The end of our challenge
Andrew (Gybe), Jason and Jeroen are challenging themselves and mid-life to the max by cycling from John O'Groats to Land's End from 11th June to 20th June. ( http://www.rideacrossbritain.com/) A grueling 1000 miles over nine days, there will be no soft beds with en-suites to nurse aching muscles but sleeping bags and canvas! You can sponsor us on http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/team/the3rustygears. Thanks
Monday, 20 June 2011
Sunday, 19 June 2011
Day 9
what an an amazing day today, we have finally finished our Epic cycle from John O Groats to Lands End. The day started an hour earlier with music at 4.30 am. We packed all our gear for the last time, said goodbye to our tents and set off for the final 112 miles. The weather was being reasonably kind with mostly cloud and the odd bit of sunshine. The route was very up and down for the first 30 miles as we crossed into Cornwall. Thankfully the roads in Cornwall have lots of banks which protected us from the wind. A couple of the usual food stops which we didn't stay for very long as we were keen to finish early and get home. when we cycled through Penzance with the views over the sea we began to feel the end was close. Gybe and I took a quick photo with the castle in the background. Back on the bikes and around the corner and we find Jeroen standing having a Cornish ice cream. All good carbos for the big 16 degree hill we were about to climb before the last 10 miles to the end. The last few miles were ridden in silence and we took in the atmosphere and the enormity of our adventure whilst trying to control out emotions. We started as a team in John O Groats and we finished as a team riding the last few hundred metres three abreast as we crossed the finish line. Emotions were soon high as we were welcomed by Rowena and we hugged and cried together. A few photos at Lands End, collection of our medals from James Cracknell, a welcome shower, Cornish pasties and a cream tea and we are on our way home. More photos of our day to follow. We should be home and tacked up in our beds by midnight.
Saturday, 18 June 2011
day 8 addendum
great blogging Jason- my accident caused by recklessness. coming down a hill towards a traffic jam and took the decision to past on the pavement. Heavy rain combined with grit pushed the bike underneath me, slid across road scrapping most of my side but nothing broken. The wind, rain and hills soon put my mind off the injuries. Great pep talk by Mac tonight and we expect a very challenging and emotional day tomorrow. blogging just before 10 and riders still arriving 15 hours after the start amazing endurance
BLOGGED BY GYBE
BLOGGED BY GYBE
Day 8
what a day! It started in the wet at 7am leaving Bath and over the Mendips in more rain with some good climbs or digs as cyclists like to call them. We then had an amazing descent into Cheddar Gorge, very fast with high rocks on both sides. After our first refresh stop we went straight up crossing into Devon where we managed to separate for a while mainly due to constant stops to put on and take off our waterproof coats. Gybe seemed the wisest by keeping his on and soon took the lead with Jereon and I chasing behind. Unbeknown to us Gybe fell off his bike at some roadworks and disappeared and we managed to cycle straight past him without noticing. it wasn't until we got to the next food stop that we realised he couldn't be ahead of us and finally he phoned to tell us he had fallen, was ok and about 10 minutes behind us. We agreed to find a coffee shop and wait for him and eventually after 15 miles agreed on a nice warm pub where we ordered our Cappuccino's and waited for Gybe who then cycled straight past us in a complete world of his own not noticing our bikes or our shouts to stop. Jeroen and I then spent another 20 miles to catch him. The last 30 miles were horrendous with high winds, rain and lots of hills but we dig deep, helped each other through the pain and finally got back to camp at 5.30 in Okehampton. Stats for the day not great an average 13mph - we are hoping for better weather for our last day tomorrow. Gybe's parents met us at the finish which was very nice to get some support and we enjoyed a very welcome cream tea before showering. We are now chilling with a pint and papers before a hog roast supper - lovely! Up at 4.30 tomorrow for an early start for the last 112 miles and to be met by Rowena (Jereons wonderful wife) who is very kindly taking us home. As we sit here we feel very lucky, we have a few aches and pains and bruises but people at the back of the field are still arriving and quite a few haven't made it. There have been broken ankles and collarbones, snapped tendons and quite a few falls resulting in retirements! Gybe was lucky today and I'm sure he will update you with his story. Although surprisingly it was a very tough day and we were glad to get back we are in very good spirits and looking forward to getting home to our families.
