So here is how the remainder of the trip went

The remainder of the trip went with out a hitch, the travelling between mountains was effortless and setting camp and organising gear was as if being carried out by a machine due to the precision and speed to which it was carried out.
Helvellyn was great the day started grey and looked threatening but as the morning continued the clouds drifted by and the assent was straight forward with no others to be seen.  The decent was great fun, Mark showing some great skills and some seriously sized brass ones! coming down lower man set the president to getting down quickly remembering though we had another mountain to go so having a tumble was not an option.
From here we broke camp and made for , the drive was long but breathtaking as we passed through the Glen cough valley which ran wide and flat with spectacular imposing peaks flanking us on both sides then the road turned north for Fort William and on to the base of the mountain.  After some well needed proper food from the Ben Nevis Inn we hoped for a more restful nights sleep in their bunk house.  This as it happened was not to be the case with all in the team having a fitful broken nights sleep.  On our waking at 5:30am the porridge was made and the weather looked grim.  The cloud base was quite low and the winds were forecast to be between 20 and 35 mph with rain getting heavier as the day wore on.  This did not give the team the enthusiasm that we had all felt on the previous 2 mountains and gave a distinct air of the magnitude and possible seriousness of what lay before us.  We set of, the climb was energy sapping with the bikes needing to be carried and lifted the majority of the clime due to the rocks and steps being to severe to push over.  This made our arms and shoulders sore and the going quite slow.  The rain started and winds picked up as we reached the halfway mark.  Then from out of the cloudy mist figures could be seen as we continued on the path, a group of 5 workers dressed in heavy duty rain gear constructing the stone steps and path we asked what had they done wrong to be given community service all the way up here?  But there reply was "community service would be by far easier picking up litter in the local park!"  With credit given to their mental 12 hour a day efforts we pushed on higher into the clouds with the wind picking up and the temperature falling, the mood was determined wanting to get to the top as quickly as possible as we were beginning to feel the cold and the rain was becoming more persistent soaking us to the skin.  By now the visibility was dropping and the climb took a sharp and steep line up the mountain the winds were gusting ferociously buffeting at out bodies and trying to pull the bikes from our hands.  Communication between the team was too hard as the wind whipped the icy rain onto us stinging any exposed parts and visibility was now down to about 10 meters.  We followed the path with its cairn markers hoping that they were the trig signifying the summit, but the climb just kept going on and on until soft edged shapes appeared out of the cloud, ruins of the old observation station that was sited on the top, then from out of the gloom the trig came into view we had made it.  By now we were all feeling the cold and after celebratory pictures  and bubbly we took refuge in an emergency shelter putting on more layers and taking on sugary foods ready for the decent.

24/8/09 9: 00pm

Well after a poor nights sleep in extremely wet and very windy conditions we woke up at 5:15am to be met by clear dawn blue skies and little wind.  The mighty stodge of my famous porridge went down well with the team and we packed day packs with all we might need and more for our expedition. The assent went well with little hitches and a large amount of pushing up some very steep and loose rocky ground. We saw no others till we met a fellow biker on his decent with a broken bike due to underestimating the stone steps further on.  The mood was quite somber as the steep climb was energy sapping. Until the path took a twist to the left and we were confronted with a distant view of an occupied summit with still silluetes of walkers shroud in a smattering of thin cloud. The mood soon picked up as we saw the spectacular scenery that surrounded us with sheer drops on both sides and the clouds beneath us, we could also make good progress from here as we were able to ride. The first train of the day passed us only 50 meters from the top. We then pushed hard and had to carry the bikes to the pinnacle trig. After photos and a donation by some very friendly walkers at the trig (thank you guys) we had a bit to eat and set of for the bottom.  Mark was itching to get going and shot off like a whippet as he only can.  Then the fun really started what we had been waiting for all morning the fun stuff and my word was it! some great loose, steep, stepped, fast ridding.  Then to the bottom,

We made it down in great time. The breaking of camp went like clockwork with the group all seeming to know what need doing with out direction.  Then on our merry way to the Lakes.
Spirits are high as we have done the next one before and know what to expect.  We will endeavour to keep you up to date.  Love to all the wives and kids. And a thank you to those good enough to sponsor us.  If you have not what are you waiting for if we can get money from the summit of Snowdon you have no excuses.

The team


22.8.09
Well the eve before we leave.  The bikes have been services thanks to Leisure Lakes of Daventry, bits and pieces of kit sorted. Not much more we can do now but wait to drive over there.
We will endevour to keep people informed of our progress and will (if technology permits) update on here on our way between mountains from the motorway services.  Thanks to all those that have been generous and sponsored us
already and if you have not,  WHY NOT?
Lets hope the weather is kind!?!
Will be back on Wednesday.

Thanks for visiting our fundraising page.   

This all began with a mountain bike accident that took place in a wood where one of the team needed urgent medical attention for a suspected neck injury.  999 were called and the ambulance arrived. With the suspected severity of the injuries and the distance to the hospital the air ambulance was called in to go to where they had the appropriate scanning equipment available. 

A short time later in the scans were carried out and the injuries were discovered to be less severe, with bad bruising to the neck, no broken bones and no long lasting effects.

Since then it has been discussed how money could be raised for the air ambulance as a thank you for their invaluable work that they carry out 365 days of the year.  There was talk of The Three Peaks Challenge and Tour de Trigs but these were just not quite "biking" enough, so we made up our own, the three highest peaks in the legally allowed to be ridden on bikes in three days.

So it was decided, planning and talking continued until we finally had a practice ascent up Helvellyn in November.  This was not the most successful of trips as we had to retreat down the hill with only 400 meters to the summit, due to terrible visibility and winds gusting up to 60 miles an hour and freezing temperatures.  The mood was low after our battering and it was decided that we had a lot to plan for in future to ensure our success and not to underestimate the power and changeability of mother nature on these exposed peaks.

We have returned to Helvellyn since November and conquered it in great style with every type of weather possible: blazing sun, strong winds, thunder, lightning, hail and all types of rain going. A huge boost for the team with confidence running high.

Snowdonia is our next planned practice.  As the local law states bikes are not allowed on the mountain between the hours of  10am and 5pm, speed will be a key factor to push us up and bring us down! with great speed.

We will keep you informed of our movements as they happen.  Please do give generously as we really want to break our target.

Thank you

The Team 



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