Back on the horse, and what a steed she is....

So it's been a while since I've blogged. Reasons for this have been mainly weather and knee related. Weather - I think it's been fairly well documented, hasn't been cycling weather. Knee, well that's even more of a saga. I was getting intermittent knee pain right until early 2013, but then I wen to see Ivan (he's not as camp as he looks in his photo) and after just three sessions things picked up enough for me to order The Beast.

I've wanted a new bike for a while, and, being in the fortunate position of being able to afford a 'dream bike' I ordered one of these. It's far too good a bike for me to ride. It's a pro level bike, one that Tom Boonen won Paris Roubaix on last year...BUT...if I'd have bought one at half the cost I would have always wanted this one. So it's important now I use it...and use it I have so far...having done around 90 miles in a couple of weeks or so. I am trying to ramp the training up and with the weather picking up it's been good fun, could do without the headwinds though.

I have recently discovered Strava too, and it is absolutely addictive. For those not in the know you can devise stretches of your ride (or 'segments') and you then 'race' against other people. I have created half a dozen so far and it is really good fun to go against your own time and that of others. So far I think I am around half way or better on most sectors - although my hill climbing is still appalling - must try harder.

Below is a link to my latest Strava ride...loads of stats - love it!

Strava Ride

Weight wise I have lost over a stone since my failed JOGLE attempt and am now around 12 and a half stone. I want to get under 12, to try to get as close as possible to 11 st 10 lbs. Over April I am cutting out booze completely, doing as close as possible to 100 miles a week and have adjusted my diet so my net calorie intake is around 1,200 calories a day. Hopefully this should kick start my metabolism after a few lardy/boozy weeks and I can get down towards my target.

I clearly need to get some hill training in too - and the recent trip to Cornwall helped with this, Strava link is below by the way...as is a pic of The Beast overlooking St Ives Harbour!

Strava Ride

As to when I am looking to finish the ride. The plan at the moment (subject to change) is to do 3 days and get into England at least from 24th May. I am hoping Matt (who did the first two legs with me) will be able to join me on these three days, and Chris and Ryan on the final day. It is, in total 169 miles and should take us to Wigan, with overnight stops in Gretna and Kendal en route.

I'll then be left with the small matter of 372 miles to do. This can (I think) be reasonably done in 6 solid days cycling or 12 (or more) fairly easy days when I can do other stuff...ie have a road trip with wife/kids. Not sure how/when I am going to finish it but I know I will, hopefully later this year. I have got a number of people who are keen to do a leg with me, so once it's all arranged I look forward to getting out there on the bike and having some fun!

It starts...again...

So it's been seven months since I failed to complete JOGLE, with my knee giving up after 320-odd miles. The time since I finished has been mostly filled with work, having had a manic second half of 2012. I have found myself though becoming more and more obsessed with cycling, heading to Paris to watch Sir Bradley win 'Le Tour', to the Olympics to see Sir Chris win two more Golds, and then, of course, I got to cycle with the man himself in September.

I spend a lot of my non-working waking time watching, researching and thinking about cycling, and have set up my bike on a turbo trainer at home. This obsession will, hopefully, culminate in me completing my JOGLE trip later this year.

In order to be better going up the hills the first thing I thought I needed to do was lose weight. So I have. I have worked pretty hard at it and since late October I have lost around 21 pounds. I am now over a stone lighter than when I attempted JOGLE in 2012 as can be seen here...

[The blip about a month ago was holiday - an omelette and three hash browns for breakfast really don't help you lose weight...who knew?]

As well as the turbo trainer I am used to easily doing 20-30 mile rides now, and really want to buy a new bike. This is the one I really want (but the boss says it's too expensive)...

The only problem, however, is my knee. It is still not right. I get a twinge every other day, and I don't really know what's wrong or why it hurts...it just isn't 'right'. So, I am off to see a physio again this week to a) get a proper diagnosis, and b) seek some treatment. My insurance company are covering the first four sessions so I should have some sort of idea what is wrong by the end of these sessions.

The current plan is to get back on the bike and do the first three stages in May. My bro has offered to be my 'lift' again, and Matt (my John o'Groats to Inverness buddy from last year) is going to do the three days from where I stopped (just south of Glasgow) to Wigan. I have also got a few other friends who are hoping to do a leg (Lisa, Ryan, and Chris) before we get to Wigan. There are then two options I am looking at...Option One - head straight through to LE - another seven days or so of cycling, following the previous route I had plotted.

My current preferred option is the second one...this would involve twelve days cycling in July, using the time as our 'summer holiday' and only doing around thirty miles a day. If I could get up and out by, say, 7.30/8 every day it would enable us to have a family holiday/do stuff in the afternoon. currently thinking of hiring a campervan (again) but that's a different story... :D

Either way, having raised over £4,000 (so far) it is important I finish. important for the people that showed good faith sponsoring me, important for my wife, who is fed up of hearing about it, and important for me, I still feel a huge sense of failure.

The end...for now

Here I sit, not on a bike, but in my brother's car. I am en route, not to my next stop (Wigan) but to my home.

As you will know I have had trouble with my knee for a few days now and have sought medical advice as to what to do. Initially that meant seeing a physio in Carlisle, yesterday I saw a second physio in Kendal. After thorough examinations neither could identify the problem, my legs are seemingly in good shape, but I still have incredible pain around and in my knee cap. A three hour wait at A & E for an X-ray showed no hairline fracture, so the plan was, load up on industrial strength pain-killers (60mg) codeine, 1g (?) paracetamol and give it a whirl, if I couldn't feel the pain then I'd be ok right?

