So...we made it!
The memory loss continues and I cant actually remember how we did it, but we did. 900+ miles in 8 days is some achievement and I think I am struggling to get my head around that right now.
The ride has had ups and downs. Not once did I want to get on my bike in the morning, but once going I enjoyed it. Looking back now, it has been great. A real experience and something that I will always remember.
We need to thank my Dad (Howard) as we could not have done this without his support. The thought that he was waiting within a mile from you at any point was great and a real comfort. Thanks to the boys for their encouragement and the fun that we had along the way. Thanks also to the team that joined us from Warrington to Kendal - it was great riding with you also. Finally, thanks to all of the wonderful (and generous) people that we met at the places that we stayed. You have been so kind and your support has been brilliant and has helped make our trip.
Every day we went through the pain barrier, both physically and mentally, but for me the thought of our goal of the school at Memusi kept me going. The physical and mental pain that we have suffered over these last few days is nothing in comparison to the suffering that the children of the Maasai will without the gift of education.
2 days post completion and I am back on the bike. Not 100 miles, but it was nice to get out. Strange though not to have my team with me. The pain is now going and thoughts are going through my mind of what is next. Watch this space!
Thanks to all for your kind support and donations towards our cause. Without you our work would be nothing. Thankyou!
Sunday, 28 September 2008
Friday, 26 September 2008
The End
I'm sat here in the car writing this on Cleve's blackberry. We are on the way back to Inverness from John O'Groats where at 1810 all four of us crossed the finishing line. It hasn't been such a great day. Its been cold for a start and got gradually more so the further north we got. The scenery was not as spectacular as we had been used to either. We have had one or two hills to climb but the road has been generally quite forgiving. The only major disaster was as we were around 30 miles from the end, my brakes went. It was like the whole world had come crashing down around me. I had cycled for 850 miles without any trouble and here we were within touching distance of the end and my bike is un-rideable.
As usual I was completely irrational, but thanks to Dad's patience, Matt's generosity in letting me ride his bike whilst he rode Cleve's spare and Cleve's support the team pulled together and the obstacle was overcome.
So, the very last day has been and gone and its been tough, sometimes downright awful. The truth is however that through all of the blood, sweat, tears and tantrums if you were to ask us all next week if we would do it again, we would almost definately say yes.
Jon
As usual I was completely irrational, but thanks to Dad's patience, Matt's generosity in letting me ride his bike whilst he rode Cleve's spare and Cleve's support the team pulled together and the obstacle was overcome.
So, the very last day has been and gone and its been tough, sometimes downright awful. The truth is however that through all of the blood, sweat, tears and tantrums if you were to ask us all next week if we would do it again, we would almost definately say yes.
Jon
Wednesday, 24 September 2008
Day 7 .....Are we there yet?
............nearly!
We stayed about 15 miles west of Pitlochry and the original plan was to drive back to the previous evenings end point ....... "You don't want to be doing that" said the lady at the lovely B&B, "if you jump straight on your bikes turn left towards Braemer, there's one decent climb then down hill into Inverness" ..... Sounds fair enough we all thought and off we went.
Turned left straight onto an uphill, which is never good first thing before your muscles have warmed up. This was only a small hill in comparison to the Glenshee mountain we then climbed ...... "A decent climb" was an understatement! We climbed into the ski resort above the ski lifts! The descent was fast but very cold and Matt looked funny in his 7 layers.
We then drove past Royal Balmoral and climbed a never ending hill to Tomintul. There were lots of beautiful views, however, the road that the B&B owner had sent us on had sent us at least 40 miles off route!!!
All we can say is its a good job we had the support car. We clamped on to get us back on route. We hopped back on the bikes and rode past Inverness and in Dornoch for our penultimate overnight stay.
We stayed about 15 miles west of Pitlochry and the original plan was to drive back to the previous evenings end point ....... "You don't want to be doing that" said the lady at the lovely B&B, "if you jump straight on your bikes turn left towards Braemer, there's one decent climb then down hill into Inverness" ..... Sounds fair enough we all thought and off we went.
Turned left straight onto an uphill, which is never good first thing before your muscles have warmed up. This was only a small hill in comparison to the Glenshee mountain we then climbed ...... "A decent climb" was an understatement! We climbed into the ski resort above the ski lifts! The descent was fast but very cold and Matt looked funny in his 7 layers.
We then drove past Royal Balmoral and climbed a never ending hill to Tomintul. There were lots of beautiful views, however, the road that the B&B owner had sent us on had sent us at least 40 miles off route!!!
