UPDATE 14/06/10
Alcohol Concern's quarterly magazine 'Straight Talk' Summer 2010 includes (on page 17) a short report on my LEJOG ride. So I have 're-opened' this website to accept new donations (until 30 September). Thanks in advance if you decide to make a donation!
FINAL UPDATE 22/11/09 May I take this opportunity to thank everyone who donated to Alcohol Concern via this website. Your donations have exceeded £900, plus more than £250 Gift Aid supplement.
Also to say “thank you” to the following people and places for their kindness and hospitality:
Avryl Bavister Grant Russell Val Berry Sparrowhawk Backpackers Hostel, Moretonhampstead
Fairways International Touring Caravan & Camping Park, Bridgwater
, Slimbridge
Denn Farm Campsite, Chelmarsh
Torbay Lodge,
Rose Cottage B&B, Inverarnan
Archdale Guest House, Beauly.
Plus the photographer from Courtwood Photographic Ltd, who drove from home specially to take my windswept pic at John O’Groats!
Also, Rob Evans and Andrew Peers for helping to increase my stamina in the saddle. Tim & Diana Blackshaw for arranging a weekend cycling in France that helped me to focus! Not forgetting, Simon Watts - http://www.siwis.com - for keeping my personal website updated - http://www.harvey.uk.com and making a very generous donation! And finally my wife Sally; without her support and encouragement I would not have been able to complete the ride. PS: This website will remain 'live' in 2009 for any post-ride donations...
UPDATE 01/11/09 - MISSION ACCOMPLISHED!
Despite a week of mainly wet and windy weather I arrived at John O'Groats at 14:30 on Friday 30th October having cycled a total of 925 miles.
No problems on the second leg of the ride - medical or mechanical - although in Penrith I did crash into a dopey dog on one of those extending leads. Fortunately no harm done to me, my bike or even the dog.
I will upload further information when I have had some sleep; the train journey from Thurso to Barnham took 17 hours!
UPDATE 19/10/09
My LEJOG ride will resume from Warrington on 22 October, going via Lancaster, Penrith, Dumfries, Kilmarnock, Inverarnan (nr. Ardlui), Fort William, Beauly then Helmsdale, ending in Thurso (via John O’Groats) on Friday 30 October.
Due to shorter days (and colder weather!) I won't be camping; staying in B&Bs instead. So I won't need to carry front panniers, which should make it easier on my wrists. I replaced the stem, handlebar and bar tape on my 'trusty Dawes'. No problems on a 70 mile ride last Saturday so fingers crossed!
Thanks again to everyone whose donations to Alcohol Concern have spurred me on!
I will update this page when there is more news...
UPDATE 13/10/09
Those painful injections seem to have helped, although I now have a splint to wear at night for my left wrist, the worst one. Nevertheless managed to cycle 100 miles last weekend without too much numbness, so I plan to resume my LEJOG ride as planned (see below)...
This week I will be making further mods to the front end of my 'trusty Dawes' touring bike. If they don't help, I may well resort to changing the tyres on my full-suspension Marin mountain bike and using that instead. Whatever it takes, I want to give it my best shot!
UPDATE 24/09/09
Saw GP yesterday and she confirmed Carpal Tunnel Syndrome apparently caused by pressure on wrists. Advised to allow six weeks (!) for recovery; prescribed some pokey painkillers and recommended steroid injections (for which first available appointment 8 October).
So my LEJOG ride will resume from Warrington on 22 October, going via Lancaster, Penrith, Dumfries, Kilmarnock, Ardlui, Fort William, Beauly then Helmsdale, ending in Thurso (via John O’Groats) on Friday 30 October.
Thanks to everyone for your continuing support!
STOP PRESS!
The onset of carpal tunnel syndrome – loss of feeling in my fingers and extreme pain in my wrists and forearms – compelled me to abandon my Land’s End to John O’Groats cycle ride at after six days and 389 miles. I have returned home and will be seeing my doctor tomorrow (23/09/09). Depending on the outcome of that consultation I hope to be able to resume my challenge at the earliest opportunity…
ORIGINAL TEXT
I will be cycling nearly one thousand miles from Land's End to John O'Groats, 15-29 September 2009. This is a personal mission. But, having recently spoken to an old friend named Peter Fraser, it struck me that I should take this opportunity to raise funds for a good cause. The charity I hope you will want to support does excellent work in a field that is close to my heart.
You may perhaps be thinking this ride will be a busman's holiday or some sort of 'jolly'? Rest assured it will be very hard work and, I hope, a huge achievement. Apart from staying in B&Bs at the start and finish, I expect to be camping each night. I will be cycling alone and unsupported. Any problems encountered en route I will have to fix or work around! Quite a few people - some of whom know how overweight and unfit I appear to be - think I am bonkers! But if I don't ride LEJOG this year, who knows when I will next get the opportunity?
In any case, both my repaired knees stood up well to the 150 mile Coast to Coast ride (undertaken by the West Wickham Wheelers) in April. And cycling around the Isle of Wight (67 miles in one day) has become an annual ritual, albeit not always easy-peasy! Funnily enough, 67 miles a day is what I must average to arrive in John O'Groats in time to catch a train back home. I reckon I can do that, with your support.
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.
Nick Harvey
