|
TORPOINT MOSQUITO SAILING CLUB
The Challenge
Long Way Home (lets just wing it) |
TMSC Cadets Sponsored by BP terminal Plymouth |
|
|
Nick Green was giving a talk to the Cadets and Members on his bike ride from on Wednesday 22nd October in the clubhouse starting at 18:45hrs.
I went to Nick's talk and found it very interesting. It was not so much that I learnt any thing in detail of the route, but I learnt that they were not much clearer on what it should have been! How come you may say? Well it was explained, that the John O'Groats to Lands End bike ride was first thought of in a Pub between five well lubricated young men! The Challenge Complete it in 9 Days (all 1030miles) Raise £6000 Have fun of course!!
Nick then detailed the preparation. He rides to work on his bike each day and had rode to Trerulefoot and back but it started in earnest on the the Friday night in Torpoint before the start Monday morning in John O'Groats! Yes it gets worse or better, depending on your point of view. Of the five who started with this idea, there were now just two! and no support vehicle.
One point relevant to the Cadets and Members present, was the very positive and flexible approach shown to each problem, and the attitude to asking for, and accepting help. Without this approach the bike ride would never have taken place or finished!
Well here Nick was on a Friday night, from the Power Point presentation.
The Team Nick Green Organiser, bank & cyclist Dan Clift Boy scout, In charge of nutrition and camping, cyclist Ben Green Driver, shopper, annoyer, photographer, nutritionist, writer, supply eater, awesome DJ, motivator!! J (He did the Power Point)
Nick was the Organiser? He first made sure Dan would be ready, well he had his e-mail address! and he had answered that he would be there, coming back from a term in University. Sorted!
Now for the Transport for the Bikes Tents and every thing else, Nick hadn't any! So as I pointed out, first ask for Help, Dad! He came up with a car Peugeot 107, well done Dad! Roof Bars ready for the bike's.
A little problem, Dan found when he came home, No bike! Phone Nick. Nick phoned round and found an acquaintance from work who had bought a new road bike his old one was available, phew! Well it had two wheels but was a might small for 6'4'' Dan. 'Simple!' Dan said "I'll ride yours and you can ride this one!" This was not perfect for Nick but at 6'0'', it worked out so every one had a little back ache. |
|||
|
When did they set out, there was some delay there? They were on the way North and Dan mentioned that he had no bike shoes to clip in! Size 12 feet couldn't fit into Nicks spare pair.
Quick phone round a good bike shop in Kendal Evans Cycles, race round to find it and they were very helpful. They talked about some customers that have also done the John O'Groats to Lands End ride in four days! Well that's not being planned here, but they gave him a pair of bike shoes for free. As youths do, acceptance of help gratefully received!
|
|||
|
Sunday night in John O'Groats : 31 August 2008 The guest House, What!! they don't accept plastic! First crisis on the road before they even start, send Ben out to the cash machine. It was Scottish, gave some then spitted the card back. It was left to a search in all pockets, car and bags; tip it all on the Bed and count the notes also every coin, Team effort, just enough!
|
|||
|
Lunchtime
Covered 50 miles in 2.5 hours |
|||
|
Day one
Cycled 107 miles today, overnight stay 10 miles North of
Inverness. Sore Legs! Stayed in a hostel called Bazpackers. Weatherspoons:- 2 meals for £6.99 ideal
|
|||
|
Hi all, good days cycling. Done 130 miles today. Camping 15 miles NE of Stirling.
|
|||
|
Day three Staying in Dumfries tonight. Stayed in a 3 star hotel. I stayed in bed feeling sorry for myself whilst the other two went and enjoyed the spa. Glad Im paying for everything!
|
|||
|
Dumfries to Kendal Im still ill. What a surprise-its still raining Only 35 miles and we are out of Scotland. Only 35 miles .. I spoke to soon, it seems in there wisdom the highways agency decided to resurface all 3 B Roads that we wanted to use so we had to use the diversions. When we did get on the right road, we took the wrong turning and cycled 10 miles in the wrong direction . Today is going to be a good day Hi all, day 4 complete. 115 miles done. Camping the lake district tonight. Staying near Kendal. Very nice and very wet. Hope to make Blackburn tomorrow.
|
|||
|
Kendal to Blackburn Not a long leg today so we decided to have a lie in and have a cooked breakfast, then make our way down to Blackburn.
Hi all, made it to Blackburn today, weather is horrible! Hopefully it will be better tomorrow and we can get some big miles in. Staying at Dans friends parents house. Cooked us an awesome lasagne for dinner and gave us comfy bed for the night. Legends!!!
|
|||
|
|
Day six Blackburn to Worcester Spirits were high, nearing the half way stage and coming into the sunny south? Hi all, had a nice day for most of it, lovely flat smooth roads with hardly any hills. Made it to Worcester today. Nearly home! The fun of finding somewhere to stay . Due to flooding. Again it was Nick, Dan & Ben phone home!!! as every one else was also trying to find dry lodgings! But Mums & Dads again came up trumps with a little pleading and the use of the internet!
|
||
|
|
|||
|
Day eight Hi all, completed todays cycle, staying in Bodmin tonight. Very hard days cycle, Battled across Dartmoor and Bodmin Moor. I think it was as challenging as the Highlands. Only 70 miles to the finish, hopefully finish between 5 & 6 pm. Stayed in B+B for last night in Bodmin Went to the pub for dinner and a quiet pint or two.
Dan had doctors appointment. He said that after major surgery on his arm, this was a check-up? not that he had mentioned it before now! |
|||
|
Day nine In the morning we had to wait for him to come back before we could finish on day 9.
After a dismal cooked breakfast we went to Morrisons to shop for the last day and wait for Dan When Dan finally arrived we set off in the rain + mist. Determined to finish we battled through the weather and got some good mileage in before taking a well deserved rest
After finally making it just before sunny Penzance and going over numerous roundabouts I suffered my first puncture, overcoming this hitch by using our last spare tyre after only one puncture all trip.
Just
9 miles from the finish line I suffered my second puncture
Annoyingly
out of spare tyre
'Ben
Colin McRae the best support driver had to race into Penzance town centre to find an open bike shop.
At
16:50hrs these were desperate times.
Thankfully
it was sorted we found a bike shop and they fitted it so I was on my
way.
After 8 and a half long tiring days our journey had come to an end at Land's End.
|
|||
|
|
|||
|
Dan Clift, 'Commodore' Ron Gibb , Nick Green & Ben Green
The team came home to their club. Over the moon with the sense of achievement after completing an amazing conquest from point to point and were warmly welcomed by the Commodore Ron Gibb. We celebrated and enjoyed rapturous applause from everyone here at the sailing club!!
|
|||
|
The Challenge Completed
Complete it in 9 Days (all 1030miles) Done
Raise £6000 Magnificent! collected about £4000 ( Towards a new club safety boat)
Have fun of course!! I should think so !!!
|
|||
|
Updated 30 Jan 2009 |
|
|
|
