Saturday, 22 September 2007
7 days later
Its a week, almost to the minute as I type that we rode into John O'Groats. But I'm not sure it has sunk in. I have been overwhelmed by the response from people, friends, family and others.
The fundraising total keeps going up, which is fantastic and I can't thank people enough for their generosity. I was touched, embarrassed and taken aback by the round of applause I received when I first went back to work. Its lovely to have such a response and its really these little things that help to make it worthwhile. Paul and Rachel had decorated the house when we got back which was sweet and brought champagne. Loads of people have congratulated me and whilst that's great we shouldn't lose focus on why I did it. In fact I didn't do it, I needed the help of Beth and many others, a real team.
I've been pondering on what I learned from it all. In telling people about the tour I've tended to harp on about the "incidents", characters we met on the way, bad service, road rage, bad weather and lost site of the great things. The fabulous views, the lovely people, the great downhills, nice hotels, generosity. All things we should cherish.
Of course the obvious lesson is fairly cliched. The fact that it is true that, a realistic goal, no matter how hard, can be achieved if you work at it. 12 months ago I hadn't even thought about this (but then I hadn't practically lost the use of one eye either) and here I am with the end to end in the bag.
Its Imogen's birthday party today. I wonder what she'll be doing in 40 year's time, when she's my age and whether I'll be around to share it with her. I'm so lucky to have the people around me that I do. So if there's one lesson that overrides all others. It is: be positive and the world is a much better place.
The fundraising total keeps going up, which is fantastic and I can't thank people enough for their generosity. I was touched, embarrassed and taken aback by the round of applause I received when I first went back to work. Its lovely to have such a response and its really these little things that help to make it worthwhile. Paul and Rachel had decorated the house when we got back which was sweet and brought champagne. Loads of people have congratulated me and whilst that's great we shouldn't lose focus on why I did it. In fact I didn't do it, I needed the help of Beth and many others, a real team.
I've been pondering on what I learned from it all. In telling people about the tour I've tended to harp on about the "incidents", characters we met on the way, bad service, road rage, bad weather and lost site of the great things. The fabulous views, the lovely people, the great downhills, nice hotels, generosity. All things we should cherish.
Of course the obvious lesson is fairly cliched. The fact that it is true that, a realistic goal, no matter how hard, can be achieved if you work at it. 12 months ago I hadn't even thought about this (but then I hadn't practically lost the use of one eye either) and here I am with the end to end in the bag.
Its Imogen's birthday party today. I wonder what she'll be doing in 40 year's time, when she's my age and whether I'll be around to share it with her. I'm so lucky to have the people around me that I do. So if there's one lesson that overrides all others. It is: be positive and the world is a much better place.
Wednesday, 19 September 2007
Tuesday, 18 September 2007
Sunday, 16 September 2007
Day 12 The end!
The end. I did it! I did it! I rode my bike from one end of Great Britain to the other! I haven’t kept rigorous statistics en route, perhaps I should have done, but there were too many other things to think of. I know Werner has kept all the stats from his GPS, so when I get them from him I’ll post them here, but we spent an average of 6 hours a day in the saddle, so that’s about 72 hours in total, 1600km. I’ll check my bike computer for the accurate total mileage later. It’s safely locked up in the hotel Board room at the moment!
September 15th 2007; Imogen's 4th Birthday and I complete my end to end (and happy birthday to Stuart in NYC!).
In my mind I thought the last day would be some sort of grand procession. Cheering crowds, warm sunshine, rose petals cast in front of my wheels as we coasted to the finish line in front of an adoring public. The reality could not be further from the truth. The final ride of 98km involved some tortuously steep hills and treacherous descents, made so by a bitterly cold northerly Arctic wind carrying hail and icy cold rain driven into our faces. It could not be described as pleasurable and it made for a very bleak last day.
We bumped into Beth in Thurso, 32km from the end and begged her to go and buy food. Sausage rolls and rice pudding were consumed eagerly whilst we all shivered with cold. This did set us up for the last blast to John O’Groats though and our spirits were actually quite high despite our discomfort. I counted the kilometres down and we staged a sprint finish whilst Beth and Imogen cheered us on from the car park entrance.
A feeling of enormous satisfaction engulfed me. I hugged and kissed Beth and we men shook hands and clapped each other heartily on each other’s backs. Werner’s parents were there to meet him and looked justifiably proud of him. He has raised nearly £25k for the respite home where his severely disabled brother lives. Good for him.
We took photos and then retired to the café for hot soup and coffee and shelter from the cold and rain. We then drove to Inverness where we met up with Beth’s family, for a celebratory meal and a nice hotel. We pushed the boat out for a big room and some comfort after my labours. We had a great time and retired to bed late for a rest.
