We are all still thinking about Roger who is still in a serious but stable condition at the moment.
We would like to thank the following individuals for making this adventure possible (In no particular Order)
Martin Elwood (Cheers for everything boss)
Christine Elwood for the supplies.
Leanne in Scotland (Crawford) for supplying the tea at very short notice & Simon.
Howie in Penzance
Malmesbury Leisure centre
Ladies in the Fryary in Beauly
All the staff at Westwood inparticular David and Ron.
The Cycle Centre in Dumfries for the good service and discount
The 3 support Drivers (James, Wayne and Ken) could not have done it without you chaps!
Ruth in Bristol for 1 putting up with Lynseys disgusting and degrading stories and for her hospitality.
Peter Newton for the ride to Wick from John O'Groats
The staff at the Pub near Newquay for the pasties and sponsorship.
Nigel Eatch for the loan of the bike which gave us so much fun all trip!!
Everybody in the NDS who, with a lot of their minds right now, continued to give us the support and respect we were so humbled by.
All the cyclists out there, who waved and wished us good luck.
plus all the team for their efforts in turning the pedals hour after hour, great team and such a good laugh, we would recommend this to everyone.
And last but not least a very big special thank you to all the Cumbrian Emergency Services especially the Air Ambulance crew for all their help with Roger, and the team at Newcastle General for there help and support.
We would also like to thanks the following for getting us through the 10 days.
Immoduim
Assos Cream
Vaseline
Cocodomol
Nurufen
Klennex Tissues!!
Ibro Gel
Paracetamol
Ibuprofen
Mars/Snickers
Go Bars
Gatorade
Powerade
Lucozade
Rush Energy Drink (Great stuff!!!)
Haribo
Deep Heat
Nutragrain
Highland spring
Flap Jack
Laguvalin
Bacon & Chips
Natures Kiss Herbal Rub
Active Sports Rub
Zantac
Remegel
P2P
Continental Gator Skin Tyres
Chris Boardman Bikes
Truative
Shimano
Toyota
NDS Control
Ale / Beer
Humorous Road Signs
And last but not least the 80 German tourist on the Bus, Lynz will now be famous in the German version of ‘You Been Framed’
Thursday, 18 June 2009
Tuesday, 16 June 2009
Day 10 Bonar Bridge to John O'Groats
Day 10 Bonar Bridge to John O’Groats
Firstly, we’d like to dedicate our ride to our good friend Roger who we hope will be able to read this very soon; our thoughts are very much with him at this time.
Firstly, we’d like to dedicate our ride to our good friend Roger who we hope will be able to read this very soon; our thoughts are very much with him at this time.
We set off from wee Bonar Bridge at the usual early o’ clock. This required the wonderful staff of the wee Dunroamin Hotel getting up early and making us all breakfast so we could get away on time: as you have probably already gathered we were not adverse to dragging random people in to our wee schedule (Which has been hitting hedges, trees and fields every 12 minutes on average since Lands End) whether they liked it or not! Anyway, cheers all the same.
Well, the start of the day was sadly overcast when we hoped that someone, somewhere, might have given us some sunshine instead of the prevailing, wee, multi-directional wind which was actually a Hurricane. This did not dampen the spirits of our top rider wee Dave ‘David’ Campbell who lead from the middle of the bunch (An energy saving tactic if ever I’ve seen one) hoping that there would be a wee sprint finish which did not materialise. As we progressed, the wee calf muscles of Dr Andrew Spence (PHD) began to show signs of wear as he imagined a wee incline to be an alpine stage of the Tour de France (A race which he has vowed to enter next year – if they have space in the wee team van).
Jim ‘My bike isn’t going to make it to the end’ Kennell suffered in silence as his wee undercarriage sent him ‘please stop now messages’ which he somehow ignored. Perhaps his wee extra curricular activities had kept him numb enough to allow him to carry on. Zac ‘please don’t do that anymore Jim’ Grief pounded on consistently, as always, and is a fantastic wind-breaker and all round good chap. Unfortunately some of us became more vocal than others as the pain began to bite in to the old legs. I am of course talking about wee Lynsey O’Neil whose unrepeatable language will have to dwell in your imaginations my dear blog watchers (Think Grimsby fishwife orYorkshire miners after hours drinking club and you won’t be far off). Lynsey, who is incredibly strong, kept on going and is a wee triumph.
