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Thursday 16 September 2010
Tuesday 14 September 2010
The end...why am I still tired?
So it's Tuesday, just after lunch, in Accenture's Fenchurch Street office, and I could do with a sleep! I have a few minutes until my next appointment and was musing on the last 10 days.
What an absolute ball, with some great friends (some weren't before but I consider them that now), but boy do I feel tired. I think I am missing out on the calorie intake and the relative solitude of sitting in front of a PC, rather than cycling with the wind rushing through my hair, has left me lacking energy.
To name my high points is difficult as there were so many, but there were 3 low points:- 1) when Skanny and Alan left us in Hereford, 2) when I left on Thursday for the day as the team headed to Loch Ness and 3) sitting in the Thai restaurant at the end of the trip (we were all a little empty). Luckily the night then took off and we had a great after trip party in Inverness thanks to Baron Von PJ's negotiation with the bouncer and local bobby's.
For anyone contemplating a trip of this kind....do it!!! You really don't need much preparation, just a few miles in 6 weeks leading up to it and a couple of long rides at the weekends. Your body does remarkable things when properly fuelled (note copious amounts of carb gels worked for me - although a little sickly). Also get yourself a great support crew - Stewart and Rachel did a great job for us and (I think) thoroughly enjoyed the whole experience.
So to some thanks:
Tim: for starting the idea and convincing us to go for it over the past 6 months - I was looking for excuses to pull out, but your commitment kept me aligned. Also for your superman impression near Craven Arms - Mr Incredible.
Baron Von PJ: for being a caricature of yourself through the trip and the endless moments of humour (usually at your expense). It was great to get to know you and even better to see your dad dancing!...now for the motor driven challenges in the Cotswolds!
Paul: what navigation and memory skills, only surpassed by your incredible snoring skill. I was amazed at your tenacity after struggling through 2 days of injury to complete the trip - top man.
Stanno: nothing left to say; humorous, relaxed, yet strangely competitive (as you realised your hill climing had improved)....Top bloke!
Hawk: sad to see you leave after day 3, but I couldn't have coped with lunch time Guinness drinking through the whole trip!....
Skanny: like a dog with a bone who couldn't wait to get back with the team for the final push. Always a top tourist, but great to see you get past midnight on our night of celebration.
Rachel and Stewart: shouldn't really do a combined tribute, but what a team! We all told you privately how much we appreciated your support, relaxed attitude, thoughtfulness and superb carb laden lunches. The trip wouldn't have worked without you..so thank you and we all hope you enjoyed it as much as us.
So, it's all over; it exceeded expectations, gave us fabulous scenery, provided some dangerous moments, created plenty of laughs, and bonded 9 people over 10 days. What more could you ask for? All capped off by a fantastic welcome from our families on arrival into Birmingham - thanks for the banner's to the Brown and Whiting children - that was a special surprise!
Back to work and to dream of upcoming adventures.
And here is a latin phrase that I came across that I thought was apt for what we've just achieved. "adde parvum parvo magnus acervus erit" [add a little to a little and there will be a great heap]
What an absolute ball, with some great friends (some weren't before but I consider them that now), but boy do I feel tired. I think I am missing out on the calorie intake and the relative solitude of sitting in front of a PC, rather than cycling with the wind rushing through my hair, has left me lacking energy.
To name my high points is difficult as there were so many, but there were 3 low points:- 1) when Skanny and Alan left us in Hereford, 2) when I left on Thursday for the day as the team headed to Loch Ness and 3) sitting in the Thai restaurant at the end of the trip (we were all a little empty). Luckily the night then took off and we had a great after trip party in Inverness thanks to Baron Von PJ's negotiation with the bouncer and local bobby's.
For anyone contemplating a trip of this kind....do it!!! You really don't need much preparation, just a few miles in 6 weeks leading up to it and a couple of long rides at the weekends. Your body does remarkable things when properly fuelled (note copious amounts of carb gels worked for me - although a little sickly). Also get yourself a great support crew - Stewart and Rachel did a great job for us and (I think) thoroughly enjoyed the whole experience.
So to some thanks:
Tim: for starting the idea and convincing us to go for it over the past 6 months - I was looking for excuses to pull out, but your commitment kept me aligned. Also for your superman impression near Craven Arms - Mr Incredible.
Baron Von PJ: for being a caricature of yourself through the trip and the endless moments of humour (usually at your expense). It was great to get to know you and even better to see your dad dancing!...now for the motor driven challenges in the Cotswolds!
