Day 14 (Stage 13) Helmsdale to John O' Groats

Our final day on the bikes with only a short stint of 55 miles to the finish line. Starting off in drizzle and mist the weather cleared for a time and we even had a short period of sunshine before the rain returned.  There were a couple of cheeky climbs at the start to warm the legs up one even had a steep alpine style switchback, after which the roads evened out and were reasonably undulating. Fairly barren views of coastline appeared as the cloud lifted, we worked together rotating at the front of the group to maintain speed through the wind.  Almost giving the impression of a proessional bunch of cyclists!  Jan was hampered by a slow puncture only a few miles from the finish but the support team did well to provide a quick wheel change to maintain momentum.  All in all a successful day with us all reaching the finish safely having ticked of End to End in the taskbook of things to do. What's next?

Day 13 (Stage 12) – Inverness to Helmsdale

We left Inverness in favourable weather conditions with some great views over the Beauly Firth as we crossed the bridge out of the city.  We crossed the Cromarty Firth on our fourth ferry of the trip.  On reaching the other side the weather began to turn and increasingly worsen throughout the afternoon and the last 10 miles were a particularly hard slog up the coast into wind and into rain; it was a relief to finally reach the Hostel at Helmsdale and warm up after 70 well earned miles.  The general impression of the East Coast after the spectacular Highlands can only be described as ‘bleak’.  Tomorrow leaves us with a dilemma for the final day with two options: 1) 55miles into a strong headwind all the way to the finish or 2) 70 miles following an inland route with the last 30 into wind..........

Highlands Day 11

Royal Marine Memorial at Spean Bridge

Day 12 - Glencoe to Inverness

An outstanding day leaving the big mountains of Glencoe behind under clear skies. At every turn another stunning vista appeared as we headed along Loch Leven, Loch Lochie the Caledonian Canal and Loch Ness. By cycling from Fort William to Inverness we also ticked off a Coast to Coast by seeing both the Atlantic and North Sea in the same day. With only 2 days and 150 miles, left to go we feel like we really have covered some distance now. A highlight of today was taking in the Royal Marine memorial at Spean Bridge. Photos to follow....

Climb out of Tyndrum

Tommo & Jan

Day 11 – Helensburgh to Glencoe

A game of two halves, we sped along the edge of Loch Lomond averaging 16 mph in sunshine and light airs, leaving us plenty of time for a coffee stop and ‘tiffin’ in Crainlaroch, very important to fuel the machine!  We entered the Highlands proper with some fantastic views on the climb up out of Tyndrum and up onto Rannoch Moor. Quote of the day from SOO ‘It’s all downhill from here into Glencoe’ followed by a 5 mile climb into 25mph head winds and driving rain and a further 8 mile descent into Glencoe with continued strong winds and freezing cold rain.  At one point it felt like I was peddling just to stand still.  Apparently the views into Glencoe are stunning but it was hard to see much through the spray from the riders in front! Stats: 68 miles, Ave Spd 14.2mph, Total Ascent 1100m.

Day 10 - Rest Day

Today was an enforced rest day owing to strong winds over the high ground we would have been riding. It is still raining but weather forecast to improve. Today has given us a useful opportunity to maintain our bikes, collect spares, do washing etc. Most of us had a quick spin on the gym bikes to keep our legs ticking over. The plan has just been finalised and we'll be sticking to the original planned distances meaning we'll be finishing on Saturday 17 th, to travel back home on the Sunday.

Weather update/new phot.

The weather forecast is unsafe to cycle over the high ground tomorrow, plan is to recommence on Wednesday. The finer detail of the impact has yet to be fully finialised but we will make it to John O'Groats! Below is a photo of one group's arrival in Scotland yesterday, before the weather set in.....

Day 9 - Abington to Faslane

We maximised the window of opportunity and completed 65 miles today making it as far as Helensburgh before the crosswinds along the seafront became too strong. Now holed up on Faslane! It was cold, wet and windy again today but mentally prepared, having had a good taster of the scotish weather yesterday. Re-routing through Glasgow saved time although the national cycle route was somewhat convoluted through the city centre, obviously not planned by a cyclist!! Highlight of today an early start = early finish! We also managed to ride when the pros didn't today on the Tour of Britain.