So, I loaded up on pain-killers, gave it an hour for them to take effect and decided to 'spin' up and down the road for an hour, high revs, checking the pain levels. The pain-killers didn't touch the pain, and within 2 minutes I knew what I have been struggling to admit to myself for the past 2-3 days. I have to stop. The overwhelming feeling was numbness (although figuratively speaking, not in the region of my knee), and worry...worry about a) my knee, b) what people would think and c) letting people down. Many many people have sponsored me, some with considerable donations. I have harangued people for months, cajoling, almost bullying people into supporting me. My family, and friends have given up time and energy to support me, I still have a number to ride with over the last week for example. Not once did it cross my mind that I wouldn't be able to do it. In my head if I got a knock/minor injury (as I had with my ankle on day one) I'd strap it up, ignore the pain, and crack on...I didn't have a plan b. Yes, I've done 320 miles, the vast majority (270?) with my knee sore (although for the first couple of days the pain was sporadic), but people sponsored and supported me because of the size of the task I took on? I need to complete it.

Was it too big a task for me? Was I/am I fit enough? I'd like to think I am. During the ride I haven't struggled from a physical perspective, I actually feel fitter and healthier than I have for a long time, indeed on all the training rides I've had no pain at all, but in cycling your knee is pivotal (in more ways than one) and if it doesn't work I just can't go on.

In all of this, thanks to the vagaries of who I've seen/The NHS I have yet to see a doctor. I've seen 2 physios, who don't know what's wrong, and a senior nurse as no doc was available at A & E. I am going to head to a docs today at home in the hope they can at least diagnose me. I guess in a way I am looking partly for vindication, that I've done the right thing, and partly for a solution (it really hurts, even this morning). This is the main priority. At some point, when my knee is healed I would like to do the rest of the miles. I know exactly where I stopped and I have still got a planned route. I could take 4 long weekends later in the year, who knows? I am determined to complete it at some point, but that point is not now.

I am going to email everyone through my justgiving pages (if I can work out how to) offering for them to have a refund on their donation. It is absolutely the right thing to do and, apart from anything, will help assuage any guilt I am feeling.

I hope in time to reflect on it in a positive way, I did cycle 320 miles over some proper hills in testing (30 degrees!) conditions. The distance was further than London to Paris, and I did it partly carrying an injury. It is an achievement, I know it is...but it isn't THE ACHIEVEMENT I wanted it to be when I set off from John o' Groats a week ago.

I will be home in a couple of hours, I can't wait to see Jen and the kids. I hope they will still be proud of me.

It's better than to try and fail then not to try at all.

Leg 5 - Middle of Nowhere to South of Desolation.

Before I start this I am sorry if I offend anyone from Glasgow - it's not my intention. I am sure there are some nice parts. I just didn't see any. Also, my knee travails have been well documented so I promise not to mention it at all.


So, leg 5...


We overnighted at the Drover's Inn. An absolute shit-hole of epic proportions, and you can quote me on that. Sloppy service, shit rooms, poor breakfast, and miserable, weird staff (in the main, the girl on reception and one of the waitresses were nice enough). Before we arrived they 'kindly' left our window open and as it's on the banks of Loch Lomond we had an infestation of midges. So many, in fact, that they got rid of them (on request) by hoovering them up. We were duly bitten throughout the night. 


I started off fairly gingerly (don't mention the knee), and reached the edge of Glasgow (Dumbarton) at around lunchtime. At that time I got the following tweet...

Due to my job I have met some inspiring, and, in their field, 'famous' people, great leaders, and people revered across the industry I work in. I rarely struggle to get hold of these people, to some I am fairly well known and I'd like to believe I can talk credibly with them. Also, I have been lucky enough to meet a fair few 'famous' people over the years, especially sports stars. As a result some of the mysteries of 'fame' are a little lost of me - I rarely get starstruck, although that said when Andy Duncan came up to to me in a bar and said 'Hi Dan, haven't seen you for ages, want a pint?' I nearly died. (Look him up). This sense of rarely being overawed does not apply when it comes to a certain Sir Christopher Andrew Hoy. It's not just that he's one of the greatest all time British Olympians, it's not just that he has a 'never say die' attitude with a will to win unmatched (for me) in modern sport, it is that he achieves all this with incredible humility and a down to earth persona. At the recent World Indoor Championships I took a photo that he signed and when I received it I literally danced a jig, shook with excitement, and ran over to the other side of the house to show someone. 


I am 37.

It pleased me greatly not only to get his tweet but also to see he is from Edinburgh, because such a hero could not be from Glasgow, oh no, it's impossible.


So, Dumbarton, what can I tell you - it's seemingly where Glasgow starts and despite an excellent Crown Carvery it is made up of tower blocks, decaying 'social housing' from the 60s and traffic lights. So is the rest of Glasgow. The desolation stretched from Dumbarton to Hamilton (30 miles). If Glasgow had a motto it would be 'We're closed'. The people I saw were either huddled outside a pub having a smoke (at 11.30am) or were kids pushing prams/pushchairs (with babies in, not just for fun, one assumes). The whole city smelled of fags and beer, and with all the (uncoordinated) traffic lights I had plenty of time to view it. Is this a fair appraisal of the city? Did I just chance upon the most deprived areas? I have no idea, all I do know is that I felt incredibly sad. especially for the kids with no hope of escaping the sink estates, and for the pub dwellers who had long given up. It was with a heavy heart I read this article last night. 