Paul: what navigation and memory skills, only surpassed by your incredible snoring skill. I was amazed at your tenacity after struggling through 2 days of injury to complete the trip - top man.
Stanno: nothing left to say; humorous, relaxed, yet strangely competitive (as you realised your hill climing had improved)....Top bloke!
Hawk: sad to see you leave after day 3, but I couldn't have coped with lunch time Guinness drinking through the whole trip!....
Skanny: like a dog with a bone who couldn't wait to get back with the team for the final push. Always a top tourist, but great to see you get past midnight on our night of celebration.
Rachel and Stewart: shouldn't really do a combined tribute, but what a team! We all told you privately how much we appreciated your support, relaxed attitude, thoughtfulness and superb carb laden lunches. The trip wouldn't have worked without you..so thank you and we all hope you enjoyed it as much as us.
So, it's all over; it exceeded expectations, gave us fabulous scenery, provided some dangerous moments, created plenty of laughs, and bonded 9 people over 10 days. What more could you ask for? All capped off by a fantastic welcome from our families on arrival into Birmingham - thanks for the banner's to the Brown and Whiting children - that was a special surprise!
Back to work and to dream of upcoming adventures.
And here is a latin phrase that I came across that I thought was apt for what we've just achieved. "adde parvum parvo magnus acervus erit" [add a little to a little and there will be a great heap]
Saturday 11 September 2010
Day 9 looking back...
We left the fab Mary and Tramps
In Drumnadrochit aiming to do 60 by one pm to lunch, and golf in Dornoch...
Relying on the clockwork running Cromarty Ferry, we had to make the 1100. Running slightly late because of Tim nature call, we tootled up the only hill of the day...Tim springs to the front with a call of "3 miles, 10 minutes" and all sorts of Lycra explosions happened, legs pumped and we hit Cromarty at 30... A missed turn, urgent last second chase thro' narrow streets to arrive at a stone covrered, unused slipway.... The local dog walker advised "the ferries late lads" we sigh with relief "..it'll be delivered in 2 or 3 months." No ferry = 35 mile round trip to bridge = missed tee times.... The hissy fit was microseconds away when our saviour Ronald, the harbourmaster, who first laughed at DB then stepped forward offering to take us in his tub. 2 trips later we shored in Nigg. Superhero Ron!!
Then DB tumbled after riding into the kerb at 1mph whilst looking at his feet...first member of 1mph club!
The ride to Dornoch was gorgeous, scenery superb, studded w mountains and firths. Sun guided our way thro' the day and onto the golf course.
Dornoch round summary: DB - driving wayward, short game sweet; TW all limbs and clubs sent the ball miles with authority; GS relaxed, teasing. squeaked it at the end; Piccy and Redders hit the Occ pearl yet ended with fewer balls than the av. eunuch.
Booze in the eve...full of regret day 10 morning.
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In Drumnadrochit aiming to do 60 by one pm to lunch, and golf in Dornoch...
Relying on the clockwork running Cromarty Ferry, we had to make the 1100. Running slightly late because of Tim nature call, we tootled up the only hill of the day...Tim springs to the front with a call of "3 miles, 10 minutes" and all sorts of Lycra explosions happened, legs pumped and we hit Cromarty at 30... A missed turn, urgent last second chase thro' narrow streets to arrive at a stone covrered, unused slipway.... The local dog walker advised "the ferries late lads" we sigh with relief "..it'll be delivered in 2 or 3 months." No ferry = 35 mile round trip to bridge = missed tee times.... The hissy fit was microseconds away when our saviour Ronald, the harbourmaster, who first laughed at DB then stepped forward offering to take us in his tub. 2 trips later we shored in Nigg. Superhero Ron!!
Then DB tumbled after riding into the kerb at 1mph whilst looking at his feet...first member of 1mph club!
The ride to Dornoch was gorgeous, scenery superb, studded w mountains and firths. Sun guided our way thro' the day and onto the golf course.
Dornoch round summary: DB - driving wayward, short game sweet; TW all limbs and clubs sent the ball miles with authority; GS relaxed, teasing. squeaked it at the end; Piccy and Redders hit the Occ pearl yet ended with fewer balls than the av. eunuch.
Booze in the eve...full of regret day 10 morning.
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It's been emotional!
