Today started kindly on our morning legs with a relatively flat 20mile ride along the edge of Lake Linhie from Fort William to Glen Coe town.
Then we had the feared long climb up onto the Glen Coe pass which traverses the West Highlands and is a truly stunning route and was extremely busy on this sunny Sunday morning with thousands of motorbikes in particular.
We completed this 63 mile section in just under fiver hours with an average moving speed of 14mph.
We stopped at the top of Glen Coe for a photo and a generous Scottish man not only asked if we would like him to take the photo for us but also stumped up £10 for the lights appeal. An amazing gesture which provided us with a mental boost for day ahead.
How is the fund raising going at home?
The second part of today was kayaking the entire 25mile length of Loch Lomond.
It was perfect sunny Sunday on the loch and this brought an additional challenge to launch and avoid the many day users.
This amazing and beautiful setting helped overcome the monotony of paddling non-stop for five hours.
Our arms and backs will suffer in the morning but it will redirect the focus away from the growing saddle aches.
We finished at around 9pm and enjoyed a "Bob's special" supper and headed for bed.
Tomorrow is a straight forward 120mile down to carlisle area which includes some major cities and heavy traffic routes.
Our spirit remains strong and we will continue to update you.
Have a good week at home.
Sent using BlackBerry® from Orange
Sunday 31 May 2009
Day 3
Sent using BlackBerry® from Orange
Saturday 30 May 2009
Day 2 Report
Another poor reception area.
We got underway at 7.30 this morning and the first part of our day was the remaining 65mile ride up to Fort William and the foot of Ben Nevis.
Again, the sun was shining and there was an even stronger wind on the nose that proved energy and moral sapping but we also had a new threat in highland midges. Ouch!
The radio interview with Fitz did not take as their telephone system crashed and we are re-scheduled for 2.45pm tomorrow (Sunday) afternoon.
As we ascended on bikes towards Fort William we could see a snow capped Ben Nevis growing in size on the clear horizon. It was an amazing and daunting sight!
We completed the bike section in just short of five hours giving an average moving speed of 13.4mph.
When we arrived at the Ben Nevis visitor centre to meet up with Bob and Ray, the car park was jammed full and cars over spilled onto the road because it is the three peaks challenge weekend and there were literally thousands of people on the mountain.
After our prepared pasta lunch, we set off just before 3pm to climb the 4406ft to the summit, which we made in a pleasing 2hrs and 20mins. After photos and some time to enjoy the view and environment we made our descent in 1hr 40mins.
We were considering the option of putting in a further short bike stint this evening but we when we saw the Ben Nevis Inn a few hundred metres from bottom, we simultaneously chose a rewarding Guinness as our preferred option, which we enjoyed in good spirits.
Our camp site at the foot of Ben Nevis is clean and tidy with good facilities and we are showered, watered and well fed.
Tomorrow we start with a 70 mile cycle across Glen Coe to the head of Loch Lomond for the 25mile kayak from end to end.
Cheers for now!
Sent using BlackBerry® from Orange
We got underway at 7.30 this morning and the first part of our day was the remaining 65mile ride up to Fort William and the foot of Ben Nevis.
Again, the sun was shining and there was an even stronger wind on the nose that proved energy and moral sapping but we also had a new threat in highland midges. Ouch!
The radio interview with Fitz did not take as their telephone system crashed and we are re-scheduled for 2.45pm tomorrow (Sunday) afternoon.
As we ascended on bikes towards Fort William we could see a snow capped Ben Nevis growing in size on the clear horizon. It was an amazing and daunting sight!
We completed the bike section in just short of five hours giving an average moving speed of 13.4mph.
When we arrived at the Ben Nevis visitor centre to meet up with Bob and Ray, the car park was jammed full and cars over spilled onto the road because it is the three peaks challenge weekend and there were literally thousands of people on the mountain.
After our prepared pasta lunch, we set off just before 3pm to climb the 4406ft to the summit, which we made in a pleasing 2hrs and 20mins. After photos and some time to enjoy the view and environment we made our descent in 1hr 40mins.
We were considering the option of putting in a further short bike stint this evening but we when we saw the Ben Nevis Inn a few hundred metres from bottom, we simultaneously chose a rewarding Guinness as our preferred option, which we enjoyed in good spirits.
