Day 9: Sunday 30th July ~ Tebay to Langholm approx. 55 miles

Thanks to Pamela for sorting out the photos which we can't post direct, and also the excellent new maps, scroll down to day 1 to see them all. Today saw us scale 'Shap'. It was'nt the steep sharp climb we had feared, but the high place just before offered spectacular views and big skys. Most pleasing today was breaking through to half way with 500 miles (not yesterday as i had thought) somewhere North of Penrith - the bleak setting for cult movie Withnail and I. We stopped for Sunday lunch shortly afterwards to celebrate.. Our fitness levels seem to be holding up, despite polishing off 4 bottles of wine, good made spaghetti bolognese last night, and a hearty scrambled eggs all prepared by Hamish, although our joints are aching. I must admit having his energy and drive to get things done is a real benefit to the team - although i would have done the eggs differently.. ;) Matt's abrasions have begun to heal since his seat was lowered. Another highlight was crossing the border, Scotland was immediately hillier, cooler and greener. The guesthouse tonight was up rather a steep hill, but the owners were very welcoming immediately providing buttered scones and tea. Tomorrow brings a long tough day as we make a big 75 mile hike to Edinburgh, the weather looks to be wet and blowy. I hope my knee holds up it is getting a bit sore. It would be a great shame to give up now, i really didn't think i would make it this far so every mile is a bonus. Then later its dinner with some more of Hamish's relations. Scotlands first city will also bring back more fond memories for me of a night out on the Royal mile wearing a kilt in the traditional way.. I have to admit one of the reasons I came on this trip was to try and put the past behind me, however i seem to have reminders and old memories around almost every bend in the road. What it has given me so far is plenty of thinking time, and renewed my self belief. I guess the best anyone can hope for is to come to terms with the past, you can't escape it after all, and perhaps be reminded that by exceeding ones expectations of oneself, return to the fray with a new sense of self worth and achievement, one can look to the future with a more positive outlook. Thanks to all our readers and sponsors so far, and everyone who has supported us. If anyone wants to ask any questions please do and I'll try and answer/get answer to them. Also trying to get Hamish and Matt to do an entry for this...

Day 8: Saturday 29th July Garstang to Tebay

Today saw us break the 500 mile barrier. After yesterday's long haul another short run of 43 miles but some climbing to do as the slopes of Cumbria loomed. We are now around half way which is great news. However, more disturbing to the team was the worsening weather as spots of rain and then drizzle began to fall, serious concern mounted that we may not be able to complete our tans which had enjoyed such a good start on the Cornish slopes... Earlier in Lancaster we came upon a bike shop where the Sid could undergo some vital works to his/her under carriage, Matt looked on as his pride and joy was carefully adjusted and tightened. The chap in the shop also gave us some advice on our bike set up, seat heights etc. which might make things a little less painful on the hands and rear. We finished the day at our first self catered accomodation. A little house, as the owner called it, in the back garden. Hamish whose turn it was to have first choice of the beds ended up in the four poster. Tomorrow we'll rise about eight for home made breakfast, and will proceed up Shap, a rather serious climb not far from here. All being well we will arrive in Edinbrugh on Monday night. This trip will be the furthest North I've ever been incidentally, I do hope the weather clears up though, but don't think you get the Northern lights this time of year anyway. I must say I am glad to have made it this far, I really didn't think I was physically up to it. Perhaps day 3 or 4 was make or break for me, and I gained some fitness that could then be used for the following days. All in all we are all bearing up well. I did fall off today, I got my foot tangled in the pedal strap while trying to dismount. I was ok though, just felt a bit silly. I think we are all missing female company a bit, that's not to say we haven't enjoyed the male bonding opportunity. We do laugh a lot and spirits are pretty high particularly as we stand to finish the ride together. Even Hamish admitted last night he had changed his attitude to more of a team approach despite his better preparation and therefore fitness levels, and his competitive nature. This had been noticed and was appreciated, by Matt and myself.

Day 7: Friday 28th July contd.

Barnie's Scott Sub 30 mountain bike



Hamish's Cross Road Hybrid

Day 7: Friday 28th July Whitchurch to Garstang approx. 75 miles

The team were somewhat refreshed from an hour's rest before going out to eat yesterday. We are rapidly getting fed up with fry ups, I think we'll be vegans by the end of the ride. Matt claimed the first Paula Radcliffe moment finding a convenient field en route. On a similar theme we are told real cyclists apply haemorrhoid cream to their lower regions to numb the area and thus reduce discomfort during the ride. We have taken note, however, Matt who has a particularly vicious looking leather Brooks saddle has so far only applied sudocream to alleviate chaffing. Hamish has also applied this liberally preventatively, whereas I have so far relied on my gel saddle. This brings me on to the next subject (the faint hearted should look away now) whether one should wear anything under the lycra shorts. My own view on this is a definite yes, however, I am not in the majority on this, despite the obvious issues, and possibility of the application of various creams becoming more obvious than one might want. Such things as scot lines and comfort are put forward in the case against. Comments welcome on this. More later, I think I'm getting rsi writing this on a mobile phone! Anyway back to today's route. Earlier we rode through the area around Chester including Beeston which brought back fond memories for me. Later we rode through Warrington, Wigan and Preston which were not quite as appealing. Only broken by our lunch time break in a surprisingly nice roadside pub. Eventually we left the delights of Greater Manchester behind, and found our lodgings, a place called The Priory. So far so good. Tomorrow presents up with our second major challenge as we attempt to scale the Lake District. Will Barnie's new found fitness last out, will Matt's saddle be the end of him, will Hamish's hill lust burn him out? Find out next time...