Amanda led us down a road that was, like most of Scotland, very Canadian with Logging trucks and chainsaw wielding maniacs everywhere whose vehicles were restricted to run at no less that 100 mph – thankfully there was an abundance of Passing Places which we all used for passing in (Passing? Sorry, guys that might be dyslexia – you just had to be there – see photo). Anyway, hats off to Amanda who was very brave and strong on so many levels.
Bland roads led us away from our penultimate pub lunch stop at Betty Hill where locals, exasperated by the sheer amount of cyclists invading their grief hovel, gave us the look. However, the waitress was worth the trouble and we soldiered on our way to the mighty tourist trinket trap of John O’Groats – arriving after pushing through a head-wind which allowed us very little time to enjoy our final hours. Thankfully, we stopped in Thurso, in a civilised modern café, and had us some cake n’ that. At this time Ken received a message that Amanda had cashed in her chips and had to go off and collect her. Perhaps this was due in some part to DC not being there to push her along. Dave must feel like he has completed one and a half rides here as his pushing arm is now massive and his wife may have some suspicions as to what he has been doing whilst away (That’s the second one of the team who has developed a single bigger bicep, but enough of that).
Anyway, good news – we made it as a team (minus Carl ‘Its not a race but I’ll finish first anyway’ Jones)
After the finish we had the customary photos, hugs, gropes etc (see photo) we then pilled on the van (thanks to Peter Newton) back to the hotel in Wick.
A quick clean up (Jim!) and it was down to the bar for a wee bit of booze, at this point we opened the letter Lynz has been carrying around for the past week, hoping it would contain a get out of Milton Keynes free card for each of us. Thanks for the best wished and help Martin.
The hotel’s extortionate food prices led us out to look for an Indian restaurant which we could not find. Instead, we settled for a Chinese which later turned out to be next door but 1 from the Indian. With attention to detail like this will be all guaranteed a long and successful career with Network Rail.
Eatchy bike watch
We must apologise at this point for the late update of the Blog, but we were all battered like Loch Fyne Haddock without the tartar sauce last night - but we all deserved it didn’t we?
Please join us tomorrow for our final thoughts.
Sunday, 14 June 2009
Day 9 Fort William to Bonar Bridge
Day 9 Fort William to Bonar Bridge
As usual our thoughts are with Big Roger, pull through mate!
We were joined for the last couple of days by Amanda Henderson (ex Network Rail in York) who navigated us through the lochs and hills. The sun was out again and the scenery was stunning, (sorry enough about Lynz’ arse) The hills and lochs were not bad either.
Andy ‘my Knee hurts’ Spence or is that ‘No hills please’ decided to give Ken company in the van so that he can take part in the last leg on Monday. Where has the time gone? It was only 10 mins ago that we were starting off the ride at Lands End and now we have just 1 more day to go.
The unusual sight of the day, which is only just surpassed by yesterdays Lynsey show was the sight of Spency jet washing all the muck off the bike at a petrol station. We think that Scotland must have gone on full water contamination alert afterwards as 2 fire engines, and police cars, came thundering past.
The first stop of the day was at a hotel (Café) in Invergarry just after 11am. Whilst the team had tea, Jim and Carl opted for a pint of the ‘Go Faster’ Beer.
Jonesy was running out of fags at this point so he sent Spency to grab some at the next stop, whilst waiting in the queue to get service Spencey was wildly cut up by some foreign tourist as the lady behind the counter shouted next please, not sure they understood the language but Spency did not understand the stuff that came back.
Lynz thought she saw the Loch Ness monster but only ended up being Jonsey riding past.