All we can say is its a good job we had the support car. We clamped on to get us back on route. We hopped back on the bikes and rode past Inverness and in Dornoch for our penultimate overnight stay.
Day 6 ....Biggar to Pitlochry
Another 100 mile slog!
Biggar to Pitlochry was split into 3 challenging parts. We set off after a hearty breakfast and headed for Edinburgh at 8.45. We took the road by storm and hit the Edinburgh bypass by 11 !! After a nice lunch overlooking the Forth, we headed over the bridge to cycle to Perth. On from Perth and we hit Pitlochry at 6 for a nice fish, chip and deep fried black pudding tea! A massively successful day and probably the best day yet. It wasn't the easiest, but certainly made us all work hard and we met that challenge well.
The scary things are that we are now suffering memory loss! Nobody can remember where we have stayed or where we have cycled without serious thought. It is the strangest feeling. We are in Scotland now and actually can't honestly remember how we got here!
On top of us suffering from short term memory loss, the sores are really hitting. The majority below the waist and not really where you want sores. It is painful actually climbing onto the bikes. The positive is that the legs don't hurt any more...simply because other parts hurt so much.
Onwards and upwards.
Biggar to Pitlochry was split into 3 challenging parts. We set off after a hearty breakfast and headed for Edinburgh at 8.45. We took the road by storm and hit the Edinburgh bypass by 11 !! After a nice lunch overlooking the Forth, we headed over the bridge to cycle to Perth. On from Perth and we hit Pitlochry at 6 for a nice fish, chip and deep fried black pudding tea! A massively successful day and probably the best day yet. It wasn't the easiest, but certainly made us all work hard and we met that challenge well.
The scary things are that we are now suffering memory loss! Nobody can remember where we have stayed or where we have cycled without serious thought. It is the strangest feeling. We are in Scotland now and actually can't honestly remember how we got here!
On top of us suffering from short term memory loss, the sores are really hitting. The majority below the waist and not really where you want sores. It is painful actually climbing onto the bikes. The positive is that the legs don't hurt any more...simply because other parts hurt so much.
Onwards and upwards.
Monday, 22 September 2008
Day 5 - buttocks like leather
We started off the day in Kendal at the Glen guesthouse where we were looked after like royalty. We had spent the evening sat outside in a hot tub easing our weary legs and we really can't thank them enough for their hospitality. The day started OK. A nice gentle ride out of Kendal admiring the beautiful scenery. Gradually the terrain got steeper and steeper until we came upon signs warning of ice and snow and that we were approaching Shap Fell. For those of you who don't know what Shap Fell is, it's a hill were you ascend 1400 ft in around four miles. It nearly killed us all, but still nobody has got off their bikes to push. We are now in Scotland and in Biggar tonight. The weather is beautiful, as is the scenery and we just hope for more of the same in the days to come. Cleve not had an accident for a couple of days now so things are looking up. All still suffering from bum ache and will all have buttocks like leather when we get home.
Day 4 ..... the gang gets bigger
Sally, Andy & Richard joined the gang today for the Warrington to Kendall leg. Great start to the day when Sally & Andy got lost trying to find the Paddington Hotel. We set off in convoy at a steady pace so the newcomers could keep up! Arrived in Wigan in no time where trying to get through the town centre was a bit hairy! Lane changes galore and Sally was nearly hit by a group of youths in a red Corsa.
On the road to Preston, a few wrong turnings but nothing serious and stopped off at a Cycle shop for a bit of tinkering with Cleve's bike and a much needed wee in a lovely 'brown' toilet! At one point Sally decided to cycle on the wrong side of the road as she thought it was a dual carriage way and then came back to the right side to hear Jon shouting to say watch out there's a big lorry behind you!
At this point Sally was beginning to think she would not make it to Kendal unless it was in the back of an ambulance!
Arrived in Preston by lunch. Had a very scenic cycle to Lancaster and once in the town centre there was a very steep downhill road past the castle which made you go weeeeeeeeeee as you sped down it. Got through the centre after a few dodgy lane changes (including Howard in the support car) and had to mount onto the cycle path as the road was very congested. As we stopped at the traffic lights a crazy old lady started to huff and puff at us for being on the pavement. Matt explained that it was a cycle path but she continued to argue that we should use our common sense and that her 5 year old grandson rides on the road. Thinking about contacting Lancaster social services if that is the case! Sally wanted to say 'Sorry it'll never happen again' but was too busy giggling behind Jon's back.
The last 10 miles to Kendal were hard for the newcomers. The big hills suddenly appeared and we were also down to our last drops of water, however the scenery was a much needed tonic. Drove through a lovely place with a stream, herons and deer and saw a hot air balloon.
