Just as it started to drizzle we finished loading the rest of our things onto the bus and all piled on, waved goodbye to Natalie and headed off to join the bank holiday traffic on the M6.
Friday, 23 May 2008
And we are off!
The guys just finished loading the van when Andy and I arrived at Paul's house (excellent timing Natalie). No sooner had Andy introduced himself to Konrad and John, he get on with what he does best and got his hands dirty under the bonnet of the bus.
Just as it started to drizzle we finished loading the rest of our things onto the bus and all piled on, waved goodbye to Natalie and headed off to join the bank holiday traffic on the M6.
Just as it started to drizzle we finished loading the rest of our things onto the bus and all piled on, waved goodbye to Natalie and headed off to join the bank holiday traffic on the M6.
Wednesday, 21 May 2008
Last Minute Preparations!
We have spent the last two weeks frantically arranging all of the remaining details for our trip. Finalising accommodation, back up arrangement, spare kit, sponsorship,publicity, routes, food, drink - the list goes on, but with two days left we are nearly there.
There always seems to be more to do than expected... Paul's bike is currently off the road and in for a service to resolve some worrying clicking sounds, whilst my (Andy's) bike was in for frantic repairs. On the plus side Chris has finally got hold of a shiny new bike, which is great news as he doesn't need to ride on his 1970's steel antique bike that he has amazingly coped with for the last year.
The Harlech Triathlon nearly two weeks ago proved to be an absolutely fantastic race. A chance for a bit of not too serious fun and a break out from the grind as well as the opportunity to get some more miles in before/after the race. Well organised and marshalled on Welsh Coast with a great course. Chris finished fourth in his age group, Paul and John also posted good times. I too was flying on the bike until a brake failure resulted in me taking a collision course with a solid slate wall - amazingly I was just sore and bruised. Unsuprisingly my bike wasn't - it needed a new fork, brakes, handlebars, front wheel and chain as well as some fine tuning. I only just received it back yesterday minus a front wheel - something I'm going to have to borrow for the trip.
There always seems to be more to do than expected... Paul's bike is currently off the road and in for a service to resolve some worrying clicking sounds, whilst my (Andy's) bike was in for frantic repairs. On the plus side Chris has finally got hold of a shiny new bike, which is great news as he doesn't need to ride on his 1970's steel antique bike that he has amazingly coped with for the last year.
The Harlech Triathlon nearly two weeks ago proved to be an absolutely fantastic race. A chance for a bit of not too serious fun and a break out from the grind as well as the opportunity to get some more miles in before/after the race. Well organised and marshalled on Welsh Coast with a great course. Chris finished fourth in his age group, Paul and John also posted good times. I too was flying on the bike until a brake failure resulted in me taking a collision course with a solid slate wall - amazingly I was just sore and bruised. Unsuprisingly my bike wasn't - it needed a new fork, brakes, handlebars, front wheel and chain as well as some fine tuning. I only just received it back yesterday minus a front wheel - something I'm going to have to borrow for the trip.
Monday, 12 May 2008
The Grand Plan!
On the 23rd May Chris, Andy and Paul (plus Konrad and John for the first few days) will be heading down to Lands End to begin their epic 950 mile journey over 8 days to John O'Groats using nothing but pedal power. Keep track of our journey here
23rd May (Friday evening) we are driving to down to Tavistock from Manchester. Night spent in a camping barn!
24th May - Day 1 Lands End to Tavistock 80m (via Par Sands and Lostwithiel). Stop over in a camping Barn.
25th May - Day 2 Tavistock to Bristol 121m (via Dartmoor, Moretonhampstead, Tiverton, Taunton, Bridgewater and the Mendips ~ hilly day). We finish today in Bristol but are staying with Chris' family in Cardiff for a bit of home cooking!!
26th May - Day 3 Bristol to Ironbridge 109m (via Cotswolds, Stroud, Cheltenham, Worcester, Bridgnorth). Night to be spent at a youth hostel - by this point I think we should be able to sleeep anywhere!
