The Participation Ride 2007

Luke & Simon get emotional send off

Drew & Trina's wedding was a two-day emotional roller coaster - an amazing family occassion where we met and had time to get to know Trina's family from Australia and all the friends she has spoken so affectionally about since we first met her. A fantastic celebration in amazing surroundings - Symondsbury Manor and Church.
Then it was 5pm and time for Luke and I to leave for St Just on our bikes. We took the train from Axminster (a tough 12 ride) to Exeter St Davids. We are now on the train from Exeter to Penzance. Ian has called and apparently our hosts are not very happy that we are arriving at 11:30 :-|
Tomorrow the challenge begins.

Packed!

Here it is, my bike all packed up for 12 consecutive days on the road. Now off to a wedding for the weekend before the trip down to Penzance on Sunday. Looking forward to meeting up with James and Ian for the first time . . .

BBC Breakfast, the wrong Whitchurch and some the women in my life

Tricia called this morning after I published the accommodation list on this blog to say that we'd booked our B&B on the 3rd night in the wrong Whitchurch!! Anyway, Tricia has now sorted this and we are staying at the farm to the left which is conveniently located in the right Whitchurch. I have corrected the accommodation list here.

Ellie, of UKVillages, also called. She has been doing a bit of publicity and we 'are booked in for Monday' on BBC Breakfast!! Whether this happens or not we will see! But it's probably worth having the TV on!

Meanwhile, another woman, Jane, has been keeping me calm and helping me get an awful lot of 'stuff' on a very small bike.

Thanks girls!!

(Can't wait to start pedalling now . . . but got my brother-in-law's wedding to attend to first).

Where we are staying

This is where we are staying in case you want to join us at the beginning of a day or meet up with us at the end of one. Most of them have websites even though not all of them are given here.

PLEASE NOTE: Rob Quinn has had to cry off - he's really apologetic - he's got a new job and and his existing employer won't let him take the time off :-(

This means we have a spare bed all the way around.

Day 0: Sun - 26/8/07
26/08/07    St Just
Ian, Luke, Simon
Bosavern House
St Just-in-Penwith
Penzance
Cornwall
TR19 7RD
01736 788301
website: www.bosavern.com/index.htm

Day 1: Mon - 27/8/07
27/08/07    Bodmin
Ian, Rob, Simon
'glenview'.ruthern bridge nr bodmin - they have a website
Glenview - AC026
Ruthernbridge
BODMIN
Cornwall
PL30 5NP
Tel: +44 (0)1208 831585
Lat: 50.467799
Lng: -4.807880
E-Mail : mtillflyer@aol.com
website: www.glenviewb-b.co.uk

Day 2: Tue - 28/8/07
28/08/07    Barnstaple
Ian, Rob, Simon
the old vicarage'.barnstaple - they have a website
The Old Vicarage
Barbican Ter
Barnstaple, EX32 9HQ
01271 328504
51.077068
-4.054560

Day 3: Wed - 29/8/07
29/08/07    Whitchurch
Ian, Rob, Simon, Trish
www.shropshiretourism.info/accommodationdetail.cfm?EstID=1104
2 rooms booked
ASH HALL BED AND BREAKFAST
ASH MAGNA
WHITCHURCH
SHROPSHIRE
SY13 4DL
Tel:  01948 663151
52.958905
-2.636245

The above is the wrong Whitchurch! Well spotted Tricia! We are now booked here:
Swallet Farm
Old Bristol Road
East Harptree
Bristol, UK
BS40 6DQ
Tel: +44 (0)1761 221909
email: info@swallet.co.uk
web: www.swallet.co.uk

Day 4: Thu - 30/8/07
30/08/07    Bromsgrove
Ian, Rob, Simon, Trish
Avonhill Lodge, Redditch
www.4hotels.co.uk/uk/hotels/avonhill.html
This place was the next best thing as there was absolutely nothing in
and around Bromsgrove. Redditch is on the route though and only 5 miles
SE of Bromsgrove. Couldn't do 2 rooms so we've 2 singles and a twin.
Avonhill Lodge
Alcester Road, Beoley, Redditch, Warwickshire, B98 9EP
Telephone: 01564 742413
52.320278
-1.866742

