Day 9 our last day of cycling

Early Start from Inverness Youth Hostel, really warm even at 7 in the morning, our intended start time.

This being our last day and one of our longest being 120 miles to John O Groats




Surprisingly no one really had any muscular problems, the most common complaint being painful Achilles Tendons and painful bottoms, so we all felt we would get through the day and were excited to be on our last day.

We saw a few other guys doing lejog who were hoping to reach John O Groats the next day.

As this was to be a long day we decided to have more frequent stops but stop for less time, this worked well as we racked up the miles well and stayed on schedule all through the day to lead us to a finish of around 7:00pm

We had a lot of steep hills to deal with, fortunately these tended to be long slow inclines with massive, wicked descents. Some of us achieving speeds up to around 46mph!....don’t worry it was a national speed limit zone.

The wind grew steadily stronger throughout the day which we thought had slowed our pace but to our surprise we maintained our schedule

Our last stop was a Tesco superstore in Wick. The mood was euphoric….we only had 15 miles to go, despite David’s efforts to convince us otherwise there was a big sign saying 15 miles to John O Groats…….we were all hardcore cyclists now, 15 miles it was as good as in the bag

Badams felt he was fit enough to finish the last 15 with us, so we were back to full strength.

We wanted to stay together for this last stretch with the exception of Tim who was off to complete his additional mission of completing the most southern (Lizard Point) and northern (Dunnet Head) points of mainland UK, so he turned off after only about a mile.

We laughed and chatted all the way, we had a couple of wee stops together after downing our “Monster energy” drinks, Ben was coping well despite his knee still not letting him forget the previous 800+ miles he had completed and still being weak from being poorly.

As we approached John O Groats we lined up across the road as we rode, well tried to anyway….so we could all finish together

Hannah was waiting for us to video us as we arrived.

The wind by now was seriously strong and the sun was starting to go down, we arrived at the sign post at about 7:30pm, we previously discussed jumping in the sea on arrival, this idea went out the window when we got there as it was so cold.

Because of the lateness of our arrival the sign wasn’t out and you have to pay for it if it is there, so we all had our picture without the fingers and just the post.

Not much time for celebrating as we had 2 tents to put up, food to eat and laugh’s to be had.

Putting the tents up was not easy as it was still blowing a gale but we got there eventually.

About 2 hours after we arrived at John O Groats, Tim made it, we were so pleased to see him as it was pitch black and still very windy, he had a rough time of it but did with his mileage being 147 for the day compared to our 120….well done Tim (this was him the next morning)

Whilst Guy and Ben B went off in search of a takeaway the rest of us went to the pub, later we would eat our takeaway in the pub and then make our way back and go to bed

Day 8 Our Penultimate day

Today proved to be particularly eventful, all kicking off at about 6:50 this morning. In our room of 6 at the youthhostel, we woke up to Guys ‘modern alarm clock tune,’ the black eyed peas, which made a nice change to the rather painful previous alarm. Shortly after the alarm, word soon spread around the hostel about Ben Adams. Nobody knew what had happened to him, many questions were asked, but no answers given- had he made a run for home? Had he sprinted for the self glorifying early finish? In fact it was none of the above. It was to be much worse news.

Today, LEJOG took its first casualty- Ben had suffered from a sickness bug. Our fallen hero had previously battled through 5 days with bad knee injuries, sweltering heat conditions, love sickness and having to make his own bed whilst mike took over Hannah for a few days. After taking a day out Ben hopes to return to the team for another eventful day of riding tomorrow.

Whilst the sickness was occurring, Chris decided not to take note of the toilet door sign, and relieve himself in the ladies toilet, much to the amusement of the females present at the time.

After a hearty breakfast of porridge oats and orange juice we were ready to pack the car to set off. Hannah, our support mum/ team/ driver, has constantly kept a clean and tidy car for us, which being men we are truly grateful for.

We soon set off on our way looking ahead at the 85 miles which lay before us. As arranged we met Hannah at the commando memorial, however the cyclists beat the support team to the meeting place. Initially, this seemed odd. Hannah had never been late before. Was Ben a distraction? All was clear when the car turned up with Morrisons bags packed to the roof with food for our lunch and tea.

Our fast pace soon paid off as we cruised past loch lomond and onto Loch ness, just in time for the last ride on Nessy.

 

Time flew by and we arrived at Inverness Youth Hostel, to find our meal lovingly prepared by Hannah. Our chef special tonight was ‘bunnai chow,’ a South African curry dish, (pictures to follow), which was enjoyed by all.

 

Early start tomorrow so we plan to get an early night, apart from Ben (Bramhill) and Nathan who are sharing a room with 6 fat old men, probably snorers.

Other News:

Chris has been shown where the Gents toilets are.


David has now managed 2 days successfully without getting a puncture


The atmosphere is generally happy


Ben B and Nathan continue to amaze with their cycling and humour.