Best moment: climbing a tortuous hill on Dartmoor whilst Beth and Mo cheered me on from the summit
Worst moment: riding through Warrington and Wigan
Hardest climb: pick any from Dartmoor. Cheddar and Drumnadrochit, but probably the last was the steepest.
Best descent: a close thing between the ride down from the Shropshire hills into Shrewsbury and the 14km roller coaster from Drumnadrochit, but again the latter takes it for sheer grin inducement
Best day: Kilmarnoch to Loch Fyne; great ride, breathtaking scenery
Worst day: The last unfortunately; hideously cold and wet; we all just wanted it to end
Best hotel: the Mecure Albrighton; do it!
Worst hotel: the Bridge at Bonar Bridge; avoid!
Road rage: the idiot in Whitchurch or the bully that had a go at Beth by Loch Ness
Finally; thank you to all those of you that have supported me in any way, shape or form whether it be practical help, donations or just words of encouragement. The final fund raising figure isn’t yet known, but I’m well on the way to £5 000. A massive thank you to Beth for all her support, help and encouragement, its taken 9 months' hard work that I literally couldn’t have done without her.
And to Tom Barker. In whose memory I undertook and achieved this challenge. I hope I have in some small way helped.
nb. for some reason I can't upload pictures at the moment; check back in a day or so and I'll post the start and end pics.
September 15th 2007; Imogen's 4th Birthday and I complete my end to end (and happy birthday to Stuart in NYC!).
In my mind I thought the last day would be some sort of grand procession. Cheering crowds, warm sunshine, rose petals cast in front of my wheels as we coasted to the finish line in front of an adoring public. The reality could not be further from the truth. The final ride of 98km involved some tortuously steep hills and treacherous descents, made so by a bitterly cold northerly Arctic wind carrying hail and icy cold rain driven into our faces. It could not be described as pleasurable and it made for a very bleak last day.
We bumped into Beth in Thurso, 32km from the end and begged her to go and buy food. Sausage rolls and rice pudding were consumed eagerly whilst we all shivered with cold. This did set us up for the last blast to John O’Groats though and our spirits were actually quite high despite our discomfort. I counted the kilometres down and we staged a sprint finish whilst Beth and Imogen cheered us on from the car park entrance.
A feeling of enormous satisfaction engulfed me. I hugged and kissed Beth and we men shook hands and clapped each other heartily on each other’s backs. Werner’s parents were there to meet him and looked justifiably proud of him. He has raised nearly £25k for the respite home where his severely disabled brother lives. Good for him.
We took photos and then retired to the café for hot soup and coffee and shelter from the cold and rain. We then drove to Inverness where we met up with Beth’s family, for a celebratory meal and a nice hotel. We pushed the boat out for a big room and some comfort after my labours. We had a great time and retired to bed late for a rest.
Best moment: climbing a tortuous hill on Dartmoor whilst Beth and Mo cheered me on from the summit
Worst moment: riding through Warrington and Wigan
Hardest climb: pick any from Dartmoor. Cheddar and Drumnadrochit, but probably the last was the steepest.
Best descent: a close thing between the ride down from the Shropshire hills into Shrewsbury and the 14km roller coaster from Drumnadrochit, but again the latter takes it for sheer grin inducement
Best day: Kilmarnoch to Loch Fyne; great ride, breathtaking scenery
Worst day: The last unfortunately; hideously cold and wet; we all just wanted it to end
Best hotel: the Mecure Albrighton; do it!
Worst hotel: the Bridge at Bonar Bridge; avoid!
Road rage: the idiot in Whitchurch or the bully that had a go at Beth by Loch Ness
Finally; thank you to all those of you that have supported me in any way, shape or form whether it be practical help, donations or just words of encouragement. The final fund raising figure isn’t yet known, but I’m well on the way to £5 000. A massive thank you to Beth for all her support, help and encouragement, its taken 9 months' hard work that I literally couldn’t have done without her.
And to Tom Barker. In whose memory I undertook and achieved this challenge. I hope I have in some small way helped.
nb. for some reason I can't upload pictures at the moment; check back in a day or so and I'll post the start and end pics.
Friday, 14 September 2007
Day 11
Penultimate stage today, a relatively short 80KM from Bonner Bridge to the Kyle of Tongue. And it was absolute hell! We endured a 30mph headwind with the stage taking 4 hours, our slowest day so far. Still, I'm overlooking the North Sea at the moment and the scenery is fantastic. So much so, it's making Beths eyes ache.
We passed 6 other end-to-enders today as this is the main road up to John O Groats. Worth a mention that nobody has passed us so far. 65 miles tomorrow on the final stage. Bring it on.
We passed 6 other end-to-enders today as this is the main road up to John O Groats. Worth a mention that nobody has passed us so far. 65 miles tomorrow on the final stage. Bring it on.
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