Day ten is labelled as the day of grumpy men. It's been the best day so far!
Why should we be grumpy? Fatigue possibly, but it's the roads to Hamilton are so bumpy. if you use a road bike you may not like the riverside paths either which went for 30 miles.
Today we have been on the best of tracks and roads; and the worst! A cycle path in red asphalt laid as if for a photo-shoot for Prince William! In contrast a dual carriageway where the tarmac was damaged as if by heavy industrial haulage. The first is so smooth; the second is uncomfortable for every degree of grip placed on the handlebars, and weight placed on the saddle.
The route was the simplest so far. The cycle routes 75 and 7 around Glasgow are really good quality. The only reason to dismount today was when you saw no way through the broken glass behind some of the old housing estates. Glasgow is glorious in the sunshine on the route we took, all the way to Loch Lomond. The old and new architecture and housing estates on the edge of the Clyde are worth a visit. To travel with my Aberdeen companion who knows some of the history and places was the icing on the cake. It made 80 miles seem easy. We were in beautiful Balloch by 1730. The lovely landlady is doing our washing.
Grahan also knows Balloch very well since he visits here each year. So he showed me the sights before taking me to a favourite eating venue. We will ride up on the western side of Loch Lomond tomorrow on what is regarded as the most scenic of all the days. And the forecast is as good if not better than today. It was comfortable in a short-sleeve top from lunchtime.
Thought for the day: What are the essential requirements for a Minister of Transport?
I think they should keep a log of how much time they spend on each form of transport, and express it as percentages to be available under the Freedom of Information Act. So you would know if they walked, cycled, used buses or trains, travelled in cars, planes and boats.
If a member of the Royal Family, or Alec Salmond, were to do the End-to-End, you can bet all the surfaces would be pristine and swept from stone chippings and glass. Prince Harry was talking about bringing the USA Warrior Games over to the UK. Those modified bikes/trikes could do a significant part of this course, but the surfaces would have to be freer of blemishes.
When everything else is considered, most of the route could not be faulted. After all the worst surface around is Eaton Bray High Street northbound. Unless you know otherwise?
Onward and upwards into the Highlands.
Wednesday, 22 May 2013
Monday, 20 May 2013
Day 8: Condor Green to Keswick. Come on the scenery!
We have seen beautiful places so far, and wonderful gardens with combinations of spring and summer blooms. The wind and rain hadn't removed all the blossom. Today promises to be warmer than anything so far and our route notes encourage us to enjoy the scenery. Most of today's climbing will be at the end of the day after we have done 50 miles. Time to get the cameras clicking, while we go slower.
The Mill at Condor Green is a place to consider for a midweek stay. I think they spoil us at the mid-point of the tour. I don't know what it would cost. We pay Peak Tours Ltd up front, three months ahead, and then everything except our lunchtime drinks, and eveningmeals is paid for. Why not a weekend at the Mill? Well there was a wedding party! So noise down below woke me at 2330. And I can turn my good ear to the pillow and hear nothing. My fellow travellers if light sleepers can struggle. Then at 0300 hrs, a knock on the door! Did the tour need a doctor? No: an older lady in her pyjamas, looked at me, and said "sorry, wrong door!", and wandered down the corridor to speak loudly to A N Other male in the next doorway.
So my sister and I enjoyed a superb dinner at a reasonable price in a lovely atmosphere overlooking a canal lock.
The conversation at breakfast was about the nocturnal lady visitor "in her cups" looking for her husband locked in one of the rooms in a worse state than her. On descending to our breakfast, it was our turn to disturb her as she was curled up on a sofa. She remained looking disoriented when we passed by to pack our bags.
Our journey took us out on a pleasant track beside the estuary. Today was a reminder of my wife, Sue's history in her teens. First we climbed through Carnforth where the Mother House of the Benedictine Nuns who ran the Convent School in Westcliffe on Sea. She had a good education, with long-lasting contacts maintained with some of the nuns. As we approached Keswick, we shared the narrow roads in Windermere with a marathon. Not a great combination. The next reminder of Sue's special events was Castlerigg, where she had special Christian Camps run by leaders back in Southend. As I got to know Sue back in 1975, i met several of these leaders and special friends from the Castlerigg camps. Today would have been a goog day for Sue to be in Carnforth on a retreat.
Meanwhile we continue going forward. We will cross the border at Gretna, and then expect the road surfaces to wreak havoc with our tyres. That's some reputation for the Scots to remedy. We have become connoiseurs of road surfaces on this holiday. Holiday? Yes, and it's good to be travelling with this group of 20 Peak Tour clients and the three leaders.
