APOLOGIES

SINCE TRACIE AND I GOT BACK FORM OUR MAMMOTH ROAD TRIP, WE HAVE BEEN PROMISING YOU THE FULL BLOG.  YOU WILL GET IT ONE DAY; IT'S IN THE MEMORY BOX MARKED 'NEVER AGAIN'.  THERE WAS TOO MUCH GOOD STUFF TO NOT LET YOU SHARE IT.

HOWEVER, FOR THE LAST MONTH, MY EVERY SPARE WAKING MINUTE HAS BEEN TAKEN UP WITH TRYING TO RECOVER OUR STOLEN PUPPIES.  MY HEART IS BROKEN AND ONLY GETTING THEM BACK WILL MEND IT.  TRACIE HAS BEEN WORKING FLAT OUT TRYING TO GET US PUBLICITY.

SO FOR ONE LAST TIME, THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING AND SPONSORING ME.  YOU HAVE GIVEN LIFE TO A WONDERFUL CHARITY - LITTLE HAVENS - WHO GIVE QUALITY OF LIFE TO DYING CHILDREN AND THEIR FAMILIES.

CAN I JUST ASK ONE MORE THING?  PLEASE LOG ONTO http://www.doglost.co.uk/forum.asp?ID=10363 

TO READ THE STORYOF OUR MISSING PUPS, AND HOW CLOSE WE ARE TO GETTING THEM BACK.

THANK YOU, SALLY XXX

Thank you for visiting my fundraising page. Please dig deep and sponsor me online.  I will be grateful for any amount you can give.  I know that lots of people are logging on and keeping up to date with my total, please please add your name and a donation.  It's really encouraging for me to receive your messages through this page.  I am thrilled to be cycling for such a fantastic charity.  It's going to be worth the sore backside

Donating through this site is simple, fast and totally secure. It is also the most efficient way to sponsor me: Little Havens Children's Hospice will receive your money faster and, if you are a UK taxpayer, an extra 28% in tax will be added to your gift at no cost to you.

So please sponsor me now!  Many thanks for your support.

I AM SO VERY GRATEFUL TO EVERY SINGLE ONE OF YOU WHO HAVE DONATED AND ARE ABOUT TO DONATE, AND THOSE OF YOU WHO HAVE GIVEN YOUR TIME TO SUPPORT ME AND TRACIE IN OUR CHALLENGE.

BANK HOLIDAY MONDAY

AT LAST I'VE MANAGED TO GET MY PICTURES OFF MY PHONE AND ONTO THE COMPUTER.  NOT VERY GOOD AT THAT STUFF.  THE BLOG OF THE WHOLE TRIP IS COMING NEXT WEEK, BUT IN THE MEANTIME, HERE'S THE PICTURE YOU'VE ALL BEEN WAITING TO SEE, AT THE TOP LEFT OF THE PAGE.

Tuesday 22 May 2007

 

 

How odd and unfair life can be.  We get fantastic weather all through April, and although I wanted a few degrees less than the regular 24/25 we were getting then, I would have gladly swapped the constant rain and wind we experienced on the ride for a bit of sun.  Two days after we get back to civilisation, the bloody sun comes out again.

 

 

I’ve spent the last couple of days sorting out my son George’s operation (on his knee).  He had the op today, and I sat in a little hospital room all day while the sun warmed everyone outside.  Oh well, that’s life I suppose.

 

 

Tomorrow I’m back to work, and I can’t wait.  Bit of a rest, I expect.

 

 

Already it all feels like a dream.  I can’t quite believe what Tracie and I did, and I don’t think I will ever do it again, although knowing me and my inability to turn down a challenge, something else like this will come up, and I just may not have the nous to say no.

 

 

I’m enjoying cooking (and I have cooked pasta since I got back, despite saying I never wanted to look at it again – the vegetarian option was always sodding pasta) and I’m also thoroughly enjoying the brand new appreciation coming from my kids.  My house has been immaculate while I was away, I’m told.

 

 

The kids organised a little reception for Tracie and I on Sunday, and I have to admit here and now that I am now a pathetic dirt cheap drunk.  3 glasses of wine and I was staggering…..must sort that out before 2 June.

I don't ache any more, but I can fall asleep in an instant.  I suppose that I must be really weary after the ride.  I found that while I was riding I had no short term memory at all - I drove Tracie nuts asking her the same thing over and over.  Can anyone explain that?  I seem to be getting my marbles back now, thank heaven.

 

 

I’ve said this so many times over the last few months, but I want to say it again.  THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU,  for all your fantastic support and kindness, for your generous donations, for your positive thoughts, for your texts while we were riding.  It has made me realise how important the kindness of others is.  Imagine how important that kindness would be if you needed the help of a facility like Little Havens.

 

 

It costs £3.05 a minute to run Little Havens.  If you haven’t already, please please consider donating a few pounds to keep it going for a few minutes more.  It is totally secure and very very easy.  Just click on the ‘sponsor me now’ button on this site.  I will be forever grateful.

Monday 21 May 2007

 

Well, we did it and we’re home now.  What’s more, we came over the finishing line first (Tracie) and second (me).  Doesn’t really matter that we had to leave our hotel at 4.30am to do it.  We did 67 miles in 7 ½  hours, and the first 30 were over the most difficult terrain, up in the Scottish Highlands on the North coast. Up and down, over and over.  A bit of rain, a lot of wind, and hills, hills and more hills.  In some places the fells looked like the wild west and in others like planet of the apes.  Very beautiful, but a kind of strange bleak beauty.

 We’d been told that when we got out of Sutherland and intoCaithness that the roads would be flatter, and indeed they were, I’m very glad to say.  We’d also been told we would get fresh legs when we got close to John O’Groats.  That was also true.

 

Reaching the “John O’Groats 30 miles” sign was a big marker for me.  At that point I started to get tearful, and as I rode along and the distance on the signs decreased, (9 ½ miles, 7 miles, 4 miles, 2 ½ miles) I was intermittently crying and grinning.  The roads got flatter and faster and I went like a rocket.  Caught a gust of crosswind at one corner and ended up on the grass verge!