Arrived at Kendal at approx. 6pm where we were greeted with cold cans of coke.
Accidents: 0
Punctures: 0
Crazy ladies: 1
Sore bums: 6
Sally, Andy and Richard would like to say thanks to Jess and Vic who took their day out to drive us there and back. Also to Howard and the three boys for their words of encouragement.
On the road to Preston, a few wrong turnings but nothing serious and stopped off at a Cycle shop for a bit of tinkering with Cleve's bike and a much needed wee in a lovely 'brown' toilet! At one point Sally decided to cycle on the wrong side of the road as she thought it was a dual carriage way and then came back to the right side to hear Jon shouting to say watch out there's a big lorry behind you!
At this point Sally was beginning to think she would not make it to Kendal unless it was in the back of an ambulance!
Arrived in Preston by lunch. Had a very scenic cycle to Lancaster and once in the town centre there was a very steep downhill road past the castle which made you go weeeeeeeeeee as you sped down it. Got through the centre after a few dodgy lane changes (including Howard in the support car) and had to mount onto the cycle path as the road was very congested. As we stopped at the traffic lights a crazy old lady started to huff and puff at us for being on the pavement. Matt explained that it was a cycle path but she continued to argue that we should use our common sense and that her 5 year old grandson rides on the road. Thinking about contacting Lancaster social services if that is the case! Sally wanted to say 'Sorry it'll never happen again' but was too busy giggling behind Jon's back.
The last 10 miles to Kendal were hard for the newcomers. The big hills suddenly appeared and we were also down to our last drops of water, however the scenery was a much needed tonic. Drove through a lovely place with a stream, herons and deer and saw a hot air balloon.
Arrived at Kendal at approx. 6pm where we were greeted with cold cans of coke.
Accidents: 0
Punctures: 0
Crazy ladies: 1
Sore bums: 6
Sally, Andy and Richard would like to say thanks to Jess and Vic who took their day out to drive us there and back. Also to Howard and the three boys for their words of encouragement.
Day 3 ...... and now we're motoring
Really getting into this long haul cycling malarkey. The ride is getting really pleasant now, flat (ish) roads, great weather, very nice views.
Started the day replacing Jon's tyres. Strange how his tyre repairing led to an immediate puncture! Stopped at the cycle shop for gel seat pack for Cleve, of which they didn't have any, so they supplied some home-made polystyrene bottom pad & sold him some padded underwear. All 3 of us as are suffering with saddle soreness!
Kiddermister, Bridgenorth, Shrewsbury and Whitchurch all very pleasant but quite uneventful (which is a good thing). We just churned the miles and admired the properties that give us a glimpse into how the other half live!
Seeing signs to Crewe, Manchester and even Leeds was both rewarding and strange. Rewarding as it shows how far up the country we have come and strange as we we're closer to home (own bed, nice seat, creature comforts ........ Oops I digress!).
We finally arrived into Warrington with the Friday evening traffic, the Paddington Hotel in Warrington were very accommodating, providing us a safe lock up for the bikes and free breakfast for us all (thanks). Also want to thank the staff and guests at the Paddington for their best wishes and donations.
Started the day replacing Jon's tyres. Strange how his tyre repairing led to an immediate puncture! Stopped at the cycle shop for gel seat pack for Cleve, of which they didn't have any, so they supplied some home-made polystyrene bottom pad & sold him some padded underwear. All 3 of us as are suffering with saddle soreness!
Kiddermister, Bridgenorth, Shrewsbury and Whitchurch all very pleasant but quite uneventful (which is a good thing). We just churned the miles and admired the properties that give us a glimpse into how the other half live!
Seeing signs to Crewe, Manchester and even Leeds was both rewarding and strange. Rewarding as it shows how far up the country we have come and strange as we we're closer to home (own bed, nice seat, creature comforts ........ Oops I digress!).
We finally arrived into Warrington with the Friday evening traffic, the Paddington Hotel in Warrington were very accommodating, providing us a safe lock up for the bikes and free breakfast for us all (thanks). Also want to thank the staff and guests at the Paddington for their best wishes and donations.
Friday, 19 September 2008
Day 2
Day two and in comparison to day one it was a complete breeze. Having said that, the day was not without incident.