JK beasted up the biggest hill of the whole LEJOG followed closely by Dave. Dave, not been happy coming 2nd, decided to have another go and went back down for another attempt, the Scottish water must do strange things to people but then realised it was Dave ‘Where are the Hills’ Campbell. It was later discovered he only made this second dash to get a look at the other lady cyclist with the big pair of ‘wheels’
The lunch stop was in Beauly for Fish and Chips at the Fryary, very nice they were too, plus they put £20 into the tin which was much appreciated.
It was a long and lonely 12 miles over the moors to Bonar Bridge and the group stayed together in good team fashion. However with 3 miles to go the race to the finish began! It was thought that DC had made the big break and could not be caught and despite encouragement from ZG, JK would not chase. At the 2 mile point however DC came past at top speed after having hidden in a bush!! He had gone too early though as JK pipped him into Bonar Bridge only to find CJ waiting and took the stage win!!
As usual our thoughts are with Big Roger, pull through mate!
We were joined for the last couple of days by Amanda Henderson (ex Network Rail in York) who navigated us through the lochs and hills. The sun was out again and the scenery was stunning, (sorry enough about Lynz’ arse) The hills and lochs were not bad either.
Andy ‘my Knee hurts’ Spence or is that ‘No hills please’ decided to give Ken company in the van so that he can take part in the last leg on Monday. Where has the time gone? It was only 10 mins ago that we were starting off the ride at Lands End and now we have just 1 more day to go.
The unusual sight of the day, which is only just surpassed by yesterdays Lynsey show was the sight of Spency jet washing all the muck off the bike at a petrol station. We think that Scotland must have gone on full water contamination alert afterwards as 2 fire engines, and police cars, came thundering past.
The first stop of the day was at a hotel (Café) in Invergarry just after 11am. Whilst the team had tea, Jim and Carl opted for a pint of the ‘Go Faster’ Beer.
Jonesy was running out of fags at this point so he sent Spency to grab some at the next stop, whilst waiting in the queue to get service Spencey was wildly cut up by some foreign tourist as the lady behind the counter shouted next please, not sure they understood the language but Spency did not understand the stuff that came back.
Lynz thought she saw the Loch Ness monster but only ended up being Jonsey riding past.
JK beasted up the biggest hill of the whole LEJOG followed closely by Dave. Dave, not been happy coming 2nd, decided to have another go and went back down for another attempt, the Scottish water must do strange things to people but then realised it was Dave ‘Where are the Hills’ Campbell. It was later discovered he only made this second dash to get a look at the other lady cyclist with the big pair of ‘wheels’
The lunch stop was in Beauly for Fish and Chips at the Fryary, very nice they were too, plus they put £20 into the tin which was much appreciated.
It was a long and lonely 12 miles over the moors to Bonar Bridge and the group stayed together in good team fashion. However with 3 miles to go the race to the finish began! It was thought that DC had made the big break and could not be caught and despite encouragement from ZG, JK would not chase. At the 2 mile point however DC came past at top speed after having hidden in a bush!! He had gone too early though as JK pipped him into Bonar Bridge only to find CJ waiting and took the stage win!!
Eatchy bike watch
Saturday, 13 June 2009
Day 8 Balloch - Fort Bill
Well they've let me back on the blog again and here goes. There was some trouble in room one last night, JKs Teddies were put on his bed as normal (see photo) but on entering the room JK threw both Big Ted and Little Ted on the floor and rather roughly! His room mate was not sure if something had happened to cause this event ot if it was just one to many sniffs of the barmaids apron.
We left Balloch today with a few members on Lynsey's lovely family who accompanied us for a while along the shores of Loch Lomond. It must have been nice for them the night before to have to wash the shorts, sweaty jersey's et al, of certain members of the crew as they would probably regret their free offer turning in to the great financial burden of having their houses defumigating by the local council afterwoods. Anyway, I have to say that I'm not easily moved but the scenery has been the real star of the Scottish leg of our little oddessey. Glencoe was stunning and I couldn't resist, along with Zac, reminding David that half of his ancestors had been cruelly betrayed and murdered only yards away - David said that this was best left un said but we carried on all the same. A quality moment was climbing up towards the still snowy (Yes snowy!) peaks of the official highlands. At the top in an unpridictable manner was an attendent Bag-piper who was banging out some old Scottish ditty which was eyewateringly annoying. Zac offered to pay a fiver for him to give up but felt his cash was better spent at the discount burger / bacon vendor who made it two full pigs for Zac this week.