Yes we have arrived!! 965 miles, 9.5 days, 90,000 calories burnt, and over 450,000 turns of those lovely pedals! Six bikes now sitting at the bottom of John o'groats harbour. A great day, wet and windy, and that was just baron rpj, bit of a late start after sampling a few single malts with db!! Wonderful dinner in dornoch, after a challenging day of golf, can't quite remember who won? but the 200 yard approach shot to the 18th within 10ft, probably gives you a clue!!
So back to the challenge, 80 mile final day, over the worst climbs of the trip, didn't think it would be as bad as it was.... tough day. Skanny decided to join the 1mph crash crew, another cleat cockup, my bike developed a very clunky noise after 5 miles, thought it could be curtains with Skanny riding the "red baron", I was nearly heading for the quitters!! The problem seemed to go when I changed a puncture, think the back wheel was not properly secure!! Whoops.
Arriving at the town voted the worst in Scotland, we had finish tape and champagne, skanny decided not to duck, and was garotted and brought down for the second time today! unfortunately the man who owns the sign had finished for the day! Didn't stop us from celebrating, lots of hugging in skin tight Lycra, it was emotional!!! A quick impromptu strip show for the local Swedish tourists with their "spiky tyres" (that's for you tc), and into the cars to get warm and have a quiet drink in Inverness. Several people arrived at the same time as us, of note some young fit lads from Cambridge uni, it was great rpj had been rumbled, it was clear he never actually went to the light blues, as he thought the shirt was from Emmanuel college, and in fact it was his house top from school!! The baron was very impressed that they managed the whole trip without staff in attendance!
Truly a great experience, great guys, including the quitters, great challenge, and raising several thousand pounds for charity. Thanks for all your support. The photos will be loaded later!
So back to the challenge, 80 mile final day, over the worst climbs of the trip, didn't think it would be as bad as it was.... tough day. Skanny decided to join the 1mph crash crew, another cleat cockup, my bike developed a very clunky noise after 5 miles, thought it could be curtains with Skanny riding the "red baron", I was nearly heading for the quitters!! The problem seemed to go when I changed a puncture, think the back wheel was not properly secure!! Whoops.
Arriving at the town voted the worst in Scotland, we had finish tape and champagne, skanny decided not to duck, and was garotted and brought down for the second time today! unfortunately the man who owns the sign had finished for the day! Didn't stop us from celebrating, lots of hugging in skin tight Lycra, it was emotional!!! A quick impromptu strip show for the local Swedish tourists with their "spiky tyres" (that's for you tc), and into the cars to get warm and have a quiet drink in Inverness. Several people arrived at the same time as us, of note some young fit lads from Cambridge uni, it was great rpj had been rumbled, it was clear he never actually went to the light blues, as he thought the shirt was from Emmanuel college, and in fact it was his house top from school!! The baron was very impressed that they managed the whole trip without staff in attendance!
Truly a great experience, great guys, including the quitters, great challenge, and raising several thousand pounds for charity. Thanks for all your support. The photos will be loaded later!
Day 10 the final push!
So we've left the golfing Mecca of Dornoch, a few post celebration ibuprofen...Guey for a rare golfing victory; Skanny for rejoining the team.
60 odd miles and one steep hill between us and the crappiest town in Scotland....
Looking good, feeling good!
Thanks to everyone for texts of support...
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60 odd miles and one steep hill between us and the crappiest town in Scotland....
Looking good, feeling good!
Thanks to everyone for texts of support...
Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Friday 10 September 2010
End of Day 8, Loch Ness
...and tomorrows a short day, only 60miles followed by a round of golf! Cracked idea, and lots of energy behind it!!
Today was a day of glorious Glens, Lochs and Moors (Rannoch, Coe, Ness, Lochy, The Great...). Grand scenery hung broodingly about us, laced with black clouds punctuated by blue pockets...stunning, defies words. The best 90miles cycling so far...
The diminished team is holding up well. Tim had a strong day, RPJ' continued with a litany of aches, Guey carries on regardless and I'm exhausted and lovin' it!!
Redders redeemed as accomm tonight is just fine...Tramps B&B, Drumnadrochit. Welcomed by Mary with tea & scones and homemade jam...
DB rejoins and hears the days doings; good to have him back... Provides a marvellous target for quitter jibes.
