Day 5 Carlisle to Paisley - A good days cycling

First stop Gretna after 5 miles of peddling. We were all quite excited to arrive in Scotland. Weather conditions didn't look too bad either overcast but dry...

Then it started to rain.. A bit further down the road Peter got a puncture. The captain decided to push on as we are the slowest and the others would catch up... 45 miles later they hadn't and we stopped for food. They weren't far behind turns out Peter had two punctures.

Lots of midges at the food stop so we decide to get going ( the captain insisted despite some of the others not being quite ready) as we were stopping at Peters mums in about 35 miles. Just before Lesmahagow The captains sister Fiona and parents arrived in a car following us and cheering to Strahaven were we stopped. We were all grateful for the support. Here we had a beautiful three course dinner cooked by Helen, Peters mum. Yummy but started to make us feel a bit sleepy so had to get going again.
Paisley only 25 miles away do we feel quite pleased with our efforts looks like we'll get to the hotel before 7..
We get to the hotel... Mmmm .. Broken windows... Curtains not on the rails... We're not stopping there..
We manage to find a Premier Inn at the airport en route to the Erskine bridge where we're heading tomorrow. Not quite as early as we thought but still in the hotel by 8.

Day 4 Gloucester to Carlisle - some statistics

So far we've travelled 488 miles- wow when I write it down it seems so very far.
That's 53% of our journey done- the captain ( who has done this twice before) told me when we finished that it was at this point on his first trip that he realised that he might actually do it so let's hope that's true.

We've travelled through 10 counties in England.... Cornwall, Devon, Somerset, Gloucestershire, Shropshire, Worcestershire, Staffordshire, Cheshire, Lancashire and Cumbria.

I'd like to say this was an uneventful day and we got to Carlisle by 7 pm and were having dinner at 730 pm and so an early night was had by all..... But I can't.

We started off in Warrington at 830am our earliest start. First major town Wigan were we all got a bit lost so managed to lose some time ... A high note from the captain we did see the VW Stadium home of Wigan FC.

Leaving Wigan we were heading
for Preston during this part of the ride, one of the team ( Marco) decided to call it a day. His Achilles were badly inflamed - a bit sad but for the best for him. The rest of us then decided to crack on to Lancaster which would be our first stop of the day and a bit over 50 miles into intended 120 miles. We made good time. Hoorah.
The captain decided our brakes were not working properly and found a Bike shop to service them, while we had lunch in Sainsburys cafe. A bit of fuelling as we had a big climb ahead at Shap ( 1400 ft and a climb that last 10 miles). When we went back to collect SS Galaxy she wasn't ready as the mechanic was helping another customer and they were having a problem with the back brake cable. They didn't have a long enough cable for a tandem... Lesson don't go on a long journey on a tandem without spare brake cable!!!.... They did a bit of a fix on it but not great. The shop did try to find a brake cable at some other shops in Kendal but no luck. This wasted an hour and a half. So the good time we had made was pointless....

Next stop regroup at Kendal before Shap... Made good time and arrived in Kendal about 4. Entering Kendal we hit a pothole and our lights, and water bottles went flying... Luckily not us.. When we stopped we the SS Galaxy had a broken mudguard to boot!!
We were only going to stop for toilets but we had a call telling us that a cycle shop might be able to help us, so we pop along.
Mistake they didn't have a cable long enough but cut the old one before realising. So they have to use a too short cable but manage and the brakes are better by the time that's done it's 5 pm. In the shop we meet Luke who's also doing LEJOG, so the captain invites him to join us if he can keep up.. He has lots of bags on his single.
Off we set to Shap... It's not so bad just a long slog. On the way up we learn that Luke had started in Cornwall 3 weeks ago with 5 friends spent a lot of time there before his friends decided not to do it and he set off on his own from Bristol taking 3 days to get here which was similar to us. His bike and pack weighs 120kg. We reach the summit together but our descent is far quicker. When he catches us he's amazed at our speed. We all cycle onto Penrith were Luke decides to call it a day. We still have 17 miles to go to Carlisle.
The rain starts making these miles long especially without the mudguard - I get a very cold wet rear end... The captains ok though( I'm his mudguard). The last few miles are hard navigating through Carlisle to our bed isn't easy but we've done it and on a big high as we're over halfway. A fantastic pasta feast was provided by Marco but not an early night as we'd hoped.

Day 3 Gloucester to Warrington

Today it has been dry hoorah!! Still a bit chilly though - long trousers and base layers needed. Stunning countryside in the Heart of England. Ian area overlooked because most of us only see it from a motorway. I really should have taken more photos. Oh and the captain decided to throw away those horrible shorts- he had worn them for the previous 2 days!!

At 216 pm today our 4th grandchild arrived - a girl and that has kept our spirits up on what has been a tough day.

A long day again not sure we can keep that up but we'll see
Legs definitely starting to feel it but I think my years eight students will be glad I'm still alive!!! One of them told me the trip would kill me....

Into the mental game now and need not to think of distance... Bum on saddle- hurts!!
Time elapsed- 12 hours
Distance - 122 miles
Dinner at 1015 pm ( not good ) and not enough sleep being had.
Today was the easiest day according to the captain... Well it was in terms of terrain not in terms of how long it took.

Need some sleep for tomorrow as it really is a big day for cycling... We have the pleasure of Shap.

Oh and I nearly forgot the other exciting thing that happened today... I had a retweet on twitter by Graeme leSaux

Day 2 - Okehampton to Gloucester- a tale of rain!

