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Progress
reports from each day of the expedition follow. You can also track progress on
the live map. If you'd
like to leave the boys a message, please drop a note on the Noticeboard.
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| DAY
2 (25.5.09):
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Culbokie
- Grantully | | | | |
| Mileage:
| | 109 |
| Time
in Saddles: | | 8h30m |
| Ascent: | | 3,435
ft | | Average
Speed: | | 12.9mph
| | Top
Speed: | | 38.5mph
(Mighty Shark) | | | | |
| Report:
| | We
set off under dark skies from the Black Isle and had a wonderful rainy high speed
run down into Inverness, unfortunately quickly followed by a long and painful
climb back ou and past Culloden. We met with the 'Caped Crusader' (Mick from South
Yorkshire) who joined us for breakfast and we swopped cycling stories. We battled
up through the Cairngorms to the Drumochter Summit (1561 ft above sea level) tucking
oursleves into the side of the A9 to avoid the fast moving juggernaughts but couldn't
keep out of the driving rain. However it was 8 miles downhill to scotch eggs and
hot soup outside Blair Atholl castle. Its great to hear so many people are following
the GPS tracker, particularly press office and support crew south who at one point
today noticed we had not moved for 30mins and started getting concerned! |
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| Blazing
Stats of the Day: | | | | |
| Punctures: | | 1
(Mighty Shark) | |
Flapjacks Eaten: | | 24
+ 6 date slices | |
Flys swallowed: | | nil
(no riccochets) | |
Roadkill: | | 1
pheasant, 2 pigeons, 1 seagull, 1 mountain hare, 1 roe deer, 1 squirrel, 2 hedghogs,
1 blackbird, 1 sheep | |
Random South Yorkshireman: | | 1
(Mick) | | | | |
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| DAY
5 (28.5.09):
| |
Carlisle
- Haydock | | | | |
| Mileage:
| | 114 |
| Time
in Saddles: | | 8h33m |
| Ascent: | | 2,940
ft | | Average
Speed: | | 13.32mph
| | Top
Speed: | | 43.35mph
(Giant Orca) | | | | |
| Report:
| | As
we stayed in Dumfries last night, we set of in the car from Dumfries at 05:30
to rejoin our route in Carlisle. We were on the bikes by 06:45 and although felt
tired, managed to cover the first few miles with ease which is surprising considering
that the first leg of each day always seems to be the hardest. Singing as we past
through the forest, seemed like a good way of countering the early morning pain;
further helped, by hot bacon rolls at the breakfast stop. The biggest challenge
of the day was the climb up to the summit of Shap (1,400ft) and there are always
warning signs that a challenge is looming - as Joe lets loose with a string of
profanities in local accents! The descent down from Shap gave fantastic views
and saw Joe attempt the Tour speed record, narrowly missing it, but setting the
day's top speed (43.35mph). Some long, straight and flat stretches allowed us
to press on, but Lancaster had some sharp surprises. We stopped in Garstang for
one of our scheduled refuels and were pleasantly surprised by an old lady who
had noticed our car and us eating and came out her house to offer further funds
for our cause (£4.20) - we have been stunned by the generosity and support
of 'random' people on our tour. We finished today at Haydock Park (not in the
Paddock) but delighted to be visited by Kiki Thompson (ex-work colleague of Joe's)
and Tony Greico (Lourdes friend of Robert Snr) who witnessed end of day pasta
and bike cleaning - in that order! We will be sorry to see Support Crew North
leave us tomorrow, but welcome Support Crew South - the bar has been set very
high! Great day today - highest mileage taken in our stride and two very burnt
noses! | | | | |
| Blazing
Stats of the Day: | | | | |
| Punctures: | | nil |
| Flapjacks
Eaten: | | 15
(possibly Nurofen consumption is greater!) | |
Flys swallowed: | | 1
(first one of tour), 8 riccochets (definately more flies in the South) |
| Roadkill: | | 1
crow, 1 rabbit, 1 badger | | | | |
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| DAY
6 (29.5.09):
| |
Haydock
- Ludlow | | | | |
| Mileage:
| | 92 |
| Time
in Saddles: | | 6h33m |
| Ascent: | | 1,719
ft | | Average
Speed: | | 14mph
| | Top
Speed: | | 40.89mph
(Giant Orca) | | | | |
| Report:
| | We
left the northwest shrouded in fog, but by 9am it had burnt off and we were faced
with a day of intense heat and the usual damned headwind - some contrast to the
weather in Glasgow of two days previous. We were joined by our first visitor of
the day in the village of cuddington (Cheshire!), Simon Woolf of Tonsley fame,
who hit the ground running with his usual wit and banter and enthusiastically
tucked into the bacon rolls. He volunteered his duties as Official Photographer
for the morning and dashed off in his purple car, to capture the first shot which
he missed as he was not ready when we blazed past. We never saw him for another
4 hours as his car broke down and he needed to call the AA!