And still the stories of the bunkhouse return; Tim being complemented on his buns by the proprietor; Piccy flirting with Nardia to try and secure a flat away from the bunkhouse; Tims offer to buy the hotel; Reddy sleeping like a log - what snoring; Stanno and Piccy on the rail platform outside the room getting the giggles about sore bits; Tim sleeping with his noise cancelling headphones; blah.
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Today was a day of glorious Glens, Lochs and Moors (Rannoch, Coe, Ness, Lochy, The Great...). Grand scenery hung broodingly about us, laced with black clouds punctuated by blue pockets...stunning, defies words. The best 90miles cycling so far...
The diminished team is holding up well. Tim had a strong day, RPJ' continued with a litany of aches, Guey carries on regardless and I'm exhausted and lovin' it!!
Redders redeemed as accomm tonight is just fine...Tramps B&B, Drumnadrochit. Welcomed by Mary with tea & scones and homemade jam...
DB rejoins and hears the days doings; good to have him back... Provides a marvellous target for quitter jibes.
And still the stories of the bunkhouse return; Tim being complemented on his buns by the proprietor; Piccy flirting with Nardia to try and secure a flat away from the bunkhouse; Tims offer to buy the hotel; Reddy sleeping like a log - what snoring; Stanno and Piccy on the rail platform outside the room getting the giggles about sore bits; Tim sleeping with his noise cancelling headphones; blah.
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Thursday 9 September 2010
Fully refuelled
Now fully laden with a full stomach of carbs! And ready to take on another 60 miles in the am, nipping for a cheeky round of golf at royal dornoch, hard times!! Db has returned claiming his meeting was worthwhile?? Doubtful, but still a quitter all the same!! He's claiming all sorts of rights, but all have been rebuffed. Accommodation is great, and even allowed a hair dryer, however even this struggled with rpj's mighty quiff!! There was a power cut to the village at the same time, coincidence? Tim offered his can of mr sheen, but only appropriate for those more foliccaly challenged, and unfortunately hawk has already left!! Redders just realised that being inside pj was a litle warm.....i think he means pyjamas? On that topic, redders has taken to wearing a rather fetching sarong, very interesting in a bunkhouse with fellow guests from the league of gentlemen....he claims it's a homage to David beckham? There was an emergency stop for a certain serious date that was missed, i won't divulge who, i leave readers to guess which member of the landed gentry this was....any guesses?
Anyway enough we wish sweet dreams to Nessie as we head back up loch ness, very nearly there!!
Good night
Anyway enough we wish sweet dreams to Nessie as we head back up loch ness, very nearly there!!
Good night
End of Day 8, Loch Ness
...and tomorrows a short day, only 60miles followed by a round of golf! Cracked idea, and lots of energy behind it!!
Today was a day of glorious Glens, Lochs and Moors (Rannoch, Coe, Ness, Lochy, The Great...). Grand scenery hung broodingly about us, laced with black clouds punctuated by blue pockets...stunning, defies words. The best 90miles cycling so far...
The diminished team is holding up well. Tim had a strong day, RPJ' continued with a litany of aches, Guey carries on regardless and I'm exhausted and lovin' it!!
Redders redeemed as accomm tonight is just fine...Tramps B&B, Drumnadrochit. Welcomed by Mary with tea & scones and homemade jam...
DB rejoins and hears the days doings; good to have him back... Provides a marvellous target for quitter jibes.
And still the stories of the bunkhouse return; Tim being complemented on his buns by the proprietor; Piccy flirting with Nardia to try and secure a flat away from the bunkhouse; Tims offer to buy the hotel; Reddy sleeping like a log - what snoring; Stanno and Piccy on the rail platform outside the room getting the giggles about sore bits; Tim sleeping with his noise cancelling headphones; blah.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Today was a day of glorious Glens, Lochs and Moors (Rannoch, Coe, Ness, Lochy, The Great...). Grand scenery hung broodingly about us, laced with black clouds punctuated by blue pockets...stunning, defies words. The best 90miles cycling so far...
The diminished team is holding up well. Tim had a strong day, RPJ' continued with a litany of aches, Guey carries on regardless and I'm exhausted and lovin' it!!
Redders redeemed as accomm tonight is just fine...Tramps B&B, Drumnadrochit. Welcomed by Mary with tea & scones and homemade jam...
DB rejoins and hears the days doings; good to have him back... Provides a marvellous target for quitter jibes.
