Almost two weeks on ......

Its been almost two weeks now since we arrived in Lands End, i hope you enjoy the photos that i've eventually uploaded ....  http://www.flickr.com/photos/65618113@N08/sets/72157627495094736/

The ceilidh was a success, rythmnreel were fantastic and a great time was had by all ;-) Mum is still busy doing the books and counting all the sponsorhip and donations. The fundraising has been a huge success, every penny is going to make such a difference to the children in Kolkata who have very little.....

On a personal level lejog has left me with a big hole..... so many hours of training, planning and anticipation and now its all a memory, i was warned this might happen .... so i'm sure this comes of no surprise .....there was nothing else for it ... i needed a bigger and better challenge to focus on ....dust of your walking boots ..........

Kids of Kolkata Challenge  - Easter 2012

Lulu walks 500 miles  (with a little help from her friends )

http://www.luluandfriendswalk500miles.blogspot.com/

Day 11 Dedicated to all the kids of kolkata who are living in poverty

Tongue to John O Groats - 65 Miles

We couldnt have planned it any better, with the wind behind us most of the way we left tongue with big smiles. It was a leisurely morning, we took our time cycling over the hills through bettyhill, melvich and on ....the views were stunning and at points it was quite emotional, the hugeness of the ride finally hit home. We met the support team for one last lunch in Thurso before cycling the last 20 miles to John o Groats. Ironically, the last 20 miles were the fastest we cycled in the last 11 days.

Then at 2 mins to 3pm on Tuesday the 9th of August we got our first sight of JOG. We sprinted the last mile where we were greeted by family and friends at the finish line. Party poppers and silly string galore it was time for a party, thanks to everyone who came and cheered us over the finish line....

However it was also game over ( for now ), The next day i would not be wakening up at 6.30am and riding my bike, i would not be wearing my cycling kit, i would not be counting down or up the miles, i would not be eating a ridiculous amount of calories without feeling guilty, i would be going home to James Street, Avoch. I'd made it .... from the South West of England to the North East of Scotland in 11 days safe and sound and in good health.

It has been a journey like no other...not just the last 11days but the last six months. Thank you to everyone who has supported, encouraged and sponsored both Speedy and i and i look forward to seeing you all for a gay gordons on Friday night at Strathpeffer Pavillion.

But a special big thanks to the following people who put us up, feed us, rode with us and came out of their way to support us over the last 11 days

In order of appearance ... ;-)

Pat in Blackpool
Greame in St Just
Mike in Devon somewhere
Howard and Coral in Bude
Stacey and Phil in Ludlow
Julie and Izzy in Leigh
Mum and Heidi in Moffatt
Mark, Stuart, Lauren, Daniel, Marji, Davie, Davie and Ben in Doune
Andy, Tilli, Emily, Isla, Lorna, Keith and Bob in Carrbridge
Jo, David, Emily, Lucy, Richard and Kirsten in Evanton
Jo, Becky, Lorna, Chrisitna, Emily, Lucy, Mum, Dad, Mark and Heidi in John o Groats

This is the end of one adventure but also the start of a new one ...

From the girl who could hardly ride a bike six months ago i hope this shows that anything is possible if you want it badly enough ...........

Photos of lejog will follow soon ;-)

Lululdoeslejog 2011 .......... the end x

p.s anyone fancy a bike ride on Sunday morning ...i'm getting twitchy already ..............

Day 10 Dedicated to the one and only Speedy

Without you I’m not sure if I could have done this ……thank you for everything, you’ve made my  dream a reality.

Evanton to Tongue 70 Miles

I don’t know what to say …… I’ve ridden most of this road before but never in such rubbish conditions. My mum and dad were riding the support  van and trying their best to keep spirits high… they spray painted messages on the road and bought us treats galore but the wind was just rubbish, I wasn’t in  a bad mood it was just hard hard hard cycling. Imagine being slapped in the face 100 times an hour that’s kind of how It felt, at one point it got so hard I thought I was going to be sick … but we soldiered on. The last 18 miles took us nearly 2 hours to cycle… We got to tongue and checked in to our accomodation and had a fab last dinner with the support crew . The end is near and regardless of the weather  I feel quite sad about it. ;-( One more day to go.

Day 9 Dedicated to Bob, Keityth, Andy and Stuart who cycled with us today

Carrbridge to Evanton 50 miles

Today was just great, we were met by some friends to ride with us on the stretch through Inverness, Andy, Bob , Keith and Stuart (came back from more) it was pouring down but that didn’t dampen our spirits. We rode for 25 miles and then stopped at The Dairy at Daviot where we were greeted by Charlotte and Jeremy who very kindly filled us with coffee and yet more cake. Thanks guys so kind of you.

On we rode and made our way over nairnside that’s when I got my first sight of Inverness.  It was at this point that I actually realised what we’d done …we’ve almost ridden the length of Britain… mad !! six months ago I could hardly stay on a bike ….. Anyway …We all rode through Inverness across the Kessock Bridge and then on to Munlochy  where we said to goodbye to Keith and Bob ( also end to enders who completed in June ) thanks for coming out and supporting us on such a rainy day.