Day 5: Fri - 31/8/07
31/08/07    Hadfield
Ian, Rob, Simon
Peak Dale Lodge, Glossop
www.peakdalelodge.co.uk
3 single rooms
Peakdale Lodge
49-53 High Street East,
Glossop,
Derbyshire,
SK13 8PN
01457 854109
53.443433
-1.946455

Day 6: Sat - 01/9/07
01/09/07    Ingleton
Ian, Simon
'gatehouse farm' ingleton n/yorkshire - they have a website
Gatehouse Farm, Far Westhouse, Ingleton, North Yorkshire LA6 3NR
015242 41458 (+44 15242 41458)  / 015242 41307 (+44 01542 41307)
54.157939
-2.495135

Day 7: Sun - 02/9/07
02/09/07    Annan
Ian, Simon
'the old rectory' annan dumfriesshire - they have a website
The Old Rectory, 12 St Johns Road, Annan, Gretna Green, Dumfries & Galloway.  DG12 6AW  -  01461 202029
54.985273
-3.261547

Day 8: Mon - 03/9/07
03/09/07    Ayr
Ian, Simon, Adrian
Sunnyside Bed And Breakfast - B&B 4 Stars - Ayr, South Ayrshire
Mrs Malcolm
Sunnyside 26 Dunure Road
Alloway
Ayr
Ayrshire
KA7 4HR
Scotland
Telephone: +44 (1292) 441234
E-Mail: sunnysideayr@aol.com
Triple room with Shower en-suite
55.432931
-4.653981

Day 9: Tue - 04/9/07
04/09/07    Killin
Ian, Simon, Adrian
Killin Hotel - Hotel - Killin, The Trossachs
Ms Evlyn Cherrie
Main Street
Killin
Perthshire
FK21 8TP
Great Britain
Telephone: +44 (1567) 820296
E-Mail: enquiries@killin-hotel.com
1 family room for 3 adults
56.470122
-4.317070

Day 10: Wed - 05/9/07
05/09/07    Carrbridge
Ian, Simon, Adrian
Craigellachie Guest House - Guest House 4 Stars - Carrbridge, Aviemore and  the Cairngorms
Mr Terry and Shan Dudleston
Main Street
Carrbridge
Inverness-shire
PH23 3AS
Scotland
Telephone: +44 (1479) 841641
Fax: +44 (0)1479 841415
1 twin room and 1 single room
57.282966
-3.814703

Day 11: Thu - 06/9/07
06/09/07    Tongue
Ian, Simon, Adrian
Rhian Guest House - B&B 3 Stars - Tongue, North West Sutherland area
Mrs J Anderson
Rhian Cottage
Tongue
Sutherland
IV27 4XJ
Scotland
Telephone: +44 (0) 1847 611257
Mobile: +44 (0) 7719 668149
E-Mail: info@rhiancottage.co.uk
1 Double (one person) and 1 twin
58.461311
-4.426570

Day 12: Fri - 07/9/07
07/09/07    (John o' Groats) Thurso
Simon, Adrian
Sheigra - B&B 3 Stars - Thurso, Caithness and  North Coast Sutherland area
West-Samuel
6 MacDonald Green
Thurso
Caithness
KW14 7EL
Scotland
Telephone: +44 (1847) 892559
Telephone 2: +44 (7751) 716466
Fax: +44 (0)1847 892559

1 twin room
58.589260
-3.538037

END

Instructions for last minute entrants

People are asking how they can join in at the last minute. Here's what to do:

1 Check the itinerary here and choose the place where you'd like to join in (please put you name in the text)

2 Contribute £25 to the ruralnet|uk Participation Fund here* (or bring cash!)

3 Text me on 07932 107109 and let me know where you are joining in (I will be checking for texts first thing in the morning, at lunchtime and in the evening)

4 I will text you back with an estimated time of arrival (ETA) at the joining point

If you want to 'wing it' then just guess when you think we will be passing a particular point and be there with your bike! (Hint: Overall journey speed should be about 10mph).

* I'm happy to relax this if you really are impoverished! So don't let this be a barrier to taking part but please donate something if you can.

Don't Panic!

 

With only a few days to go and with so much to do and still with no accommodation in Penzance, help(!), I am a feeling a little anxious! The ride will be easier than this!

** STOP PRESS ** Ian just called - he's found us accommodation at St Just!! Phew!!

Test post from my mobile phone.

