment, nor were the missiles flying in my direction.
I made some good progress after this along the A82 past Erskine Bridge and Dumbarton. This road was a very busy dual carriageway. It was however a fast road to cycle on and the traffic didn't phase me after years of commuting in London. Finding a cafe stop proved more difficult. After about 25 miles, I stopped in a lay by and asked a coach driver where I could find a cafe. He told me it was about 10 miles up the road to the next cafe. He seemed surprised that I said this was no problem and that I would go there instead of turning off into a village near the route. By this time the rain had started to fall.
I stopped in a little place on the banks of loch Lomond called Luss for a cuppa and a flapjack. Another couple came in and chatting to them, it turns out they know a number of members of the Lea Valley Youth Cycling Club that I am the child welfare officer of. Its a small world!
Whilst I was heading north, Jo was driving up to join me at Crianlarich for the night. The speed she was travelling at, I suspect I will have several Notices of Intended Prosecution when I get home (only joking!).
I started around this time to be troubled by a minor twinge in my left thigh. This continued to get worse, and after I stopped for lunch it was considerably worse. It was pouring with rain and I was soaked through. This did not help. The rain was the heaviest I had ridden in for sometime. I was only 15 miles from Crianlarich by now and Jo was already there. I battled on the last 15 miles, struggling at times to turn the pedals with my left leg. I was in pain. The road was uphill climbing some 500-600 feet towards Crianlarich. I was determined to get to the destination. My thinking being that if I get there, I could if necessary spend a day there resting and hoping the thigh strain would heal.
I did eventually arrive at the hotel Jo was waiting at. The meeting was slightly difficult as i was far too wet to hug Jo. Fortunately the hotel has a drying room so I was able to put my wet kit in there and also leave my bike there.
The hotel is beautiful and well recommended. I am posting this on the hotel wi-fi connection. A great meal in the hotel and good company (and hopefully some TLC) will see me back on the road either tomorrow or Monday. I can think of worse places to be holed up in. The countryside is spectacular and the hotel is great. I also have a young lady to fuss over me, even if she won't wear a nurses' uniform!
One thing that is noticeable as I progress is the change of terrain. in Cornwall and Devon there was lots of ups and downs, short steep hills. In Scotland there are not so many ups and downs, but the climbs and descents tend to be longer more gentle gradients. Here in the start of the Highlands, the roads tend to pass through the valleys rather than going over the tops of hills.
Will I be riding tomorrow? I hope so, but that is in the hands of God. He has me in a great place if a day's delay is needed, and great company too, so i'm not too worried if I am delayed a day- as long as I am able to continue to JoG eventually.
TODAY'S DATA
60 miles travelled
Time taken 4 hrs 17 mins
Average speed 14.0
2550 feet ascended
Say Hello Wave Goodbye
Well today means sadly waving goodbye to my parents after breakfast. It will be sad to see them leave after an all to brief time with them.
However, tonight, I will hopefully be saying hello to Jo. I'm only sorry that my progress means she hs to drive north of Glasgow to meet me instead of somwhere near the Scottish border!
There is no truth in the rumour that I have gone so far this week to avoid Jo meeting me near Gretna - honestly.
Whilst reflecting on the first week, can I say thank you to all those who have read this blog, comented on it, sent me texts ot emails of encouragement. Hearing from you all give me a lift and encourages me on. So, thanks for taking the time to follow my progress.
Finally, thanks to Tom, for his sterling work updating me on all the football news and scores.
However, tonight, I will hopefully be saying hello to Jo. I'm only sorry that my progress means she hs to drive north of Glasgow to meet me instead of somwhere near the Scottish border!
There is no truth in the rumour that I have gone so far this week to avoid Jo meeting me near Gretna - honestly.
Whilst reflecting on the first week, can I say thank you to all those who have read this blog, comented on it, sent me texts ot emails of encouragement. Hearing from you all give me a lift and encourages me on. So, thanks for taking the time to follow my progress.
