Wednesday, 1 August 2007
Sunday, 15 July 2007
Well you asked for it.
This post is for everyone who has asked to see a picture of my bruises. This was taken a week after the accident and the colour had developed nicely.
My advice would be don't collide with a car. I think the shape of the bike wheel is quite elegant. As JT said, not so much a bike as a piece of modern art.
I have been watching the Tour de France this week. They make it look so easy even after they fall off. Just so impressive.
Hope you all enjoy the pics.
Tuesday, 26 June 2007
Day 17: Helmsdale to John O'Groats (Thank you)
Alan - What can I say apart from thank you. I wasn't really sure what to write in this post. The more I thought about it the more it started to seem like an Oscar acceptance speech. In the end I decided that I should just stick to the point and talk cycling (I have a feeling at this point that everyone is pressing PgDn to get to Matt or Elayne's section ).
A few people at the beginning of the holiday asked what weather I would like. The strange thing was that I didn't want perfect cycling weather (not too hot, dry, very light breeze) instead I wanted a complete mix and that is what we got (The moral is be careful what you wish for). Down south we got burned (see the stripy blog), in Bath the heavens opened (see blog), on Rannoch Moor, the full works which in my opinion left only one thing which was a full on head wind. The wind was pretty strong yesterday, but today it was mad. The day started with good old fashioned hills. The plus point was that when going up you were shieilded from the wind by the hill, but then coming down the other side you had to cycle just as much to keep moving. After 15 miles of hills, I was told that it flattened out which on any other day would be great. Today this was just an opportunity for the wind to really get a hold of you. Just keeping the bike moving forwards was an effort, whilst at the same time fighting to keep on a straight line. Then on one stretch I manged to get to 13 mphwhen a gust of wind grabbed the bike and said No! and I came to a sudden stop,
I got to lunch at about 22 miles in and met with Matt and Elayne had a sandwich and set off. I decided then that it was time to just get finished. The next 32 miles were a case of just grinding out the miles watching them tick away on the cycle computer. Only stopping to put my jacket on when the rain got too much or take it off when the rain stopped for a minute. With 6 miles to go, the final climb started and went on and on and finally with 3 miles to go I crested the top of the hill and as met by the sight of the Orkneys .... fantastic. Took the bike up into top gear put my head down and set off downhill into the wind and rain into JoG. Going at full pelt putting in all the strength I had using every gear I managed to get over 16mph, pathetic. If I had stopped I'm sure I would have been blown back up hill and most of the way to Land's End (If there are ever the promised south westerly winds, people must sprint to the finish and find themselves across on Stroma before they realise.). An eternity later I arrived. Then realised that the end was further on, got there, was directed towards the sign by Matt and Elayne and fell off. After all these miles I didn't wamt to disappoint my loyal audience.
So that's it. Not yet for the blog since we want to write a few summary blogs and post some more photos in the next couple of weeks, but that is it for the ride. Would I do it again. Yes. Not the same route, but I would. I will also be revisiting various parts of the country and would recommend it to everyone. If you can afford the time, do it over a longer period and use the extra time to see more of this great country.
Finaly, I will spend a couple of lines thanking everyone for all the calls, comments, emails, sponsorship (we can't check from here but apparently it's gone up massively), support along the route,champagne at the end (hic), cakes and everything. So now the question is what next ... ouch !! .... I've just been hit.
Matt- Well an odd day for me. It was great to make it from one end of the country to the other even though I could not finish on my bike. The sight of the Orkney's appearing as we crested the last hill was fantastic.
I did enjoy being out of the wind and rain in the car and to see Alan cross the line after all the effort against the wind today was fantastic..
I would like to add my thanks to everyone for their support, comments , texts, emails and of course sponsorship. It really helped me get through the days when the cycling was tough i.e. hilly..
Many thanks to Elayne for her excellent support and help. Particularly when I need ed to visit the hospitals. We could not have done the trip without her.
Finally thanks to Alan for persuding me that this trip was a good idea. It really was great and I have enjoyed the challange and I would reccomend it as fantastic way to see the UK.
I will be back to fill in the gaps on the bike and maybe add in a trip to Orkney to round things off.