Time to work on sponsorship

Having spent hours and hours planning the route and creating the map website here, it's about time I started trying to raise some sponsorship so here goes . . .

PLEASE, PLEASE SPONSOR ME!!

(Selling was never a strong point of mine). Please click on the button and donate as much as you can for ruralnet|uk's Participation Fund.

Many thanks.

Now we are 10!

Meet James Cooke, economist, ex-teacher, marathon runner and reluctant cyclist. James is attempting the whole ride and he's sleeping rough, no B&Bs for James!

Dave Wild has also confirmed that he is joining us on Stage 24 and very possibly Stage 25 on Saturday 01/09/07. Dave will be on his Moulton TSR 30 (like mine).

That makes four of us doing the whole route (one the wrong side of 50, another the wrong side of 40 and two the right side of 30) with seven others joining in along the way.

Welcome on board guys.

Last phase of publicity underway :-)

With just two weeks to go before the Participation Ride 2007 starts the last phase of the amazingly sophisticated publicity campaign gets underway with roadside billboards in place in North Wiltshire. See picture (hint: look carefully at the bottom left of the picture).

I also spoke to Ellie Stoneleigh of UKVillages who is going to see if she can get some media interest . . . note to self: I need to send her some stuff.

HELP! A cry for help to the people of Penzance

Arrangements are coming on very well with all our accommodation now booked EXCEPT for the first night near Penzance on Sunday night, 26/8/07.

Ian must have made 40 calls. Places are either booked or are not interested in 4 people wanting accommodation just for one night of the Bank Holiday Weekend.

Can anyone help? All we need is a dry place to sleep. We will consider anything. An outbuilding? A barn? As a last resort we could bring tents that we would pack up and post back home the next day. We would find ourselves a place to have breakfast in the morning. We'd be grateful of any offer of help.

Photo: Penzance Promenade by chris_l - www.cornwalls.co.uk

Now we are 8!

I am thrilled to say that, rather unexpectedly, my son Luke has said he will be joining us . . . . for the whole trip! Welcome on board Luke.

Luke did Whitchurch to Hamilton (~250 miles) on last year's trip. The photo was taken at the rather emotional moment when he boarded the train at Hamilton. The full report from last year's blog is here.

There are now three of us attempting the whole ride. There are four of us starting, four of us finishing and others participating on the way . . . the Participation Ride comes of age! :-)

Simon's bike - Pashley Moulton TSR30

I've been asked a few questions about the bike I am riding. Well here it is. This is walk around the bike about 700 miles into last year's trip.

A few additional points not made in this video are:

1. The pedals were reversible - flat on one side and with clips on the other. I was clipped in 99% of the time;
2. I was carrying a foldable tyre in the back bag which was fitted just north of Glasgow;
3. I had spare spokes taped to the rear triangle - look out for these in the video;
4. The zip ties stayed on the frame and formed loops and clothing was tucked underneath them - long velcro traps would have been better;
5. I had a pump clipped to the bottle holder on the underside of the frame;
6. If it had rained I had re-sealable polythene bags to wrap things up in.

The definitive route detail

Here is the definitive list of all the stages for the Participation Ride 2007 with links to the map and GPS files for each stage. Note that there will be a support vehicle from Taunton to Buxton.

BOLD CAPS indicate the lunch stops.

Day 1: Mon - 27/8/07
27/08/07    Land's End to Hayle  >>map and GPS files
27/08/07    Hayle to Bissoe  >>map and GPS files
27/08/07    Bissoe to TRURO  >>map and GPS files
27/08/07    TRURO to Padstow  >>map and GPS files
27/08/07    Padstow to Bodmin  >>map and GPS files

Day 2: Tue - 28/8/07
28/08/07    Bodmin to Bude (HOLSWORTHY)  >>map and GPS files
28/08/07    Bude to Barnstaple  >>map and GPS files

Day 3: Wed - 29/8/07
29/08/07    Barnstaple to Bampton  >>map and GPS files
29/08/07    Bampton to TAUNTON  >>map and GPS files
29/08/07    TAUNTON to Glastonbury (support vehicle)  >>map and GPS files
29/08/07    Glastonbury to Whitchurch (support vehicle)  >>map and GPS files

