Life on LEJOG 09/10/2010
 
Observations today:

Fast v slow - now this is something I have noticed more and more since starting this challenge. FH does every at the speed of light. I knew this was true of his eating habits since fishing with him. By the time I've cooked a meal, he has ate it. This stems from his TA days when attack was immanent. Unfortunately this has rubbed off on everything else and he must also sh1t, shave, shower and anything else you can name in the same way, just in case a terrorist attack should materialise. This is fine but he expects me to do the same. I can't. When I shower, it's 15 mins of hot water bliss. Especially after a day in the rain. In the morning I like to get ready so I feel ready for the day. I may moisturise if I so wish, maybe even use an earbud! Now as I'm sure my close ones can vouch for, my toilet habits also take some time. A magazine is not even an uncommon site. I have come to the conclusion now that FH is actually a Terminator and he was sent down to kill me - by LEJOG'ing me to death. And in double quick time. It's like being in Boot Camp Sievey!

7days in the saddle - We have now been cycling for 7 days consecutively and it suddenly dawned on me this morning that after tomorrow we are half way through the challenge. As well as being the longest time I have cycled for, it also dawned on me how quickly time has gone. What is also very strange is the way we have no idea of the day or date. This has been known by me with time at weekends (occasionally) but rarely with the day! It's a very strange thing.

Realisation of whereabouts - Riding through the countryside and seeing all sorts of weird and wonderful names has been all well and good. A few times in Cornwall or Devon I saw names which meant something to me, maybe I had visited in the past for example. But many of these places I have not seen before and it is kind of a blur in the memory where we are geographically. Well, today hit home when we passed signs for Manchester and Liverpool and headed towards Wigan and the likes. This helped me visualise in my mind exactly where we were in the UK and how many miles we've actually travelled. It's actually 498 miles and I think that's a pretty good feet in itself.

Weather today - grim. Very overcast, rain on and off all day. Quite 'muggy'. More wet gear! However, much to my delight it's a wash/dry free night for me as our host is taking care of the bike gear.

At this point I should probably point out that we stopped at a bike shop today for spares. Now I don't want to hear I told you so but mudguards were finally purchased. I'm sure we haven't seen the last of the rain and my shoes are really starting to stink now where they are wet after each day but won't dry out before the next. After twenty minutes of trying to fit them to the bike outside the shop we were raring to go. And the rain stopped! So I haven't had chance to test them yet (kind of hope I don't either) but there is one slight problem now in that I can use my easy gears for the hills as the derailer won't go over - it's blocked by the mudguard! I think this is FH's plan to kill me off super quick. Just how he likes things ;0)

Recapping on the b&b's so far only one disaster has arrisen. I have to say my favourite meals were in the Cholmondely Arms and Anchor Inn. My favourite b&b's were Poppy's and Red Willows.

One ray of sunshine to come out of today - a free chocolate bar from a lady at a cafe stop. Always welcome. Doesn't take much to make my day.

Mum - look at the piccies tab at the top.  We saw Ben's twin today!

Some old dear tried to rip me off £30 tonight. Topped up on some bits when close to b&b at a one stop shop. Got some cash-back for the next few days and at this point she cocked up the receipt on the till. I said don't worry and went on my way. Only later at dinner did I realise that I hadn't got this money so we came back to the b&b, got the half-hearted receipt and bags and went back. Luckily she had realised and money was waiting no problem. However, it tipped down with rain so arrived back to the b&b wet and miserable also sporting two blisters from the bloody flip flops I bought away with me (to save on weight!). Story of Pinhead's life in a nutshell!
 
 
Firstly have to say that Poppy's Guesthouse was lovely. Had a really nice stay and breakfast was 'top drawer' according to FH.

Right, a funny start to the day today hence the title. It all began with our ride flowing through the Shropshire countryside. Most of today was fairly gentle ups and downs. On a down early on, a squirrel shot out from the hedgerow and darted toward Fathead. This made me laugh for two reasons. The first was FH's startled reaction as it came so quick he didn't see it coming so I think it frightened him and made him wobbled all over the place on his bike. Just shows he's a big girl too at times. The second was the look on the squirrels face. I think it initially thought FH's bike was a giant banana (its bright yellow) and thought lunch had come early but once he had made the initial jump out the hedge, sh1t himself to see a hippo riding it.