Elayne: Final B&B report. Sea View Hotel has not ever heard of customer service. Think they could do with some training. I guess I could offer to do it when we come back with Matt. Checking in was a bit of an effort and getting someone to open the champagne (thanks very much, greatly appreciated!) took forever.. Room is OK, but small, and shower tray installed the wrong way round, so it fills with water and overflows when you have a shower. There is a suggestions box in reception, which might not be big enough.
Matt is now asleep in the bar. Neither he nor Alan have mentioned our new friends - met Ian today and Matt and I did a sideways trip to Wick to try to find him a new tyre, without success. Note to fellow end to enders, do not have anything wrong with your bike when you get to Wick, as the only bike shop still there is mostly a toy shop and completely useless.
We also met Eric and Robert, two lovely cyclists from around Manchester, who are due to finish tomorrow. Also watched another cycllist finish, who's done the trip on his own in just 10 days - amazing!
Time for bed now. Sorry we haven't called everybody - have tried everywhere in the hotel to get a signal without success, but will catch up with you all tomorrow when we start the journey south. Will be in Edinburgh tomorrow night and then travelling home on Wednesday.
Monday, 25 June 2007
Trip Photo: Wick
Trip Photo
Not the greatest location for a photo. It was either a backdrop of a graveyard or one of some out of town retail outlets. Not much choice.
Morning of Final Day
Just thought I'd do a quick blog on what our morning routine is, by describing this morning's preparations.
Got up at 7:15 which seems to be our standard start to try and get away just after 9am (after rushhour) and had a bath. Makes a nice change from a shower and eases the aches a bit. The list of aches and pains include, feet ache and are sore since they have been in cold water for the last few days (Waterproof overshoes are a must and will go on our top tips.). Hands are bruised after days of holding the bars. I bought new padded mits before we left and these have been good, but are now trashed. Other normal aches and pains include shoulders, knees and then later there will be the morning saddle experience. (This now all pales into insignificance against what Matt is feeling this morning. Bruising is coming out well and he's hobbling around ok, but really just wants to be on the bike.)
Just had breakfast. An excellent bacon sandwich (we stopped full fry ups a while ago. Not good for cycling.), cereal, oat cakes, toast and bananas. Now time to check the panniers and make sure all the wet gear is there and tools etc. Also need to add a lock today. We had taken them out on day 2, to save weight when we decided that one of us could always watch the bike.
Then the final steps are to Assos, fill the water bottles (We're now running on undiluted Sport when we can get it. When in Scotland buy in bulk when you see it.) and cover the mechs etc in the last of the GT85 (It's been great. The bike is a complete mess, but still running smoothly).
Now ready for the final 55 of the trip, and hopefully see some puffins at the end. Today has some climbs at the start and the forecast 25mph headwind will not be great, but it's only 55miles.
Blog again later.
Day 16: Muir of Ord to Helmsdale via Invergordon Hospital (Don't go breaking my bike)
Matt - It's been a funny day. All was going well. Excellent breakfast at last nights B&B (Porridge) whcich I had just about worked into my system after a slow start. We were just passing Morrisons in Alness when a kind gentlemen pulled out in front of us. I was in front of Alan and could not stop. So I hit the car at about 12 mph. I was helped up by a very kind lady called Dawn who worked at the local hospital and made sure that I had no broken bones, sat me in her car and tended to my wounds.
An ambulance was called and the Police also arrived. Everyone was very kind and helpful and I am very grateful to them especially Dawn.
The ambulance arrived and took me to Invergordan Hospital (Rather than Inverness). Got checked out and as supected just cuts and bruises. I have managed to bruise my shoulder and both sides of my right thigh but am basically OK and feeling very lucky.
Incidentally, I broke the guy's wing mirror and left him with a dented door and wing. My bike however is mangled. the front wheel is broken the forks cracked and the headset damaged (see picture). As JT said the bike is more a piece of abstract art now rather than a bike.
Alan and Elayne have been brilliant and very kind. Alan is continuing with the ride and was late in tonight partly due to the hospital delay but also due to a whisky stop (see Al's blog).