Our camp site at the foot of Ben Nevis is clean and tidy with good facilities and we are showered, watered and well fed.
Tomorrow we start with a 70 mile cycle across Glen Coe to the head of Loch Lomond for the 25mile kayak from end to end.
Cheers for now!
Sent using BlackBerry® from Orange
Sweet Rewards
Sent using BlackBerry® from Orange
Friday 29 May 2009
Day 1 report
Apologies for this late report and lack of photos but we are camping in an area with zero reception. So, please forgive more typos courtesy of the blackberry.
We were woken by the sunrise at 3am, after literally only 3hrs of darkness, and all struggled to get back to sleep properly and were nervously anticipating the 6am alarm.
By the time we got on the road after the John O' Groats start experience, it was a little later than we had hoped for at 8am.
At last we were finally underway, the sun was shining and we were busy trying to find a rhythm against a strong head wind.
We soon settled into 20minutes stints each at front, before peeling of to the back for recovery in the slip stream.
We took our first break at around the 3hrs and 40 mile mark but thereafter, we took them a little more frequently because of the heat and need for rehydration. We each consumed in the region of 6-8litres of fluid on the ride alone today and there are a selection of beetroot body parts amongst us.
Interestingly, the many end to end cyclists we passed were all riding north in the opposite direction which confirms we are definitely completing the challenge the "Wrong Way Down"!
We have been wearing the "Dartmouth Wrong Way Down" t-shirts and lots of people we passed, even motorists beeping their horns, have been very supportive in the first section of today's ride.
As the day progressed, traffic levels and speed have increased enormously and we changed our initial route plan to avoid Inverness city.
We have completed 120 miles as per plan and were out for 10 hours in total. Our moving average was just below 15mph and Phil recorded the fastest max speed of 41mph.
Tomorrow, we have an approximate 65 mile ride before we arrive to climb Ben Nevis.
We aim to be on the road at 7am and will be breaking for a radio interview with Fitz on BBC radio devon at 10.30am.
More to follow.
Cheers
Sent using BlackBerry® from Orange
We were woken by the sunrise at 3am, after literally only 3hrs of darkness, and all struggled to get back to sleep properly and were nervously anticipating the 6am alarm.
By the time we got on the road after the John O' Groats start experience, it was a little later than we had hoped for at 8am.
At last we were finally underway, the sun was shining and we were busy trying to find a rhythm against a strong head wind.
We soon settled into 20minutes stints each at front, before peeling of to the back for recovery in the slip stream.
We took our first break at around the 3hrs and 40 mile mark but thereafter, we took them a little more frequently because of the heat and need for rehydration. We each consumed in the region of 6-8litres of fluid on the ride alone today and there are a selection of beetroot body parts amongst us.
Interestingly, the many end to end cyclists we passed were all riding north in the opposite direction which confirms we are definitely completing the challenge the "Wrong Way Down"!
We have been wearing the "Dartmouth Wrong Way Down" t-shirts and lots of people we passed, even motorists beeping their horns, have been very supportive in the first section of today's ride.
As the day progressed, traffic levels and speed have increased enormously and we changed our initial route plan to avoid Inverness city.
We have completed 120 miles as per plan and were out for 10 hours in total. Our moving average was just below 15mph and Phil recorded the fastest max speed of 41mph.
Tomorrow, we have an approximate 65 mile ride before we arrive to climb Ben Nevis.
We aim to be on the road at 7am and will be breaking for a radio interview with Fitz on BBC radio devon at 10.30am.
More to follow.
Cheers
Sent using BlackBerry® from Orange
Day 1 report
Apologies for this late report and lack of photos but we are camping in an area with zero reception. So, please forgive more typos courtesy of the blackberry.
We were woken by the sunrise at 3am, after literally only 3hrs of darkness, and all struggled to get back to sleep properly and were nervously anticipating the 6am alarm.
By the time we got on the road after the John O' Groats start experience, it was a little later than we had hoped for at 8am.
At last we were finally underway, the sun was shining and we were busy trying to find a rhythm against a strong head wind.
We soon settled into 20minutes stints each at front, before peeling of to the back for recovery in the slip stream.
We took our first break at around the 3hrs and 40 mile mark but thereafter, we took them a little more frequently because of the heat and need for rehydration. We each consumed in the region of 6-8litres of fluid on the ride alone today and there are a selection of beetroot body parts amongst us.