After Glasgow came some horrible climbs up through some tiny (slightly nicer) towns which took an age (don't mention the knee). 67 miles after leaving The Drover's Inn, we duly arrived at our B & B (on a farm in the middle of nowhere), and we had to share a shower and toilet for the first time (for me) since I went traveling in 2003. Something of a culture shock. To be fair our hosts were more than pleasant, even though I couldn't understand a word the old guy said. Pat had his sixth full English (Scottish) breakfast in a row and I had the weirdest porridge I'd ever tasted. I saddled up and set off on the shortest leg of the trip so far...

Addendum to last post

PS - Some people have asked if I could just stop now for a few days and then do all the miles and if that is an option - it isn't for a number of reasons...in no particular order...


1) I have work commitments w/c 11th June - contrary to popular belief I still need to work for a living
2) I have a number of people lined up for 'legs' with me, some where we're staying at their house and people who have offered to meet en route to show their support, by 'sliding' days...it would mess them around
3) My wife, my bro's girlfriend, my mate Simon and family, and Amber's family have all arranged/are trying to arrange to be down in the West Country for the last few legs - it's incredibly unfair to put them out just so I can get the JOGLE 'badge'.

Update - Physio

Those of you following this will have read about my knee hurting pretty much from Day 2 onwards...well yesterday the pain got much worse. During the stop/start 10mph that was Glasgow (blog post to follow on that at some point later tonight) I started to feel it on every downstroke. Given my cadence averages at around 70 revs per minute that meant every second or so I was getting an incredible pain in my knee. I struggled the last few (uphill) miles arriving at our guesthouse after some 66 miles, it took around 6 /12 hours in the saddle. 


After icing it all night and dosing myself up with ibuprofen it was clear this morning that it wasn't any better, but I saddled up and knocked out 7 miles or so. My brother got back from Boot's with a couple of knee supports, which I tried by riding on and turning round on a petrol station forecourt (thinking I was Rod Stewart #partridge). I then did a couple of miles up hill but it was no good - I was in so much pain I actually cried without meaning to, just through the sheer pain. 


My bro picked me up and we headed to Gretna, realising there was no way I could carry on today. Whilst in the car we formulated a plan which was to check into our B & B and get a physio appointment for the afternoon in Carlisle (nearest big town, nothing in Gretna). The earliest we could get in was 3.30 so we shared a lovely chip lunch in Annan (at the award winning Cafe Royal none the less) with Lisa (whom I'd 'met' on twitter, via Amber (who I'm partly doing the ride for)), before heading to Carlisle.


The physio was fantastic, and in the unlikely event you will ever need a physio in Carlisle (!) I would highly recommend these guys. After a half hour's diagnosis she said that she thought it was one of two things - or both - quads medial patella expansion (which would have caused damage to the cartilage) or a strain/minor tear of the medial coronary ligaments (in my knee). The treatment for both was electrolysis, massage and ultrasound. This should then be followed by rest, ice, ibuprofen, and other painkillers as needed. She has also given us some tape and the knee is currently strapped to give the ligaments etc time to heal.


The long and the short is that I can't cycle today or tomorrow but I am hopeful of getting back on the bike on Saturday to start again from Kendal. In reality I will have 'missed out' about 115 miles (ironically some of the 'prettiest' and 'easiest' due to lack of climb). However the plan is to still try to do the other remaining miles and to keep to plan/schedule. If things change then I will just keep taking extra days in the car 'doing the legs' until my knee is better. The physio said I could make things worse by not resting so that is clearly what I need to do. She also gave us some details of physios in Kendal, where we're heading tomorrow, so I can get another session in then. I have a friend, Chris, joining me on Saturday and he's promised me a pint in Wigan at the end of the ride - what better incentive is there to be better by Saturday morning!?


How do I feel? Obviously on one level pretty gutted. Of course I've been through the whole, am I letting people down (?) bit and in a way I am. If you read back to some of the other reasons I am doing this, for me, it is fairly a typical of my life, ie I never quite manage to do something properly... but now is not a time for self-pity, it's a time for being practical and making the best of an unfortunate, frustrating and irritating situation.


If I can start on Saturday the reality is that I will still do around 760 not 875 miles. I will have 'only' missed out about 115 miles or so...which is still an achievement in my eyes, I am determined not to quit. Everyone has been incredibly supportive and I've had some incredibly generous sponsorship come through today (you know who you are - thank you), the belief people are showing in me has been incredible. I guess in all of it people know I am not someone that gives up easily, and have been called stubborn in my time (hence cycling for 5 days with this problem - 5 DAYS - eek!). I know that the people that know me know I would not miss out legs unless I HAD to, ie if there was no other option. 


Massive thanks go to a few people for their help/support over the last 24 hours or so. 


One - Cazz (@sunshine_cazz on twitter). She has been rabble rousing for me and her tweets and those of her friends/followers have been amazing. She also got SIR CHRIS HOY to tweet me 'Good Luck'.


Two - all my twitter/facebook/real life friends (you know who you are), with your messages saying you believe in me, it has been incredible, and has helped me make the right decisions, I have been amazed and humbled at how much support I've had.


Three - my Mum/Step-Dad - wise heads in these situations they've both given good advice (Ken by proxy) and have been really understanding.


