Hi everyone, Im writing from home! Im back eventually after a combined 9 1/2hr journey back from John O'Groats. It seems weird being back it looks like home but its sunny??? None of us remember any sun from before we left 2 weeks ago!! But nice! I've had plenty of time to contemplate the last 2 weeks on the journey back. Im not sure what I was expecting to feel like after completing the ride, but I do feel slightly low and empty at the moment! Perhaps the return to reality or the fact the umbilical chord from the bike to me has now been cut, im not sure.... but I am happy I was able to complete the challenge. Before we started the ride I suppose I was using it as a form of therapy, escapism, a way of growth as a human being...... the list goes on, you know the usual personal growth through achievement/personal endevour.. but the day after I dont really feel that way. That aside I have seen some amazing scenery and experienced most exptremes of weather, incline, physical enduran...
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Day 11, the last long day! 80 miles from dingwall to somewhere a few miles north of Latheron! It's very remote this far north, rain, wind, oil rigs on the horizon! Last day tomorrow, 35 miles left. Its been a funny day today, both keith & I were low in spirits this morning, so close to the end but still with 80miles to do in the day! Spirits were up n down all day n took a big dive after turning left when we were met by a strong head wind and a mixture of hail & rain! Anyway we got through it and I will sleep well knowing that its a short one tomorrow ;-)
End of day 8, 590ish miles so far! Today was tough, with rough road surface and a head wind that was slowing us down as we cycling down hill! Also hitting Glasgow at 5pm and trying to navigate through was impossible n very dangerous! In dumbarton tonight cycling to fortwilliam tomorrow, 80+ miles! Next 2 days are the ones I've been looking forward to! Travelling past loch lomand and loch ness. I will be taking lots of pictures :-)
End of day 7 & what a day! Keith's back wheel buckled with 10 miles to go of day 6 so had to finish on spare bike, which is like going from a sports car to a tank! He also had to start today on the spare while mike sorted the other for us! He met us after 6 miles with new bike and we started the day properly. It took 2hrs to do 10miles, which was a bit of a nightmare! Fantastic views from the top & weather amazing! Got through the otherside of penrith & had lunch in tropical conditions, it was amazing! Mike even got his deck chair out of the van! Reached gretna an the scottish border. Yay! Can't believe we've got this far! One of keith's colleagues met us at the border in a kilt with a hip flask of whiskey to ease the cramp! We stopped for a bru in kirkpatrick, sofa was very soft & we spent too long there really! So last 14 miles was done under sunset then very quickly it turned pitch black! So eventually we arrived in Lockerbie after 10hrs! 500miles don...
72 miles today, so many hills it took 10hrs in the saddle! Cycled through bodmin moor which was unbelievably picturesque! Weather is great so far! In 2 days we've so far had no punctures and in 130 miles we believe we have climbed over 300 hills, a couple today were 16% gradient! The plan on day 1 was to finish around the time of sport relief, but we we're obviously too fast as they were a couple of hrs behind! So GC didn't get to meet fern cotton but my devina mcalls are definately a bit sore! We were told tonight that tomorrow is much flatter! Lets hope so!
Hi everyone, My last post before I leave for Lands End. We leave at 2am Thursday 4th March which is about 2 1/2 hours away. Im sat in my front room with a box full of mixed nuts, dried fruit, energy drink powder, a tub of Vaseline (dont ask!) and my cricket bag full of cycling gear and clothes for the journey in front of me. I cant wait to start now, Im so excited but slightly aprehensive for the journey ahead. The more I think about the ride the more my legs seemed to hurt (thats before I've started cycling)! Thankyou to everyone who has helped with the preparation, its the final countdown now and nearly time for action. See you all on the flip side!!!
Lands End to John O'Groats charity bike ride info
The route is 4th March, Lands end - Bodmin 5th March, Bodmin - Exbridge 6th March, Exbridge - Almondsbury 7th March, Almondsbury - Ludlow 8th March, Ludlow - Warrington 9th March, Warrington - Kendal 10th March, Kendal - Lockerbie 11th March, Lockerbie - Dumberton 12th March, Dumberton - Fort William 13th March, Fort William - Dingwall 14th March, Dingwall - Latheron 15th March, Latheron - John O'Groats The sponsor link is http://www.justgiving.com/James-Crisall