Lands End - John O'Groats and BACK!!!
Joe Beal is raising money for SHINE
Story
Thank you for visiting my fundraising page. Please dig deep and sponsor me online.
Donating through this site is simple, fast and totally secure. It is also the most efficient way to sponsor me: Association For Spina Bifida And Hydrocephalus 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.
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My brother Ben was born with Hydrocephalus. ASBAH have been very supportive throughout his life and have given so much to him and the rest of our family.
Everyday tasks that most of us take for granted often prove very challenging. I have decided to set a challenge for myself! I will be completing the end to end - end to end... Lands End to John O'Groats and back again!! roughly 1800 miles this summer. Hopefully in good weather, wind assisted and without any technical difficulties!..touch wood...
Thank you very much for your support. Regular updates will be posted to this site during my trip. July 27th 2005 - I have been busy training for the journey ahead. I have completed the Great Nottinghamshire Bike Ride and also cycled to Hull and back as part of my preperation. I have been featured in the local papers and am currently preparing for my TV appearance!!. Not long now until D-Day and I am becoming more and more nervous. I have already adopted the nickname Lance, though I am yet to find my rock star girlfriend... more updates coming soon.... August 12th 2005 - Last day in the office. I picked up a little knock playing football on Wednesday, not the most intelligent thing to do before a ride of this nature! Would have been worth it if we won!! Apart from nearly losing a leg preparations have gone well. I have briefed the IT specialist namely mother on how to update this site. I may be back before the first update so I will drop you an e-mail when I regain full use of my body.... Feeling a little nervous especially as the hottest day on record has been predicted over the weekend.. Chin up! I say and let the fun begin!!!! Over to you mother.... August 14th 2005 - Mother here.....Joe is on his way. He left Land's End this morning and is now in Devon,Okehampton to be precise. The only sore so far is a blister on his foot!!! Day one over, 17 to go!!!! August 15th 2005 Day 2. Joe is in Somerset,after a very hilly ride!! He had a puncture this afternoon so was delayed a while. N.B - Support crew got lost for three hours!! They were only 30 miles in front? If there is anything you need to know about the service station just off J27 on the M5, I'm your man.. August 16th 2005 - Day 3. Joe here.. I have arrived safe and well at my aunts just a few miles from Leominster. Had some much needed fresh food! I can't decide whether I've got a touch of sun stroke or food poisoning...(only joking, please let me stay on the return leg). Bumped into a few end to enders (got all the lingo now) today, they all questioned my sanity when I mentioned I was doing the return trip. Manchester tomorrow (best lock my bike up)... bring it on!! August 17th 2005 - Day 4. Mother back again. It's been a real hot one today. Poor old Joe - I hope he applied sunscreen!! He's gone a lot further than he intended today. It should have been Warrington but he's got to Preston - which is going some in this heat! He's covered over 120 miles today. He had a couple of close shaves with two 'artics' and he nearly mowed down a pedestrian!! Please be careful, Joe, or I'll be grey before you get back! And he had two punctures in quick succession. Quite an eventful day!! Tomorrow he heads for the Lakes. August 18th 2005 - Day 5. Hi folks I thought Joe was going to update this tonight so you may get two updates for the price of one!!!!Joe has reached Penrith in Cumbria,which is amazing. He seems to be flying up the country, just thinking about it makes my legs ache!! The weather may be set to change so he could find the going a lot tougher. His only ailment today is an arm that has gone dead. On to Scotland tomorrow. August 19th 2005 - Day 6. He's crossed the border into Scotland. Yippee. The going's getting tough!!!! Joe's had a bum of a day. Didn't sound very happy at all. First off it took him ages to get out of Penrith, some bright spark directed him to the motorway!!! And he's had a gale force wind in his face all day. He said the wind had been behind him all the way up, why turn now!!! I think he's doing great. It's another day tomorrow. Keep your chin up Joe. August 20th 2005 - Day 7. Joe has arrived at Amulree on the edge of the Highlands. He has had a good day, wind was behind him. The scenery is stunning, I would love to be with him in Scotland but he was never keen on the tandem idea!!!! I wonder why. He has got a hotel tonight as there were no YHA in the area - so he will be able to have a long hot soak!! Heaven...The only sore spot today is he got sunburnt on the back of his legs( the weather has been epic up there).Good going Joe, John o'Groats is in sight!!!! August 