Day 15
Sunday 15 July 2012

The final leg. A happy start to the day in Helmsdale for all of us except Jo, who was feeling very poorly. An inability to stay warm, consume food or drink and an upset stomach does not set you up for the final days ride and the celebration that the rest of us were revving up for.

She was determined to ride - and rode she did.

On the verge of leaving Helmsdale, we witnessed the heavens opening. Wow. What a heavy shower. It went on quite a while and we delayed the start.

Then we were off. And immediately on to a climb. Heather was off, like she was on a time trial. At the top of the climb, the fastest descent I have ever done. It was fast but it didn't feel as fast as 47.5mph. That was quite scary when I looked at that statistic in the cafe at lunchtime.

A headwind then tried to keep us out of John O'Groats but nothing was going to stop us getting there. Not even the hard, bumpy road which felt like agony to me. I was tucked up behind Heather, or Glynis, or Suzanne. I did a short spell on the front myself, but it was short.

And then a final van stop in a lay by whilst we re grouped for the mass descent past our hotel and to the legendary sign post oin JOG. What a great feeling. It was a blue sky, sunny, warm day, We were blessed. The final photo is an image now etched in my memory. What a wonderful moment. A fantastic achievement. We had done it. We had done it.

Day 14

Saturday 14 July

Dry, sunny with an odd heavy shower

Newtonmore to Helmsdale

72 miles

 

Really lovely ride out. Started later then planned when Lucy was found with her 8th puncture!

 

Route was alongside and then on the A9.

 

Coffee stop in a bakery and I took the opportunity to buy party cups for the bubbly arrival into John O Groats.

Then on to a layby where we met a relation of our McLeader Jo who served hot cross buns and coffee out of the back of her car.

Onwards to Dunrobin castle for photos and then an 11 mile sprint to Helmsdale on Heather's wheel!! Wow. That was hard. But great fun. 

Arrived into the youth hostel at Helmsdale. A few in the group didn't arrive as expected and had stopped off at the pub!

Bed for 9pm after briefing. The majority of the work is done now. Just one last big hill tomorrow. Steep. Two miles long. Then bubbly.

 

Glowing like never before.

Day 13

Friday 13 July

Newtonmore to Inverness

50 miles

 

After a fire at breakfast from the dualit (!!) toaster and the hilarity which always goes hand in hand with a communal hostel breakfast, what a treat. A gentle 50 mile spin with morning coffee in aviemore and lunch at a village store.

Dry. Bright.

Stomach better. Knee hurt when clipping in to my pedal but ok on the bike. Shoulders painful in the morning but better in the afternoon.

Todays ride was relaxed and sociable. A few fun sprints off the front of the otherwise tight peloton of 10.

No punctures.

2 visits to the bike shop for gear and pedal problems in the group on arrival into inverness. Thanks to Highland Bicycle co for their helpfulness and prompt attention.  For the rest of the group the earliest afternoon finish at 3pm, a shower, protein shake and bed until dinner at 7.

After dinner, briefing and bed for 8.30pm.

Blissful day. Such delight. Big glow.

Day 12

New lanark to comrie croft, crieff

72 miles

Beautiful sunny day. Stunning scenery. Really, really jaw droppingly gorgeous. Round corner after corner as we climbed and climbed we saw spectacular woodland, lochs, open moorland, pine forests ...wow. And those views went on for hours. We were blessed by the weather.

As we left comrie croft I had noticed a front end shudder. I asked pete to look over it at morning coffee. My headset was loose. There was travel in it. It was uncomfortable to ride, sending vibrations into my already very painful shoulders. Pete tightened it but there was still travel in it. I needed a full repair really but the group were leaving.

So, onwards. And the vibrations went with me. This was the hilliest day with fast sweeping descents through the highlands. But you wouldn't want to take them quickly with a feeling like the front end has a square tyre on it,particularly under braking. Ouch. Painful. Also unnerving.

This was a very hard day for me. The morning causing intense left knee pain which bizarrely left me in the afternoon and the day generally wrecking my shoulders.

We were late into newtonmore hostel. I had a stomach upset too by that time and didn't fancy food but felt weak.

My headset needed work. It was dismantled by pete. The bearings had come out of the unit in the headset. Pete assembled it with help from heather. I stood by, feeling faint, cold, shivery and poorly. I tried to help glynis with jo's gearing problems. I popped in to the hostel where a wood burning stove had been lit. That was glowing. It was lovely. I made a hot water bottle and put it in bed.

By 830pm the headset was fixed. Yippee. I wouldn't be in the van the next day. Just needed to sort out the stomach now.

Suzanne gave me some rehydration sachets and I managed some pasta for tea. Heather massaged my shoulders and I did her lower back. And then at 930 bed for me.

I dozed and woke with indigestion. I tried to relieve it with cool water. Eventually at 11pm I got up and sought out some rennies. Thanks lucy. Then sleep.

I felt unwell today. In pain. Weak through reduced food intake. Worried about my bike, my stomach, my closeness to fainting on the bike or falling asleep and the ride was intense. Particularly drafting on a stretch of the busy A9, not for the fainthearted at anytime.

So glad when sleep came.

Hard day. Was only slightly glowing tonight.   

