The participation ride 2006 - 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!