21st 2005 - Day 8. Joe has arrived at Inverness. He has had some huge hills to climb, on one of them the top was above the clouds!!! He is doing so well, I don't know where he gets his stamina from, not his Mother!!! The weather not as clement today - some heavy rain to contend with. Tomorrow John o'Groats - and to think that is only the half way point!!!! Keep on truckin' Joe, we are all rooting for you. August 22nd 2005 - Day 9. He's done it- Joe has reached John o'Groats. Fantastic!!!! The only problem is he's got to turn around and do it all over again!!!! He has seen some amazing things today - birds he thought looked like penguins which I think could have been Puffins or Guillemots but then I'm no ornithologist!! He also spotted an Eagle which could have been a Peregrine Falcon and he saw some dolphins, maybe Bottlenose, who knows? That's the end of the wildlife section!! The weather has been blue and sunny and the scenery spectacular. An official photograph was taken at what is for most "the finish". Pity there was no one there with some bubbly!!!! But there will be at Land's End...... August 23rd 2005 - Day 10. Joe left a windy John o'Groats this morning - have heard no more. Will update later if I hear anything. Joe here - Managed to login at the youth hostel in Inverness. Scotland really threw it all at me today, a strong head wind and driving rain. At least I have got the highest climbs out of the way, twice in two days really tested my fitness. No birds of prey today, sorry ma. Actually didn't really see much today as the sweat mixed with the rain, dripped down my face and caused partial blindness! John o'Groats in the driving rain is a truly depressing place hence why I spent my planned rest day on the A9.. Back at you mother.... what a grand job your doing. I bet you are nearly past the E.T. typing level now!! August 24th 2005 - Day 11. It's been a tough one for Joe. He had to give up early today due to adverse weather conditions and a muscle strain. Having found a B&B in a place called Kingussie, he's going to rest up, have a long hot bath and apply some "Deep Heat". This is why people do not do it there and back - because the wind is against you - and one way is tough enough!!! But hang on in there Joe, tomorrow is another day. August 25th 2005 - Day 12. A much better day today. The wind a lot lighter and he saw the sun- what a difference that makes!!! He had a broken spoke so had to find a bike shop but he discovered this had closed down. After some investigation he was directed to someone's house where he still had some stock in his garage. That was lucky. Joe's leg got much better as the day went on, I'm so pleased about that. Tonight he's at a campsite just outside Denny, so he's done a fair few miles today. When I spoke to him he said he was off for a shower in what looked like a garden shed!!!! August 26th 2005 - Day 13. Joe is back in England!!! I can't believe how quickly he's going. He's covered about 120 miles today. Tonight he's at a campsite near Carlisle. He said the wind was behind him so he went like stink!!! I think he's relieved to have left 'wet and windy Scotland' as he put it. His leg is still sore- but he won't have so many miles to cover tomorrow. He is heading for Kendal and a night at his Aunts. What bliss that will be after a few nights under canvas!! August 27th 2005 - Day 14. Joe here. After a long day yesterday and a dash for the border I have treated myself to a half day today. I'm back with the relatives in Kendal. Scotland - Wet, windy, mountainous, gnat infested. A lovely place really definitely worth a return visit. Having said that some of the scenery was spectacular, none more so than the coach load of Scandinavian ladies that arrived at the Youth Hostel in Inverness. A relatively uneventful day today. I managed the second highest point of the journey, the dreaded 'Shap Fell'. All down hill from here! I can't quite get over all of the wildlife I have seen on this journey. It seems like every ten minutes I am swerving on the hard shoulder to avoid a carcass. 'You kill it we grill it..' August 28th 2005 - Day 15. Mother here again - first I've heard about a bus load of Scandinavian women, he's very selective about what he tells me!!!!!! I was hoping he would meet a lonely heiress on his travels!! Anyway on to today. A very wet and windy start but the weather has improved as the day went on . Tonight he is 13 miles from Whitchurch, camping in a farmer's field. I didn't think he would cover all that ground today, about 120 miles! That's good going! His body is still holding together better than after a night out in Nottingham!! August 29th 2005 - Day 16. Joe here. A very strong head wind hampered my progress today. Still managed to reach my destination by 2pm!! Another hotel stay at 'Aunty Jills'. A much needed dose of the fresh stuff will help me reach Lands End in no time. A really nice suprise today to have a welcoming comittee. As you can see from the picture a huge banner greeted me on the A49! Not long