Day 11

Wednesday 11 July 2012

Langholm to Crieff

67 miles

Wet

Really wet

Full waterproofs today

Hard ride today. Very painful behind me left knee. Hard to diagnose why. My handlebars have been raised. My saddle pitch adjusted. I lost a cleat screw and replaced that but my cleat might not be quite in the right place. Who knows. Hard to know what best to do about it. Tiger balm. Ibuleve. Ibuprofen. And spinning. I feel the pain on each revolution save for hill climbing. Luckily there was some climbing this afternoon. Hard. Steep. Hot in full waterproofs. But such relief from the pain.

 

The route today was specatular. Through moorland. Forest. Woodland. Bracken. Wild flowers.  Wildlife. Lakes as still as can be.  Simply stunning.

Morning stop was in a butchers shop come cafe. We bought 20 sausages for dinner for less than 5 quid. The butcher sponsored us. So did a customer in the shop. I think they felt sorry for the 10 sodden cyclists looking outside at the persistent rain.

Lunch was at a lovely cafe at labert. The radiators were on and we were able to dry stuff out.

Then off into the rain again.

 

Hostelling today at crieff. 8 girls in 1 room and the 3 boys in another. Dinner was outside catered for us.

Relaxing.

Glowing. In need of early night tonight to rest my sore knee. Complete with tiger balm.

Good night. Glowing.

Day 10

Langholm to new lanark

Wet

72 miles

Erm, monotonous riding. Head down. 30 miles of hard lumpy, bumpy roads. Rain. Penetrating. A puncture. Painful shoulders (although not as bad as they have been) and a painful muscle spasm behind my left knee on the up stroke. Ouch. Got progressively worse. But the end of the day had a sauna waiting. And a comfortable bed. In the new lanark mill hotel.

Coffee stop was at lockerbie truck stop. Lunch was at the welcome break service station at abington. Neither were of note but sufficed.

For the first time on this trip today I could have swapped pedalling in the rain for many other options. It didn't last long because this is a great challenge and a fabulous group of friends.

Then, as I was chatting to glynis ona bumpy stretch I asked if the road was really bumpy or if I was punctured. I was flat. Rear. We changed it over and off we went again.

After lunch a rogue swerve manouevre aka an absent moment  by heather resulted in an incident in the peleton with 2 riders going down. No problems and they were both up. But before heather had clipped back in with her left foot she went down again. Looked a bit like a sugar drop and she was on the verge.

The end of the day took us to the new lanark mill hotel. Lovely. Dinner in the bar. And bed for 10pm.

Glynis heather and I sharing. 3 beds in a row. Like goldilocks and the 3 bears. Porridge in the morning sealed the theme.

Glowing.  

Day 9

Kendal to langholm

Eskdale hotel

69 miles

Dry

Set off and climbed out of kendal over shap. Found that hard. After a rest day and a massage which left me spaced out too. My handlebars raised must have resulted in my saddle being out of position. I started with lady numbness which spread into my thighs. I was getting worried. I couldn't relieve the numbness. I couldn't stand up. My knees were painful too. Under the caps. The pain brought tears to my eyes. But my cycling buddies were kind and urged me on.

We stopped at shap for coffee and biscuits. Pete altered my saddle and that was much better.

Then a great descent.

Jo punctured.

On to plumpton for lunch at the coral rooms and aquatic centre. I was expecting a swimming pool!! But found lots of fish and fish paraphenalia.

Lucy was punctured as we were due to leave. She punctured again like a car back firing in carlisle. Heather and I cycled into town to get a new tyre as it had split. The group set off from carlisle with a repaired tyre for lucy. Heather and I negotiated the one way system in carlisle most inefficiently and caught up with the group at longtown at a pub.

Then 3 miles to scotland. What a sense of achievement to get there. Lots of photos.

Then a fast train in to langholm for heather, glynis and I and a lovely scenic route to langholm for. Liz, jo, suzanne, lucy,carol, simon and jerry.

I had a much better and stronger afternoon and really enjoyed it.

Dinner at 830 was steak. Great protein replacement.

Glowing.  To be alive. To feel strong. To be in scotland after having landed in newquay and not having needed anything other than my bike to get there.

Am so happy.

Day 8

Rest day

Clothes wash

Massage courtesy of christine evans

Bike wash

Sadly, said bye to sue as she left the group after a storming week of riding.

Christine left with nigel in their van.

Helen e, cathy, mike and martine rode back to manchester.

New brake blocks for me

Then off for picnic lunch and a row on windermere. Beautiful day. Very relaxing.

Dinner and briefing and then bed

Day 7

Warrington to Kendal

Beautiful sunny day

Christine and Helen e were still with us and we were joined by pete, cat and cathy at warrington and then mike and martine at the farmers arms, our morning coffee stop.

Later we were joined by mike, eric and stuart.

Today was a long ride. But in really beautiful conditions.

We stopped at scroton for lunch and my handlebars were raised as I was getting a lot of pain across my shoulders. Mike massaged me on the go and told me he had once massaged catherine zeta jones- I felt in safe hands and good company.

The last 12 miles or so of the ride were frantic, fast and fun. Heather, suzanne, martine and I raced off along the A6 into kendal. There was an organised time trial taking place on the other carriageway and we rode on our side as if we were in it. The road surface was challenging. Hard and rough. But we were on it. Great ride home.

Jerry left us to go home for the day.

We stayed at the youth hostel and dinner was at the brewery arts centre next door. Rest day tomorrow so that 3 halves were in order. Lovely day. And so good to have the company of so many other riders for the day.

Glowing.

Day 6

Long mynd shropshire to warrington

82 miles.

