The participation ride - post-ride analysis and comment

We made it! - Stage 16

Yes, I know there's only me in the picture. And, no, I am not using the Royal 'we'.

Lots of people have helped me get here. Too numerous to mention in my current state of mind. There were 8 co-riders, people who met up with me along the way, dozens of texts and comments on the blog and more than 7,000 page impressions on this website. Then there's my blog editor, etc etc. Full credits later.

AND my Mum and Dad were here to meet me - a complete surprise.

Thanks everyone.

Observant blog readers will have noticed that contemporary music comes a close first to my enthusiasm for cycling...  So, what is the iTune of such a momentous day, you will be wondering? Well it's got to be one of my favourites. But as my tastes are rather arcane and diverse, the mighty iTune Store doesn't cover my CD collection. So, (good news!) it's a free download...

If I put up another of my lovely daughter's recordings, I may not escape with my life, so I'll have to resist the temptation to play you her hair-raising rendition of Mac the Knife with the Warwickshire Youth Jazz Orchestra. They are better live anyway, and you can Google for dates....

So, I'll give you Celebrate, from sadly defunct Irish band, An Emotional Fish. (This was the serious incarnation of Jerry Fish and the Mud Bug Club as previously selected on this ride...) You'll need broadband as it's a video file at www.anemotionalfish.net (If not look for Tom Dunne's Greatest Irish Hits). Go Jerry!...

Or as this track so sensibly suggests: "Celebrate....this party's over, I'm going home...."

The post-ride analysis, lots of photos and videos will be posted over the next couple weeks. So please come back.

PS: You can still donate if you like too! Go on! Click quick and do it now before you forget!

Net ascent (decent) ft: 11
Distance miles: 63.74
Average speed mph: 12.48
Time in saddle: 5:06:15
Cumulative Distance: 1069.27
Max speed mph: 46.4 (fasted of the whole ride)

Nearly there! - Stage 16

I could crawl it now if I had too! ETA now 3:10.

23 miles to JOG - Stage 16

Not stopping for lunch today - too excited :-)) Will eat on the way. Should be there by 3:15 . . . . .

45 to go - Stage 16

21 miles in, 46 to go. Can't stop. Pace slow. But just recorded highest speed of trip down this hill: 46.4 mph!

The final push - Stage 16

I've started later than I would have liked today as I had to wait for the Post Office to open so that I could pick up my spare tyre.At this stage, a spare is a bit "belt and braces" but I don't want to fail at this point for lack of a tyre.

I _contemplated_ taking  off the rear (broken) mudguard last night while eating dinner... Not that I'm known for being suspicious, but I didn't want to do it earlier in the ride, in case it brought the rain on. This was obviously a sound ploy, because as soon as I thought about it, it immediately chucked it down with serious rain - the first in the trip. Amazingly, and very fortunately, it looks like I am going to make it to JOG without any serious wet weather. The only weather issue has been the wind - more against than for me all the way.

See you in JOG (hopefully).

Thanks to the women in my life (I know which side my bread is buttered)

[please put a suitably lovely  picture of you (Jane) in here - no other editing allowed!] [ED: Hmmm, sadly none available] 

Before this little adventure finishes tomorrow (one way or another), I wanted to acknowledge the support of an unsung hero . . . my wife Jane. While I have been away firing in postings with little gadget, Jane has been making sense of it all. Editing, adding the tune of the day and so on.

In the month before the ride she put up with me not being around and with 'jobs' not getting done. Thanks Jane.

Then there's my daughter Emma who sorted out all the accommodation. She did really well. There was only one place where they weren't expecting me until next month!

Then there's my Mum who has recently been losing sleep over my tendons and has always been one of those to send those all-important daily texts of encouragement.

And finally there's Tricia, who will get a mention later as one of the riders, who hasn't failed with the daily 'you can do it' text.

Many thanks to you all.

1000 mile barrier broken - Stage 15

I tried to be a bit disciplined about today, make an early start and do the ride in 20 mile sections. This worked well for the first 3 sections. I finished Stage 14 in two chunks. However, it fell apart a bit after lunch but by then I'd broken the back of the day.

