Day 4 complete - Portishead to Ludlow

Well, that's day 4 done, and another 80 miles out of the way!  Also, a dry cycling day! The only time we had any proper rain (I'm not counting spots of rain and very light showers as proper rain after the first two days), was when we stopped for lunch and just about to set off.  Safe to say we delayed for 5 minutes until the downpour had passed!

A relatively slow start out of Portishead.  Some cycle tracks out of the town, over the M5 bridge in to Avonmouth and on to the Severn Bridge.  We came over the bridge the other way last year but it was closed to traffic and nowhere near as windy as today!  1st photo opportunity of the day (our lot like a photo...)

Once over in to Wales, we began the climb up through the Wye Valley.  Again, we came down through there last year.  At the time I remember thinking "I'm glad I'm not cycling up this road", but it wasn't as bad as feared - maybe I'm growing to like hills...?

Again, a rather uneventful day which is nice. Lovely scenery and some good banter with everyone.  Now we're getting in to it, everyone's relaxing and finding a nice rhythm.

Arrived 'in' Ludlow. I say 'in' because we're out on a trading estate in a Travelodge with a Pets At Home lol.  Had a nice dinner in the pub next door with everyone before back to the room to clean and ready the bike for tomorrow's adventure.

Tomorrow takes us to Warrington.  Looks like a bit of a long day with some big climbing to do early on.

Photos:
 

Today's route

Our group in the Severn Bridge

Found a random #lejog sign outside a tiny village shop! 

Proudly wearing my Yeovil Hospital Charity jersey today!

Some scenery

Dinner. #nomnom

#lejog Day 3 - Sampford Peverell to Portishead (punctures and cows!)

Hurrah! Set off from the hotel this morning without a rain jacket! Managed to get through the whole day without having to put it on!

A relatively relaxed day, certainly in comparison to the last two days!  I had 2 punctures in quick succession, the second one was more to do with me not fitting the tube correctly before setting off.  Typical after two days to of horrid weather and chips and stones all over the road, to get one on a dry day.

Just before lunch stop (chilli and rice today - lovely), we happened across a herd of young cows meandering in the road with a tailback of cars in either direction just watching them.  As it would happen, we have a cattle farmer in our group.  We got off our bikes, found a field with a gate we could open and herded them up the road and into the field! Only one tried to go in another direction, but he was quickly rounded up!

Travelled along "The Strawberry Line" today which is an old railway line in these parts which has been swapped to a footpath/cycle path.  I'm sure it's normally lovely, even more so in a crosstrail/mountain bike. Less so on road bikes after two days of heavy rain.  I have never been so filthy after a bike ride!

When we arrived at the hotel in Portishead, we popped next door to Sainsbury's garage to use their free water facilities with a sponge hastily purchased from the shop.  Once the fellow cyclists saw what we'd done, it was the place to be - photo below lol. The hotel said to wash the bikes in the bath - my roommate did and the evidence is shown below!

So tomorrow, we're off to Ludlow.  Just shy of 80 miles, haven't looked at the elevation yet but I'm sure there's going to be more bloomin' hills!

Put them in the bath they said.  It'll be fine they said.  It wasn't....

Portishead Marina

Lunch stop

The queue at the Sainsbury's petrol station after they saw our clean bikes were!

Today's route.

Day two done. SitRep: still raining! Bodmin to Sampford Peverell

Well, it turns out that Devon is rather hilly!  7,600ft of climbing over 86-odd miles.

We thought we were going to get lucky - made it to the lunch stop with only a few spots of rain (certainly in comparison to yesterday!) The last hour or so was very wet to make up for it. That means all the kit, bike and everything needs cleaning and drying tonight! Ah well, all in the name of charity!

Not a lot to report other than that. Again, not a great deal of photos as it was a bit murky at times.

Here's some photos for your perusal (if you're still reading this thing....!)

Today's route - Bodmin to Sampford Peverell

Ready to depart - looking forward to not needing a jacket!

Interesting place name of the day. (Not sure if the sign is council-issue)

Lovely lunch stop - homemade Shepard's pie

About standard for today's view

Day One Done - gurt wet!!

We made it through day one! Wet at the start, wet in the middle, and wet at the end!

Being thankful for small mercies, the wind we had was a tailwind and not too cold!

There are a lot of hills in Cornwall, and the roads aren't all in the best repair. That said, we all made it through unscathed, and appreciative of a hotel, shower and a good feed.

The Travelodge welcomed us with unlimited FRESH WHITE TOWELS to clean all of our bikes and chains! We couldn't believe it! Feel sorry for the poor cleaning company!

Tomorrow is the 2nd biggest day of the ride I think. Lots of ups and downs and around 86 miles!  A real treat lies in store at the end though, Anna and the boys are coming to meet us and watch us ride in to the hotel before we all go out for dinner together!  That'll get me through the day as I'm missing them already!!

Here's a few pics from today (didn't take many as it was so murky and foggy!) And in a random order as I'm not too smart at technology!

Proof I was here!

The hallowed turf before we set off

Bikes in the hotel room - a getpedalling tradition!