Friday, 17 June 2011
Day 7 extra
I forgot to mention we got our Costa Cappaccino - very large the one with two handles and well deserved. it's just stopped raining :-)
Day 7
Very tough to get out of the sleeping bag today and although getting used to the routine our first 30 miles today were virtually in silence - I think we were all a bit grumpy and me in particular as my left knee is very sore. With a short 91 miles today with a big lump through the Forest of Dean and some ibuprofen cream on my knees we tried to take it easy as the last mile was a steep up into Bath and another race course. We were very lucky with the weather, we dressed for the forecasted wet ride but other than a few spots at the end we managed to beat it before the heavens opened this evening. Final average speed just 13.9mph - slow but taking it easy is wise. At our briefing last night we were advised that the first 7 days are training for the last 2 which are very tough. After a quick massage we went for dinner and Mark Foster (Olympic Swimmer) gave a bit of a which was amusing. I'm now off to the physio to get strapped up. 750 miles complete, last Saturday seems so long ago, just 250 miles to go :-) J
Thursday, 16 June 2011
Day 6
The day started with a little sunshine for the first 20 miles with some easy going sections of road but then the heavens opened for half an hour before the sun came back. I had a brief chat with James Cracknell as he was passing through - he is not planning any other mad events for a while. The first pit stop was at 39 miles at a nice pub on the canal, a good cup of tea and snacks and off again through and over the Cheshire Hills the most testing hills of the ride so far. No cappuccinos today :-( we couldn't find any, so we decided to push on but with 5 miles to go got hit by a hail storm just to make us very wet and cold before finishing at 4.30 with a decent average speed of 15.3mph. My knees are a bit sore today so hope to get them seen to by a physio later although other areas are also hurting including the parts that are on the saddle for 8 hours a day. We are at Ludlow Race Course and are now chilling out with papers and the new Cycling Plus magazine - we clearly haven't had enough of bikes!
Wednesday, 15 June 2011
Day 5
today was a tough 114 mile ride from Carlisle to Manchester. the ride started with frustration of the Glasgow traffic and 100s of traffic lights for the first 20 miles and then finally into picturesque Lancashire and the biggest hill so far 1000 metre ascent over 5 miles. this would have been tough normally but was worse by continuos rain all morning until we arrives in Kendal for cappuccino :-) and gluten free cake too. The last 20 miles were back in traffic and more traffic lights and more rain but we seemed to have plenty of energy and raised to the finish arriving back to out green tents by 5pm. Time seems to fly by the time we have had tea &cake, collected our gear, showered, got a massage, washed our drinks bottles, chilled out for 10 mins with a pint and the telegraph had dinner, charged our phones, listened to the briefing, unpacked and readied our gear for tomorrow, we are ready for bed, of course after updating the blog. night night.
Tuesday, 14 June 2011
pain and suffering
Och
as per Jasons blog- a much tougher ride than anticipated. today was supposed to be a relaxing day - just 103 miles of undulating countryside, with 350 miles already ridden there is no such thing as a rest day. fabulous weather again - sun all day, even have sunburn despite putting cream on this morning. I certainly need a new bottom-any suggestions? sitting having a cider on the sun overlooking Carlilse race. I think Jason added that extra magnet on my wheel! not thinking about tomorrow
BLOGGED BY ANDREW
BLOGGED BY ANDREW
Day 4
The day started well with perfect sunshine which lasted all day. We spent an hour weaving our way through the Glasgow traffic before riding the longest roughest road in Scotland. 75 miles on rough roads and very saddle sore and feeling rather low with few sights to see other than the motorway we were following! The mood improved drastically when we arrived at Gretna Green where Jeroen and I got married and we celebrated with bagpipes and cappuccino. Thankfully as we entered England the road improved and we slipped back into Scotland arriving at Carlisle racecourse for a well deserved pint. Stats for the day 105 miles at 15.3mph average. However Gybe seemed to be going twice our sperm and twice as far - until I realised he had put two speed magnets on his wheel - very funny for us anyway. J
Monday, 13 June 2011
Day 3
very tough day today started out in the wet for 50 miles which included a 1000m climb up Glencoe - eventually saw some scenery once the rain cleared and then the wind started but we continued on for what was supposed to be 111 miles but ended up an extra 10 longer due to a traffic diversion. we arrived in Glasgow in the sun and after 9 and a half hours in the saddle had a very well deserved massage and a glass of wine with our meal - quite a treat :-) we basically went through a washer drier today on a cold wash. Now off to bed!
