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back in Suffolk - I spoke briefly to dad while he was on the train, so I don't yet know if any of you managed to meet dad at the station. In the meantime we've also been busy on PR, so look out for Yorkshire Post and Church Times, and I understand that things have already appeared in the EDP...and there's been some radio coverage too. We're also looking at other national press... If anyone sees press coverage it would be lovely to see a copy!
Thanks,
Maggi
I spoke with dad last night and he said he was 'weary' - not surprising! It was a beautiful day, great scenery and blue sea - a change from some of the weather he's endured! Paul was able to carry dad's panniers so he had less weight and was able to enjoy the trip. When he arrived there was a real sense of occassion with a banner, fizzy and a medal!
He then went on to Wick, and was saved the extra 15 miles cycling as the bike went into Paul's hire car - a welcome bonus for dad. He's setting off for Inverness by train mid morning, and then back to Beccles tomorrow, due to arrive on the 23.26 (if all of the connections work...). Then we'll all need to help him to relax for a while!
Maggi
Fantastic! Dad arrived at about 12.00 in John O'Groats - with Paul there holding a banner, popping open some fizzy and taking lots of photo. Great news on an amazing achievement! I'll speak to heim later, so we'll get more of an update then.
Maggi
Seems a long time since I was typing 'day two...'!. I spoke with dad very briefly earlier, and now can't get any reception. He's had a nother good day - with a stop at a friendly church along the way and a gentle 28 miles (now over the 1000 mark!). Paul has arrived safely, which is wonderful - dad really appreciates the company and support. The only negative thing dad had to say about today was that the b&b was 4 miles outside Melvick...so he's got an extra 4 miles tomorrow...
So, final day coming up - about 40 miles to John O'Groats and a celebration, then another 17 miles to get to Wick, where he'll stay the night before going to Inverness on Tuesday and then back to Beccles on Wednesday.... All the best for tomorrow dad!
Maggi
Sorry saturday's entry is so late - internet connection problems...
Dad had a really good day yesterday, he described it as 'the nicest day of the whole trip, really relaxing and enjoyable'. The hills were gentle, the weather was lovely and the scenery was breathtaking with views of mountains with their tops in the clouds. He arrived at the friendly YHA in Tongue to see he's done 999 miles! - he even had time and energy for a walk.
I love the idea of bagpipes at John O'Groats, probably too late to organise anything live, so I'll see if Paul can get a CD to add to the mood - it's great that he'll be there to help dad to celebrate.
Maggi
Dad arrived in Laig this afternoon, after a tougher day than expected because of the hills...and a moment of horror when a sign showed 17 miles more than dad was expecting (but fortunately that was by the main roads, big relief!) The bike is still behaving, but needing lots of oil to stop the creaking, (I did ask if dad's joints were creaking too!). There's been some beautiful scenery along the way and he's looking forward to a gentler day tomorrow, he doesn't plan to leave until after 8am! Hopefully he'll have a chance to enjoy the scenery...
Apart from that we spoke of wine making, killing slugs, eating surplus marrows and the philosophy of happiness - so a well rounded conversation!
Maggi
I had a very brief conversation with dad last night at the Inverness YHA, as the reception was so poor. I was able to hear that he'd had a fairly easy day - although there was a head wind for the last bit. The scenery continues to be beautiful, and there are now only 4 more days of cycling to do! My brother, Paul, is planning to see dad on the final day (travelling through the night by bus to get there), and is hoping to be able to be at Johb O'Groats to mark the momentous occassion, it will be great if dad can share that moment with someone.
I'm hoping to get the PR machine truly operational today - so if anyone has contacts in teh press, please get in touch!
Maggi
Fantastic! dad called this afternoon (from a phone box as the reception is so poor). He's made it through the Cairngorms. His route took him over 4 steep passes, plus a smaller pass. It wasn't easy, and he had to push his bike up the steepest bits, but it was dry, and not as bad as he thought it might be! Again, it was fun going down (just as well he had his brake pads changed earlier in the week!), and he arrived in Grantown-on-Spey in reasonable time. If you look on the map it's amazing to see how far he's travelled, the end really is in sight, and the worst of the hills is over too!
Maggi
Great news! dad phoned from the top of the pass, and again from Braemar...despite the wet weather it was a far better day than he's anticipated and he arrived in Braemar at about 2.00 (I think he really enjoyed the ride down the hill, weeeeeeeeeeee!!). He was cold, but stoked up on food and was hoping to get into the youth hostel early and prepare for tomorrow which is likely to be far more mountainous, but he sounded in good spirits.
He's really appreciating everyone's support and I think it's amazing that there are so many people around the country thinking about him and praying for him. Let's hope tomorrow is ok..