Four - my (long-suffering) brother. He's been all over the shop, up and down back roads and hills, to Boot's in Hamilton (without getting shot), to various stop offs/petrol stations, and he didn't moan (much) when I got mud on his cream interior - he's a good bloke, and I'm proud to call him my brother.


Five - my wife, Jen. She stayed up late last night (past her normal bedtime - trust me, this is a massive thing!) and sent me a load of stuff on bike shops (for kenisio tape), physios, pharmacies etc nearby. She's listened to me when I've ranted and given me fantastic, pragmatic advice. She too, believes in me, and although she knows how disappointed I am right now she's been supportive, stoic and has helped give me a sense of perspective (for example, I've already cycled further than I did for London to Paris in 2009) and has offered for us to come up in half term in October so I can complete the missing miles from South of Glasgow to Kendal (and more if needed). 


Thanks to her and those mentioned above I will complete my JOGLE, not in one go, maybe, but I will do it. 


Anyway onwards and upwards, I will rest for the next twenty-four hours - hopefully normal service will resume on Saturday.

Leg 4 - Fort William to the middle of bloody nowhere

Firstly BIG SHOUT for the Buccleuch Guesthouse in Fort William. Not only were they lovely and the room immaculate but they washed my kit for me. For nothing. Great great place.


Well I always knew today would be tough as it contained the climb over Glen Coe. What I didn't realise was just how hard it would be. The first 25 miles or so up to around 1,000 feet were fine but I just ran out of gas completely and the next 20 miles nearly bloody killed me. At the top there was nothing but beautiful mountains surrounding us so I tucked into 2 (two) pot noodles, neither of which was particularly satisfying. Still, they were better than nothing and I'd had my share of jelly beans, energy gels and bars. The descent down was good but it became apparent that I would be heading uphill (again) and into a headwind. I nearly had a 'fling my bike in a loch' moment, everything was aching, both knees, my right ankle, my arms, neck, I just didn't know if I could get through it.


Eventually I met up with Pat and we decided to go for a stop at The Green Welly Cafe, some 11 1/2 miles from our destination for the night, The Drover's Inn. I had a fantastic bowl of Lentil Soup which helped me speed through (downhill) to our destination. The place we're staying is weird, it's been featured on 'Most Haunted' and the decor hasn't been touched for decades - I think it's meant to be funny or ironic. It's neither. It just looks shit.


So, 4 days in (is that all? Christ!), I've covered 242 miles, and climbed (I think) over 10,000 feet. Tomorrow we will break through the 300 mile mark and will end up south of Glasgow for the night...it's weird to think that by Thurs evening England will be within touching distance (we're in Gretna overnight). Having looked at the hill profile for tomorrow there are very few climbs at all until around the 45 mile mark, so I intend to be on the round by 8.30, laiden with big brekkie and snacks and to try to do 45 miles off the bat before stopping in Glasgow for lunch. I'll then tackle the 1000 feet of climb straight out of Glasgow to the destination...eek!


Please keep your messages of support coming - either on here, twitter or Facebook - it is really great as it keeps me motivated.


Pic of me arriving at the (shit) haunted place. And two of the climb over Glen Coe.

Finally a vid Pat took of me cycling - sorry for the arse shots.

Day 3 - Inverness to Fort William

This morning we bade farewell to Matt who was off home, what a day he was to miss. The first 35 miles or so, along the banks of Loch Ness were beautiful enough but after a haggis lunch in Fort Augustus the scenery changed immeasurably for the better, it was just stunning. Water everywhere with the sun glinting off it, just beautiful. Thanks to my lunchtime snack of 3 x Ibuprofen I soon felt my knee ease significantly and although a couple of the ascents were tough and long I really enjoyed it. I had enough time to get my photo taken at the Commando memorial at Spean Bridge before the long descent into Fort William. My knee seemed to be quite a bit easier this afternoon and I am hoping it's now on the mend.


Tomorrow is the toughest day so far, if not of the whole trip. I have four big climbs, one of over 3 miles with a 1,000 foot ascent. Joy. It's 'only' 56 miles though so I am hoping to blast through it as best as I can. It looks like the incredibly hot weather is about to end and the forecast for tomorrow is overcast, as long as I don't get rain I'll be happy.


The stats from today - 66 miles, 3k feet of climb, 5 1/4 hours in the saddle. Ouch.




Tomorrow's Hill Profile.

Lunch

Memorial At Spean Bridge

Action Shots (!!!)

Video of me nearly hitting the kerb on the descent into Fort William!!

Day 2 - Brora to Inverness

It's fair to say Brora is a one-horse town. Hell it may even be a no-horse town. Our guesthouse was nice enough even if the woman running it was a little stern. A chap at breakfast very kindly sponsored me a tenner which was a nice touch. On getting on the bikes this morning the one thing that was clear was that my left knee was killing me - I couldn't even ride out. I took 3 ibuprofen and got on with it, however the knee has got worse all day and here I sit now inn absolute agony. This is after icing it for 30 mins, taking 3 (more) ibuprofen and rubbing on some Votarol.


'Enough of the knee - how was the day?' I hear you shriek. It was a great day - although colder than yesterday...in fact the fog didn't really lift until we got to The Cromarty Ferry at lunchtime. On the ferry I tweeted a pic of where we are and a fellow tweeter (@iainbarclay) suggested we make a bit of a detour to 'the best dolphin watching place in the UK', yeah yeah we thought...the photos below back up his claim. We were a few metres away and it was a great break from the cycling.