The Mill at Condor Green is a place to consider for a midweek stay. I think they spoil us at the mid-point of the tour. I don't know what it would cost. We pay Peak Tours Ltd up front, three months ahead, and then everything except our lunchtime drinks, and eveningmeals is paid for. Why not a weekend at the Mill? Well there was a wedding party! So noise down below woke me at 2330. And I can turn my good ear to the pillow and hear nothing. My fellow travellers if light sleepers can struggle. Then at 0300 hrs, a knock on the door! Did the tour need a doctor? No: an older lady in her pyjamas, looked at me, and said "sorry, wrong door!", and wandered down the corridor to speak loudly to A N Other male in the next doorway.
So my sister and I enjoyed a superb dinner at a reasonable price in a lovely atmosphere overlooking a canal lock.
The conversation at breakfast was about the nocturnal lady visitor "in her cups" looking for her husband locked in one of the rooms in a worse state than her. On descending to our breakfast, it was our turn to disturb her as she was curled up on a sofa. She remained looking disoriented when we passed by to pack our bags.
Our journey took us out on a pleasant track beside the estuary. Today was a reminder of my wife, Sue's history in her teens. First we climbed through Carnforth where the Mother House of the Benedictine Nuns who ran the Convent School in Westcliffe on Sea. She had a good education, with long-lasting contacts maintained with some of the nuns. As we approached Keswick, we shared the narrow roads in Windermere with a marathon. Not a great combination. The next reminder of Sue's special events was Castlerigg, where she had special Christian Camps run by leaders back in Southend. As I got to know Sue back in 1975, i met several of these leaders and special friends from the Castlerigg camps. Today would have been a goog day for Sue to be in Carnforth on a retreat.
Meanwhile we continue going forward. We will cross the border at Gretna, and then expect the road surfaces to wreak havoc with our tyres. That's some reputation for the Scots to remedy. We have become connoiseurs of road surfaces on this holiday. Holiday? Yes, and it's good to be travelling with this group of 20 Peak Tour clients and the three leaders.
Day 9 reflections; facts and feelings
I asked Sue if there were ways to improve the blogs, and the request to attach photos came from her. My technophobia and ignorance prevents me doing that. On the converse, Sue says it's easy for people to make comments on the blog, but Stephen commented that he hadn't managed to! So ask Sue how she does it if you wish to add your comments. Stephen responded that I was conveying facts on the trip but not my feelings; Sue answered him that that's how I write. From our 120 or so air letters when we were engaged and I was in Nepal for a year writing three times a week, she understands my usual style! From the age of 7 years, I was at boarding school n Sussex, while my parents were in Africa serving in the Colonial Service; each week I had to write a letter to my parents. I didn't express emotions in those letters. The letters were vetted (I think), but the necessary family lifestyle didn't lend itself to closeness, but did my parents' generation express feelings? The British "stiff upper lip" ruled in our home.
I will endeavour to add this blog as an expression of my feelings. You may wish to avoid the next section and jump to Keswick to Moffat. I don't normally talk much about my faith, but I can't mention one without the other.
Trepidation is how I felt as I made my booking with Peak Tours and paid my deposit, and the balance three months before the start date. Would my health and strength be up to it? Then as the winter worsened in March, the lack of preparation counted in miles on the saddle began to be a concern. Meanwhile the 60th birthday in March led to charity links being set up, and with the publicity, came more impetus to training.
As a teenager I cycled round East Anglia with my older brother, Ian. We youth-hostelled, and stayed with relatives in Norwich. Another time, the longest distance I did was 92 miles from Ross-on-Wye to Gerrards Cross along the A40, and home to Hornchurch the next day across London. From school at half-term exeat I cycled from Godalming to home up the A3. So in mid-April 2013, a training weekend in the Peak district of 65 and 35 miles over steep hills was an encouragement since I hadn't done the distance since my teens, and I had certainly not done hills of this nature.
My worst cycling experience occurred ten years after my Father's death. I cycled into St Helier in Jersey on his old road bike with drop handlebars, and on the long descent on Grouville hill, the rear wheel got wobble. If you applied the brake the wobble worsened. There were two roads entering at the foot of the hill, and a right angle bend to the left at the bottom. I was not dressed for a tumble on the tarmac. In the end I just took that corner at reduced speed without coming off, but these bikes can go fast, and I do not enjoy speed when I feel vulnerable. I am a plodder, and feel safe.
