Thursday's photos

If only I'd known the German for upload images!
Anyway those pictures meant to be with text for day are now here courtesy of good old Ronald Mcdonalds in Carlisle!

Thursday's photos!

You wouldn't believe it but in a T-Mobile hotspot (sevices just outside Carlisle) everything's in German so hitch with getting day 7 photos with text ~ dumkopf!

Hopefully they'll appear when I get back to civilisation!

Day 7 ~ Into the Lakes

Day 7 ~ Standish to Selside (North of Kendal) :
61 miles (all uphill)
After a wet and windy night (well downstairs anyway) we set off in depressingly damp and dreary conditions. The Driver dropped the riders at the start point and then went off to Charnock Richards services on the M6 to deal with the blog update which had frustrated so much on Wednesday. Actually I think it was that waste of space Gates who had provided a critical update the night before which had queered the machine ~ thanks Bill!!!
Anyway blog update was successful and then sadly it was another frustrating 2 hours of traffic through Preston before contact made again with our duo in Lancaster. At a stop for lunch the other side of town, a father and son were encountered who were not only cycling from John O’Groats to Lands End but combining this with the Three Peaks Challenge, which involves walking to the summits of Ben Nevis, Scaffel Pike and Snowdon! Fair play but we thought they were madder than us. They were Mike Morgan, a Matelot Artificer doing some missionary work with the RAF at present and his father, Rob and they were doing the ride for St Dunstans, a charity for blind ex-servicemen. With such an impressive feat Andy reckons Mike must have been a "Bootneck" in a previous life. If any of their friends are looking at this please don’t be shy with the sponsorship for their worthy charity.
Where the day had started so dismally it suddenly brightened to glorious sunshine and blue skies ~ just in time for the start of the Lakes. Fabulous, as the photo of the finish point for the day hopefully shows.
Then on arrival at our campsite the day was finished off by Andy demonstrating the skills learned from watching too much of that Ramsey chap (including language) in preparing "Pasta with pancetta, leek and mushrooms" ~ excellent with a cheeky Australian red from the Murray River! Thanks to Pete Tuckett and partner Jill/Gill for the loan of their cooker in our hour of need.
Only disappointment of the day then finding out we’d only made page 11 of the Gazette ~ surely bodies like ours merited page 3!

Thursday's deal ~ two days for price of 1!

Day 6 Shrewsbury to Standish ~ 77 miles
The two cyclists were quite happy with their day and in truth they covered good mileage but for the Driver it was a day of frustration sat in heavy traffic through Warrington and Wigan. Indeed, he was heard to mutter on collecting them at end of ride that if he was forced to drive in that area every day he’d consider topping himself. Basically it’s ghastly and if that offends any readers who are native of these parts then tough.
Nice campsite in the evening though which was near Burscough (between Southport and M6) and for second night running the owner declined any fee.
During a lunchtime stop in a lay-by close to Llangollen Canal outside Whitchurch, (I did walk down to watch a boat through lock whilst waiting for the lads) a passing motorist spied our sign on back of van, did a wheelie and roared up in his Mercedes. His company, Fenwicks, apparently manufactures all kinds of cleaning products (such as Caravan Cleaner, "Bobby Dazzler" and horse shampoo and conditioner ~ leaflet provided with details if anyone interested). He was called Roger Smith and our own gentleman of that surname is now convinced he’s a long lost relative. Anyway having nothing on him at the time he told the lads worth their while to call him on completion of ride. Then after telling many more stories and showing them a new soft saddle substance, which they waxed lyrical over, he sped away to his next business call. Mind, he also pooh poohed their road bikes with a story how his son had ridden 4,000 miles along the length of the Rockies.
He also left us some wonder tablets for cleaning Melamine, who ever she is?
A scary postscript ~ only 2 days away from Gretna and the cyclists are bonding so well Andy is starting to have high hopes of a happy event being announced ~ more to follow!