Finally, thanks to Tom, for his sterling work updating me on all the football news and scores.
Friday 15 May 2009
500 Miles
Day 7
Waking up alone this morning in Gretna and enjoying breakfast with my parents still seems so wrong to me. I mean, in Gretna in sight of the Marriage Room with only your parents for company, its so wrong.
At breakfast, a quick calculation reminded me that I have now done over 500 miles this week.
Late last night, I decided to revise my route. Instead of the planned ride today from Gretna to Mauchline (near Kilmarnock) along the A75 in favour of riding up the old A74. When the A74M was opened, the old road which ran nearly parallel to it remains in place, being numbered the B7076 and later the B7078. This proved to be a good choice. The rod was long and straight and virtually deserted. In the 18 or so miles to Lockerbie, we probably did not see 100 vehicles in either direction. It was windy, but mainly a tailwind, so this counteracted the cold and the real threat of rain. The Met Office had issued warnings re the heavy rain expected across most of the UK today.
We stopped in Lockerbie for a cup of tea and then set off north again, despite the old man trying to redraft the route and wanting to head south again. Apparently because the wind had changed direction he seemed to think he should head back the way we had come, despite the advice of a local who said Glasgow was north of Lockerbie. After yesterday, I was navigating and we set off heading north, not south.
Next stop was Moffat for another cuppa. As we were leaving the cafe in Moffat we were approached by a man who said his son's had been members of Ferryhill Wheelers Cycling Club (the club my father and I and Tom belong to) in the past. Its a small world!
Again we saw very little traffic between Lockebie and Moffat. I am starting to like the idea of building new roads, if they leave the old roads like the B7076. It is long straight and great for riding on with no traffic on it. We left the B7076 to go into Moffat and proceeded north out of Moffat into a long climb. We were not expecting this climb, and in the space of 2-3 miles we climbed about 800 feet to a height of some 1100 feet. The ride up was riding into what looked like a storm. The skies were very black, the rain was surely coming. The roads were deserted and exposed, not the place to be n a storm whilst riding a bike.
Te top of this climb gave us a spectacular view down to the A74M and the B7076. We were perhaps some 300 feet above the motorway. We descended rapidly to the B7076. As fast as we descended, the black skies brightened a bit and the threat of rain reduced. We rapidly descended several hundred feet.
Back on the B7076 we had to start climbing again up to Beattock Summit where the roads and railways reach their highest points. What puzzled me is why it is called Beattock summit when it was about 10 miles from Beattock and there are other places closer to the summit than Beattock.Its sad what you have time to think about on the bike.
We continued along into Abington, riding in rain or drizzle for mile after mile. Eventually we reached the one horse town/ village of Abington. It had a hotel which did us a nice cup of tea and a sandwich whilst allowing me to dry off my wet kit. Sadly we did not have enough time to get properly dry before setting off again into the headwind.
By now, the B7076 had become the B7078. There was still virtually no traffic on it, but the road surface had deteriorated. I do not know how the road is allowed to be used. It is a death trap. there are missing manhole and drain covers, and potholes, some between lanes being 100 yards long and six inches deep. A motorcyclist catching one of these would be thrown off his bike. It was bad enough riding the road with such a poor surface on a pushbike never mind a motorbike. The vibrations from the road surface pass through every bone in the body and s very unpleasant. To add to this, the drizzle was getting heavier.
Eventually we reached the outskirts of Glasgow, increasing rain just in time to hit Friday rush hour - well planned that man! Arrangements had been made to meet my mother in a place called Uddingston. This was chosen as it was near the motorway, to make it easier for my mother to get there in the car. Riding through Hamilton we passed the racecourse on race night - well planned that man. Then we eventually arrived in Uddingston an as we headed for the railway station, I got the sinking feeling that it was not the nicest place to be.