Coming into the final straight (or so we thought) we were faced with (yet another) 500 feet climb, steep and up a back road, in 28 degree heat. With my knee knocking I can't say I enjoyed it, and despite a wrong turn onto the A9, dual carriageway et al, we arrived safely at our guesthouse at 4ish.


Tomorrow is 10 miles further with more climb, and perhaps more importantly no Matt. Matt is a mate of mine from home that in all honesty I know quite well but we've not known each other long or could be described as 'best mates'. He has though, over the last couple of days, been an absolute God-send. He came up for two reasons - he's always wanted to cycle this stretch but also 'because he thought I'd need some support for the first two days.' You can't ask for more. He's paced me, we've sprinted together (not very often admittedly) and he's taken loads of photos where he's been so far ahead he could wait for me to catch up. He's been a star, and will be sorely missed. I haven't now got anyone cycling with me until Saturday so I've got five days on my own. Not only that but it's a working week so I'll be fielding calls too. To say I'm nervous about tomorrow would be an understatement.


Anyhoo - the stats - 56 miles, 2.2k feet of climb, 13.2mph average.

Day 1 - John o' Groats to Brora

63 miles, approx 4,300 feet of climb, 5 hours (and a bit) on the bike, 29 degrees and sunny!

So, we’ve arrived in Brora. There’s not a lot to say about the place really, it’s clearly seen better times, and now only has one pub, run by an Englishman, which has an amazing Whisky selection. The also sell chicken goujons, and half pound burgers. I had both. Abd two bananas. And two magnums...

The day itself has been an absolute scorcher, the thermometer reached as high as 29.3 degrees. This is lovely if you’re say, on a beach. Not so lovely if you’re say, going up a 13% incline, whilst staring at a beach in the distance.

We set off from John o’ Groats early enough (8.45ish?) with a decent breakfast in us, throughout the day we saw many people I’d befriended on twitter, including a trio that call themselves ‘The Fifty Stoners’ as that’s what they weigh between them. We knocked out the first (fairly flat) 35 miles in record time but knew we had three tough climbs to follow...we certainly did. The Berridale pass was a 13% incline, but although I had to stop three times to grab a drink (it was around 1pm and has the heat of the day) I managed to get up the hill without walking. The same could not be said for a few others I saw or passed...this made me enormously proud. 

So we’ve been out and had some dinner. I have an achey knee and ankle, but am about to spray both with deep freeze, and then it’s bed time! It’s 8.05pm.

We do it all again tomorrow but I think there are fewer hills. At least I hope there are...

Another bloody hill, me and Matt.

 

Tomorrow's route will hill profiles....EEK

The Day before we start, we start!

ARGGGGGGHHHHHH I just wrote a bloody long post and it crashed.

The main points were...

• Matt is here
• Berridale pass looks terrifying (miles 37-45 tomorrow)
• JOG signpost man doesn't work Saturday so we got our picture done today.
• My ankle hurts, no idea why but worrying me at the moment - hope it'll be ok for the morning. Feels like bruised/strained tendons/ligaments.
• Our tea was nice - I had steak pie and a pint of Orkney Bitter.
• The weather is amazing - picture of the sunset we can see from our window below.
• Tomorrow is going to be a tough day - i think by the end of it I will know whether I can actually do this thing.

So here we are...we've been traveling all day. I started on the 8.15 train to Peterborough (boo), joined the 9.15 to Doncaster and met up with Pat there. Since then we've driven (roughly) 360 miles, and have ended up a few miles South of Dalwhinnie. We pitched up at the Distillery for a tour but were told by the bloke running it that 'it is shit' so we found a co-op (15 miles away) bought a beer and are relaxing at our wonderful B & B, Balsporran. The lady who runs it, Anne is really nice and we're having haggis (me, had to really) and steak (Pat) for dinner. Here are some pics...

Here we go...

So, we're all packed and ready for the off. Short (ish) train to Doncaster where I will meet up with my brother, then the long haul North to Scotland. We're stopping overnight in the town that contains my favourite Distillery, Dalwhinnie, what can possibly go wrong. We pick my mate Matt up from Inverness Airport on Friday morning before heading up to John o' Groats.


The well wishes of my friends, family, and people I've never met (twitter is a strange beast) have meant so much to me. I will spend the time thinking of a number of people - Maisie, such an inspiration, Amber, whom I got to know, but never met, my friend Ali, who's just been diagnosed with cancer and is fighting it as we speak, and my Dad. I know he'd be proud of what my brother and I are doing, and I am sure it will help make a difference.

Some stats

I thought it would be interesting to bring together some stats about my ride. These are all based on mapping software and it will be interesting at the end of the ride to assess the accuracy.

I intend to cover 874 miles over 15 days which is just over 58 miles a day. The longest leg is 81 miles. [If I take out the last, shorter (25 miles) leg the average is 61 miles per day]

In that time I will climb around 25,386 feet which is the same height as the. 32nd highest peak in the world. I will average around 1,692 feet of climb per day. [Without the last day the average is 1,769].

I have been trying to work out if this is beyond me or not? When I cycled London to Paris (which I found pretty tough) I did 254 miles (plus a bit more when I forgot to operate my satnav!) with 7434 feet of climb in 4 days. The averages there were slightly higher at 63 miles and 1859 feet.