As it was
handover day today, we were also joined by SCS (Support Crew South) Richard Bruce.
His influence soon showed as the car became particuarly organised, the stops more
picturesque (grounds of Stokesy Caste), the proximity to railway lines and the
sandwiches better quality! Mid-morning
as we passed through North Shropshire on the A49 a heli flew overhead. Distracted
by this, Joe looked upwards and as he returned to focus on the road, found himself
heading for the kerb - shortly afterwards he landed in a hawthorn hedge! Rather
embarrassed by the situation, he regained his trusty steed and continued the conversation
and no damage was done- except to pride obviously! We did meet up with Woolfy
again at our lunch stop which had a private portaloo which endured heavy use!
On our approach to ludlow we were hailed by loud cries by our second set of visitors
of the day, Mike and Belinda Palfrey, who drew up alongside. Shortly afterwards,
on arrival in Ludlow, our overnight stop, we had a great reception from members
of the family. AND LASTLY, we would like to clarify that the roadkill mentioned
in this blog are observations not executions! | | | | |
| Blazing
Stats of the Day: | | | | |
| Punctures: | | nil |
| Flapjacks
Eaten: | | 18
(resupplies by Georgie have been greatfully received) | |
Flys swallowed: | | 2,
15 riccochets | |
Roadkill: | | 7
rabbits, 3 badgers, 1 fox, 2 pheasants, 1 stoat, 1 wasp |
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| DAY
8 (31.5.09):
| |
Bristol
- Langford | | | | |
| Mileage:
| | 90 |
| Time
in Saddles: | | 6h38m |
| Ascent: | | 1,575
ft | | Average
Speed: | | 13.53mph
| | Top
Speed: | | 42mph
(Mighty Shark) | | | | |
| Report:
| | We
set off from the Hilton hotel in Bristol and off down a pretty un-navigable cycle
path for about 15 miles - it was very stop-start so our speed was compromised.
We were presented with a full cooked breakfast in Yatton, which although the riders
knew should not be eaten, it looked too good to waste! Although the decision to
eat this was questioned when both riders recorded two 'half-sicks'. For the second
day we were very enthusiastically encouraged by Christian and Patrick Bruce which
was a massive lift to the riders and a great help to SCS (Support Crew South).
We weaved our way through the Somerset villages and in Wedmore were pleasantly
surprised by bumping into Al Kennedy (one of Rob's work contacts).
Today,
being the flattest day, the riders enjoyed fast speeds across the Somerset Levels
to reach their lunch stop at Othery. Here we were met by
Mike and Josie Holmes
(parents of Peloton Rider Malcolm). After fantastic and much needed hospitality,
the riders set off again and passed through Taunton and on around Wellington.
The third scheduled stop of the day at around mile 62 was a complete mess up,
as the riders and Support Crew missed each other. The riders then unknowingy took
a wrong turn and proceded up several steep hills. SCS and riders were reunited
in Cullompton with ice creams! We reached the B&B at 1630 and had visits from
Charlotte Howard (Joe's ex-work colleague) and Paul Bruce (Peloton Rider). Today
was a day full of highs... high mileage, high temperature, high spirits, high
fat content breakfast and high-jinx! Tomorrow the hills of Devon! |
| | | |
| Blazing
Stats of the Day: | | | | |
| Punctures: | | nil |
| Flapjacks
Eaten: | | 28 |
| Flys
swallowed: | | 4,
8 riccochets | |
Flys stuck to suncream: | | 27 |
| Roadkill: | | 1
duck, 3 badgers, 1 fox, 1 crow, 1 squirrel | | | | |
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| DAY
9 (1.6.09): | |
Langford - Lostwithiel | | | | |
| Mileage:
| | 77 |
| Time
in Saddles: | | 6h52m |
| Ascent: | |
3,474ft | | Average
Speed: | | 13.15mph
| | Top
Speed: | | 44.6mph
(Giant Orca) | | | | |
| Report:
| |
And the
good weather continues! We left Langford on a crisp and clear morning and made
our way through stereo-typical Devon lanes - defined by the steep banks on either
side and the grass growing in the middle! We followed SCS (Support Crew South)
through these back lanes so not to worry about navigation. Although not always
the safe option, SCS nearly got runover by a doubledecker bus! Having
'bigged-up' SCS's aptitude vs. SCN we have found similar traits, including snoozing
on the job and sly flapjack consumption. However, in addition to this we have
also found that he visited three railway stations - spotter! Today
was a MASSIVE day for hills, it was up and down all day with very little flat.
