Author: Chris

Tyndrum to Fort Augustus (82.7 miles)

It’s not a river, but it’s a bloody deep Loch. Bear with me tonight, folks, I’m knackered and struggling for inspiration, but have a surfeit of perspiration!

Longest day of 83 miles, second highest climb, up and over into The stunning Glen Coe, in the hissing down rain. And that was in the first 25 miles!

Just goes to show how powerful attitude is in daily life. Get up and think it’s going to be “pants”, and you definitely increase the chance of that being the case. Today was many of the things that the “to Glasgow” day was, but it’s not taken 5* hospitality to keep me upbeat this time.

I’m in a cracking B&B in Fort Augustus, run by Natalie and Mark, and their dog Holly, who’s very friendly, and probably does run the show. If you get this way, consider staying, as the Kettle House is a beautiful house, just on the outskirts, on a backroad, all of which makes it really relaxing.

So I left Glengarry, headed upstream, to Bridge of Orchy, where the heavens really did open! A pretty big but long climb and then through Glen Coe, down to sea level. Over “a bridge” and then my Scottish coast-to-coast ride began!

Through Fort William, where I’d hoped to get a new tyre, which didn’t happen, but I did get to see a misty Ben Nevis, as I rode down the A82.

I’m riding the Great Glen fault for half of today, and half of tomorrow, up to Inverness. Yep, Inver-blinking-ness! On a pushbike! Now’s the time to confess that, it hit me today that I’ve now “only” got sub-200 to go. Keep calm, Captain Mainwairing!

So with just a couple of these blogs to go, I’m going to take this opportunity to make the following statements of fact:

1. I definitely could not have got even this far without your encouragement and support, which, particularly from friends, colleagues and family, has made a huge difference. Keep going, you only have to put up with this sh17 for two more days!
   
2. Whilst I cannot deny that I have personal, selfish motives for doing this, (to challenge myself), the extra drive to complete this comes from wanting to make sure you all at the very least, know about Climb and Millies Trust, their aims and objectives, and why just a small donation would make a big difference
   
3. After all the amazing personal friend/colleague/family donations, it would be fantastic if an Airangel partner/supplier or two (and I know of one already, who’s not even any of the above!) could consider a donation to the two charities. I’m sure they would do their best to provide a return, if required!
   
4. Whatever happens, I will be having a pint, “in’t Poynton Legion” next Friday, and I won’t bore more than usual, if you’re around, but I will be sat down more! Probably on a “pile cushion”!

Oh, nearly forgot – back on day 3, Cheddar Gorge, I met a group of LEJOGGERS, at the top after being passed by their tandem duo. They passed me again today! Arriving on Friday apparently, so I hope they’re there to clap me across the line!

I may just do this, you know, but don’t let on just yet!

Night all,

Chris
11th September 2013

Glasgow to Tyndrum (58.2 miles)

Told you it’s all ups and downs! Fabulous day, today! I’m back!

A slightly “short day” helped at a measly 58, 4 short of what I was expecting, for a change.

The mental shift from yesterday to today was like being 2-1 down at 90 minutes in the biggest game of your life, then somehow coming out 3 minutes 20 seconds later as a winner. Well, nearly…

A great nights sleep, again for a change, at the Radisson Blu Glasgow, followed by a much better breakfast, of fruit (including banana, of course) and yoghurt, then muesli with raisins, and scrambled egg on toast! Look at me, and my healthy eating! Thanks to Neil Pickering and the team at the Radisson for, in part at least, rescuing this ride!

A freestyle route out through Govan and onto the “National Cycle Route 7” which took me on a very pleasant run down the canal, and under the Clyde Bridge.

On from there, I headed out towards the Trossacks and stopped off at the De Vere Cameron House Hotel. If you get the chance, go! It’s an incredible hotel on the side of Loch Lomond.

Todays puncture came just after that, but was dealt with far better than yesterdays, and without the drama.

The rest of the day was spent cycling through some stunning countryside, especially when the weather’s kind like today. I never wore rain gear, leggings, etc all day. I didn’t even care that it was a breezy Northwesterly headwind again.

