Day 8 LEJOG – Ayr to Lochranza

We had another sharp start to cycle up the coast to Ardrossan to catch the 9.45am ferry across to the Isle of Arran.

Today we have been blessed with beautiful sunshine with only a few clouds in the sky! The weather gods could have not picked a more perfect day for us to cycle around Arran.

Cycling around Arran is like a cyclist paradise with the coast and the mountains! On a day like today it would beat anywhere around the world.

When we set off to cycle around the island it was odd the first time in 8 days that we were heading South! Since today was the perfect day we decided we couldn’t miss cycling over the central string road and then head up the opposite coast to Lochranza. Cycling a total of 77 miles with a fair bit of climbing!

On climbing to the top of the Island, David announced he really likes the long steep climbs. I think the sun has got to him today!

We carried on up the beautiful coast watching the waves lap the shores, deer in the fields and buzzards overhead. Arran is out of this world and we are so glad we have taken a slight detour to see it in all it’s glory!

We are having a few problems getting some photos off the gopro, so will hopefully share some of the photos tomorrow!

Tomorrow is the first time that we will ‘try’ to have a lie in, due to the ferrys not running early on Sundays! From Arran we head back onto the mainland and up to Oban.

Day 7 Carlisle to Ayr

Another 7am start and breakfast en route meant that we crossed the Scottish border by 7.45! This felt like a big milestone that we have now conquered England, but slightly daunting that Scotland takes up half of our milage! To mark this occasions we stopped at Dumfries for a full Scottish breakfast after 36 miles.

By pure chance we met up with another LEJOG cyclist who we last met at Lands End as we were starting our journey. Well done to Pete Jackson for your big ride North and solo effort with a really well loaded bike!

From Dumfries the road over the hills to Ayr must be one of the best cycling routes. This felt so rewarding traveling over the beautiful roads compared to the slog through the busy North West Days when the weather is nice and views as good as any, makes the miles float by! With only flocks of sheep to contend with, David looked like Nell the sheepdog rounding them up!

As the days go on we are starting to get fitter and fitter; getting into a good routine. This meant that today we managed to average 15.4 mph over the whole 93 miles including the lumpy bits. With the heavy panniers on that is not bad effort!

The only downfall today was the state of some of the roads. At times it felt like cobble stones and there was a few ‘testical shocking’ moments! Thank goodness for the cyclocross bikes!

We did not stop for lunch and carried on straight to Ayr which meant we arrived by 2.30pm. This gave us a good chance to get our clothes washed and turned around after the long 90+ mile days.

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/510025113

Talk about a small world, arriving back to the hotel after a refuel we bumped into Fred the butcher from Greenside who was sat in the bar, so a good catch up was had swooping tour trip notes.

Geoff T shirt seems to be getting more and more appropriate:
EAT… SLEEP … CYCLE!
He reckons according to his Garmin calorie counter he has burnt 34800, which is rubbish. The amount we have to eat seems like that amount sometimes.

Tomorrow we are off sharp to catch the ferry across to Arran and with the weather looking good we are excited to get a full loop around the beautiful island!

Here is a link to some facts and figures about Prostate Cancer. Which is very scary, please have a read and share if you can:
http://prostatecanceruk.org/information/prostate-cancer-facts-and-figures

Also a big thank you for all your encouragement and reading of our blog. It is so nice that so many friends and family are interested and routing us on!

https://www.justgiving.com/WilliamsLeJog2014/

Day 6 – Preston to Carlise (made it over half way 😀)

Today was another big day, 95 miles with some big climbs over the Lake District. Day after day is really starting to wear the batteries down. But great news for the derrière is that we are now over half way!

The big miles are also starting to take the tolls on the bikes. New brake blocks for David’s bike and a minor disaster averted with Geoff’s panniers. The rivots which attach the pannier bag to the bracket attachment came away. In true Geoff style and the help of a dodgy garage the panniers can now withstand another 10,000 miles, i am sure!

Today’s big climb was up and over Shap, with the horizontal rain and wind it felt like something from the Giro d’Italia! As you can see by the elevation gain, it certainly was a monster climb.

http://www.strava.com/activities/146957384

Tonight we were met by Mum and Heather who have come across to say hello. Which brighten the spirits and brought some some much needed goodies to keep us going! Thanks Mum!

We are also delighted that we have now raised just over the £1000 which is incredible and we can now count in a £1 per mile when we are cycling. Thank you again for all your donations.

https://www.justgiving.com/WilliamsLeJog2014/

Here is a bit of info about prostate cancer which is worth a read

http://prostatecanceruk.org/information/who-is-at-risk

A curry was on the menu tonight and even the nan bread reminded us of the painful saddle which we have to get back on in the morning! Tomorrow’s plan is to get to Ayr, 92 miles with a fair few lumpy bits in between!

Stats to date
Miles : 512
Feet climbed : 17,221

Day 5 All Stretton to Preston

After another early rise, we left the hostel at 6.50am in the rain with dark clouds all around. The weather today was lovely for ducks and did not let off all day.

