Update from James on route (Kerri at The Pepper Foundation 21.04.11)
James & Rob have crossed into Cheshire today and have informed us that Adderley is the bug capital of the UK!
On the 15th April they officially hit the half way mark at 82 miles, after a challenge through Manchester and a 'very big hill' just after Waddington they were looking forward to hearty lunch at a pub in Slaidburn, however found themselves turned away after arriving 5 minutes to late for food so it was a hot meat pie from the post office and 'Just for Men' Yorkies.
James sais he needs to remember to remove his show fromt he pedal clip when stationary as slow motion sideways falls are not good! They conintued on to Ingleton where they stopped for the night and were early to bed after a long challenging day.
On the 18th they had a quick ride but had there second puncture, bugs ingested 4!  Arriving in Prestwick via Gretna James said the accents are becoming harder to understand and the next day sees them heading to Arran.
Sally satnav has been a great help keeping the guys on track but sadly the flapjack is now running low and James is worrying t wont last : (
James latest puncture was a 'snake bite' apparently we have to ask a cyclists?
Last update 19th April they were leaving Prestwick to take the ferry to Arran to avoid the hills near Glen Coe! Regular readers will still be pleased to hear that the 'Chafe-ometer has still registered nothing! Although WARNING vaseline supplies have now been moved to a state of readiness and we have a little bruising int he saddle department.
Great meal at Elliot's Resturant, burger and red wine enjoyed by all.
Keep going boys we are all routing for you!

 

 

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Update from James on route (Kerri at The Pepper Foundation) 12.04.11

James & Rob are cycling the 1,000 miles from Lands End to John O'Groats to raise funds for the Pepper Foundation this month and their journey began on the 9^th April.

James said before he set of on his challenge that ‘having not sat on a saddle for over 20 years it will be a voyage of discovery, in more ways than one!’ and we have been receiving short updates of how the trip is going.

James has told us that after a 310 mile car trip to Lands End he cycled the first 25 miles into a strong headwind which was challenge but helped when he arrived at the hostel to Spag Bol which restored his spirits.

James wife Jenny is making sure he keeps topped up with sunscreen and keeping count of the insects ingested on route which I’m sure are a small energy boost!

On the 11^th April there was a small hiccup with the chain on James bike coming off but The Bike Shop in Tiverton soon got them back on the road meaning they could end the day having completed some 70 miles and James assures us that the ‘Chafe-ometer’ has not registered anything as yet.

James is now heading from Tiverton to Bristol and onto Stourport on Severn over the next few days so we wish him the very best of luck and look forward to his next update, we leave him enjoying a Cornish pasty and a well deserved cuppa.

 Watch out for the next updates......

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 Update from James on route (Kerri at The Pepper Foundation) 14.04.11James & Rob arrived in Bristol at 4pm on 12th April and James sent his update whilst 'rehydrating' enjoying a pint! The weather was very kind and they covered 76 miles with 2400 calories burnt.

They are now 230 miles into their challenge with the bugometer going up, another 2 bugs ingested, also 2 Bee strikes today too and a hard climb at Cheddar Gorge, only a small amount of pushing the bike though so very impressive. No further reports of the

The 13th April saw James & Rob cover another 84 miles in just 5 hours and 22mins. The previous nights stay at the YHA sounded like fun with not much sleep as there were 3 French chaps who took it in turns to snore throughout the night but by the sounds of it the roast beef and yorkshire pudding cooked courtesy of Jenny's friends made up for it.

So with tired legs and on his way for a shower we leave James & Rob for another night and wish them well on their travels.

 

 

 

I was invited by my friend Rob to join him on the 1,000 mile cycle ride from Lands End to John O’Groats (LE-JOG) between 09^th – 25^th April. Despite my initial hesitation about the amount of training involved and not being able to enjoy a glass or two of wine after work, I have decided to accept.

I haven't sat on a saddle for over 20 years, so it will be a voyage of discovery, in more ways than one! But I'm pleased to say that I'm now training in earnest and learning to cope with life in the hot seat.

To make the ride doubly worthwhile, I have decided to raise sponsorship for a local charity, The Pepper Foundation. Pepper a registered charity providing much needed and loving nursing care on a 24 hour / 365 days of the year on-call basis for seriously ill children in their own homes. This service is provided free of charge, throughout the Hertfordshire and Buckinghamshire area. 

The Pepper Foundation funds the Pepper Children’s Nurses who are managed by the Iain Rennie Hospice at Home. The Pepper Children’s Nurses offer specialist paediatric nursing care which can greatly improve the quality of life for the child and for all of the family and ensure that a child’s life, no matter how short, is made as comfortable and happy as possible.

So please dig deep and donate now.