 

And then there it was.  First you see a very odd building in the distance, a bit like an old German castle – the Groats Inn – and you just know that has to be it.  You pedal faster, and then you see the sign sending you left “John O’Groats ¼ mile”.  That was when the tears really came.  As I rode down that final stretch, I was sobbing.  Tracie was jumping around at the end.  We could not believe it that we had come in first.  Didn’t matter that we left early.  We missed 3 hours sleep to do this, and we did the ride with no support because we made the decision to go it alone, so as we didn’t trail in last as usual and hold everyone up – we had a coach to catch toInverness .

 So we had our pictures taken at the finishing post, then we went and signed the End to End book in the Groats Inn, then we had a bottle of champagne.

We deserved it.

 

2 hours later the others arrived.

 We both have lots of photographs which we need to get off our mobiles and onto the computer, and at some point soon we’ll get together some kind of blog so you can read about the entire trip, with photographs.

 

Thank you all so much for your wonderful support, getting texts from you helped carry us through some really horrible times.

This island we live on is beautiful.  We’ve seen some fantastic sights – Cornwall ,Devon , the Wye valley, , the West coast of Scotland, the lochs – particularly Loch Eck, so beautiful – and I would recommend you go and see it.  I will be going back, perhaps to see the Northern Lights around November.  But I will leave my bike at home.

This page will stay open for a few weeks more.  If you haven't already sponsored me, please do it now.  It really is very very easy, and certainly not as tough as cycling 12 hours a day for 12 days.

 

I'M AIMING FOR £3000 NOW, PLEASE HELP ME REACH IT, FOR LITTLE HAVENS.

Tracie has posted a mini-blog on her webpage, which can give you a better picture of how things were on the trip - go to www.justgiving.com/tracieyoung

Thursday day 10

We stayed in a youth hostel in Invergarry last night, which is not so bad, at least they have internet.

Have had some very emotional moments, it's getting harder every day to keep it together, and my knees are threatening to give out.

We had a fantastic day the day before yesterday.  Left at 6am, having got home the night before at 9.  Tracie got a puncture and ended up getting a lift to a bike shop in a hearse.....that's one for later.

Crossed over to Dunoon on the ferry, saw dolphins, cycled along Loch Eck - beautiful.  We're off to see Nessie today.

Keep the money and the messages of support coming in - believe me they help.  Keep reading.....

Saturday 12 May 2007 - Day 5 

This is the first time I've been able to check my page since we set off on Monday.  Apologies if you've been waiting for news.  I'm going to keep this really short because others are waiting to use the computer.

We are both exhausted.  We trail in last every night behind the real pros - one of whom is taking part in the Tour de France this year.  Last night we got home at 9.45, soaking wet and freezing cold - just like every night.  What happened to the hottest April on record???

We ache all over and have had some real lows - the highs being the bloody hills, of which there are many.  And we've had some laughs.

Tracie was knocked off her bike - a hit and run, if you don't mind.  She's ok, a bit bruised and shocked, but once her bike was fixed she got back on like a real trouper.

We're in Preston tonight, and tomorrow we end up in Scotland.  Nearly halfway....  All the time we have to keep reminding ourselves why we got ourselves into this crackpot thing.  Two words:

LITTLE HAVENS

Please give very generously if you haven't already.  Send this website address to everyone in your address book please.  Your money will never be better spent.

Sally X

2.15 am Monday 7 May 2007 ....... I can't sleep

This has been a real journey for me, and the really hard work hasn’t started yet.  This time last year I would never have imagined, not in my wildest dreams, that I would be cycling over 1000 miles in 12 days.  However, when a dearly loved and valued friend makes a suggestion, you listen.  When Tracie said “How do you feel about cycling from Lands End to John O’Groats?, I said, straight away, “OK”.  Uh-oh.  Did I really say that?  You sure?  God help me.

 

But it has been a turning point in my life.  I learnt that the principle of the greater good really means something.  I have sacrificed a clean house, spare time, a social life (did I have one?) and the dogs don’t get walked as often as they usually do.  In place of that, I have raised a lot of money for the most fantastic charity.  Little Havens do what I hope someone would do for me if my child were terminally ill.  I am ecstatic with joy to do something for them.

 

Most of you know me well.  You will know that I have spent years bringing up kids (alone); working through the night to get a degree; doing a demanding job; getting by.  Some of you will know the aggro I’ve had over the years.  Many of you will know what a determined, bloody minded old bag I can be.  And almost, if not all of you, know that I am the complete party animal.

 

That is why I want to celebrate this achievement (don’t any of you say “you haven’t done it yet” – not an option – it’s a done deal, even if I have to drag my bike and my sorry arse up Shap Fell).  You are invited to a party at my house on Saturday 2 June 2007.  We will celebrate like no-one ever celebrated before.  Money for Little Havens.  My friendship with Tracie and my sponsors.  My new outlook on life.  Put it in your diary.  We’re gonna PARTY!

 

For one last time before we hit the road, to all of you who haven’t got round to it yet, please, please, please, PLEASE, click on to my webpage

 

www.justgiving.com/sallybeggs  and donate.  You won’t regret it.

 

Right.  That’s it.  We’re ready.  LET’S DO IT.

Saturday night.  All set.

What is it with blokes in bike shops?  Both Tracie and I have had, let’s say, disappointing experiences with the chappies behind the counter this week.  My problem is purely technical.  Put the bike in for a service in Redbridge where I work,with a dodgy 3^rd gear, and it came back bloody worse, plus my rear light and little handlebar bag are missing, I noted this morning.  I have a theory that bike shop men don’t think women should cycle, so they pretend we’re actually men.  I asked for my handlebars to be moved forward a bit, did that, lovely, but the brakes were so far forward only a giant bloke with hands the size of tennis racquets would be capable of reaching them.  The same with the saddle.  I asked for it to be tipped forward very slightly, just to ease the pressure on the old undercarriage.  Looked ok, but when I got on it, it’s clear that Mr BikeShopMan must think I’ve got a pair of size 12 knackers to stop me sliding forward onto the handlebar.  Thanks Aryeh for putting it right.

 

At least my Mr Bike is not an argumentative nutjob like Tracie’s.  She booked her bike in for a service and a puncture proof front tyre, got to the shop, and he denied any knowledge of her quite specific instructions and then wanted to have a row about it!  So she may well be fixing punctures….