Sunday, 12 June 2011
Day 2
another early start today 99 miles to Fort William. we decided to cycle as a team today and take it easy after yesterday's high speeds. we still managed 15.6 mph average but overall took longer than yesterday due to a bit of sightseeing at Lockness and a well deserved capaccino at a local cafe. the views were amazing again and we are camped at the base of Ben Nevis. photos to follow. The mood is good, a few aches and pains but we are clearly amongst the fittest with some taking 4 or 5 hours more than us. looking forward to a good sleep tonight, the flat mats are getting more comfortable by the day.
Saturday, 11 June 2011
day 1
Camp
up early at 5 to get packed eat and prepare for the start at 7. we took a loop round the JOG roundabout to confirm that we had actually been there. weather and route fantastic, not too many hills and for all of us comfortingly or perhaps worryingly OK. As per Jasons blog my front gear cable broke after 30 miles so I had 5 gears rather than 20 for the rest of the ride. other than slow me down on the flat it wasn't too disruptive. no buddy support from the rutters so had to leave it to 3 nice chaps from Bristol to coax me along. 200 quid repair at the helpful chaps at halfords support and I still have a cable tie holding the rear mech in place - will it last 900
miles? rain this evening keeping the midges at bay - word in the campus that they will be descending for cyclists blood tonight
BLOGGED BY ANDREW
miles? rain this evening keeping the midges at bay - word in the campus that they will be descending for cyclists blood tonight
BLOGGED BY ANDREW
Day 1
Mobile Blogging from here.
Up at 5.30 this morning, quick breakfast, packed up our kit and then on our way at about 7.15 following a bagpipe band got the first 5 minutes.
fantastic sunshine and views across the ocean to the Orkney Islands for 35 miles before turning in land and following a beautiful river to our final destination Culrain. Gybe had a major mechanical, his gear cable for front mech snapped and halfords had to replace his shifters this evening. Being good team members Jeroen and I didnt wait! The stats 106 miles just over 16mph and back in under 7 hours just before the rain started. a good and fairly easy day with a lot worse to come. all showered and changed and reading paper with a well earned beer before dinner and a massage.
Friday, 10 June 2011
arriving at Inverness
woke to wall to wall sunshine, cloudless skies and a full bucket of optimism and excitement despite the breakfast! first stop Cappachinos
BLOGGED BY ANDREW
BLOGGED BY ANDREW
Thursday, 9 June 2011
train not training
at last after 6 months of training we're on the train and on our way to JOG. we all feel tired but ready, not exactly sure what for as it's the big unknown. I'm looking forward to the camaraderie and support of the other 599 riders but really it's going to be an individual challenge and experience. lights out early start AndrewMobile Blogging from here.
Wednesday, 8 June 2011
3 Days to go
Our tapering is complete, we are packed, cycles ready and labelled and looking forward to our 18 hour train trip to the end of Scotland tomorrow evening.
Saturday, 4 June 2011
New Wheels!
Doing final setup of bike today, new brake blocks, tyres - oh shite, cracks in my wheel rims! thanks to Future Cycles brand new wheels completed in record time. I really didn't want a collapsed wheel on the RAB!
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