Mark's Epilogue

Well, it has been a bit of blur since returning from John O'Groats, getting straight back into work and catching up on some much needed socialising. I've only managed to get out for one proper ride since, before the nights started to draw in and the more hardcore cyclists hit the turbo. It's not half as much fun though, so I think I'll hibernate until spring and see what adventures next year brings.

I'd like to thank everyone who sponsored me for this challenge, your generosity has been most humbling and made every mile worthwhile. I ended up raising just shy of £4,000 for Brainwave, which was way beyond my expectations. Thank you all so much!

I'd also like to say a special thank you to our amazing support driver Wendie, who stepped in and saved us at the eleventh hour. Not only that, but her domestic goddess qualities allowed us to focus exclusively on the cycling. "Thanks Wend!"

It really was an awesome adventure, one which I'd certainly recommend to anyone. I've uploaded the photos from the week so you can relive our good times.

Day 7: Inverness to John O'Groats

Wow, what a day. According to my pretty elevation graphs today was meant to be a relatively easy 120 miles. I predicted rolling hills, gaining momentum to easily climb the next uphill; not continuous back-to-back 13% descents down to the coast and back up again!

We started out at Inverness at 8am, running late as usual, and headed over the Moray Firth. Our outstanding run of sun and blue skies stumbled today by introducing a few clouds into the equation, not that we can possibly complain, but the views across the Cromarty Firth still looked amazing (shipping forecast anyone?).

After our thirty mile break we encountered our first dose of light rain, which can only be attributed to why we rode straight past the Glenmorangie distillery. Fortunately the rain stopped but the cold northernly wind was still battering our already battered bodies. Heading further up the coast we took in the scenic Helmsdale, with its 13% downhill where Greg broke another spoke at 46mph on a 90-degree bend, and rode through the many 'ghost towns' of the north shore. The final stint toyed with us with many false summits and a long long climb, which was hardly necessary after 835 miles, then dropped us down through the bleak countryside into the heady heights of John O'Groats, where our outstandingly supportive support driver and chef Wendie met us with a bottle of Champagne!

Final stats: 846 miles; average speed of 16.3 mph; total riding time of 52h 5m 10s.

Epilogues to follow after these beers have been drunk and we get home to a real internet connection! Thanks for reading, you've been a lovely audience.

Day 6: Glenfarg to Inverness

Woo Hoo, I can't believe that we have completed day 6. Yet another 120+ miles in the bag. Yet another hundred weight of porridge consumed. Yet another 7 litres of high carb liquids drank. Yet another dose of delirium setting in at the 90 mile mark. Yet another corner shops worth of ceral bars eaten etc. etc.

This, our penultimate day started very pleasantly at Donald and Barbara's with a veritable feast laid on of, yes you guessed it, porridge. In their defence they did offer the full cooked breakfast experience but the ogre in the group, (me) said NO we will resist. This was to the chagrin of Dave who did looked quite depressed. A compromise was reached and toast and coffee was expertly prepared.

Riding started at 8:00 am and for once we were treated to a long downhill through forest in the cold and beautiful early morning sunshine. Once again 30 miles came and went fairly quickly but this being our 6th day, the spectre of fatigue was only round the corner.

Perth was the first major town we encountered and what a lovely town it is. We then followed the river Tay to Pitlochry through some stunning scenery. This was by now the furthest north anybody in the group had been.

The hardest part of the day was having to cycle against a 10 mph head-wind again. For anybody who has been on a bike recently you would know how much harder it makes it. On top of this we had to go over the Drumochter Pass (1400 ft). Not a problem normally but with the head-wind a pain in the a**. This extra effort made the next 50 miles hard-work and we all had to dig deep to complete the day.

The last section was made up of 10 miles of flowing downhill which we, as a peloton were able to achieve an average of 38 mph. A peloton is when you group together very closely so we resembled a 3 headed, six wheeled beast!

I have to say I can't wait to see Mr John O'Groats and shake his hand. Immediately after I just might set fire to my bike.

Stats for the day:

Miles - 123
Average speed 16.1
Top speed 42.7 - Greg

Day 5: Gretna to Glanfarg

Day 5 has been a struggle.

We made an early start in Gretna leaving about 07.30. We wore a few extra layers to keep warm and put lights on the bike so we could get through town traffic - in the end we saw only a handful of cars for the first hour of cycling. It's a different world.

The Scottish roads started off really well with smooth cycle paths and lots of signposts. We then crossed into West Lothian and everything changed, I can still feel my teeth rattling.