The week after the Sheffield weekend I was back at work but was more than usually tired. Could I handle 14 days without a break? I had chosen the Peak Tours through chatting to Tim Isitt who I work with on Friday mornings. He had done the End-to-End last September and shared his experience with me.
Why did I want to do it? What sort of retirement lifestyle did I contemplate? How could I stay healthy?
My Best Man's eldest boy is our Godson. Aged 15, Lewis and another friend cycled it unsupported. A few years later, Lewis' younger brother, Ben, (6ft 8 inches and parkour fan) wanted to do it in reverse. Lewis went with him and gave up after a day, since Ben was too fast! Last year Ben rode across the USA in 13 days unsupported (3,500 miles). He is now training in the Marines.
Graham, my Best Man, in a Skype at Christmas from the Isle of Man, expressed an interest in joining me. Stephen, our son also said he would ike to. But when my month-off after retirement dates were set, May worked for me, but not for the others. Perhaps Sue will come if there is a next time?! Today she cycled 9 miles in 54 minutes. That's about the speed we are doing!
Retirement is a huge event, and although I expect to be back at work in June, our lifestyle will change, and when Sue retires we might spend more time overseas again, if there was a place our gifts and skills could be used, even in short, regular visits. People who vegetate in retirement get depressed and often die young. Is there a work one gets called to? I think so.
As a teenager, i had a couple of narrow escapes from death. I had anaphylaxis on one occasion, and another time I tried to extinguish the boarding house fire at school. It was the main fuse box on fire, and in the dense smoke I turned a water extinguisher at the root of the fire. Don't try it! Water and electricity is a bad combination. I happened to have thick rubber gym shoes on when this antic happened. Although from a Christian family, I had to question what I believed, and make that step of faith myself in response to the finished work of Jesus.
Behind life is love, not chance. Love hurts. it is commitment. Giving love hurts. Those who love will be hurt. We need to love those who are hurting. But our own morality values, we fail to keep. That's where an Almighty, Creator God reveals Himself as Redeemer. It leaves us with questions on evil and suffering, but Jesus has been right to the depths for us, to lift us up.
There are books and stories which move me to tears. "Dogger" by Shirley Hughes, and "Treasures of the snow" by Patricia St John are two that come to mind. Both childrens' books but both with a redemptive message. Real life situations too. In my valedictory lecture I dedicated my talk on Patient Safety to Mel & Craig. Ten years ago Mel became paralysed from the neck down just months after Sue had assisted at her second boy's birth. To celebrate Mel's 40th birthday was an amazing experience, as she speaks through blinking her spelling of the alphabet. Love conquers suffering.
In our work, we often find the folk with the greatest suffering are the most positive people. One of the huge privileges of our job is to stand or sit alongside these folk at critical times of their lives.
A couple of months ago I came across a poem by Anne Johnson Flint which I had heard years ago. It became well-known in WWII. (I was born a few years later!).
***
Anne Johnson Flint 1866-1932
Orphaned at 6, arthritic from teens, in great pain and loss of independence she focused on Jesus.
He giveth more grace when the burdens grow greater,
He sendeth more strength when the labours increase.
To added affliction He addeth His mercy,
To multiplied trials, His multiplied peace.
chorus:-
His love has no limit,
His grace has no measure,
His power has no boundary
Known unto men;
For out of His infinite riches in Jesus,
He giveth, and giveth,
And giveth again.
When we have exhausted our store of endurance,
When our strength has failed ere the day is half done,
When we reach the end of our hoarded resources,
Our Father's full giving is only begun.
*******
As I stepped up to do this End-to-End at the start of my retirement, and the next phase of our lives, I don't expect life to be easy. But I don't tackle it alone. Spiritual pilgrimages often have a degree of physical hardship. I don't chat much in the saddle because my hearing isn't up to it. My eyes are mainly focused on the road ahead. With the physical limitations I have, which won't diminish, I want my life to count. The charities are a part of that. We can each make a difference.
For me, Jesus Christ turned my life around 45 years ago and more. In my life i want to live in His love, and serve and obey. He is the Risen Lord, and eternity is where He reigns. First, I have received. I am in a position to give, while continuing to receive. That's why I value the church community I belong to. And I've missed them for three weeks doing this End-to-end. But I know folk are praying for me, and making that difference for me.
I will endeavour to add this blog as an expression of my feelings. You may wish to avoid the next section and jump to Keswick to Moffat. I don't normally talk much about my faith, but I can't mention one without the other.