So, cold, wet and without a bed for the night - well planned that man.
My parents left me at the station guarding my bike and my dad's bike whilst they went off to Tescos to use the toilets there. Arriving back at the station, my mother was telling me about a potential hotel we could try when a very nice young lady interrupted and said to try a different hotel. Her recommendation was a good one. We got the last two rooms in the hotel and even a bed for my bike.
We dined in the hotel and the food was excellent. The only place I have ever tasted as good fish was in Akoroa in New Zealand.
It is ironic that a day that started off in Gretna, the home of marriage ends in a hotel in Glasgow with a wedding reception taking place in the room next to my bedroom!
So what has today been about?
New roads, old roads, wind, rain, more rain
I have also learned that two cyclists work more effectively together and how to get up big hills. Thanks to my father for this learning. His guidance and help (apart from navigation skills) has been invaluable and will be of help on the rest of my holiday, and in future. My mother has given sterling service as support driver. Her carrying my bags, providing refreshments, finding hotels etc has been great.
It was also great to spend time each evening with both of them. I see too little of them as they are never home and I rarely visit the north east these days.
Thanks mum & dad.
Today's Data
81.7 miles ridden
Time 5hours 46 mins
Av Speed 14.2 mph
4244 feet ascended
Waking up alone this morning in Gretna and enjoying breakfast with my parents still seems so wrong to me. I mean, in Gretna in sight of the Marriage Room with only your parents for company, its so wrong.
At breakfast, a quick calculation reminded me that I have now done over 500 miles this week.
Late last night, I decided to revise my route. Instead of the planned ride today from Gretna to Mauchline (near Kilmarnock) along the A75 in favour of riding up the old A74. When the A74M was opened, the old road which ran nearly parallel to it remains in place, being numbered the B7076 and later the B7078. This proved to be a good choice. The rod was long and straight and virtually deserted. In the 18 or so miles to Lockerbie, we probably did not see 100 vehicles in either direction. It was windy, but mainly a tailwind, so this counteracted the cold and the real threat of rain. The Met Office had issued warnings re the heavy rain expected across most of the UK today.
We stopped in Lockerbie for a cup of tea and then set off north again, despite the old man trying to redraft the route and wanting to head south again. Apparently because the wind had changed direction he seemed to think he should head back the way we had come, despite the advice of a local who said Glasgow was north of Lockerbie. After yesterday, I was navigating and we set off heading north, not south.
Next stop was Moffat for another cuppa. As we were leaving the cafe in Moffat we were approached by a man who said his son's had been members of Ferryhill Wheelers Cycling Club (the club my father and I and Tom belong to) in the past. Its a small world!
Again we saw very little traffic between Lockebie and Moffat. I am starting to like the idea of building new roads, if they leave the old roads like the B7076. It is long straight and great for riding on with no traffic on it. We left the B7076 to go into Moffat and proceeded north out of Moffat into a long climb. We were not expecting this climb, and in the space of 2-3 miles we climbed about 800 feet to a height of some 1100 feet. The ride up was riding into what looked like a storm. The skies were very black, the rain was surely coming. The roads were deserted and exposed, not the place to be n a storm whilst riding a bike.
Te top of this climb gave us a spectacular view down to the A74M and the B7076. We were perhaps some 300 feet above the motorway. We descended rapidly to the B7076. As fast as we descended, the black skies brightened a bit and the threat of rain reduced. We rapidly descended several hundred feet.
Back on the B7076 we had to start climbing again up to Beattock Summit where the roads and railways reach their highest points. What puzzled me is why it is called Beattock summit when it was about 10 miles from Beattock and there are other places closer to the summit than Beattock.Its sad what you have time to think about on the bike.
We continued along into Abington, riding in rain or drizzle for mile after mile. Eventually we reached the one horse town/ village of Abington. It had a hotel which did us a nice cup of tea and a sandwich whilst allowing me to dry off my wet kit. Sadly we did not have enough time to get properly dry before setting off again into the headwind.