This time around I have done more training, I have a (much) better bike, and I feel 'fitter'...but...I'm 3 years older and half a stone heavier. And it's 14, not 4 days.

Another 13 miles and my fastest average speed yet - great ride. Feel really pumped!

Saturday Ride...

Not a lot to report today - did just over 21 miles - decent enough pace, and hit my fastest ever speed - 38.1mph. I've done nearly 89 miles this week and feel good.

Why am I doing this?

Most of my blog posts are fairly anodyne, 'I did this on my bike, I hurt that muscle, ooooh wasn't my heart-rate high' - that kinda thing. I thought it was about time to balance things and try to put into words why I'm doing the ride and what it means for me to be able to do it.


I'll tackle the 'why' first...


I am principally doing it for two charities, Macmillan and GOSH and I have put my reasons for this on my justgiving pages, suffice to say that I have done it for people who have touched me in their lives...


Maisie - article here
Amber (whom I never met) - article here by her sister, Jay
My Dad - a huge influence in my life who I have previously cycled London to Paris in memory of - here


For me though it is about giving back - making a difference, reaching out to friends and family and showing someone cares, someone cares enough to give up 2 weeks of their lives to try to make their lives better, or to say, 'do you know, I still remember you.'


The other part is really what it does for me. I have had a couple of people suggest to me, I think unfairly, that the ride is about 'my ego', about 'look at me'. Although both backtracked to a degree, I don't believe there's generally smoke without fire, and it got me thinking - despite some peoples' view of me I am fairly introspective. I definitely think there is something about me doing the ride which is about me.


Let me explain.


I'm 36 years old, 5 ft 9, 13 st 10 lbs - at least a stone and a half (if not more) overweight. I have never been *fit*. I don't enjoy the gym. I don't *really* enjoy exercise. BUT I am competitive. I have always had an inate desire to win, despite being rubbish at most sports. Indeed the only thing I ever won at school were form prizes and the Scrabble competitions. 


[Incidentally I have a bit of a thing about being a 'nearly' man, I was Deputy Head of Ely Scheme at school, I 'nearly' sold my company at the peak of the market, I was NATIONAL SCRABBLE RUNNER UP (Under 14s)]. 


I am giving you this context as to a part of the reason I'm doing it - although nowadays everyone's doing it right, we all get a bit of 'charity-fatigue'. How many times are you emailed 'Jon is running a half marathon, please contribute' messages? I know I get at least one or two a month and I always give - yes I can afford to, but similarly I think I understand what it takes for someone to take a challenge on however big or small. I think the other reason, aside from the charitable one that I am doing this, is to see if I can...to challenge myself.


I am now going to try to put into context what I think it means for me to take this challenge on. 


You see a lot of people cycling JOGLE or LEJOG. Most are club cyclists, ie they go to a club once a week or more and regularly ride 30 miles +. Most are younger than me, all are fitter, lighter, and invariably better looking. I believe that if London to Paris was, for me, the equivalent of running a marathon (bearing in mind I was 10 lbs lighter and 3 years younger), then JOGLE is like running three. Back to back. Whilst pregnant.


So I'd ask you to think of this...When you see superfit athletes tackle Everest or cycle across Europe, or TV personalities with personal trainers conquering Kilimanjaro and they raise hundreds of thousands of pounds, are their achievements (with some notable exceptions, John Bishop, Chris Moyles, David Walliams (every time)), greater than mine? Is mine greater than theirs? The simple answer is it is not as simple as that. They use their fame for good and for that I admire them. I don't have that fame (and nor do I want it), but I do want to make as much money as I can for the charities, but my biggest fear is not finishing the ride. I have to finish. Every ounce of my being wants to finish...I have rides where I feel a muscle tweak slightly, my knee hurt, or as some of you may recall I had the time when I couldn't walk for four days due to a problem with my foot. When I get these aches and pains I don't think about the pain, weird that eh?, I think about not being able to finish. When I do my route plan I look at the hills and think the same - can I get up them? 


I'll tell you what keeps me going, and why I will finish - people contacting me saying they've read the blog, and I can do it, people believing in me; people donating, so far we've raised nearly £3,200 + Gift Aid, can we get to £5,000!?; and even the odd person out there saying I inspired them to do something. 


That's why I'm doing this. My belief on a number of levels is that I can make a difference. A difference to others, a difference to the causes I'm supporting, and a difference to me.


There...We got there in the end.


To donate please go here

Picture

The way my iPhone is positioned on
my handlebar, if I look down at it and switch the camera this is the picture I (you) get. Nice!

BREAKING NEWS

I have a companion for the first two legs - a friend from home is flying up to Inverness, and doing the two days with me - how bloody exciting!!!

Another Day, Another Ride

Thought I'd make it three rides in 3 days and headed out tonight on what I'm going to call my sprint loop. First 5 miles were tough (for some reason), and I was averaging around 14.5mph, really struggling. I took a gel pack, and then wham, suddenly I started getting some real rhythm, and ended up averaging breaking the hour mark for the 15 or so miles that I did. To be fair I smashed it, averaging 16.3mph. Little targets like this are good because they keep me focused and driven.


90 minutes, a protein shake and a massive risotto later here I am and I feel like I could do it again. I won't though. It's dark.


Here's my stats.

Training....

A good weekend was had on the bike. Did over 20 miles on Sunday and followed it up on Monday morning with this ride...32 miles. I found it pretty tough, and felt quite tired for most of the rest of Monday, but to be honest as of 7.30am today (Tuesday) I feel much better.