Last 15 miles through Crianlarich and on to destination, were all uphill but even then, less at the forefront than my appreciation of the landscape I was lucky enough to be within.

I’m staying with Andy and Ellen at the Glengarry House B&B tonight, and what a great place they run here. Mid-distance on the West Highland Way for any walkers, so bear them in mind. You may even get to see Ellens Royal Enfield classic motorbike!

A pub meal and a good chat in the Tyndrum Inn, a few minutes walk down the road, and then back here to write this up.

Tomorrow, I ride up, through and then down Glen Coe, and through Fort William, where I may trade in my “TackMagnet” brand tyres for alternatives! Actually, it turns out the puncture rate seems to be down to the fact that my rear tyre is really worn down already!

Just short of 680 miles down, so still a few to go, and I’m sure, more ups and downs, but, in the immortal words of Arnold Schwarzenegger, “I’ll be back!”

That one was in memory of my mother-in-law, who, although no longer with us, will always be in our thoughts, especially on her Birthday. Best wishes, Ann.

Good night all,

Chris
10th September 2013

Lockerbie to Glasgow (77.24 miles)

I’m here. In Glasgow. Tonight’s blog complete.

Almost…If tomorrow is as bad as today, then tomorrows blog will be from a train home.

But it won’t be. Because cycling, like life is full of ups and downs, both physically and mentally. And tomorrow is just as likely to be better as it is to be as bad. So, it’s best to assume it will be better and think positively.

Why was it such a “bad day at the office”? I’ll be as brief as I can:

1. didn’t feed correctly this morn (no fibre/oats & bananas!)
2. my “red cross parcel” I sent in advance which contained 2x 200g bags of sugary white powder (maltodextrin/potassium salt/caffeine Mix) didn’t make destination – not sure why!
3. 10-12mph block headwind all the way
4. lots of “bad hills” with bad tarmac to the point of having to pedal downhill on occasion
5. after which, I may need to wear a “tenna lady” pad, which I will, of course cross charge to South Lanarkshire council!
6. bad navigation and another extended day
7. two punctures, one just 15 miles from destination
8. hail and torrential rain 16 miles from destination

I’ll stop there, as it’s getting dull. You get the drift!

The long and the short is that if I didn’t know that tonight I’m staying at the Radisson Blu Glasgow, I could well have jacked it in at some point along the 77.24 miles covered today!

But I didn’t and I’m here, and it’s brilliant! That bed is going to see some “action” tonight – all of which will be sleeping! After I’ve done some drying out!

The oddly positive points from today were:

• Riding with “Scott” who was working in the area on railtrack replacement, but was on his newish bike to get over his birthday hangover. Nice bloke, a good chat, and 4 miles of company at a “low” point
  
• The “crazy bloke” on a bike who was “effing and jeffing” seemingly at me, until I twigged his gears were slipping and his tirade was aimed at his forlorn old Mountain bike
  
• looking at the Google map showing where I am, relative to where I started to ride

Cycling is, as I’ve said before a “head game” as much as physical. Today, I well and truly had my melon twisted!

Night folks,

Chris
9th September 2013

Manchester to Oxenholme (78 miles)

After a night at home, a bath, a load of washing and drying, and the comfort of my own bed, it was back to the Etihad to start today EXACTLY where I finished yesterday.  As regulated and adjudicated by my son Charlie, who insisted my back wheel was EXACTLY on the line!

Manchester City centre was awkward, as I seemed to catch every red light, interrupting progress, but I ticked off a few more Client sites, including Malmaison Manchester, Eversheds LLP and Manchester Central Conference Centre, before heading out on the A6 towards Chorley.

Whilst riding I caught up with a chap on a touring bike, who said hello. He looked at the pannier and asked where I was riding, to which I couldn’t help but answer “”John O’Groats” despite me technically only riding to Oxenholme today. “Bugger!” he said, explaining that he’d done it last year, and my mention made him want to give it another go. David Essien, you’re a mad bugger wanting to do this again, but you lightened my today and gave me confidence that this will retrospectively be a good experience!

