Last Blog - reflections and Stat’s

It’s now two days since we finished the ride, and I have had a little time to relax and reflect. Looking back, the cycling itself was not that taxing, yes there were some almighty hills and yes 92 miles in one day fully loaded is a long way, however I had trained really hard and was in pretty good shape for what was ahead. I was able to get to each bed and breakfast without being completely knackered, although sometimes a little tired. The thing, which made it much harder mentally and ultimately physically, was the weather, which if you have read the blogs below you will appreciate was not very good.

Notwithstanding the hardships the weather created, I can honestly say that I enjoyed every minute of it. And I could not have done it with a better travelling companion; we did not have one cross word the whole trip.

The last day ended up being a little hectic, as we had to get back ASAP. The journey home would not have been possible without the help of Will, who drove all the way from Fort William, met us then drove us to Inverness to catch our plane to Bristol. Cheers Will, you are a star.

The final stats

Distance 1006 miles
Time 84:23 in the saddle.
Calories 66225
Ascent 50674 and thus 50674 descent
Max speed 43 mph
Average speed 12.3 mph

Lasting impressions. How much countryside there is between LE and JOG. It’s quite easy to avoid major built up areas, and even possible to pick green routes right through the centre of major conurbations. I was dreading Warrington, but the route we chose was very pleasant. The cycle ways are excellent.

The state of the roads overall are terrible as are many of the cycle ways. The clear exceptions are cycle ways in Scotland which go on for miles are perfectly flat, many pretty new, but seemingly go from nowhere to nowhere and are thus unused except by long distance cyclists who happen to find them as they are not signposted. Other good cycle ways are those going into Preston, Lancaster and Carlise.

Litter – it is evident that we are a nation of litterlouts. I can’t recall one place that we stopped be it in a town centre or in the middle of no-where where there was not any litter. I expect that a lot of it is from people doing long distance cycle rides, as there were hundreds of lucozade sport bottles. Come on guys, take your litter with you.

Pros of the trip – my travelling companion, the experience, the support of my family back home, the amount of sponsorship I have raised (last count was £4300 and rising). Lovely people in B and B’s along the way and Andrew's cousins in Glastonbury and Monmouth, and Will in Fort William who met us in JOG with a glass of bubbles, then drove us all the way to Inverness airport.

Cons of the trip – the weather (which also added to the challenge and experience – so possibly a pro as well), tractor drivers, logger drivers, women in 4X4’s and young blokes in red cars. Pot holes. Forty towers in Fort William. Leaving my family behind. Neck pain, some days very painful.

I enjoyed ever minute, but the cherry on the cake was getting back to my wife and three little ones.

Job done

Just what it says on the tin.

Peter.

May 16th - 29th 2009 - Lands End to John O Groats unsupported cycle ride. See details at www.justgiving.com/peterkingcycle

Mid Clyth - Only 28 miles to go

Pretty uneventful day today cycling wise. Weather was light rain (yes rain again ) and two challenging hills. A long, long shallow climb which actually went into the clouds. And a very steep climb which tested the legs somewhat.

Todays ride was a bit like going through the motions. It was the last full day. We have come so far, in quite awful conditions, but have enjoyed ever second. All good things must come to an end, and I miss my family desperately.

The weather gods are having a real laugh at us. Almost as soon as we finished the days ride, the sun came out. It had been a cold day up until then.

We are now within spitting distance of the end. Only 28 odd miles to go. I think that will give us a total of 1006 miles.

todays lesson - its not over until the big hills are cream'd.

Saw quite a few e2e's in the early stages of their adventures. Hope that they enjoy theirs as much as we have ours.

dist 73
ave 12.1
max 35

Peter.

May 16th - 29th 2009 - Lands End to John O Groats unsupported cycle ride. See details at www.justgiving.com/peterkingcycle

Alness (rain, rain, rain, more rain then wind )

Day ten, I think, and what a stinker. Rain fell from the sky in buckets from 7.30 until 1.00, and it was ice cold. We had trouble changing gears as our fingers were so cold. Had lunch to warm up, the rain had stopped but the wind had picked up and changed directions, yes directly into our faces. Just to make it more interesting, straight after lunch we had to negotiate a 15% hill which went on for a mile. I still didnt push, but admit to two short rests.

Thus today was a hard hard day, mentally and physically, but we won.

I was looking forward to the great glen, but as it happens we didnt see much, the rain was that strong, plus I had to take my glasses off and cycle without them.