Maggi
Spoke to dad earlier and he's had a really good day although it's been quite wet. He stopped in Perth (a lovely town), and went to what had been the Cathedral. He took a more direct route today, so he's still feeling rested - in preparation for the next 2 days. He collected an extra £5 sponsorship from a driver who guessed what he was doing and flagged him down for a chat!
The weather isn't looking great for tomorrow, but he's feeling Ok about the challenge ahead. I've checked the 'domestics' - he's got dry clothes, plenty of food, bike mending kit and everything else he should need, so as he sets off at 7am tomorrow let's hope everything goes his way...
Maggi
I spoke to Dad last night (Sunday), and he had a really relaxing day. He met up with a friend from college days (service at the Cathedral and time to chat), which was fantastic - especially as they hadn't met up since leaving Cambridge! When he left Edinburgh, he was met by 1000's of cyclists of all ages going in the other direction on an Edinburgh/Glasgow cycle run - tempted as he was to join them, he kept going in his direction and was rewarded by fantastic views of the Forth Road Bridge.
Today (Monday) shouldn't be too bad and his host last night had some comforting news about the Cairngorms - he has helped to scan the Land's End to John O'Groats route for some runners, and says that the hills of Devon and Cornwall arre the worst as they are steeper, and you keep having to go up and down... whereas over a pass it's all up and then all down, so not as bad... fingers crossed, but dad says he's mentally adjusted for a couple of really tough days, and will be very relieved when ... (more)
Dad arrived in Edinburgh on Saturday and had a really relaxing time (many thanks Peter and Jackie). He was planning just a a short ride (14 miles) for Sunday, after meeting a friend at the Cathedral Service. The week ahead will be tough in the middle (Tuesday and Wednesday) as he heads over the Cairngorms.
Maggi
Dad called at lunchtime today (Friday), in anticipation of not getting phone coverage tonight (he was right!). Thanks for the messages which I read out to him - the quote was quite apt! He was delighted to get the extra milage done yesterday, especially as he got quite lost thismorning - with maps, roadsigns and village names bearing no relation to each other...and he ended up going a long way in the wrong direction. When I spoke with him he was having a short break, and getting his bike serviced..and the great news was that he was well inside Scotland, with about another 30 miles to go before getting to Ettrick for the night. The hills continue, and he's delighted that Suffolk is relatively flat, or he may never want to cycle again!
Maggi
Dad must be further from 'civilization' as there's no reception... although a very interrupted call gave me basic info that he cycled an additional 16 miles today to reduce the ride for tomorrow (which was going to be another long one). So, I'm not quite sure where he is, but I think he's fine! Let's hope the weather continues to be better.
Many thanks for all of your comments - I do pass them on and dad really appreciates them,
Maggi
Dad was surprised how easily he got out of Manchester - the YHA gave him a map and it was all straightforward. The weather was Ok, and the scenery was really beautiful, but the hills have returned with a vengance. At times, with tired legs, he felt that he was never going to get to the top... but with characteristic determination he kept going! En route he stopped to enjoy the ruins at Whalley Abbey and also to feel satisfaction at reaching the top of the high pass he went through.
He's now done over 500 miles and been on the road for 9 days - we're proud of you dad!
Maggi
After a very wet start, the weather cleared and dad dried out, with a fairly flat cycle ride to Manchester. He stopped for food along the way, and when a roadside cafe owner heard what dad was doing he donated the bacon roll and coffee, saying dad had earned it! Again, B roads seemed very difficult to find, leaving dad joining lots of lorries along a narrow road - not much fun. It was 'tedious' getting into Manchester - not helped because the map was stuck together after the rain and the bit dad needed had disintegrated! However, he found his way to the Youth Hostel, sharing a room with an Australian and two Canadians, all enjoying 'gap' type years.
He's now facing another long ride - about 69 miles, with a long climb up to the Forest of Bowland, but he's looking forward to the long descent to Ingleton!
Maggi
It was great to see dad last night in Market Drayton. He had a good cycle ride to get there, with fewer hills and dry weather, and he only got lost once - in Telford (he had the feeling he was never going to leave!). At one stage there was a helicopter flying overhead, seemingly tracking him - was this a spy from the Land's End to John O'Groat's Association, making sure he wasn't cheating?! He arrived at the b&b at about 4.30 in time to shower & rest - including 20 minutes of Alexander technique which a friend recommended and he's finding helpful every night (thanks Sybill!).
Our daughter Lily and I arrived in the evening and we took dad to a pub for a meal. It was lovley to see him looking so well on his adventure - it's incredible what he's doing. The distance isn't so tough, but the hills and wind have meant that he's had to dig really deep to keep going. He says he's enjoying 'bits' of it, but at the same time he's looking forward to ... (more)
Set off later than normal (8.15!), and dad really enjoyed the freedom of cycling in shorts rather than the customary waterproofs! It was a lighter cycling day, with gentle hills and fantastic views across the Wye valley and to the Welsh hills. He stopped at Ross-on-Wye for a service, where the large congregation were very friendly, and he joined them for coffee in the Church hall. He diverted by Hereford to see the cathedral (but not the Mappa Mundi as he thinks his maps are more useful!). He then arrived in Leominster in good form...and I'm looking forward to seeing him tonight. I hope his route isn't too affected by the floods and road closures that seem to have hit Worcesteshire and Herefordshire.