Interestingly, the many end to end cyclists we passed were all riding north in the opposite direction which confirms we are definitely completing the challenge the "Wrong Way Down"!
We have been wearing the "Dartmouth Wrong Way Down" t-shirts and lots of people we passed, even motorists beeping their horns, have been very supportive in the first section of today's ride.
As the day progressed, traffic levels and speed have increased enormously and we changed our initial route plan to avoid Inverness city.
We have completed 120 miles as per plan and were out for 10 hours in total. Our moving average was just below 15mph and Phil recorded the fastest max speed of 41mph.
Tomorrow, we have an approximate 65 mile ride before we arrive to climb Ben Nevis.
We aim to be on the road at 7am and will be breaking for a radio interview with Fitz on BBC radio devon at 10.30am.
More to follow.
Cheers
Sent using BlackBerry® from Orange
We were woken by the sunrise at 3am, after literally only 3hrs of darkness, and all struggled to get back to sleep properly and were nervously anticipating the 6am alarm.
By the time we got on the road after the John O' Groats start experience, it was a little later than we had hoped for at 8am.
At last we were finally underway, the sun was shining and we were busy trying to find a rhythm against a strong head wind.
We soon settled into 20minutes stints each at front, before peeling of to the back for recovery in the slip stream.
We took our first break at around the 3hrs and 40 mile mark but thereafter, we took them a little more frequently because of the heat and need for rehydration. We each consumed in the region of 6-8litres of fluid on the ride alone today and there are a selection of beetroot body parts amongst us.
Interestingly, the many end to end cyclists we passed were all riding north in the opposite direction which confirms we are definitely completing the challenge the "Wrong Way Down"!
We have been wearing the "Dartmouth Wrong Way Down" t-shirts and lots of people we passed, even motorists beeping their horns, have been very supportive in the first section of today's ride.
As the day progressed, traffic levels and speed have increased enormously and we changed our initial route plan to avoid Inverness city.
We have completed 120 miles as per plan and were out for 10 hours in total. Our moving average was just below 15mph and Phil recorded the fastest max speed of 41mph.
Tomorrow, we have an approximate 65 mile ride before we arrive to climb Ben Nevis.
We aim to be on the road at 7am and will be breaking for a radio interview with Fitz on BBC radio devon at 10.30am.
More to follow.
Cheers
Sent using BlackBerry® from Orange
Day 1 report
Apologies for this late report and lack of photos but we are camping in an area with zero reception. So, please forgive more typos courtesy of the blackberry.
We were woken by the sunrise at 3am, after literally only 3hrs of darkness, and all struggled to get back to sleep properly and were nervously anticipating the 6am alarm.
By the time we got on the road after the John O' Groats start experience, it was a little later than we had hoped for at 8am.
At last we were finally underway, the sun was shining and we were busy trying to find a rhythm against a strong head wind.
We soon settled into 20minutes stints each at front, before peeling of to the back for recovery in the slip stream.
We took our first break at around the 3hrs and 40 mile mark but thereafter, we took them a little more frequently because of the heat and need for rehydration. We each consumed in the region of 6-8litres of fluid on the ride alone today and there are a selection of beetroot body parts amongst us.
Interestingly, the many end to end cyclists we passed were all riding north in the opposite direction which confirms we are definitely completing the challenge the "Wrong Way Down"!
We have been wearing the "Dartmouth Wrong Way Down" t-shirts and lots of people we passed, even motorists beeping their horns, have been very supportive in the first section of today's ride.
As the day progressed, traffic levels and speed have increased enormously and we changed our initial route plan to avoid Inverness city.
We have completed 120 miles as per plan and were out for 10 hours in total. Our moving average was just below 15mph and Phil recorded the fastest max speed of 41mph.
Tomorrow, we have an approximate 65 mile ride before we arrive to climb Ben Nevis.
We aim to be on the road at 7am and will be breaking for a radio interview with Fitz on BBC radio devon at 10.30am.
More to follow.
Cheers
Sent using BlackBerry® from Orange
We were woken by the sunrise at 3am, after literally only 3hrs of darkness, and all struggled to get back to sleep properly and were nervously anticipating the 6am alarm.