One hill was 4 miles long! Joe managed to equal the tour's top speed of 44.6mph
so its all to play for tomorrow. We were lucky enough to experience some magnificent
views as we skirted around the top of Dartmoor, including one stop where SCS had
set up lunch for two including table and chairs! We
met Chris and Skippy Blumer (Cuddington Bucks residents!) and had our photo taken
for the village newspaper "The Village Voice" - how apt! One
minor mechanical incident today where Joe's pedal needed replacing so we stopped
in Liskeard for a pit stop. In order to rise to the challenge set by Barney on
our Just Giving site (an extra £50 if photographic evidence is presented
of swimming across 2 rivers en-route) at the end of the long hot day the riders
lauched headlong into the River Fowey. Many
thanks to those following the blog, the tracker and for the messages on the board. Its
our final day tomorrow, we are looking forward to joining the Peloton into Lands
End. Look out for our final posting and photos of reaching the end tomorrow. |
| | | |
| Blazing
Stats of the Day: | | | | |
| Punctures: | | nil |
| Flapjacks
Eaten: | | 17 |
| Flys
swallowed: | | 1,
5 riccochets | |
Flys stuck to suncream: | | 10 |
| Roadkill: | | 2
crows, 2 rabbits and (almost 1 Chasing Dolphin) | | | | |
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| DAY
10 (2.6.09):
| |
Lostwithiel - Land's End | | | | |
| Mileage:
| | 62 |
| Time
in Saddles: | | 4h31m |
| Ascent: | |
2,074ft | | Average
Speed: | | 14.10mph
| | Top
Speed: | | 48.6mph
(Giant Orca & Mighty Shark - TOUR RECORD) | | | | |
| Report:
| |
The final
day. We climbed out of Lostwithiel, a nasty steep hill first thing in the morning.
However, we had the Flying Flood with us and he did not let the side down. This
day seemed to drag on and on. You could smell the sea at Land's End but Cornwall
still had a couple of surprises up its sleeve for us. Continual hills and not
a great deal of flat gave us more pain. Joe's knees and Rob's achilles were burning
but determination was burning greater. With
our IT department riding alongside us we had the laptops out at the breakfast
stop to update the blog. Quite bizzare. We were then joined by Malcolm Holmes
in Camborne - straight off the train and with his bike ready to go. The Peloton
was growing... We
found our final river to swim across, the River Hayle, only 12 miles from the
finish. Photos to follow, Barney and Co! After
several steep climbs we descended into Penzance where we were met by the rest
of the family emblazoned in Blazing Saddles blue shirts. A brief lunch stop, and
the Peloton assembled and set off to complete the final 12 miles. Now we numbered
seven and we climbed up and out of Penzance. At the top of a series of steep hills
we were met by the final compliment of the Peloton, a further four cyclists (the
Hill Avoiders!) and being all in blue shirts we felt a little like extras in a
training video for bicycle mounted police recruits. Having
formed up we set off for the last time and approached Land's End. We could see
a large crowd having assembled at the entrance and thought they must be queuing
for something. However, as we approached it became apparant that they were waiting
for us as they were cheering and clapping as we arrived. We were also welcomed
by a piper who played us in. All a bit embarrasing really - but done in style
as the tannoy announced our arrival. We rode around to the back of the hotel where
we posed in front of the famous signpost for photographs and burst open several
bottles of Champagne. It
was relief, tiredness, elation, emotion and a wee bit of sadness - afterall it
was a year to the exact day of Dick Bruce's passing. Thanks
to all and hope you have enjoyed sharing our journey... what an adventure it was.
We are now officially End to Enders! | | | | |
| Blazing
Stats of the Day: | | | | |
| Punctures: | | nil |
| Flapjacks
Eaten: | | 14 |
| Flys
swallowed: | | nil
, 2 riccochets | |
Flys stuck to suncream: | | 15 |
| Roadkill: | | 1
blackbird , 1 rabbit and 3 squirrels | | | | |
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