 

Wet,wet,wet

Such a contrast to yesterday. Waterproofs on.

Great nights sleep in the hostel and then off. Helen e was the day coordinator. We set off in batches. And never really recovered.

Heather, suzanne and I were out front and rode well together.

Morning stop was at wem town hall and we were treated to inside bike storage and the best hot chocolate.

But we were missing carol bradshaw when we all regrouped. It was very sad that she was out on her own somewhere. Phone reception was poor but lucy managed to speak to her. She had found 2 guys we had seen at lands end and they dropped her into wem where she jumped in the van and was taken to the group.

2 punctures in the day

Day 5

Hillersland hot tub to bridges

Great breakfast. And a beautiful weather day. Stunning route. Just perfect.

Helen e joined us at bridges.

We did stretches in the garden by the river.

My friend louise came to the yha. We had a beer at the local pub.

Day 4

Wednesday 4 July 2012

Bridgwater to symonds yat, gloucestershire

68 miles

Happy birthday Jo.

A fine day. We crossed 2 bridges over the severn. The avonmouth and the severn. Lots of photo opportunities.

After lunch at the oakham museum we set off. Expecting the last 25 miles of hills. Which never came. There was some climbing but manageable.
 

The route was challenging to navigate with garmin and maps and we lost some considerable time today debating turnings.

Then in the afternoon, an accident. After being alerted to being off course on a busy road I was up front and found a pull in. It was a drive way. The kerb edge was slightly higher than expected. I pulled up my front end, perhaps too aggressively and my back wheel slipped out and down I went. Hard. On to the gravel. I was shocked. It hurt. Particularly my thigh. Blood. Grit. Ouch.

I took a few minutes and then off again.

 

Heather and I went up ahead and stretched out.

 

A dream awaited us. A beautiful spot in symonds yat. Gardens. Clean, warm room. With towels.

And a hot tub.

Tea was fish and chips. A whale of a fish.

Great day. Really glowing.

Day 3

Moretonhampstead to Bridgwater 

58 Miles.  

Sue made porridge as the girls retrieved clothes and shoes from the aga at the accommodation where they had spent the night.  

We had a big day ahead. Big hills.

We left at 9 and 4 hours later had only covered 26 of the 58 miles because of the gradients of ascents ...really steep... And the gradient of the descents...really steep.  

Over the day we needed to replace 3 sets of brake blocks, one tyre and 4 inner tubes. 

We lunched at M & S at Tiverton and Glynis repaired 2 punctures.  

We had a delayed start out in the afternoon but it was a much easier ride. The morning was hard climbing and very slippery technical descending. Hence the slow speed. The afternoon was better and we caught up some time.   

We arrived at our hotel at 7 and dinner was at 730. Bit of a rush to make it. No time to clean the bikes off which were filthy. Then brief for tomorrow and debrief for today.  

Early start needed tomorrow to mechanic.  

Glowing. Tired.

Day 2

Ladock to Moretonhampstead  

After a self catered team effort banana porridge and egg breakfast and a sullen look outside to the heavily laden dark clouds, we dressed, packed and left Ladock en route for Moretonhampstead. Liz was punctured and a replacement was sorted efficiently.   

Each of us was allocated 1 day to coordinate. Mine was today. 67 miles. A hilly day. A long day with time estimate of 8.5 hours.  

With smiles on our faces and for me, generously applied sun cream (just in case) we left in drizzle. The persistent type. The stuff which lasts all day, varied only by heavy bursts of rain. 

Morning coffee came at 20 miles at a garden centre at lane skin woods. Carrot and pineapple cake and a coffee for me.  

And then on. To lunch at the highest pub in Cornwall. The cheeswring. Lovely.  

Then off again. Over the countryside. But before too many yards an accident. A slip on a corner by sue and heather ran into her. A bent wheel for sue and an afternoon in the van and shopping for a new wheel.  

And on .... Leaving Cornwall. Into Devon. Across the moors with the mist low low down. We saw ginger sheep. Ponies. A sign warning of sheep lying on the road.  

The rain was driving. The visibility was very poor. We separated to try and keep visible in smaller groups and share the lights out we had.  

And then we arrived into Moretonhampstead. A lovely town. We stayed at the sparrowhawk backpackers in a bunk house. A 14 bedded room. 10 women and 3 young German boys!!  

We had a Morecambe and wise curtain comedy moment and a wonderful homemade by sue and Glynis pasta pesto and pasta with tuna dinner. With a couple of buds.

Day 1

St Just to Lands End to Ladock

57 miles

Average 12.6 mph

Max 40.7 mph

Dry and sunny

Tailwind

After photos at lands end we followed a lovely route across the southern edge of the peninsula

Before Lamorna we stopped at the Merry Maidens, a circle of stones and then on to our first refreshment  stop at marazion. We cycled right by the coast. Beautiful turquoise sea. Rocky outcrops. And a clear blue sky.  Great espresso stop and then off again.

Then off to bissoe for lunch at the bike chain. Great to sit out and relax in the sun. And chatter.

With only 12 miles to go it was a relaxing run into Ladock where I lost my chain. A quick replacement and off up the hill to realise that the rest of the group had missed a turning and had gone. A short delay to contact them and re group before arriving into the farm where we were staying. Bikes were washed and then chocolate milk and a bath.

Dinner was spaghetti bolognese and chocolate brownies.

Today's review and tomorrow's briefing.