After a disappointing run over the Enfield hills this morning, I decided that I should take one more visit to Halfords Enfield to see Mr Skinner.  Mr Skinner does the maintenance for the National Ladies Cycling Squad and gave me some fantastic advice about on the road maintenance, cleaned the chain and sprocket and sent me on my way with a new rear light.  All for free.  I can’t recommend Halfords Bikehut highly enough

I must comment on the content of Tracie’s latest blog - www.justgiving.com/tracieyoung - which has tarnished the spotless reputation I have worked hard to cultivate.  How very dare she!

Also today I stocked up on energy bars and knee patches/supports/hay fever pills/sun cream etc etc, and Aryeh showed me how to load my ipod.  God he's useful.

Now seems like a good time to thank everyone who has been so supportive over the last few months.

 

Thanks to all of you who have helped me out practically and who will be looking after and looking out for my kids over the next 2 weeks – mum and dad, Theresa, Sheelagh, Debi, Mandy, Fleur.

 

Thanks dad for walking the dogs – I will miss you my sweet little Skip, you won’t understand but I will be back soon.  Don’t bite anyone while I’m away please.

 

Kids, thanks for your patience with me and your support – I know you are utterly amazed….behave yourselves while I’m away or I’ll beat you up when I get back (that’s a social work approach).

 

Thank you Aryeh for the techie help, it has been invaluable.

 

 Thank you all for your lovely money.

 

 t face="Times New Roman" color="#800080" size="3">Thank you to Spurs for being better than Arsenal.

 

 t face="Times New Roman" color="#800080" size="3">That’s enough now, it’s starting to look like the back of a Joss Stone CD.

 

 

 ong>FRIDAY 4 MAY 2007 - ONLY 4 DAYS TO GO

AND I FEEL PRETTY GOOD.  BIKE WAS SERVICED YESTERDAY.  NOT ENTIRELY HAPPY WITH THE OUTCOME, BUT ARYEH MADE SOME ADJUSTMENTS AND I THINK SHE'S OK.  I'LL DO THE CREWS HILL RUN IN THE MORNING TO CHECK HER OUT.

ROTTEN HAY FEVER, LABOURED BREATHING FOR A FEW DAYS.  IT'S THE HORSE CHESTNUT TREES.  SO TALL, SO BEAUTIFUL, SO FULL OF POLLEN.

FOR ANYONE WHO FANCIES AN EMOTIONAL FAREWELL, TRACIE AND I WILL BE LEAVING MY HOUSE AT 10AM SHARP ON MONDAY 7 MAY.  PLEASE FEEL FREE TO BRING BALLOONS, BUNTING AND TICKER TAPE..... SO EXCITED.  CAN'T WAIT TO GET GOING NOW.

AMAZING OPPORTUNITY FOR PAUL WELLER FANS

I HAVE COPIED THIS EXCERPT FROM TRACIE'S SITE.  SOME OF YOU MAY KNOW THAT SHE USED TO BE A SINGER (SHE WON'T EVEN DO KARAOKE NOW).  TRACIE HAD A SOLO CAREER AND SHE SANG BACKING VOCALS FOR THE JAM IN THEIR LAST DAYS AND FOR THE STYLE COUNCIL.  FOR YEARS SHE HAS HIDDEN THE SILVER DISC SHE WAS AWARDED FOR THE FIRST STYLE COUNCIL SINGLE "SPEAK LIKE A CHILD" AT THE BACK OF A CUPBOARD.  I HAVEN'T EVEN SEEN IT!  NOW TRACIE IS SELLING HER SILVER DISC ON EBAY TO RAISE FUNDS FOR LITTLE HAVENS.  WHAT A WOMAN.  PLEASE READ HER MESSAGE BELOW.

CAN I NOW HAVE YOUR SUGGESTIONS FOR ITEMS I MIGHT SELL FROM MY PAST.......KEEP IT CLEAN

Tuesday 1 May.  Ten years ago today I was canvassing, and the evening of 1 May 1997 I count as one of the happiest of my life.

Up at 5.30 and out at 6 this morning.  As planned, just short hilly rides this week.  I did Old Park Ridings today.  A month ago I couldn't do it without stopping several times.  Today I did it in about 6 minutes with no stops whatsoever.  Training really works!

All you Enfieldians, look in the Advertiser this week and next, they're doing a piece on my epic ride.

Keep the messages of support coming!

Tracie posted the itinerary for the ride on her site, which I thought was a good idea, so I've copied her.  It gives you an idea of what we will be doing on specific days.

DAY 1 (Tues 8 May): Cycle from Lands End through Cornwall on undulating roads  75 miles
DAY 2: Cross into Devon and over the tough climbs of Dartmoor   92 miles
DAY 3: Flat roads through Somerset; cross Severn Bridge to Wye Valley   98 miles
DAY 4: Undulating country roads via Hereford to Shrewsbury    90 miles
DAY 5: Flat, fast roads through Cheshire bypassing busy towns to Preston   86 miles
DAY 6: Long climb over Shap Fell and through Carlisle towards Scottish border   109 miles
DAY 7: Cross into Scotland at Gretna; mainly flat roads through lowlands to Kilmarnock   95 miles
DAY 8: Rolling hills along coast; short ferry ride and loch-side cycle to Inverary   90 miles
DAY 9: Tougher day via highlands and castles through Fort William to Loch Lochy   97 miles
DAY 10: Cycle via Loch Ness to rolling moorlands and Bonar Bridge   83 miles
DAY 11: Short tough day through remote hills and moorland to north coast   52 miles  (half day...yay!!)
DAY 12: Pass beautiful beaches along coast; flatter roads to finish at John O’Groats   67 miles

Saturday 28 April - Mr Angry makes a deposit

Down to Southend after football practice last night.  Maria came with me for the ride.  Got to Tracie’s, ate, then slept.

We had intended to be out on the prom at 6am today, but we are both so seriously knackered, we eventually made it at 7.30.  It was really lovely.  I’ve got a serious thing about the sea and intend to move to the seaside in 3 years time, when all the kids have left school.  The tide came in, the waves were glittering in the sun, it was warm and I was happy.

It’s amazing how much more you can smell while you’re on a bike.  You seem to get big wafts of fragrance and it’s really intense.  As soon as I come out of Tracie’s door I can smell the sea (she lives 30 seconds walk from it).  As we rode up to Shoebury Garrison at 8.15am, the smell of cut grass mingled with the smell of bonfire.  Heavy scent of lilac and wisteria, and along the seafront, wallflowers.  In the country lanes, the kind of sweet but dirty smell of wildflowers and weeds is all mixed up with the smell of rape, which is everywhere.  Smells are so evocative; I only have to smell honeysuckle or philadelphus, and I am immediately a 10 year old again, playing with my cousins Kathy and Stephen in the alleys and air raid shelters behind their house in Waltham Cross.