By the time we got on the road after the John O' Groats start experience, it was a little later than we had hoped for at 8am.
At last we were finally underway, the sun was shining and we were busy trying to find a rhythm against a strong head wind.
We soon settled into 20minutes stints each at front, before peeling of to the back for recovery in the slip stream.
We took our first break at around the 3hrs and 40 mile mark but thereafter, we took them a little more frequently because of the heat and need for rehydration. We each consumed in the region of 6-8litres of fluid on the ride alone today and there are a selection of beetroot body parts amongst us.
Interestingly, the many end to end cyclists we passed were all riding north in the opposite direction which confirms we are definitely completing the challenge the "Wrong Way Down"!
We have been wearing the "Dartmouth Wrong Way Down" t-shirts and lots of people we passed, even motorists beeping their horns, have been very supportive in the first section of today's ride.
As the day progressed, traffic levels and speed have increased enormously and we changed our initial route plan to avoid Inverness city.
We have completed 120 miles as per plan and were out for 10 hours in total. Our moving average was just below 15mph and Phil recorded the fastest max speed of 41mph.
Tomorrow, we have an approximate 65 mile ride before we arrive to climb Ben Nevis.
We aim to be on the road at 7am and will be breaking for a radio interview with Fitz on BBC radio devon at 10.30am.
More to follow.
Cheers
Sent using BlackBerry® from Orange
Day 1 report
Apologies for this late report and lack of photos but we are camping in an area with zero reception. So, please forgive more typos courtesy of the blackberry.
We were woken by the sunrise at 3am, after literally only 3hrs of darkness, and all struggled to get back to sleep properly and were nervously anticipating the 6am alarm.
By the time we got on the road after the John O' Groats start experience, it was a little later than we had hoped for at 8am.
At last we were finally underway, the sun was shining and we were busy trying to find a rhythm against a strong head wind.
We soon settled into 20minutes stints each at front, before peeling of to the back for recovery in the slip stream.
We took our first break at around the 3hrs and 40 mile mark but thereafter, we took them a little more frequently because of the heat and need for rehydration. We each consumed in the region of 6-8litres of fluid on the ride alone today and there are a selection of beetroot body parts amongst us.
Interestingly, the many end to end cyclists we passed were all riding north in the opposite direction which confirms we are definitely completing the challenge the "Wrong Way Down"!
We have been wearing the "Dartmouth Wrong Way Down" t-shirts and lots of people we passed, even motorists beeping their horns, have been very supportive in the first section of today's ride.
As the day progressed, traffic levels and speed have increased enormously and we changed our initial route plan to avoid Inverness city.
We have completed 120 miles as per plan and were out for 10 hours in total. Our moving average was just below 15mph and Phil recorded the fastest max speed of 41mph.
Tomorrow, we have an approximate 65 mile ride before we arrive to climb Ben Nevis.
We aim to be on the road at 7am and will be breaking for a radio interview with Fitz on BBC radio devon at 10.30am.
More to follow.
Cheers
Sent using BlackBerry® from Orange
We were woken by the sunrise at 3am, after literally only 3hrs of darkness, and all struggled to get back to sleep properly and were nervously anticipating the 6am alarm.
By the time we got on the road after the John O' Groats start experience, it was a little later than we had hoped for at 8am.
At last we were finally underway, the sun was shining and we were busy trying to find a rhythm against a strong head wind.
We soon settled into 20minutes stints each at front, before peeling of to the back for recovery in the slip stream.
We took our first break at around the 3hrs and 40 mile mark but thereafter, we took them a little more frequently because of the heat and need for rehydration. We each consumed in the region of 6-8litres of fluid on the ride alone today and there are a selection of beetroot body parts amongst us.
Interestingly, the many end to end cyclists we passed were all riding north in the opposite direction which confirms we are definitely completing the challenge the "Wrong Way Down"!
We have been wearing the "Dartmouth Wrong Way Down" t-shirts and lots of people we passed, even motorists beeping their horns, have been very supportive in the first section of today's ride.
As the day progressed, traffic levels and speed have increased enormously and we changed our initial route plan to avoid Inverness city.
We have completed 120 miles as per plan and were out for 10 hours in total. Our moving average was just below 15mph and Phil recorded the fastest max speed of 41mph.
Tomorrow, we have an approximate 65 mile ride before we arrive to climb Ben Nevis.