On the plus side my neck was not so sore today.

Bed and breakfast last night was the worst one on the trip. The accommodation itself was acceptable, but the lady of the house made Basil Fawty look good. She was lovely to all the other guests but treated up like something on the bottom of her shoe. Given where the b&b is located it should be called Forty Towers.

road kills spotted - red squirel, badger, deer, rabbit, frog, barn owl, the idiot who invented the end to end challenge (I got him )

dist 86
time 7:08
ave 12.1
ascent 4350
cal 4725
max 33.7

Peter.

May 16th - 29th 2009 - Lands End to John O Groats unsupported cycle ride. See details at www.justgiving.com/peterkingcycle

Fort William - the great glen

After yesterdays heavy cold rain, thought that things could only get better. We had a flying start to Invereray., then a 7.5 mile climb, not steep but it just went on and on. It only took two miles to come all the way down though, felt really short changed.
Then the heavens opened, with a full on attack by hail stones the size of frozen peas. They bl**dy hurt, so we had to take cover, under a tree and watch drivers go past laughing their heads off. (simpletons ).

Both of us have suffered today. I have had a bad neck pain again, together with a head ache. Andrew has had back pain and bum pain. It hurts but only two full days to go, so onwards tomorrow.

I fell off the bike today. Just after the hail, I got my foot caught in the mud guard, and down I came. Nothing hurt, just pride.

As the days go on, its getting harder chuck out 80 odd miles every day. It would be much much easier if the weather was more kind to us. The rain is like ice up here.

There are hills up here, many are very long. None have caused any real problems. In fact,. Touch wood, the hills have not been any real issue since monmouth, except for a bit of a killer at Bridges. The real test for us was the small back roads in Devon, they hurt your hands and shoulders on the way down (from hard breaking ), and were challenging getting up them. I still have not got off and pushed the bike up any hill.

Tomorrow we cycle the full length of the glen, and will find nessie.

dist 80
ascent 3001
ave 12.5
cal 4252
time 6:24
max 31

pros made good time, the landscape, hail was funny.

cons, neck pain, head ache, weather, head wind, despite being funny hail stones the size of frozen peas hurt when standing still, when doing 15 mph its like being shot with a paint ball gun.

until tomorow
Pete

May 16th - 29th 2009 - Lands End to John O Groats unsupported cycle ride. See details at www.justgiving.com/peterkingcycle

Caindow

Very mixed ride today. A good early start, knocked out 50 miles, by 12.15, and got on the ferry seconds before it left. Had a great baked pot, with chick curry in Dunoon, then set off again. Brilliant first hour, lovely views and pretty flat. Then the heavens opened, and dropped frozen water on us. I didnt put my water proof bottoms on quickly enough so my shoes filled up with water. It ended up being a cold and very wet hour and a half. The stage coach inn with its hot baths was very welcome.

A special mention is necessary for Stuart and Ineke Fisher. Our hosts at the Bridleway bed and breakfast next to the lakes. Our stay with them was just brilliant and the food, just superb. I challenge anyone to find a better cooked meal, it really was that good. They washed our clothes, got up really early so we could get going and have up a super packed lunch. And to top it all, I have just seen that they have donated the entire cost of our stay with them to our respective charities. I an truly humbled.
If anyone wants to stay in a bed and breakfast in the lakes, this really is the place to go. Have a look at their web site www.bridlewaybnb.com

time to get some grub

distance 77
time 5:52
ave 13.05
max 32.5 ,
cal 4183

pros lovely landscape in middle bit,.and good progress. ,
cons - freezing cold rain for the last hour and a half, ran into the back of Andrew but luckily all ok.

Peter.

May 16th - 29th 2009 - Lands End to John O Groats unsupported cycle ride. See details at www.justgiving.com/peterkingcycle

Stair - posted a day late, no signal in stair.

Abducted by aliens on sat night. Woke up on sun morning and was on a strange planet with a round yellow thing up high which gave off heat. After a few hours it began to burn. Hope the aliens take of again tonight, i will grab my sun block on the way up.
Good relaxed ride today, and got to our stables by four, despite having to mend my first trip puncture.

no one lives round here, all the towns seen deserted, spooky.

Just need to clarify a blog re lancaster - obviously not every one there is miserable, its just that all the people we met on that particular day did not do such a wonderful place justice.

The middle part of todays ride was just magnificent, 20 miles along the Nine.