Not so keen on the smell of dog pooh though, so when I saw a bloke blithely watching his dog crapping on the grass near the beach huts, and then walking away, I shouted “clear it up”.  He told me to mind my own business, I told him to mind his dog’s business.

A couple of miles further along, I suddenly thought “what the hell is that bloke doing in the cycle lane?”  Then I realised it was the muck spreader, thundering towards me waving his finger.  He had driven up the seafront after me!  I’m afraid I did what I usually do at times like these and laughed.  I stopped to hear what he had to say, and he told me not to give him orders, he does clear up, he keeps the bags in the car and goes back later for it.  By which time, I pointed out, everybody has trodden in it and walked it into their homes.  What a load of rubbish.  The idea that he actually goes back after walking the dog, with a bag that he could have taken out with him in the first place, is a pile of s_ _t, if you’ll pardon the expression.

Due to getting up late and terrific wind (the type that blows you off your bike) in the country lanes, we didn’t do the planned 55 miles on the flat – the prom was too busy anyway, but instead, we did a punishing ride through undulating hills and windy open spaces.  And a truck with a skip on the back nearly took Tracie out completely.

Knee held up well.  I want to do Crews Hill and the Ridgeway in the morning, but I worked tonight and I’m knackered, so we shall see.

Friday 27 April

I cycled into work on Wednesday (16.7 miles there, same back), and I was going to do it again today.  However, my knees are playing up a bit; I suppose at 46 it was to be expected.  I realised a few months ago when I was trying to do the twist (up and down and up and down you go again….) that it wouldn’t all be plain sailing.  I need to look after these knees, so I am going to take it as easy as I can the next few days.  I will be doing a few short hilly runs, but not the Chingford hills again – at least not until I’ve got LEJOG behind me.

 

Tomorrow I’m in Southend for the last long run (55 miles) before we go.  Then it will be Enfield hills every other day until Friday 4 May.  I’ll take the weekend off, then Tracie and I leave on Monday 7 May forPenzance .

 

 I have to admit that the nerves are creeping in a bit now.  The 2^nd day – acrossDartmoor – is said to be the worst day, and I am a bit scared.  Then I get a grip and tell myself that I have prepared well.  The training is done, nothing more I can do other than apply the determination I have in shedloads.

Wednesday 25 April

Delighted to report that both Penny and Dean completed the marathon and exceeded their fundraising targets.

But I bet neither of them have ever cycled up Whitehall Road in Woodford.  I did this morning.  It was vile.

THANK YOU SO MUCH TO ANDREW (YOU KNOW, THE ONE OFF JUST HAUNTED), WHO HAS VERY KINDLY PAID FOR MINE AND TRACIE'S TRAIN TICKETS.  WHAT A MAN!

Sunday morning, 22 April

 

Did the Lee Navigation yesterday, really nice ride, particularly, funnily enough, the Ponders End to Limehouse stretch.  Lots to look at, a lot of country in the city, and some fantastic graffiti art on the bridges around Old Ford.

On theCheshunt to Broxbourne stretch, I saw the first pair of black swans I have seen in years.  Beautiful.  Lots of little ducklings.

Hey! I didn’t fall off!  I do have a nice new bruise though.  Seems like any contact with a pedal does it to me.

I’m happy with distance now.  If I can rack up 73.5 in 25 degrees, and yesterday’s 60 in 21/22, I’ll be fine.  It would be nice to think that it won’t get that hot in May.  Sorry and all that, you lot are probably all enjoying the unseasonal heat, but I could do with a few degrees less.

 From now on it will be all hills.  I’m going to cycle to work 2/3 times this week, and next weekend there will be one last long distance.  Then for the last week I shall be winding down, just a few short hilly runs, to save energy for the big day.  The big day is of course 8 May, but Tracie and I will be leaving my house on 7 May, to go to Paddington.  It would be nice if you turned up to see us off.

 

Just a quick mention for my wonderful team, who for the first time in a while didn’t let the other north London team beat us.  I thought I was watching a swimming gala at first, as I watched all those red shirts diving.  Big up to Keano for his goal, and massive respect to Jermaine Jenas for the equaliser.  You the man!                    

 

THURSDAY 19 APRIL

 I'VE TAKEN IT FAIRLY EASY THIS WEEK, AS I AM A BIT BATTERED.  HOWEVER, I AM PLANNING A 60 MILE TRIP ON SATURDAY, A ROUND TRIP OF THE ENTIRE LEE NAVIGATION, PONDERS END TO LIMEHOUSE, TO HERTFORD AND BACK AGAIN TO PONDERS END.

HAD MY PICTURE TAKEN FOR THE ILFORD RECORDER AND THE DAGENHAM POST TODAY (THAT'S ME OUTSIDE ILFORD TOWN HALL), AS WELL AS THE REDBRIDGE COUNCIL WEBSITE, HOPE IT BRINGS IN SOME DONATIONS.  NOT KEEN ON HAVING MY PICTURE TAKEN.

I WOULD LIKE TO WISH THE VERY BEST OF LUCK TO MY FRIEND PENNY AND TO DEAN KELLEY, WHO ARE BOTH RUNNING THE MARATHON ON SUNDAY.  DEAN IS RUNNING FOR LITTLE HAVENS.  GO FOR IT GUYS!

MONDAY EVENING, 16 APRIL

MY FOOT IS NOW THE SIZE OF A SMALL MELON AND A FETCHING SHADE OF PURPLE, RATHER LIKE THIS WRITING.  MY LEGS LOOK LIKE MODERN ART.    I TOOK THE TRAIN TO WORK TODAY (CAR IS WAITING TO BE COLLECTED/RESURRECTED), AND I THINK I WILL LEAVE GETTING BACK IN THE SADDLE UNTIL TOMORROW.  NOW I KNOW I CAN DO THE DISTANCE, I'M FEELING OK, AND THE MORE I CYCLE IN TO WORK THROUGH THOSE BLOODY CHINGFORD HILLS, THE HAPPIER I AM WITH THAT ASPECT OF THE RIDE.  I'VE ALSO WORKED OUT THAT A SHORT STOP AT ABOUT 30 MILES, THEN PERHAPS ANOTHER AT ABOUT 55/60 WILL HELP ALONG THE WAY.