The next thing happened not long after. FH was leading the way as normal as he has the map (probably best). As we came through a tree lined section, out of nowhere a bird of prey (could have been a Buzzard but I thought it was a bloody eagle) swooped to attack FH's yellow Mohawk. I can only assume it thought he was a chick (on a bike!) but at the last moment it turned away and carried on across the fields. This all happened literally 5 feet ahead of me so frightened the shite out of me. FH on the other hand was oblivious which is probably just as well or we may have had a pile up or worse I'd have been beating of the attacker whilst FH rolled around on the floor.

As if this wasn't enough it was now my turn. First we had a fairly steep decent where we built up some speed and out of nowhere a mass of flys appeared. Speeding through flys on a bike is not good. These decided to use my head as target practise and it literally felt like I was being shot in the face by a fly firing squad. Then the bees took their turn to p1ss me off. Now I am willing to open a book on this one now as today was the 5th time so far on this ride that a bee has become wedged in my helmet (ooh er missus). Those who know me will know i am allergic to them so tend to slightly over react when one is close let alone on my head! The outcome - a very erratic bike route taken!

Lunch was a pleasant affair as one of my ambitions for sometime was to fish the River Severn. Today saw that dream turn into reality. It was only a short session but very welcome after the mornings events and for the first time I completely shut off from cycling. Nothing was caught but I'm sure this will be the first of many line wetting sessions. (See piccies)

Observations today - a signpost to 'The Bog'! (see piccies) It's never close enough when you need one!

Weather today - mostly overcast and humid with a downpour in the last hour of riding. Just what you need to help you complete that last 10 miles!

Tonight the b&b is the Cholmondeley Arms. A very nice b&b with hot radiators. Now FH thinks I'm obsessive with my washing and drying but for me there is nothing worse than starting a day in wet/cold/smelly clothes. I feel the cold easily as FH will tell anyone and so have assumed the position of his b1tch in our relationship, turning and drying all our garments meticulously in order to ensure I start each day with a smile on my face. FH just thinks I'm a mental case.

We have enjoyed a really cracking meal tonight and feel quite content and relaxed. A large glass of South African Chenin Blanc may have helped with that!
 
 
Okay, I have to first start tonights blog with the end of last nights. The accommodation. It was shite. I know FH is going to cover this so see his blog but I will say it was nothing like the picture, you couldn't swing a cat in the room, and our beds were camp beds. The bathroom was awful - cleanliness not good (bog brush still had things on it!) and shower was broken (had to hold it!). There was also a nasty smell of chip fat around the room and this was on all the bedding. No hoovering had ever been done and spiders had been permanent residents in the room for some time. To top all this the owner was creepy and didn't want us to leave.

We decided to get dinner elsewhere just to get out of the place as it felt like the house from Misery so tried to book a cab. Neither of us had a signal on our mobiles so I asked the owner to call a cab. He said the phone didn't work but he had one in his room. I asked him to call one for us. He came back and said no one was interested! By chance another poor individual, Paul who I had started chatting with offered to give us a lift. We agreed and I was soon whizzing down tiny roads in the back of a van with no seat or windows! Ray meanwhile was chatting up front!

I am please to say the decision was a good one and we ate at the Anchor Inn which was amazing. Food, drink and surroundings all great and both got a signal and wifi to do the blogs. We stayed until last knockings, then got a cab back. This wasn't great as the guy who didn't know the area drove like a looney up the black tiny lanes and nearly missed a bend. Fresh pants moment.

We went straight to our room when we got back. We slept with our clothes on - I had a hood on, and we locked the door. All I did for the next 20 mins was laugh uncontrollably.  I will say no more!

Highlights of today:

The start of this mornings ride was glorious. After a few hills we soon had a wonderful decent through the welsh valleys and words canny describe it. We were actually so high up to start with, we came through clouds on the way down which although was a bit cold and hampered visability was an amazing experience.