By now, the B7076 had become the B7078. There was still virtually no traffic on it, but the road surface had deteriorated. I do not know how the road is allowed to be used. It is a death trap. there are missing manhole and drain covers, and potholes, some between lanes being 100 yards long and six inches deep. A motorcyclist catching one of these would be thrown off his bike. It was bad enough riding the road with such a poor surface on a pushbike never mind a motorbike. The vibrations from the road surface pass through every bone in the body and s very unpleasant. To add to this, the drizzle was getting heavier.
Eventually we reached the outskirts of Glasgow, increasing rain just in time to hit Friday rush hour - well planned that man! Arrangements had been made to meet my mother in a place called Uddingston. This was chosen as it was near the motorway, to make it easier for my mother to get there in the car. Riding through Hamilton we passed the racecourse on race night - well planned that man. Then we eventually arrived in Uddingston an as we headed for the railway station, I got the sinking feeling that it was not the nicest place to be.
So, cold, wet and without a bed for the night - well planned that man.
My parents left me at the station guarding my bike and my dad's bike whilst they went off to Tescos to use the toilets there. Arriving back at the station, my mother was telling me about a potential hotel we could try when a very nice young lady interrupted and said to try a different hotel. Her recommendation was a good one. We got the last two rooms in the hotel and even a bed for my bike.
We dined in the hotel and the food was excellent. The only place I have ever tasted as good fish was in Akoroa in New Zealand.
It is ironic that a day that started off in Gretna, the home of marriage ends in a hotel in Glasgow with a wedding reception taking place in the room next to my bedroom!
So what has today been about?
New roads, old roads, wind, rain, more rain
I have also learned that two cyclists work more effectively together and how to get up big hills. Thanks to my father for this learning. His guidance and help (apart from navigation skills) has been invaluable and will be of help on the rest of my holiday, and in future. My mother has given sterling service as support driver. Her carrying my bags, providing refreshments, finding hotels etc has been great.
It was also great to spend time each evening with both of them. I see too little of them as they are never home and I rarely visit the north east these days.
Thanks mum & dad.
Today's Data
81.7 miles ridden
Time 5hours 46 mins
Av Speed 14.2 mph
4244 feet ascended
Thursday 14 May 2009
Nice Day For A ...?
Day 6
Well it was nice to start the day in a family home with someone offering me a cup of tea and breakfast. Thanks to my cousin Andy and his wife for making me so welcome in their home.
The start of today's ride was delayed by my need to get a new wedge sadle bag. Fortunately there was a bike shop opposite the hotel my parents had stayed in, so we were on the road just after 0900.
BRIEF ENCOUNTER
We rode the short distance from Lancaster to Carnforth and stopped at the railway station which is a living museum and the buffet is as it was in the classic film. After tea and freshly baked scones we set off for our next planned rendezvous with my mother in Kendal.
Well it was nice to start the day in a family home with someone offering me a cup of tea and breakfast. Thanks to my cousin Andy and his wife for making me so welcome in their home.
The start of today's ride was delayed by my need to get a new wedge sadle bag. Fortunately there was a bike shop opposite the hotel my parents had stayed in, so we were on the road just after 0900.
BRIEF ENCOUNTERWe rode the short distance from Lancaster to Carnforth and stopped at the railway station which is a living museum and the buffet is as it was in the classic film. After tea and freshly baked scones we set off for our next planned rendezvous with my mother in Kendal.
With my Mum at Carnforth
With my Dad at Carnforth
THE GOOD THE BAD AND THE UGLY
Good progress was made up the A6 until, in a foolish moment I let my father persuade me to avoid the A590/A6 road and take a detour. Foolish mistake that was. It put an extra 5 or so miles on the route. That was bearable, but it included climbing 700 feet in under 3/4 mile. This was harder than riding over Dartmoor. Ariving in Kendal, I resolved not to let old people pick the route again. I was shatered and not conviced I was in any state to get up Shap Fell.