We aim to be on the road at 7am and will be breaking for a radio interview with Fitz on BBC radio devon at 10.30am.
More to follow.
Cheers
Sent using BlackBerry® from Orange
Day 1 report
Apologies for this late report and lack of photos but we are camping in an area with zero reception. So, please forgive more typos courtesy of the blackberry.
We were woken by the sunrise at 3am, after literally only 3hrs of darkness, and all struggled to get back to sleep properly and were nervously anticipating the 6am alarm.
By the time we got on the road after the John O' Groats start experience, it was a little later than we had hoped for at 8am.
At last we were finally underway, the sun was shining and we were busy trying to find a rhythm against a strong head wind.
We soon settled into 20minutes stints each at front, before peeling of to the back for recovery in the slip stream.
We took our first break at around the 3hrs and 40 mile mark but thereafter, we took them a little more frequently because of the heat and need for rehydration. We each consumed in the region of 6-8litres of fluid on the ride alone today and there are a selection of beetroot body parts amongst us.
Interestingly, the many end to end cyclists we passed were all riding north in the opposite direction which confirms we are definitely completing the challenge the "Wrong Way Down"!
We have been wearing the "Dartmouth Wrong Way Down" t-shirts and lots of people we passed, even motorists beeping their horns, have been very supportive in the first section of today's ride.
As the day progressed, traffic levels and speed have increased enormously and we changed our initial route plan to avoid Inverness city.
We have completed 120 miles as per plan and were out for 10 hours in total. Our moving average was just below 15mph and Phil recorded the fastest max speed of 41mph.
Tomorrow, we have an approximate 65 mile ride before we arrive to climb Ben Nevis.
We aim to be on the road at 7am and will be breaking for a radio interview with Fitz on BBC radio devon at 10.30am.
More to follow.
Cheers
Sent using BlackBerry® from Orange
We were woken by the sunrise at 3am, after literally only 3hrs of darkness, and all struggled to get back to sleep properly and were nervously anticipating the 6am alarm.
By the time we got on the road after the John O' Groats start experience, it was a little later than we had hoped for at 8am.
At last we were finally underway, the sun was shining and we were busy trying to find a rhythm against a strong head wind.
We soon settled into 20minutes stints each at front, before peeling of to the back for recovery in the slip stream.
We took our first break at around the 3hrs and 40 mile mark but thereafter, we took them a little more frequently because of the heat and need for rehydration. We each consumed in the region of 6-8litres of fluid on the ride alone today and there are a selection of beetroot body parts amongst us.
Interestingly, the many end to end cyclists we passed were all riding north in the opposite direction which confirms we are definitely completing the challenge the "Wrong Way Down"!
We have been wearing the "Dartmouth Wrong Way Down" t-shirts and lots of people we passed, even motorists beeping their horns, have been very supportive in the first section of today's ride.
As the day progressed, traffic levels and speed have increased enormously and we changed our initial route plan to avoid Inverness city.
We have completed 120 miles as per plan and were out for 10 hours in total. Our moving average was just below 15mph and Phil recorded the fastest max speed of 41mph.
Tomorrow, we have an approximate 65 mile ride before we arrive to climb Ben Nevis.
We aim to be on the road at 7am and will be breaking for a radio interview with Fitz on BBC radio devon at 10.30am.
More to follow.
Cheers
Sent using BlackBerry® from Orange
Day 1 report
Apologies for this late report and lack of photos but we are camping in an area with zero reception. So, please forgive more typos courtesy of the blackberry.
We were woken by the sunrise at 3am, after literally only 3hrs of darkness, and all struggled to get back to sleep properly and were nervously anticipating the 6am alarm.
By the time we got on the road after the John O' Groats start experience, it was a little later than we had hoped for at 8am.
At last we were finally underway, the sun was shining and we were busy trying to find a rhythm against a strong head wind.
We soon settled into 20minutes stints each at front, before peeling of to the back for recovery in the slip stream.
We took our first break at around the 3hrs and 40 mile mark but thereafter, we took them a little more frequently because of the heat and need for rehydration. We each consumed in the region of 6-8litres of fluid on the ride alone today and there are a selection of beetroot body parts amongst us.
Interestingly, the many end to end cyclists we passed were all riding north in the opposite direction which confirms we are definitely completing the challenge the "Wrong Way Down"!