Trepidation is how I felt as I made my booking with Peak Tours and paid my deposit, and the balance three months before the start date. Would my health and strength be up to it? Then as the winter worsened in March, the lack of preparation counted in miles on the saddle began to be a concern. Meanwhile the 60th birthday in March led to charity links being set up, and with the publicity, came more impetus to training.
As a teenager I cycled round East Anglia with my older brother, Ian. We youth-hostelled, and stayed with relatives in Norwich. Another time, the longest distance I did was 92 miles from Ross-on-Wye to Gerrards Cross along the A40, and home to Hornchurch the next day across London. From school at half-term exeat I cycled from Godalming to home up the A3. So in mid-April 2013, a training weekend in the Peak district of 65 and 35 miles over steep hills was an encouragement since I hadn't done the distance since my teens, and I had certainly not done hills of this nature.
My worst cycling experience occurred ten years after my Father's death. I cycled into St Helier in Jersey on his old road bike with drop handlebars, and on the long descent on Grouville hill, the rear wheel got wobble. If you applied the brake the wobble worsened. There were two roads entering at the foot of the hill, and a right angle bend to the left at the bottom. I was not dressed for a tumble on the tarmac. In the end I just took that corner at reduced speed without coming off, but these bikes can go fast, and I do not enjoy speed when I feel vulnerable. I am a plodder, and feel safe.
The week after the Sheffield weekend I was back at work but was more than usually tired. Could I handle 14 days without a break? I had chosen the Peak Tours through chatting to Tim Isitt who I work with on Friday mornings. He had done the End-to-End last September and shared his experience with me.
Why did I want to do it? What sort of retirement lifestyle did I contemplate? How could I stay healthy?
My Best Man's eldest boy is our Godson. Aged 15, Lewis and another friend cycled it unsupported. A few years later, Lewis' younger brother, Ben, (6ft 8 inches and parkour fan) wanted to do it in reverse. Lewis went with him and gave up after a day, since Ben was too fast! Last year Ben rode across the USA in 13 days unsupported (3,500 miles). He is now training in the Marines.
Graham, my Best Man, in a Skype at Christmas from the Isle of Man, expressed an interest in joining me. Stephen, our son also said he would ike to. But when my month-off after retirement dates were set, May worked for me, but not for the others. Perhaps Sue will come if there is a next time?! Today she cycled 9 miles in 54 minutes. That's about the speed we are doing!
Retirement is a huge event, and although I expect to be back at work in June, our lifestyle will change, and when Sue retires we might spend more time overseas again, if there was a place our gifts and skills could be used, even in short, regular visits. People who vegetate in retirement get depressed and often die young. Is there a work one gets called to? I think so.
As a teenager, i had a couple of narrow escapes from death. I had anaphylaxis on one occasion, and another time I tried to extinguish the boarding house fire at school. It was the main fuse box on fire, and in the dense smoke I turned a water extinguisher at the root of the fire. Don't try it! Water and electricity is a bad combination. I happened to have thick rubber gym shoes on when this antic happened. Although from a Christian family, I had to question what I believed, and make that step of faith myself in response to the finished work of Jesus.
Behind life is love, not chance. Love hurts. it is commitment. Giving love hurts. Those who love will be hurt. We need to love those who are hurting. But our own morality values, we fail to keep. That's where an Almighty, Creator God reveals Himself as Redeemer. It leaves us with questions on evil and suffering, but Jesus has been right to the depths for us, to lift us up.
There are books and stories which move me to tears. "Dogger" by Shirley Hughes, and "Treasures of the snow" by Patricia St John are two that come to mind. Both childrens' books but both with a redemptive message. Real life situations too. In my valedictory lecture I dedicated my talk on Patient Safety to Mel & Craig. Ten years ago Mel became paralysed from the neck down just months after Sue had assisted at her second boy's birth. To celebrate Mel's 40th birthday was an amazing experience, as she speaks through blinking her spelling of the alphabet. Love conquers suffering.
In our work, we often find the folk with the greatest suffering are the most positive people. One of the huge privileges of our job is to stand or sit alongside these folk at critical times of their lives.
A couple of months ago I came across a poem by Anne Johnson Flint which I had heard years ago. It became well-known in WWII. (I was born a few years later!).
***
Anne Johnson Flint 1866-1932
Orphaned at 6, arthritic from teens, in great pain and loss of independence she focused on Jesus.
He giveth more grace when the burdens grow greater,
He sendeth more strength when the labours increase.