27th May - Day 4 Ironbridge to Kirkby Lonsdale 126m (via Whitchurch, Northwich, Warrington, Clitheroe). Stopover at Becky's family home.
28th May - Day 5 Kirkby Lonsdale to Dumfries 114m (via Sedburgh, Yorkshire Dales, Kirkby Stephen, Gretna)
29th May - Day 6 Dumfries to Ardlui 131m (via Cumnock, Kilmarnock, Dumbarton, Loch Lomond ~ pretty flat day). Night spent on the banks of Loch Lomund! This is also a landmark birthday for Becky so we're hoping to finish on time!!
30th May - Day 7 Ardlui to Dingwall 131m (via Rannock Moor, Glen Coe, Fort William, Spean Bridge, Loch Ness, Drumnadrochit)
31st May - Day 8 Dingwall to John O'Groats 127m FINISH (via Bonar Bridge, Helmsdale, Wick)
1st June - (Sunday) Drive back
We will be backed up by our van driven by Andy W and Becky emblazoned with our logo!
Hopefully this link will work for our sponsorship site....
23rd May (Friday evening) we are driving to down to Tavistock from Manchester. Night spent in a camping barn!
24th May - Day 1 Lands End to Tavistock 80m (via Par Sands and Lostwithiel). Stop over in a camping Barn.
25th May - Day 2 Tavistock to Bristol 121m (via Dartmoor, Moretonhampstead, Tiverton, Taunton, Bridgewater and the Mendips ~ hilly day). We finish today in Bristol but are staying with Chris' family in Cardiff for a bit of home cooking!!
26th May - Day 3 Bristol to Ironbridge 109m (via Cotswolds, Stroud, Cheltenham, Worcester, Bridgnorth). Night to be spent at a youth hostel - by this point I think we should be able to sleeep anywhere!
27th May - Day 4 Ironbridge to Kirkby Lonsdale 126m (via Whitchurch, Northwich, Warrington, Clitheroe). Stopover at Becky's family home.
28th May - Day 5 Kirkby Lonsdale to Dumfries 114m (via Sedburgh, Yorkshire Dales, Kirkby Stephen, Gretna)
29th May - Day 6 Dumfries to Ardlui 131m (via Cumnock, Kilmarnock, Dumbarton, Loch Lomond ~ pretty flat day). Night spent on the banks of Loch Lomund! This is also a landmark birthday for Becky so we're hoping to finish on time!!
30th May - Day 7 Ardlui to Dingwall 131m (via Rannock Moor, Glen Coe, Fort William, Spean Bridge, Loch Ness, Drumnadrochit)
31st May - Day 8 Dingwall to John O'Groats 127m FINISH (via Bonar Bridge, Helmsdale, Wick)
1st June - (Sunday) Drive back
We will be backed up by our van driven by Andy W and Becky emblazoned with our logo!
Hopefully this link will work for our sponsorship site....
Our Charities
We are raising funds for the following:
Marie Curie Cancer Care
Marie Curie Cancer Care provides high quality nursing totally free, to give terminally ill people the choice of dying at home supported by their families. Your local Marie Curie Hospice actively promotes quality of life for people with cancer and provides support for their families. The services are completely free to patients. World class scientists at the Marie Curie Research Institute are investigating how cancer develops to find better ways of treating the disease in the future.
Both Chris and Andy's families have had support from Marie Curie so it is a charity close to our hearts.
To donate please visit:
http://www.justgiving.com/le-jog2008
CLIC Sargent
CLIC Sargent care for children and young people with cancer and their families in hospital and in the community.
'La Renaissance'School
Paul is also raising funds for La Renaissance School, situated in North West Africa, in Burkina Faso an area of extreme poverty where access to any school is rare, provided by a few state run and a few charity funded schools such as La Renaissance. The school has 257 pupils. Class sizes are large and facilities are extremely basic. Sponsorship funding from ‘LE JOG’ will provide much needed equipment for the school.