 

Then bed at 9.

 

Great day. Glowing.

Day 0

Nadia,Niki, Heather, Carol, Sue, Suzanne.  

Travel from Manchester to Newquay. Flybe. 1030 am. Arrive 1140am. Smooth flight I think. I slept. And missed it. Apart from noticing a group of pensioners who polished off 3 famous grouse and ginger each on the 1 hour flight!! 

Minibus transfer to st just where we found a cafe and ate a massive lunch. Cheesy beans on brown toast for me and a mug of latte.  

Then off, on foot to cape Cornwall. The beach. The cove. The waves crashing in. Time to watch the seals bobbing in the water. Time to take in nature and be grateful to be alive. Time also to get bitten on my bum by an ant!!   

Then a lovely coastal walk to the yha at lands end. Not actually at lands end at all. And a sit in the garden overlooking the sea whilst we waited for the van with the bikes and 3 other group members, Liz,Jo and Glynis.

After bike mechanics and check in, an hour of sleep before dinner.

Bubbles to celebrate and great company. Lots of laughs. 

In bed by 9. Good night. Big day tomorrow.

Saturday 16 June 2012

58.5 miles from Silloth to Haltwhistle.

Rain, rain, rain.

I am starting to get a bit of a complex about the weather. But I was dressed appropriately. In head to toe waterproofs.And I looked like a scuba diver apparently. I didn't care. And off we went.

On a B road, I was cycling with Kay at the side off me. I was on the near side. We were chatting. Paul and Niki were behind us. A good pack of 4 making progress along the road.

Niki shouted there was a car back = behind. So I communicated to Kay my intention to drop back allowing her to pull into the space created in front of me so that we were then single file and the car could pass. I am not sure quite what happened next....but I noticed Kay moving in to her left BEFORE I had got out of the way. The tarmac in front of me was in quite short supply.....and the supply was getting less and less.

I left the tarmac and was running in the narrow muddy channel at the side of the tarmac. The water was deep in there and muddy. I had nowhere else to go as Kay contnued to move in to her left. I had no option but to hit the ejector button, leave my pedals and dive on to the grass verge for a soft landing. Which I did. And it was a soft landing. Good. No idea where my bike went. BUT......

The grass verge merged into a rainwater ditch and then there I was ...in it. I was on my back. My legs and arms in the air. My body under filthy, muddy water. Oh, and how I laughed. I wasn't hurt at all It was another soft landing much as the day before, The differences today were that I wasn't in a nettle bush (so that was good) but I was wet through - from inside out (that wasn't just as good).

Kay was apologetic....I was laughing. She promised me some of her home made lemon drizzle cake - am still waiting for that:-(

We carried on to lunchtime at the Sands Centre in Carlisle. I once ran a half marathon from here and it brought back happy memories particularly of the text I received on my drive home to Manchester which said 'Congratulations, you finished that Carlisle marathon and came in 475th place' I think there were 500 runners that day but I don't proclaim to be a runner!! And anyway I was proud I completed the run.

A parking ticket was issued to the group at The Sands :-( for parking across 2 bays. That is the subject of a legal challenge - watch this space.

I took the opportunity to change completely at lunchtime - and remove all of my flithy, wet clothes. I was happy in dry gear.

After lunch the group separated and two went off to do a monster hill climb. I wasn't up for that.

I did the standard route and we took in a lovely length of Hadrian's wall. The sun came out. David had a puncture and the rest of us lazed around in the sun. I took lots of photos - it was beautiful. Unfortunately the lens was steamed up - after all my phone had been underwater (albeit in a dry bag) and then suddenly it was boiling hot.

And then on to Haltwhistle. Staying in a pub. Which served real ale. One consumed. Some dinner. Then sleep.

Tired and glowing

Friday 15 June 2012 Hadrian's cycleway Day 1

Introducing June, Cathy, Paul, Sandra, John, Sara, me, Kay, Niki (Rachel and David missing)

After an evening in the Ratty Arms in Ravenglass and a real ale, had a great night's sleep. Shared a family room with Niki, Kay and Rachel. Woke at 7.30am for breakfast and to witness the early morning rain. We had a lovely view of the estuary from our attic room. Stunning. Even on a wet morning.

Lovely breakfast in the B&B and then off to pack and find the support van to drop bags and collect bikes. I needed to fit my new race blades (clip on mudguards) and managed with the rear. The front was more challenging and there was insufficient time for it - the group were chomping at the bit to get going.

A 50 mile ride out to Silloth today for dinner at the golf club.

We had a very beautiful route to follow. Route 72 on the National Cycle Network. Starting out across the estuary over a narrow bridge and then a coastal path alongside the sea next to the dunes. The rain eased and it gragually brightened. I even took off my waterproof coat at one point and cycled in short sleeves. Lush.

A section on an off road but smoothly tarmacadamed path caught me unawares. A deceiving right hand bend was either a) misjudged or b) tighter than tight. And I was off into the grassy verge. It was soft. It was wet. It was really stingy. I somehow came unclipped from my pedals and left my bike to land also in the grass. Lucky really. I was fine. But then I looked up to find the carnage which was Niki in a heap on the pathway, unable to steer around me. She had her right foot still clipped in to her pedal and was twisted. She was holding her right arm and elbow. She had a ripped right knee on her lycra 3/4s and .....blood. My attention immediately went to her. There were other cyclists coming up behind too and she was in the pathway. Kay helped too. Niki was unclipped and helped to the side of the path and her bike cleared. She was shaking and shocked.

