Thursday, 4 August 2011
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
Wednesday, 3 August 2011
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
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
Tuesday, 2 August 2011
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
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
Sunday, 31 July 2011
Day 2 - Dedicated to Pooja (female) - age 6 - Kolkata
Pooja has had a very difficult start in life and is still only 6. My mum has known her since she was three and was begging on the streets she is just beautiful. We thought she had been taken away for good by her grandmother who wanted her to beg so she could make money but after about 10 months she turned up - thank goodness - what happened to her whilst she was away doesn't bare thinking about however now she is growing big and strong and is safe once again.
Day 2 Bude - Cheddar 105 miles
This has to short and sweet as its coming from my phone...
Goodbye Cornwall hello Devon ... Flipping heck how many hills have We been up and down today ? None of which are huge but all of which were step my thighs are still burning .... We had our first stop at great Torrington at 25 miles both cyclists and support managed to meet in the same place wool hoo were making progress ... What a climb to the town centre I wish I could have taken a pic but it took all my effort to get to the top ..
We made our way on to Hampton up and down, up and down, up and down zero recovery then up again toug cycling but way better than yesterday at lest the descents were fun :-) we stopped at bampton for lunch and met speedys friend mike who had very kindly driven 60 miles to come and give us a wee cheer on.
From bampton we made our way to waybridge on to Taunton then through to cheddar.
Ok so what else to report ... Speedys lost a spoke dads found paradise and i've got a sore butt !! Apart from that all is well however I'm a little worried about speedys food consumption I'm thinking his daily intake would probably feed the whole of Kolkata for a day!! We might be losing 4000 ish calories a day but I'm sure he's eating double that .... Can you even imagine how much food that is ? Ok must dash need some zzzz's
Mileage. Cyclists 105 v support 115
2. - 0 to the cyclists
Legs are feeling strong, mind is feeling strong ...Day 3 let's rock .....
Apologies for the typos
Day 2 Bude - Cheddar 105 miles
This has to short and sweet as its coming from my phone...
Goodbye Cornwall hello Devon ... Flipping heck how many hills have We been up and down today ? None of which are huge but all of which were step my thighs are still burning .... We had our first stop at great Torrington at 25 miles both cyclists and support managed to meet in the same place wool hoo were making progress ... What a climb to the town centre I wish I could have taken a pic but it took all my effort to get to the top ..
We made our way on to Hampton up and down, up and down, up and down zero recovery then up again toug cycling but way better than yesterday at lest the descents were fun :-) we stopped at bampton for lunch and met speedys friend mike who had very kindly driven 60 miles to come and give us a wee cheer on.
From bampton we made our way to waybridge on to Taunton then through to cheddar.
Ok so what else to report ... Speedys lost a spoke dads found paradise and i've got a sore butt !! Apart from that all is well however I'm a little worried about speedys food consumption I'm thinking his daily intake would probably feed the whole of Kolkata for a day!! We might be losing 4000 ish calories a day but I'm sure he's eating double that .... Can you even imagine how much food that is ? Ok must dash need some zzzz's
Mileage. Cyclists 105 v support 115
2. - 0 to the cyclists
Legs are feeling strong, mind is feeling strong ...Day 3 let's rock .....
Apologies for the typos
Saturday, 30 July 2011
Day 1 - Dedicated to Kishan (male-) - 4 yrs old - Kolkata
Kishan has been living at Howrah Station, he has no dad and his mum is a drug addict and can not look after him properly. He is a gorgeous little boy who now because he is at the children home has a future to look forward to......
DAY 1 ........ Lands End to Bude 105 Miles
6.30am Richard and I were both up and itching to get away, but there was no way Graham was letting us leave before we had porridge Cornish style with clotted cream and strawberries. Crickey i'm going to have to go on a diet when i get back.
Just after 8 ish we left St Just and made our way through some beautiful Cornish Villages, i've never been to Cornwall before and i have to say i'm most impressed, so its definitely on my places to come back to list.
We arranged with the support team (dad) to meet in Stithians for our first stop which we both managed to navigate to although it took me a while to get used to cycling the Cornish Lanes ...10ft hedges either side and only wide enough for one car. I did start to worry about dad and what he would do if he met any oncoming traffic, after all he's only just mastered driving the van forward never mind reversing it ;-) Psychologically the lanes were quite weird to cope with ....its like being in a maze, you cant see anything left or right or even that far ahead so you never feel like you're getting anywhere, it was nice to experience but not a way i would like to spend too many cycle rides. Next we arranged a rendezvous for lunch....but it didn't really work ...Dad was in St Austell and we were nearly in Newquay, lets just call it teething problems.
We eventually met up with dad he was full of stories of this person he'd met and that person he'd met and he'd been to get his hair cut and he went for a wee shop and and and and and and .....i'm thinking i'm going to change the name of the blog to Big Al's UK road trip.... he's seem to be having far more fun than us cyclist !!
Anyway, after lunch we decided to join the A road to Bude and try and make up some time after a slowish hilly morning, and that we did, even if there was the odd vehicle slowing us down...
Regardless it was much easier cycling than being in the lanes and not even that busy. We arrived at Bude another lovely Cornish town and were meet with by yet more amazing hosts Howard and Coral and their two lovely daughters.
