Update 15 May - DAY TWELVE

My cycling buddy and I woke early and set off by 7 am as we wanted to take a detour and see the most northern point . ( Dunnet Head.) It added about 10 miles to the day but was absolutely worth it. The views were amazing and we didn't mind the climb . We needed to retrace our steps a bit and joined the road to John O'Groats. The climbs were over and we made fast progress.  Four of us did the extra miles and we were nicknamed the Dunnet Four. We all met at a cafe just outside John O'Groats so we could cycle across the line together.  The staff made us feel very special and we enjoyed some champagne. Tonight we celebrate.  I will add some final thoughts about the experience when I have recovered! What an experience. Thanks to lots of people but my mum and dad followed me day by day and popped up to cheer me when I most needed it

Update 14 May - DAY ELEVEN

We had a short day today, only 55 miles, and completed before lunch.  Heading north to Lairg and then Altnaharra.  Tea and cakes were welcome at the Crask Inn which had amazing views.  The sun was shining and we sat out in shorts. The road onwards was lovely and we raced along enjoying the views and watched out for eagles.  I honestly didn't want the road to stop it was so lovely.  We are staying at Bettyhill tonight and if all goes well John O'Groats tomorrow.  I can't believe I have almost done it.  It certainly has been a challenge.

Update 13 May - DAY TEN

Early start heading towards Fort Augustus . We then cycled along Loch Ness towards Drumnadrochit.  We didn't see the monster although we couldn't help looking.  After a quick drink we climbed quickly a 15 percent hill which was over quickly and was worth it for the views. The ride down the other side was fast and fun and long. We have stopped for the night in a youth hostel in Bonar Bridge which is a fantastic old castle.  It's funny staying in the hostel and makes me feel about 10 and at Brownie camp. It's looking more likely that I can finish this challenge and it is getting very exciting. Only another 120 miles to go.

Update 12 May - DAY NINE

Fantastic day.  We started the day with a climb which began at 13 percent but soon became a steady climb which was about 6 miles long.  We turned left at the north end of Loch Awe and headed towards Oban. The views were fantastic. Over the Connel Bridge, which felt like home as John and I had holidayed there last summer, and along the side of the loch towards Fort William.  Honestly the best cycling I have ever done it was so lovely.  After Fort William we climbed again towards Loch Lochy and ended up in Invergarry in a hostel for the night.( 100 miles) I think my cycling has improved and I have got stronger. Eating ridiculous amounts of food.  Need it though

Update 11 May - DAY EIGHT

Easier day today -  still 80 miles but mainly flatish.  We set off in fantastic sunshine and headed towards Irvine and then Kilwinning.  We stopped briefly in Largs for a waterstop and then enjoyed the views arriving in Gourock and caught the Dunoon ferry.  The ride up Loch Eck was fantastic and I am relaxing and enjoying it enormously.  We passed the famous oyster beds of Loch Fyne but couldn't stop to sample.  We have fantastic views from our hotel in Inverary.

Update 10th May - DAY SEVEN

We set off from Carlisle on a fast country road towards Gretna.  We stopped at the Scotland sign feeling pretty elated and very pleased with ourselves. We then had another 90 miles to go and the wind was not in our favour. Three of us spent the day together because we seem to be of a similar standard.  We took it in turns to shield each other from the wind.  A lot of the day is spent with my head down, concentrating on the task in hand. Some miles go quickly and others very slowly.  We are all looking forward to tommorrow which sounds amazing.

We made Kilmarnock by 5.30. My parents have been fantastic and have been a great support, but I also feel very supported by all the mesages of support.  When it gets tough I know people are behind me. Thank you.

Update 9th May - DAY SIX

Fantastic day today another 90miles along the A6.  We started in  Preston at around 8am. We have warm up exercises first.  Then we had a fast run through carnforth and into Kendal . After Kendal a long climb 
onto Shap Fell which went up and up but was worth it just for the views. After lunch we had another fast ride into Carlisle. The hotel  is nice and we are looking forward to a nice evening meal.  I have done  my washing so I hope to dry my stuff on the radiators overnight. My  bike is being good and the traffic is bearable. Tomorrow we cross into 
Scotland and pass through Gretna Green. My knee has been better but  it's holding it's own. We are now half way,well actually 40 miles over so that's an achievement.

Update 8th May - DAY FIVE

Writing this at lunch time in case I am to tired later. We have completed 58 miles and have to do 90. So we are doing ok. We have met David who is running Lands End to John O'Groats in 16 days.  He looked very tired and we  tried to encourage him as we cycled past. He is raising money for Meningitis Trust . I hope it goes well and when things feel tough for us - will think of him. Amazing!

We have basically stayed on one road and navigation has been easy but trying to stay alive through Warrington was a challenge . One of us, Siobhan, found a pot hole and flew over the handlebars. Bike damaged but she is ok, thankfully. Tonight we stop in Preston. It feels amazing to have cycled so far north.

Update 7th May - DAY FOUR

90 long miles completed today.  The weather was kind to us - only spots of rain but cold wind against us most of the way.  Mainly flat today with a few climbs which would normally have been easy but knee hurt every time my leg pushed down.  So uphill was painful but the sense of achievement is amazing and I wouldn't want to have missed this opportunity  - it's fantastic.  We passed through hereford  and then stopped for lunch in a tiny village called Leinwardine which was pretty.  My parents met me there and it was good to see them.  The next part of the ride was also lovely with some ups and downs but no major hills.  We then had a long down hill to  Shewsbury. We were so weary that we went to bed at 8pm and had some food in bed watching rubbish and relaxing.  I had arranged to meet a very old friend, Tat , who I knew when a was a child and haven't seen since I was 18. I t was lovely to see her and ended the day nicely.  Tomorrow is also long but we are already 1/3 of the way!! Only 2/3 to go knee permitting.