And still the stories of the bunkhouse return; Tim being complemented on his buns by the proprietor; Piccy flirting with Nardia to try and secure a flat away from the bunkhouse; Tims offer to buy the hotel; Reddy sleeping like a log - what snoring; Stanno and Piccy on the rail platform outside the room getting the giggles about sore bits; Tim sleeping with his noise cancelling headphones; blah.
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Le Quitters
Hmmm on what basis is it ok for brownie to quit because of work but not me and skannoire?
Also check that DBs golf clubs still in van, he probably checked himself into Loch Lomond last night to avoid youth hostel bunk beds and is driving his buggie up the 18th as I type.
- Posted from my train
Also check that DBs golf clubs still in van, he probably checked himself into Loch Lomond last night to avoid youth hostel bunk beds and is driving his buggie up the 18th as I type.
- Posted from my train
Location:Le train again
'Be Prepared'
Guey - I've just heard that I might be rooming with you tomorrow night so have been into the test lab at work to get some 'togs' old bean !! Tally Ho !
Very jaded day 8
Firstly, can the quitters stop blogging on the real mens cycling trip. We would kindly request you establish your own blog, "quitters.blog" has been mentioned over lunch. Bad luck for brownie, but the good thing is he knows he will get no ribbing for not completing the trip!!
The bunkhouse was a remarkable experience, with 9 bodies, 7 that were snoring, several visits to toilets attempted, not sure all made it, there was some wet kit this morning??
Tim lead the charge through the stunning glencoe, passed ski resorts??? Reddy and baron von pj, took the slower route, but we all caught up at the glencoe visitor centre. We were snapped by a Japanese tourist who thought we looked very cool?? Even me in my orange top. Anyway now at lunch after 60 miles, need refuelling big time, hit the wall for the first time, thankfully not the Tim whiting variety!! Of course my three remaining colleagues steered me to the food stop, with helpful comments, like hurry up slacker!!
Now off to tramps (not a nightclub) but booked by our new accommodation expert,reddy, so what it will be like, who knows??? Drumma drochit here we come. 750 miles complete
The bunkhouse was a remarkable experience, with 9 bodies, 7 that were snoring, several visits to toilets attempted, not sure all made it, there was some wet kit this morning??
Tim lead the charge through the stunning glencoe, passed ski resorts??? Reddy and baron von pj, took the slower route, but we all caught up at the glencoe visitor centre. We were snapped by a Japanese tourist who thought we looked very cool?? Even me in my orange top. Anyway now at lunch after 60 miles, need refuelling big time, hit the wall for the first time, thankfully not the Tim whiting variety!! Of course my three remaining colleagues steered me to the food stop, with helpful comments, like hurry up slacker!!
Now off to tramps (not a nightclub) but booked by our new accommodation expert,reddy, so what it will be like, who knows??? Drumma drochit here we come. 750 miles complete
Weight loss - good news / bad news
Guys
Virtually there now - v jealous seeing great photos and knowing that days 4 - 8 were a bit if a doddle compared to 1 - 3, and the gruelling ride over the malverns that skannoire and I had on Sunday. Good news on 'weight loss' is that ali and boys all thought I had lost weight, reality was I had put on over 3 pounds - suspect put on about 6 on legs, and lost 3 round waist. So you've all probably put on a stone but will look like Robert Sands and his mates - though stanno probably lost half stone from his head with the constant sweating under his ridiculous bandana. Enjoy the final push to JOG. Better go, Noel on the line.
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Virtually there now - v jealous seeing great photos and knowing that days 4 - 8 were a bit if a doddle compared to 1 - 3, and the gruelling ride over the malverns that skannoire and I had on Sunday. Good news on 'weight loss' is that ali and boys all thought I had lost weight, reality was I had put on over 3 pounds - suspect put on about 6 on legs, and lost 3 round waist. So you've all probably put on a stone but will look like Robert Sands and his mates - though stanno probably lost half stone from his head with the constant sweating under his ridiculous bandana. Enjoy the final push to JOG. Better go, Noel on the line.
- Posted from my iPhone
Day 8 am
Morning! Best nights sleep yet! Seems there was some snoring going on....,ho hum, then off to breakfast and then to find Nessie. X
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Location:Bridge Of Orchy,United Kingdom
Wednesday 8 September 2010
Leaving with a sad heart to a comfy bed
So, here I am in a London hotel, lying on a comfy bed catching up with the news (it's amazing that we haven't read 1 paper over the last 7 Lejog days) and yet I wish I was shacked up in the bunkhouse with the others.