Highlight of the day ...probably just getting to see so many pretty villages, low point ...losing my cadence sensor. Ii know i shouldn't grumble but i'm such a stat geek and i'm a bit gutted i wont be able to record all my totals for the journey. Anyway the two things it is recording are mileage and time which i guess are most important...so on that note
Mileage today cyclists 105 v support 117
1-0 to the cyclist..........
All in all a good first day, beautiful sunshine but not too hot, lovely scenery and great hosts. I'm ready for day 2, a new ride and a new challenge.... next stop Cheddar ...bring it on ....
DAY 1 ........ Lands End to Bude 105 Miles
6.30am Richard and I were both up and itching to get away, but there was no way Graham was letting us leave before we had porridge Cornish style with clotted cream and strawberries. Crickey i'm going to have to go on a diet when i get back.
 |
| Speedy, Me and Graham before we left this morning |
Just after 8 ish we left St Just and made our way through some beautiful Cornish Villages, i've never been to Cornwall before and i have to say i'm most impressed, so its definitely on my places to come back to list.
We arranged with the support team (dad) to meet in Stithians for our first stop which we both managed to navigate to although it took me a while to get used to cycling the Cornish Lanes ...10ft hedges either side and only wide enough for one car. I did start to worry about dad and what he would do if he met any oncoming traffic, after all he's only just mastered driving the van forward never mind reversing it ;-) Psychologically the lanes were quite weird to cope with ....its like being in a maze, you cant see anything left or right or even that far ahead so you never feel like you're getting anywhere, it was nice to experience but not a way i would like to spend too many cycle rides. Next we arranged a rendezvous for lunch....but it didn't really work ...Dad was in St Austell and we were nearly in Newquay, lets just call it teething problems.
We eventually met up with dad he was full of stories of this person he'd met and that person he'd met and he'd been to get his hair cut and he went for a wee shop and and and and and and .....i'm thinking i'm going to change the name of the blog to Big Al's UK road trip.... he's seem to be having far more fun than us cyclist !!
Anyway, after lunch we decided to join the A road to Bude and try and make up some time after a slowish hilly morning, and that we did, even if there was the odd vehicle slowing us down...
Regardless it was much easier cycling than being in the lanes and not even that busy. We arrived at Bude another lovely Cornish town and were meet with by yet more amazing hosts Howard and Coral and their two lovely daughters.
Highlight of the day ...probably just getting to see so many pretty villages, low point ...losing my cadence sensor. Ii know i shouldn't grumble but i'm such a stat geek and i'm a bit gutted i wont be able to record all my totals for the journey. Anyway the two things it is recording are mileage and time which i guess are most important...so on that note
Mileage today cyclists 105 v support 117
1-0 to the cyclist..........
All in all a good first day, beautiful sunshine but not too hot, lovely scenery and great hosts. I'm ready for day 2, a new ride and a new challenge.... next stop Cheddar ...bring it on ....
The only way is up ......
Saturday Morning
Much to my dismay Blackpool pleasure beach was closed by the time we got there on Thursday night, however I did manage to get my hands on some fabulous new sunglasses ?!?!? and a wee stick of rock...pics to follow ....
Friday morning - Up dressed and ready to leave just before 8am for the rest of our journey to lands end. Thankyou Pat for your kind hospitality and for making us feel so welcome...
All aboard the brand new transit van and oooooppps it's dead !! Battery problems eeeek ... Anyway thanks to mike from the aa we are on our way again ... Cheers mike your a legend !
We arrived at lands end at 5pm ... We were met by Graham, a man who my dad put up over 20 years ago when he walked john o groats to lands end for Clic Seargant. Graham showed us around Lands End and we had the obligotary photos taken with beautiful bue skies above...
After so long on our bums we just had to go for a ride, so we rode from Lands End to St Just (where we stayed at Grahams house) a mere 5.5 miles, so we are starting from here this morning. St Just is a pretty little town with a couple of thousand residents, very quaint and charming. We went to the Commercial Hotel for dinner and of course a wee glass of cider ;-)
Its now 6.50am Saturday morning...most of you will be fast asleep and i am sitting here itching to get on my bike and start the ride properly.. Spirirts are high and we're both super excited, so time for a bowl of porridge and were off .... next stop Bude ;-)
Much to my dismay Blackpool pleasure beach was closed by the time we got there on Thursday night, however I did manage to get my hands on some fabulous new sunglasses ?!?!? and a wee stick of rock...pics to follow ....
Friday morning - Up dressed and ready to leave just before 8am for the rest of our journey to lands end. Thankyou Pat for your kind hospitality and for making us feel so welcome...
All aboard the brand new transit van and oooooppps it's dead !! Battery problems eeeek ... Anyway thanks to mike from the aa we are on our way again ... Cheers mike your a legend !
We arrived at lands end at 5pm ... We were met by Graham, a man who my dad put up over 20 years ago when he walked john o groats to lands end for Clic Seargant. Graham showed us around Lands End and we had the obligotary photos taken with beautiful bue skies above...
After so long on our bums we just had to go for a ride, so we rode from Lands End to St Just (where we stayed at Grahams house) a mere 5.5 miles, so we are starting from here this morning. St Just is a pretty little town with a couple of thousand residents, very quaint and charming. We went to the Commercial Hotel for dinner and of course a wee glass of cider ;-)
Its now 6.50am Saturday morning...most of you will be fast asleep and i am sitting here itching to get on my bike and start the ride properly.. Spirirts are high and we're both super excited, so time for a bowl of porridge and were off .... next stop Bude ;-)
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