Today we crossed from the west coast to the east: from Kyleakin on Skye passing the Dornoch Firth on the way to Lairg. It was another long day - 109 miles, while we were all very tired.
An excellent ride today - lots of fantastic scenery, including lochs, mountains, sheep and even oil platforms. The day started off very wet, but eventually the rain stopped allowing us to dry out and warm up. We had one particularly exciting decent from 250m above sea level down to a loch which included a rather 'exciting' section over a narrow bridge which necessitated emergency braking to avoid a collision with a rather mean looking wall.
Thankfully, we all escaped unscathed and without losing any skin - which may have been rather lucky considering the circumstances.
All tired - falling asleep on the bikes. Mike arranged a lunch for us, and moved things around in the truck so that the 4 of us could eat inside - heavy downfall and dive-bombing midges outside). Fantastic views and scenery in Sutherland - many highland cattle, sheep and lambs.
Sunday, 26 June 2011
Breakfast on Skye
We're just eating breakfast on day 9 in the small harbour town of Kyleakin on Skye.
We've had two great days island hopping up the west coast.
Arran was great. We had 1h20 to get to Lochranza and the next ferry. Thankfully the descent to Lochranza was very fast, and we got to the ferry 5 minutes before it departed.
We had even less time in Mull. In less than 1 hour we rode the few miles from Craignure to Fishnish and changed both wheels, tubes, and tyres on Tom's bike when one of his spokes broke.
Back on the mainland we landed at Lochaline. Where in the local shop there the lady refused to charge Mike at all when she heard about the bike ride, and the Save the Children ride. Thanks.
Arriving in Kyleakin the hostel owner rode out on his bike to meet us (at 9pm). It turns out in his youth, many years ago, he was a semi-pro rider. Amongst his claims to fame were having ridden 248 miles in 12 hours!
Today we cross the mainland heading towards Lairg.
We've had two great days island hopping up the west coast.
Arran was great. We had 1h20 to get to Lochranza and the next ferry. Thankfully the descent to Lochranza was very fast, and we got to the ferry 5 minutes before it departed.
We had even less time in Mull. In less than 1 hour we rode the few miles from Craignure to Fishnish and changed both wheels, tubes, and tyres on Tom's bike when one of his spokes broke.
Back on the mainland we landed at Lochaline. Where in the local shop there the lady refused to charge Mike at all when she heard about the bike ride, and the Save the Children ride. Thanks.
Arriving in Kyleakin the hostel owner rode out on his bike to meet us (at 9pm). It turns out in his youth, many years ago, he was a semi-pro rider. Amongst his claims to fame were having ridden 248 miles in 12 hours!
Today we cross the mainland heading towards Lairg.
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.
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