Day 5 ~ Monmouth to Shrewsbury

Day 5 ~ Monmouth to Shrewsbury : 67 miles
A lesser day than Monday in terms of miles but much lumpier and with the last 20 miles too much traffic. Today we experienced the first mechanical hitch when Vince had a slow one but, with a little cursing and coaxing a new tube was inserted with the old one discarded for repair tonight. After the tasting of a couple of pints of black stuff last night, we are planning a much more sober evening with a glass of red with our barbie.
Staying on another farm tonight and already we can tell that an early alarm call has been arranged ~ damn cockerel has been chirruping since we arrived at 5. However Brickyard Farm at Frodesley just south of Shrewsbury seems pleasant and when Mrs Davies, the farmer’s wife, spied my polo shirt emblazoned with the National Autistic Society emblem she refunded the site fee together with an additional donation. See yah boo to anyone mocking Vince’s idea of getting some polo shirts prepared. Talking of the evening meal it was proved that Andy’s time in the marines (sorry I’ve been corrected Royal Marines) and worship of the life and times of Ray Mears was not in vain as he rescued a reluctant fire to grill burgers to well done!
Also interesting to see how many others there are potentially doing the ride, though all at differing speeds and with varying means of support. While waiting at the top of the massive hill out of Monmouth for Vince and Andy to arrive at the pub (sorry site) last night, a lad wobbled on his bike to the top with backpack containing his possessions. He stopped to wait for his travelling companion and told me that they had left Lands End after us on Saturday. They had stopped last night at Shepton Mallet but were intending to do another 40 odd tonight. Vince and Andy then arrived and after them a lad was walking up the hill pushing his bike. The sad part was then he walked with his bike down the hill the other side ~ another 40 miles that evening ~ I think not!
Also on last night I forgot to include our thanks for the lovely chocolates to Sally Markey, wife of Paul who visited us at pub. If only I was allowed to eat just 1!

Day 4 ~ Taunton to Monmouth

Day 4 ~ Taunton to Monmouth (a massive) 87 miles
The most poignant comment of the day I noted was the comment from young Smith as they posed by the "Welcome to Wales" sign after crossing the Severn Bridge. His exclamation of "if only that read Scotland" struck a chord, certainly with his fellow cyclist.
The day had started with Orchard FM announcing details of the ride and inviting supporters to watch the departure from Creech Castle. As this was only 15 minutes before departure it was unsurprising no one waved us away! However, Jez Scarratt, a friend and work colleague of Andy’s, joined them for the first part of the ride. I think he turned up because he heard there was to be a ceremonial handing over of fruit cake at Jenny Lane’s in North Petherton and it would have been rude not to partake of a trial slice. So after coffee and cake they set off with Jez doing the extra mile to Bridgwater before he returned to Taunton ~ his support was much appreciated.
As was that of another of Andy’s work mates, Colin Salter and his wife, Wendy who adorned their vehicle with support signs in a strange language ~ "Allez Andy and Vite Vince" I recall.
After that it was basically mile crunching ~ for once landscape was as flat as my map! That is until the last 20 miles from the Severn Bridge with an exhilarating drop down through Tintern only to be followed by a truly knackering last mile uphill to our site for the night ~ "The Royal Oak". Here we joined by 3 of Andy’s friends who had driven over from Gloucester. Robin, Colette and Paul were good company and treated us to meal and drink ~ excellent beer it was too!
Finally, a mention for Sean at KwikFit in Redcliffe Street Bristol, who sorted my tyre and was extremely helpful ~ ie he did it for nowt! Bless!

Day 3 ~ 70 miles back to Taunton

What a treat for you all 2 entries for 1 day’s reading.

Actually this was a fairly quiet day with a good run across mid-Devon and, despite Vince’s best efforts in completely ignoring my advice on how to get through Exeter, they did manage to find Sainsbury's for a mid-ride coffee and cake (well to be honest a doughnut as well for some ~ and it wasn't me!). Anyway the first days are over and, by repute some of the hardest physical cycling is now done.

My only concern so far is to find a large gash in the wall of my outside front tyre which is going to require replacing. Thank goodness no motorway driving until the trip home so time to get it replaced.

Last evening at Headon Farm we were sat in bright sunshine when all of a sudden the mist came down and a right Cornish mizzle had come across the border. So sat in the van we had a night of education watching a documentary on new ways of rural policing as provided by Andy. He assured us “Hot Fuzz” was quite a true reflection of his job!