now.... August 30th 2005 - Day 17. Mother back again. Joe in Cheddar tonight after a very long and hot ride. His arms got burnt today - he says it looks most odd because his hands are white after wearing gloves all day!!! The support team went AWOL so Joe got very dehydrated as his water had run out. He started seeing mirages with camels and palms!!! I think he's had too much sun!! He is definitely on the home stretch now. We are all getting geared up to meet him in Land's End. How exciting. Last I heard he was looking for a "chippie". August 31st 2005 - Day 18. The end is in sight- this time tomorrow Joe's epic challenge will be completed!! Tonight he is in Okehampton, playing table tennis of all things- you would think he had had enough exercise for one day! Weather not too bad today apart from a huge thunderstorm just outside Exeter. Support team got lost and Joe ended up at the youth hostel before them. There will be no update tomorrow night as we will be in Land's End to welcome Joe in. We have banners, balloons and cheap champagne!!!! I am so proud of him. Joe will no doubt update you all on Friday night. September 2nd 2005- A quick update. JOE HAS DONE IT!!!! What an achievement. We have just got back from Cornwall - all knackered. Joe will fill you in tomorrow after a good night's sleep!!! September 3rd 2005 - ALL DONE!! I still can't believe I have done it. Driving back up from Cornwall yesterday really brought home the enormity of it all. I have seen some fantastic sights and some really hideous ones. One of my favourite sights was the view from the top of Helmsdale (the highest point of the trip) a top speed of 54mph soon followed. On half inch thick tyres it was quite a rush. It was a toss up for my least favourite sight between seeing the trees bending over double as a gale swept along the A9 or following the largest pair of cycling shorts known to man for about half a mile just outside Preston. I got quite emotional on seeing the welcoming committee at Lands End. Around 100 people gathered at the finish! it was quite a shock. I would like to thank the couple both dressed in matching linen numbers who donated £50. I would like to say a HUGE thank you to everyone who has supported and sponsored me especially my support crew. Thank you John and Dad. Thank you to my family who put up with me for two nights, more than most people can manage!! Thank you to my I.T. specialist who has done a marvellous job on this site, thanks Ma. I am sure ASBAH will be delighted with all of the money that has been raised. Thank you everyone. That was for you bro!
Donating through this site is simple, fast and totally secure. It is also the most efficient way to sponsor me: Association For Spina Bifida And Hydrocephalus 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.
------------------------------------------------------------
My brother Ben was born with Hydrocephalus. ASBAH have been very supportive throughout his life and have given so much to him and the rest of our family.
Everyday tasks that most of us take for granted often prove very challenging. I have decided to set a challenge for myself! I will be completing the end to end - end to end... Lands End to John O'Groats and back again!! roughly 1800 miles this summer. Hopefully in good weather, wind assisted and without any technical difficulties!..touch wood...
Thank you very much for your support. Regular updates will be posted to this site during my trip. July 27th 2005 - I have been busy training for the journey ahead. I have completed the Great Nottinghamshire Bike Ride and also cycled to Hull and back as part of my preperation. I have been featured in the local papers and am currently preparing for my TV appearance!!. Not long now until D-Day and I am becoming more and more nervous. I have already adopted the nickname Lance, though I am yet to find my rock star girlfriend... more updates coming soon.... August 12th 2005 - Last day in the office. I picked up a little knock playing football on Wednesday, not the most intelligent thing to do before a ride of this nature! Would have been worth it if we won!! Apart from nearly losing a leg preparations have gone well. I have briefed the IT specialist namely mother on how to update this site. I may be back before the first update so I will drop you an e-mail when I regain full use of my body.... Feeling a little nervous especially as the hottest day on record has been predicted over the weekend.. Chin up! I say and let the fun begin!!!! Over to you mother.... August 14th 2005 - Mother here.....Joe is on his way. He left Land's End this morning and is now in Devon,Okehampton to be precise. The only sore so far is a blister on his foot!!! Day one over, 17 to go!!!! August 15th 2005 Day 2. Joe is in Somerset,after a very hilly ride!! He had a puncture this afternoon so was delayed a while. N.B - Support crew got lost for three hours!! They were only 30 miles in front? If there is anything you need to know about the service station just off J27 on the M5, I'm your man.. August 16th 2005 - Day 3. Joe here.. I have arrived safe and well at my aunts just a few miles from Leominster. Had some much needed fresh food! I can't decide whether I've got a touch of sun stroke or food poisoning...