To added affliction He addeth His mercy,
To multiplied trials, His multiplied peace.
chorus:-
His love has no limit,
His grace has no measure,
His power has no boundary
Known unto men;
For out of His infinite riches in Jesus,
He giveth, and giveth,
And giveth again.
When we have exhausted our store of endurance,
When our strength has failed ere the day is half done,
When we reach the end of our hoarded resources,
Our Father's full giving is only begun.
*******
As I stepped up to do this End-to-End at the start of my retirement, and the next phase of our lives, I don't expect life to be easy. But I don't tackle it alone. Spiritual pilgrimages often have a degree of physical hardship. I don't chat much in the saddle because my hearing isn't up to it. My eyes are mainly focused on the road ahead. With the physical limitations I have, which won't diminish, I want my life to count. The charities are a part of that. We can each make a difference.
For me, Jesus Christ turned my life around 45 years ago and more. In my life i want to live in His love, and serve and obey. He is the Risen Lord, and eternity is where He reigns. First, I have received. I am in a position to give, while continuing to receive. That's why I value the church community I belong to. And I've missed them for three weeks doing this End-to-end. But I know folk are praying for me, and making that difference for me.
Day 9: riding into Scotland: Keswick to Moffat via Gretna.
We took minor roads over the hills out of Keswick. On the open unwalled wild areas it was amazing to hear the songs of so many birds that were hiding at ground level. It was quite a descent into Scotland on a road running parallel to the M6.
The old wedding office looks derelict now at Gretna. We had lunch next door to it before pressing on. Pressing on expresses it. The rain in Keswick stopped at 0830 as we got our bikes out. We saw no blue sky all day. It was the humidity later in the day that got us to shed the top layer for the first time on the journey. But I did find the last hour hard on the rougher surfaces. The roads were not as bad as I had expected, apart from in Lochmaben. During the day my spokes began to make "chiming, twanging " noises. Arriving at the B&B, Lee checked and tightened several on what was a new wheel ten days ago!
80 miles will take us through Glasgow tomorrow. I just had a text from a friend from Exeter who is also doing the journey by the shortest route with another medical colleague. They plan to do it in a week, started after us, will probably finish before us, and clocked up 162 miles in one day from Shrewsbury northwards. That's not for me; i hope they enjoy the scenery! Our route is beautiful. Moffat is surrounded by lots of rolling hills. We have to go over one of them on the way to Glasgow. My SatNav and maps are working, but at the end of the last two days the battery is down to < 15%. How do those keenies cope who are on the saddle for longer than 8 hrs in the day? Do they carry a spare?! I suppose if you keep to the major non-motorway routes, you probably don't need the OS map picture up the whole time.
The leaders are honest with us. If you get to Glastonbury, you will be likely to finish the course. But at day ten you could have a bunch of grumpy men. Fatigue is setting in for many, but spirits are high as we will face northerly breezes in two days time! I'm grateful it's not been too hot.
The old wedding office looks derelict now at Gretna. We had lunch next door to it before pressing on. Pressing on expresses it. The rain in Keswick stopped at 0830 as we got our bikes out. We saw no blue sky all day. It was the humidity later in the day that got us to shed the top layer for the first time on the journey. But I did find the last hour hard on the rougher surfaces. The roads were not as bad as I had expected, apart from in Lochmaben. During the day my spokes began to make "chiming, twanging " noises. Arriving at the B&B, Lee checked and tightened several on what was a new wheel ten days ago!
80 miles will take us through Glasgow tomorrow. I just had a text from a friend from Exeter who is also doing the journey by the shortest route with another medical colleague. They plan to do it in a week, started after us, will probably finish before us, and clocked up 162 miles in one day from Shrewsbury northwards. That's not for me; i hope they enjoy the scenery! Our route is beautiful. Moffat is surrounded by lots of rolling hills. We have to go over one of them on the way to Glasgow. My SatNav and maps are working, but at the end of the last two days the battery is down to < 15%. How do those keenies cope who are on the saddle for longer than 8 hrs in the day? Do they carry a spare?! I suppose if you keep to the major non-motorway routes, you probably don't need the OS map picture up the whole time.
The leaders are honest with us. If you get to Glastonbury, you will be likely to finish the course. But at day ten you could have a bunch of grumpy men. Fatigue is setting in for many, but spirits are high as we will face northerly breezes in two days time! I'm grateful it's not been too hot.