Bodies are begining to suffer a little. Back and neck pains are setting in, together with blisters where clothes rub. Bum is holding up at the mo except for some slight nappy rash.

We have now cycled 663 miles, been cycling for 57 hours, and used up about 37000 calories.

todays stats
dist 73
ave 11.8
time 6:06
ascent 3394

Peter.

May 16th - 29th 2009 - Lands End to John O Groats unsupported cycle ride. See details at www.justgiving.com/peterkingcycle

Scotland

A great days cycling, and the longest day. Covered 92 miles today. Rained in the lakes and didnt see too much due to the fog. Mid part of the day it stopped raining and was pretty good. Last ten miles was into a strong head wind.
Covered 92 miles, and are still on schedule.

Andrew fell today but all is well. Yesterday I set off speed camera.

I set off a speed camera yesterday.

Last nights b and b was magical. The bridleway in Arnside. The hosts were brilliant, and the food good enough to be on master chef.

time for bed, its been a long day.

dist 92
time 8:08
ave 11.3
ascent 3641
cal 5323
Peter.

May 16th - 29th 2009 - Lands End to John O Groats unsupported cycle ride. See details at www.justgiving.com/peterkingcycle

Arnside

Another yet day today, but nothing too bad. Brakes failed, so had to fit a new set, others worn out.

Started in Warrington, negotiated a good route then into countryside. Preston was also ok. Lancaster is miserable, all the people we met were just miserable.

Now in a great bed and breakfast in Arnside. Food is exceptional as is the accommodation.

long day tomorrow, we should be in Scotland.

time 6:32
dist 76.5
ave 11.6
wet

Peter.

May 16th - 29th 2009 - Lands End to John O Groats unsupported cycle ride. See details at www.justgiving.com/peterkingcycle

Now in Warrington.

Another good day all round. Day started out with rain, then ok for the rest of the day. Topography wise, the hills were mere pimples, apart from the massive boil at the begining.

Bum feels fine at the moment, my solid saddle is doing its job. Legs also feel fine.

Now in the swing of things. Get up, stuff our faces with as much as poss, cycle, have lunch, cycle, check in to bed and breakfast, wash, eat, do blog , sleep. Do the same the next day.

thought for the day - dont go to the loo near stinging nettles when its windy.
Dist 84
ave 12
max 31
saddle time 7:01
cal 4277
Peter.

May 16th - 29th 2009 - Lands End to John O Groats unsupported cycle ride. See details at www.justgiving.com/peterkingcycle

A very good day

Arrived at Bridges at about 5.30. This followed a brilliant day. Hilly to start the day, then the flats of the Golden valley. Weather was predom cloudy with some sun shine, but no rain. As soon as we reached the YHA, the heavens opened once more.
legs are starting to get a little sore. Rear end also a little pained from the constant uneven surfaces.

Why is it that you can cycle miles and miles without seeing a car, but as soon as you go to the loo, a car comes along.

last night we had a lovely evening with Bob and Be, Andrews relatives. Not only did they look after superbly, but they even donated to our charities. The night before, we stayed at Jaimies and Jens, who also looked after us at a five star standard.

time 6.7
ave 11.6
cal 4396
dist 77.15 (total 338)
ascent 4460

Peter.

May 16th - 29th 2009 - Lands End to John O Groats unsupported cycle ride. See details at www.justgiving.com/peterkingcycle

Fw :Now in Monmouth

The theme is similar. Rain, freezing, but with some hail thrown in. Plus a couple of sunny bits.

two killer hills. However, i still have yet to push my bike.

long hard day today, yet again.

todays moto - which ever way you cycle, the wind is always in your face. .

cons - rain, hail, hills
pros - we are on schedule. Its still great fun.

78 miles
ave 11.2
max 33
ascent 5689
rain buckets
wind all over the place

Peter.

May 16th - 29th 2009 - Lands End to John O Groats unsupported cycle ride. See details at www.justgiving.com/peterkingcycle

Devon and its hills are behind us

Just a quick one today - knacsed . Terrible weather again, at times it felt like buckets of water were being thrown on us. Also i now hate Devon. The hills are steep, long and at every turn.

at least we have got this bit out of the way.

on the positive side my sun block works. Put a bit on my nose and didnt see the sun all day .

pros - devons done, it was hard going but fun.

cons - the hills, idiots driving tractors,

dist 82
ave 12
ascent 5645
max 32

Peter.