The weather on a whole was good today and sun was shining well. There was a moment when we thought the rain would come but it held off meaning of stuff was dry at the end if not a bit sweaty.

On entering a Shell garage to top up on some food the first thing we heard was "Gonna ride my bike until I get home" which was strange but made me think of home and my woman as she heard this just before I came away.

When stopping in a little village for some water and an ice lolly, i was truly touched by someones generosity. Pauline Hopkinson from Littleborough, Lancs and her dog Milly were on holiday and asked what we were doing. I explained and she promptly entered into her bag, grabbed her purse on gave me £1.60 in change and asked me to split it between FH and myself. It wasn't the amount that mattered. It was her willingness to want to give something from someone who had very little.

I nailed my first 25% climb. My god no one has seen a hill like this. Steep does it no justice. It went on for ever and we gave it everything we had to get to the top. My legs were dropping off by the top and I think I will have legs like tree trunks if we have many more. The good bit was coming down the other side. Squeaky bum moment.

Poppys guest house is wicked. Really lovely (another one for me and the lovely lady to visit) so once we got settled in after a gruelling ride to it (81 miles today with a big hill at the end to get to it!) we had the usual 10 mins ice cold bath for the muscles then showered and got out to get a drink followed by a Chinese. Lovely it was too.

Now sitting in my comfy bed. FH got the monster bed tonight. Just need to nurse a rather sore pair of private parts now as 5 days in the saddle has taken it's toll and me plums are red raw! Where's that tub of Hagen Daz...

I'll leave you with that thought ;0)
 
 
Today my blog will be brief as I have had a moan from my daughter Sophie that they are too long! Forgive me for trying to keep everyone up to date with what is happening in the world of FH&PH.

Today the ride was really enjoyable and this was due to a mixture of good weather and feeling physically stronger. It was a good ride with beautiful scenic views. After cycling the first 10 miles with our b&b host, we passed through Glastonbury then into Bristol, followed by Wales. We crossed the Clifton suspension bridge and the Severn bridge. We saw Buzzards very close up, took some lovely pics and generally just enjoyed the day. Some really amazing views. We had a bit of rain in the last hour or so of the day but this wasn't enough to dampen my spirits too much.

Other than FH getting fed up with me keep warning him of cars every time one came up behind us and finally flipping on a hill which made me crack up laughing (not helping me climb the hill) nothing really happened that was noteworthy. It was just a good day.
 
 
My blog is going to be short and sweet today. I'm knackered and want my bed. One word today wet. Another, cold. Together these equal one thing, death of the Pinhead. I've never seen so much rain. We actually cycled for roughly 7 hours and also had an emergency stop so all in all was out for around 8 hours. In this time, it hammered down continuously and as if that wasn't bad enough there was a few b@stard hills and gail force winds thrown in just for good measure. Needless to say everything is soaked and to sum up the day 'bleak'.

Some highlights:

A man in boots held up the queue at the beginning of day. We want some baby wipes (long story) and had to wait why he argued the price of a two pack and four pack of toothbrush heads. There was 2 quid difference so use your noddle. Then mouthwash, again a life story was given including eBay prices and postage stings. The problem; he leaves the shop and looks towards me. He had about 3 teeth!

A squirrel decided to race us up a hill today. It was particularly steep and water was rushing down it like a river. The bad news; the squirrel won.

Tractor hill; we have decided to name any b@stard hill now to look back on. Yesterday was Camel Hill, you'd be lucky to get a mountain goat up it, let alone a camel. Today, Tractor Hill; so called because just what you need when you are trying to ride up the side of a mountain! is a tractor following you!

Rays brakes decided to fail on him today. He will probably put in his blog but I stopped to help him change the blocks (too many hills meant there was nothing left of them) and spent the rest of the day suffering from hyperthermia. Ray was fine afterwards, rode of and met me at the b&b!

The b&b this morning was the first one to cater for weirdo's like me by supplying me with soya milk and wheat free bread. If only more could do this. Was a nice little touch.