Rachel opened her vast pannier to reveal a full first aid kit and whilst I had my 300+ nettle stings coated in tiger balm and rubbed with a dock leaf, Niki had wipes, remedies and a drink.

Paul checked over the bikes only to find that my steering headset was.....well....not tightened. That may have contributed to the incident. Niki's bike seemed fine.

After a few moments, and lots of apologies we were off again. Laughing about the incident. Laughing about the flattened patch of grass.


We lunched at Whitehaven and saw a group setting off on the C2C route. It was a lovely day by now.

The route continued into Silloth where we checked into the Queen's Hotel (with secure cycle storage - LIKE) and had time for a shower and a mini sleep before dinner. It was raining very hard when we were heading out for dinner so that we hopped into the back of the van for a lift.

We had a lovely meal and then home to bed....via the bandstand on the front for a moment of quiet reflection.

The day started and ended....GLOWING

Thursday 14 June 2012

Only one day now until the start of the Hadrian's Cycleway Coast to Coast trip - Ravenglass to Tynemouth. http://www.cycle-routes.org/hadrianscycleway/

My bike is packed in a van heading up to Ravenglass. I lagged it after work on Tuesday and delivered it to Sale. It's the longest time we have been apart for a long, long time. :-0.

My luggage was packed on Tuesday too and is in the van with my bike.

I am meeting the guys after work in Manchester to get the minibus to Ravenglass for an overnight B&B stay. I haven't met some of the riders on the trip before. I know a few of them. A couple of them want to do a harder ride on Saturday than is strictly necessary to complete the route. They want to do a hillier and longer ride that day. Initially I was with them. That was before the Way of the Roses trip two weeks ago. That ride will stay in my memory for a long time. I may even describe myself as being scarred by it.

However, I will keep an open mind on the route planned for this weekend. It is 173 miles before the voluntary extension. It would be great to complete the longer route and extend the challenge. And then after Sunday I am officially tapering into July. It's the 1 July which signals the start of the LEJOG challenge.

It is a beautiful day today. Warm. Sunny. Dry..... I am working.

The forecast for tomorrow is wet..... I am cycling.

I don't pray. Perhaps I should rethink that.

Sunday 10 June 2012

Manchester to Tatton - relax - and then return (fast)

I have not done any cycling since I returned from Bridlington last Monday. That is because I lost my mojo because of the weather during the coast to coast (WOTR) ride. Last Sunday's ride really took its toll on me. It took me days to feel warm through my body again. It took me that time to want to ride again. I was badly affected by my experience.

I had packed my bike into my car to take it to work on Wednesday and cycle home, but at around 4pm, the heavens opened and I decided to drive home. It wasn't a hard decision. I simply looked out of the window and said...'car'. I could not face the thought of cycling in the wind and rain again. That combined with a message from my friend Jo to say that she had got soaked through on her short ride into work from the train station. Decision made. The right one.

I had placed an order for new bike kit - waterproof jacket, trousers and gloves. £££.. It's the only way I can even begin to contemplate another weekend crossing the country..... - and that will be me again, next weekend, when I set out from Whitehaven in Cumbria en route for the East coast...I can't say that I am hugely enthusiastic about it, yet....I hope that a good day today and some more good weather miles before next weekend will sort me out. I remain fully committed to the challenge that is LEJOG and I will make it. But my baggage allowance may well be exceeded because I intend to take every possible combination of cycling clothing and kit I own. I was naive to think that in June it wouldn't be freezing cold, hailing, windy and wet. July, I had concluded, gave no certainty to me and I woul dnot be making the same mistake again.

So, today was my first spin out for 6 days. I had taken the opportunity to have a new, shiny cassette £££ fitted and new brake cables £££ on Friday. I had also given my baby a lovely polish on Saturday and she was looking good all over again. I had also decided that my red accessories were to be turned to black ones for LEJOG - I wanted to return my bike to its newborn state and lose the 'pimped' look I had bestowed on her. So I changed the saddle for a black one I had on my tricross bike. I changed one of the water bottle cages to black (from red) - I ride with 2 bottles on my Giant road bike but only had one black cage on my tricross. Shopping list, black bottle cage. £££V I don't have a pedal sized allen key and need to borrow one so my red Look pedals will stay on for now. Before LEJOG they will be replaced for black. The transformation was half completed.....

I was a little hoarse on Sunday morning after an incredible evening at Coldplay at Man City's Etihad ground. It was an amazing show. My night out came to an end at around 4am.

At lunchtime I set off out towards Tatton Park riding with Niki. It was surprisingly warm. In fact, it was really hot on the bike. I stretched my legs. I tested the cassette. I need lube on it. Shopping list, lube. I had an annoying rattle but couldn't work out where it was coming from. I eventually diagnosed it as a loose quick release skewer - the part you open up - nothing that could be tightened and something I need to replace. Annoying.

The weather stayed dry. The pace was good. At one of the meres in Tatton park we rested for an hour. It was beautiful. It was peaceful. That was until a husky newly wet from the mere thought he would come over and make friends. I don't bond well with dogs. I like them. But I have always been ill at ease with them. But the owner shouted that he was only a puppy.....he was only one....he was soft. Well, his face was big, it was in my face and he was dripping wet. He was cute....from a distance. But not when I had to pull away even to focus on him (i wear contact lenses)

Time for home and a dash - plety of sprinting intervals. It was still hot.