Maggi
Saturday was what dad described as a tough day... in most people's language I think that would be an understatement! The weather was drier and there was no problem with the wind, but the Severn bridge seemed to go on for ever (no wonder it takes so long to paint...). He enjoyed catching up with friends along the way and the meeting with Tim and Joy in the evening. The only hairy moment was coming off the Severn Bridge cycle track and going through an underpass - the corner was sharp and the wheels skidded on some wet leaves, leaving dad unable to control the bike because of the weight of the panniers - so he came off. Children in the underpass kindly came running over to make sure he was ok... which thankfully he was... although he was more worried about his bike than himself!
So, after the night at St Briavels, he's now got a lighter day (only 43 miles!) to Leominster. He's delighted to have completed the first 'leg' and to be more than 1/4 of the way to John ... (more)
Relief! The weather forecast today has been terrible, and I'm sure I wasn't the only one thinking of dad cycling through such terrible conditions...but he's arrived safe, well and in good spirits.
The rain was torrential for most of the day and the wind was against him all the way so he felt he was going really slowly. He set off early (7.15!) and stopped for something to eat in a bus shelter and couldn't believe that he'd got so far in the time, he felt as if somehow he'd been given an extra hour...the experience was repeated in the afternoon: he calculated that he'd arrive in Cheddar at about 6.00, but in fact got there at 4.00! He's wondering if there was some 'divine mathematics' going on or some other kind of miracle - he's done over 68 miles in horrendous conditions, but it was actually ok.
Tomorrow Dad's having a more sociable day, seeing friends and meeting my brother Tim and his partner Joy for an evening meal... ... (more)
Quite a wet day, but not too bad apparently, and even the occassional bit of sunshine! Dad did change his route slightly, going on a more level road rather than following the coastal path... the wind and weight of the panniers are a tough combination on the hills! This evening dad arrived at the B&B and had an evening meal there, which sounded very welcome.
He was delighted to hear your comments and that your thoughts and prayers are with him, so thanks very much! He thinks he'll need them especially tomorrow as it's a long ride and the weather forecast is awful, and it can feel a bit daunting, but by the sound of things he's doing a great job keeping his Positive Mental Attitude in place. This is helped by the friendly people who he's meeting and he's getting into some really good conversations along the way.
Maggi
Hi!
Well done dad! day 2 completed, (stayed in Boscastle, Cornwall). Apparently he was a liitle saddle sore at the end of the day, but he seemed in good spirits and was lucky to miss out on the rain.However, the forecast for today doesn't look so promising, so he may keep to bigger roads to minimise the chances of being lost on a small lane in the pouring rain...(doesn't sound very appealing!)
So, today he will move into Devon, then on to Cheddar in Somerset, so good luck!
Maggi
Well, day one is complete! - Dad got the all important photo at Land's End (and one of the stunning view), and he got a big surprise when a stranger called out, "Hello, Rev" - it was a visitor from Lowestoft who had seen the article about the cycle ride in the paper...what a small world!
The day's ride ended up being 53 miles, all without showers. A detour into Truro allowed him to visit the beautiful Cathedral, and he took shelter there while it rained. The day's ride was fine, but very hilly with the uphills seeming to go on for ever (and, he claims, getting steeper as the day wore on!). He was tired when he arrived at the B & B, and went out for something to eat...which ended up being nearly 2 miles walk uphill to get there (mad or what?!).
So, the adventure is truly underway, let's hope it's not too wet and windy as he heads on through Cornwall,
Maggi
I spoke to Dad last night, staying at the wonderful Youth Hostel in St Just-in-Penwith. He left Beccles on Sunday, following a great send off from friends at St Michael's Church, and travelled down to London. In London, he was joined by my brother Paul, who showed solidarity by cycling with Dad across London to the Youth Hostel at Holland Park - luckily it stayed dry (although when Paul left later it was pouring!...). On Monday it was a train down to Penzance and then a short 12 mile cycle ride (again dry), to the YHA, and a welcome meal!
So, today (Tuesday), it's the proper start, off to Land's End, getting the important card stamp and hopefully a photo taken by some unsuspecting tourist. Then a relatively gentle cycle ride of just over 40 miles to Truro. The weather forecast looks mixed for today, so I'm sure there'll be some showers that can't be dodged, and probably quite a lot of wind - let's hope it's going in the right direction!
Next Monday ... (more)
Dad with his sundaes!
