Tuesday 31 July 2007
Posted: 31 Jul 07, 12:40
Hard morning due to the amount of hills. A30 all the way to the Jamaica Inn for a well earned drink.
Pete was with us all day after an earlier start than he was used to – not on the road before 10am. Andy coped well all day considering his amount of non specific training! His local knowledge of the area made maps non existent today but…after turning onto A3072 towards Oakhampton, Tony remarked on the beautiful road and picturesque surroundings as we passed a thatched cottage, stream etc. We turned the corner and hit a 15% hill!
Camped on top of Bodmin Moor, beautiful little site tucked away from the A30 next to a lake, big pine trees, wild horses etc, perfect!
Monday 30 July 2007
Posted: 30 Jul 07, 12:39
Hard to ride away from home but heartening to know that two thirds have been completed – last big push.
Went to Symmonds Yat East and followed the tow path along the river to Monmouth……beautiful! Nice ride to Chepstow with the gradual climb to the top of the race course.
Picked up another solo rider from there to Clifton Suspension Bridge for dinner.
Followed the Avonmouth Road through the Industrial site all the way from the Old Bridge to dinner! Busy section through the city centre to pick up the A38 to the aiport and onto Taunton.
Went too quick for our solo edition as the pace was quick …..paid for it in the afternoon!
10-15 minutes past Bristol we picked up Pete again! He stayed with us to Taunton and will rendezvous with us tomorrow for the final two days.
Best campsite of the four due to Sgt Williams, camped on drill Square at Norton Manor and entertained in the Sargeants Mess – quality!
Saturday 28 July 2007
Posted: 28 Jul 07, 12:37
Big day due to the pain today.
Carried on the A6 all the way to Wigan. Good run / roads all the way to Warrington. Hit the A49 and shortly after hooked up with Pete (Art teacher) doing it all alone! He joined us to Shrewsbury and one mile short of the campsite blew a tyre! Now have a team banner using the tyre – look out MBH!
Great curry in Shrewsbury last night for Sarah.
On the move again!
Posted: 27 Jul 07, 13:56
We're glad to annouce that we're back on the road and heading for Lancashire! Hurray!
Friday 27 July 2007
Posted: 27 Jul 07, 12:36
Dry and a little breezy this morning. Lovely road the B7076 all the way to Gretna.
Hit A74 and faced a change of weather. Torrential rain and no room on the road made for scary conditions.
PUNCTURE!
Just as we came to the A7 slip road.
Carlisle then A6 all the way to lennith.
Met some fellow cyclists and they laughed at us for doing it the other way into the headwind!
A6 took us all the way to Lancaster.
100 miles up again – knees hurting now!
Stuck in Edinburgh!
Posted: 26 Jul 07, 15:26
Well ladies and gentlemen!
We have been making excellent progress and cycled over sixty miles on this mornings leg.
We stopped for lunch only to find that the clutch had gone on the support vehicle. So at the moment we're trying to find help so that we can get motoring again.
As the support vehicle toes our accomodation we are unable to proceed any further until this is resolved!
So if you're in Edinburgh and can offer any help.............please get in touch!
Thanks from all the team.
Wednesday 25 July 2007
Posted: 25 Jul 07, 12:03
Tough Day!
Woke up to rain and feared the worst. It cleared up with ten minutes to go before the ride. :0)
The first twenty five minutes were spent climbing and it stayed like it all day.
We were on the A9 most of the day – horrible road! Four big climbs and two major summits each one 3.4 kilometres long. We then dropped onto the B9152 for a good hour before lunch on good roads and sunshine!
Once over another great summit, downhill most of the way picked up a bike route. Chris was not happy at first but the track improved onto a quiet lane and we arrived in Pitlocherie in good weather.
Sarah couldn’t park the van and some kind Geordies helped her out and even gave us a generous donation.
Another 100 Miles down – 7.5 hours
Tuesday 24 July 2007
Posted: 24 Jul 07, 12:02
Up at 6am. AJ fixed water systems in a ‘dream’. Have a long drive to John O’Groats (JOG). Apprehensive about the route back as there are lots of big climbs. Today is going to be a long drive.
JOG is very exposed. For the first couple of hours we had good roads. The first climb was short and steep and tough! The second was long and steady.
Stopped at Helmsdale for lunch where we met Mackie – a local legand and gold panner – who made a small donation.
The afternoon was tough going, we made a quick stop and tanked the last 23 miles back to the camp.
JOG to Dingwall – 108 miles in 7.5 hours - massage – bed!
Wednesday 1 August 2007
Posted: 24 Aug 07, 12:41
10am start – lye in!
69 miles to go before we hit the target. Sun is shining again, the sky is blue and we’re buzzing!
Flew the first hour averaging 31 kph!
The new link A30 was a cracking surface probably the best one on the trip but the road does narrow on the way to Redruth considerably and lots of holiday traffic made sure we couldn’t relax too much!
Made it to the point outside Penzance by 12.30. Luxury stop of a pub lunch at the Lamb & Flag.
Started the last 16 miles at 2.45pm.
The hills to Lands End made it hard work due to sunny conditions but with four miles to go hit the top and it was a gentle roll all the way to the end. Made it by 4pm and can’t believe we’ve made the 938 miles in 9 days!
Can’t wait till tomorrow morning, don’t have to get on a bike and the beers will take a hammering tonight at the Beckerleg family BBQ!
Great time had by all….won’t be doing that again!
John O’Groats to Lands End……DONE!
Sunday 29 July 2007
Posted: 24 Aug 07, 12:38
Followed the A49 all the way from Shrewsbury to Ross. Really good day with our first day of fine weather from the outset. Road surface was quality and fairly easy going / relatively flat.
Made good time to Craven Arms – great pit stop having our first bacon and egg sarnie since JOG’s! Walked into the café and the look on their faces was priceless – different type of biker usually frequent the establishment in leathers not lycra! Three of which with huge steel beasts parked alongside pedal power, were also having a pit stop!
Rest of the day was sociable due to being on home turf. We stopped at Jo’s (MBH) for lunch. Too long compared to our usual stops meant the legs were reluctant to work. Mosely joined us to Harewood End, good job cause I had to use his toilet facilities in Hereford!
Home to Ross in good time and to our families. We had a wonderful refuel courtesy of Mrs M at Morris towers!
Thursday 26 July 2007
Posted: 24 Aug 07, 12:35
Listened to storms and rain all night. Slept poorly! The river Spey (next to the campsite) rose approximately 4-5 foot overnight!
We’re taking the back roads to Dunkeld – nice!
A9 is good today with less traffic. We then dropped onto the B867 to Bankfoot. Beautiful scenery which made a nice change before jumping back onto the A9 to Perth. Cycle tracks more prevailent adjacent to the A9 were a good option! A192 all the way to Kinross spinning well to cross Bridge Forth Road.
Disaster – clutch went on ‘The Beast’. Running repairs ok.
Afternoon onto Moffat. Beautiful valley by the A701! Stunning rolling mountains and red kites (and a lorry tanked into and off a sharp verge!)
Fish and chips mmmm – Bed – Long day!
120 miles covered
We're off!
Posted: 22 Jul 07, 19:10
Well we have arrived at the starting point and are all set up for the evening.
We are just getting the tea on to try to detract from the nerves that seem to be building up!
Hope to get a good nights kip for heading off first thing.
Sweet Dreams