Stu, Andy, Speedy and I cycled on to the Cromarty bridge and met dad for a coffee stop. 45 miles in the pouring rain then poor stu miss judged his stop and couldnt get his shoe out in time and ended up on the side of the road.  We all tried not to laugh but it was just too funny …. Poor stu …….Five more miles and we were in Evanton. Great day , rubbish weather, who cares we are almost tbere…..we were met by some more familiar faces as we enjoyed a few shandies.

Cyclist v support update …jack is pulling it back in the mileage competition cyclists 6 v Support van 3

Day 8 Dedicated to Stuart Lee …you’re a legend ;-)

Doune to Carrbridge  123 miles

Today my wee cousin Stuart joined us cycling form Doune to Carrbridge. We left as per normal just after 8am. It was a lovely sunny day as we set out towards Crieff….and then up on the back roads to Sma Glen…. we climbed and climbed long lovely hills, Speedy was in his element.  As we reached the top at Amulree we stopped for coffee ….Stuart had me in fits when he told me he was singing eye of the tiger in his head all the way to the top ;- ) We had the best descent of the trip as we free wheeled 4 miles down into Aberfeldy.......it was great being back on the Scottish hills . On we rode to Pitlochry where we met Jack (aka dad) and the rest of the clan for sandwiches and cakes …….we did a quick mileage check to see how far we had to go to Carrbridge,  it seems we made a bad calculation and our estimate of 105 miles was slightly out and in actual fact we were going to be cycling for 123 miles, thats a long flippin way… there was nothing else to do but get on with it. We made our way up the a9 along the dodgy cycle path. Just as we came of the bad bit psssssssssssssshhhhhhhhhhh first puncture of the trip and also the fastest puncture change… the midgies were out in force. On we went for another few miles where we met my dad who was waiting to lead us convoy style for three miles down the a9 to Newtonmore through the roadworks.

So we’ve been cycling for 96 miles and we tell poor Stuart he’s going to be sprinting for three miles, I could just see his wee face looking at me as if to say thanks a bunch. So there we were at the side of the road digging into mars bars and snickers bar to give us an energy boost before the end to end time trials. We saw our opportunity and we were off ….me up front , Stuart in the middle and Speedy at the back …. then dad sitting behind us in the van keeping the traffic well away.

Woo hoo we made it to Newtonmore it was wine o clock at 100 miles, we had a wee glass of wine and more cake ….at this point I have to add that Stuart has only ever cycled 75 miles before so this was a huge achievment for him … we had 23 miles to go …it was raining now and time was ticking … the next 23 miles were ridden in silence as we all got into our zones and pedalled, kingusssie, kincraig, aviemore and finally carrbridge…… we’d spent nearly 9 hours in the saddle. My longest ride and Stuarts longest ride … we all did amazing but mostly stu, not a grumble or even once a suggestion that he was going to quit. So proud of you stu …you are a legend xxx

Day 6 Dedicate to Heidi Bear

My love , My life , My Inspiration

Ingleton to Moffatt - 105 miles

Let it rain ............

Up at 6.30 and the rain was bouncing off the ground. It was a long mileage day.... was the rain going to make it worse ?? No Chance ... we've cycled through a lot worse...ok so it was pretty heavy but at least it was windless and warm....

So we climbed a slow climb up to Shap and just accpeted the drenching .. what else could you do ?? At 35 miles we had a coffee break and dried off a bit, over more hills and through more rain showers we cycled. I'm convinced the rain makes you cycle faster.... we made carlisle in good time 65 miles by lunch time. Spirits were high  as we were only 10 miles from the border....lunch was sandwiches and millionaire shortbread in the back of the van oooohh the glamour !!!

We rode on towards the borders feeling all scottish and patriotic the wind picked up and the rain got heavier then as we got to gretna the skies cleared and the sun came out ....what a welcome home .....

Another 30 miles and we were in moffatt ...i got off my bike tired but happy. I was having a wee stretch against the tree and dad was like 'lou can you open the van please ' and i was like 'dad, 2 mins i'm stretching ' he askde me again and i told him again i was having a stretch .... this went on several times till i just got the door handle and pulled it back and wow ...........heidi bear and mum were in the back ... a whole day ealrry ..., i was delighted ;-) heidi love ;-)

we stayed last night in a b and b called no 29 10/10 for eveything what a delightful stay .... if you ever go to moffatt you must stay at this place it was a real gem.

Day 7 dedicated to Allan Lemon the support driver

He's been lost, he's been found and he's put up with me so for that your worth the dedication... love you dad xxx

Day 7 Moffat to Doune 86 miles

A pretty straight forward day really, the weather was bright but a bit windy, the terrain was lumpy (thats what speedy calls it ) everyone else would call it hilly !!!

Everyone was in good moods ...... being in familiar territory i'm sure helps. Also tonight we were meeting some more family and freinds so a great morale boost.

We made our way up over..... help!!! what was it called??? some big hill just outside moffatt, then on to biggar for coffee and then some layby for lunch..... its all getting a bit blury.....on to stirling then on to doune where we meet s few a familiar faces.