We have been wearing the "Dartmouth Wrong Way Down" t-shirts and lots of people we passed, even motorists beeping their horns, have been very supportive in the first section of today's ride.
As the day progressed, traffic levels and speed have increased enormously and we changed our initial route plan to avoid Inverness city.
We have completed 120 miles as per plan and were out for 10 hours in total. Our moving average was just below 15mph and Phil recorded the fastest max speed of 41mph.
Tomorrow, we have an approximate 65 mile ride before we arrive to climb Ben Nevis.
We aim to be on the road at 7am and will be breaking for a radio interview with Fitz on BBC radio devon at 10.30am.
More to follow.
Cheers
Sent using BlackBerry® from Orange
We were woken by the sunrise at 3am, after literally only 3hrs of darkness, and all struggled to get back to sleep properly and were nervously anticipating the 6am alarm.
By the time we got on the road after the John O' Groats start experience, it was a little later than we had hoped for at 8am.
At last we were finally underway, the sun was shining and we were busy trying to find a rhythm against a strong head wind.
We soon settled into 20minutes stints each at front, before peeling of to the back for recovery in the slip stream.
We took our first break at around the 3hrs and 40 mile mark but thereafter, we took them a little more frequently because of the heat and need for rehydration. We each consumed in the region of 6-8litres of fluid on the ride alone today and there are a selection of beetroot body parts amongst us.
Interestingly, the many end to end cyclists we passed were all riding north in the opposite direction which confirms we are definitely completing the challenge the "Wrong Way Down"!
We have been wearing the "Dartmouth Wrong Way Down" t-shirts and lots of people we passed, even motorists beeping their horns, have been very supportive in the first section of today's ride.
As the day progressed, traffic levels and speed have increased enormously and we changed our initial route plan to avoid Inverness city.
We have completed 120 miles as per plan and were out for 10 hours in total. Our moving average was just below 15mph and Phil recorded the fastest max speed of 41mph.
Tomorrow, we have an approximate 65 mile ride before we arrive to climb Ben Nevis.
We aim to be on the road at 7am and will be breaking for a radio interview with Fitz on BBC radio devon at 10.30am.
More to follow.
Cheers
Sent using BlackBerry® from Orange
Day 1 report
Apologies for this late report and lack of photos but we are camping in an area with zero reception. So, please forgive more typos courtesy of the blackberry.
We were woken by the sunrise at 3am, after literally only 3hrs of darkness, and all struggled to get back to sleep properly and were nervously anticipating the 6am alarm.
By the time we got on the road after the John O' Groats start experience, it was a little later than we had hoped for at 8am.
At last we were finally underway, the sun was shining and we were busy trying to find a rhythm against a strong head wind.
We soon settled into 20minutes stints each at front, before peeling of to the back for recovery in the slip stream.
We took our first break at around the 3hrs and 40 mile mark but thereafter, we took them a little more frequently because of the heat and need for rehydration. We each consumed in the region of 6-8litres of fluid on the ride alone today and there are a selection of beetroot body parts amongst us.
Interestingly, the many end to end cyclists we passed were all riding north in the opposite direction which confirms we are definitely completing the challenge the "Wrong Way Down"!
We have been wearing the "Dartmouth Wrong Way Down" t-shirts and lots of people we passed, even motorists beeping their horns, have been very supportive in the first section of today's ride.
As the day progressed, traffic levels and speed have increased enormously and we changed our initial route plan to avoid Inverness city.
We have completed 120 miles as per plan and were out for 10 hours in total. Our moving average was just below 15mph and Phil recorded the fastest max speed of 41mph.
Tomorrow, we have an approximate 65 mile ride before we arrive to climb Ben Nevis.
We aim to be on the road at 7am and will be breaking for a radio interview with Fitz on BBC radio devon at 10.30am.
More to follow.
Cheers
Sent using BlackBerry® from Orange
We were woken by the sunrise at 3am, after literally only 3hrs of darkness, and all struggled to get back to sleep properly and were nervously anticipating the 6am alarm.
By the time we got on the road after the John O' Groats start experience, it was a little later than we had hoped for at 8am.
At last we were finally underway, the sun was shining and we were busy trying to find a rhythm against a strong head wind.