A little further down the road Lynsey's form of unique exhibitionism reached a new low. Thinking that she had obscurity from the road she hit the open fields to leak a few of last nights drinks only to become a new, and unwelcolmed, addition to a passing coach of German tourists - and here on the left is a beutiful loch and on the right is the stunning scenery of Glencoe and also on the right is a local girl watering the abundant heather - or is a pirate spitting - discuss?
It was hoped for a leisurely ride into Fort William but the speed increased from 8 miles out and at 2.5 miles DC made the break hotly pursued by JK, CJ and ZG. DC could not be caught and took the Fort Bill stage win! will this be the norm? we will have to see! Luckily Lynsey had some tissues ready ready for JK. Spency left way at the back by his ex Team mates got lost in Fort William and threw the teddy out of the pram.
Stats of the day
Punctures 2 (both spency, 1 before we even started)
Miles 86 (818 in total)
Wee Wee Stops 7 (Including the Lynz Show)
Photo Opportunities 7 + 80 German Tourists on the bus!
Pot Holes 3,541,790 all around Loch Lomond
Midges loads minus the squashed ones.
Teddy Bears out of the pram, 2 for Jim and Spency 1.
We left Balloch today with a few members on Lynsey's lovely family who accompanied us for a while along the shores of Loch Lomond. It must have been nice for them the night before to have to wash the shorts, sweaty jersey's et al, of certain members of the crew as they would probably regret their free offer turning in to the great financial burden of having their houses defumigating by the local council afterwoods. Anyway, I have to say that I'm not easily moved but the scenery has been the real star of the Scottish leg of our little oddessey. Glencoe was stunning and I couldn't resist, along with Zac, reminding David that half of his ancestors had been cruelly betrayed and murdered only yards away - David said that this was best left un said but we carried on all the same. A quality moment was climbing up towards the still snowy (Yes snowy!) peaks of the official highlands. At the top in an unpridictable manner was an attendent Bag-piper who was banging out some old Scottish ditty which was eyewateringly annoying. Zac offered to pay a fiver for him to give up but felt his cash was better spent at the discount burger / bacon vendor who made it two full pigs for Zac this week.
A little further down the road Lynsey's form of unique exhibitionism reached a new low. Thinking that she had obscurity from the road she hit the open fields to leak a few of last nights drinks only to become a new, and unwelcolmed, addition to a passing coach of German tourists - and here on the left is a beutiful loch and on the right is the stunning scenery of Glencoe and also on the right is a local girl watering the abundant heather - or is a pirate spitting - discuss?
It was hoped for a leisurely ride into Fort William but the speed increased from 8 miles out and at 2.5 miles DC made the break hotly pursued by JK, CJ and ZG. DC could not be caught and took the Fort Bill stage win! will this be the norm? we will have to see! Luckily Lynsey had some tissues ready ready for JK. Spency left way at the back by his ex Team mates got lost in Fort William and threw the teddy out of the pram.
Stats of the day
Punctures 2 (both spency, 1 before we even started)
Miles 86 (818 in total)
Wee Wee Stops 7 (Including the Lynz Show)
Photo Opportunities 7 + 80 German Tourists on the bus!
Pot Holes 3,541,790 all around Loch Lomond
Midges loads minus the squashed ones.
Teddy Bears out of the pram, 2 for Jim and Spency 1.
Friday, 12 June 2009
Day 7 Dumfries – Ballocks (Balloch)
Obviously our thoughts are with Roger and his family, but the ride still goes on.
First full day north of the boarder and the sun is shining. After a later start than normal we got a message that we could drop in and see our colleague Simon Kerr, who invited us round for a cup of tea. Everyone arrived apart from him, he’d failed to tell us that he was at the office and his very hospitable partner was told that 7 complete strangers would be turning up on her doorstep.