28.5 miles at an average 15.4mph. Pleased. Glowing.

Monday 11 June 2012

Speke to Manchester

I had enjoyed my ride yesterday and decided to take my bike into work and ride home. The weather was overcast but dry. I fuelled and rehydrated during the day committed to ride home. I felt tired today but I wanted to ride.

Shortly after 5pm I changed and left work. I made good time through Widnes and on the road out towards Warrington. But then from nowhere, my eyes started to go cloudy and I could see stars. It was gusting winds and my bike was blown. I stopped. I took on an energy gel and some carb drink. I felt good again when I set off after my few minutes break.

Onwards.

Then as I was up to 22mph on a smooth, long, straight road before Warrington, a van came along a minor road to me left hand side. I had a good view of him. He looked as if he had not noticed the T junction he was heading for. He saw me at the last minute. I was committed and he wasn't stopping. I swerved out to my right. He slammed his brakes on and he skidded. It was slow motion. I could see smoke coming off his front tyres. But he wasn't stopping. I swerved further and was over on to the other side of the road. Thankfully, nothing was coming. The van still wasn't stopping and I had to swerve again with my rear wheel to avoid being hit by the nearside of the van who was turning right at the junction.

Wow. That was close. I was close to tears. I pedalled on slowly and gradually picked up speed. I won't dwell on the incident because these things happen on the road. I was soon back in my zone and pushing on.

I then started with a dull headache, and cramping in my abdomen. And then a numb left foot. And then a sharp pain in my right knee. And neck pain as I turned to look over my right shoulder to check the traffic behind me. Oh dear, it was all going wrong. Such diversity of symptoms wasn't easy to deal with. My head started going. It was suddenly cold. And then a few spots of rain. Could I keep going? I did for a while at least.

I got to 27 miles before I got the train home from Glazebrook to Manchester Deansgate. And then a sprint home.

A shame. But in only a few weeks time I will not have the choice to stop and take the train. The reality is that I will have that choice of course. But unless I am ill or injured in a really serious way I have absolutely no intention of giving in. I dont want to commit another 2 week 'holiday' to LEJOG because there are so many other adventures I want to enjoy in the future - so 2012 is the year to complete the LEJOG challenge. But that means that on days such as today I can make a decision to get on the train. And that is what I did.

Glad to be home and once in I had chocolate protein shake with milk. And pasta. And then I started washing and packing for my coast to coast in 3 days time. I have very little time this week because of work and social commitments. And we leave Manchester straight after work on Thursday bound for Whitehaven to cycle Friday, Saturday and Sunday. No more miles for me on the bike until Friday now.

Monday 4 June 2012

Day 3 WOTR

York to Bridlington

Start 0936
Time spent riding 4h 50
Mileage 63.07m
Climbing 2333ft
Average speed 13mph
Max speed 30.4mph
Temp 56.7F

I awoke at 7 and threw back the curtains to a bright blue sky and full sun. Thank you!

Breakfast buffet in the convent was great.

It was a cold day and I was taking any chances after yesterday. So I piled on the layers and after some bike cleaning and lubing, we were off. I put my wet gloves on from yesterday but I had no choice - YUK.

We went into York for a photo by the Minster. And then it started raining. We sheltered in the Minster for 5 minutes or so and then we went for it.

It was one of those days where the girls were on and off with waterproofs, layers, arms, legs, sun cream etc. If I was cycling with the FAFFERS (more on this in 2 weeks time when I embark on my second coast to coast effort), today would have never ended! I didn't remove anything other than my windproof arms all day -  my layers were staying firmly on. I had on my vest, cycling top, merino arms, thermal mid layer, windproof jacket, buff, shorts, legs, socks, beautiful shoes and neoprene overshoes. (I hadn't seen my shoes for 2 days!)

Beautiful Yorkshire view

We stopped for coffee in Millington, a lovely spot. The sun was out and we sat outside. We watched some stunning vintage cars go by. A lovely day for it.

Then on to Driffield for lunch. On the way, we were cycling along a long, straight road and Liz wanted a sprint. She took a jump on us and was gone, off into the distance. I took chase. Heather would normally go too but I couldn't look round - I was off - but my legs were screaming, NO. I tried but couldn't catch her - then Heather overtook me too. It was good fun to stretch out after the miles we had already done. There was no need to save any reserves now because we knew we were going to get there.

There were no cafes open in Driffield so we sat on a bench near Tesco and had a meal deal. Sue got the giggles and that lasted for most of the rest of the afternoon.

And then we pushed on - only 17 miles to go. We cycled together in a pack of 8 for some good distance. Sue decided she wanted a photo so we posed. Then she declared that we had 12 minutes until the minibus left from Morrisons in Bridlington. ......we weren't yet in Bridlington. And we didn't know where Morrisons was. So off we went. Heather, Carol and I out front, sprinting into the town centre, to the front, for the 'I've done it' photo by the WOTR sign. The rest of the group arrived - it was a real shame not to cycle into Bridlington together but that was the choice we made when faced with missing the minibus home.

Carol, me and Heather at the end

Actually there was time for chips and coffee before loading the bikes on to 'Mr DIYs' trailer - a slight adaptation of Saturday's trailer but still as ridiculously home made. I did a quick head count on the bus and reached 7 more than once - we set out with 8. Who was missing? It was Carol and at that moment I spotted 2 legs hanging out from the underside of the minibus - her top half was completely under the bus......retrieving her bottle of water!