Update 6th May - DAY THREE

Today has been hard work for lots of different reasons.  We set off in the most dreadful rain and after 25 miles I was feeling terrible.  I think I had got cold and I was soaked.  I managed to get more clothes to wear and sat in the bus to warm up for a while.  It has been a long day as we have cycled the best part of 96 miles.  We have met kind people who have directed us.  The other day we stopped to ask a lady in Tavistock the way and we told her what we were doing .  When she asked what charity I was supporting she asked if she could donate and went back into the house and gave me £5 .  Thank you unknown lady I am grateful. Today we couldn't find our way and a young lad on his bike led us through estates to find the Avon bridge.  We offered him a fiver for his trouble and when he knew we were on a charity ride he said he couldn't take it - we must donate what we would have given him.  We have had a flatish ride today with a long climb near Cheddar (Shipham Hill) and a long desent into Tintern.  The last 10 miles have been painful as my knee has played up and each pedal has hurt. - although cycling over the Severn made up for it.

Update 5th May - DAY TWO

Second day complete and I have to say it was easier than I anticipated . First of all we had a long climb before reaching Tavistock.  We had a quick break and then started a long climb over Dartmoor. The weather was warm and sunny and this picture was taken at one of the tops!  After many climbs we came out of Dartmoor and found ourselves in Exeter.  A bit scary after only having to worry about sheep!  Total ascent 6325 ft.  We have a nice hotel in Tiverton . It's good fun but very hard work.

Update 4th May - DAY ONE

Our first day is complete.  It was harder than I anticipated mainly because of the hills which seemed relentless.  I managed to follow someone who got lost so we added 6 miles extra which wasn't too clever.

Tonight we are staying in liskeard having cycled through penzance and Truro.  The organisation from Discover Adventure is very good and the food is also fantastic. Tomorrow Is suppose to be very hard but I will give it my best.

Update 26 April 2010

Bike has now been serviced and packing is underway.  I plan to reduce my training this week and my last cycle will be on Thursday evening when I am undertaking a 10 mile time trial.  I then set off for Lands End on Friday evening, stopping at Basingstoke to see some friends.  I then have a few days resting in Cornwall before I start my challenge on Tuesday. 

Caroline is training for her attempt in August and will be updating on her progress separately.

Updated on Apr 18th 2010 at 12:38 AM using the JustGiving iPhone app

Training is going well at the moment. I am now reducing the amount of long distances but I have started cycling to work. Tomorrow I will do a fast 25 mile and next weekend I have entered a 25 mile mile timed race.

On May 4^th Caroline and I will be starting on the most physically challenging cycle we have ever attempted.  We will be cycling from Lands End to John O’Groats over a 12 days period.  We will have to cover up to a 100 miles a day to complete the challenge.  Having looked at the itinerary there are rather a large number of hills between the start and finish and we have had to take our training to a different level.  We have had enormous support from training colleagues from both San Fairy Ann cycling club and the Village Hotel.  Over the Easter holiday we are attempting three 100 mile cycles on consecutive days to prepare us for the challenges ahead.  All in all the training is going well although one of us injured their knee at the Hell of Ashdown cycle during the snow and ice, but hopefully we will both be fit and ready in May.

We are taking this challenge to support The Heart of Kent Hospice, a local charity to where both live which supports people facing the challenge of terminal illness and where Kate is Chief Executive.  At any one time the Hospice supports up to 350 patients, plus their families and carers.   The Hospice offers its services free of charge but does have to raise almost £3 million pounds a year to do so – which is no easy task in the current financial climate.

Caroline and I are funding this event ourselves and all the sponsorship we manage to raise will be donated to the Hospice.  All donations are very important to the Hospice.  Here are some examples of what the sponsorship could fund:

£100 will pay for an In Patient Nurse for 1 day; £570 will fund a bed in the In Patient Unit for 1 day; £170 will pay for a Specialist Nurse to visit a patient in their own home; £115 will allow a patient to visit Day Therapy and receive medical and emotional support.  Only £50 will provide specialist toys and books to help the Family Services Team communicate with bereaved children.

Obviously, we are passionate about the invaluable work that the Hospice does in the community – but read what others have said about their experiences:

 

Rosemary feels that her husband was privileged to have been able to benefit from the Hospice and that his last few weeks were as good as they could be. "Nothing like this is a pleasure but they made it a perfect ending. It is a peaceful, tranquil and beautiful place. I really want people to know just how good the Hospice is."

Bob visits Day Therapy after being diagnosed with motor neurone. He says: "There is nothing I can really do now – my muscles are literally shrivelling up. Going to the Hospice every week has given me a bit of focus back and it really helps to take my mind off things. They do a really important job and I feel a lot better. Going to the Hospice has really improved my quality of life."  Bob’s wife, Janet continues: "The Hospice has given me counselling and helped me through a very difficult time. They have been absolutely wonderful.”

"Coming into the Hospice for a short spell to help get my pain under control enabled me to get my life back on track."

 “My wife was 36, and it just goes to show that hospices are not just for the elderly, and that it's not just older people that get cancer".

 "They don't just drop the family when the patient dies - they look after you. It really does take someone with special qualities to be a palliative nurse. I am eternally grateful to the nurses at the Hospice."

 

I hope that you will be able to support Caroline and myself in our endeavors.  If you would like to know any more about the Hospice, please visit www.hokh.co.uk or ring the Hospice on 01622 792200 and ask Kate Bosley.

 

 

Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.

Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving – they’ll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they’ll send your money directly to the charity and make sure Gift Aid is reclaimed on every eligible donation by a UK taxpayer. So it’s the most efficient way to donate - I raise more, whilst saving time and cutting costs for the charity.

So please dig deep and donate now.