With my Dad at Carnforth
THE GOOD THE BAD AND THE UGLY
Good progress was made up the A6 until, in a foolish moment I let my father persuade me to avoid the A590/A6 road and take a detour. Foolish mistake that was. It put an extra 5 or so miles on the route. That was bearable, but it included climbing 700 feet in under 3/4 mile. This was harder than riding over Dartmoor. Ariving in Kendal, I resolved not to let old people pick the route again. I was shatered and not conviced I was in any state to get up Shap Fell.
That is the good and the bad, as for the ugly.....no comment!
A brief coffee break and we set off from Kendal for Shap facing a 15 mile ride and a climb of around 1300 feet from Kendal. Those who know me, will realise my figure does not lend itself to climbing very easily. However, my father came into his own as a former King of the Mountain in the Milk Race (Tour of Britain) and paced me up and over Shap Fell despite my tiredness and our riding into a headwind. We made slow steady progress up to the top, and then down to Shap village where we stopped for lunch at around 1430. We had only done 40 miles by this time and still had another 40 or so to do before the end of the day, oh and I had my first visit from the [p*nct*re]fairy, just as we stopped for lunch.
After leaving Shap at 1500 we headed for Penrith and a bit of descending. Good fortune seemed to be with us as we now had a mainly tailwind. This only lasted for 4 miles as the fairy came back for a second visit. Another repair and we were underway. Good progress ws made through Penrith and on up the A6 riding regularly at 20-25 miles per hour on the flat towards Carlisle and then taking the old A74, now unsignposted and almost deserted. It was great to ride in the sunshine with a tailwind, riding side by side onto the Scottish Border at Gretna. Photos were taken there at the border and at the Marriage Room on the Scottish side of the border.
A brief coffee break and we set off from Kendal for Shap facing a 15 mile ride and a climb of around 1300 feet from Kendal. Those who know me, will realise my figure does not lend itself to climbing very easily. However, my father came into his own as a former King of the Mountain in the Milk Race (Tour of Britain) and paced me up and over Shap Fell despite my tiredness and our riding into a headwind. We made slow steady progress up to the top, and then down to Shap village where we stopped for lunch at around 1430. We had only done 40 miles by this time and still had another 40 or so to do before the end of the day, oh and I had my first visit from the [p*nct*re]fairy, just as we stopped for lunch.
After leaving Shap at 1500 we headed for Penrith and a bit of descending. Good fortune seemed to be with us as we now had a mainly tailwind. This only lasted for 4 miles as the fairy came back for a second visit. Another repair and we were underway. Good progress ws made through Penrith and on up the A6 riding regularly at 20-25 miles per hour on the flat towards Carlisle and then taking the old A74, now unsignposted and almost deserted. It was great to ride in the sunshine with a tailwind, riding side by side onto the Scottish Border at Gretna. Photos were taken there at the border and at the Marriage Room on the Scottish side of the border.
Now, a couple of weeks ago, I got an email from Jo's father suggesting that on my holiday, I could visit Gretna. It seems I may have misunderstood his suggestion. Apparently I was not meant to elope over the Scottish border with my parents leaving my partner in England! It seems that I have got my self a bit mixed up over who should be where. Now Dave, I came to Gretna, but it seems that something went wrong. You never said I had to take Jo with me. I assume I just had to get myself there!
Lodgings tonight in Scotland werein Gretna at the Solway Lodge Hotel. Its a great little hotel that apparently does great wedding functions and is near the Marriage Rooms. Well so my parents told me!
It was of course Billy Idol who sang its a nice day for a white weding!
TODAY'S DATA
Distance Ridden 81.8 miles
Riding Time 06 hrs 15 mins
Av Speed 13.1 mph
Total Climbing 5654 feet
It was of course Billy Idol who sang its a nice day for a white weding!