May 16th - 29th 2009 - Lands End to John O Groats unsupported cycle ride. See details at www.justgiving.com/peterkingcycle

Day two - wet, wet, wet, then some more.

If anyone is reading this and has not donated, please do, as Today has been a lesson in survival. It started about two o'clock with me being sick. Seems i ate a suspect chow mein. I felt terrible in the morning. Had to move on though. To top it, it was raining horizontal.

the first hour and half were a nightmare. If you want to experience it, drink some epson salts, put your water proofs on, jump in the sea, then stick pins in your eyes.

Drank and ate small amounts in the morning and felt much better by lunch.

Had a roast lunch at a pub called the elliot - great food, and the landlord donated ten pounds to our charities.

pros of the day - we got here.

cons of the day - i was ill. It was as wet as it could be. It was cold. I had to cycle without my glasses as it was raining so much.

Are we having fun - too right we are.

stats
distance - 73
ave - 12.5
calories - 4427
Time in saddle - 5:49
max speed - 43.02
ascent - 2327
Peter.

May 16th - 29th 2009 - Lands End to John O Groats unsupported cycle ride. See details at www.justgiving.com/peterkingcycle

Day one done.

Day one done and dusted. It can be summed up with "you put your rain coat on, your rain coat off, you cycle up the hills and try to not fall off. Yes we got a little wet, and very wind swept, but overall not too bad.

Baz, you are a real star, many thanks.

so, what have i learnt - "what goes down, comes up even more "

saddle time - 2:13
Distance - 29
average speed - 13.02
max speed - 35
calories - 1623
hills - lots
wind - 37 mph at least
rain - lots
Peter.

May 16th - 29th 2009 - Lands End to John O Groats unsupported cycle ride. See details at www.justgiving.com/peterkingcycle

Hey hey - we are off

First clog of the trip. We are off, and successfully on the train. Adrian, thanks so much for getting us here on time.

i'm an idiot. Dropped a bottle of wine for baz, got on the wrong carriage and lost my helmet. So, my sandwich is soaked in nerv de papps. (full bodied ).

helmet has turned up.

weather - 37 mph winds and heavy rain in Penzance.

Hardest bit of the trip done - leaving our lovely families behind.

Peter.

May 16th - 29th 2009 - Lands End to John O Groats unsupported cycle ride. See details at www.justgiving.com/peterkingcycle

£2 Challenge and a very big Thank you.

Firstly a very big thank you to everybody who has donated to our charities to date, the response has been overwhelming and the generosity just fantastic.

I’m now going to ask a very big favour. I would like you to help me to try and make the final fundraising total even bigger, by emailing this blog to as many people in your address books as possible. Perhaps with a note – “I know of this bloke who’s cycling from lands end to John O Groats, he’s got this blog, and if you can donate just £2, that would be brilliant – please pass this on to as many people as you can”.

Obviously it’s not compulsory, but if you can’t do fund raising events yourself, perhaps this is a way to try and do something to help.
The Weather forecast for tomorrow is for heavy rain and 31 mph winds. So looking forward to that.

May 16th-29th 2009 - Lands End to John O' Groats Unsupported Cycle ride. See details at www.justgiving.com/peterkingcycle

Test

Just testing to see if l can get this to work via my mobile. Heres where i have been doing most of my training over the last couple of months. And this is the saddle which i an going to have to sit on for 1040 odd miles.

All the best,

Peter.

May 16th - 29th 2009 - Lands End to John O Groats unsupported cycle ride. See details at www.justgiving.com/peterkingcycle

Rest Rest Rest

Feeling much better today. Last night did my last training session, a ten minute warm up followed by a 20 minute hard sustained effort, then ten minute cool dawn. Legs felt good. The next time I get on the bike will be at Lands End. I'm done with training and I'm doing no more.

For the record, I've now cycled 3589.5 miles in training for this event. 3120 of which has been done this year. Hopefully that's more than enough.

Just looked at the 4 day weather forcast for Penzance. Deep joy. Saturdays forcast is for heavy rain and 17 mph winds. Brilliant. What next, someone's going to tell me that the first bit is hilly.

May 16th-29th 2009 - Lands End to John O' Groats Unsupported Cycle ride. See details at www.justgiving.com/peterkingcycle

A Time for Rest

I’m still trying to fight off a cold/flu type bug. I have a bit of a runny nose, a sore throat and a sore back. Hence I’m taking it a little easy, and rides are just to turn the legs and stop them setting. I suppose if you are going to be ill, now is the best time, as all the hard training is done, and its time to taper (rest) before the big off. As long as I’m ok by Saturday all will be Hunky Dory.

