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Daily Diary

Final Report - Well I did it. 2 weeks ago I set off from Lands End wondering whether I was fit enough to ride every day, despite the unfailing motivation, but the legs did me proud aided by SIS sports fuel, banana's!! and the odd beer. A warm feeling (unlike the weather) of achievement washed over me at the finish, with a large Dalwhinnie malt in my hand and a tear in my eye I toasted Kate who, I'm sure, looked down on me chuckling as I toiled in the rain then with pride as I embraced my Dad and fellow riders at the finish. She was the reason I did this and I'd turn round and ride back for her too so I thank you Kate for quietly encouraging me through the sun,wind,rain and hills. I'd also like to thank my dad, Doug, for his support throughout not just financially but out on the road with driving, mechanics and moral lifting applause when I needed it I couldn't have done it without you...thanks. The families, Kate's side and mine, thanks for all calls, texts, visits etc. My wife Karen for ALL her hard work preparing the route cards/maps (vital information), digs and the daily updates...thanks xx and Charlotte for her nightly "good luck for tomorrows course" and belief in Daddy it helped a lot. To Blackburn's Outdoors in Huddersfield for the "fuel", Vaude for bike kit, Sam at the Star Inn, Huddersfield for her enthusiastic fund raising efforts, Jack Findlay at The Cherrybank Inn, Perth for accommodation, beer, whisky and generous donation and last but NOT least everyone who has donated, large or small, and followed my ride with interest for the last 2 weeks...THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

 Please note that this site will continue to accept donations until 16th October, therefore if anybody still wishes to donate then feel free.

 23rd June (Final Day) - Day 14 Helmsdale to John o'Groats. Miles today 55 (I make that a total of 970) in 3hrs 11mins (total ride time 57hrs 30mins). Started with a 4-mile climb from the B&B in cold wet weather. Finished in dry 'tropical conditions (12 degrees!!!!). Had a good celabratory couple of hours with other end to end(ers) before we started on the journey south. Home tomorrow and so will 'post' a final report then.

 

 

Can confirm that 'the eagle has landed' and Nick has completed his epic journey. Usual report to follow.

 

 

22nd June - Day 13 Alness to Helmsdale. Miles today 51 (total 915), ride time 3hrs 19mins (total 54hrs 19mins). Had to take a couple of detours today, one because a bridge had washed away and so had to go 'off road' up a forest track, luckily no punctures; and the second to the Glenmorangie distillery, had my first ever distillery tour. Thought I deserved a treat! Last 20 miles today all been into a headwind and the road was very 'lumpy' so actually feeling quite tired. The dreaded midges made their first appearance today and they have taken quite a shine to me!   LAST DAY TOMORROW!!!!!!

21st June - Day 12 Aviemore to Alness. A sunny and pleasant start for a change. Miles today 62.5 (total 864), with ride time of 3hrs 46mins (total 51hrs). Pleasant ride which even included a lunchtime sightseeing trip to Culloden, added a few miles but was nice to deviate from the route. Met a lot of guys doing the same trip as myself, some would do it in 7 days and some were going to take a little longer. One guy was all on his own and carrying all his clothes and kit in panniers as well. I take my hat off to him! 2 days to go!!!!!

20th June - Day 11 Birnam to Aviemore. Torrential rain greeted me this morning as I set off (had stopped by Pitlochry). A visit to Escape Route bike shop for more "fuel" then on to Killiekrankie for lunch....raining again ! Onwards to Blair Atholl then the first encounter with the cycleway that runs along the side of the A9 which was,thankfully, puncture free. Then went on the A9 to Dalwhinnie at 35mph via the distillery (no tastings) then back on the cycleway to Newtonmore & Kingussie arriving in Aviemore in glorious sunshine. Miles today 81 (total 801.5) ride time 4hrs 49mins (total 47hrs 14mins).

19th June - Day 10 Penicuik to Birnam. Started very wet but amazingly stopped as I set off to do battle with Edinburgh. this proved painless except cycles aren't allowed on part of the A90 so a detour took me to the bridge eventually. Once onto the bridge the experience of the bridge vibrating was a strange one and the view was spectacular. On to Perth then the scary A9 and Birnam via a B road (quieter) with Doug's front wheel replacing mine which is poorly. Miles today 74 (total 720.5) in a ride time of 4hrs 25mins (total 42hrs 25mins).

18th June - Day 9 Gretna to Penicuik. Been a dry day all day today with miles covered 78 (total 646.5) in a ride time of 4hrs 29mins (total 38hrs exactly). Fairly easy ride until I reached Moffat with a fairly steady 5 mile climb out of Moffat - and then the fun started! What followed was 40 miles all into a headwind, turned out to be a very hard end to the day and boy was I glad to see the back of it.

17th June - Day 8 Shap to Gretna. Started with light rain and overcast but brightened up by the afternoon and I decided to take a more scenic route up the Eden Valley which was worth the detour, if a bit 'lumpy'. Miles today 56 (total 568.5) and ride time was 3hrs 7mins (total 33hrs 31mins). No problems en route and arrived in Scotland in sunshine. Tomorrow will be a lot harder !!

16th June - Day 7 Standish to Shap. Miles today 79 (total 512.5) and ride time was 4hrs 26mins (total 30hrs 24mins). Weather been good today, sun even came out just as I finished. Very flat route until last 15 miles when I hit the hardest climb of the trip so far, well we are in the Lakes after all. Spoke on back wheel broke just coming into Shap so Doug dashed to Penrith for repairs at Arragon Cycles who very kindly agreed to stay open past 5 for us. What stars!