By 9.30am we had already covered 30 miles ... by 12.09 we had covered 62 miles but I was already feeling tired and my legs were complaining (Greg says it is is psychological!). Beans on toast again for lunch - this time with a bit of chilli and worcester sauce to spice it up.

We pushed on and reached 75 miles. At 82 miles we had a brief stop to fill drinks with a fantastic view across a Loch. Chasing the clock as always we struggled onto the outskirts of Edinburgh and across the Forth Road Bridge at 96 miles and 16.00.

We should have managed our stops better in terms of fluids and food - but again we were chasing the clock and we missed our 'proper' 90 mile stop and all our energy levels dropped. So in the end we literally counted down to the 120 mile mark and pulled into the curb in Glenfarg. It was our scheduled stopping point but we struggled to the end.

This evening we are staying with Donald in Dollar. We were met with warm Scottish pies then back to Donald's for tea and a trip to the local pub for some real ale.

I feel like sleeping in tomorrow, but with 2 days and ONLY 240 miles to go we must push on and head for a Sunday evening finish.

Donald let slip that Greg thought "... as an old man Dave might struggle ..." - I won't disagree yet and the whole thing is a struggle, but who'd have thought we get to day 5 still on schedule and north of Edinburgh.

Day 4: Warrington to Gretna

After an interesting night spent in Golborne's Premier Inn's car park, where the local scallies serenaded us to sleep with car horns next door in McDonalds, we had a tardy 8am start taking the local beauty spots of Wigan and Preston. Fortunately the day improved with a great ride along the A6 through Lancaster and Kendal heading into the Lakes.

We mentally and physically recharged ourselves with an awesome chorizo omelette before tackling the much fabled Shap Fell. It began with a great scenic wind up the hills overlooking some amazing views of the Lakes, then increased the gradient for a final long grind to the top. All three of us made the ascent, slightly surprised that Shap didn't have more pain in store than it actually unleashed.

Penrith was next, were we met my folks who had kindly popped over to cheer us on. Coffee and cake was had, then Greg and Dave boosted their nutritional diet with a quick KFC Zinger meal. Sacrilege. A final picturesque stretch of the A6 was next, then Carisle, and finally crossing the Scottish border getting into Gretna just before sunset. Fortunately Dave still had time to wed his Russian bride that he bought on the internet.

A long day, but a good one. We're over halfway now, only Scotland to go!

Day 3: Tewkesbury to Warrington

We started yet another long day at 6:00am with the obligatory kilo of porridge washed down with peanuts and granola bars (nice). I think I speak for everyone in stating that Mr Scots Porridge won't be getting much business from this collective post event!

Our first 20 miles seemed to come and go very quickly and before we knew it we were ticking off places very quickly taking in Worcester, Kidderminster and ending up in the West Midlands at Gailey Island where we met up with friends, family and colleagues for a lunch stop. A special mention goes to Dave for managing to spill his beans. I didn't realise he didn't like them ;) Of course, I also have to mention my boy Isaac who did his best to injure himself by throwing himself at me and bouncing off onto the car park!

The only comment I have about the ease of the day is that it wasn't. It was supposed to be according to the stats but they don't mention the head-winds do they!

So, yet another 120 miles clocked up but we're trying not to feel smug about it because we all know what terrors lie in wait tomorrow. Yes, that's right, SHAPFELL. The nightmare beast looms large and lies in wait to smite us against it's gritty face. Will we survive to complete our goal? Or will we lie crumpled and defeated in the foothills?

Greg

P.S I have to say that the true hero of our trip is Wendie who at short notice agreed to drive but has exceeded this initial promise. She has been our mother, washer, cook and all round good-egg. Thanks Wend!

Day 2: Exeter to Tewkesbury

We've managed about 126 miles today.

Left Exeter at around 7.45am and quickly covered the first 20 miles. Only one puncture today to slow us down (Mark again!) - but Greg has a slightly buckled wheel and Dave broke a spoke.

A few steep climbs - one up to the Clifton suspension bridge where we were met by (even more) of Greg's relatives.

Cycling at speed and long distances we tend to focus on the road - but Greg and Dave did see a cow giving birth in a field (standing up).

Greg had a bit of road rage on a Mercedes driver who took exception to Greg's cycling in Gloucester.

Statistics: Distance - 126miles, average speed - 17mph, top speed - 38.9mph (Mark), chaffing - none

Interesting fact: Mark cleans his rims

Day 1: Land's End to Exeter

A misty and drizzly start saw us off from Land's End with all the fanfare one could expect at 8am on a Monday morning. The A30 lulled us in with a few nice country lanes before dropping a dual-carriageway bombshell on us for the majority of the 120 mile stage.