A short blog tonight. Will be giving key points and I promise when we get home I'll put in more detail

Started peddling at 845 am maybe a bit later than we wanted.
Raining already which is a bit depressing especially as our clothes were still wet from yesterday.

We make good time despite the hills and made some friends on bikes on the way.

Just outside Tiverton BANG another puncture. So we repair and pedal on to have a break in Tiverton. Here we discover that the wall of our back tyre has a hole and the inner tube is getting pinched. Next stop Halfords for a new tyre which wastes us an hour at least. We all also decide to buy lights just in case we have a long day!
Next stop Taunton making good time. As we leave Taunton the captain and I have to do an emergency stop at a roundabout- its our first ever -. The captain shouts stop and I pull my brake.... He doesnt manage to get his feet out so we fall over!! Still that's better than being hit by a car.
The weather has improved and it's dry and quite pleasant.
Next stop Bristol
Got lost in following road signs
Rain starts and I mean start!!! Very heavy!!
Miss our support vehicle and cycle on in the rain... Cold and Wet we stop at a pub for hot chocolate/tea/coffee
We get some donations from people who feel sorry for us- makes it worth it.
Continue to Gloucester and it keeps raining- its the last 24 miles so heads down and pedal
The spray from cars is awful
Finish pedalling at 845 pm 131 miles in 12 hours not all spent pedalling but it's a long day. Glad for a shower
Rider of the day.....Peter for pushing Marco up the hills!

Day 1- a tale of traffic, punctures and rain

Woke up to very bright sunshine which made me very excited given that I haven't actually cycled in much good weather this year- all good. Even my legs have recovered from my Fitbox antics earlier in the week- so Paul you're safe!

Bikes loaded onto the car ready for the trip from Okehampton to Lands End. We're told we can have breakfast- great news ! - given we were told we wouldn't get any before 830 when we arrived the previous night.

So we eat breakfast and get into the car and set off. Weather still good. About 10 miles from Okehampton we hit a traffic jam - oh oh turns out to be a jackknifed caravan but that is just the start of traffic problems. We eventually arrive at lands end about 11. Which means by the time we take the bikes off and put wheels back on the bikes it's 1130. We go to find the signpost and get photos and then set off- its 1145 and that is at least an hour late!!! I can sense the captain is not happy and a bit edgy. The weather is warm though and dry - a nice day for a cycle.

Ready for the off

The view 

Sorting the puncture on the A30

Cycling continues with little to report until Marco gets a puncture on the A30.... I can't watch as he is standing very close to the actual road and the traffic is going very fast. I have visions of someone getting hit by traffic. I feel the need to put my Health and Safety hat on and with my teacher voice instruct Marco to stay away from the white line.







We start off again and make good headway when.... BANG we get a puncture on SS galaxy. There's a traffic jam on the opposite carriageway so we amuse some of the drivers sorting it.

The Cornish Coast

Soon we are on our way again but are last. We know that our support vehicle is only a few miles away so try to get there quickly as we've lost time and are getting worried about how far we have to go. The weather has changed -  a bit windier, cloudy and a bit of rain.
We all meet up- we have 30 miles to go- its 6pm and the captain is worried about the light and the distance to go.
We decide that if people want to go on at their own pace then it's ok. The captain sets a fine pace and we are steaming!! It's then that the rain and the wind start...
The last 30 miles sees some very long hills with strong gusts of wind, hail and heavy rain. Ourselves and Nik get back to hotel just after 8. VERY wet!! Marco , Peter and Dave arrive about 20 mins later just as wet.
It has been a long day, longer than we would have wished for but we've done it and are looking forward to tomorrow.


I for one was glad to be on the tandem today... The A30 is a dual carriage way and is the road we used all day. It wasn't what was planned but because of the late start it was the easiest. I know if I'd been on my own bike I would have hated it. Off to bed now.

On our way

So here we all are... Ready to travel south to Okehampton where we will spend the night.
Tomorrow we will then travel to Land's End and from there start cycling.

All week people have been asking if I'm ready? Well I think I'm as ready as I'll ever be....

I know this is a mental and physical challenge not sure yet which one is going to be tougher but having spent the last year training on the bike and at The Fit Box I think the phrase ' I can I will', or should I say 'We can We will' as the SS Galaxy needs the Captain and the Stoker to get us from A to B, will be in use quite a lot this week. So i think a thank you to Mr Fit Box aka Paul Russell is needed for his motivational sessions-although given that my legs still hurt from Tuesday I may not be so grateful tomorrow on the bike.
The car is quiet.. Peter is asleep and saving his energies, everyone else appears to be quietly contemplating the week ahead... I'm sure tomorrow will see much more energy.

I'm looking forward to seeing the views of the UK from behind. I only hope the weather holds out and not too much rain.

The final countdown

A weekend of stunning cycling weather saw us do two short cycle rides in readiness for the 916 miles of cycling that we will start on the 2nd June.

Nice uneventful ride on Saturday with stunning views of the Thames.

Today we had a very quiet ride with Peter and Nik from the team to Henley and back via Remenham hill. We had several car incidents today... Impatient drivers at 8 am and just general bad driving near cyclists.... Perhaps it's the weather ?? Who knows.. Certainly hope we don't encounter much of that next week.

In the last week people have been asking if we're ready? And how I feel about the challenge?
Well I'm a bit excited and looking forward to it. At the same time am I ready??? Well we've done lots of training but I suspect most of the team apart from The Captain are seriously underestimating the pain we might encounter over the 8 days of our journey... As he told me ' it will be the second most painful thing I'll ever do' that does worry me slightly.
I feel ready... Will we do it... Time will tell