TODAY'S DATA
Distance Ridden 81.8 miles
Riding Time 06 hrs 15 mins
Av Speed 13.1 mph
Total Climbing 5654 feet
Wednesday 13 May 2009
Where the Streets Have No Name
Day 5
A day that promised lots of company - well my parents and my father as a riding companion and my mother as support driver, as I rode from Whitchurch north through the Liverpool/ Manchester conurbation. It was appropriate that the route was to be via Wigan- more on that later.
We left Whitchurch before 0830 and as we headed out of town we passed a MacDonald's hotel. (No, not run by Ronald). Jo will know what I mean- especially after our efforts to find good accommodation the night before.
A brisk ride up the A49 brought us to the first drink stop at Tarporley. A cuppa and a scone and plotting the next meeting point. My mother was driving along and meeting us regularly for drinks and snacks. (A real labour of love for a mother who has no interest in cycling- thanks mum.)
The next meeting point was to @ Wilderspool in Warrington. It would be an easy place to find as there is a big rugby stadium there, home of Warrington Wolves. A text from my mother was received saying that she could not find the rugby ground, but had found a Morrison's supermarket for my dad (he loves their cafe). Upon leaving this stop, I realised why my mother could not find the rugby ground - it had been demolished some years ago and a new ground built elsewhere. I think the supermarket was on the site of the old ground.
Next stop was to be Standish. This was to be a 20 mile ride to lunch break. This was where the fun started.
THE ROAD TO WIGAN PIER
Standish is a couple of miles north of Wigan, so we would ride through Wigan and the famous Pier. When we got north of Warrington, there is a big roundabout where the motorway, the A49 and the A580 all come together. We needed to head up the A49, so I took that route, my mother went on the motorway and my dad went another way (or so he says!) I should mention that my dad doesn't like riding in the rain, and the rain was falling heavily now.
I tried to ring/ text both of them, but couldn't make contact, so headed up towards Wigan and Standish. I arrived in Wigan alone and stopped at the Pier and took the obligatory photo. I appeared to be the only one of the three who knew the road to Wigan Pier.
KEEP THE ASPIDISTRA FLYING
I road on from Wigan heading to Standish, but my GPS took me away from Standish to Chorley and the A6 road. I blame it on their being no street names at the roundabout near Standish. I then got texts from my mother to say my dad had eventually found Standish and was travelling by car with her having bailed out of riding. I do wonder where he bailed out at - Warrington or Standish?
I still had 30 miles to ride in a gale and pouring rain. I had not yet had any lunch. It took me until north of Preston to eventually meet my parents. I had by then done 60+ miles. The old man couldn't be persuaded to return to riding the last 18 or so miles to Lancaster. So it was left to me to keep the aspidistra flying!
(19) 84?
I rode the last 18 miles to Lancaster at a cracking pace. Arriving at my cousin's home only an hour after setting off from Broughton - some 18miles away. I was pleased with being able to ride that fast despite having done so many miles today. The total distance today should have been 84 miles, but sadly I ended up doing an extra little bit.
ANIMAL FARM?
Who mentioned my family?
Today's Data
85.9 miles ridden
6 hours - time taken
Average speed 14.3 mph
4469 feet ascended
Only 3 sleeps now till Jo joins me and my parent's depart. I can't wait for that. [Editor's comment - wait for what?]
A day that promised lots of company - well my parents and my father as a riding companion and my mother as support driver, as I rode from Whitchurch north through the Liverpool/ Manchester conurbation. It was appropriate that the route was to be via Wigan- more on that later.
We left Whitchurch before 0830 and as we headed out of town we passed a MacDonald's hotel. (No, not run by Ronald). Jo will know what I mean- especially after our efforts to find good accommodation the night before.