Today turned out to be a mixed day for me, but without doubt this afternoon gave us the most fantastic scenery of the trip so far. After crossing the Erskine Bridge, the mountains rose up to meet us and Loch Lomand kept us company as we pushed through 70 miles.
After a morning of frantic phone calls to work, planes and taxi's being booked, clothes being sourced (Rachel and Stewart my personal shoppers did a great job) the stunning scenery returned my mood to it's natural cheery state ( sorry guys if I was mute this morning).
With time running out, a last push at high speed ( up and downhill) to get to the Bridge of Orchy to meet my taxi at 6.30
Then it dawned on me, the taxi journey to Glasgow airport took 1hr 40mins. It was a long way, as it has been every day, so the team should be really delighted with their efforts! This is not easy and takes mental fortitude. Keep it going tomorrow guys.
Right: sleep, gym action, work,plane and back to the road in Friday.
Sleep well in the bunkhouse. :)
Db
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Today turned out to be a mixed day for me, but without doubt this afternoon gave us the most fantastic scenery of the trip so far. After crossing the Erskine Bridge, the mountains rose up to meet us and Loch Lomand kept us company as we pushed through 70 miles.
After a morning of frantic phone calls to work, planes and taxi's being booked, clothes being sourced (Rachel and Stewart my personal shoppers did a great job) the stunning scenery returned my mood to it's natural cheery state ( sorry guys if I was mute this morning).
With time running out, a last push at high speed ( up and downhill) to get to the Bridge of Orchy to meet my taxi at 6.30
Then it dawned on me, the taxi journey to Glasgow airport took 1hr 40mins. It was a long way, as it has been every day, so the team should be really delighted with their efforts! This is not easy and takes mental fortitude. Keep it going tomorrow guys.
Right: sleep, gym action, work,plane and back to the road in Friday.
Sleep well in the bunkhouse. :)
Db
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Location:Hounslow,United Kingdom
Day 7 ... And it didn't rain!
A stunning day taking the rolling beauty of Ayrshire, suburban sprawl of Glasgow, Paisley and the Clyde, thence into the inspiring valleys, Lochs and mountains...superb!
So, the scenery was good, the cycling knackering...aches and pain, sore knees, necks backs. Lunch on the Banks of Loch Lomond was our first real taste of the stunning Scottish scenery( bloody midges!).
Tonight we have arrived at the bunkhouse. Small, full for the night..a good indication you'd have thought! Read Gueys review for a less rosey perspective...more wimping and whinging I'm afraid.
Told from blog reviews that we've all lost weight...concerned Piccy checked out his rowers pecs...
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
So, the scenery was good, the cycling knackering...aches and pain, sore knees, necks backs. Lunch on the Banks of Loch Lomond was our first real taste of the stunning Scottish scenery( bloody midges!).
Tonight we have arrived at the bunkhouse. Small, full for the night..a good indication you'd have thought! Read Gueys review for a less rosey perspective...more wimping and whinging I'm afraid.
Told from blog reviews that we've all lost weight...concerned Piccy checked out his rowers pecs...
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Location:Bridge Of Orchy,United Kingdom
You would not believe!!
So 9 in a room and the little one said rollover!! We have arrived at bridge of orchy, and redders has selected the finest establishment in gods country. The 4star hotel you are all thinking? No, the mild mannered assistant? No, a 9 bunk room, triple bunks, with some other random people!! It is truely the worst accommodation in gods earth! But never mind! I will blog later when we have calmed down!!
D7, why do midges live in Scotland
How far north have we come already?!!
As I sit by L Lomond being knawed by midges watching an amusingly exhibitionist couple canoodling and caressing, I reflect on life and sore bits....my saddle caresses not!
Knowing we have a mere 230 ish miles left to ride and 'short' days of 90, 60 and 88 to ride...things are positive in the camp.
Brownie has some major client negotiation Thingy which means he's flying to London tonight (and sleeping in a comfy bed- sans snoring)..and we all know just how important work commitments are. Personally I think it very important Dave does the right thing and I know it's nothing to do with a tough 90 tomorrow day 8...and then there were 4 'stayers'...
Leaving Stair this am, great pub, better service, excellent massage...all in all a superb call by Mr W.
Talking of Tim, we have been privileged to hear his repeated rendition of "I'll take high road...."
Singing of the first order, pin your ears back...flatter than Norfolk, a sheet of fresh paper, banned from singing at home, yes he's given us a real treat massacring number after number. Even the birds go quiet in awe as he passes.