FOR AN INSIGHT INTO WHY TRACIE AND I HAVE TAKEN ON THIS MAD CHALLENGE, CLICK ON THIS LINK  http://www.littlehavens.org.uk/default.asp?id=444&ver=1 - IT SAYS IT ALL REALLY.

SATURDAY 14 APRIL - THROUGH THE PAIN BARRIER

SET OFF FOR SOUTHEND AT 6.30AM AND MADE SHORT WORK OF THE CHINGFORD HILLS (I DON’T LIKE KINGS HEAD HILL…).  GOT ONTO MANOR ROAD INCHIGWELL – THAT’S MILLIONAIRE’S ROW - AND HAD A LITTLE MISHAP.  CYCLING ALONG THE EMPTY PAVEMENT, I WENT INTO THE ROAD TO AVOID A TREE AND THEN REALISED THAT THE CAR COMING TOWARDS ME WAS GOING AT QUITE A SPEED.  ATTEMPTED TO MOUNT THE PAVEMENT BUT TOOK IT AT TOO FINE AN ANGLE AND SKIDDED ALONG INSTEAD.  I ENDED UP SQUASHED AGAINST A WALL WITH MY BIKE ON TOP OF ME.  ONCE I REALISED I WAS ALIVE I JUMPED UP AND EXAMINED THE BIKE, WHICH WAS OK, AND PRESSED ON.  THE CAR DIDN’T STOP OF COURSE, BUT ANOTHER ONE DID, TO SEE IF I WAS OK, SO THANK YOU WHOEVER YOU WERE, AND IF I SEEMED A LITTLE UNGRATEFUL, I’M SORRY.  A CASE OF GETTING BACK ON ASAP.

 I DIDN’T EVEN LOOK AT MY INJURIES, DIDN’T WANT TO SEE THEM, ALTHOUGH I WAS AWARE THERE WAS SOMETHING WRONG WITH MY RIGHT FOOT, WHICH WAS UNDER ME WHEN I LANDED (POOR THING).

GOT ONTO THE A127 AND WAS GOING GREAT GUNS WHEN A PILLOCK DECIDED TO PARK ON THE CYCLE PATH IN FRONT OF ME.  NOT SO MUCH OF A PROBLEM TO LAND ON A GRASS VERGE.  I WAS SO APPALLED WITH MYSELF I FORGOT TO ABUSE THE DRIVER. 

THE ROUTE WAS NOT AS SMOOTH AS I HAD THOUGHT IT WOULD BE.  CYCLE PATHS END SUDDENLY AND THE CYCLIST HAS TO EXIT THE ROAD AT JUNCTIONS AND THEN GET BACK ON.  A LITTLE DIFFICULT WHEN THERE IS NO CYCLE PATH AND YOU HAVE TO WHEEL THE BIKE THROUGH LONG GRASS TO AVOID BEING SPREAD ALL OVER THE ROAD.  SOME OF THE PATHS HAD BEEN RESURFACED AND IN THE 25 DEGREE HEAT IT WAS A BIT STICKY AND HARD GOING.

BY THE TIME I REACHED RAYLEIGH, 8 MILES OUT OF SOUTHEND, I WAS VERY HOT, IN PAIN, AND MY FOOT WAS REALLY SWOLLEN.  I WAS VERY UNCOMFORTABLE, SO WHEN TRACIE SAID SHE WAS COMING TO GET ME I WAS RELIEVED BUT DESPERATELY UPSET.  I HAVE NEVER BEEN A QUITTER, AND MY EYES WERE FULL OF TEARS.

ARRIVED AT TRACIE’S, AND AFTER A VERY NICE LUNCH COOKED BY MY HOST AND A SHORT REST, WE GOT ON OUR BIKES AND WENT OUT AGAIN.  GOOD TO HAVE MISSED THE MIDDAY HEAT.

CAN’T SAY IT WAS EASY GOING.  SOME QUITE BIG HILLS (AND A LOSS OF MOMENTUM AFTER A SWIFT HALF AT A NICE PUB IN ROCHFORD).  TRACIE FLYING AHEAD OF ME.  BUT I DID IT, AND I CAN HONESTLY SAY I DID LONDON TO SOUTHEND, BECAUSE WE JOINED THE A127 AT RAYLEIGH AND DID THOSE LAST FEW MILES.  FELT GOOD.  IN ALL I DID 44.5 MILES IN THE MORNING AND 29 WITH TRACIE IN THE AFTERNOON/EVENING, SO A WHOPPING 73.5 MILES.

MY FOOT LOOKS LIKE A FAT AUBERGINE AND MY LEGS ARE COVERED IN BRUISES – THE BLACKEST BRUISES EVER – BUT GETTING BACK ON THE BIKE WAS THE RIGHT THING TO DO.  IT STOPPED THE FOOT FROM SEIZING UP, AND RAISED MY SPIRITS AFTER WHAT I HAD FELT WAS A MASSIVE FAILURE.

THE SCENERY WAS BEAUTIFUL.  I PASSED FIELDS OF BUTTER YELLOW RAPE NEXT TO FIELDS OF GREEN CORN, AND A SMALL BLUEBELL WOOD WHICH CHEERED ME UP.  YOU’D BE AMAZED AT THE THINGS YOU SEE BY THE SIDE OF THE ROAD.  A WHOLE FRONT END OF A FAIRLY NEW CAR WITH GRASS GROWING THROUGH IT.  A PAIR OF GARDENING GLOVES – LEFT AND RIGHT 500 YARDS APART.  ONE SHOE.  A LITTLE PLASTIC RAIN HAT LIKE YOUR NAN USED TO WEAR.  KITCHEN UTENSILS, AND OF COURSE THE OBLIGATORY BROKEN GLASS.  CLEARLY SOME PEOPLE JUST LOB THEIR BOTTLES OUT OF THE WINDOW WHEN THEY’RE EMPTY.  AND SPEAKING OF THAT, BIG RESPECT FOR THE PERSON WHO THREW THEIR USED TAKEAWAY BAG AT ME AND HIT ME ON THE ARSE.  CHUCKED FROM A MOVING CAR AT A MOVING TARGET IN THE DARK.  SHOT!