Day 4: Thu - 30/8/07
30/08/07    Whitchurch to Severn Beach (support vehicle)  >>map and GPS files
30/08/07    Severn Beach to Gloucester (support vehicle)  >>map and GPS files
30/08/07    Gloucester to EVESHAM (support vehicle)  >>map and GPS files
30/08/07    EVESHAM to Great Alne (support vehicle)  >>map and GPS files
30/08/07    Great Alne to Bromsgrove (support vehicle)  >>map and GPS files

Day 5: Fri - 31/8/07
31/08/07    Bromsgrove to Birmingham (support vehicle)  >>map and GPS files
31/08/07    Birmingham to Walsall (support vehicle)  >>map and GPS files
31/08/07    Walsall to Lichfield (support vehicle)  >>map and GPS files
31/08/07    Lichfield to Etwall (support vehicle)  >>map and GPS files
31/08/07    Etwall to BUXTON (support vehicle)  >>map and GPS files
31/08/07    BUXTON to Hadfield  >>map and GPS files

Day 6: Sat - 01/9/07
01/09/07    Hadfield to Slaithwaite  >>map and GPS files
01/09/07    Slaithwaite to Hebden Bridge  >>map and GPS files
01/09/07    Hebden Bridge to THORNTON-IN-CRAVEN  >>map and GPS files
01/09/07    THORNTON-IN-CRAVEN to Ingleton  >>map and GPS files

Day 7: Sun - 02/9/07
02/09/07    Ingleton to Orton  >>map and GPS files
02/09/07    Orton to PENRITH  >>map and GPS files
02/09/07    PENRITH to Carlisle  >>map and GPS files
02/09/07    Carlisle to Annan  >>map and GPS files

Day 8: Mon - 03/9/07
03/09/07    Annan to Castle Douglas  >>map and GPS files
03/09/07    Castle Douglas to GATEHOUSE OF FLEET  >>map and GPS files
03/09/07    GATEHOUSE OF FLEET to Glentrool Village  >>map and GPS files
03/09/07    Glentrool Village to Ayr  >>map and GPS files

Day 9: Tue - 04/9/07
04/09/07    Ayr to Irvine  >>map and GPS files
04/09/07    Irvine to Johnstone  >>map and GPS files
04/09/07    Johnstone to Glasgow  >>map and GPS files
04/09/07    Glasgow to ALEXANDRIA  >>map and GPS files
04/09/07    ALEXANDRIA to Achray Forest  >>map and GPS files
04/09/07    Achray Forest to Killin  >>map and GPS files

Day 10: Wed - 05/9/07
05/09/07    Killin to Pitlochry  >>map and GPS files
05/09/07    Pitlochry to Newtonmore (DALNASPIDAL)  >>map and GPS files
05/09/07    Newtonmore to Carrbridge  >>map and GPS files

Day 11: Thu - 06/9/07
06/09/07    Carrbridge to Inverness  >>map and GPS files
06/09/07    Inverness to TAIN  >>map and GPS files
06/09/07    TAIN to Tongue  >>map and GPS files

Day 12: Fri - 07/9/07
07/09/07    Tongue to THURSO  >>map and GPS files
07/09/07    THURSO to John o' Groats  >>map and GPS files
07/09/07    John o' Groats to Duncansby Head  >>map and GPS files

Now we are 7!

Just received a text from Adrian - he is in!

Adrian is joining us on 3/9/07 at lunchtime (around Gatehouse of Fleet) and staying with the ride until the bitter end!

Adrian and I were part of the team that rode across the Yucatan in aid of Acorns Children's Hospice in 2003. This is when this picture was taken. Adrian also joined the ride last year from Avenbury to Preston.

:-)

Rob to join in - Slaithwaite and Hebden Bridge

Rob and Jean were the first people I saw on my 50th birthday last year as I was cycling along the banks of Loch Ness. I didn't know them before that moment. they had been following the blog and were in the area on holiday! The full report on the encounter is here.

Rob's just left a comment on the blog which goes like this:

Simon
Remember we met at Drumnadrochit on your last ride.
I intend joining you for the day between Slaithwaite and Hebden Bridge
on 1/9/07.
I have looked at the route and at first thought there were problems crossing the M62 at Scammonden Dam, however I have rece'd it and although it is naggery the only feature which may slow you down is a
steep down hill singetrack from Chapel Hill Lane down to the path across the Dam wall.The crossing of the M62 is by tunnel at the west end of the Dam.
I am off to ride it this week.
Best of luck.
robfin

Brilliant! Welcome on board Rob - let us know how your ride goes.