Once Carol was on board we then set off back to Manchester.

I arrived home at 2230 after a long day. Shower. Few communications and bed.

What a fantastic trip. I am physically tired which is a lovely place to be. I have a sedentary job which is mentally stimulating. Being physically tired is very special.

Great experience over the last 3 days. Great fun. Lots of lessons learned. Most definitely GLOWING

Sunday 3 June 2012

WOTR Day 2

Malham to York

Start 0843
Time spent riding 5h23
Mileage 65.47m
Climbing 3776ft
Average speed 12.2mph
Max speed 38.9mph
Temp 41.6F

Wet, wet, wet. What a truly awful day. We were all in good spirits when we awoke - encouraged by words of 'rain before 7 gone by 11'...and all that. But actually it was 'rain before 7, keep raining for 24 hours non stop, throw in some hail, some excessive driving winds' That was about the top and bottom of it.

We had our very impressive youth hostel buffet breakfast and set off ahead of schedule at 845.

Hills were the order of the morning but they weren't as severe as yesterday. They were hard in the awful weather conditions though.

I need to put my kit packing into some sort of context now - it;s June. We had just enjoyed 2 weeks of very, very hot and dry weather at the end of May. After work one evening I got into the car and it was 33 degrees C - check the temperature above for today - in F!! The forecast for the weekend for our route was fundamentally dry. We looked to be north of the weather front for today's ride - and north of the weather front was dry.

So I had on, vest, short sleeved cycling top, arm warmers, waterproof coat, buff, long sleeved gloves (not waterproof), cycling shorts, thermal longs, seal skin socks, my beautiful new shoes and winter neoprene overshoes. So not bad preparation I thought.

I spent the day cold and wet. On arrival at the height of today's ride I could not feel my feet and hands. After 10 mins in the cafe at Stump Cross caverns I could take off my wet gloves and see how white my hands were - they didn't look like mine. We took over the end of the cafe by the radiator and draped clothes all over it. I took off my waterproof socks and wringed them out - my feet were white too, completely drained of colour.

2 hot chocolates and a few hugs and some spare clothes from the girls and I was.....well, actually, ready for a support vehicle to come and pick me up. But we didn't have one of those. The only way to my hot shower or bath 40 miles away was to cycle it. We were high on the moors. It was bleak. The rain didn't stop. What was I doing? This was a really very low point on this trip. I felt vulnerable. I was shivering cold.

We set off together to descent Greenhow hill but Sue had mechanical failure with a bearing/freewheel problem so that her ride for now was over. A lovely man Scott (from Burnley, my home town, where else?) helped out and drove Sue to Ripon for a repair. But this was Bank Holiday weekend. There weren't any bike shops open. Sue found 2 cycle holiday support vehicles and asked for assistance - neither was able to help. She then found a motor shop and a kind guy worked to replace her rear wheel with one he just happened to have in the shop!!

The descent was fast in places but was taken with care due to the river descending the hill too combined with shale and grit. I was down first and waited for the others. The hail and rain had been driving into my face and my fingers could barely use the brakes. As the girls got down, one after another, without exception they looked like Aunt Sally off Wurzel Gummidge. They had 2 bright red cheeks each. But you know what, even in these awful conditions, they were all smiling. I managed a smile back too. They are great company.

Heather and I huddled in Greggs to wait for Sue - we had wanted to get to her to see how she was doing and missed the lunch stop north of Ripon. That's where the others waited. It was a long stop on the ride. I wasnt warming up despite soup, coffee and a hot sausage roll.

My feet were so wet and cold that I decided to buy new socks - the only variety sold in one pair was slipper socks - cream coloured mohair no less! I didnt want to carry extra pairs - my day was bad enough without further weight to carry. So slipper socks it was. The ones with the grippy soles. They went into my beautiful carbon soled SIDIs and were promptly covered by sopping wet neoprene boots. YUK

And then we were off again. It was still raining. It was still cold. But down in the valleys was warmer.

We cycled narrow country lanes together. We kept each other going.

But then.....an incident with a car. I am not sure what happened but I do know that  York taxi driver was coming towards Heather, Carol and I up front of the group. And Carol remarked that he wasn't slowing. We were pushed on to the very edge of the road as he went passed us. The group behind us was a little way down the road and whatever happened resulted in Julie being knocked off her bike, landing against the car and then hitting the deck. I turned and saw my friends off their bikes and Julie on the ground. I alerted Heather and Carol and we turned back. Julie was on her feet and said she was feeling OK. She was shocked. Her bike seemed OK. The car was dented. The driver turned a bit nasty before getting in his car and driving off. Between Heather and I we have remembered  his registration number. Julie said she was fine to carry on and her bike seemed OK. So after a bit of a brush down, we set off again.

I took up the rear of the group just behind Julie heading alongside the river into York centre. We were on a gritty, muddy riverside path so when we arrived at the Bar Convent accommodation, we must have looked a real treat. Sodden wet, cold, filthy bikes, filthy clothes - but we were received with grace and warmth and we carried our bikes in through the front door.

After a comedy check in, we were all shown to our rooms and then the frantic rush for warmth from the shower or bath. Sue was the first with the Do Not Disturb card on the bath door and she didn;t react when I was trying to get in - she was at peace! After about an hour and a half I was able to start to feel my fingers again.