Cleve managed to go over the handlebars again, but thankfully it was only at around five mph compared to forty mph on day one. Today has been the first that we have been verbally abused. A giant of a man, leaning out of his van window whilst we were in Gloucester. We couldn't quite grasp what he was saying, but probably something about muck spreading and getting off his land. Matt has been sick twice and everyone has terrible bum ache caused by rock hard saddles. The day has been rounded off nicely in Worcester where we stayed at Burgage House where Louise and her husband were fantastic hosts. We can highly recommend this B & B and we can't thank them enough.
Accidents 1,
Sickness 2
Verbal abuse 1
Sore buttocks 3
Cleve managed to go over the handlebars again, but thankfully it was only at around five mph compared to forty mph on day one. Today has been the first that we have been verbally abused. A giant of a man, leaning out of his van window whilst we were in Gloucester. We couldn't quite grasp what he was saying, but probably something about muck spreading and getting off his land. Matt has been sick twice and everyone has terrible bum ache caused by rock hard saddles. The day has been rounded off nicely in Worcester where we stayed at Burgage House where Louise and her husband were fantastic hosts. We can highly recommend this B & B and we can't thank them enough.
Accidents 1,
Sickness 2
Verbal abuse 1
Sore buttocks 3
Thursday, 18 September 2008
Day 0 ....... And where off
..... And where off.
Leeds to Lands End to Truro
Loading the car took some doing, but we got there. Headed to Land's End from West Yorkshire and arrived at our start on the cliff at 5.30pm
2 miles in, Cleve's front brakes were binding - fixed.
10 miles later, Cleve gets mud on front tyre, picks up speed, goes to turn corner but bike didn't go with him ....CRASH..... traffic stopped, cuts everywhere, offers of trips to hospital refused - what lovely people.
Anyway Cleve is able to carry on. A30 is very fast (for cars), cycled the rest of the route as darkness set in. Matt has a puncture and Jon has a tantrum as he really fancies riding in the dark on the motorway.
Dinner in local Wetherspoon pub, Cleve can hardly walk, badly bruised - will he able to cycle tommorow?
Crashes = 1 (Cleve)
Punctures = 1 (Matt)
Tantrums = 1 (Jon)
Leeds to Lands End to Truro
Loading the car took some doing, but we got there. Headed to Land's End from West Yorkshire and arrived at our start on the cliff at 5.30pm
2 miles in, Cleve's front brakes were binding - fixed.
10 miles later, Cleve gets mud on front tyre, picks up speed, goes to turn corner but bike didn't go with him ....CRASH..... traffic stopped, cuts everywhere, offers of trips to hospital refused - what lovely people.
Anyway Cleve is able to carry on. A30 is very fast (for cars), cycled the rest of the route as darkness set in. Matt has a puncture and Jon has a tantrum as he really fancies riding in the dark on the motorway.
Dinner in local Wetherspoon pub, Cleve can hardly walk, badly bruised - will he able to cycle tommorow?
Crashes = 1 (Cleve)
Punctures = 1 (Matt)
Tantrums = 1 (Jon)
Day 1 ..... wobbly start
Wednesday......the first full day completed and it has been physical and mental hell. The morning started poorly when Matt's handlebars were wobbly which delayed the start. The day was climb after climb all day and in the end the mental aspect of keeping going was torture as much as the limbs were sore. In the end we made it, but it was a real toll. The roads were dangerous and it was pure relief to be completed.
Accidents: 1 (yep Cleve again falling off)
Punctures: 1 (Cleve)
Sore bottoms: 3
Accidents: 1 (yep Cleve again falling off)
Punctures: 1 (Cleve)
Sore bottoms: 3
Sally's Blog- What have I let myself in for???????
After conversations with Matthew, the reality of cycling 74 miles on Staurday is starting to sink in. I know it's not as impressive as those three in terms of miles but to me it's a massive challenge. Plus i don't actually own a road bike so I have had to borrow Matthew's in and between his training and probably haven't done as much as i should. Therefore with no bike atb all this week I have been to the gym every day pedalling furiously for 30 minutes at a time. I think this counts as training even though i have been reading quality magazines whilst I pedal... you can't beat a good 'Take a Break' article about some supposed real life story about someone's sister's, husband's, auntie's cousin twice removed, running off with the milkman, to get you through the pain barrier.
I am only a novice with the cycling but luckly have tackled a few ferocious hills due to where matthew and I live. However i do have some advice for any female thinking about taking up cycling, - choose you underwear carefully- you wouldn't beleive the pain a tiny bit of lace can do! I wish someone would have told me before as I found out the hard way.
Looking forward to cycling alongside Matthew though and hoping his high spirits are not completely in tatters as I am relying on him to get me through it especially up those blumming hills.
