Good people of the TEF...

[STFC_Chris]

In three weeks' time me and three mates will be leaving Land's End and cycling all the way up to John O'Groats. If all goes to plan we'll arrive 12 days and about 900 miles later.

You can probably see where this is going....

I'm raising money for Help for Heroes. They do lots of good work for our boys coming back from Iraq and Afghanistan and any donations would be hugely appreciated - if only to soften the blow of missing us thrash Brighton on my birthday, bad planning I know!

http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/group.php?gid=111944415520906

https://www.bmycharity.com/V2/chrischadwick100

Cheers

[tans]

2 mates I work with have just done this for the firefighters charity and help for heroes. They raised 30k I think.

Fair fucking play for doing that!

[Doore]

Just seen this - if I had a hat on, I would take it off to you.  Very best of luck old chap.

[Highland Robin]

Unfortunately, we are going to be down south at exactly the time you will be passing our Highland home, otherwise i would have invited you to take a little refreshment here......

[One F In Fitton]

Send him a pm, HR, & leave your key somewhere where he can find it - he might need a shit or something.

[STFC_Chris]

Cheers chaps. We're all pretty confident of lasting the distance, only injury will stop us now.

Unfortunately, we are going to be down south at exactly the time you will be passing our Highland home, otherwise i would have invited you to take a little refreshment here......

HR, our route through Scotland is a bit sketchy. I think the main idea is to follow the A9, as there is supposedly a cycle lane or cycle path running alongside. The Scottish stops are Dalkeith, Pitlochry, Nethy Bridge, Tain and then Wick, once we've come back for JoG. Does that sound feasible? Any roads/big hills to avoid?

[Samdy Gray]

Is there a lad called Kane doing it with you?

[STFC_Chris]

Yes!

[Samdy Gray]

He works at my place, we had an email round today asking for donations and I thought it quite coincidental that you were also cycling Lands End to JO'G too.

[STFC_Chris]

He's a good bloke. I think he said that before this January he hadn't ridden a bike for about 10 years, so an impressive effort to get this far. Best not get into a chat if you're in a rush though, he can go on a bit!

[Highland Robin]

HR, our route through Scotland is a bit sketchy. I think the main idea is to follow the A9, as there is supposedly a cycle lane or cycle path running alongside. The Scottish stops are Dalkeith, Pitlochry, Nethy Bridge, Tain and then Wick, once we've come back for JoG. Does that sound feasible? Any roads/big hills to avoid?

Hmmmm...now that's a big question!!  There are really only two options, realistically....either west coast or A9.  A lot of cyclists are to be seen these days on both these routes.  I have to warn you, though...it is impossible to avoid some pretty nasty hills!!  The A9 between Perth and Inverness has some significant challenges, icluding big stretches of dual carriageway, which become race tracks .  There is now a cycle track between (I think) Blair Atholl and Dalwhinnie, which looks interesting in terms of cross country experience, but does avoid the longest dual carriageway.

Its a long way from Dalkeith to Pitlochry.....but Im sure you know your capabilities.  Beyond Inverness, the A9 is OK for gradients, but it is a very busy road.  There is an alternative route which might be worth looking at (and is actually shorter in distance) and, as there are roadworks just starting on the south side of the Cromarty bridge, could be more satisfactory.  If you want details, maybe a PM rather than on this. 

[STFC_Chris]

Bump...

All four of us arrived safely in John O'Groats 6.30pm(ish) last Thursday. We cycled 923 miles, and climbed 47,000ft - the equivalent of one and a half Mount Everests!

Conditions were awful most of the way, with the torrential rain starting in Penzance on day 1 and following us all the way up the country. The Highlands did their best to stop us, with a couple of severe weather warnings being broadcast whilst we were passing through. Pedalling hard, downhill, from Slochd Summit and still only going 8mph, due to the headwind and driving rain is an experience I will not forget for a very long time!

13 punctures, 2 new tyres, a broken spoke and 2 crashes between us over the 12 days. Most unfortunately timed mechanical problem went to me though...

...crossing Jnc 44 of M6 (just north of Carlisle), surrounded by HGVs, and my chain fell off - cue frantic pedalling whilst moving absolutely nowhere as the Morrisons lorry behind me got closer and closer completely oblivious to my problem. Needless to say I lived to tell the tale, but I thought I was a goner for a moment.

Despite all that, we had a great time, and met some super people along the way. A BIG thank you, in particular, to The King's Arms in Burton-in-Kendal who gave us all a free lunch, drinks, and a bag full of home-made cakes, when we came in soaked to the skin and realised we still had another 450 miles to go... you've no idea how much that cheered us up!

There's still time to donate some cash, if you feel that way inclined, it's a worthy cause and all that...

https://www.bmycharity.com/V2/chrischadwick100

Cheers

[4D]

 

[pumbaa]

That's some effort Chris, well done to you and your colleagues. I haven't donated yet, but will do shortly as its such a worthy cause.