Riding on the half metre 'hard shoulder' full of debris and cats eyes resulted in an outstanding four punctures and the obligatory broken spoke for Greg. 120 miles of obstacle course and brushing with lorries later, we finally arrived in sunny Exeter.

Tomorrow Tewkesbury, then the world.

Past the point of no return

Tomorrow is the day!

Cycles checked, shopping bought, washing done, house cleaned ... now it's just the nervous countdown. Must get some sleep tonight - we'll need it :-(

Last Minute Problems

Those last minute problems are rolling in.

We seem to have survived theft, damage (Greg is too heavy for his bike) and mishap (Mark's map reading). Now at the final hurdle and starting to get anxious. How many miles a day??

I am now doing final fixes / updates to my bike and all the required equipment i ordered has just arrived - yes today, with one day to spare! Nothing like leaving it to the last minute :-(

Big thanks to all our sponsors so far - i now feel I HAVE to complete (or at least get to the start).

Stranded in the saddle!

What a spellbinding drama this event is turning out to be. With Mark's theft of his bikes and the frantic searching for a replacement at the end of the cycling season, we have now had the unfortunate news that our support driver can't support us with any driving! So dear readers, we are frantically looking for an alternative which I may find closer to home than I think! Watch this space.

Route elevation

Thanks to various GPX tools, we now have elevation graphs for each stage:

Stage 1
Climb: 2,554m
Descent: 2,585m

Stage 2
Climb: 1,837m
Descent: 1,851m

Stage 3
Climb: 1,452m
Descent: 1,435m

Stage 4
Climb: 1,993m
Descent: 2,023m

Stage 5
Climb: 2,132m
Descent: 1,985m

Stage 6
Climb: 2,558m
Descent: 2,558m

Stage 7
Climb: 2,450m
Descent: 2,616m

This gives a total climb of 14,976m and descent of 15,053m. Some people struggle cycling 15km, let alone vertically!

Route is online

After much pain with various route planning websites, the route is finally online:

• Stage 1: Land's End to Exeter
• Stage 2: Exeter to Tewkesbury
• Stage 3: Tewkesbury to Warrington
• Stage 4: Warrington to Gretna
• Stage 5: Gretna to Glenfarg
• Stage 6: Glenfarg to Inverness
• Stage 7: Inverness to John O'Groats

We decided to use Gmaps Pedometer as it was the easiest to use, could follow roads and was far less buggy than the surprisingly broken Google Maps. Our first attempt by Greg, who plotted the entire 840 miles, later discovered that it had only saved the first 175 miles. Naturally, presuming that it was Greg at fault rather than the website, I also spent a long evening plotting the route, only to discover that it was indeed a known bug. Thus I opted for plotting each of the 120 mile stages separately.

We settled on the Cracknell-Romero route since it was more up-to-date than the CTC one we intended to use, and still weighs in at a zippy 842 miles. We'll be tweaking the exact start and end points of each stage depending on convenient places to park the motorhome, but it shouldn't change too much now.

The Hills

The 3 of got together on Saturday 15th August for a 120 mile ride. As usual Mark sped off into the distance (whippet!), Greg plodded along in top gear and I chased along at the back sweating (nice!).

We started a little late - due to my alarm clock and an accident on the M6. 120 miles is a long day and we didn't finish until just after 9pm as darkness was already with us (and only I bothered to take lights). I'm used to Cambridge hills - so going into the Cotswolds was a horrific experience.

We averaged just over 15mph which was our target and only Greg, as usual, had a few mishaps. E.g. 2 x punctures and a broken spoke. Back to the bike shop for Greg!

Here's a couple of photos of him repairing his bike and looking increasingly unhappy :-)

Bikeless in Birmingham

Lance Armstrong once said, "It's Not About the Bike", but I don't think this profound statement was the thought echoing around the vast empty cavernous minds of the unscrupulous characters who relieved me of mine last Thursday night.

With just over a month to go before the End-to-End Challenge, it was a rather unapt time to lose my Giant Defy 2 and Boardman Hybrid Comp to say the least, putting my training on hold for a whole weight-gaining performance-dwindling week.

Fortunately though, they are insured, and I've managed to source myself a new stallion to take me on my adventure. It felt good to get out tonight and start getting some miles back into the legs. It's not all about the bike; but it certainly helps.

Sponsorship pages are live

After much procrastination, Team IIZUKA's sponsorship pages are finally live!

We decided upon having separate JustGiving pages for each team member, rather than a single one for the team. This was because everyone had a charity in mind that was personal to them but JustGiving only supports donating to a single charity per page.

So without further ado, please sponsor Dave, Greg and Mark!