Anyway, i'm signing off now to buy Bananas and Flap Jack for fuel on Saturday. I will probably want to stuff my face with cream cakes afterwards so i hope Kendall has a late night cream cake shop. Best save a banana though just in case.
Wish me luck
Sally
I am only a novice with the cycling but luckly have tackled a few ferocious hills due to where matthew and I live. However i do have some advice for any female thinking about taking up cycling, - choose you underwear carefully- you wouldn't beleive the pain a tiny bit of lace can do! I wish someone would have told me before as I found out the hard way.
Looking forward to cycling alongside Matthew though and hoping his high spirits are not completely in tatters as I am relying on him to get me through it especially up those blumming hills.
Anyway, i'm signing off now to buy Bananas and Flap Jack for fuel on Saturday. I will probably want to stuff my face with cream cakes afterwards so i hope Kendall has a late night cream cake shop. Best save a banana though just in case.
Wish me luck
Sally
Monday, 15 September 2008
So here goes. After all the training, planning & stress, the time has finally arrived for us to start the ride. I think it's finally hit us all on the challenge we are just about to embark on, with a mixture of nervous excitement & eagerness to start ...... what have we got ourselves into!! Some amazing sponsors & pledges (Thanks) provide us all the drive to do this rain, wind or shine! - yep that's right, we do expect some rain.
The support car has been collected (supplied by HBOS - thanks), we're all packed with bikes checked, puncture repair kits, iPods & enough lycra to stretch between day 1's route.
So at 8am on Tuesday (Day 0) the last stop (& loading) as we set off for the long drive to Land's End. First ride (c.36 miles) from Land's End to Truro (our 1st nights stay), this should loosen us up for the next big day over Bodmin moors ........
The support car has been collected (supplied by HBOS - thanks), we're all packed with bikes checked, puncture repair kits, iPods & enough lycra to stretch between day 1's route.
So at 8am on Tuesday (Day 0) the last stop (& loading) as we set off for the long drive to Land's End. First ride (c.36 miles) from Land's End to Truro (our 1st nights stay), this should loosen us up for the next big day over Bodmin moors ........
Monday, 1 September 2008
Matts August Post
It has been a while since i posted! Thought i better get to it as Cleve has been on my back.
Things have been crazy over the past couple of months in arrangements. Last month Jon and I planned a big ride together. We planned to ride to Scarborough and back and on pointing out to Jon that it would be a bit daft to go unsupported we planned a different more local route. As per all of our plans we awoke to find storms and wind! After a large bowl of porridge we set off and managed around 20 miles before i got a puncture again. Again we both looked at each other and asked who had the repair kit (yep 9 months of training and we still dont remember the repair kit). We called out some support and hit the road again with a new inner tube in. Another 15 miles down the road and another puncture. THis time we opened the puncture repair kit to find the glue had run out! We wisely then decided that due to stops we wouldnt have lunch. At 5pm and after 80 miles we ran out of steam - nothing left to burn. Lessons still being learnt on a number of fronts!
We went on holiday together and have just returned. We cycled almost every day and things are going well. Jon is confident but i must say that my concerns are now growing a bit as it is starting to dawn of what we are taking on. I am sure that everything will be fine and i just cant wait to get day 2 over with and i think i will be fine. Luckily Dad will be with us to ensure that we are eating and have tools to fix our bikes!
In support of Cleves note, thanks again to all those who donated so far - it is greatly appreciated.
Things have been crazy over the past couple of months in arrangements. Last month Jon and I planned a big ride together. We planned to ride to Scarborough and back and on pointing out to Jon that it would be a bit daft to go unsupported we planned a different more local route. As per all of our plans we awoke to find storms and wind! After a large bowl of porridge we set off and managed around 20 miles before i got a puncture again. Again we both looked at each other and asked who had the repair kit (yep 9 months of training and we still dont remember the repair kit). We called out some support and hit the road again with a new inner tube in. Another 15 miles down the road and another puncture. THis time we opened the puncture repair kit to find the glue had run out! We wisely then decided that due to stops we wouldnt have lunch. At 5pm and after 80 miles we ran out of steam - nothing left to burn. Lessons still being learnt on a number of fronts!
We went on holiday together and have just returned. We cycled almost every day and things are going well. Jon is confident but i must say that my concerns are now growing a bit as it is starting to dawn of what we are taking on. I am sure that everything will be fine and i just cant wait to get day 2 over with and i think i will be fine. Luckily Dad will be with us to ensure that we are eating and have tools to fix our bikes!
In support of Cleves note, thanks again to all those who donated so far - it is greatly appreciated.
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