Paul works promoting sport in schools in the Manchester area and as such this is a cause close to his heart!
To support 'La Renaissance' go to:
http://www.justgiving.com/epiccycle
Thank you very much to all of you who are sponsoring us!
Marie Curie Cancer Care
Marie Curie Cancer Care provides high quality nursing totally free, to give terminally ill people the choice of dying at home supported by their families. Your local Marie Curie Hospice actively promotes quality of life for people with cancer and provides support for their families. The services are completely free to patients. World class scientists at the Marie Curie Research Institute are investigating how cancer develops to find better ways of treating the disease in the future.
Both Chris and Andy's families have had support from Marie Curie so it is a charity close to our hearts.
To donate please visit:
http://www.justgiving.com/le-jog2008
CLIC Sargent
CLIC Sargent care for children and young people with cancer and their families in hospital and in the community.
'La Renaissance'School
Paul is also raising funds for La Renaissance School, situated in North West Africa, in Burkina Faso an area of extreme poverty where access to any school is rare, provided by a few state run and a few charity funded schools such as La Renaissance. The school has 257 pupils. Class sizes are large and facilities are extremely basic. Sponsorship funding from ‘LE JOG’ will provide much needed equipment for the school.
Paul works promoting sport in schools in the Manchester area and as such this is a cause close to his heart!
To support 'La Renaissance' go to:
http://www.justgiving.com/epiccycle
Thank you very much to all of you who are sponsoring us!
Friday, 9 May 2008
The Team for LEJOG
Paul:
Paul is the enthusiasm behind the team. Having represented the UK in Age Group Competition in Hamburg last year triathlon is Paul's forte. (albeit an aweful lot shorter distance than this!). Never call Paul's bluff as he's not afraid of a challenge!
Paul took no persuading to join the team.
Chris:
Chris is relatively new to triathlon having started racing last year at Bala. With his strengths in swimming (fish) and running Chris has done his biking no harm by taking for ever to get himself a new bike. Instead he has been using a bike that those in the car trade refer to as "vintage".
As a result his biking has improved massively!
Andy Q:
Andy has had a crack at several varying challenges over the last few years from The 3 Peaks to Mts Toubkal and Olympus, from the London Marathon to triathlon...despite his swimming being atrocious (well there's always duathlon).
LEJOG sounds great (the saddle soreness doesn't)
John:
John is another fellow triathlete who has also represented the GB Age Group Team. John is just about the most positive guy around which will be useful when he joins the team for days 1-3.
Konrad:
Also joining us for the first few days, Konrad is probably the most experienced cyclist in the group. Being an Ironman veteran he is best prepared for the endurance and feeding element of the challenge!
Andy Wright and Becky
Vitally important to our efforts. Becky and Andy are each doing half of journey in the support vehicle, carrying vital supplies and spares. This means that we don't have to carry everything for the week with us every day. Becky and Andy are both legends as no matter how much this will hurt, it would be worse if we had to carry any more!
Paul is the enthusiasm behind the team. Having represented the UK in Age Group Competition in Hamburg last year triathlon is Paul's forte. (albeit an aweful lot shorter distance than this!). Never call Paul's bluff as he's not afraid of a challenge!
Paul took no persuading to join the team.
Chris:
Chris is relatively new to triathlon having started racing last year at Bala. With his strengths in swimming (fish) and running Chris has done his biking no harm by taking for ever to get himself a new bike. Instead he has been using a bike that those in the car trade refer to as "vintage".
As a result his biking has improved massively!
Andy Q:
Andy has had a crack at several varying challenges over the last few years from The 3 Peaks to Mts Toubkal and Olympus, from the London Marathon to triathlon...despite his swimming being atrocious (well there's always duathlon).
LEJOG sounds great (the saddle soreness doesn't)
John:
John is another fellow triathlete who has also represented the GB Age Group Team. John is just about the most positive guy around which will be useful when he joins the team for days 1-3.