 FRIDAY NIGHT

Well, I did it.  It took me 90 minutes to do the 14.5 miles to work and the same back.  I went through Chingford and Woodford to get to Ilford (trips off the tongue), and I think my route will evolve as time passes.  The hills just can’t be avoided.  Has anyone out there tried cycling up Friday Hill?  Much worse coming home, far steeper.

I had a couple of appointments out of the office in the afternoon, and I think in all I did about 40 miles today.  Knees holding up well despite feeling like they belong to someone else.

My hair looked absolutely ridiculous all day long, sort of flat and a bit Alan Partridge.

It’s the big one tomorrow.  45 miles to Southend, starting at 5.30am, then another 30 miles in the afternoon, and Tracie and I will be fitting in a visit to Little Havens along the way.  Excited!

FRIDAY 13 APRIL, 6.45AM - CAN THAT DATE BE RIGHT?  HAVE I REALLY CHOSEN TO CYCLE TO WORK FOR THE FIRST TIME ON FRIDAY 13TH?  NOT REALLY, I HAD NO CHOICE.  CAR'S ABOUT TO BREAK DOWN.  I AM FAR MORE LIKELY TO MAKE IT THROUGH THE CHINGFORD HILLS ON MY BIKE THAN MY OLD BUS IS.  WE SHALL SEE.  TOMORROW I CYCLE TO SOUTHEND........

AND A QUICK MENTION FOR MY BEAUTIFUL TEAM.  BETTER LUCK NEXT TIME, SPURS.  I STILL BELIEVE.

EASTER SUNDAY - WOKE UP WITH A STOMACH ACHE.  FELT ROPEY.  NOTHING EVEN ATTEMPTED. REST.

EASTER SATURDAY – SOMEONE GIVE ME A MAP…..AND A SPANNER

OUT AT 7.30AM, TO TACKLE THE CUFFLEY HILLS.  THROUGH ENFIELD AND ALONG THE RIDGEWAY, GREAT.  THEN I MISSED MY TURNING AT CUFFLEY AND ENDED UP IN BROOKMAN’S PARK.  I WANTED HILLS, BUT HAVE YOU SEEN THESE HILLS?  I THOUGHT IF I TURNED RIGHT I COULDN’T GO WRONG.  HMMM.  CARBONE HILL.  BEEN THERE?  VERY STEEP INDEED.  I FREEWHEELED DOWN IT, GREAT, MUST HAVE BEEN DOING 40+, THEN, INTENDING TO USE THE MOMENTUM GAINED TO GET BACK UP, CHANGED GEAR.  AND THE CHAIN FELL OFF.  GOOD JOB I’M NOT COMPLETELY GORMLESS, AND IT ONLY TOOK ME A FEW MINUTES TO GET ITBACK ON .

BUT BY NOW I WAS COMPLETELY LOST.  RANG DEBI AND WOKE HER UP FOR DIRECTIONS, BECAUSE I KNOW SHE USED TO LIVE ROUND THERE.  SHE WAS UTTERLY USELESS, THANKS – PROBABLY HALF ASLEEP.  ANYWAY, A BIT FURTHER ON AND I FOUND MYSELF IN FLAMSTEAD END.  HOME ALONG THE A10.  HOORAY. 21 MILES OF JOLLY BIG HILLS.  GLASS OF WINE, BIG HOORAY!

EASTER WEEKEND, GOOD FRIDAY – WHAT A SAVE….NOT!!!!

TRACIE UP FROM SOUTHEND AND NO SCIATICA, SO WE HIT THE TOWPATH AGAIN.  CYCLED TO ENFIELD LOCK, THEN ALONG TO TOTTENHAM HALE AND BACK.  WE SAW SHEEP, HORSES, COWS, A PHEASANT, A RAT (TRACIE – “ISN’T IT SWEET?”), SWANS AND GEESE.  WE WERE A BIT KNACKERED SO STOPPED TO FEED THEM AND DANGLED OUR LEGS OVER THE SIDE OF THE RIVER.  I HAD MY DRINK CANISTER ON MY LAP AND AS I WAS THINKING TO MYSELF HOW MUCH MORE BEAUTIFUL IT WOULD ALL BE IT PEOPLE DIDN’T CHUCK THEIR LITTER IN THE WATER, DRINK CANISTER FELL OFF AND FLEW FORWARD.  QUICK AS A FLASH, I CAUGHT IT WITH MY FEET, ROLLED BACK AND ATTEMPTED AN OVERHEAD KICK.  NOW I MAY BE ROBINSON, BUT I’M NO DEFOE, SO DIDN’T QUITE MAKE IT.  CANISTER WHACKED ME IN THE GUTS AND ROLLED OFF…INTO THE RIVER.  SO NOW I AM A LITTERBUG.  ALTHOUGH IT DID GIVE US BOTH A BLOODY GOOD LAUGH, IN FACT WE ALMOST PEED OURSELVES.  I SUPPOSE YOU HAD TO BE THERE.

FURTHER ON THERE WAS A GROUP OF PEOPLE FROM A BOAT MOORED TO THE TOWPATH.  MUCH LAUGHING, AND ATCLOSERRANGE WE DISCOVERED TWO BEEFY BLOKES IN WOMEN’S PLATFORM HEELS HAVING A RACE.  MAY THE BEST WOMAN WIN, I THOUGHT.

DECIDED TO PRESS ON TO WALTHAM ABBEY, AND THEN MADE OUR WAY BACK THROUGH WALTHAM CROSS, BULLSMOOR LANE (DID YOU KNOW THAT THE TROTTERS INDEPENDENT TRADING VAN IS PARKED IN A DRIVEWAY THERE? STRAIGHT UP, GUV) AND FORTY HILL. 

A GOOD 27 MILES WITH A COUPLE OF HILLS.

 SUNDAY MORNING, APRIL 1^ST

UP WITH THE LARK AND ON THE BIKE.  THIS MORNING I TACKLED MORE HILLS.  I’VE ALREADY CONQUERED HOLTWHITES HILL AND OLD PARK RIDINGS – IF YOU LIVE IN ENFIELD YOU’LL KNOW WHAT A SOD THAT ONE IS – SO TODAY I DECIDED TO DO CLAY HILL, CREWS HILL, CATTLEGATE ROAD, EAST LODGE LANE AND THE RIDGEWAY.  ENFIELD IS QUITE A HILLY PLACE!