I went to Glastonbury . . .

. . . and was given this!

Sustrans had a tent in 'The Green Fields' and I met Katie who was very interested in this ride and gave me this amazing plaque! I'm chuffed!

Other highlights of the festival for me were: a surprise appearance by Amadou and Mariam; Lou Rhodes (ex Lamb); Ed Harcourt; The marley Brothers and Dame Shirley Bassey (not my thing but she was absolutely amazing). But there were too many people this year . . . they'd "up-ed the capacity" but in my view the site can't cope with 165,000.

We started to try to leave at 1.00am this morning, we got stuck, like everyone else, we finally got onto tarmac at 07.30am!! They will be towing out vehicles for days!

Saddle time

Here is a diary of the time I am spending in the saddle pre-ride.

21/8/07
From work
Bike: Pashley Moulton TSR30
Trip: 12.53
Average speed: 16.64
Time: 0:45:12
Max: 33.0
Conditions: Cool, dry, overcast.
2426

21/8/07
To work
Bike: Pashley Moulton TSR30
Trip: 12.47
Average speed: 17.08
Time: 0:43:50
Max: 30.4
Conditions: Cool, dry, overcast.
2413

20/8/07
From work
Bike: Pashley Moulton TSR30
Trip: 12.56
Average speed: 15.98
Time: 0:47:11
Max: 29.2
Conditions: Cool, dry.
2401

20/8/07
To work
Bike: Pashley Moulton TSR30
Trip: 12.47
Average speed: 17.04
Time: 0:43:56
Max: 28.2
Conditions: Cool, dry.
2388

18-19/8/07
Intensive DIY - no cycling :-|

17/8/07
Euston to Nunhead
Bike: Pashley Moulton TSR30
Trip: 6.57
Average speed: 13.99
Time: 0:28:14
Max: 25.4
Conditions: Wet
2375

17/8/07
To Coventry Station
Bike: Pashley Moulton TSR30
Trip: 5.32
Average speed: 15.95
Time: 0:20:04
Max: 34.2
Conditions: Wet
2369

17/8/07
To work
Bike: Pashley Moulton TSR30
Trip: 12.46
Average speed: 16.01
Time: 0:46:44
Max: 27.8
Conditions: Cool, dry and sunny. Carrying back pack.
2364

16/8/07
London commute
Bike: Birdy (no bike computer)
Trip: 8 (approx)
Conditions: Overcast

15/8/07
From work
Bike: Pashley Moulton TSR30
Trip: 12.50
Average speed: 16.20
Time: 0:46:19
Max: 35.2
Conditions: Very wet road, cool, no rain
2351

15/8/07
To work
Bike: Pashley Moulton TSR30
Trip: 12.46
Average speed: 16.93
Time: 0:44:11
Max: 29.4
Conditions: Overcast
2339

14/8/07
From work
Bike: Pashley Moulton TSR30
Trip: 12.52
Average speed: 16.65
Time: 0:45:10
Max: 29.3
Conditions: Light rain
2326

14/8/07
To work
Bike: Pashley Moulton TSR30
Trip: 12.46
Average speed: 16.31
Time: 0:45:51
Max: 27.6
Conditions: Raining
2314

27/7/07 to 12/8/07
Intensive DIY - no cycling :-|

24/7/07
To work
Bike: Pashley Moulton TSR30
Trip: 12.40
Average speed: 17.51
Time: 0:42:32
Max: 29.4
Conditions: Overcast
2289

23/7/07
From work
Bike: Pashley Moulton TSR30
Trip: 11.65
Average speed: 16.30
Time: 0:42:56
Max: 25.1
Conditions: Overcast - wet road
2276

23/7/07
To work
Bike: Pashley Moulton TSR30
Trip: 12.44
Average speed: 18.00 (yes!)
Time: 0:41:30
Max: 32.8
Conditions: Light rain
2264

20/7/07
To work and back (with diversion)
Bike: Pashley Moulton TSR30
Trip: 26.37
Average speed: 15.34
Time: 1:43:10
Max: 30.1
Conditions: Heavy rain
2251

19/7/07
To work and back
Bike: Pashley Moulton TSR30
Trip: 24.90
Average speed: 16.57
Time: 1:30:10
Max: 29.4
Conditions: -
2225