(only joking, please let me stay on the return leg). Bumped into a few end to enders (got all the lingo now) today, they all questioned my sanity when I mentioned I was doing the return trip. Manchester tomorrow (best lock my bike up)... bring it on!! August 17th 2005 - Day 4. Mother back again. It's been a real hot one today. Poor old Joe - I hope he applied sunscreen!! He's gone a lot further than he intended today. It should have been Warrington but he's got to Preston - which is going some in this heat! He's covered over 120 miles today. He had a couple of close shaves with two 'artics' and he nearly mowed down a pedestrian!! Please be careful, Joe, or I'll be grey before you get back! And he had two punctures in quick succession. Quite an eventful day!! Tomorrow he heads for the Lakes. August 18th 2005 - Day 5. Hi folks I thought Joe was going to update this tonight so you may get two updates for the price of one!!!!Joe has reached Penrith in Cumbria,which is amazing. He seems to be flying up the country, just thinking about it makes my legs ache!! The weather may be set to change so he could find the going a lot tougher. His only ailment today is an arm that has gone dead. On to Scotland tomorrow. August 19th 2005 - Day 6. He's crossed the border into Scotland. Yippee. The going's getting tough!!!! Joe's had a bum of a day. Didn't sound very happy at all. First off it took him ages to get out of Penrith, some bright spark directed him to the motorway!!! And he's had a gale force wind in his face all day. He said the wind had been behind him all the way up, why turn now!!! I think he's doing great. It's another day tomorrow. Keep your chin up Joe. August 20th 2005 - Day 7. Joe has arrived at Amulree on the edge of the Highlands. He has had a good day, wind was behind him. The scenery is stunning, I would love to be with him in Scotland but he was never keen on the tandem idea!!!! I wonder why. He has got a hotel tonight as there were no YHA in the area - so he will be able to have a long hot soak!! Heaven...The only sore spot today is he got sunburnt on the back of his legs( the weather has been epic up there).Good going Joe, John o'Groats is in sight!!!! August 21st 2005 - Day 8. Joe has arrived at Inverness. He has had some huge hills to climb, on one of them the top was above the clouds!!! He is doing so well, I don't know where he gets his stamina from, not his Mother!!! The weather not as clement today - some heavy rain to contend with. Tomorrow John o'Groats - and to think that is only the half way point!!!! Keep on truckin' Joe, we are all rooting for you. August 22nd 2005 - Day 9. He's done it- Joe has reached John o'Groats. Fantastic!!!! The only problem is he's got to turn around and do it all over again!!!! He has seen some amazing things today - birds he thought looked like penguins which I think could have been Puffins or Guillemots but then I'm no ornithologist!! He also spotted an Eagle which could have been a Peregrine Falcon and he saw some dolphins, maybe Bottlenose, who knows? That's the end of the wildlife section!! The weather has been blue and sunny and the scenery spectacular. An official photograph was taken at what is for most "the finish". Pity there was no one there with some bubbly!!!! But there will be at Land's End...... August 23rd 2005 - Day 10. Joe left a windy John o'Groats this morning - have heard no more. Will update later if I hear anything. Joe here - Managed to login at the youth hostel in Inverness. Scotland really threw it all at me today, a strong head wind and driving rain. At least I have got the highest climbs out of the way, twice in two days really tested my fitness. No birds of prey today, sorry ma. Actually didn't really see much today as the sweat mixed with the rain, dripped down my face and caused partial blindness! John o'Groats in the driving rain is a truly depressing place hence why I spent my planned rest day on the A9.. Back at you mother.... what a grand job your doing. I bet you are nearly past the E.T. typing level now!! August 24th 2005 - Day 11. It's been a tough one for Joe. He had to give up early today due to adverse weather conditions and a muscle strain. Having found a B&B in a place called Kingussie, he's going to rest up, have a long hot bath and apply some "Deep Heat". This is why people do not do it there and back - because the wind is against you - and one way is tough enough!!! But hang on in there Joe, tomorrow is another day. August 25th 2005 - Day 12. A much better day today. The wind a lot lighter and he saw the sun- what a difference that makes!!! He had a broken spoke so had to find a bike shop but he discovered this had closed down. After some investigation he was directed to someone's house where he still had some stock in his