My god I've never been so cold and wet, where's my little hot water bottle Manda when I need her! x
 
 
After a slightly better night's sleep in a really lovely b&b, we both knew today was a toughy. FH had warned me that today was the worst day of the challenge and fork me he wasn't wrong.

We started out leaving the b&b in what can only be described as bleak weather, tipping it down with rain, never a good start. From go we had a hill climb and it got worse and worse, and then worse again. The worst thing was I have no mudguards so everything of the road was ending up on me or in my mouth! My glasses were covered in water droplets and mud so I couldn't even try to avoid things. Two really big hills went on for ever (lowest gear on the bikes and could have done with another) and one nearly claimed poor FH as it was that steep that the front wheel kept coming off the ground! No joke.

A little comical point of the morning was the place Camel! For those who don't know it is one of the many things I am called at work so provided a little light humour on what was otherwise a 'dull' morning.

We got to our lunch stop about 36 miles in to the journey and the rain had just stopped. FH neglected to tell me to take a trip to the bathroom and on my own inspection after ordering food found the only part of my face that was recognisable was where my glasses had been. The rest was mud, grit and other unmentionables.

The afternoon saw dryer weather that was very blowy to say the least. At one point going up hill with the wind in your face felt like you was getting nowhere. Most climbs were averaging 4-5 mph which made it seem like we were getting nowhere fast, not helping with motivation.

Two things I took from today were the importance of self motivation; many times spent singing and chatting to one's self, and the things that make it so much more rewarding, chocolate, crisps, and fruit gums. These gave vital boosts and lord knows I needed them. Finally the sun came out and the last 15 miles took an eternity. The thing that spurred me on was looking forward to the phone call back home. When we finally arrived at the b&b we both were glad it was over and mentally it was a massive boost for me to know that was the worst one out the way. Unfortunately FH seems to have seen a bit too much of that sun!

Dinner was had tonight at the White Hart Hotel and very nice too. Graham also gave us a bit of a discount which was very welcome, in the words of Tesco, every little helps.

I am now looking forward to a good night sleep in a double bed, openly offered up by FH, complete with duck feather pillows. Heaven! Night night.
 
 
Well today was always going to be a hard day, no day is going to be easy thats for sure. It all started this morning with a 7:30 rise after a rather restless night for myself. Not sure why, but woke many times and wasn't exactly full of the joys! After a nice breaky and a chat with two other lads doing the ride we made off for Lands End. Although when we got there, there wasn't much to be seen, it was a place with presence and made me quite proud to be doing this ride. Many others were there and there is a good camaradarie between the cyclists.

Once the obligatory photo was taken we set off. The weather was a bit grim, over cast and breezy. The first 1/3 of the journey was quite enjoyable if thats possible, with some big hills, going down them but unfortunately up them. We visited Lizard Point, the furthest southern point and that was rather pleasant. The thing I took away from this was that all is not lost with mankind. Many people wished us well, some have taken cards and offered sponsorship, one lady offered to buy us a cup of tea and a guy called Dave Holmes from the National trust even gave me £5 sponsor money. It just proves there are some good folks out there.

After a quick stop for food we set off for the second leg of the journey, this is where it got a bit tough for me. Fathead seemed strong and I was going okay. We knew we had come down a BIG hill on the way to Lizard and had to get up that on the way back. I was worried as it was a 17% incline and for anyone who doesn't know that's a big bastard. Well, as it happens I think I worried myself about nothing and we made it up the hill without even knowing we had. This gave me a boost but was short lived when both myself and FH had to stop for a 'field break'. Needless to say something we had eaten hadn't agreed with us and this was my downfall. My confidence took a massive knock and the last 20 miles of the journey were long and tough. There was a point were I was dragging behind and I got a bit emotional. I started wondering what I was doing, doubting myself and if I was up for the challenge. Many things running through my head. The biggest that I was a let down if I failed now.

We battled on and after just under 70 miles, and a rather large hill right at the end, the B&B was at the top. And I have to say, a welcome site. Bath, food and a good night sleep called for. Tomorrow is another day (hopefully better than this one).