A brisk ride up the A49 brought us to the first drink stop at Tarporley. A cuppa and a scone and plotting the next meeting point. My mother was driving along and meeting us regularly for drinks and snacks. (A real labour of love for a mother who has no interest in cycling- thanks mum.)
The next meeting point was to @ Wilderspool in Warrington. It would be an easy place to find as there is a big rugby stadium there, home of Warrington Wolves. A text from my mother was received saying that she could not find the rugby ground, but had found a Morrison's supermarket for my dad (he loves their cafe). Upon leaving this stop, I realised why my mother could not find the rugby ground - it had been demolished some years ago and a new ground built elsewhere. I think the supermarket was on the site of the old ground.
Next stop was to be Standish. This was to be a 20 mile ride to lunch break. This was where the fun started.
THE ROAD TO WIGAN PIER
Standish is a couple of miles north of Wigan, so we would ride through Wigan and the famous Pier. When we got north of Warrington, there is a big roundabout where the motorway, the A49 and the A580 all come together. We needed to head up the A49, so I took that route, my mother went on the motorway and my dad went another way (or so he says!) I should mention that my dad doesn't like riding in the rain, and the rain was falling heavily now.
I tried to ring/ text both of them, but couldn't make contact, so headed up towards Wigan and Standish. I arrived in Wigan alone and stopped at the Pier and took the obligatory photo. I appeared to be the only one of the three who knew the road to Wigan Pier.
KEEP THE ASPIDISTRA FLYING
I road on from Wigan heading to Standish, but my GPS took me away from Standish to Chorley and the A6 road. I blame it on their being no street names at the roundabout near Standish. I then got texts from my mother to say my dad had eventually found Standish and was travelling by car with her having bailed out of riding. I do wonder where he bailed out at - Warrington or Standish?
I still had 30 miles to ride in a gale and pouring rain. I had not yet had any lunch. It took me until north of Preston to eventually meet my parents. I had by then done 60+ miles. The old man couldn't be persuaded to return to riding the last 18 or so miles to Lancaster. So it was left to me to keep the aspidistra flying!
(19) 84?
I rode the last 18 miles to Lancaster at a cracking pace. Arriving at my cousin's home only an hour after setting off from Broughton - some 18miles away. I was pleased with being able to ride that fast despite having done so many miles today. The total distance today should have been 84 miles, but sadly I ended up doing an extra little bit.
ANIMAL FARM?
Who mentioned my family?
Today's Data
85.9 miles ridden
6 hours - time taken
Average speed 14.3 mph
4469 feet ascended
Only 3 sleeps now till Jo joins me and my parent's depart. I can't wait for that. [Editor's comment - wait for what?]
Strange Town
Day 4
Waking up in the beautiful town of Monmouth was a reminder of the beauty of this United Kingdom. surely it was an omen of a great day ahead.
Think again Peter.
After last night's gentle last ten miles from Tintern to Monmouth, I expected more of the same today. How wrong I was. The road to Hereford was not only very lumpy, but was accompanied by a strong headwind. Indeed, in the first hour I had done little more than nine miles. I had a 100 mile day ahead of me. I despaired of being able to complete the same. I was hoping to head to Whitchurch in Shropshire and meet my parents there. I texted them to suggest that Shrewsbury would be a better meeting place some 20 miles less distance.
I eventually reached Hereford and found myself outside the local football ground. Being a Newcastle fan, blessed with that always say die attitude, I had to take a picture of the ground. As I took the picture, a man approached me and said, "You wouldn't believe that lot once beat Newcastle!" AAAAARRRRRRGGGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Dont Have Nightmares
How did he know I was a Toon fan or is this the only thing that people in Hereford have to speak about. happy to be leaving Hereford, I continued up the main A49 towards Shrewsbury fighting the North Easterly wind as I headed in a generally North/ North East direction. However, I was feeling good and strong and was eating up the miles. Lunch in Craven Arms (not, its a place not a pub) was followed by a good ride up to Shrewsbury where after a total of 76 miles
I met my parents in a service station. I was able to give my bags to my mother who was driving a support car. My father and I then rode briskly into the headwind towards Whitchurch after having arranged to meet my mother at a Little Chef my father knew. However he appeared to have a bit of insomnia and was unable to find the same. So we rode into the centre of Whitchurch and rang my mother to meet us at Tesco's in the town centre.