Alan - Met a tiger, drank whisky, cycled into head wind, got wet, eat homemade cake, met lots of nice people and one idiot, watched a crash in slow motion, visited a distillery, went to hospital and saw the place where the last wolf probably wasn't killed. Just a standard day on the LeJog.
What can I say. Overall it was a sad day. about 80 miles from the end Matt's trip finished because an idiot in a car, pulled up to a junction, looked (but I'm not really sure what at) and then pulled out right in front of Matt. It was horrible to watch and no doubt worse to be involved in. Not done the waiting in hospital for someone else before. Not keen really. In my opinion, Matt has completed the LeJog. All the tough bits are behind us. He's shown the mental toughness to get through all of the troubles along the way, inclusing exhaustion, losing the use of a few fingers and knee injuries. With all of these type of endurance events, it's not really a physical challenge, it's a mental one and one that Matt passed with flying colours.
Once Matt decided to crash test his bike we then agreed that I would go on. It was raining from the start of the day up until about 5pm. There was also the promised head wind to contend with and crossing the bridges was an interesting experience, being exposed to the full force of the wind and traffic. After Matt left I continued onto Brora where I decided I would visit Sandy and Lily (see photo). I didn't have any directions (they were in Matt's pannier), just what I had remembered and after a couple of turns a car rolled up and I was asked if I was "Alan", Sandy had found me. He'd also found Elayne about 20 minutes earlier in a similar way. Elayne and I were then fed with great homemade cakes and Sandy opened a new bottle of Clyneleish, most excellent. With another 12 miles to go I stopped at one and I set off for the final miles of the day. This is Scottish hospitality at its best. We may have to return with Matt on the way south.
Tomorrow, 55 miles with all the climbs in the morning. On my own though which just won't be the same :-)
Elayne: Full details of B&B and, of course, the hospital, tomorrow. Just wanted to say that Mrs Polson at Torbuie B&B was just what the doctor ordered. Enormously warm welcome and she sorted Matt out while I retraced my steps to meet up with Alan in Brora. Delighted to have found her, as she has now taken herself off the tourist information website, as she's 72 (Alan - You wouldn't guess it) and wanting to do a bit less!
Sunday, 24 June 2007
Trip Photo: Where the last wolf was killed - A9 between Brora and Helmsdale
Trip Photo
Apparently this stone was actually moved when the current road was put in, so this isn't actually the place where the last wolf was killed.
Trip Photo: Brora
Trip Photo
It really does have a great beech and ice cream shop (didn't have time for those though).
Trip Photo: Cromarty Bridge
Trip Photo
First sign with John O'Groats on it just before the Cromarty bridge on the A9 and also the last pic of Matt before the accident.
Saturday, 23 June 2007
Day 15: Fort William to Muir of Ord (It's Raining Cyclists)
Alan - We started later today after a good night out with Heather and Andy. We haven't seen H&A for over a year even though they live down the road and now we meet at the other end of the country. Since we last met we have cycled about 800 miles, but H&A have trumped that by travelling around the world. Cool. Andy is now planning an End to End ride with the three peaks as an added challenge. Gulp.
The lie in did mean that the weather cleared for the start which was good, since we had only just finished drying out from the day before. Then we were off along the lochs. Today we turned and headed north east and crossed the country. The first part of the day along Loch Lochy..... ok, I can't let this go. Apparently it means "Lake of the Dark Goddess", what rubbish. What really happened was that some civil servant was given the task of establishing names for all of the lochs, since saying "I want to have a clan war by the loch" without being more specific, was leading to all sorts of problems. So off he set working from West to East. First couple were fine and then came the first blunder. "Wow that looks big, I'll call it Loch Long". This was fine until he cossed into the next valley. "Doh". He probably considered "Loch Longer", but then settled on Loch Lomond. Fine. Few weeks later,back at the office he thought alll was sorted until his boss noticed he had missed one. With the budget gone they needed a name so they came up with Loch Lochy and then thought of the above definition. Let's face it this is like calling a lake "Lake Lakey".
Anyway, back to the trip, after Loch Lochy, we moved onto Loch Oich and then Loch Cloud decided to burst its banks and we were soaked for the last 45 miles of the day. Past Loch Ness, where we just had time to take a photo of the monstor before moving onto Loch Mountain. I was starting to think that I could complete the trip without using the lowest set of gears and then we hit a mountain. Wow this was like a Cornish hill on steroids. It didn't help that it was the end of the day and that there was a river runnning down the road, but even so it was a monster. With that over after many attempts, we then sped down to the B&B in yet more rain.