PH

 
 
It all began at 12:15 today after our journeys into london and our meeting at Liverpool street station. We cycled to Paddington to catch the train to Penzance and I have to say not cycling around London much, the roads are shite! Potholes, bumps, cracks, you name it, we avoided it. Anyway, after an athletes lunch (Burger King) we boarded the train and settled down. The mood was surprisingly a relaxed one.

We decided to toast the ride with another well known, finely tuned athlete's selection, this time a glass of wine for yours truly and an ale for Fathead. Incidentally this is my first drink in over two months (probably not the best time to start mind). On the way we saw some lovely scenery, hopefully more of which is to come. I say we but mainly me as Ray found it an ideal time to power nap. Think little Max has kept him awake! The one thing that did become apparent through our chatting on the train (although neither openly admitted) was that we had both never been away from home and our families for so long (both about 3 days) and knew we would miss them dearly.

Some funny comments helped pass the time, namely 'Do you burn your hands when cooking hand cooked crisps', 'that wall and bench look very Cornwally' and 'FH: didn't shave this morning' 'PH: yeah, why?' 'FH: what did you shave with? A flannel!'.

After a train delay, we arrived at Penzance at 8pm and road for 1 hour 11 mins. On that time we had an elevation of 378m! Trust me, two hills right at the beginning of the ride were massive! Like nothing I've ever seen or climbed. What's more the road was long, small and pitch black. We had lights but these only attracted the bats!

I write this now after arriving at the hotel and taking a quick shower, and wondering what's in store tomorrow. It can't be that bad can it?

A very tired Pinhead
 
5 Weeks today! 07/30/2010
 
It's now 5 weeks today until we depart for our train journey to head to the south west of England and start our challenge.  It dawned on me today and I have to say butterflies have started in the belly.  In terms of preperation we are really doing well now and all accommodation is booked after a lot of hard work from Fathead and myself.  I have also managed to secure another company sponsor from 9Bar energy seed bars.

My bike is still going well after completion of all LEJOG mods and has successfully completed 147 miles in the last 4 outtings.  Fatheads is nearly there and should be completed before our next official outting which is the Tour of the Hills in August.  We will also be getting our bikes serviced by Steve before then so that they are in tip top condition and ready for the tour.  All of the equipment needed for the journey has now been purchased bar a few last minute bits so things are looking good.

Training is still going well and even though we have both been away with the family we have both managed to fit in a good training session - FH 62 miles, PH 53 miles (mine had lots of really, really big hills  ;O) ) (In all seriousness, it did!)

The fundraising is going really well and to date, collectively we have raised just under £2700.  This is an amazing amount of money and I am really overwhelmed with everyone's generosity.  A BIG thank you to EVERYONE who has donated.  And lastly, if you haven't there is still time  ;O)

Be back soon with more updates but bye for now,
PH
 
 
Yesterday marked the momentous occasion of the first ride on the ‘official’ LEJOG bike.  Now that everything has been modified and fitted, I needed to make sure it was up to scratch.  I had planned to go to Fathead’s to do a ride for a few hours but due to a change of events it couldn’t happen so ever devoted to the challenge I hopped on my trusty stead and made for Chelmsford!  Having done a similar route before I knew it was a nice country route, but had neglected to remember the amount of hills on route.  The biggest shock to me other than having been out of the saddle for a while was the difference the rack and panniers made to the weight and feel of the bike.  The first hill which is always a challenge but one which I never fail at, very nearly claimed a victim and I was quite glad to see the top.  Luckily I made it and battled on.  All in all, 4 big hills and many others made the ride physically exhausting and 4.5 hours later, the total mileage for the day was 52.2 miles.  A few glitches with the bike, namely, the saddle coming loose while riding and a section of road re-surfacing which resulted in one of my new tires now having a gapping hole in it.  Needless to say, I’m feeling it slightly today and realise that more hill work is required.

And for anyone out there who wondered if an ice bath makes a difference, it does!  You was right Fathead!