Day 8 - Carlisle to Abington (20 miles south of Glasgow)

This was our 'rest' day which should have been a fairly easy canter of 60 miles. Driving rain and howling cross winds meant today could only be described as 'character building'. Without a doubt harder than the 100 miles yesterday. I guess this is why it is called a challenge! Still we are looking to exploit a weather window tomorrow by starting early and re-routing through Glasgow to seek the relative shelter of an urban area. Nevertheless there was a highlight of today we chanced upon the Tour of Britain and watched the pros whizz past looking like they were enjoying it as much as us.

Another phot



Some of the team at Tintern Abbey



Day 7 - Preston to Carlisle

My favourite day of the trip so far....  At the morning tea stop we introduced our Dutch colleague to the local delicacy of Chorley cake on his discovery of Britain tour.  Some steep country lanes tested the legs first thing this morning but these gave way to undulating roads which led to Kendal, where we prepared ourselves for the climb over the Lakes. My legs felt the best they had all day I can honestly say I really enjoyed the climb. The gradient wasn’t too steep but it was long (about 6-7miles), the rain shower at the top cooled us down.  Unfortunately it developed into torrential rain during the well earned long descent into Shap, but it didn’t wipe the grin off my face from the ascent.  After that it was plain sailing along the A6 to Carlisle where we could keep the speed up, our highest average speed so far of over 15mph. Stats: 101 miles, 8 ½ hours total (with stops). For most our first ever Century ride was certainly one to remember.

Tommo & Chris at the summit of the Lakes climb.

Day 6 – 9 Sep 11 Shrewsbury to Preston

Smooth roads and sunshine in Cheshire allowed us to crack on at a reasonable pace up until lunch, then we encountered some more challenging terrain as we approached the Pennines.  Both groups were dogged by equipment defects, a couple more punctures and a broken chain.  Views from the climb up above Bolton were impressive in the fine weather with a nice decent into Preston.  The route was unavoidable more urban later in the day leading to the frustration of being unable to keep a steady cadence with all the traffic lights.  Tomorrow is our first and only Century ride of just over a hundred miles. With rain forecast with silver lining of following winds! Stats: 94 miles, Ave Spd 12 (without stops), total time on the bike 9 hours....

Day 5 – 8 Sep 11 Monmouth to Shrewsbury

Leaving the delights of the TA nissan huts at Monmouth behind , today’s adventure begun with the promise of “undulating hills only”.  Gullibility and naivety soon followed after the hills of Wales revealed their true nature.  The weather turned and the rain soaked everyone to the skin as the orchards of Herefordshire flashed past.  Shropshire revealed much kinder gradients with smooth roads and even the sun came out.  Feeling confident, with only 20 miles to go, some cheeky hills brought us back down to earth.  Final destination was RAF Shawbury near Shrewsbury.  Tired but happy to have a warm shower and raid the RAF mess of their food. Stats: 97.8 miles, Ave spd 14.2mph (on the bike), 8 hrs 15 with stops. An early night followed by another early start for a long day again tomorrow.  Highlights some high speeds on flat roads in Shropshire. Low points falling off the bike on a slippery wooden bridge 200 yards from the start and get stung by an insect, again!

Day 4 – 7 Sep Taunton to Monmouth.

A cracking day. The weather relented with the winds easing and the rain becoming light showers only which meant for good conditions for riding. Leaving the Barracks, the route took the team over the foothills of the Quantocks before enjoying the zero climbing effort crossing the Somerset levels. Once Clear of Bridgewater, then Mendips loomed with a short sharp climb to the ridge before descending towards Bristol. A rather uninspiring tour of Avonmouth Docks followed a crossing of the Bridge before the Severn Bridge appeared over the horizon. What would have been a good scenic crossing was spoilt by 30 knots of cross wind which needed all the riders efforts to 'lean in' to stop being blown off the bridge. Once into Wales, the 15 miles up the Wye Valley to Monmouth proved the highlight. Great roads, tail winds and a beautiful tour up alongside the river passing Tintern Abbey saw the team home after 86 miles. Recovery commenced immediately at the accommodation at the Territorial Army base behind the castle. A relatively flat day today that doubled up as a recovery opportunity after the challenges of Cornwall and Devon, the team now have 3 long testing days through Wales and the Midlands covering 300 miles before their next chance to recover. Wishful thinking had me hoping we were in Wales when we had in fact only crossed the Avon bridge to Bristol, to much amusement of the team!

Highlight of the day: The Wye Valley.
Low point of the day: Sean's third puncture (what does that man do to that bike!). The lunch price list at the Cadbury Garden Centre cafe!

Update 8 sep 11

98 miles done today weather improved throughout. Similar distance tomorrow. Full blogs to follow when internet access (3G) available!!