Leanne was very welcoming and provided the riders and support crew with tea and supplies which was very much appreciated and a big thank you has to go to her and Simon, who didn’t turn up until later.
After meeting Leanne we headed to Abington Services to meet someone who spoke even more foreign than Dave: his brother John. If you thought that Dave is a bike beast then you haven’t met his brother. John took the cyclist on a short cut through the sleepy suburbs of Glasgow. James and Andy in the mean time got lost several times even with a sat nav.
During the trip around the backstreets of Glasgow, Zac thought it appropriate to say hello to a local of the area. The guy in the string vest holding a can of special brew did not quite understand this and thought Zac wanted a fight. I am sure the nice man was called Rab.
The pain is starting to show on the cyclists faces and that’s just the bits you can see! Carlos ‘Sastre’ Jones showed himself to be the true champion hill climber that he is with a welcome return to form after his ‘bad day’ yesterday! However, we are in Dave’s place now (Scotland) and he fully expects to have the Polka-Dot jersey stripped from his broken back in the next couple of days – unless Jim claims it first.
Over to Carl:
Zac ‘I don’t do the front of the group anymore’ Grief suffered some tyre beeding issues which caused a bigger bubble on his wheel that the Vasaline one on his cycling shorts which is created by a combination of too much application and farts which help keep the pack in a smelly state.
Dave ‘David’ Campbell was truly in good form today and even though he claims to not be suffering we all know different. I (Carl) don’t think that he’s gonna make it unless he can unload another night watchmen on Spency tonight to counter act the air biscuit which Spency dropped on us all at diner.
I must admit that there is a lot we don’t appreciate about the hidden talents of Lynsey O’Neil – such as booking us in to a night club to rest before tomorrows big day in the mountains – I’ll tell you it’s like Yate’s in here, mutants the lot they must spent all day lifting hay bales.
Over to Dave:
Today was all about Sun Scenery and Stinking smells from Andy Spences rear end!
Jones was on form, letting everyone do the work and then seeing the front on the last mile. As for his map reading… yes he got lost again at the end.
Lynsey has finally joined the ranks and decided to go native and frequently use the fields for wee stops. Picture to follow…
Back to James:
Finally I’m going to be shot of this lot no more searching bike shops for 700 -28C’s, if anyone has one spare please sent them to Zac as the appear to be as rare as rocking horse sh1t. Ken Blackley has joined the team as the support driver for the final stretch and I even foolishly admitted I might take a shot at next years expedition, if this one doesn’t break them all first.
Have a good weekend.
Stats:
- Punctures: 1 (tyre failure – Zac)
- Miles: 110
- Miles to go: 300 (ish)
- Wind: welcome tailwind
- Weather: Sunny blue skys
- Road quality: poor, high pothole count
- Views: superb (particularly Glasgow)
- Lunch: Junk food and long
- Drugs: anti-histamines (Lynsey), Ibuprofen (Lynsey), Van (Spency)
- Special creams: Lip balm (Lynsey), double dips (Daves bro – but he didn’t know until after), Suncream (everyone)
- Jokes: Carl Jones stories about his ‘mate’ Gibbo
- Lost Teddies: 1 (Carl after Jim rinsed him on the last climb of the day)
- Jim getting popular with 16 year old Scottish girls!
Eatchy bike watch
First full day north of the boarder and the sun is shining. After a later start than normal we got a message that we could drop in and see our colleague Simon Kerr, who invited us round for a cup of tea. Everyone arrived apart from him, he’d failed to tell us that he was at the office and his very hospitable partner was told that 7 complete strangers would be turning up on her doorstep.
Leanne was very welcoming and provided the riders and support crew with tea and supplies which was very much appreciated and a big thank you has to go to her and Simon, who didn’t turn up until later.
After meeting Leanne we headed to Abington Services to meet someone who spoke even more foreign than Dave: his brother John. If you thought that Dave is a bike beast then you haven’t met his brother. John took the cyclist on a short cut through the sleepy suburbs of Glasgow. James and Andy in the mean time got lost several times even with a sat nav.