We soon settled into 20minutes stints each at front, before peeling of to the back for recovery in the slip stream.
We took our first break at around the 3hrs and 40 mile mark but thereafter, we took them a little more frequently because of the heat and need for rehydration. We each consumed in the region of 6-8litres of fluid on the ride alone today and there are a selection of beetroot body parts amongst us.
Interestingly, the many end to end cyclists we passed were all riding north in the opposite direction which confirms we are definitely completing the challenge the "Wrong Way Down"!
We have been wearing the "Dartmouth Wrong Way Down" t-shirts and lots of people we passed, even motorists beeping their horns, have been very supportive in the first section of today's ride.
As the day progressed, traffic levels and speed have increased enormously and we changed our initial route plan to avoid Inverness city.
We have completed 120 miles as per plan and were out for 10 hours in total. Our moving average was just below 15mph and Phil recorded the fastest max speed of 41mph.
Tomorrow, we have an approximate 65 mile ride before we arrive to climb Ben Nevis.
We aim to be on the road at 7am and will be breaking for a radio interview with Fitz on BBC radio devon at 10.30am.
More to follow.
Cheers
Sent using BlackBerry® from Orange
Thursday 28 May 2009
Ready for the Start
Hi all,
It is 11pm and still light and a wonderful evening here at John O' Groats.
Yorkie and John arrived here at 7.30pm earlier this evening after flying into Inverness and catching the coach to Thurso.
We have had a pasta supper and prepared the bikes and our kit for the start in the morning at 7am.
Our plan is to ride 120miles approximately back to the Inverness area.
The weather forecast and wind conditions are looking favourable, so we may be able to push a little further.
Hope that you are all enjoying the blog and thank you for your fund raising support.
Wish us luck and we will report tomorrow.
Phil has a radio interview with David Fitzgerald on BBC Radio Devon on Saturday morning.
Tell all your mates.
Bye for now.
IMG00244-20090528-1948.jpg
Sent using BlackBerry® from Orange
Wednesday 27 May 2009
IMG00212-20090527-1908.jpg
Good journey and spirits.
Sent using BlackBerry® from Orange
Fw: History of the challenge
-----Original Message-----
From: jdholliss@aol.com
Date: Wed, 27 May 2009 10:35:40
To: AA CHARLIE<charlielongley@btconnect.com>
Subject: History of the challenge
Meet my old school and rugby playing mate from Kingsbridge Gary Jolliffe of Endurancelife.com, who are also our generous sponsors of kayak equipment for the challenge. Gary and his then founding partner at endurancelife Barry Matthews from East Allington, devised this challenge around five years ago to promote adventure challenges and completed in ten and a quarter days.
At the time, I can remember thinking to myself what a pair of nutters and we all accept this is probably the current consensus about ourselves! As Gary is aware, Charlie holds Barry and himself mainly responsible for the "mid-life crisis" ;-) !
Sent using BlackBerry® from Orange
Tuesday 26 May 2009
Loading The Wagon
Photo is from earlier this evening loading up our support lorry borrowed from Grandad Bob's nephew who races motorbikes........Big Bonus!
We leave in convoy with Phil and his dad Ray at 6am tomorrow (Weds 28th May) and aim to get into Scotland and over half-way towards John O' Groats, leaving us a shorter day's travelling on Thursday, ready for Friday's start.
Saturday 23 May 2009
Fwd: photos
Sorry boys, mums and dads for being late myself.
I was a little delayed at Hot Pursuits Cycles in Totnes who have been really generous to sponsor us with a spare bike (Specialised carbon tarmac comp - an awesome bike and better than Yorkies, Phils and mine), plus a personalised box of spares for our bikes and cost price on all goods we need for this challenge.
Hot Pursuits is situated on the Babbage Road industrial estate in Totnes and is a must for all your future biking needs.
Mention Dartmouth Rugby Club "Wrong way down" and I am sure they will be happy to see and look after you.
Phil and I are pictured with Pete from Hot Pursuits with a spares box and the spare (I am not allowed to buy it!) bike.
Apologies again for the delay,
Ju.
-----Original Message-----
From: Phil Langman <langers100@googlemail.com>
To: jdholliss@aol.co.uk
Sent: Sat, 23 May 2009 22:31
Subject: photos
Pictures from today mate( i think )!
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