I STOPPED WHEN I REACHED CREWS HILL STATION AND CONTEMPLATED WHAT I’D DONE.  FEELING VERY PROUD OF MYSELF I DECIDED TO LET PEOPLE KNOW.  SO IF YOU WERE ONE OF THE PEOPLE WHO GOT AN EARLY MORNING TEXT, I PROMISE IT WASN’T AN APRIL FOOL’S JOKE.  I JUST WANTED YOU TO KNOW HOW BEAUTIFUL EVERYTHING LOOKS AT THAT TIME IN THE MORNING.  THE SKY WAS CLEAR BLUE AND THE SUN WAS RISING, BRIGHT ORANGE.  THE AIR WAS CLEAN AND I FELT BLOODY FANTASTIC.  I AM FIT!  I HAVEN’T BEEN REALLY FIT SINCE THE TWINS WERE BORN, SO TO SAY I AM PLEASED WITH MYSELF IS A BIT OF AN UNDERSTATEMENT, AND I THANK TRACIE FOR DRAGGING ME INTO THIS.

STOPPED OFF AT MY MUM & DAD’S ON THE WAY HOME, AND MY MOTHER IS CLEARLY A PROPHET, BECAUSE AS SHE EXCLAIMED “YOU’VE GOT A PUNCTURE”, THEN “APRIL FOOL”, LITTLE DID SHE KNOW THAT WOULD HAPPEN LATER IN THE DAY OVER THE PLAYING FIELDS WATCHING GEORGE PLAY FOOTBALL (CRACKING GOAL, SON).

HAD ENOUGH OF PUNCTURES, SO ON MONDAY I INVESTED IN A PAIR OF PUNCTURE PROOF TYRES.  WELL WORTH IT.

OUT EARLY TUESDAY AND WEDNESDAY, BUT WOKE UP THURSDAY WITH A TWINGE OF SCIATICA.  IF YOU KNOW ME WELL, YOU WILL KNOW I SUFFERED BADLY FOR 3 MONTHS AT THE BEGINNING OF LAST YEAR WITH IT, AND I WOULD RATHER GIVE BIRTH DAILY THAN HAVE IT AGAIN.  I WAS ABSOLUTELY TERRIFIED IT WAS COMING BACK, SO I LAID OFF THE BIKE FOR A DAY AND HIT THE IBUPROFEN.  SEEMS TO HAVE DONE THE TRICK……I HOPE.

 

WEEKEND 24/25 MARCH 2007 - THE HILLS ARE ALIVE  !

THE HILLS MAY OR MAY NOT HAVE EYES, BUT WHAT THEY DO HAVE IS THE ABILITY TO MAKE TWO GAME OLD BIRDS DESPAIR AND TEAR.

ON SATURDAY TRACIE AND I TRAILED ALONG BEHIND THE UBER-FIT ELAINE FOR 22 MILES THROUGH THE ESSEX COUNTRYSIDE.  WE DID HILLS, WE DID SCARY ROADS AND WE DID ANOTHER GALE AND SOME RAIN.  IT GOT VERY COLD INDEED.

ELAINE HAS DONE 8 LONDON MARATHONS AND BREEZED THROUGH THE BARCELONA MARATHON IN FEB IN 4 HRS 55 MINS.  INFERIOR AIN'T THE WORD.  'SOD IT' WE THOUGHT, WE WILL DO THIS AT OUR OWN PACE AND DO IT WE WILL.

IF WE DON'T GET KILLED.  WOMAN IN GREY RANGE ROVER NEARLY GOT ME SATURDAY.  SWERVED RIGHT INTO MY PATH, CAUSING THE WOMAN WALKING TOWARDS ME TO SCREAM, CLEARLY BECAUSE SHE THOUGHT SHE WAS ABOUT TO WITNESS CARNAGE.  ROBBED HER OF THAT EXPERIENCE, BUT I GOTTA SAY, RIDING AT THE BACK (AS I HAD THE DAYGLO JACKET), I SAW SOME PRETTY SCARY THINGS.

CARS GET TOO CLOSE !!!  AND A SPECIAL MENTION TO THE MORON WHO THREW HIS CAR DOOR OPEN RIGHT IN FRONT OF TRACIE

SPEAKING OF HER, SHE HAS JUST BEEN DONATED £1000 BY HER LOCAL ROUND TABLE, WHICH IS JOLLY GOOD NEWS.  ANYONE OUT THERE BELONG TO A CHARITABLE FOUNDATION, OR HAVE A FEW SQUIDS TO SPARE?  ALL CONTRIBUTIONS GRATEFULLY RECEIVED.

Can't adequately describe the pleasure of reaching my fundraising target.  The only way I can express it is by saying that it is the polar opposite of how I feel about my beloved Spurs being knocked out of the FA Cup tonight - abject misery.  We played some beautiful football and just got unlucky.  We still have UEFA to conquer though.  COME ON YOU SPURS!!!!

But back to how great it feels to reach the £2000 mark.  WOOHOO!!!  Thanks so much to Fleur, Mandy and Aryeh who took me up to and over the target.  Aryeh, can you come and teach me how to mend a puncture now please............?

Saturday  17 March 07

We left Enfield Lock at 2pm in beautiful weather, having successfully worked out how to use the bike rack.  It all went very well, no falls, nice and easy.  Lots of people, swans, geese and other cyclists out enjoying the spring.  We rather stupidly ignored the sign that said "Dobbs Weir --->" and wasted 15 minutes piddling about in a car park, but managed to get back on track and did the outward journey in 1 hour 15 minutes.  The last 15 of those I was listening to Spurs v Watford. 

Pleasant half hour and half pint spent at the Fish & Eels at Dobbs Weir, then we turned round.  I thoroughly enjoyed the return journey (despite the gale force winds that blew up around Cheshunt), as I was providing Tracie and anyone else within earshot (about 2 miles - why do we shout when we have earphones on?) with a running commentary on the match.  Fantastic result, with Paul Robinson providing the icing on the cake.

The entire journey took 3 hours, with a good break in the middle.  Felt great afterwards and celebrated our first proper ride together with a curry and a couple of bottles.  Well, if it's good enough for Jade Goody.....  Bad news is I've got a bloody puncture.

I've been going out in the mornings at 6am and doing about 1 to 1 hour 15 minutes, which has been really enjoyable.  There's hardly anyone about and it feels great.