18/7/07
London commute
Bike: Birdy (no bike computer)
Trip: 2 x 3 = 6 (approx)
Conditions: Overcast/light rain

17/7/07
Cheltenham commute
Bike: Birdy (no bike computer)
Trip: 8 (approx)

17/7/07
To work
Bike: Pashley Moulton TSR30
Trip: 12.39
Average speed: 16.65
Time: 0:44:40
Max: 34.6
Conditions: -
2200

14/7/07
Around town
Bike: Pashley Moulton TSR30
Trip: 8.67
Average speed: 12.61
Time: 0:41:14
Max: 38.1
Conditions: Overcast
2175

13/7/07
To work and back (forgot to reset the bike computer!)
Bike: Pashley Moulton TSR30
Trip: 24.77
Average speed: 16.64
Time: 1:29:22
Max: 29.2
Conditions: Light rain
2166

11/7/07
London commute
Bike: Birdy (no bike computer)
Trip: 4 x 3 = 12 (approx)
Conditions: Overcast/light rain

10/7/07
To work and back
Bike: Birdy (no bike computer)
Trip: 25 (approx)
Conditions: Light rain

9/7/07
To work and back (forgot to reset the bike computer!)
Trip: 24.84
Average speed: 16.60
Time: 1:29:48
Max: 31.9
Conditions: Overcast (am); light rain (pm)
2142

3/7/07
To work and Bubbenhall
Trip: 17.97
Average speed: 15.01
Time: 1:11:51
Max: 29.4
2117

12/6/07
Around town
Bike: Tandem
Trip: 13.05
Average speed: 11.68
Time: 1:07:04
Max: 27.1
Conditions: Sunny
2090

The full route is here

Saddle acclimatisation starts tomorrow

With some anxiety I plan to start to get my a**e in gear and start cycling to work tomorrow it's 13 miles each way but will be OK once I get used to it! I'll let you know how I get on.

Ian (co-rider #1) called today and we had a good chat - he's an actor! He did a 12-month stint on Coronation Street and has done loads of other stuff. Aren't people interesting?

I'm off now to write a press release to see if we can get a mention in the Cycle Mags.

Dates and lunch stops finalised

Right, here is the final plan with the dates of each stage now set and the lunch stops specified. Hopefully, this will now enable others to commit to specific stages and/or lunch meet-ups. Click on the image to enlarge. The detailed spreadsheet can be downloaded here .

I am hoping to confirm shortly that we will have a support vehicle from Creech St Michael (near Taunton) for 2-3 days. This would be from lunchtime on 29/8/07 (Weds) to lunchtime on 1/9/07 (Sat) when we will be in Thornton-in-Craven. This should help those who are a bit unsure of their capabilities to commit to a stage or two in the knowledge that there will be someone with a vehicle just behind.

Onwards and upwards!

Fly before you try

As frequent vistors to this site will know, the route we are following has been plotted, on a turn-by-turn basis, on www.gpscycle.com. The route has been split into 48 stages and for each stage you can download files in various formats, including the Google Earth KML format.

The image to the left (click to enlarge) is a Google Earth view of the last part of the Bodmin to Bude stage. To see this on your PC (or Mac), download the KML file here and open it with Google Earth.

You only need the free version of Google Earth and this can be downloaded here. Have fun!

"We don't like the National Cycle Network"

I did my London commute today (Birdy - Train - Birdy). I got off the train at Euston and unfolded my bike and found myself next to a couple with touring bikes. "Going or coming back?" I asked.

They were on their way back from the 'Windamere Marathon" or was it the "Windamere Challenge"? Anyway we got talking about this project. "Oh", they said "we don't like the National Cycle Network". My jaw dropped. "You're cycling along and you get to a junction and the signs disappear!".

It was this same experience that inspired this project. We will be doing this ride exclusively on the NCN but I have charted the whole route turn by turn and this will be placed on my GPS to guide us.

A first go at the stages

Here is a first attempt at dividing up the route into stages. Click on the image to enlarge it.

I've considered the ascents as well as the distance when dividing the route up. I've also considered the 'state of fitness' of those of us doing the whole thing ie the days at the beginning are less of a challenge than those at the end. At least that is the theory.

If you have any advice on modifications please click on the comment link. Thanks.

Now we are two!