Konrad:
Also joining us for the first few days, Konrad is probably the most experienced cyclist in the group. Being an Ironman veteran he is best prepared for the endurance and feeding element of the challenge!
Andy Wright and Becky
Vitally important to our efforts. Becky and Andy are each doing half of journey in the support vehicle, carrying vital supplies and spares. This means that we don't have to carry everything for the week with us every day. Becky and Andy are both legends as no matter how much this will hurt, it would be worse if we had to carry any more!
Lakeland Loop Sportif (13th April)
Now when I first heard about this it sounded like a fantastic idea. No amount of hills could be too much in preparation for the big one so this seemed ideal.
On the face of it a bike of around this distance is pretty regular. What's not regular however is the climbs that we took in.
Red Bank - category 2
Dunmail Rise - cat 2
Little Poggio - cat 3
Winlatter Pass - cat 1
Egremont - cat 3
Gosforth - cat 3
Hardknott - HC category (murderously hard!)
Wrynose - cat 1
Blea Tarn - cat 2
This was an exhilarating ride - for the first time this year the weather was spot on (especially after last week!). Chris and I did this again at LEJOG pace - with the hills it would have been cracking strength work.
Although putting Hardknott at the end was very harsh. With a 30% incline plus there are some cars which can't make it...let alone anything bigger!
Andy
Day 4 Recce 5th April
Having spent much of the winter taking in long Sunday rides and tacking brick sessions (biking after runs and running after bikes - painful but necessary) onto runs etc. it was time that we got a feel for what LEJOG would do to us...
Well to be more accurate Becky decided that it was. As we were due to be in Kirby Lonsdale anyway on the Sunday - Becky volunteered to drop us off in Ironbridge and then drive up to meet us. Great idea and much appreciated - however it was only upon looking at the atlas and the number of times we had to turn the page that the distance dawned upon us!
This bit of the route is relatively flat - however the elements conspired against us. Strong winds blew NNW against us all the way making drafting essential to share the work but there was no shelter from the harsh Baltic hailstorms that lashed down on us time after time.
Yes this was definitely good training.
It helped us sort out fueling as well. Even on a long Sunday ride there isn't a huge amount that you usually need to take on board, however, at one point 80 odd miles in we both started to fade. Thinking that we may have reached our limit we decided to stop and take some food on board. One shop stop, two coffees and large slices of cake and Chris and I were right as rain again. Lesson 2 never stop eating!
Eventually with light fading we made it into Lancaster just in time for Chris to jump on the bus back to Manchester.
It was a great psychological boost to have done a day. It should stand us in good stead when we're really suffering on day 3! Hopefully when we do this day for real we'll have a bit of support as well as we past the North West.
Andy
Well to be more accurate Becky decided that it was. As we were due to be in Kirby Lonsdale anyway on the Sunday - Becky volunteered to drop us off in Ironbridge and then drive up to meet us. Great idea and much appreciated - however it was only upon looking at the atlas and the number of times we had to turn the page that the distance dawned upon us!
This bit of the route is relatively flat - however the elements conspired against us. Strong winds blew NNW against us all the way making drafting essential to share the work but there was no shelter from the harsh Baltic hailstorms that lashed down on us time after time.
Yes this was definitely good training.
It helped us sort out fueling as well. Even on a long Sunday ride there isn't a huge amount that you usually need to take on board, however, at one point 80 odd miles in we both started to fade. Thinking that we may have reached our limit we decided to stop and take some food on board. One shop stop, two coffees and large slices of cake and Chris and I were right as rain again. Lesson 2 never stop eating!
Eventually with light fading we made it into Lancaster just in time for Chris to jump on the bus back to Manchester.
It was a great psychological boost to have done a day. It should stand us in good stead when we're really suffering on day 3! Hopefully when we do this day for real we'll have a bit of support as well as we past the North West.
Andy
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