Another fantastic uplift today, when at 28 miles, I was greeted at the side of the road by my wonderful Mum, lil Sister, and Jessica, my niece, who had made a sign, flags and had been distracting motorists prior to my arrival! We then had, and this is shockingly true, my first pub lunch of the ride. Shame on me! Yet more positivity to add – Mum had also arrived with a “Muffin Man” steak pie! As a Wiganer, trust me, they’re worth travelling for!

And even better, as far as I’m concerned the ride is now “officially recognised” and acknowledged, by Olympic Gold Medallist, and track cycling inspiration, Jason Queally. I’m very delighted to have received a personal message from Jason, who I watched win a medal at the Commonwealth Games at the Manchester Velodrome. That experience led to me “having a go” on the banked track, which I would do more often, except the success of Wiggo et al, has meant the sessions are booked up well in advance!

Ride-wise, apart from being cold, and it raining for the last 45 miles, I felt pretty good today. Decent energy for the most part, saw some double rainbows, and made good progress until the 68th mile, when I realised I’d got more miles to go than I’d expected. All of which were uphill, or so it felt.

Eventually arrived at the top of a big hill, and turned into the car park of tonights accommodation, the Station Inn, in Oxenholme. Clothes on radiator, shower, then prop the bar up! To then get yet another big lift, when (and it’s an injustice to just call them this) my Uncle & Auntie met me. I’m not that much younger than them, so it’s an incongruous title. Great meal, good company, and a real boost, as I start the “big days” tomorrow!

So it’s an “up and at ’em day” tomorrow, as, along with the rest of the days, they’re of similar +70 miles in length and more importantly, around 2500ft of climbing, over twice todays total.

Finally, it’s been brought to my attention that I owe apologies to some readers, Judith in particular! LEJOG is an acronym for “Lands End to John O’Groats” to us cyclists.Hope that’s cleared that one up!

Cheers,

Chris

7th September 2013

Day 6 – Cannock to Manchester (72.24 miles)

I definitely prepped better overnight and this morning, although the evening choice of an authentic Punjabi curry, could have gone horribly wrong, when you sit on a saddle for 6-7 hours a day. However, despite it being a quiet night, the food and service were great at the Taaj restaurant.

Another ropey night’s sleep, nothing to do with the venue again however. I think I’m enjoying the time to think too much, and minds racing, or maybe it’s all the caffeine-induced “energy drink”!

So, as I said yesterday, I had a mechanical to sort first thing, and fantastically, the bike shop was only 3 minutes away. I called Bridgtown Bikes (@btownbikes) late yesterday, and albeit they only open at 9:30am, those folks had my bike on a stand at 9:20, and me out the door, after a coffee, for just after 10. Can’t argue with that kind of service and dedication!

The day was, for the most part, “as expected”. Miserable, down to the weather and the puncture in “nomansland” again, this time in roadworks on the A34. A long hilly slog through Stoke then by Congleton, I’m back on familiar roads, and a quick stop to pick up son from school, before being greeted on my arrival at the Etihad Stadium, by wife, son, Uncle, and work colleagues.

I was probably a disappointing arrival, and I can but apologise for my lack of sociability, but I’m deprived of sleep, energy, and conversation!

So home, for a night watching England win a ‘qualy’, whilst trying not to think about tomorrows ride, then up and over Shap, to the Lake District. Hilly from here on in and long days, on my scale.

Official mileage today was 72.24, so running total is now 388 to date, so by close of play tomorrow, I’ll be closer to finishing than the start!

Enjoy your weekend!

Chris

6th September 2013

Day 5 –   Tewkesbury to Cannock (60.60 miles)

Odd day today, as I’ve been struggling to sleep well, so today’s start was, I have to confess, a slog.

I left Tewkesbury at about 10:40, from memory, and despite the better prep (a banana at 7:30 am, must surely class as better prep?) I felt really flat for the first 25 miles. My rear derailleur also seemed to be “sticky”, occasionally slipping gears.

The country roads should have been great, the weather should have felt fine, but somehow, the roads were bumpy, twisty and slowly uphill, and it was too hot, the back of my head is now badly burnt, and nothing felt “right”. This is the joy of multi-day cycling – it’s a head sport as much as physical.