SUNDAY 11 MARCH 07

THE TRIP ALONG THE RIVER LEA TOWPATH TO BROXBOURNE HAD TO BE POSTPONED UNTIL NEXT WEEK, BUT YESTERDAY WASN'T WASTED.  WE GOT THE BIKE RACK SORTED OUT, COURTESY OF THE VERY WONDERFUL GLENN FROM ENFIELD HALFORDS.  AFTER TRYING TO FIT IT FOR AGES, HE DECIDED IT WAS A LOST CAUSE BECAUSE SOMEONE HAD TAKEN IT APART AND BROKEN IT.  WE BLAMED TRACIE'S EX FOR THAT, ALTHOUGH THE POOR DEVIL HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH IT WHATSOEVER.  ANYWAY, GLENN GAVE US A BRAND NEW ONE AND FITTED IT TOO.  WHOEVER SAID GOOD SERVICE IS DEAD?

WE THEN SET ABOUT PUTTING ALL THE BITS ON TRACIE'S BIKE AND WERE COMPLETELY STUMPED BY THE HANDLEBARS.  BIG THANKS TO ARYEH, WHO SORTED EVERYTHING OUT IN ABOUT 5 MINUTES.  HE COULD HAVE TOLD US EARLIER THAT HE USED TO RUN A BIKE BUSINESS!!

TO CELEBRATE THE FACT THAT THE BIKES ARE ALL SORTED, I RODE ROUND TO THE CO-OP TO GET SOME WINE.

UP EARLY THIS MORNING FOR A SHORT RIDE.  ALTHOUGH I LOOK VERY PROFESSIONAL IN MY BIKE SHORTS (WHICH LOOK AND FEEL LIKE I'M WEARING PAMPERS) AND DAYGLO WAISTCOAT, I'M STILL VERY MUCH A BEGINNER.  I'M ABSOLUTELY TERRIFIED OF NASTY CARS, SO MUCH SO THAT WHEN ONE GENEROUSLY GAVE ME A VERY WIDE BERTH, I DECIDED TO GIVE HIM THE THUMBS UP.  MISTAKE.  I WOBBLED FURIOUSLY AND ENDED UP ON THE DECK IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD, WHICH GAVE TRACIE, WHO WAS BEHIND ME QUITE A TURN.  AS IT WAS ONLY 8.30AM, I AVOIDED BEING RUN OVER BY A WICKED CAR DRIVER AND GOT STRAIGHT BACK ON AND FINISHED THE RIDE. BUT I LEARNT A GOOD LESSON:  ACCEPT THAT MOST CAR DRIVERS CAN'T SEE YOU AND IF THEY DO TREAT YOU COURTEOUSLY, SMILE GENTLY TO YOURSELF.

I NOW HAVE A HOLE IN MY RIGHT FOOT AND A CALF THE SIZE OF A SUMO WRESTLER.  

8 MARCH 07

SO I GOT HOME FROM WORK LAST NIGHT AND GOT ALL EXCITED TO SEE MY DAD HAD SORTED MY BIKE OUT.  JUMPED ON IT, STILL IN COAT AND 3 INCH HEELS.  WENT 10 YARDS AND FELL OFF.  NEVER ONE TO GIVE IN EASILY, I GOT BACK ON AND WENT THE OTHER WAY UP THE ROAD. BIT WOBBLY, BUT NOT SO BAD.  SHOWED MY BIKE OFF TO ANYONE WHO WOULD LOOK AT IT, THEN TURNED ROUND TO GO HOME.  AS IT HAD BEEN POINTED OUT TO ME THAT THE HANDLEBARS HADN'T BEEN TIGHTENED UP, I REALLY SHOULD HAVE KNOWN BETTER, BUT I GOT BACK ON.  TWO TUMBLES LATER, I DECIDED THAT I COULDN'T FIGHT A FRONT WHEEL WITH A MIND OF IT'S OWN AND WALKED IT HOME.....

SO TO CHEER MYSELF UP I WENT TO HALFORDS AND BOUGHT A HELMET AND ACID YELLOW WAISTCOAT, VERY THIS SEASON.  AND A BIKE SPANNER.  THIS MORNING AT 6.40 I PUT ON MY FETCHING NEW GEAR AND CYCLED TO ENFIELD AND BACK.   AAAAH!  HOW DO I WORK THE BLOODY GEARS??? BIT OF A PANIC.  BUT IT GOT BETTER, AND I'M HAVING ANOTHER GO TOMORROW.  I THINK IT'S JUST MIDDLE-AGED PANIC REALLY.  IF I TELL MYSELF I REALLY CAN DO THIS AND THAT LORRY IS NOT AT ALL INTERESTED IN WEARING ME AS A MASCOT, I'LL BE OK.

ANOTHER LITTLE MINDBENDER FOR YOU - I'D LIKE SUGGESTIONS FOR CYCLING SONGS FOR MY MP3.  NOT THE PUSHBIKE SONG OR MOTOR BIKIN', BUT SONGS THAT ARE GOING TO FOCUS ME AND KEEP ME GOING. XX

7 MARCH 07.....I'VE GOT WHEELS!!  THE BIKE ARRIVED YESTERDAY.  SHE'S BEAUTIFUL.  TRACIE AND I WILL BE RIDING FROM ENFIELD LOCK TO BROXBOURNE ON SATURDAY, 15 MILES EACH WAY ALONG THE RIVER LEA TOWPATH.  WE WILL OF COURSE BE STOPPING OFF AT THE FISH AND EELS FOR A PINT OF WATER AND A RUBDOWN.

A MINOR SETBACK  5 MARCH 07

I SUPPOSE IT WAS BOUND TO HAPPEN SOONER OR LATER...THE FIRST INJURY.  CAN'T EVEN SAY I FELL OFF MY BIKE.  NO, AS YOU WOULD EXPECT IN THE WORLD OF SALLY, THE INJURY IS ENTIRELY DOWN TO MY GORMLESS REACTION TO CRAMP.  HAVING WOKEN IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT WITH EXCRUCIATING PAIN IN MY LEFT LEG, I HURLED MYSELF OFF THE SOFA, SMASHED MY FOOT AGAINST THE TABLE AND LURCHED ROUND THE ROOM, WAILING AND SWEARING.  SO NOW I HAVE A PULLED HAMSTRING AND A PAIN IN THE ARSE. LITERALLY.  NO TRAINING FOR A FEW DAYS.