As you can see there wasn't much elevation (about 1,000 ft in total) and this is going to be the toughest part of the whole ride for me - the hills.


I managed an average speed of 14.3 mph but with my reckoning chuck in some (proper) hills and a bit of fatigue and this will drop to around 13 mph. This would mean each day will take around 5 hours of cycling. There are some quite interesting dynamics, in that, for one, I need to work whilst I am cycling (!), or at least I need to be able to work during the two weeks, not actually whilst I am on a bike. This should lead to the following timetable:


7am - Wake up, check work emails etc...
7.30am - Brekkie
8 - any urgent work stuff
8.30 - Start first 30-35 miles
11am - 'lunch'
12 - work calls/emails
12.30 - back on the bike
2pm - break after 15-17 miles
2.30pm - work calls/emails
3pm - back on the bike
4.30pm - finish, work stuff...
6pm onwards - shower, emails, collapse, food, sleep.


Rinse.


And.


Repeat. (x 14)


Day 15 is 'just' 25 miles, and I'm going to enjoy that one.


It looks a lot harder than I first thought it would. Initially I figured I would spend 4 hours on the bike and wouldn't worry about breaks etc, but when you think it through the above seems realistic. I also think, having a had a big meal the night before it is best to do 32/16/16 as opposed to 22/22/22 'legs' - thanks to Trevor Cummings for this tip.


In terms of training this week...I am going to try to do 10-15 miles every night (bar Weds when I'm working til 10). Also, proper diet starts now (with the exception of Wednesday too), no booze until after the ride. That's no booze for a month.


I may have found two more riders - my step-sister has said she wants to do 2/3 days from Inverness to Glasgow (she may ride 2 days and not the middle one), and a friend wants to do the first two (but we've got to work out how to get him and his bike up to Scotland).


Coming soon on the blog...my kit (a geeky post), and, what I believe my ride represents (a feelings one)...at some point when I'm not condensing five days work into 4.

Bike-nav...

Interesting lesson tonight. Planned a route on mapmyride.com and after three miles or so was meant to turn left. It was a farmer's track...so I went straight on and took the next left (satnav said I could), leading to...a bridle way. I gave up a mile down the bridle way and turned back. So my 20 miles in 80 minutes should probably have been 18 miles in a shorter time. It felt great to get out on the bike and I have to say now, an hour or so after getting back, I feel fine. Will be interesting to see how I feel in the morning.


The reason why it's the first time I've been out for a while is that I injured my foot somehow recently, no idea how, but I woke up one morning and couldn't put any pressure on it. This lasted for 3 days...the doc thought I had strained my tendons, and I needed to rest with ice on it for three days. I did, and, slowly but surely it got better. It's the second time it's happened - the last time was around 6 months ago, can't work out what caused it in either case.


Not long to go now - 20 days in fact - the donations have reached around £3,000 and I am determined now to push on and reach the next mark of £4,000. If you can spare anything, even a fiver, please sponsor me...it keeps me motivated.

Really nice article in the local press. Although I am riding for two causes they wanted to focus on the local one which makes sense.

Tickets

My tickets to Doncaster (where I'm meeting my bro) have arrived. It's all getting rather real now...

Detailed Route

So, the training has really started in earnest now - I've done a few 20+ mile rides and am doing fairly decent (15mph) pace. In reality when I hit the hills of Scotland, Lake District, Worcs, Devon, Cornwall this will ease, probably to 12/13 mph but I should still be able to complete each day in between 4-5 hours of cycling. The (loose) plan at the moment is for each day I will breakfast at 8ish and aim to be on the road by 9am. I will do 30-35 miles (2.5-3 hours?) before lunch. Lunch 12-1, and then do 30 miles after lunch (aiming to finish around 4/4.30 every day, with a break after 45 miles).


The plan for getting to JoG has been formulated. Train to Doncaster, on the Thursday, meet by brother there. We drive 300+ miles to Dalwhinnie (for a wee dram), and stay overnight on the Thurs before the 200 mile trip to JoG on the Friday, aiming to arrive in good time so I can set off early (ish) on the Saturday.


The detailed route has now been planned and has been done to avoid as many hills as possible. The legs are as follows:


Leg 1
http://www.mapmyride.com/routes/view/82583739


Leg 2
http://www.mapmyride.com/routes/view/82585941


Leg 3
http://www.mapmyride.com/routes/view/82586521


Leg 4
http://www.mapmyride.com/routes/view/82587271


Leg 5
http://www.mapmyride.com/routes/view/82587915


Leg 6
http://www.mapmyride.com/routes/view/83981915


Leg 7
http://www.mapmyride.com/routes/view/82590401


Leg 8
http://www.mapmyride.com/routes/view/82591287


Leg 9
http://www.mapmyride.com/routes/view/83986929


Leg 10
http://www.mapmyride.com/routes/view/82598797


Leg 11
http://www.mapmyride.com/routes/view/82599455


Leg 12
http://www.mapmyride.com/routes/view/82593103


Leg 13
http://www.mapmyride.com/routes/view/82595519


Leg 14
http://www.mapmyride.com/routes/view/82596149


Leg 15
http://www.mapmyride.com/routes/view/82596733


This afternoon I have got the Local Press coming round to take some photos and I am hopeful of getting some into the local paper this week, which should be good. Off out tonight on another training ride.


All accommodation is booked now and some of the people I've spoken to have been very friendly - it's all quite exciting in all honesty.