I’m now going to drop today’s bombshell…

The thing that lifted my spirit and got me back on track was…(and I’m fairly sure I’ll never write this or think this again)…the “Welcome to Birmingham” sign! (Sorry, Brummies, said in jest, honest!)

Ran though central Birmingham and ticked off a few client sites; Radisson Blu, Malmaison at the Mailbox, Eversheds LLP, and Hotel Du Vin!

Out then to Warsaw, sorry, Walsall, and  off toward Cannock Chase, where today’s ride ends, at 60.60 miles, bringing the approximate running total to 315 miles, over a third of the scheduled total.

Thanks to Paul Shelley & the team at the Ramada Birmingham South Cannock for tonight’s accommodation – it’s very much appreciated!

Once in room, I had a quick look over the bike, as the gear changing had got steadily worse, to find that the gear cable has almost snapped through. Luckily there’s a bike shop within 3 minutes of here so a quick call and a stock check, confirms in theory that I’ll be back up and running by mid-morning. Better it happened now than over Crianlarich!

On a final and more positive note for the evening, however, my wonderful son will give me a “Daaaad! That’s embarrassing!” for today’s blog title. To be fair, I’ve not been prancing around in my “animal print pants, outta control” though. I love winding him up!

Cheers!

Chris

5th September 2013

Day 4: to Bristol to Tewkesbury (39 miles)

Today was officially my one and only rest day. By that, I mean I cycled a fairly flat and relatively uneventful 39 miles from Bristol to Tewkesbury via Gloucester. Another day, another county!

So totals to date are (79 + 79 + 57 + 39) 254 miles from my reckoning, but the big days are still ahead of me.

Without wishing to go one, the accommodation last night was fabulous (www.lodgeonthepark.co.uk) and it took a lot of effort to drag myself out of the power-shower this morning, due to the “massage” setting! Try it if you get the chance!

I’m now in the Royal Hop Pole Hotel (I’ve yet to find the pole!), a Weatherspoons, in the centre of Tewkesbury, and enjoying the beer garden, by the river, in glorious sunshine. This won’t last – a nasty forecast for Friday will balance this out.

I cycled the last 10 miles with another solo LEJOGGER (so I’m not the only nutter around), albeit hes a lot more “hardcore” than I. He’s riding around 120-140 miles per day, and his Dad is driving alongside in a “Bimmer” Estate feeding him energy drinks etc – all very Team Sky!

For those that don’t know me well, I thought I’d give some context to why I do this sort of thing, every now and then. Maybe explaining it will mean I find out as well!

Like most kids of my age, I grew up on a bike, as we had fewer distractions than now. After starting work however, and getting a car, the bike became a surplus item. Despite this, we always made a point of watching the then grainy Channel 4 coverage of ‘Le Tour”, when I admired the mens (now accepted to be sadly drug-fuelled) ability to endure such suffering and yet still compete rather than survive.

I found this feat of suffering as addictive as the riders were to EPO, Steroids and other such performance enhancing offerings. I interpreted this as an opportunity to carry out a “control-alt-delete” of your sensitivities, and test yourself with something that is both physically and mentally challenging.

My first attempt at this was to sign up to do a stage of the TdF, known as the “Etape Du Tour”, which was to be 157 miles of a stage that the pros would ride a few days later. My acceptance letter came too late to go, so instead I rode from Whitehaven to Roker Pier, Sunderland, in 24 hours. That was hard work, especially the morning of the second day.

A few of my associated nutters have on occasion (every two years’ish) under the banner of “The Midlife Cyclists”, done daft things on a bike, like riding from Arnhem to Berlin and then Bordeaux to Paris, raising money for the @ClimbHQ Charity.

I then had a go at riding up the “feared and revered” Mont Ventoux, of TdF infamy (google Tommy Simpson, for reference). That was really, really tough! Just because I had the chance to see if I could do it. I have a white stone from the top of the climb on a shelf as a memento of my completion.

This latest challenge therefore seemed a natural progression of my madness, and so having met up with Dan at my beloved Manchester Citys ground, I felt I would also like to ride this for Millie, and the Trust that he and his wife set up after her tragic death, to promote and make accessible paediatric first aid training. Read up more about @MilliesTrust and why this is more important than you may realise.

