Day 1 Sunday 29th April – The beginning of our great adventure. Simon and Helen very kindly offered to drive us to John O’Groats over the next three days. On our first day we drove from Taunton to Carlisle.
Day 2 Monday 30th April – Arrived in Inverness , getting ready to start our final drive tomorrow to John O’Groats.
Day 3 Tuesday 1st May - We arrived at John O'Groats in time for lunch. Sorted ourselves out ready for the journey. It was now time to leave Helen and Simon and start our bike ride. We would like to thank Helen and Simon for their time and support over the past three days, many, many thanks. We left John O'Groats after lunch and rode to Dunbeath which is approximately 40 miles. We are staying here for the night.
Day 4 Wednesday 2nd May - We have travelled 80 miles to Beauly which is just south west of Inverness, today.
Day 5 Thursday 3rd May - Reached Fort William today, camping here tonight to admire the view!
Day 6 Friday 4th May - It felt like we were always climbing today; still managed to put another 65 miles behind us, now at Ardlui.
Day 7 Saturday 5th May - After cycling through Glasgow and getting lost using the cycle paths we reached Larkhall early evening
Day 8 Sunday 6th May - Gale force 8 winds and rain didn't allow alot of sleep last night and it continued to rain well into the morning. Didn't leave the campsite until 1.15 and only managed 20 miles to Abington before finding a campsite for hopefully a better nights sleep!
Day 9 Monday 7th May - Finally arrived at Penrith, another 80 miles completed although we have had to walk the last 5 as the chain snapped, we also have broken spokes and a buckled wheel. Don’t expect to be cycling much tomorrow as we need to have the bike sorted in Penrith before going any further.
Day 10 Tuesday 8th May - Walked 3 miles into Penrith to have the bike repaired. A new chain and wheel and we are ready to go again after lunch. Travelled to Kirkby Lonsdale where we have set up camp for the night.
Day 11 Wednesday 9th May - Have got to Northwich, we have covered another 90 miles, it is pouring with rain and the back wheel has buckled again so not to sure how far we will get tomorrow before we need some help!
Day 12 Thursday - Made it to Little Stretton, 60 miles, wheel seems to be fine, looking for a campsite to stay for the night
Day 13 Friday - We are at Whitfield, travelled just about 40 miles. Unfortunately we have a puncture and damaged tyre so will need to sort this out before we go any further tomorrow.
Day 14 Saturday - Eventually left at 11ish after Adams dad sorted us out with a new tyre and inner tube. We spent a hard afternoon cycling and eventually rode through North Petherton at 6.15 where family and friends cheered us on. Staying in Creech tonight.
Day 15 Sunday - We left Creech at 9 in heavy rain, were cheered on by friends just past Wellington, eventually reaching Bridestowe south of Oakhampton, a further 60 miles completed. Steve has also arrived to replace the brake pads which have worn away.
Day 16 Monday - Left Bridestowe and travelled to St Columb Road about 60 miles. Should arrive at Lands End tomorrow - fingers crossed.
Day 17 Tuesday - 980 miles: Mission completed!
Well what an experience!
We could feel Lloyd’s presence all the way; the wheel buckled, the chain snapped, the wheel buckled again, gale force winds, torrential rain and a heavy weight on the back (and that wasn’t Charlotte !).
But through all this, we pushed on and reached Lands End in our target time of two weeks.
We would like to thank all our friends and family who have supported us throughout this journey and have helped make it possible.
Now the hard work really starts … collecting all of our sponsor money!!
Adam and Charlotte
You will no doubt remember in your own way, how sadly in September 2005, Lloyd Fouracre was brutally murdered on his way home from a party in Taunton, just a day before his 18th Birthday. This tragic incident really shook the community of Taunton , hitting home hard to so many families with children. The ‘Campaign for Lloyd’ to raise the awareness of violence on the streets of Taunton , and the need to increase the number of policemen patrolling the streets, was a great success. This allowed the shaken but resilient community to voice their thoughts by way of a petition.
To continue the awareness campaign, hoping to make a difference, and do something in memory of Lloyd, we are going to cycle the famous ‘end to end’ John O’ Groats to Lands End on a tandem, something that would have Lloyd smiling……… Lloyd and Adam grew up and progressed together through 41F Air Training Corps. They were the best of friends and achieved so much together. We have come to terms with his death by continuing the things we all enjoyed, and the things that meant the most to him.
We are doing this in aid of Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance, a local charity. We will not be able to make the streets safer, or provide more police for patrols and we will not be able to bring Lloyd back but hopefully will raise lots of money for this worthy cause. Not only will this be a perfect way to remember the great friend we once had, it will also be for a very beneficial cause that is severely under funded. Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance is a charity that is vital for everyone, making it very worthwhile, because who knows when they might need it! If you’d like to find out more about Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance, please feel free to look on their website: www.dorsetandsomersetairambulance.co.uk
So, our aim is to cycle on a tandem in May from John O’ Groats to Lands End taking approximately 14 days as we cycle the 980 mile journey. We are doing this cycle ride unassisted. We are well in to our training schedule as this challenge is not going to be an easy one!
We hope to raise over £1000 for the Air Ambulance, and so any donations would be hugely appreciated and really would mean a lot to us, and if Lloyd were here with us today, I know he would feel the same way too.
Donating through this site is simple, fast and totally secure. It is also the most efficient way to donate: The Dorset & Somerset Air Ambulance Charity will receive your money electronically and, if you are a UK taxpayer, an extra 28% in Gift Aid will be added to your donation at no cost to you.
Please sponsor us now and make a difference!
Many thanks,
Charlotte and Adam