Continuous travel is difficult up here though, as the scenery provides an almost irresistable urge to stop and take a picture. I have loads of pictures that could accompany this posting including the first road sign, on the A9, to mention John o'Groats - 111 miles. Here in Brora it's about 70 miles away.

The picture I have chosen is of Brora Harbour. My room for the night is behind the far right dormer window.

Both legs are giving me tendon problems: right behind knee and left achilles. Tendons are funny (at least mine are) they are either fine or incredibly painful. I had to stop once today and rub my right leg hard and was then able to continue with no problem.

Only 70-odd miles to go. Only worries are the wind and my legs! The bike is fine.

Net ascent (decent) ft: (77)
Distance miles: 69.05
Average speed mph: 13.92
Time in saddle: 4:57:29
Cumulative Distance: 1005.53

Meet Graham & Stephen

They are doing LEJOG too. They started a couple of weeks ago and will finish a day after me.

We had lunch together in Beauly. In fact they paid for mine: I must tell people it's my birthday more often!  They are keeping a blog too and there's me thinking this is one's unique. Their's is at www.brookes.ac.uk/go/ride but don't go there! They have already raised 100k (sic) for student scholarships. You can donate here! then I might stand a chance of getting to my 2k target.

Now 40 miles into Stage 15... on the A9 which so far is level-ish and fast, so lots of cruising in top gear. I've got 90 miles done so far today and it's only 5pm! About 25 miles to go to Brora so it's not going to be the all-nighter I had feared. Time to let myself off a bit, so iTune of the day has to be  Pressure Drop by Toots and the Maytals - as usual, click here to Buy it for 79p or just listen, through iTunes Music Store.

Both legs now a bit dodgy so taking it in turns to push harder with one and then with the other and the ibuprophen is helping!

See you in Brora where my spare tyre should be waiting.

Meet Jean & Rob - Stage 14

They'd seen the blog and were 'in the area'. It's a strange experience being flagged down by people you don't know!

Anyway, they've made my day. They treated me to a Cappuccino and ice cream here in Drumnadrochit. This was to be a lunch stop but things are going so well (look at the average speed) that I'm going to try and clear another 20 miles before lunch.

Net ascent (decent) ft: (68) Distance miles: 50.59 Average speed mph: 14.94 Time in saddle: 3:23:07

Cumulative Distance: 936.48

20 miles in

I just had to send this in straight away. Must get back on the bike! Thanks for all the texts. I'm deleting as they come in just to keep the weight down!

All revved up . . . . ahhh

Today's a big one.

[You can say that again! 50 years young is a Big One - For your birthday we send you our own iTune selection for today: Morning Runner - Best for you - You can hear it here  Jane and Emma xxx AKA 'Blog Editor', 'Mission Control' 'Behind every man is...' etc etc]

Today's a big one. 122 miles according to Rob and Joe's route and by myself. No slip-streaming today. But hey that's only the equivalent to 10 trips to work . . . There is one consolation though, My GPS says it's only 101. I hope the GPS is right.

Brora here I come!

Best scenery so far - Stage 13

This stage was even more beautiful than the last one. Up into the Highlands, through the Glencoe Valley and along Loch Linnhe into Fort William. Fantastic. If you're reading this Nigel, this is the scene (or at least a bit of it) that I was trying to describe on the phone. The mountain to the right still had some snow on it.

It's a bit wild and celtic up here, and totally exhilerating, so iTune of the day is The Pogues – Wild cats of Kilkenny. (Apologies to the Scots that this crazy jig is from your Irish cousins!) Anyway, Buy it for 79p through iTunes Music Store or sample by just clicking on the listing and you'll get the idea.

Today was an easy day - 70 miles. Tomorrow is 122 miles and the worrying thing is that my achilles tendon on my right leg has started to give me jip, 10 miles out of Fort William . . .  not sure how I am going to show photo graphic evidence of that! All prepared for an early start tomorrow.