Piccy, a glorious sight...if you hang around long enough for him to stop faffing and arrive!
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As I sit by L Lomond being knawed by midges watching an amusingly exhibitionist couple canoodling and caressing, I reflect on life and sore bits....my saddle caresses not!
Knowing we have a mere 230 ish miles left to ride and 'short' days of 90, 60 and 88 to ride...things are positive in the camp.
Brownie has some major client negotiation Thingy which means he's flying to London tonight (and sleeping in a comfy bed- sans snoring)..and we all know just how important work commitments are. Personally I think it very important Dave does the right thing and I know it's nothing to do with a tough 90 tomorrow day 8...and then there were 4 'stayers'...
Leaving Stair this am, great pub, better service, excellent massage...all in all a superb call by Mr W.
Talking of Tim, we have been privileged to hear his repeated rendition of "I'll take high road...."
Singing of the first order, pin your ears back...flatter than Norfolk, a sheet of fresh paper, banned from singing at home, yes he's given us a real treat massacring number after number. Even the birds go quiet in awe as he passes.
Piccy, a glorious sight...if you hang around long enough for him to stop faffing and arrive!
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Location:Alexandria,United Kingdom
Day 6 lunch
Glad Piccys computer Is more accurate than the weather forecast. Left Penrith with heavy heart, feeling knackered, sore and wanting to go home!!' it was supposed to rain...3 miles in, back road bliss...no cars, no rain, less pain for our 18 mile cruise into Carlisle.
Glamourously Guey dressed to kill...
Thence more flat, wind fuelled (in all senses) miles...before hitting Scotland, yippee, great weather, excellent roads...Reddy got too excited, singing rubbish about Yogi bear.
In pm rain and a tiring push to Stair thro' rainbows and more stunning scenery.
An evening massage had the Boys squealing like girls as Ian (forearms like Popeye) and Dawn(thumbs like iron) stripped every painful knot...
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Glamourously Guey dressed to kill...
Thence more flat, wind fuelled (in all senses) miles...before hitting Scotland, yippee, great weather, excellent roads...Reddy got too excited, singing rubbish about Yogi bear.
In pm rain and a tiring push to Stair thro' rainbows and more stunning scenery.
An evening massage had the Boys squealing like girls as Ian (forearms like Popeye) and Dawn(thumbs like iron) stripped every painful knot...
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Location:Loreburn St,Dumfries,United Kingdom
Day 6 and 7, back to reality.
Apols for no post last night, in a beautiful secluded hotel, enjoying a very well earned sports massage!!
111 miles yesterday, through some wonderful countryside along solway firth, then onto our final destination stair.
Today swift 90 miles, and currently enjoying the sunshine on the banks of loch lomond. Great creativity from Alan and Skanny to digitally create fergie!! Great job quitters!!
Will report on more shortly.
111 miles yesterday, through some wonderful countryside along solway firth, then onto our final destination stair.
Today swift 90 miles, and currently enjoying the sunshine on the banks of loch lomond. Great creativity from Alan and Skanny to digitally create fergie!! Great job quitters!!
Will report on more shortly.
Tuesday 7 September 2010
Skanny did it!
OMG - Skanny has only gone and done it - king gift of the gab, next up Cheryl! Respect Skanny respect man.
Location:GQ awards
Arrived in scotland
Bit surreal, arrived in gretna green, Scotland, it only seems like yesterday that we were at lands end. Quick lunch stop and 55 to goto get to stair. Another 100+ day, 4 in a row, pretty tough going.
Day 5 looking back..thank god
Amazing day yesterday...climbing to Shap summit after 90 miles cycling focused the mind...and we all breezed up ( wheezed in my case!).
Our tangerine twins bonded on the roll...wierder and wierder!
Another famous lunch c/o. the Irish and his squeeze. Wonderful setting in a little residential park in Lancasters burbs. Stars both.
The most amazing gale driven run into Penrith 13 miles fast...20+ mph with no pedalling on the flat.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Our tangerine twins bonded on the roll...wierder and wierder!
Another famous lunch c/o. the Irish and his squeeze. Wonderful setting in a little residential park in Lancasters burbs. Stars both.
The most amazing gale driven run into Penrith 13 miles fast...20+ mph with no pedalling on the flat.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Location:Loreburn St,Dumfries,United Kingdom
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