Whilst waiting for my mother to arrive, I had a ride round the town to try to find a B&B. the town centre did not have any apparent B&Bs, nor did it have anything more modern than about 1975. I don't want to say it was a dump, but.....I asked a male in Tesco's car park if he could recommend anywhere to stay for the night. He asked me where I had ridden from and when told Lands End he suggested I should head back there as Whitchurch was a dump.
Eventually we did find a decent hotel run by a former time-trialler cyclist. The hotel regularly gets LEJoGers or JoGLErs staying over.
A strange town indeed So to sum up today, another 100 miler day through glorious English/ Welsh rolling countryside. At times this morning as I progressed in the rural areas I was reminded of the Famous 5.
I did resist the temptation to have lashings of ginger beer for lunch.
Today's Data
100 miles ridden (over 350 in total)
Riding time 7hrs 32mins
Av speed 13.3mph
6243 feet climbed (& this was supposed to be a flat day!)
Waking up in the beautiful town of Monmouth was a reminder of the beauty of this United Kingdom. surely it was an omen of a great day ahead.
Think again Peter.
After last night's gentle last ten miles from Tintern to Monmouth, I expected more of the same today. How wrong I was. The road to Hereford was not only very lumpy, but was accompanied by a strong headwind. Indeed, in the first hour I had done little more than nine miles. I had a 100 mile day ahead of me. I despaired of being able to complete the same. I was hoping to head to Whitchurch in Shropshire and meet my parents there. I texted them to suggest that Shrewsbury would be a better meeting place some 20 miles less distance.
I eventually reached Hereford and found myself outside the local football ground. Being a Newcastle fan, blessed with that always say die attitude, I had to take a picture of the ground. As I took the picture, a man approached me and said, "You wouldn't believe that lot once beat Newcastle!" AAAAARRRRRRGGGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Dont Have Nightmares
How did he know I was a Toon fan or is this the only thing that people in Hereford have to speak about. happy to be leaving Hereford, I continued up the main A49 towards Shrewsbury fighting the North Easterly wind as I headed in a generally North/ North East direction. However, I was feeling good and strong and was eating up the miles. Lunch in Craven Arms (not, its a place not a pub) was followed by a good ride up to Shrewsbury where after a total of 76 miles
I met my parents in a service station. I was able to give my bags to my mother who was driving a support car. My father and I then rode briskly into the headwind towards Whitchurch after having arranged to meet my mother at a Little Chef my father knew. However he appeared to have a bit of insomnia and was unable to find the same. So we rode into the centre of Whitchurch and rang my mother to meet us at Tesco's in the town centre.
Whilst waiting for my mother to arrive, I had a ride round the town to try to find a B&B. the town centre did not have any apparent B&Bs, nor did it have anything more modern than about 1975. I don't want to say it was a dump, but.....I asked a male in Tesco's car park if he could recommend anywhere to stay for the night. He asked me where I had ridden from and when told Lands End he suggested I should head back there as Whitchurch was a dump.
Eventually we did find a decent hotel run by a former time-trialler cyclist. The hotel regularly gets LEJoGers or JoGLErs staying over.
A strange town indeed So to sum up today, another 100 miler day through glorious English/ Welsh rolling countryside. At times this morning as I progressed in the rural areas I was reminded of the Famous 5.
I did resist the temptation to have lashings of ginger beer for lunch.
Today's Data
100 miles ridden (over 350 in total)
Riding time 7hrs 32mins
Av speed 13.3mph
6243 feet climbed (& this was supposed to be a flat day!)
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