Just about to set off

Today's route

The obligatory group shot at Huish Park

Today's the day!

Hey folks.

Currently on the coach (in the rain) heading to Lands End!  Thanks for everyone's support.

Yesterday, I broke through the £1,000 sponsorship barrier! Truly amazing and I'm humbled!

Also, made the local press which was cool:
http://www.somersetlive.co.uk/news/somerset-news/yeovil-cyclist-start-mammoth-874-246781

I'll post again at the end of the day!

Much love!

Nearly time for the off! #smashed the target too!

Only a few days to go, before we get on the coach and head to Land's End!

I guess I'm as ready as I'm going to be!  I've followed some advice, and tapered down my mileage in the last couple of weeks - 192 miles, 232 miles, 178 miles, 140 miles and this week will be about 50 miles before "Le Grand Départ".

I'm feeling good.  The miles and hills that lay ahead don't seem too daunting.  It's going to be the wake up - cycle - go to bed - wake up - cycle - go to bed routine which is going to be a struggle once it gets to day 8, 9, 10, 11.  Although my Monday - Friday commuting will have helped, I'm sure....

Missing my boys and my (very understanding) wife is going to be a big factor.  This will be the longest I've been away from Jack & Anna, and the first time I've been away from Henry at all since he was born!

Fingers crossed for 'decent' weather.  I'm not expecting 'good' or 'great' weather.  But as long as it's not driving rain and blowing a gale ALL the time, then I'll be happy!

Exciting news - I've smashed the £500 target I set myself for Yeovil Hospital Charity!  At the current count with JustGiving, offline donations and the donation from Cronite Castings, I'm at £891.00!  Now I'm going to try and reach the magical £1,000 mark!

Also, the local paper - Western Gazette/Somerset Live have been in touch and asked a few questions so hopefully that'll get printed and raise some more awareness for the charity - and even a couple of donations!  (you never know!)

The bike is ready, cleaned and setting off on it's merry way this evening to get loaded on the lorry tomorrow ready to meet me on Friday!  The guys at Rock & Road in Yeovil have done a great job and feels like a brand new bike again!

Wish me luck!  I'll update from the road!

The bike receiving it's service and new cables from Rock & Road, Yeovil - Great Service!!

Last week of 'proper' training

After 13 days cycling in a row, and 27 of the last 30, I'm having a rest day tomorrow (Sunday).  Ended this week with 175 miles, and an average of 200 miles per week over the last 4 weeks.
  A nice little jaunt out to Maunsel Lock Canal Centre today with the #lejog crew. Bit of a headwind but a nice pace of 18mph over the ride. All was going well, until I hit a pothole and got a rear puncture. (Why's it always the rear?!)
  So a free Sunday tomorrow to spend with family.  A week's commuting to follow then it'll be time to get the bike in for a service before packing it off to Lands End!
  Another huge donation today to www.justgiving.co.uk/georgewall which has taken me so close to my online target!  With the offline donations and the company donation, I've already smashed the £500 target!
  Today's route:

Maunsel Lock:

250 miles, and 11,500ft climbing

Well, that was a busy week! 

Just over 250 miles and 11,500ft climbing in 7 days of cycling.  Aside from the usual Monday-Friday commute, the weekend had 2 'big' rides. 

  Saturday was a training ride with fellow Yeovil #LEJOG cyclists.  We went down to Dorchester through the Dorset countryside and back at around 52 miles.

  Sunday was a bigger one with Yeovil Cycling Club to Cheddar and back.  This one included climbing up through The Gorge (which apparently is in the top 100 climbs in Britain for cyclists).  A pleasant ride, and I'm happy that I managed to get up comfortably and even overtook a few fellow cyclists on the way! I WILL GET TO LIKE CLIMBS!

  Probably less miles this week, perhaps 150 or so.  Seems a bit early to start winding down before we set off, but it's only 2 weeks on Friday!

A couple of photos - Glastonbury Tor in the distance

and Cheddar Gorge (stills from GoPro)

 

New Kit

Received two new jerseys this week! One from the charity, and one from the team behind the ride. So proud to be supporting such a great cause, and pleased to be doing it with such a great bunch of friends!
I'm sure doing one of these adventures with one of the package companies is just as good, but I feel happier and more confident knowing absolutely everyone involved. Not being scared to ask questions is a big thing!

A new week & the sun's out

It's Monday morning, and the sun is shining.

Completed 192 miles last week (Mon-Sun).  My biggest total ever, apart from weeks where I have been doing one of the actual rides.  I almost went out for a little potter about yesterday to take it up to the 200 mile mark, but didn't happen.  Always nice to have a target to aim for another time.

Had a great ride out on Saturday with some of the others taking part in #LEJOG.  Around 65 miles covered to Nunney Castle, including one VERY unsuitable road/track/trail to avoid the dreaded Road Surface Treating they seem to be doing around these parts.  All part of the adventure, although I'm not sure I could have been stung any more if I tried!  (Pictures below)

Target this week is to get plenty of miles in, with a long ride on Saturday to Dorchester.