While we crossed the Old Severn Bridge we had some superb views. The bridge is very strange, in that it constantly vibrates with the traffic noise.
And today we arrived in Scotland.
Thursday, 23 June 2011
Pictures
We've not given you pictures for a while, so here we are.
While we crossed the Old Severn Bridge we had some superb views. The bridge is very strange, in that it constantly vibrates with the traffic noise.
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Through the Lake District we crossed over the Kirkstone Pass.
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And today we arrived in Scotland.
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While we crossed the Old Severn Bridge we had some superb views. The bridge is very strange, in that it constantly vibrates with the traffic noise.
And today we arrived in Scotland.
1st breakdown and 1st puncture
We had a minor breakdown this morning. Paul's left pedal crank fell off while riding. Thankfully we found all the bits on the road, stuck them back together, and we were off again.
We also had the first puncture of the trip. Not bad for 4 bikes riding 600 miles. Tom got a puncture coming out of Dumfries, which was the only town where we had any rain showers.
Actually we had a couple of hail-stone thundershowers and a couple of rain showers in Dumfries. The rest of the day was a mixture of sunny intervals in the early part of the day, followed by unbroken sunshine for the rest of the day.
We had a gentle cross through Dumfriesshire followed by a beautiful crossing of the Galloway Forest Moor. The decent towards Ayr was superb, with fantastic views across to Arran and even Kintyre beyond.
This morning we had to say a sad farewell to Claire and Bee. Mike took them to Carlisle station where they arrived with 5 minutes to spare before the train. Quick note to the girls: the car does have a CD/DVD player, which Mike found today. We had his Iron Maiden blasting away during our afternoon stop.
We also had the first puncture of the trip. Not bad for 4 bikes riding 600 miles. Tom got a puncture coming out of Dumfries, which was the only town where we had any rain showers.
Actually we had a couple of hail-stone thundershowers and a couple of rain showers in Dumfries. The rest of the day was a mixture of sunny intervals in the early part of the day, followed by unbroken sunshine for the rest of the day.
We had a gentle cross through Dumfriesshire followed by a beautiful crossing of the Galloway Forest Moor. The decent towards Ayr was superb, with fantastic views across to Arran and even Kintyre beyond.
This morning we had to say a sad farewell to Claire and Bee. Mike took them to Carlisle station where they arrived with 5 minutes to spare before the train. Quick note to the girls: the car does have a CD/DVD player, which Mike found today. We had his Iron Maiden blasting away during our afternoon stop.
Wednesday, 22 June 2011
500 miles
As the song lyrics (slightly modified) go:
And we have ridden 500 miles
And we will ride 500 more
Just to be the guys who rode 1000 miles
To fall down at your door
We've made it to Carlisle. We had some beautiful scenery through the Lake District, including climbing a 1500 ft pass (Kirkstone Pass) and a 1000 ft pass.
My leg hurts slightly less now, having done what all cyclist seem to do. I've become a junky and am now surviving on Codine + Paracetemol "extra" capsules and Ibuprofen muscle gel. The pain is now bearable, and I'll cope with it for the next 500 miles.
Tom has tried out the Codine too, which has helped his knees pains.
Other than that, we're all fit, and ready to go!
Tomorrow we cross into sunny Scotland, but the forecast is for rain :-( We had it dry all day today, but ten minutes after arriving here it started to absolutely pour with rain.
Tomorrow morning we have to say goodbye to the wonderful Claire and Bee who have helped us out when needed, amused us, and found us lovely places to eat. Bye both of you, and again, ONE THOUSAND THANKS!!
Our driver for the next 5 days is Mike, who travelled up to Carlisle on the train today, and is now with us in the hotel. Welcome Mike!
And we have ridden 500 miles
And we will ride 500 more
Just to be the guys who rode 1000 miles
To fall down at your door
We've made it to Carlisle. We had some beautiful scenery through the Lake District, including climbing a 1500 ft pass (Kirkstone Pass) and a 1000 ft pass.
My leg hurts slightly less now, having done what all cyclist seem to do. I've become a junky and am now surviving on Codine + Paracetemol "extra" capsules and Ibuprofen muscle gel. The pain is now bearable, and I'll cope with it for the next 500 miles.
Tom has tried out the Codine too, which has helped his knees pains.
Other than that, we're all fit, and ready to go!
Tomorrow we cross into sunny Scotland, but the forecast is for rain :-( We had it dry all day today, but ten minutes after arriving here it started to absolutely pour with rain.
Tomorrow morning we have to say goodbye to the wonderful Claire and Bee who have helped us out when needed, amused us, and found us lovely places to eat. Bye both of you, and again, ONE THOUSAND THANKS!!