It was a very frightening day for me to experience such wet and cold conditions for so long - after all, I am a ginger and my circulation system is not as efficient as some.

Coming into York, Heather tried to talk to me - her chin and lips were greying and her mouth wouldn't move - and she's not ginger!

Dinner was at 8 at a lovely French restaurant which was only a short walk away. Garlic, creamy mushrooms and steak frites for me. Glass red. And a single malt ...

Significant lessons to learn today for the upcoming LEJOG and for cycling generally - typcially not workable but I will have to find a way - I needed today:-

at least one extra layer
a better waterproof coat
waterproof, thermal gloves and probably liners
waterproof over trousers
a thermal hat to wear when we stopped
a down gilet or coat to wear when we stopped

optional extras:-
a hairdryer
a duvet
an electric blanket
a flask

now just need to contemplate whether I would have been able to cope with a trailer on the back of my bike to carry all that gear?!!

And now it's time for bed at 2245. As a punishment for my snoring in Majorca and Heather's snoring in the dorm in Malham last night, we shared a room in the convent. At 303am I put together a little sound recording together of her.....still, I was so appreciative of the warmth and the sanctuary, I turned over and went to sleep.

Saturday 2 June 2012

Way of The Roses – Morecambe to Bridlington

Day 1 – Transport Manchester to Morecambe and ride Morecambe to Malham

Start 1240
Time spent riding 3h 24
Mileage 40.49m
Climbing 4085 ft
Average speed 11.9mph
Max speed 43.1mph
Temp 57.1F

Introducing Sue, Helen, Liz, Jo, Julie, Heather, Carol and me.

Arrived at Sue’s in Chorlton for a 9am departure by minibus to Morecambe – trailer for the bikes. Sue made a tremendous coffee – she is known for that. The driver tried to load the bikes on to his makeshift bike carrying system – the racks were the temporary storage type – they aren’t designed for transportation – they were attached to a bit of wood with cable ties. It was all very amateur. Heather stepped in to try and do what she could – she loaded the bikes as efficiently and effectively as possible when there were 6 spaces for 8 bikes. One bike ended up in the mini bus.

Then we were off. Laughs a plenty on the bus. I passed round my disco bling slippers aka my new cycling shoes.

We arrived in Morecambe slightly behind schedule for a 1030am departure on bikes. BUT…..Liz had a buckled rear wheel which needed truing before we set off on the 170 mile trek. The first bike shop the driver took her to wasn’t able to help so that she was then driven to Lancaster – where we had driven through to arrive into Morecambe.  The rest of us went to the Station pub for coffee.  

Helen offered around her tub of chamois cream with some detailed guidance for application which was, simply, hilarious.

At 1230 Liz returned with a better but not fully repaired wheel – and by 1240 we were off after the customary photograph by the Way of the Roses marker point. Only 170 miles to go. From red rose of Lancashire to the white rose of Yorkshire.

Sue, where did you pop up from?

The start of the WOTE ride.

What a stunning day. It was warm and dry. Patches of bright sunshine. And what a lovely route alongside the Lune. Great company too. We were all in good spirits setting out, excited by what the next 3 days had in store.

Our first coffee stop

The Girls at play - faster, faster

We stopped at Wray for lunch – sausage and egg on a barm for me. And another coffee.  Carol dropped a piece of paper which I alerted her to – and it turned out to be details of a local tattoo parlour….erm?!!

Then off again. Along to Clapham. To Settle. To the hills. To the climbing. Wow – out of Settle the wind really got up and the steep climb was painful. The wind was directly into our faces. It was hard. It was slow.  Unfortunately and very frustratingly I didn’t make it. I will blame the guy who overtook me in full SKY cycling gear – he looked the part but then he grinded to a halt. ….  I walked a bit. I then got back on and made it to the top.

At the top of the climb it was exceptionally windy. The flat, winding section over the tops was a hard ride. Then we had a fast descent into Malham and to the youth hostel.  It was getting late and was cold. All traces of the sun had long gone. It was approaching 6.15pm and dinner in the Buck Inn was at 7. We rushed through the showers, changed and were out for dinner on time. I had had my protein recovery drink first.

A lovely fish pie with peas and carrots for me and a couple of local beers in the pub. Tasty

Malham had a special jubilee celebration going on – like most of the UK – and had animals all over the village made out of a variety of paper/card etc – very amusing – I loved the sunglasses clad dolphins the best in the river in the middle of the village.

By 830pm I was flagging and returned to the youth hostel. No internet. No phone reception. My blog could only be created in word for now – and my first draft was lost!!

There are two groups from Team Glow completing the WOTR on this double bank holiday weekend and are following tomorrow from Morecambe to Malham. They seem to have had the same transport arrangements so that I hope their bikes all arrived safely.

I was sleeping in a dorm of 6 – bottom bunk for me – lights started going out on the individual beds at 930pm. I was not far behind.

Apart from the nutrition detailed above I started today with coffee, orange juice and 2 weetabix (slightly warmed). An 800 ml carb drink on the bike and a lucozade. A cereal bar. Some ginger cake. And some extra water and ice.

A good day in the end. Such a shame about Liz’s bike and the delayed start. But we are all in recovery now and at rest.

Significantly dismembered wildlife on the road en route – 1 of note which caused a reaction in me!

Cyclists setting off and at various points on day 1 of WOTR – loads

Ginger teepees – 1

Sprint stages – 3 (ouch!)

Glowing