Saturday, 18 May 2013
Day7: half-way! Runcorn to Condor Green
The Holiday Inn was busy with two weddings so the sweaty cyclists mixing didn't work so well. The receptionists didn't pass on to the managers, requests like "can we have breakfast before 0730?". Graham had his daughter's young family to see at our evening destination, so he wanted to arrive early; you can't arrive early from a 70 mile trip unless you start early! I decided to keep him company as our legs seem capable of similar feats, and his navigation is good. So we left at 0745 about 45 minutes before everyone else.
We reached the Black Dog at Belmont for lunch having ascended into chilly cloud. They unlocked the place for us and the road bike folk were there five minutes later. Graham and I kept ahead the whole time, and still got our morning and afternoon van-stops. Graham says he could manage without: I couldn't! Standard fare for me is hot chocolate followed by water, with a banana or apple, dried fruit and nuts, fig roll, and perhaps a biscuit or two...! - morning & afternoon!
Lunch was sandwiches and pasta with a litre of orange and bitter lemon, and now I'm anticipating my sister driving from her home in Clitheroe to join me for dinner. The specials look very tempting.
We passed about 8 miles from Clitheroe. As we descended to Blackburn, we passed Ewood Park where as a family almost 20 years ago we watched Rovers play Man United. The city was much warmer than the hills.
I've been thinking about metabolism as we've journeyed. Both Graham and Philip make do with much lighter meals than me. Philip is slight of build, but Graham is taller than me with a slimmer large frame. I don't know how they start energetic days without more intake.
My sister did arrive before 1800 and we have had a delicious meal. There is a wedding party here tonight too!
My legs have stiffened up more tonight so i'm going to bed, to be fresh for tomorrow,'s venture north into Cumbria. Good night!
We reached the Black Dog at Belmont for lunch having ascended into chilly cloud. They unlocked the place for us and the road bike folk were there five minutes later. Graham and I kept ahead the whole time, and still got our morning and afternoon van-stops. Graham says he could manage without: I couldn't! Standard fare for me is hot chocolate followed by water, with a banana or apple, dried fruit and nuts, fig roll, and perhaps a biscuit or two...! - morning & afternoon!
Lunch was sandwiches and pasta with a litre of orange and bitter lemon, and now I'm anticipating my sister driving from her home in Clitheroe to join me for dinner. The specials look very tempting.
We passed about 8 miles from Clitheroe. As we descended to Blackburn, we passed Ewood Park where as a family almost 20 years ago we watched Rovers play Man United. The city was much warmer than the hills.
I've been thinking about metabolism as we've journeyed. Both Graham and Philip make do with much lighter meals than me. Philip is slight of build, but Graham is taller than me with a slimmer large frame. I don't know how they start energetic days without more intake.
My sister did arrive before 1800 and we have had a delicious meal. There is a wedding party here tonight too!
My legs have stiffened up more tonight so i'm going to bed, to be fresh for tomorrow,'s venture north into Cumbria. Good night!
Friday, 17 May 2013
Day: Clun to Runcorn.
I slept well for 4.5hrs, then lay awake thinking of things to write in the blog! Oh dear! I did get back to sleep and got further rest. The mileage today is over 80 miles, and we are heading for the Holiday Inn next to the motorway. We don't intend to join it! But there is lots of traffic at the end of the day in the Friday rush hour when we will be tired. I have to remember to disengage my SPD shoe from the left pedal at every junction. It should be 2nd nature now after 2 weeks and 500 miles of riding. Hopefully the habit will stick.
If you think this cyclist knows alot about bikes, you are wrong! I am a non- DIY mechanic, and an ignoramus about bikes. I haven't discovered what SPD stands for; there is a huge variety of clip-on pedal/shoe combinations even amongst those on the tour. I have a raised metal "triangle" on the ball of each shoe which is laterally and medially shielded by the plastic of the sole, so I can walk up the steep inclines and elsewhere without damaging the mechanism. Just walk carefull across cattle-grids if you have to! I push-off with my right foot which is great where we drive on the left of the road. I would be uncomfortable and "cack-handed" with my feet in Europe. I engage my right shoe so it is clipped in, and on pedalling i have to get the SPD side of the pedal on top for engagement. Sometimes it's a bit of a fiddle. The advantage is that pedalling is no longer power on the downstroke, but also in the forward and backward parts of each pedal rotation. It's a cyclist's version of fuel-injected turbo charge! Am I going faster? Maybe. Do I do better on the steep ascents? I think so. In wet weather my shoes don't slip unpredictably. That's a huge plus. The underside of the SPD pedal for me is flat, so I could use trainers. Some have double-sided SPDs. How do you disengage the SPD? You swing the ankle outwards about 25 degrees, and it unclips. The mechanism can be adjusted for snugness. I have the right firmer than the left. At dismount I have to remember what to do with the right ankle, or the whole bike moves with my right leg-raise - panniers and all!