garage. That was lucky. Joe's leg got much better as the day went on, I'm so pleased about that. Tonight he's at a campsite just outside Denny, so he's done a fair few miles today. When I spoke to him he said he was off for a shower in what looked like a garden shed!!!! August 26th 2005 - Day 13. Joe is back in England!!! I can't believe how quickly he's going. He's covered about 120 miles today. Tonight he's at a campsite near Carlisle. He said the wind was behind him so he went like stink!!! I think he's relieved to have left 'wet and windy Scotland' as he put it. His leg is still sore- but he won't have so many miles to cover tomorrow. He is heading for Kendal and a night at his Aunts. What bliss that will be after a few nights under canvas!! August 27th 2005 - Day 14. Joe here. After a long day yesterday and a dash for the border I have treated myself to a half day today. I'm back with the relatives in Kendal. Scotland - Wet, windy, mountainous, gnat infested. A lovely place really definitely worth a return visit. Having said that some of the scenery was spectacular, none more so than the coach load of Scandinavian ladies that arrived at the Youth Hostel in Inverness. A relatively uneventful day today. I managed the second highest point of the journey, the dreaded 'Shap Fell'. All down hill from here! I can't quite get over all of the wildlife I have seen on this journey. It seems like every ten minutes I am swerving on the hard shoulder to avoid a carcass. 'You kill it we grill it..' August 28th 2005 - Day 15. Mother here again - first I've heard about a bus load of Scandinavian women, he's very selective about what he tells me!!!!!! I was hoping he would meet a lonely heiress on his travels!! Anyway on to today. A very wet and windy start but the weather has improved as the day went on . Tonight he is 13 miles from Whitchurch, camping in a farmer's field. I didn't think he would cover all that ground today, about 120 miles! That's good going! His body is still holding together better than after a night out in Nottingham!! August 29th 2005 - Day 16. Joe here. A very strong head wind hampered my progress today. Still managed to reach my destination by 2pm!! Another hotel stay at 'Aunty Jills'. A much needed dose of the fresh stuff will help me reach Lands End in no time. A really nice suprise today to have a welcoming comittee. As you can see from the picture a huge banner greeted me on the A49! Not long now.... August 30th 2005 - Day 17. Mother back again. Joe in Cheddar tonight after a very long and hot ride. His arms got burnt today - he says it looks most odd because his hands are white after wearing gloves all day!!! The support team went AWOL so Joe got very dehydrated as his water had run out. He started seeing mirages with camels and palms!!! I think he's had too much sun!! He is definitely on the home stretch now. We are all getting geared up to meet him in Land's End. How exciting. Last I heard he was looking for a "chippie". August 31st 2005 - Day 18. The end is in sight- this time tomorrow Joe's epic challenge will be completed!! Tonight he is in Okehampton, playing table tennis of all things- you would think he had had enough exercise for one day! Weather not too bad today apart from a huge thunderstorm just outside Exeter. Support team got lost and Joe ended up at the youth hostel before them. There will be no update tomorrow night as we will be in Land's End to welcome Joe in. We have banners, balloons and cheap champagne!!!! I am so proud of him. Joe will no doubt update you all on Friday night. September 2nd 2005- A quick update. JOE HAS DONE IT!!!! What an achievement. We have just got back from Cornwall - all knackered. Joe will fill you in tomorrow after a good night's sleep!!! September 3rd 2005 - ALL DONE!! I still can't believe I have done it. Driving back up from Cornwall yesterday really brought home the enormity of it all. I have seen some fantastic sights and some really hideous ones. One of my favourite sights was the view from the top of Helmsdale (the highest point of the trip) a top speed of 54mph soon followed. On half inch thick tyres it was quite a rush. It was a toss up for my least favourite sight between seeing the trees bending over double as a gale swept along the A9 or following the largest pair of cycling shorts known to man for about half a mile just outside Preston. I got quite emotional on seeing the welcoming committee at Lands End. Around 100 people gathered at the finish! it was quite a shock. I would like to thank the couple both dressed in matching linen numbers who donated £50. I would like to say a HUGE thank you to everyone who has supported and sponsored me especially my support crew. Thank you John and Dad. Thank you to my family who put up with me for two nights, more than most people can manage!! Thank you to my I.T. specialist who has done a marvellous job on this site, thanks Ma. I am sure ASBAH will be delighted with all of the money that has been raised. Thank you everyone. That was for you bro!