Net ascent (decent) ft: (439) Distance miles: 40.34 Average speed mph: 13.90 Time in saddle: 2:54:11 MaxSpeed: 30.5

Cumulative Distance: 885.89

The evidence

Now I think it's bad taste to have photos like this on a website but there are those of you out there who think I made up the fact that I fell off the bike. It has been suggested that I did this just so I could have 'Stumble & Fall' as the iTune of the day and get a bit of sympathy at the same time. Well to all of you  I say, this is my left knee. Satisfied?

To The Bridge of Orchy - Stage 12

Huh! Call that a 'stage'? Barely 30 miles..A lovely run passed the top end of Loch Lomond and then into the hills. Quite a climb but all on 'A' roads so steady rather than horrendous.

I took a couple of mini videos on my way through but forgot to take any pictures with the phone so you will have make do with this one of (some) of the gadgets.

This was taken yesterday at Hamilton Station as I planned my assault on Glasgow. An important gadget missing from this is the one taking the photo. The same one that is magically updating the blog, the Treo 650.

The next stage involves Glencoe and then down into Fort William. Watch the average speed  plummet on the next post.

Net ascent (decent) ft: 563
Distance miles: 29.43
Average speed mph: 13.24
Time in saddle: 2:13:22

Cumulative Distance: 845.55

New spare tyre on its way

Hi Simon. John at Pashleys here. Tyre despatched on 24 hour delivery to Brora P.O. Good luck with the rest of the ride. I've found you on the map. Not far to go now!  Or are you heading to Lands End?

==

Cheers John - just sat down for lunch at The Bridge of Orchy (on the way to JOG!).

Simon.

Mid-ride assessment...

I am typing this while looking at this. Today I'm off to Fort William which is only 70 miles away(!). So I thought I'd write a quick assessment of man and machine before I set off.

Machine: The bike has been superb. It has ridden really well fully loaded. It has generated a lot of comment and interest. Sceptics who have ridden with us have had their perceptions changed I think. I know that I would be in a bad state on a road bike with no suspension.

The mudguards though have not performed well. The rear one snapped on Stage 1. I think this was due to the fact that it was not fitted correctly and under tension. The front one's rear rivets failed on stage 8 (fixed with bit of string) and the top rivets gave up on Stage 10. I now have no front mudguard. I hope it doesn't rain.

The man: Is doing OK. Most issues, grazes (to both knees, left thigh, and left little finger) relate to the tumble yesterday (see more in the posting below...). And so does the ache in my left elbow. Other issues are: numbness in the two smallest fingers on left hand and the same thing on the left palm on the right hand. I have been making an effort to vary my grip but need to do so more often.

Bum? Went through a dodgy phase after the 130-miler the day before yesterday but now OK. Getting measured up for a saddle (don't ask) before I started was a very good idea.

Time for breakfast. See you in Fort William.

What day is it?

The stage of events - Stage 11

We've had today's iTune already but I've been saving one of my favourites for this eventuality. In a 900+ mile ride, you are bound to fall off something as gravitationally challenged as a bike, and today I did. So, time for a rousing chorus of Razorlight's Stumble and Fall ( Buy it for 79p through iTunes Music Store). The most important thing is that the bike is fine... and I haven't found any major bits missing either. I also had another pucture, and wrote off a tyre. So, an eventful day ...and I now have no spare.

This stage started with an hour spent on Hamilton Station getting over the trauma of separation from my co-rider(!), updating the blog and planning my way through Glasgow. In the end I gave up on the latter and decided just to ride into the city and turn left as soon as I crossed the River Clyde.

This worked really well and took me through traffic-free green spaces and on to Route 7 of the National Cycle Network. Between the green spaces and the cycle there was a bit of road work and it was here that I fell off when I clipped the kerb trying to get onto a cycle path. I am not sure what happened but I fell flat on my front so the impact was spread over a large area! I only have a couple of grazed knees and a mangled little finger so got off lightly.

Route 7 was good but went through a poorer area of Glasgow with lots of drinking going on along the cycle path, which means that there is glass everywhere. This is what split my tyre and caused the puncture.

After about 15 mile on Route 7 I had to give up and join the A 82 as the signs ran out... get onto it Sustrans!