May 16th-29th 2009 - Lands End to John O' Groats Unsupported Cycle ride. See details at www.justgiving.com/peterkingcycle

Less Than a week to Go

Easy weekend, time to wind down and give the legs a rest beofre the onslaught. Did an easy 60 miles Saturday and a very gentle 20 on Sunday. Gave the bike a good oiling, and checked all the nuts and bolts, tire pressure etc.

Laid out all my gear and packed all my bags.

I now know the weight that I am going to have to propel from LE to JOG. Excluding full water bottles and daily food, the total weight of my bike and bags is a round 60 pounds (33 for the bike, and 27 for the bags). In old money thats 4 stone 4 pounds. That's well over a third of my own weight, blimey.

I've taken things out and I'm sure that theres nothing more that I can do without. You never know when a kitchen sink might come in handy, and I need somewhere to wash the one pair of smalls that I'm taking.

A Big Thank You

A Big Thank You

I just wanted to say a very big thank you to everybody who has sponsored my ride to date and anyone who is thinking of doing so. People have been extremely generous and I am humbled.

I am also very very grateful to my family who have been supportive in regards my project. My wife Alison who has had to cope with all the family bits and bobs while I have been training. And my three little ones, George, Hannah and Poppy who have missed out on a lot of play time with Daddy. I have got up early every morning to minimise the disruption, but this has not completely eradicated it, far from it. When I get back, we will play till we drop.

I would also like to thank Baz, an old mate from a guitar forum. We've never met, but had some extensive banter over the years. We even burnt a xmas CD together (with loads of others). On hearing about my ride he has generously arranged transportation from Penzance to Lands End so that we can get going quickly and as fresh as possible. Thanks Baz, I look forward to finally meeting you.

Adrian Corfe also need a mention. He's getting up early on Saturday to get us and our bikes to the train station. So cheers sir.

Finally, thanks to the Farcycles. A dedicated band of cyclists who I have had the pleasure of riding with almost every Saturday. The miles go by much more quickly with you. Mark, hope you get better soon, you are missed on the rides.

Cheers

Pete


May 16th-29th 2009 - Lands End to John O' Groats Unsupported Cycle ride. See details at www.justgiving.com/peterkingcycle

Illness has Struck

Bottom, had to have a few days of enforced rest. Seem to have caught a flu bug of some sort, what a swine. Feel much better today, so should be ok for a couple of medium rides over the weekend. Probably looking at a 60 and a 40. Nothing hard, just keep the legs going and stop them setting like concrete.

Map of the Route

Heres a map of the route, its not brilliant, but you can just about make out the route.

Currently have a bit of a sore throat and generally feel poor. At least its now and not on the trip.

May 16th - 29th 2009 - Lands End to John O Groats unsupported cycle ride. See details at www.justgiving.com/peterkingcycle

Last Big Weekend

Phew and yipee. My last big weekend of training is done and dusted. If I'm not ready now, then its too late to do anything about it. Saturday was an early start again (nothing new there) and knocked out 55 miles on the trainer while viewing 007 films. Had some breakfast, large bowl of stodge covered in Maple syrup. Then loaded the bike up and set of with the Farcycles and did another 45 miles. 100 miles for the day and felt fine. Must admit to a quick snooze in the afternoon and an early night.

Sunday - early start again and rolled off 85 miles, really pushe the last twenty. Top of my legs are now a little sore, but nothing to worry about. Looking to do another early morning 40 and that's it. From now on it just keeping the legs moving, with the exception of a hard tempo and a hard hill session.

All I can say is what a relief. I've now cycled well over 3500 miles in training, the majority since Feb this year. I'm getting pretty tired of the early mornings in the garage and the pressure that the traning puts on the family. I just want to get going now, I've done the training, and I'm pretty confident about my fitness. Not sure that I could have done much more training even if I wanted too.

Early night again

Training

Hard, Hard session last night. First time that I have managed to do 20 miles averaging over 20 mph (20.4). Two months ago, I thought this was impossible when I averaged 19.7 over 20 miles, but at 5 mile intervals, with rest in between.

Clearly my legs have got much stronger. The training is obviously working.