Another rider - excellent news

I have another rider. Whilst at an event on Tuesday evening I met up with a client I'd worked with for a number of years before his 'retirement' last year. It was great to see him again, and we had an interesting chat about what he'd done since 'retirement'. One thing led to another, and I mentioned we went through Bath (his home City) and he kindly offered to do a leg with me, and he even more generously offered for us to stay with him overnight. This is fantastic news and I've pencilled him in.



John O Groats to Brora...  63 miles Sat 26th May
Brora to Inverness......       55 miles Sun 27th May
Inverness to Fort William.. 56 miles Mon 28th May
Fort William to Crianlarrich 57 miles Tues 29th May
Crianlarrich  to South Glasgow 66 miles Weds 30th May
South Glasgow to Gretna.....75 miles Thurs 31st May [@LJS4]
Gretna to Kendal..........    54 miles Fri 1st June
Kendal to Wigan...........   60 miles Sat 2nd June [Ryan C/Chris P]
Wigan to Shrewsbury......64 miles Sun 3rd June [Paul G]
Shrewsbury to Malvern....56 miles Mon 4th June [Paul G]
Malvern to Bath..........      59 miles Tues 5th June [Nick D]
Bath to Honiton..........      62 miles Weds 6th June [David E]
Honiton to Launceston....59 miles Thurs 7th June
Launceston to Newquay....40 miles Fri 8th June
Newquay to Land's End....43 miles Sat 9th June [Ken J] 


I am still desperate for Scottish riders or I'm going to be lonely in those early days. Would be great to have a couple more in Devon/Cornwall but I suspect Leo/Fiona et al will join me for that...

The GREAT news is that I have another rider - Chris Pitcher, who I've never met but share a love of football, and pithy stories with. He's doing Kendal/Wigan with me - here's the full route with gaps...going to be lonely in Scotland at this rate!

John O Groats to Brora...  63 miles Sat 26th May
Brora to Inverness......       55 miles Sun 27th May
Inverness to Fort William.. 56 miles Mon 28th May
Fort William to Crianlarrich 57 miles Tues 29th May
Crianlarrich  to South Glasgow 66 miles Weds 30th May
South Glasgow to Gretna.....75 miles Thurs 31st May [@LJS4]
Gretna to Kendal..........    54 miles Fri 1st June
Kendal to Wigan...........   60 miles Sat 2nd June [Ryan C/Chris P]
Wigan to Shrewsbury......64 miles Sun 3rd June [Paul G]
Shrewsbury to Malvern....56 miles Mon 4th June [Paul G]
Malvern to Bath..........      59 miles Tues 5th June [Nick D]
Bath to Honiton..........      62 miles Weds 6th June
Honiton to Launceston....59 miles Thurs 7th June
Launceston to Newquay....40 miles Fri 8th June
Newquay to Land's End....43 miles Sat 9th June [Ken J] 

OK so here we are. I've had a bit of a chest infection and the weather's been poor, but it's now brightening up on both fronts so I've swapped my training tyre for my real tyre and I've strapped my Garmin back on the bike - I'm good to go!


The part of the whole thing I am not great at is gaining PR/publicity. I try, usually fail, and then kind of give up. This is generally as I am, believe it or not, quite a shy, 'in the background' kind of guy...that said, due to the work I do with Sheffield University I got to meet Dan Walker, he of BBC Football Focus fame. We had a decent chat about the ride, with him looking me up and down whilst probably thinking 'ooh you need to shift a few pounds'! [Top bloke though, I have to say, and yes he is *that* tall in real life...] 


He then agreed to help out by tweeting the details to my blog and charity pages. It's highly likely, therefore, that some of you got to this page via Dan, as he has around 130,000 followers.


If you did I am asking for two things. One is obvious - money for this fat, old, never was to put his creaking bones into action and to do the 900 miles. My sponsorship pages can be found here.


The second is slightly less boring. I am doing the ride solo (I think) as my mate I was going to do it with has just got himself a job and I think he'll be working now. I am looking at the whole trip as a great chance to meet people so I am looking for one person to accompany me on each leg. Why would you do this? I guess the only reason would be to meet another (decent enough) person, and to have a bit of fun. I am not a club rider, I am not quick, and I am more than happy to go at your pace (unless you're quicker than me, then you'd have to slow down!). If it interests you please contact me via twitter @moosola


The route is below, rough mileage included. I am looking for people for the legs there isn't a name next to!


John O Groats to Brora...  63 miles Sat 26th May
Brora to Inverness......       55 miles Sun 27th May
Inverness to Fort William.. 56 miles Mon 28th May
Fort William to Crianlarrich 57 miles Tues 29th May
Crianlarrich  to South Glasgow 66 miles Weds 30th May
South Glasgow to Gretna.....75 miles Thurs 31st May [@LJS4]
Gretna to Kendal..........    54 miles Fri 1st June
Kendal to Wigan...........   60 miles Sat 2nd June [Ryan C]
Wigan to Shrewsbury......64 miles Sun 3rd June [Paul G]
Shrewsbury to Malvern....56 miles Mon 4th June [Paul G]
Malvern to Bath..........      59 miles Tues 5th June [Nick D]
Bath to Honiton..........      62 miles Weds 6th June
Honiton to Launceston....59 miles Thurs 7th June
Launceston to Newquay....40 miles Fri 8th June
Newquay to Land's End....43 miles Sat 9th June [Ken J]