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 ….

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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/

Final route has been sorted

Click on the ‘The Route’ tab at the top of the page to see the final route!
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Lots of goodies have arrived!

Prostate cancer cycling tops, flags and retro cycling cap arrived today!

Going to start getting the gear ready tomorrow and we will post the final route.

Chester Half Marathon

Instead of resting up and winding down the training the week before I decided to do the Chester half marathon!

This was such a brilliant event and organised by a close friend. Thoroughly recommend to any runners out there!

Over the moon with my time on such a hot day. New PB and broke the sub 90 minute dream to finish in 87.47! 97th out of 6500
http://www.strava.com/activities/142537859

Legs are currently very sore but was an event not to be missed! Good luck to my friends running the Edinburgh half next weekend!

Sunny Saturday

Well this was my last ride before LEJOG and time to rest next week as I am sure I will be getting enough exercise over the coming few weeks. Stats today was 62.6 miles with 4307 ft of climbing, so hilly in this heat. The Northumberland scenery was lovely today and I am sure it will take some beating as we travel through the counties on our way North! Good luck to David as he is doing the Chester half marathon tomorrow which I am sure will help his fitness even more.