Well at 1645 Graham and I turned into the Holiday Inn at Runcorn, having added a couple of miles to the route when we got lost near Horseman's Green. Today was a much flatter day after we had climbed north out of Clun. I cycled down Hope Valley at >30km/hr for 11 minutes on a continous down slope - a good three mile descent, and not as hairy as the Corfe one a few days back. It was cold enough to need to keep cycling than free-wheeling. Then the van was there at 18 miles for the first drinks stop of the day.
Got to the pub for pre-orderd lunch of vegetable linguine, followed by sticky toffee pudding. Neil was photographing each tour cyclist as we returned to our bikes. Graham and I set off for the last 40 miles. The speedy ones set off after us, and shot past us soon afterwards.
When we took a wrong turn and asked for help at a nearby B&B, I swept my hand across the Garmin, and suddenly found myself staring at an Ordinance Survey map with an arrow in centre screen of where we were! You understand I do technology by trial and error! One of the leaders has said he will upload the Garmin route maps onto the Edge 800 Garmin I have. We tried to do it at home, but think we failed, but we may discover it did load before, and it is a question of finding them on the gadget that clicks firmly on my bike's handlebar stem.
I thought i'd write a little about the tour group, in case you want to join one or send a relative on one! There is a 22yr old who is a frustrated racing cyclist. His job interferes with training and competing is expensive and a commitment, but he is fast. He is from the North East, so I misunderstand what he tells me. I roomed with him in Glastonbury. I've done alot of travelling with Graham from Aberdeen, a retired business entreprenour, and I shared a room at the Galleon Inn at Fowey. He lost his mobile there, but it has been recovered since. He has had leg injuries but cycles and hikes a fair bit. I have shared lodgings most often with Philip, who is about ten years younger than me, and a road bike speed merchant. There is a hospice nurse from Staffordshire, a married couple celebrating his 50th on tour, and another turns 60 today. The women are outnumbered 18:2 in this group. Both the ladies are faster cyclists than me, but the nurse leads out some of the slower cyclists.
Forecast for tomorrow; grit the teeth and put on the wet weather gear! We fit into the north forecast now! We are making progress. Sunday's weather sounds dry. Thanks for journeying with me.
If you think this cyclist knows alot about bikes, you are wrong! I am a non- DIY mechanic, and an ignoramus about bikes. I haven't discovered what SPD stands for; there is a huge variety of clip-on pedal/shoe combinations even amongst those on the tour. I have a raised metal "triangle" on the ball of each shoe which is laterally and medially shielded by the plastic of the sole, so I can walk up the steep inclines and elsewhere without damaging the mechanism. Just walk carefull across cattle-grids if you have to! I push-off with my right foot which is great where we drive on the left of the road. I would be uncomfortable and "cack-handed" with my feet in Europe. I engage my right shoe so it is clipped in, and on pedalling i have to get the SPD side of the pedal on top for engagement. Sometimes it's a bit of a fiddle. The advantage is that pedalling is no longer power on the downstroke, but also in the forward and backward parts of each pedal rotation. It's a cyclist's version of fuel-injected turbo charge! Am I going faster? Maybe. Do I do better on the steep ascents? I think so. In wet weather my shoes don't slip unpredictably. That's a huge plus. The underside of the SPD pedal for me is flat, so I could use trainers. Some have double-sided SPDs. How do you disengage the SPD? You swing the ankle outwards about 25 degrees, and it unclips. The mechanism can be adjusted for snugness. I have the right firmer than the left. At dismount I have to remember what to do with the right ankle, or the whole bike moves with my right leg-raise - panniers and all!
Well at 1645 Graham and I turned into the Holiday Inn at Runcorn, having added a couple of miles to the route when we got lost near Horseman's Green. Today was a much flatter day after we had climbed north out of Clun. I cycled down Hope Valley at >30km/hr for 11 minutes on a continous down slope - a good three mile descent, and not as hairy as the Corfe one a few days back. It was cold enough to need to keep cycling than free-wheeling. Then the van was there at 18 miles for the first drinks stop of the day.
Got to the pub for pre-orderd lunch of vegetable linguine, followed by sticky toffee pudding. Neil was photographing each tour cyclist as we returned to our bikes. Graham and I set off for the last 40 miles. The speedy ones set off after us, and shot past us soon afterwards.