STATS:
Net ascent (decent) ft: (113)
Distance miles: 51.24
Average speed mph: 12.70
Time in saddle: 4:01:57
Cumulative Distance: 816.12

The race to Hamilton - Stage 10

Slightly late start today and one hell of a dash to make it to Hamilton in time for Luke's connection back. One of our fastest average speeds - nearly 14mph - over hilly country and less than smooth roads, losing a mudguard entirely, and nearly the GPS too! We made this train (2:17) from Hamilton to Glasgow with seconds to spare. It was coming in as we ran over the bridge to the platform. Hopefully Luke will make it to Glasgow Central for an 8 hour journey back to Norwich arriving at '11 past stupid' as he puts it, to be at work on Monday morning! Not a very satisfactory end to a father and son team who had cycled so effectively together for over 250 miles.

So, today's iTune is especially for Luke: Mr Brightside (by The Killers) Buy it for 79p or click to sample through iTunes Music Store. The album is Hot Fuss - which is quite appropriate too, considering the rush we had to get here!

I'm on my own now, and have close on 50 miles to do to the B and B this evening...

Stats:
Net ascent (decent) ft: (44)
Distance miles: 59.32
Average speed mph: 13.82
Time in saddle: 4:17:26
Cumulative Distance: 764.88

England done - Stage 9

Simon And Luke at the Scottish Border.
(Yes that really is Luke but the Phone Camera Sprite obviously dislikes his physiognomy... in the last picture he attracted a line of green pixels, and here he is completely headless.. Rumour has it he will have disappeared entirely by Glasgow...).

The influence of the England/Scotland border was evident as we cycled through. In Carlisle the percentage of cars with England flags and men in England soccer shirts was noticeably higher than anything we had seen before. However, the first man we saw after this picture was wearing the Brazil shirt! Might we guess that the Scots have one of those alliances going on?

This was a hard day - Over 120 miles in all, nearly 10 hours in the saddle and climbing to the Shap summit. Luke has doubts about his knees working at all tomorrow. Mission Control has pointed out to us that in a day or so's time, on 6th June (my 50th Birthday) Luke will be exactly half my age. Luke thinks this gives him a fair time to get his knees in shape before he takes HIS offspring (if any) on a madcap jaunt. Any help gratefully received...

On to Glasgow tomorrow morning...

Net ascent (decent) ft: (798) Distance miles: 59.92 Average speed mph: 13.69 Time in saddle: 4:22:36

Cumulative Distance: 705.56

Shap attack - Stage 8

Excuse me while I wipe the tears of emotion from my eyes . . . . this is The Greyhound Hotel in Shap (yes Shap! We MADE it up that daunting profile) where Daniel Heery (on left) of the Cybermoor project in Alston was waiting with baked potatoes to keep Luke and me fuelled up. Cheers Daniel!

Today's iTune is Eight Miles High - Roxy Music, because that's how we feel today (in both senses!). It was a long way up... but we're feeling pretty high in spirits too. Last night, the stats said we were more than half way. Now it FEELS like we are! To sample the track click here or Buy it for 79p through iTunes Music Store....

Net ascent (decent) ft: 950 (approx) Distance miles: 69.04 Average speed mph: 12.93 Time in saddle: 5:20:17

65 miles to go to Lockerbie... more later

The stage with local knowledge - Stage 7

Joined today by Ken from the local Cycle Club, on the left. (Luke centre and Adrian on RHS). Ken knew all the back ways and took us on some beautiful off-road routes down to the water's edge. We also enjoyed a ferry ride across the Mersey...

So, we get an extra bonus tune today to reflect all that water: Syrens - not an iTune but a free download as it's by unsigned band Mr Trebus featuring a certain Emma Berry on vocals (also wrote lyrics and melody), otherwise featured on this blog as the Promo Vest Designer, and booker of all of our accommodation on route.  Download the mp3 file here for free (5.5Mbytes). Thanks for everything Emma and for being with us today in voice, at least...

The weather continues to be superb. Not a drop of rain so far. The only issue is that persistant north easterly wind that won't leave us alone.