Most importantly stu's who will be cycling with us for the next couple of days. Thanks also to davie marji, davie and ben for coming an having a wee drink with us and wishing us well.

its all over for dad in the mileage game ..... cycliclts 6 support van 1 !!! (but only one mile in it )

p.s if your reading this and you know speedy or i and you havnt sponsered us yet please dust off your wallets and show your support..... i'm propbably making this blog quite lighthearted but i can assure you this has been no picnic ......were not doing this for fun ....there are children who are sufferring that desperately need your help x

The Borders 10 miles woooo flipping hooooo

Soaked to the skin but who gives a dam it's just making us go faster !!! Heidi bear were coming to get ya xxx

Day 4 and 5

Using the phone again.. In deepest darkest Yorkshire and I can't get connected on the laptop so I'll make it brief...

Day 4 ... A fast and flat day up the a49 from Ludlow to Leigh 94 miles
Day 5 .... Leigh to ingleton 65 miles

Will try and write prOperly tmw

My bum hurts my thighs are sore but mostly i need some Heidi love.. Apart from that dad is still getting lost, speedys is still eating for four and the cyclist are still winning the daily mileage competition.

Looking forward to stu joining us on Friday and of course crossing the border tmw ... Oh flower of scotland when will we see ... I think it's time to look out theface paints :-)
Day 6 ... Scotland here we come x

Sorry for typos

Too tired to post fill you in tmw ..

Day 3 Dedicated to Moyna (about 7)

Moyna is a skinny wee girl with chopped of hair becuase of nits and has very little teeth, however she is always smiling. She has no mum or dad, she was found in Howrah station and was beginnning to be addicted to glue sniffing. Thankfully she was rescued in time, she is now as bright as a button and full of energy, she has been saved from a horrible existence of abuse and addictionand is now very much loved and cared for.

Day 3 Cheddar - Ludlow 113 miles

What a day ...... we left Cheddar and made our way up through the gorge which was pretty spectatcular, there was no one else there but us ... it was a bit of a climb but well worth it. On the descent we found a bike shop so Speedy got some replacement spokes, and in fact almost bought a new bike !! but didnt ....

If there was a day that both Speedy and Dad were least looking forward to it was today as they were both a little unsure about navigating around Bristol, but i have to say they both did amazingly, not one wrong turn...we left dad and went on the cycle route and he headed out on to the motorway, we were enjoying the nice quiet cycle route then BANG !!!!!!!!!! poorspeedy encoutered our first accident, some idiot in a land rover nearly took him out and forced him into a hedge ;-( As you would expect not even a grumble and he soldiered on.....

Then we met some other end to enders heading the wrong way on the Avonmouth Bridge they were totally lost, so we thought it would be nice for us all to ride the 15 ish miles to the Severn bridge together...so Speedy navigated us around perhaps a dozen roundabouts and got us on to the bridge with ease, we kind of cycled on as they took photos but stopped at the other side, when they caught up they just rode on , not even a thankyou to speedy for helping them ...if he hadnt helped them they would have ended up in France !! how rude ....never mind.

So we cycled on to Tinttern Abbey where we met dad for lunch and all was going great, 55 miles easily done by 12 noon. hmmmmmm then we had a bit of a problem ... we got on our bikes and we headed out on the back roads, firstly we encoutered a three mile climb and my thighs began to burn, i dont mean like i've been at a double spin class i mean really really burn, for the next 30 miles all we did was climb descend, climb, descend, climb descend... which doeasnt sound that bad but this if my third consecutive day of over 100 miles and quite frankly all i wanted was the flatest way to get to Ludlow.

We met dad at 82 miles, i was a bit wobbly so they filled me with coffee, jelly babies, tablet and one of Bobs power shots (i dont even care what was in it ) My legs were tired that much was obvious and i still had 30 miles to go ... so after a quick chit chat i suggested we cycle on the A roads for a bit as it was flatter and in better condition. I was sitting on the back step of the van feeling knackered, but knackered wasnt going to get me 30 miles to Ludlow, it was simple, there was no point moaning all i had to do was get on my bike, get my head done and flipping well pedal... so thats what we did and the next thirty miles flew in, the sugar kicked in and we blasted it in under two hours. It just show you how quickly you can recover. Physically and mentally.

It was a long hard day, but for the last 30 miles all i thought was , i'm going to see Stacey and Phil, i'm going to see Stacey and Phil, i'm going to see Stacey and Phil ( some friends that were coming out from Gloucester to say hi )...... we made it to our accomodation,i managed to pull on some trackies and spray on some prada just as they were parking up. I cant tell you how much it helped me seeing some friends at the end of such a hard day. Thanks guys ...i love you loads ... mwaaaahhhhhh xxx

 So another victory to the cyclcists today cyclcists 113 miles v support 117 (your getting better dad)

Moving on, Dad is doing great and Speedy as always is keeping me going and keepng me safe on the road. Three days gone eight more to go. Mancheter is calling ......................Day 4 Cmon Speedy lets do it .......

p.s thanks to all of you for your kind comments, txt and emails of support....most appreciated xxx