Day 9 – Monday 30th July

A very hard day after a rest day in Shropshire yesterday. First a photo shoot outside Burton’s Estate Agents in the square at Stretton at 8.30 a.m. Then a quick cycle to Hereford stopping for fruit and chocolate at a woodland nature reserve.

The weather was sunny all day and the scenery beautiful through the Wye Valley from Monmouth to Chepstow .

Luckily there was a cycle path over the Severn Bridge and it wasn’t too windy.

It was a bit tricky negotiating through Bristol and there was heavy and fast traffic. The boys got confused as to which way to go but they in fact went the right route. They didn’t realise it was so hilly in Bristol.

Finally Andy and Anna met them near the campsite (for adults only!). We assured reception that the boys would be quiet and probably asleep by 9.30 having cycled 93 miles.

Day 7 – Saturday 28th July

A fine start but windy.  The boys left the campsite overlooking Morecambe Bay at 8.30 and headed for Preston.

They made good progress buoyed on by the thought that if they had a really good day they would be close to home.  Akso the weather forecast for the night was dreadful and the thought of avoiding a wet campsite was a huge incentive.

Past Wigan, stopping just outside Warrington for lunch and then they were on the A49 – the road that leads through Church Stretton.

The sun came out and the wind dropped and before they knew where they were, they were 30 miles from Shrewsbury.  With a rest day looming, they decided to go for home – a spectacular effort they covered 135 miles (216 km.)in about 9 hours. They still had time to have a shower, watch the Tour de France and go for a meal at the Bottle and Glass (an excellent venue and sponsor of Jogle07)

Sunday was spent relaxing, fumigating the van, washing clothes, stocking up on carbohydrates and preparing for the final part of the journey.

Expectations are to reach Bristol, depending on progress.

Day 6 – Friday 27th July

A good day cycling another 80 miles.  It was cloudy and some drizzle but the most difficult aspect was the wind.  This was quite strong especially climbing up Shap Fell, one of the most exposed parts of their journey and probably the highest.  William said at times he had to lean hard over the front wheel to keep it on the road.  Andy, like Mike, was near at hand to provide food and drink at regular intervals.

They camped near Morecambe, close to the sea, had their shower ,meal, a quick drink and bed!

Tomorrow, if the traffic is not too bad, they hope to cycle another 80 miles.  If they can reach Whitchurch or thereabouts, Andy will drive them home so they can have a bit more comfort. (He will drive them back to Whitchurch after they have rested so they don’t cheat!) 

This all depends on what sort of day they have tomorrow but at least it shouldn’t rain.

Day 5 – Thursday 26th July

A different sort of day today.  It took the boys 4 hours to do the first 13 miles – not because they were worn out but because William got 3 punctures.  Eventually, in despair, he stuck a big strip of elastoplast on the inside of the outer tyre.  This, amazingly, worked and they covered the remaining miles without any more mishaps.

The A76 down to Dumfries was busy and they had some heavy showers (didn’t we all?) but they kept going to Annan which is 16 miles north of Carlisle.

William reckons they have cycled 380 miles so far.

Tom’s Dad, Mike, had to get back to Shropshire for work, so Andy drove up to take his turn as “the support team”! He and Mike met at Tebay, swapped vehicles and Andy continued northwards to meet the cyclists at the Annan campsite.

This all went well in spite of the rain, so tomorrow they will be saying goodbye to Scotland.

William said he and Tom haven’t a clue what day it is but they are feeling fine.

Day 4- Wednesday 25th July

Guess what? A wet start to the day, put a soggy tent in the van and a drizzly ride down the side of Loch Lomond. Then the sun came out to shine on Glasgow (we know how to enjoy ourselves). It was tricky negotiating round the streets of Glasgow with lots of traffic lights but eventually found the road to Kilmarnock. Mike (Tom’s Dad) found a campsite though it was full of caravans and children playing football – hardy folk up there.

This was another 80 miles so they are looking forward to a slightly shorter day tomorrow when the support “team” will change from Mike to Andy!!

Todays events couldn’t quite match the Tour de France sensations but they are our heroes even if it is hard work without drugs!

Mike has been fantastic and a big thank you to him. Andy hopes he can match this.

Day 3- Tuesday 24th July

Things continue to go well, covering another 80 miles or so. They cycled through Fort William and down through Glencoe which looked great in the sunshine.  They have been in contact with another team (3 doctors also cycling for a charity).  For a while William and Tom cycled behind them but they went a bit too fast!  This team plan to finish around the same time as Tom and William.

They are camping at Inverarnan, just north of Loch Lomond and tomorrow hope to cycle round Glasgow and south to Kilmarnock. This will be their first spell of heavy traffic, and the forecast is not so good for tomorrow morning.

Day 2- Monday 23rd July

Day two,a better day – less hills and less wind and William’s muscle strain shows signs of improvement.

Spirits were high until they got to Invergarry when the heavens opened whilst they were putting up the tent. 

The lovely road along Loch Ness was perfect cycling terrain.  They covered approximately 75 miles today which is what they were expecting if things went well.

The forecast continues to be favourable with some rain but no strong head winds and they are looking forward to the next part of their journey before they get to Clydedale

Day 1- Sunday 22nd July

The adventure begins.  Having spent all day travelling to the relative dryness of Scotland, Tom and William supported by Tom’s dad Mike, broke camp on Sunday morning and started on their epic journey to Land’s End.

The wind and the hills proved a real challenge down the east coast on the A9 route but despite this the boys made good progress reaching Tain, some 85 miles, where they are camping the night.

William has a slight muscle strain which he is concerned about, but Tom reported no problems at the moment.

Video clips and photographs may be available at a later stage.

They are planning to go to the pub tonight to raise a few pounds as well as a few wrists.

The weather is supposed to be showery but not too bad.

The night before the morning after?

Well after weeks of avoiding planning it looks like it has all come together in the last few days. We are all packed and ready for the off tomorrow morning. We spend the whole day tomorrow driving up there and then set off riding first thing Sunday.

We will try and keep everybody updated as much as possible along the way!

Been into halfords, spent to much!

Nothing more to say really. But i’m ready to cycle now. And deal with punctures. Two per day by my reckoning!