Reached our accommodation in Preston by 7pm which is a record. But tomorrow is going to be a real challenge, through Lancashire, Cumbria and into Scotland: 125miles including the ascent of Shap. Adrian, who is sensible, will leave us in the morning. But will Luke's knees hold out?

Stats - coming later

Complete stage Net ascent (decent) ft:
Distance miles:
Average speed mph:
Time in saddle: 00:00:00

Cumulative Distance:

Puncture no 2!

Actually this was a failure of the self-adhesive patch I used last time. This time I put in a new tube and I had helpers!

A moment of reflection . . .

. . . looking out over the wetlands towards the River Dee on The Wirral.

Thinks: "Hmmm shame it was not this flat all the way..."

Stage 7 (without Chris Boardman)

Luke arrived by train late last night to make a team of three. The picture shows Luke and Adrian and the lovely Miss Gregory outside Ash Hall B and B - the starting point for Stage 7.

iTune of Today is  Belle and Sebastian – Stars of track and field.
We dedicate it to Chris Boardman who was supposed to be cycling with us today, but was whisked off on a surprise exotic holiday by his wife instead. Chris, commiserations! We're all sure you'd rather be cycling through Liverpool with us! But we will all have to be poor substitute 'stars' without you!
To sample the track, click on Buy it or invest 79p through iTunes Music Store and it's all yours (Hmm I wonder if they will sponsor me?)

To Liverpool:
Net ascent (decent) ft: 420 Distance miles: 49.65 Average speed mph: 13.33 Time in saddle: 3:43:28

Cumulative Distance: More later....

Is Shropshire the most hospitable county in England?

I have already reported on the lunch with Jackie at the Mayfair Centre and Paul and the mudguards. Well tonight we arrived in Ash and the White Lion had finished serving food. But someone in the bar offered us lift down the road to The Olde Jack.

There we ate well and met up with the Whitechurh Round Table. Their Chairman is Rob (2nd right, back row) and they have offered sponsorship. Thanks guys.

Then . . . Round Table Vice Chairman Paul gave us lift back home . . . Cared for or what?

So, the gauntlet is down as we head into the friendly North, where the welcome is legendary... Can the North match Shropshire?

Mudguard fixed!

Meet Paul Subbiani, He is part of the team that run the Albright Hussey Manor, an unexpected oasis off the hell that is the A49.

As well as running a hotel (open to non-residents) he also has a comprehensive set of tools and gaffa tape! Anyway my rear mudguard that broke on day 1 is now fixed.

Just noticed this evening that my front one is broken too. Let's hope we meet another Paul tomorrow.

We like Shropshire - Stage 6

A day punctuated with generous hospitlity from the Mayfair Community Centre in Church Stretton. Jackie was our host and at the leading edge of delivery of the net:gain programme (www.net-gain.org.uk).

Four riders participated in today's effort. Adrian, Andy and I started in Bromyard. Andy peeled off after lunch (to cycle back to Bromyard). We were were joined by Simon M in Church Stretton.

See future posts for details of the amazing hospitality we have been shown in this county.

Today's iTune has to be: With a little help from my friends - Joe Cocker- Buy it for 79p through iTunes Music Store, or just sample (.. or just sing it out loud by yourself if you like, but best in the shower...)

Net ascent (decent) ft: 0 Distance miles: 74.63 Average speed mph: 13.40 Time in saddle: 5:34:09

Cumulative Distance: 385.99 (let's call it 356 - about a third of the way there!)

3rd member of Stage 6 team joins us at Bromyard

Andy joined Adrian and me at Bromyard - Expecting Simon Marshall to join us at Church Stretton to make dream team complete!

Dream team starts to assemble - Stage 6

Joined by Adrian at Avenbury and, two miles later by Andy in Bromyard and the good old slip streaming began! When you've cycled in a group you never want to cycle alone again.

Highlight: Tenbury Wells (famous for its mistletoe market at Christmas).

Net ascent (descent): 193 Distance miles: 36.71 Average speed mph: 12.78 Time in saddle: 2:52:17

Cumulative Distance: 348.07

A comment on comments

Thanks to everyone has left comments. These are great to read. Starting today with a feeling of sleep deprivation! Must have an early night tonight.