It looks like it'll probably be rain until the end now and the prevailing South Westerly that was meant to help us along looks like it'll now be a North Easterly head wind. But on the trip tomorrow, providing we don't drown en route, we have a detour to visit Alison's uncle Sandy in Brora.. I hope he's ready for a couple of drowned rats.
Matt- Wet wet wet. Not just a Scotish group but a desciption of Scotland and the two of us. Still it was bound to happen sometime on the trip.
The day became a bit of a slog to get to the end but we did manage to get mistaken for competitors in the Highland Cross. A 20 mile run followed by a 30 mile bike ride. Still the applause and cheers were very welcome.
Laying off the Scotch at the moment but I can review the beer I had last night. It was callled Kelpie and is made using seaweed (funnily enough). It tasted like a cross between a Guiness, Old Peculier and a good dark mild. Sounds dreadfull I know but it is actuallly very nice.
Elayne: Last night's meal at the Alexandra Hotel was a bit of a disappointment. I went for one of the 'Healthy Options' (thought I should make an effort). Curiously, this involved a large mound of mashed potato with smoked haddock on top. Not the best meal we've had, but relatively cheap. However, the live act, a very scary blonde woman playing the organ and singing a mixture of classics, was quite possibly the worst we've seen. Still, the locals seemed to like her. Tonight's meal at the Ord Arms Hotel, next to B&B - Chestnut Villla in Muir of Ord, was extremely good and has restored my faith in Scottish cuisine. Very friendly service too, although we didn't stay to join in the kareoke.
Pleasant rooms and good shower in B&B. Landlady met Alan and Matt with towels at the door and has taken soggy things to spin dry, so hopefully they might be able to start the day in dry clothes tomorrow. Note to future end to enders - however hot it is in Cornwall, you do still need to take jumpers - you will need them in Scotland.
Trip Photo: Loch Ness Monster
Trip Photo
Couldn't believe that I was lucky enough to get a good photo of the monster and that he didn't seem to mind me resting my bike so close.
Actually taken here : http://www.lochness-centre.com/
Day 14: Arrochar to Fort William (Surfing USA)
Alan - Absolutely fantastic. There are some days (two so far in my opinion) that you just have to get through on the end to end tour and then there are others that make the whole trip worthwhile and today was one of those with bells on.
We started the day retracing our steps for a couple of miles to rejoin the A82 back on the Loch for another 10 miles. This part of the A82 was quieter and close to the Loch side which made the ride a lot more interesting. Just as we were approaching the end I spotted a sign that I thought was worth a photo (see photo) so asked Matt to stop. He thought I was stopping beecause we had just passed Ardlui station, apparently he has a friend who has made a model of this station...... I'm starting to get worried. We had planned to meet Elayne in Ardlui itself, but seemed to miss it and before we knew it we were climbing into the Highlands.
The first downpour hit as we swept down towards Bridge of Orchy and we got drenched. This though provided an ideal excuse to have lunch in the pub and accompany it with a local brew. Half an hour later the rain eased, we changed ino dry socks and rain gear and set off. After another ascent we approached the border with the highlands and in the background could see what we were in for. The scene was spectacular. The sky was black and briefly illuminated by fork lightning. Counting the time to thunder, in true school kid fashion, revealed that it was coming closer and coming closer fast. So we set off. Fortunately when the storm hit we were crossing Ranoch Moor which is pretty flat. The scenery here, combined with the storm was awesome. Cycling became a bit more like surfing and at stages the only thing you could see was the white line at the edge of the road to let you know you were still on the road. We were drenched within minutes and from that point on it was head down, pedal hard, try not to worry about the traffic, look up every now and then to take in the location and keep going..... weeeeeeee
Today was something else. I was expecting today's ride to be good. I expect that crossing this section is great in any weather, but the storm added something and not just adrenalin, although with low visibility, no brakes and traffic did add a fair amount of that. If you don't fancy doing End to End, get a bike and come up and cycle from Ardlui to Glencoe. If you're lucky, you'll have a storm and driving rain, if not you're not so lucky and the sun is shining, you'll still have a great ride. Even driving this section is good.