Ian (with the nice hat) is the first person to commit to do the whole ride with me! Cheers Ian, I feel better already. Ian commented on this blog ten days ago and we've now chatted on the phone. Key facts are:

1 we are both the wrong side of 45 but only one of us is the wrong side of 50

2 we are both carrying too much weight

3 neither of us have started training yet

If you'd like to join in for the whole ride or just bits of it, please leave a comment on the blog and I will get back to you.

We have a logo!

Thanks to the multi-talented Luke we now have a logo for the ride. Cool eh?

If you'd like a higher resolution version, click on the image to the left and then right-click on the image that pops up and select 'Save As...'. If you need an even high resolution version, please leave a comment and I will email you one.

If you want to know what Luke does when he's not designing logos for his Dad take a look here. "The future is here it's just unevenly distruibuted".

Summary stats and stop-overs

I have exported the data behind www.gpscycle.com and you can download it as an Excel file here .

The next task is to decide where the stop-overs will be. I want to do an average of 100 miles a day so that the trip lasts 12 days. However, based on last year's experience, I am going to divide the route by metres ascended rather than by miles.

According to the attached file the total ascent will be around 38,500 metres which is about 3,250 a day. I'm off to do some sums . . .

The bug starts to bite

Isn't the start of British Summer Time wonderful?

Spurred on by the first 'long day' of 'summer', the Moulton came out and got cleaned up . . . I feel that I am going to want to start riding is again very soon!

One thing I'd like advice on is tyres. What tyres should I be using for the 1,250 mile trip on the National Cycle Network?

Thanks to Ian

Ian cycled LEJOG using an East Pennines route in 1991 but is best known for maintaining 'the ultimate links list' of LEJOG and JOGLE websites. You can visit this here. Ian has featured this blog and last year's very prominently on his list which Iam very grateful for. I have used Ian's list of links as the basis of the End to End shared bookmarks at del.icio.us/endtoend. This is represented as a 'tag cloud' in the first column of this blog (to the left).

If you want to put this tag cloud on your website or blog (well you might!) then simply insert the code below. This is a one-off task. As I add new links to del.icio.us, the cloud will change automatically. Clever . . . eh?

<script type="text/javascript" src="http://del.icio.us/feeds/js/tags/endtoend
?size=11-34;color=cc3300-cc0033;title=Other%20End%20to%20End%20Sites"></script>

[Ithink you may have to include the code as a single line (ie without the carriage returns) for it to work properly].

Meet Zac

Zac is a Sport and Remedial Massage Practitioner and founder of SportsResource.org. I had the good fortune to sit opposite him on the train this afternoon. He spotted my folding bike and the conversation started. He was able to give all sorts of advise on my various aches and pains! Apparently, I need to get _a_lot_ more flexible - I'm seizing up in my old age. I wonder if Zac would like to be our Honorary Physiotherapist?

Change of start date

The start date for the ride is now fixed for Tuesday 28 August (now 27 August - see below). We will travel down to Penzance on 27 August and start cycling the next day.

If you'd like to join in please comment here and I will get back to you.

**STOP PRESS** The start date changed again since this original posting. We are now travelling down to Penzance on Sunday 26 August and have accommodation in St Just for that night. We then start cycling on Bank Holiday Monday, 27 August.

Join in now!

Here's an opportunity of a lifetime! Be part of the first team ever to cycle from Land's End to John o' Groats on the National Cycle Network.

You can join in for a part or all of the ride. There will be a maximum of 8 riders per stage and places will be allocated on a first come first served basis.

All the planning has been done for you, all you have to do is raise a minimum of £25 and pedal!

To confirm your place just click the 'Comments' link at the bottom of this entry. If you have questions before you commit please email me at:

Welcome to the Participation Ride 2007 Blog

The ride was completed on 7 September at around midday but you can still donate and honour those pledges! I will personally and privately acknowledge all donations.

More than £2,500 has been raised so far for ruralnet|uk's Participation Fund and  one of my co-riders, James, raised more than £1,000 for a Cambodian charity trying to stop the trafficking of children.

Over the next couple of weeks I will be posting up the videos I have taken and all of the GPS data collected for the route we followed for others to use if they wish. Thanks again to everyone who supported this project. Please continue to keep an eye on this blog.

The challenge to ride from Land's End to John o' Groats exclusively on the National Cycle Network remains. Does anyone fancy doing it as a relay? The route is here.