On another point we need to record our thanks (and in particular Andy’s) to Derek Cutler (DC) of DC Cycleworks for the work he has done free of charge preparing our bikes to support our charitable efforts. As Andy explained ~ “he has turned his bike from a Tired Old Cart Horse into a Thoroughbred but sadly the rider has not reached this level.”

Whatever Derek’s support and time invested is really appreciated by both cyclists as they head North on the onward Journey.

Day 2 ~ Indian Queens to Garlands Moor near Holsworthy : 58 miles

After a gentle start to the day and a refreshing shower at Treamble Valley we set forward for the second leg with a brief stop at Newquay Mcdonalds. I hasten to add that this was not in search of refreshment but a “hot spot” to update the blog and to our joy it worked. Then with a quick flit into Morrisons for Vince to buy some extremely smelly cheese we were off.

I then drove the lads to Indian Queens for the start of the day’s efforts. Later in the day Andy summed it up as just like last nights rice pudding ~ hot and lumpy!! Well having said that this did not apply to Vince who enjoyed his rice cold straight from the can.

A hard day with the heat and many hills ~ and that was just for me. The highlight was a visit to Camelford (and its not often that phrase will be uttered) but Vince had bright idea of a pasty as we were in darkest Cornwall. Excellent from “Cornish Maids” as picture shows.

Then, when we got to our campsite at Headon Farm near Holsworthy, a site we knew from our trial run, our day was made complete with the wonderful gesture of the owners, Linda, Richard, Rebecca and James Reader in waiving any fee and also making a very generous donation to the charities. The picture shows Rebecca handing the donation to Andy ~ such a gesture starts to make the whole idea seem very worthwhile.

Day 1 Lands End to Indian Queens ~ 54 miles

The Ride First Day
After a tardy start picking up the duo, and amid much excitement in Michael Paul House the second home of young Vince where members of his team were reduced to orgasmic delight by the misguided thought he might cycle passed, we enjoyed a trouble free journey to Lands End for the start of the adventure.
There after exchanging insults with a couple of lads who had just cycled the wrong way, they posed for a photo session before leaping into the saddle. The weather was remarkably kind and they cycled for an excellent 54 miles, much more than anticipated. Of course I’d like to report it was silky smooth but they whinged and moaned over a couple of mere pimples for which I was blamed ~ harsh I thought but they seemed to think it was fair!
In my defence on my map all looked flat and although a "beacon" suggested a hill ~ anyway the fire would have been visible for miles! Gave them an excuse to have several of the lovely rock cakes made for Andy by Karen from Bridgwater.
Campsite at Treamble Valley near Perranporth was great and the chilli lovingly (?) prepared by Mrs Smith was enjoyed by all. Now sat in Mcdonalds at Newquay girding our loins for the next leg of the adventure.
Well upwards and onwards.

Andy's donation page

A link to Andy's charity donation page ~ http://www.justgiving.com/cyclingpoliceman

Again please have a read.

As promised here are the details of Andy’s chosen charity – CLICSargent ~ Caring for children with Cancer. For further information please go to http://www.clicsargent.org.uk/

As some of you may be aware Vince and Andy have long cherished the dream of cycling the length of the country and now the opportunity has arrived. As this was their idea of fun (?*?), there was originally no idea of seeking any sponsorship ~ certainly Vince was conscious of being sponsored for previous efforts and didn’t feel he could ask for more. However after the comments of many friends and work colleagues they have decided to donate any monies raised to 2 charities:-

Vince’s charity ~ The National Autistic Society and more information about their work can be found at http://www.nas.org.uk

Anyone not having access to the sponsorship forms Vince has circulated can donate online at http://www.justgiving.com/vincekearney

(By way clicking on the above link for Vince’s thoughts worth a read anyway!)

Details of Andy’s charity to follow!


Meanwhile


here’s a picture of the lads in training last year on the 100+ mile ride from Bristol to London ~ hope Andy’s found his bike by time I drop them at Lands End!

Home from home

This is our home from home for just over two weeks ~ lets hope our two intrepid cyclists get on!