Weekend Training

Another hard weekend of training, indeed week of training. On Saturday I got up at 4.45 and cycled 80 miles, took my boy to a rugby tornament where he won his teams player of the tournament and a rugby ball, then came home and did another 20 miles. On Sunday got up at 4.45 again and did 42 miles, went out for a family walk and photos, took my girl to a party, then did another 38 miles. Rounded it off with some rugby training with my boy. 180 miles for the wekend is not too bad. Just one more weekend of heavy mileage and I'm ready.

Bit hectic to say the least. Total for the week is 350 odd miles.

Early night tonight, I'm a little tired.

Charity Plea

A lot of people have been so generous to date and I am very grateful for your deep pockets.

I’m also very aware that there is a credit crunch and choices have to be made, ie buy food or sponsor Pete. In these circumstances I know that its difficult to pledge money especially when there are so many other worthy causes, eg London marathon, London to Paris Cycle ride and London to Brighton cycle ride. I was going to do the ride just for the hell of it. However, the London Marathon only took me 3 hours and 25 minutes and London to Paris is only 310 miles. My route from Lands End to John O’ Groats will be just over a thousand miles, and roughly 92 hours in the saddle, on a bike weighing 60lbs (well over a third of my body weight). The training has been extensive, and exhausting, on occations my feet have almost frozen. It has required a great deal of commitment and stamina. Not to mention an incredible amount of support from my wife and children. By comparison marathon training is like popping down the local shops.

Given this, I couldn't simply ride for myself. If you can appreciate the task ahead and have not sponsored me, please click on the link to my Justgiving web site and donate to Macmillan Cancer Support.

Cheers

May 16th-29th 2009 - Lands End to John O' Groats Unsupported Cycle ride. See details at www.justgiving.com/peterkingcycle

The Route

The route begins at Lands End and finishes at John O’ Groats. Most people say that its better to do it the other way because its downhill. However, Lands End is slighty higher above Sea level than John O’ Groats, so it marginally down hill the way that we are doing it. Also, the prevailing winds are south westerly, so hopefully this will be the case during our cycle.

The following details comprise our itenary

Day 1 (16th May) – Lands End to Redruth (28 miles)
Day 2 (17th May) – Redruth to Okehampton (75 miles)
Day 3 (18th May) – Okehampton to Glastonbury (76 miles)
Day 4 (19th May) – Glastonbury to Monmouth (70 miles)
Day 5 (20th May) – Monmouth to Bridges (80 miles)
Day 6 (21st May) – Bridges to Warrington (85 miles)
Day 7 (22nd May) – Warrington to Arnside (80 miles)
Day 8 (23rd May) – Arnside to Annan (91 miles)
Day 9 (24th May) – Annan to Stair (82 miles)
Day 10 (25th May) – Stair to Cairndow (81 miles)
Day 11 (26th May) – Cairndow to Fort William (81 miles)
Day 12 (27th May) – Fort William to Alness (78 miles)
Day 13 (28th May) – Alness to Mid Clyth (76 miles)
Day 14 ( 29th May) – Mid Clyth to John O’ Groats (26 miles)

Our accommodation is a mixture of B and B’s, YHA premises and Andrews cousins. It was an amazing coincidence that on presenting the route for discussion, Andrew advised that he had cousins in three of the locations.

Travelling Companion

The guy that I am undertaking the adventure with is called Andrew. Like me he has been training hard, however, we have not yet been out on a ride together. This worries our better halves. However, we will be spending 12 days cycling the length of Britain. I’m not sure what would be achieved, if anything, by riding together before hand. It’s a bit late to find out that we are cyclogically incompatible, so better to just go with the flow.

Andrew is undertaking the ride on behalf of the Army Benevolent Fund which provides support to soldiers, former soldiers and their families in time of need, identifying and investigating cases in real need and providing them with financial support. With the current level of operations this need is greater than ever. His website is

http://www.justgiving.com/andrewtabor-lejog-abf

So if you would like to add some support to his cause, please has a look at his website.

Training To Date - I will add to this as and when.

It had been a number of years since I rode a bike, and then it was only for short rides. I committed myself to this adventure in August 2008 and I began putting some miles in during a family holiday in Norfolk towards the end of August. I attached our child’s trail rider to the back of my 20-year-old mountain bike (which still had its original tires and brakes and thus confirms my lack of cycling to date).