Our driver for the next 5 days is Mike, who travelled up to Carlisle on the train today, and is now with us in the hotel. Welcome Mike!
Arrive in Preston
Last night we finally arrived in Preston.
Injuries have slowed us slightly: Tom has very sore knees; I have a severe muscle pain behind the right knee.
I'm about to make a trip to a pharmacist. Hopefully with some drugs I'll be able to carry on.
Day 04 Tuesday started with a fantastic long downhill from Church Stretton to Shrewsbury followed by lots of easy flat riding all the way to Preston.
We are all agreed: the drivers in Cheshire are by far the worst we have come across. They are agressive, rude, cut you up, and are certainly not aware of cyclist. Perhaps today through Lancashire and Cumbria things will be better.
Injuries have slowed us slightly: Tom has very sore knees; I have a severe muscle pain behind the right knee.
I'm about to make a trip to a pharmacist. Hopefully with some drugs I'll be able to carry on.
Day 04 Tuesday started with a fantastic long downhill from Church Stretton to Shrewsbury followed by lots of easy flat riding all the way to Preston.
We are all agreed: the drivers in Cheshire are by far the worst we have come across. They are agressive, rude, cut you up, and are certainly not aware of cyclist. Perhaps today through Lancashire and Cumbria things will be better.
Tuesday, 21 June 2011
Day3
Slightly easier day with only 95 miles. Started on cycle lanes through barren industrial wasteland before arriving at the original Severn bridge with fantastic views to the new Severn crossing and the estuary. A very steep hill out of Chepstow had back wheels spinning on wet leaves.
Stopped in St Brevials for a fantastic lunch continuing on to Hereford and Symonds Yat where we took a short break to look at the great views.
The rain started coming down very heavily near Ludlow where we sheltered in the market place for the worst of it to pass - we shouldn't have bothered as it rained very heavily after that for the next 2 hours and we arrived late at the B&B like drowned rats.
Here we met up with Claire and Bee our stage 2 driving team who had travelled from Exeter, via Portishead where they picked up all the kit and on to Church Stretton.
Stopped in St Brevials for a fantastic lunch continuing on to Hereford and Symonds Yat where we took a short break to look at the great views.
The rain started coming down very heavily near Ludlow where we sheltered in the market place for the worst of it to pass - we shouldn't have bothered as it rained very heavily after that for the next 2 hours and we arrived late at the B&B like drowned rats.
Here we met up with Claire and Bee our stage 2 driving team who had travelled from Exeter, via Portishead where they picked up all the kit and on to Church Stretton.
Sunday, 19 June 2011
115 miles today
Well today we took a wrong turning and ending up visiting Weston Super Mare en-route. So that added an extra 10 miles. But ,we've arrived in Portishead at the end of day 2!
(Must get some pictures to you later.)
We've had a few interesting moments each morning. Everyone seems to disappear for a private ASSOS-cream moment. If you don't know what ASSOS is, look it up, and laugh.
Today started with the most fantastic tour over the top of Dartmoor. We were all at our fittest and flew along. After Dartmoor we then enjoyed the mostly flat terrain for a long long way north. Paul was the unlucky one who had to keep stopping for ponies and sheep.
Kathy, our first, and fantastic support driver, has now set off home. Kathy, from ALL of us, a thousand thanks.
We have eaten many many cakes and pasties. It is great being able to eat eat eat as much as you like. But, even then, it is not enough. In Lostwithiel, when we were exhausted, before eating our specially baked pasties, the cafe served up "Gentleman's Tea" - coffee + two cakes. (Or, in Tom's case, orange-and-mascarpone milk shake.)
(Must get some pictures to you later.)
We've had a few interesting moments each morning. Everyone seems to disappear for a private ASSOS-cream moment. If you don't know what ASSOS is, look it up, and laugh.
Today started with the most fantastic tour over the top of Dartmoor. We were all at our fittest and flew along. After Dartmoor we then enjoyed the mostly flat terrain for a long long way north. Paul was the unlucky one who had to keep stopping for ponies and sheep.
Kathy, our first, and fantastic support driver, has now set off home. Kathy, from ALL of us, a thousand thanks.
We have eaten many many cakes and pasties. It is great being able to eat eat eat as much as you like. But, even then, it is not enough. In Lostwithiel, when we were exhausted, before eating our specially baked pasties, the cafe served up "Gentleman's Tea" - coffee + two cakes. (Or, in Tom's case, orange-and-mascarpone milk shake.)
Very long day on Saturday
Saturday proved a very long day up through the many hills of Cornwall. We arrived at our hotel after 9pm, and by the time we'd eaten, had little energy left to blog.
More later...
More later...
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