Day 7 Hannah's back

Early start today

The glorious sunshine of the previous day had been replaced with some Scotch mist, which was so dense that the moisture collecting on the leaves of the trees dripping down sounded like rain

It was bracing to say the least, we wrapped up as best we could and got cracking

Initially the route was stop start through the local towns, once we got out the towns and onto the A82 we were moving at a good pace and we were warming up

Not to be outdone, Hannah found a fantastic spot for one of our stops right by Loch Lomond. The sun was out and the views were stunning

Quick lunch and were off again, everyone feeling pretty good today, the smell of deep heat not too pungent.




The views today just got better and better, we’re all getting pretty good at taking piccys on the move which is a good job as there was so much to photograph


Absolutely breathe taking

We were into the Highland’s and if the views weren’t already spectacular they certainly were now. I don’t think anyone was prepared for the scale of stunning scenery laid out before us. The riding flowed well making it possible to try and take it all in

 

We arrived at Glencoe Youth hostel in pretty good shape after some monster descents

Hannah prepared a spag bol for us for our arrival. Just enough time for a quick shower….and relax

Day 6 Mike's last day

We all woke up without Guy's annoying alarm and at a reasnable time!!!!around 6:30~7:00, it had been a warm night but Guy was not in the tent.


after looking around Guy was found on his airbed asleep next to his car outside sleeping under the stars...good effort Guy (picture to follow)


Breakfast was OK, not up to the usual Christadelphian standard that we had come to expect


we got packed up and on our way in reasonable time...about 9 ish which considering we were camping was very good


the routes were rolling hills all day which meant lots of time in the saddle pedalling which meant an absolute pummelling on the back side it was tough going from the outset.

Our destination today would be Neilston and the home of the Dawson-Bowman's, some 105 miles ish from the campsite
The biggest thing for today was making it to Scotland, a big milestone being now our 3rd country and marking the start of our last stretch, the final third

We were only 3 miles in but it was great to reach Scotland

Our lunch stop after about 50 miles was fantastic; Mike had done really well to find the best (possibly) place ever.

It was a picnic spot with toilets which made it quite good but the best bit was the stream running right by it, not ones to miss an opportunity, we were straight in....Ben and Nathan had got there before the rest of us and they were already in, with the baking hot sun everyone else was straight in as soon as they arrived, the water was seriously cold but really nice, great for our suffering legs

 Well done Mike
Through the day we made pretty good time, we had got into a rhythm of stopping every 25 miles ish having a sandwich, a bit of fruit and a flapjack, refilling our bottles and moving on.


this takes about 30~45 minutes usually. This meant we were near our destination about 6:30


The last 5 miles though were killer, lots of hills and not entirely sure where we were, the sun was going down and we were getting cold

It was great to reach our hosts

Yet again we were looked after so well, even our bikes were pampered by being given the conservatory to stay in.


we all had beds, this was a first and very welcome.


the food and company as ever were ace and we were left yet again feeling so blessed
Sadly we had to say goodbye to Mike, despite all the banter Mike did a fantastic job of supporting us and we really appreciated all his efforts to satisfy the wants of an ungrateful bunch of would-be cyclists.

Day 4 Mike's first day

The Day started as most have with a good hearty breakfast....porridge and toast and tea except Chris who can't stand porridge and off we went.

Target today was Preston and the home of the Sutcliffes.

It was quickly apparent that the dietry requirements of our new support driver were somewhat different to Hannah's as our first stop was at a roadside cafe

It was a good day as it was only 80 something miles...a short one...the only short one as it looks like it's turning out.....heres an action shot

We arrived at the sutcliffes in good time to lovely welcome and a great spag bol.

We all managed to have a shower which was lovely after the last couple of days of wet flannel wipe down's.

Once we were all clean 4 of us went to the local Virgin Active Gym....this was superb......we had pre-arrange a sports massage and then had the use of the facilities.

While Nathan and BAdams had their massages Chris and BenB messed about like a couple of kids in the water park

We got changed after a smim and then enjoy a coffee and a Biscuit

Thanks very much Virgin

Not much else to report really.

Day 5 more than half way

Today started well, the Suttcliffe's spoilt us   WITH A GREAT BREAKSFAST THEN NEIL TOOK US THROUGH THE COMPLICATED BIT OF TOWN AFTER WHICH WE PARTED COMPANY , THANKS VERY MUCH NEIL.

WEATHER WAS GREAT AND THE ROADS WERE FLAT, WELL I SAY FLAT..... THEY WERE IN APPALLING CONDITION...............THE CONSTANT VIBRATION WOULD TAKE IT'S TOLL BY THE END OF THE DAY..........SHAP WAS TO BE OUR MASSIVE CHALLENGE OF THE DAY 1400FT CLIMB IN ONE HILL, WE ALL TOOK TO OUR OWN PACE, WHICH WE ALL DID WELL,

THE SUN WAS SHINING AND THE VIEWS WERE SPECTACULARWE ALL MADE TO THE TOP AND HAD A WELL DESERVED BREAK.