On our first family ride I had travelled an impressive distance of only 1 metre, when I felt a sharp sting in my leg, which rapidly got worse. I looked down and a wasp had lodged itself between my new trendy baggy padded cycle shorts and my leg. Over the next few days the swelling got worse and my leg became very hot to the touch, my knee also started to ache painfully. A trip to the chemist was in order, and a large dose of antihistamines settled it down over the following couple of days. In that first week I cycled a total of about 90 miles, impressive I hear you say. However not as impressive as my little boy who did a similar distance on his bike, and he was only 7 at the time.

Since August, I have tried to get out every weekend to cycle between 35 and 45 miles. I met up with a local cycle group who have been brilliant (the Farcycles), and have made the rides incredibly enjoyable. Even when the weather was so cold that a brass monkey would dare not venture out. This training regime continued through January. I really needed to step up the training during the week days, but mornings were dark as were the evenings, and with a full time job, it was impossible, or so I thought.

In February I acquired a cycle trainer and set it up in my garage. I have to say that my first impression was that it was a complete load of rubbish. However, my view changed within 15 minutes and having twiddled with the tension leaver, and changed gears, I began to understand the true value of the thing. The only downside was that it was boring as hell.

I have however tackled boredom in two ways. Firstly, by setting up a portable DVD player and secondly by creating interesting training routines.

I started getting up at 6 oclock to do half an hour in the garage a couple of times a week, and then the same in the evening. The frequency increased as did the interval times. By March I was rising at just gone 5am for a 20 mile cycle, and then I would do the same again in the evening.

Last week I did this for four weekdays followed by a 92 mile ride on Saturday (45 on the trainer to get an early start and then 47 with the Farcycles with my bike fully loaded on the Road). This was followed by 80 miles on the Sunday.

Since August 2008 I have cycled the equivalent of 2943.5 miles. The majority of this has been since the beginning of Jan 2009 (2365 miles).

With 3 weeks to go, I’m pretty happy with the shape that I am in and my ability to undertake the ride.

Thursday 23rd April

This is my first blog ever, not sure what I'm doing or whether it will work. Anyway here goes.

I read somewhere that any person with an average fitness and ability can undertake the infamous Lands End to John O’Groats cycle ride. That person was probably a nutter, who once did the ride, chaffed all the skin off his backside and undercarriage and just wanted others to feel the same level of pain. While I’m sure that it is indeed the case that anyone can undertake the ride, my concern is to complete it in one piece, with both body and mind in tact. From May 16th to May 29th 2009, my goal is to set out to establish whether it can indeed be done and completed, by a Mr Average.

Recent inspiration has been in the form of a very very large guy who recently completed the ride, I think he was 29 stone or similar and lost about six stone training and doing the ride. Blimey that’s over half of me. Rather than coming home, bigger, stronger and fitter, I might come back half the man that I was.

A bit about myself. I am currently 45 years old. I consider myself to be of at least average fitness (for my age) but I currently carry around a little too much lard around my midriff, and my man boobs need reducing or at least firming up. I did complete the London Marathon in 3:25 at the age of 43, so I know that I can commit to a heavy training regime. 2008 was a difficult year for me health wise. A routine operation didn’t turn out to be so routine, and I struggled to return to full health.

In a bid to get fit again, I began to think about challenges. I had never really contemplated doing the LEJOG before for various reasons, including not being too keen on cycling, it’s a very long way and it takes quite a long time. Did I say that it was a very long way? I cant recall exactly how the decision was made to do the ride, all I can say is that my wife was 100% behind me doing it and actively encouraged me. I do feel guilty about leaving my wife and three little ones for two whole weeks but my panniers are just not large enough to fit them all in.

Thinking about it, my cycling each day is the easy option. All I need to do is get up have breakfast then pedal, and do this for two weeks. My much better half has to stay at home looking after the three little ones, 8,6 and 4. Oh, and did I mention that she also has a full time job. She’s the real hero.

My original plan was to do the ride solo with no support, carrying everything I needed en route including tent etc. Shortly after committing myself to the ride I mentioned it to a friend, an ex Col of the armed forces. The next day he telephoned to ask if he could do the ride with me. And so, it is now the two of us. I’m a little wary of doing it with an ex army person, stiff upper lip sort. If his leg fell of en route I can imagine him saying, “Oh bother, never mind still got another leg, charge!”

Why May. Various reasons really. Firstly it give me time to get fit, the kids will still be at school, it should be getting warmer and the days will be starting to get longer, plus its out of season.