When we took a wrong turn and asked for help at a nearby B&B, I swept my hand across the Garmin, and suddenly found myself staring at an Ordinance Survey map with an arrow in centre screen of where we were! You understand I do technology by trial and error! One of the leaders has said he will upload the Garmin route maps onto the Edge 800 Garmin I have. We tried to do it at home, but think we failed, but we may discover it did load before, and it is a question of finding them on the gadget that clicks firmly on my bike's handlebar stem.
I thought i'd write a little about the tour group, in case you want to join one or send a relative on one! There is a 22yr old who is a frustrated racing cyclist. His job interferes with training and competing is expensive and a commitment, but he is fast. He is from the North East, so I misunderstand what he tells me. I roomed with him in Glastonbury. I've done alot of travelling with Graham from Aberdeen, a retired business entreprenour, and I shared a room at the Galleon Inn at Fowey. He lost his mobile there, but it has been recovered since. He has had leg injuries but cycles and hikes a fair bit. I have shared lodgings most often with Philip, who is about ten years younger than me, and a road bike speed merchant. There is a hospice nurse from Staffordshire, a married couple celebrating his 50th on tour, and another turns 60 today. The women are outnumbered 18:2 in this group. Both the ladies are faster cyclists than me, but the nurse leads out some of the slower cyclists.
Forecast for tomorrow; grit the teeth and put on the wet weather gear! We fit into the north forecast now! We are making progress. Sunday's weather sounds dry. Thanks for journeying with me.
Thursday, 16 May 2013
Day 4: to Wales and better weather.
The Pilgrims B&B in Glastonbury was excellent. The couple had about 12 of us arrive soaked, and our wet things were washed and dried overnight. The breakfast table was a lovely spread after the fiasco the night before at Hundred Monkeys. Three of our party of 25 had their food orders forgotten by the kitchen. I ordered my pasta at 1915 and got it at 2100. So don't go there in a big party. A small group will probably enjoy their food.
The day's cycling was listed as moderate; the forecast suggested rain. It started cool, the sun started to appear by the time we went round three sides of the cathedral, and cooled down for the long ascent afterwards. By the time we were in Bristol the weather was pleasant. Buffet food was at The Plough in Pilsning. Then it was on to the old Severn Bridge. No toll charge! Wales welcomed us with a gentle upward gradient into the wind, then a fabulous descent to Tintern Abbey and a glorious ride up the Wye valley to Monmouth.
I had new rear brake blocks this morning and a longer brake cable. The bike is going well. Wales has welcomed us with sunshine.
The King'sHead (Weatherspoons!) is our pad and I' sharing with John P. out to Pizza Express after i've pulled my washing out of the launderette which shuts down before my wash has had a full cycle. Loads of wet clothes tomorrow!
£7.37 to my charity from the Launderette man who apologised that the water and electricity switched off after my load had only done the pre-wash, wash and rinse. He manually moved the dial round to spin, so they aren't quite so wet. The hotel man at the desk showed me the leaning cupboard and I have ten hangars draping my wet clothes over a brass curtain rail tonight. i hope John, my room-mate doesn't mind! The launderette proprieter walk twice a year for an animal charity and a children's one. My cycle cost £4.. So I think we were both being charitable tonight.
What do you think?
The day's cycling was listed as moderate; the forecast suggested rain. It started cool, the sun started to appear by the time we went round three sides of the cathedral, and cooled down for the long ascent afterwards. By the time we were in Bristol the weather was pleasant. Buffet food was at The Plough in Pilsning. Then it was on to the old Severn Bridge. No toll charge! Wales welcomed us with a gentle upward gradient into the wind, then a fabulous descent to Tintern Abbey and a glorious ride up the Wye valley to Monmouth.
I had new rear brake blocks this morning and a longer brake cable. The bike is going well. Wales has welcomed us with sunshine.
The King'sHead (Weatherspoons!) is our pad and I' sharing with John P. out to Pizza Express after i've pulled my washing out of the launderette which shuts down before my wash has had a full cycle. Loads of wet clothes tomorrow!
£7.37 to my charity from the Launderette man who apologised that the water and electricity switched off after my load had only done the pre-wash, wash and rinse. He manually moved the dial round to spin, so they aren't quite so wet. The hotel man at the desk showed me the leaning cupboard and I have ten hangars draping my wet clothes over a brass curtain rail tonight. i hope John, my room-mate doesn't mind! The launderette proprieter walk twice a year for an animal charity and a children's one. My cycle cost £4.. So I think we were both being charitable tonight.
What do you think?
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