The plan was to cycle 10 miles into Shrewsbury and get some breakfast, but we ploughed on 35 miles into Whitchurch and devoured a big breakfast.

We always knew that today was going to be the worst day trying to get through the busy towns of the North West. This was challenging dodging buses and the spray of the big wagons, so we were heads down all day and pushing the big miles.

The Garmins came into their own allowing us to follow the route through Wigan and Warrington, when the last thing you want to do is get lost in the pouring rain!

A big thank you to Jonty Norris for making the effort to join us from Wigan up to Preston. Especially when he was in London in the morning. Was a great catch up and another member to the Williams steam train as we head up the country.

There was nothing really scenic to report today due to the rain but on arriving at Preston we had clocked up 97 miles, so a quick scenic tour quickly got us up to 100 miles and we were certainly ready to stop and rest the legs.

http://www.strava.com/activities/146609915

We found a pub close to our Premier inn which did a special offer of 2 meals for a reduced rate. The waitress struggled to understand that we wanted a main meal for starter and the other main to follow and we made her laugh by asking where the nearest kebab shop was at the end!

Time for an early night to tackle the hills of the lakes to hopefully get up to Carlisle.

Stats the date
Miles: 406
Height climbed : 18,468ft
Calories burnt : 14,377

Day 4 – Portishead to All Stretton

Long tough day today! A hilly 92 miles up the Wye valley and border of Wales.

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/508254836

We were lucky again with the weather and just managed to avoid the heavy downpours.

The day started navigating through Avonmouth docks in rush hour, over the old Severn bridge and into Wales!

As soon as we crossed the border we hit the undulating hills, but the stunning views of the Wye valley distracted us from the tired legs!

The spare parts that we are carrying came into use when David’s pannier rack bolt sheared. Quick running repair sorted it out on the roadside.

We have found our new favourite cycling snack of Sainsburys granola squares!

We finally made it to our destination, which is a little remote bunk house up out of town!

Another testing day tomorrow with 95 miles through the built up areas of the North West…. Don’t tell the legs that!

Shout out to Neil Robinson for the best photo laugh last night. Feel free to make up your own captions!

Day 3 LEJOG – Exeter to Portishead

After a good catch up with Jim last night and a few Devon ciders later … David decided to cycle back down the hill!

Got off to an early start with a full breakfast to fuel us up.
Weather today was overcast and sunny spells. Perfect cycling conditions with little wind.
Today was a flat ish 83 miles so we managed to up the average speed and enjoyed the scenic lanes, canal paths and tracks through the apple orchards.

However, as you can see by the photos sometimes the shortest route is not always the quickest!

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/507461951

We met up for the second time 3 ‘End to Enders’ on route and was great to hear their plans!

Off to meet Alex and Carla for a catch up, refuel and a pint. Planning to be on the road for 7am tomorrow for a 92 mile hilly slog… The big days on the bike are starting!

Stats to date
Miles : 214
Height climbed: 11,644 ft

Day 2 – Lostwithiel to Exeter

Even though there was band playing directly underneath us last night we heard the first number at 9pm and then slept through the noise like kings!

The usual full works breakfast set us up for the day and our weather luck ran out as we had heavy rain all morning. It was still a warm day and the sun broke through, so we finished in our cycling jerseys.

This was the hilliest day of the ride with 5600ft of climbing. We coped well with the hills but the long distance days will test us. Setting off sharp tomorrow for an 82 mile ride.
http://www.strava.com/activities/145416070

The quaint roads of Devon provided lovely views of Dartmoor and thatched cottaged villages.

Geoff got his Cornish pasty … Which finally shut him up!

Off to meet an old friend of ours tonight and staying in the luxury of a premier inn!

First nights B+B

Little bit on the wet side

Day 1 – Lands End to Lostwithiel

We got off to a cold and wet start, but the clouds seem to blow over the rest of the day and we stayed relatively dry! It was nice to see another half dozen End to Enders doing various different routes.

Overall it was a tough first day despite the shortish mileage. We were pleased that the Northumberland hill training came into practice as the Cornish roads provided a profile like Jaws teeth, but the little Cornish lanes were beautiful.

A few mechanical problems and the first puncture of the ride … No doubt one of many!

Check out the ride below:
http://connect.garmin.com/activity/505926132

Staying in a B+B tonight and just off out to refuel before getting an early night to catch up on the lack of sleep from the previous nights drive down.

Thank you everyone for your good wishes and kind donations!

Stats to date
Miles : 66 miles
Feet climbed : 4829

The journey begins!

Long drive down over night and arrived at 3.30am. Couple of hours sleep and off we go.

Wet and cold start to the day!
Let’s do this!

Packing the gear!

Sorting the final tweaks to the gear we are taking. Getting all packed ready to set off down to Lands End tomorrow night straight after work.

Doesn’t seem enough to last 2 weeks!

Our panniers weigh 7.3kg, with a total bike weight of 19kg. Then the weight differs dramatically between riders ….

Put your email address into the bottom of the page to follow us up the country.

Thank you all for all the kind donations so far. It has really given us the boost to go for it!
https://www.justgiving.com/WilliamsLeJog2014/