Finally (before today's comedy moment) there are now three sounds I like whilst cycling. The first is the click of a cleat locking into a pedal (even better when you are leaving traffic lights in heavy traffic). The second is the clunk as you change up after cresting a hill. The last one is the sound of pipes in the hills as you cycle along the side of a Loch. Yes it really did happen.
Comedy Moment 7: Split shorts. Mine. If you know what a cyclist wears under his shorts (the same, or so I have been told, as what a Scotsman wears under his kilt), you'll understand whhy some people might consider this funny. Personally, I just can't see anything funny in what was a very traumatic experience. Anyone laughing at this point needs to add some more sponsorship and penance.
Matt - What a day, Sunshine in the morning, thunderstorms in the afternoon and pleasant sunshine in the evening (well nearly). They say in Scotland if you don't like the weather wait half an hour.
Rannoch Moor yesterday was a sight to behold with the water running off the hills and swelling the rivers. I will have to come back and go across in sunshine.
Fort William is interesting in that the main road runs right along the lochside. Very strange.
Re comedy moment 7 above. I was cyclying behind Alan at the time. Not pleasant.
A big thank you to John and Barbara for the sponsership and the indecipherable comment! Glad you got the French www to work.
Elayne: B&B from night before last wins 'most lovely room' award of the trip. Looked like something out the glossy magazines thoughtfully provided in the room. Met Reg after his trip to Lusaka - he was only there for a day and a half but still managed to fit in a safari and fulfill the dreamm of a lifetime. Had breakfast in a lovely room overlooking the loch. Wished we could have stayed longer and will be back. Thanks Reg for the donation!
Last night's B&B, Guisachan House much more traditional. Rooms a bit small, but friendly welcome and wet gear taking off for drying in the boiler room - much appreciated, as it's raining again this morning. Did not enjoy being woken at 1.30 this morning by loud Australian neighbours (no, not Kylie and Jason) crashing around next door.
Friday, 22 June 2007
Thank you - part 3
Just a short post from us to say thanks to everyone who has sponsored us so far. If you would like to and haven't had a chance to yet, the links on the right will allow you to sponsor securely online, or else just let either of us know and we'll make a note of it and collect the funds after the ride.
The online total has reached £1545 and with money we have raised on the trip and other pledges it's getting very close to the £2K mark, so as an added incentine I will agree to ride the extra miles to make up 1000 miles for the trip on the last day if the sponsorship reaches £2K. Come on that's got to be worth a few quid.
Now a few responses to some of the comments on the sponsorship pages:
Jon and Tara - Do you mean the Whiskey that Matt's drinking or the cycling?
Jayasiddhi - Done. Or how about the L to C?
Lynne & Patrick - I really don't think you do. Blisters are caussed by friction and rubbing, and with a cyclist most of this happens with contact with saddle. It's really not pretty.
Ruth - Are you sure !!!
John & Barbara - We have absolutely no idea how to reply to this comment, but thanks very much for the sponsorship.
Finally thanks to Kate and Anna and also to everyone who has sponsored us on route. We'll be more specific when we're home.
Thank you all very much.
The online total has reached £1545 and with money we have raised on the trip and other pledges it's getting very close to the £2K mark, so as an added incentine I will agree to ride the extra miles to make up 1000 miles for the trip on the last day if the sponsorship reaches £2K. Come on that's got to be worth a few quid.
Now a few responses to some of the comments on the sponsorship pages:
Jon and Tara - Do you mean the Whiskey that Matt's drinking or the cycling?
Jayasiddhi - Done. Or how about the L to C?
Lynne & Patrick - I really don't think you do. Blisters are caussed by friction and rubbing, and with a cyclist most of this happens with contact with saddle. It's really not pretty.
Ruth - Are you sure !!!
John & Barbara - We have absolutely no idea how to reply to this comment, but thanks very much for the sponsorship.
Finally thanks to Kate and Anna and also to everyone who has sponsored us on route. We'll be more specific when we're home.
Thank you all very much.
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