AFTER A FEW MINUTES A CHAP CAME CYCLING UP THE HILL TOWARDS US FROM THE OTHER SIDE OF THE HILL.....IT TURNED OUT THAT HE WAS DOING THE SAME AS US BUT THE OTHER WAS ROUND IN THE SAME TIME AND WE HAD ACTUALLY MET PRETTY MUCH AT THE HALF WAS POINT WHICH WAS PRETTY AMAZING.

WE PRESSED ON......THE DOWNHILLS WERE AWESOME.  

THE ONLY DRAMA FROM THEN WAS TIM GETTING A PUNCTURE . MOST OF THE CHAPS WENT ON TO THEN GET TO THE CAMPSITE...........YES CAMPSITE WE ARE CAMPING TONIGHT...THE FOOD INIALLY DIDNT WORK OUT TO WELL...half cooked chicken ona couple of disposable barbecues . SO WE ALL DECIDED THE THAT IT WAS BEST TO GET A TAKE AWAY, this ended up being delivered because THE CAR BROKE DOWN outside the pizza place....AAAaaarrrgghhhhh....We all decided that we would call the RAC and get it sorted tonight instead of in the morning

Guy fellon his word as it was his car and said he would go and sort it out so he cycled back to the car to wait for the RAC, the rest of us went to bed and that was the last we saw of Guy until the morning 

Day 3 Ian and Hannah leave

What a day...we had it all going on....

We were met by Brother Phil Noakes who lived locally and was a keen cyclist so he said he would come down and lead us through the first 5 or 6 miles before he went onto work......

We were heading for the Severn Bridge and Wales.....just short of the bridge however David had a big blowout and his tyre and inner tube were wrecked...despite spare tyres being on the list, nobody brought one with them so we now a had a problem on our hands.......fortunatley Ian didn't live that far away so asked his wife to get a wheel out of the shed and bring it to us.....what a star.

We made it accross the bridge, all be it frangmented, the view was fantastic

 

We stopped for food just after fixing the tyre just over the bridge where Ian's family was waiting for us with lots of food.

A really kind lady whose house we parked outside brought tea and coffee out to us.
AFTER FINISHING OUR TEA WE GOT BACK ON TRACK. UNFORTUNATELY WE WERE NOW ABOUT 2 AND 1 /2 HOURS BEHIND SCHEDULE, IT WAS LUNCHTIME AND WE HAD AROUND 90 MILES LEFT TO DO.. SO WE PRESSED ON.

TINTERN ABBEY AND THE VIEWS WERE STUNNING BUT HEAVY ON THE LEGS. ONCE WE HIT THE MAIN A ROADS WE GOT INTO A RYTHM AND MOVED ALONG TOGETHER RACKING UP  THE MILEAGE.

UNFORTUNATELY THE TIME CAME TOO SOON FOR US TO SAY GOODBYE TO IAN.

IAN WAS GREAT COMPANY AND ALSO A GREAT HELP USING HIS PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE OF 2 LEJOG'S AND HIS FITNESS TO REALLY HELP SUPPORT IN ANY WAY HE COULD. THANKS IAN, VERY MUCH.

AT AROUND THE SAME TIME AS SAYING GOODBYE TO IAN WE HAD A CHANCE MEETING WITH SOMEONE ELSE  DOING LEJOG BUT HE WAS DOING IT ON HIS OWN, NO SUPPORT AND ON A FIXED SPEED BIKE....FOR THODE WHO DON'T KNOW KNOW WHAT THAT MEANS, HE CAN'T FREEWHEEL DOWN HILLS, HE HAS TO PEDAL ALL THE WAY AND HE DOESN'T HAVE ANY GEARS. HERE'S A LINK TO HIS BLOG.

AFTER GOING OUR SEPERATE WAYS WE HAMMERED THROUGH MAKING QUICK WORK OF THE MILES AHEAD. OUR NEXT MAJOR STOP WAS HEREFORD MEETING HALL, JUST FOR A QUICK BREAK, HAD A CHANCE MEETING WITH THE RECORDING BROTHER, GOT TOOLED UP FOR SOME NIGHT RIDING AND OFF WE WENT AGAIN.

WE WEREN'T FEELING TOO BAD BUT NEEDED TO RIDE INTO THE DARKNESS WHICH WAS A LITTLE HAIRY AT TIMES AND COLD TOO.

FINALLY WE ARRIVED AT SHREWSBERRY MEETING TIRED BUT NOT BROKEN. DAVID'S PARENT'S MADE A REEL FUSS OF US AND YET AGAIN WE WERE SPOILT.....AND LOVING IT.....JUST WHAT WE NEEDED....QUICK WASH AND GOT OUR HEADS DOWN....

As a footnote this was Hannah's night of departure but this isn't the end of the story for Hannah's involvement as she will be back on Thursday, in the mean time Mike will be supporting us, he has some big shoes to fill, Hannah has done a superb job of looking after us, thanks Hannah