All the above is why I’m doing this…

Cheers,

Chris

4th September 2013

Day 3 –  Taunton to North Bristol (58.93 miles

“If it’s easy,  you’re not trying hard enough “, I said. “Or you’re an idiot”, I thought…

A nice “easy” 50 miles today, early to hotel, daily chores/washing etc out of the way.  That was the plan.

58.93 miles later and much more climbing than anticipated, with to be fair, some feisty descending (47.5 mph max speed), I arrived!

Mentally, spirit felt slightly better today (last nights blog entry reflects a lack of energy, so, sorry). Physically, still not getting it right with liquids and food. I’m finding it harder on my route to stock up, when you begrudge carrying things that weigh something!

Anyway, my new favourite road is the A38, or at least the part until it gets to the turn to Cheddar…

I know, I’m an idiot.  I turned right and decided to tick off another “must do” off my bucket list. Hence the 8 mile detour to Cheddar Gorge and the ascent of said place.

Passed by many cyclists, including a couple on a tandem, I made it up The Gorge without stopping. Interestingly (to me, if no one else), it turned out they were also LEJOGGERS, but had a big camper van and drivers for support. When I pointed to my pannier, after being asked about my own support, I got a telling “High 5! Respect!”, then some funny looks.

I paid for the dalliance by having to climb daft little farm tracks and then their monumental descents that you get when playing in the Mendips, and then enjoying the inevitable payback-climb until I got back on the A38.

Bristol centre was buzzing today in the Indian Summer, with everyone seemingly out to enjoy the day, and they seem to have their attitude right towards cyclists as well! Hurrah for Bristol!

Albeit, an uphill slog (are there any others?) to the hotel, that was the only downside. I’m staying at the Lodge On The Park tonight, courtesy of Chris, the GM & Irvine Aldridge of Shire Hotels. My room is fab (very “posh home” feel, and not “hotelly”) & the power shower (digital, I’ll have you know!) is probably one of the best I’ve been lucky enough to use.

I’m no hotel critic, but I can say that the Calamari starter followed by the chicken & mushroom pasta were absolutely spot on, and was matched by the service. The draft Warsteiner also has assisted in my recovery!

I’m on a night off, given I’ve got my shortest day tomorrow, so am living it up by drying socks and repacking my panniers!

Good night & “Chapeau!”

Chris

3rd September 2013

Day 2 – Tredagillett to Taunton (79.77 miles)

Ouch. A supposedly 70 mile day which ended fractionally longer than yesterday’s, at 79.77 miles, due to detours and map reading “issues”. However, it does mean I’ve now ridden through Cornwall and completed Devon, which as previously commented, are supposed to be some of the tougher sections.

An interesting day, starting out poorly, when the MapMyRide app I’ve been using to plan routes and then act as a satnav locked up and required a reinstall. Great, but not without WiFi or 3G! That’ll teach me to not stay at a Client site!

A 4 mile detour into Launceston, to cadge WiFi and then back off and running down my not-so-favourite road, the A30 again. On to Oakhampton then a much needed change of cycling scenery, as I then swapped the wagons for tractors on the country lanes.

The lanes, all 40 or so miles of them, provided their own challenge, with poor road surfaces and short snappy hills (one of which was surely a 1-in-3). That was somewhere near Nomansland (seriously), from recollection! You know you’re in a low frame of mind when you get cheered up by The Smiths and Radiohead on the MP3 player!

After a “carry the bike across a cow field” moment to get back on a bypass I’d missed, I made better progress, speed wise, and had already got my head around it turning out to be another 75+ mile day.

The weather and my mood lightened for the last 20 miles into Taunton, where I’m delighted to say I’m now resident. Thanks go to Andrew Thombs and Rob Holmes of Somerston Hotels for providing my accommodation at the Holiday Inn Express Taunton. A shorter day in store tomorrow, so will be making the most of the free breakfast and a lie in!

159 miles done, so just another 750 or so to go!

Cheers

Chris 2nd September 2013