15th June - Day 6 Woodseaves to Standish. Miles today 63 (total 433.5) and ride time was 3hrs 44mins (total 25hrs 58mins). I was lucky today as I had a dry day and so made good time. Whizzed through Warrington so fast that I even got ahead of Doug! Close encounter with a tractor and trailer today could have been nasty but luckily so far no problems on the roads.Heading onto quieter roads from tomorrow when we head for the Lakes.

14th June - Day 5 Malvern Wells to Woodseaves. Today was hard mainly due to the rain. Miles today 72 (total 370.5) and ride time was 4hrs 29min (total 22hrs 14mins), averaging 16mph on a very undulating route. Slight twinge in the left leg caused by a dodgy kerb on day 3 pain killer sorted it so I'm now officially a drug taking cyclist !!!

13th June -  Day 4 Tickenham to Malvern Wells. Got off to a good start today with not one, but two punctures, before we had even got out of the car park of our digs. Doug got to work and had me on the road asap. Miles today 65 (total 298.5) and ride time was 3hrs 42mins (total 17hrs 45mins). Weather sunny up to Gloucester, then down came the rain! Had the first twinges of cramp today but seem ok now.

12th June - Day 3 Bampton to Tickenham. Today has been a relatively 'easy' day. Miles today 65 (total 233.5) and ride time was 3hrs 40mins (total 14hrs 3mins). Sunshine most of the way today which is good as the forecast for tomorrow is bad. Legs felt a bit heavy on the few climbs but nothing to worry about.

11th June - Day 2 Tresinney to Bampton. Well what can I say... weather the complete opposite of yesterday and I was never a great fan of Wet Wet Wet but that is certainly what I have been today! Good news for yesterdays sunburn at least. Miles today 82.5 (those halves may all add up at the end) which makes a total so far of 168.5. Ride time today was 4hrs 59mins, which makes a total time in the saddle of 10hrs 23mins. Still enjoying myself, the roads are a dream to ride on after those at home.

10th June - Day 1 Lands End to Tresinney (near Camelford). Weather sunny & warm with a slight headwind.Total mileage 86 miles, ride time was 5hrs 24mins, average speed 16 miles per hour. Legs ok (its the sunburn that hurts) but had had enough by the time I got to the digs ...... it's them there hills. I think there are more of the same tomorrow as well..... help!

 

In July 2005 my sister-in-law Kate was diagnosed with ovarian cancer. At the age of only 40 and with two young daughters aged only 7 and 4, I am sure you can appreciate that the news was the worst in the world. Especially when it became clear that as with most ovarian cancer sufferers, Kates diagnosis had come too late to be treated effectively.  In February 2006 Kate lost her battle with Ovarian Cancer still at the age of only 40. This was a huge loss especially to her husband Shaun and their two little girls, but also to the rest of her family and to the many friends and colleagues whose lives she had touched over the years. She was a very well loved, liked, and respected, friend and colleague to many. She always put others before herself.

I wanted to pay my own tribute to a very special lady and so I promised myself (and Kate) that I would cycle from Lands End to John O'Groats (LEJOG) to raise money for charity, and after discussions with her husband Shaun we agreed that charity should be Ovacome. I don't think I quite believed that I could or would do it but here I am, finally committing 'finger to keyboard' on the internet. No backing down now!!!!!

I am setting off from Lands End on Sunday 10th June and hope to arrive in John O'Groats (approx 1,000 miles later) on Saturday 23rd June. I am training as hard as the wife will allow but I still think it will be a challenge to be in the saddle for 65-70 miles a day, every day, for 2 weeks. Not started stocking up on the vaseline yet but will need to soon. I am looking to hopefully give myself a day off halfway through when I hit the Lake District (well they do it in the Tour de France so why not me?). 

I will be ably supported in my quest by Doug 'The Bug' Hurt, who will be riding shotgun so to speak on four wheels, and ready to scrape me up off the floor (only kidding Lottie) where necessary. Also as part of my training Doug will be joining me in cycling the Bealach-na-ba (Beag) Challenge in Wester Ross in Scotland on the 12th May. This is a 43 mile race in a beautiful but very hilly part of the country. If anybody is interested in taking a look then go to www.bealach-na-ba.co.uk and take a look, it is quite a training run! Being a glutton for punishment I am also entered in the BIG ONE (the Bealach Mor) in September as well. Quite a year on 2 wheels for me this year.

Ovarian Cancer is known as a 'silent killer' as many women do not realise that they are suffering from it until it may be too late. As well as working with families of Ovarian cancer sufferers, Ovacome are trying to raise the awareness of this dreadful disease. So all of you who have been interested enough to visit my fundraising page, dig deep if you can and lets see if we can raise some funds to help them do this. Please visit their website www.ovacome.org.uk to find out a little bit more about their work.

15th May 2007 - Well we did it! Doug and I survived the Bealach-na-ba at the weekend. I am very pleased to report that it was a very successful 'training run' for me, coming 191 out of 467 riders, and only an hour behind the winner! The scenery and the weather for the weekend were absolutely fantastic as well, and it has really made me keen to get up to the Scottish stages on my LEJOG ride. Training otherwise is going as well as the weather will allow at the moment, but as Karen keeps saying to me I am going to have to get used to riding in the rain at some stage, you never know what the weather will be doing in June. But I am feeling really strong at the moment (even after the weekend) so hopefully my legs will not go too much into shock when we get started on the 10th June.

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Many thanks for your support.