I am expecting some record speeds today with Adrian and I egging each other on. Church Stretton net:gain centre here we come.

First co-rider joins in - Stage 5

This is how Stage 5 started. With a picnic lunch! And a specially prepared wheat-free one at that, with Tricia. Tricia and I were part of the team that rode across the Yucatan in 2003.

We'd agreed to meet at Whitminster which is (quite a bit) north of Bristol. But I got lost in Bristol which delayed me. So Tricia had to cycle down to meet me.

We didn't get going until after 4 and we did the whole stage together except for last 6 miles. When Tricia's husband, Alan,  appeared from behind us, with a car with enough space in the back for Tricia's bike, the temptation was just too much for her!

Today was great. A complete contrast to yesterday. So iTune of the day has to be the happiest of 'happy bunny' songs: Breathless by Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds – Click here to Buy it for 79p through iTunes Music Store, or just sample it. (This isn't the best version - sorry Nick - If you want to hear the sunshine, you have to get the CD: The Lyre of Orpheus)

I think I can do this. Yesterday, if one more challenge had been thrown at me (eg rain) I would have faced a real difficulty.

Tonight was rounded with a very nice meal with Tricia and Alan. Looking forward to riding with my next co-rider, Adrian, tomorrow.

Net ascent (decent) ft: 304 Distance miles: 42.09 Average speed mph: 10.95 Time in saddle: 3:50:29

Cumulative Distance: 311.36

Oh the Somerset Levels!

The first 30 miles today were flat and were a bit of an antidote for yesterday. Just had a fantastic picnic lunch withTricia. More later . .

Net ascent (decent) ft:
Distance miles: 74.11 Average speed mph: 14.31 Time in saddle: 5:10:39

Cumulative Distance: 269.27

That cold north wind - Stage 3

Finished Stage 4 at 10:10pm in the dark.... Cycling out of Cornwall, across Devon and into Somerset was never going to be easy.

This stage was complicated by various factor:
1) I didn't get on the road until nearly 4pm
2) then there was that puncture!
3) the strong cold north wind meant loads of stops to get the clothing right
4) The photo shows how close my route was to the M5 - and I couldn't get the SATNAV to ignore it! So had to resort to maps which slowed me up a lot.

But I think I have devised a system which combines the two which will stand me in good stead for the rest of the ride. I may be knackered but at least I feel I am a long way from Land's End.

My first co-cyclist joins me at lunch tomorrow :-).

Net ascent (decent) ft: (405) Distance miles: 54.51 Average speed mph: 12.59 Time in saddle: 4:19:45 Max speed: 36.3

Cumulative Distance: 195.16

Puncture!

I told you you'd see them as they happen!

4:50pm - iTune of the moment is another offering from Jerry Fish and the Mudbug Club, to go with the Windy track selected earlier: try Upside Down - Buy it for 79p through iTunes Music Store or just click to sample. It is guaranteed to make you smile in difficulties...

Participation starts! Stage 2

This is Audrey (see www.dartsculpture.co.uk), Carrie (Sister in Law) and Kanye (nephew). They met me in Okehampton for lunch. This was a great motivator! If they hadn't been waiting I might not have made it! Kanye has to grow a bit before he can reach the pedals, but I think he has potential...

While on the subject of motivators, so nice to get a good luck text from Trish this morning too. Trish joins me from tomorrow lunchtime to Bromyard.  I'll now have co-riders with me on this trip all the way from Whitminster (nr Bristol) to Glasgow. Any takers for Glasgow onwards?

Lord knows how I am going to get to Taunton before night fall but here goes . .

Heroes: Kanye (the motivator)
Villans: That strong, cold northerly wind across Bodmin moor. The prevailing wind theory isn't working!

i-Tune of the day has to be an offering to the Wind Gods - how about:
Any Way the Wind Blows - Jerry Fish and the Mud Bug Club - Buy it for 79p through iTunes Music Store, or just click on the listing to sample....

More later . . .