Map of completed route day 3

Day 3 - 6 Sep 11

Today started with a team breakfast in the WOSR mess, many thanks to the Mess President WO1 Drew, on completion we departed Plymouth at 9.15 for Taunton after a PR photo at the base.  The ride up onto Dartmoor was wet however the wind was mostly from behind lending a welcome helping hand.  After a quick coffee in Princetown we started the long descent Mortonhampstead.  After 60 miles the quote of the day was: ‘don’t worry that track doesn’t last for long’, 20 miles of muddy country lanes and two punctures later we finally arrived at Norton Manor Camp at 6 o’clock.  Group 1 enjoyed a nice set of 15 minute “Holywood showers”, not realising there was a finite supply of hot water in the boiler which left Group 2 taking charter-building cold showers, oops!! Stats: 83 miles, 2200 meters, total time 7 hours 54 mins.  Highlight descent from Princetown, low point getting stung by a wasp and near death experience crossing a wet cattle grid uphill.

Map of completed route Day 2

Day 2 - 5 Sep 11

A mixture of sunshine and showers today but we managed to avoid most of them.  Today’s route took us through picturesque and significantly hilly Cornish countryside.  There were steep climbs after each of the 3 ferry crossings today.  The climb out of St Austell was particularly challenging with a 12 % incline, the climb out of Looe was quite cheeky too. We rode in two groups of six with a support van for each the second group coming in slightly later after a puncture delay. Many thanks to King Harry and Fowey ferries for free passage.  Stats: 77miles, 6hrs 45mins, total ascent 3022ft, ave spd 14mph (not including ferry crossings and breaks). The training over summer appears to have paid off and feeling ready for another hard day over Dartmoor tomorrow (I may feel different in the morning though, particularly with the heavy rain forecast!!). Tomorrow could be one of the hardest days with plenty climbing and adverse weather. Two photos above, one on the King Harry Ferry and another during a quick pause in Looe.

Day 1 - 4 Sep 11

A frustrating start to the day as it made sense to wait for a weather front of heavy rain to clear as we only had a short ride to RNAS Culdrose (Helston) this afternoon.  The feeling of anticipation as we drank our coffees in the cafe was palpable as the reality of starting the End to End challenge was finally upon us.  Once the rain cleared we cycled in broken sunshine along quiet Cornish roads; the highlight was passing along the coast at Newlyn with some great views of St Michael’s Mount. Stats: 28 miles, 2 hours, Ave Speed 14mph, total ascent 2430ft. Today was very much a case of getting down to the start line and getting on the bikes ready for some serious riding tomorrow.  Day 2 Helston to Plymouth, 77 miles, expecting it to be challenging with some seriously undulating Cornish countryside to navigate.

Kit issue

Looking smart in our brand new FOST cycling team kit, let's hope we look as fresh after a 1000 miles!

Follow me on twitter!

You can follow me on twitter @ de_limey. As well as documenting all my training rides via 'map my ride' I will be using twitter to give regular updates throughout the event. CG

FOST Families Day Fundraising

Chris, Kate, Mike & Rocky out in the sunshine at FOST families day for 4 hours of fundraising in the sunshine.  I just hope that isn’t the support wagon in the background!

Charity event at Morrison's

Morrison's graciously allowed us to collect money on their doorstep. With Paul, Rocky and Hattie on the bikes and Jan smartly in his uniform, we received a lot of positive reactions and collected 163 pounds, 1 barbados cent, French and Belgian francs, 5 Deutschmarks and....an allen key! Thanks to all who donated.

Our virgingiving webpage link....

http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/fundraiser-web/fundraiser/showFundraiserProfilePage.action?userUrl=FOST-LEJOG&isTeam=true

Charity Links

Here are the links to the charities we'll be supporting:

http://www.rnrmc.org.uk/

http://www.blesma.org/

CG

Early days

My first attempt at creating a 'blog'.  The intention is to include details of the riders and support team. Attach links to the charity websites so you can find out more about them.  Publish details of our fundraising events so you can come and support.  As well as add a link to a justgiving site so you can sponsor us.  I just need someone who is a bit more IT literate to give me a hand.  Sounds like a job for a Weapon Engineer, Paul?

Then, once we embark on our intrepid adventure.....there will be daily updates for friends, families and FOSTies to follow our progress, the highs and lows!

We are a bunch of riders of mixed ability some serious Sportive veterans and some who are getting back on a bike after a significant break.

CG