Monday 30 April 2012

Day 9...

So far I have cycled some 532miles in rain storms and vicious winds and one day, Day 8 with the first actually sunny day with no showers turning out to be the perfect weather conditions.

My updates via my blog have been very minimal. I had not expected to have next to no evening time. As I am cycling from the most southern point to the most northern of the UK unsupported a lot of logistics and preparation is needed once I stop. Most days have been 10houts long, with about 3hours of stoppages, photographs, food etc

Last two days Day 7 and Day 8 could not have been any more different. Day 7 essentially cycling in a storm for just over 7 hours with essentially city or town areas. Day 8 breathtaking views and scenery with perfect wind direct, great roads, good speed and simple mechanical issues that didn't destroy the days ride.

As Day 8 was so good we perhaps got carried and with photographs, but I think it has been long over due.

Day 9 and heading to Lockerbie. A tough start with the climbing, but we are today crossing into Scotland... cannot wait!

Please please keep donating, this has be the toughest challenge of my life and all money raised is going to a great cause.

Justgiving.com/e2ecr


Thank you


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Friday 27 April 2012

Beginning of Day 6: in my top bunk at the The Mill Clun.

Reception is very much hit or miss. So i'll be quite quick.


Scenery amazing. Youth hostel, bar the others snoring perfect. The Sun Inn, Clun delightful with the kindest people. £20 extra raised thanks to the people of Clun.


I'm mentally defeating this challenge now... physically I'm okay but mentally it is tough. Yesterday was a mental breakthrough for me.


Please keep donating at justgiving.com/e2ecr


Thank you everyone, particularly my wife Lucie who is missed everyday. Can't wait to see you.


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Day 1, 2, 3 and 4

Will be making a thorough report hopefully this evening, arrival time being well.

Essentially as you may have noticed, its been rain pretty much all the way except for Tuesday very light shower.

Totally nailed Cheddar yesterday and thoroughly enjoyed the experience!


This is certainly a mental challenge more so than physical.


www.justgiving.com/e2ecr


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Saturday 14 April 2012

The day after its last professional service before departure



Panniers only missing food, but everything is in them with lots of room to spare. Good short training ride. Hopefully off out again later.
The bike is running really well.
Not long to the start of 14 days, 950+ miles and all unsupported.

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Friday 13 April 2012

The beginnings of my kit...

http://instagr.am/p/JX1KM5JjLJ/


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Thursday 12 April 2012

Hoping to help raise awareness

Will be wearing this with pride!


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The jersey has arrived

The two jerseys have arrived and that's really hit home how close to the start I am... nervous... excited... wish it was the 22nd


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Monday 9 April 2012

2 weeks to go

2 weeks today Dad and I shall be on our bikes and about 2 hours into the 14day challenge to John O'Groats – nervous and excited!

This weekend has not gone as I had quite planned as unfortunately my granddad is still struggling with his health and has again be taken to hospital. Unfortunately I only had one days ride, well one 98km ride which I completed in 3hrs 33mins on my Fuji race bike. This consisted of two category climbs (4 and a 5), but did notice my lack of energy once I had hit 20km left. I put this down to a series of reasons: firstly I did not take food with me and did not stop to take on more food. Secondly, I was really pushing myself to see what time I could get over this type of distance. It is and was a good eye opener as I shall not be racing with Dad on each leg of LEJOG we shall be steadily proceeding through each day. Therefore if we take 7 hours to cycle 100km this in my opinion is not bad at all because over the course of 14days that I think for Dad and I is a good rate.

The aim of this 14day challenge is to reach John O'Groats in a good state, not be burnt out by day 3 and needing to return home. In my mind set I have one goal - John O'Groats! 

The ride on Saturday 7th April was good, although the very early morning dew was slippery under wheels. I have race slicks on my Fuji and that meant on a short 2 meter slope I locked up on the back wheel - a good wake up call for the next 90km. The day ahead had forecast of rain and wind and all I had was cloud with breaking sunny spells. There was next to nothing in terms of wind, but as the mornings ride progressed towards midday, the temperatures appeared to drop so I was glad to reach the destination and get a warm shower and freshen up.

Hoping to pop out later today for a 20–40km ride in the rain, but I shall see how the day progresses. I need to finalising a lot of the logistical items today/this week so I best jump off the computer and get on.


Please don't forget to donate: www.justgiving.com/e2ecr

3 weeks to go

Late post for 3 weeks to go (and 2 weeks to go, shall put this up next) I know, but the last couple of weeks has seen some unexpected developments.

The week saw one of my first evening rides which consisted of a 44km town ride in the evening now that the sunset is that much later. It was a good quick ride on my Fuji race bike - such a great ride! Looking forward to the ride with Dad.

Dad turned up at mine for our ride together with some unfortunate news. Granddad had the end of life care team called out after being sent home from hospital. So the ride with dad essentially meant a lot of thinking and a lot of questions.

We set off together for a 94km ride together with two category climbs (based on mapmyride.com ratings). One category climb was quite early on into the ride and this was a category 4 and the category 5 climb didn't occur until we had reached about 73km. The weather was pretty good to us and the wind too was very kind. There must have been only about 4km of a head wind with our last 10km before reaching home - can't complain.

I set off on this ride on the Dawes Touring bike with both panniers, but not completely full. It was more a becoming familiar exercise for me. Dad has riden with panniers for as long as I can remember no matter what journey he was making – work, pleasure, exercise – panniers were always present.

I also spent some more time on the route planning and now has a total mileage of about 888miles, but the hill climbs are still just as steep and aren't getting any smaller.

I have planned for the Easter weekend a few rides and these should contain two 98km rides with two category climbs (4 and 5) and then a short ride of perhaps 40km in the rain. There is no fair weather cycling for me.

Please donate whatever you can: http://www.justgiving.com/e2ecr