Stats:
Net ascent (decent) ft: 274 Distance miles: 67.44 Average speed mph: 14.03 Time in saddle: 4:48:18 Max speed: 38.2

Cumulative Distance: 140.65

One stage done - 15 to go

This is Jenny, Phil (proprietors at Treliver Farm B+B) and Tony and Tricia (fellow guests from Sydney). They are all looking so happy because we have had a superb meal and conversation. If you are travelling in this area - stay here!

This stage has been one of two halves. Land's End to Redruth was on country lanes -  Redruth to Bodmin was on the A30. Enough said!

The antidote to A30 traffic was a short loop back to St Wenn (Treliver Farm). So why the detour? Two reasons:

1) Ron Daniel is sponsoring per Cornish mile (sorry Ron!) and

2) I wanted to see if Bodmin had changed since my last visit in 2000.

I won't be moving off the trail tomorrow as I has have 112 miles to do across hilly Devon. Must go to bed and get some sleep! I want to be on the road by 8 am.

The weather has been sunny and dry with a strong northerly wind. But it has hit from the side so it could be worse.

Heroes: My trusty GPS/SatNav guided me stratight to thedoor of Treliver farm even though its right in the middle of no-where.
Villans: Caravanners who forget that their van is a foot wider than their car! Today's  iTune is dedicated to them.

iTune of the Day - Amadou and Mariam – Camions Sauvages - A fantastic track about wild African Lorries squashing chickens and elephants. Or, in translation: Bank Holiday 'Wild Caravans' trying to squash cyclists! Those with iTunes Buy it for 79p through iTunes Music Store, or click to sample it. Those without, who want an earful of Africa without going there, get the CD!

The Word: Photographer at  Land's End and me.
P: Are you just finishing?
M: No I haven't started yet. Do I look that bad?
P: Ah . . . Would you just stand over here with your bike in front of you . . .

Stats:
Net ascent (decent) ft: 215 Distance miles: 73.21 (83.62 inc Penzance to Land's End) Average speed mph: 14.20 Time in saddle: 5:09:19
Cumulative Distance: 73.21

First Pint @ Redruth

The word on the street, well, hill actually. (Elderly cornish woman and I share experiences of West Country topography)

Woman: How far are you going today?

Me: To Bodmin.

Woman: Quite a way then, and all those hills! Still you'll be alright once you are out of Cornwall.

Me: Oh I don't know. It's pretty hilly in Devon too.

Woman: Yes....So they tell me dear... so I've heard...

More later . . .

(Nearly) Live from Land's End

'We' are on our way!

Glorious day but very windy!

Redruth here we come!

Hero of the day: Bike: running really well. Mastered gear change on front chain ring.

Villan of the day: None ...so far...!

Check progress and join in at: www.ruralnet.typepad.com/endtoend/

Gadgets, trains and iTune of the Day

There's nothing like having a new gadget to bond with to pass time on the train. And the Treo 650 phone is certainly a neat bit of kit. This posting comes to straight from phone to blog. Information Age or what? And it even supplied this typical picture of a British Summer evening!

The journey from Birmingham was 5.5 hours; the train was on time, but packed (that'll teach me to start an adventure on a Bank Holiday Weekend). No problem with the bike though.

Good News: found accommodation. Bad news: The hill up to it was much steeper than anything I have encountered in training. Eeeek.

At first, I thought I must be at the wrong place. Rang doorbell; no answer. It took about 10 mins for anyone to come to the door. All was explained when I realised my hosts have survived to a very ripe old age in the healthy climes of West Cornwall. I have to admit that Julie Walters in her famous "Two soups..." sketch came immediately to mind! I hope I will be pouring my own milk on my cornflakes at 8am tomorrow morning. If so, I should be on the road to Land's End by 9.

As this is going to be a mult-media all-singing, all dancing blog, I'm going to post an iTune of the day. If you have iTunes on your computer, you can listen to it: just click the Buy it! link where you can either download it for the princely sum of 79p, or click on the listing to get a free sample...

Today's iTune of the Day: The Jam – Start! - Buy it or sample it at iTunes Music Store, where the link will take you....

My target lunch stop is Redruth....

More tommorrow with stats and all...

The diary of the ride

This section will be completed, internet connections permitting, as the ride progresses.