Matt's Sid Superbe bicycle

Day 6: Thursday 27th July - Ludlow to Whitchurch

Fifty miles on a 'rest' day, saw us clock up some good average speeds on the A49. The three of us 'drafting' bumper to bumper at around 25mph, with huge trucks thundering past was quite exhilarating.. A welcome pitstop in Dorrington saw us load up with bananas and good fresh Shropshire water. The latter was welcome after the BnB owner had 'kindly' allowed us to fill up our bottles from a rather grimy looking outdoor tap. He was a sad old brummy fella, announcing to us that his wife had left him for a Dutch guest only seconds after we had arrived. Judging by the decor and furnishings this was some ten years previously, oh and he might want to do something about the strong smell of dog piss in the back garden. Thanks to Andy, Anna, Will and Savanah, also thanks to Mari, Daniel and Grandma Muench. The easy day ended in picturesque Whitchurch, and another slightly odd BnB proprietor who bore an uncanny resemblance to last night's one. Hamish's Aunt and Uncle, Rosie and Roger took us for a pint and joined us for an Italian. The most notable thing about this BnB apart from thin nylon sheets, was according to one guest, the lovely car park...

Hamish's Aunt and Uncle outside the BnB.

Day 5: Wednesday 26th contd. Chepstow to Ludlow, approx. 62 miles

Ok well a small miracle occurred today. It might have been I good night's sleep, psychology or maybe the arnica I'd been taking since the previous morning. But today I felt a hell of a lot better, and no longer on the verge of quitting. That's not to say it was pain free, however I found myself feeling better than Matt who was suffering muscle aches, and saddle sores - you'll need to watch the DVD for more on that.. Anyway I was once again able to enjoy the ride perhaps more than I had so far, well the cycling that is. As the days ride began Matt and Hamish introduced me to the idea of drafting. This may sound nerdy, essentially you get close in behind the rider in front and let him cut through the air for you. This actually makes it easier for the rider behind because he uses the slip stream of air created. It can be a little bit hairy at speed though so concentration is required! As we edged our way north Matt decided his overshorts might be causing him to get sorer than he need be. So he stripped down to his lycra, I of course, felt obliged to follow suit, so the three of us forged onwards bumper to bumper, a little more streamlined and perhaps also a little more something else... There was some nice country to see: Mork had a nice castle, then just down the hill we joined up with a road which took us up part of the idyllic Wye valley. We followed this and ended up in Hereford for lunch. Matt seemed to have recovered from his pre lunch fatigue and has also been taking arnica, and we continued on to Ludlow in pretty good time. I'm not sure how long my recovery will last, but I'm taking it day by day as before. Did I mention the amount of wild life? You see a lot of it from a bike, unfortunately much of it is dead. Everything from badgers to moles, birds to rabbits, subsequently Matt and Hamish have taken to playing road kill cricket.

Boys in lycra!



Mork Castle






Hereford Cathedral

Day 5: Wednesday 26th July ~A big day for Barnie

More twists than Lost, more hours than twenty four and more lycra than dodgeball. Ok, but no pointless flashbacks, no dragged out plot lines, no cliff hangers, no unnecessary rambling monologue when it starts to get interesting... Well anyway the question you may be asking is did Barnie head home on the train from Chepstow? Ok battery low, more later..

Day 4 Tuesday 25th July continued..

More on day four. There were one or two contrasting moments. Riding up the Gorge through the muggy air, the smell of caves and clouds of moisture. Later riding through fields of golden corn, two young red deer in the field next to us bounded along and leapt the hedge over the road and into the other field. Later going back into bristol the stagnant smells of fumes and industry, the dirty river, the aggressive drivers in their cars, and the tarmac melting underneath our wheels, large chips of stone from the crumbling surface flicking up from speeding juggernauts' wheels. We are all steadily becoming anti car and anti town... You should try it, it may change the way you feel and the way you drive, now where are my open toed sandals... Matt was the first casualty of wearing those scary cleats that lock your feet to the pedals, he forgot to unlock himself when coming to a halt and fell straight sideways into some nettles... 59.7 miles done today 245 down as day 5 begins. Our route will take up up through Welsh border country to Ludlow.

Day 4: Tuesday 25th July Bridgewater to Chepstow

The delights of suburban wastelands around Bristol... We decided on a route through Cheddar Gorge despite Hamish insisting at every turn this isn't a site seeing tour... I could sense him gritting his teeth as the BNB owner showed us on the map. But we all really enjoyed the route despite the climb (not sure how long it is). We passed Chew Valley Lake, and then two more serious hills outside Bristol. The road then took us under the Clifton suspension bridge, and down the avonmouth. To the Severn Estuary and along to the old bridge which looks better than the new one. Following a twisting route we finally ended up in the old ferry inn in Chepstow, which sits almost under the western spans of now less used bridge. Although nice on the outside, the bathrooms needed some work... Nice garden though overlooking the estuary. Today might prove pivotal as Matt and I are feeling very sore now, I am pondering calling an end to my ride, but we shall see what tomorrow brings.

Early on Day 4, Hamish really didn't like these guys!


Cheddar Cheese Factory








Cheddar Gorge 208 miles






Pub lunch Chew Valley Lake



Severn Bridge



Severn Bridge



Severn Bridge





Old Severn Bridge - view from B & B