During the trip around the backstreets of Glasgow, Zac thought it appropriate to say hello to a local of the area. The guy in the string vest holding a can of special brew did not quite understand this and thought Zac wanted a fight. I am sure the nice man was called Rab.
The pain is starting to show on the cyclists faces and that’s just the bits you can see! Carlos ‘Sastre’ Jones showed himself to be the true champion hill climber that he is with a welcome return to form after his ‘bad day’ yesterday! However, we are in Dave’s place now (Scotland) and he fully expects to have the Polka-Dot jersey stripped from his broken back in the next couple of days – unless Jim claims it first.
Over to Carl:
Zac ‘I don’t do the front of the group anymore’ Grief suffered some tyre beeding issues which caused a bigger bubble on his wheel that the Vasaline one on his cycling shorts which is created by a combination of too much application and farts which help keep the pack in a smelly state.
Dave ‘David’ Campbell was truly in good form today and even though he claims to not be suffering we all know different. I (Carl) don’t think that he’s gonna make it unless he can unload another night watchmen on Spency tonight to counter act the air biscuit which Spency dropped on us all at diner.
I must admit that there is a lot we don’t appreciate about the hidden talents of Lynsey O’Neil – such as booking us in to a night club to rest before tomorrows big day in the mountains – I’ll tell you it’s like Yate’s in here, mutants the lot they must spent all day lifting hay bales.
Over to Dave:
Today was all about Sun Scenery and Stinking smells from Andy Spences rear end!
Jones was on form, letting everyone do the work and then seeing the front on the last mile. As for his map reading… yes he got lost again at the end.
Lynsey has finally joined the ranks and decided to go native and frequently use the fields for wee stops. Picture to follow…
Back to James:
Finally I’m going to be shot of this lot no more searching bike shops for 700 -28C’s, if anyone has one spare please sent them to Zac as the appear to be as rare as rocking horse sh1t. Ken Blackley has joined the team as the support driver for the final stretch and I even foolishly admitted I might take a shot at next years expedition, if this one doesn’t break them all first.
Have a good weekend.
Stats:
- Punctures: 1 (tyre failure – Zac)
- Miles: 110
- Miles to go: 300 (ish)
- Wind: welcome tailwind
- Weather: Sunny blue skys
- Road quality: poor, high pothole count
- Views: superb (particularly Glasgow)
- Lunch: Junk food and long
- Drugs: anti-histamines (Lynsey), Ibuprofen (Lynsey), Van (Spency)
- Special creams: Lip balm (Lynsey), double dips (Daves bro – but he didn’t know until after), Suncream (everyone)
- Jokes: Carl Jones stories about his ‘mate’ Gibbo
- Lost Teddies: 1 (Carl after Jim rinsed him on the last climb of the day)
- Jim getting popular with 16 year old Scottish girls!
Eatchy bike watch
We would also like to thank the Cycle Centre in Dumfries for their help and discount in getting a few bits for the team. www.cycle-centre.com
Day 6 Darlington - Dumfries
All,
Unfortunately there is no update for today. As by now you have no doubt heard that there was an accident involving Roger. All our thoughts are with Roger and his family for a speedy recovery.
The ride though does continue.
The LE Jog Team
Unfortunately there is no update for today. As by now you have no doubt heard that there was an accident involving Roger. All our thoughts are with Roger and his family for a speedy recovery.
The ride though does continue.
The LE Jog Team
Wednesday, 10 June 2009
Day 5 A Big Thank You
Hi,
I know 2 posts in one day!!!
This one though is slightly more serious than the others.
A Big thank you has to go to Martin who arrived at our hotel in Darlington with a boot full of supplies for the team. The team just want to say a big thank you to Martin and the rest of the NDS team who have been so helpful along the way so far.
Thanks we really appreciate it
The Team
I know 2 posts in one day!!!
This one though is slightly more serious than the others.
A Big thank you has to go to Martin who arrived at our hotel in Darlington with a boot full of supplies for the team. The team just want to say a big thank you to Martin and the rest of the NDS team who have been so helpful along the way so far.
Thanks we really appreciate it
The Team
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