Another LEJOGer in Hayfield - or should it be LEJOGLEer

It never ceases to amaze me how generous people have been since I started this challenge. Whether its a donation, someones precious time or maybe the lending of something that will help me on my ride. I have met some great people too.

Naomi & Neil Coverley

This week, Rosemary and I had the great pleasure to meet Neil Coverley and his lovely wife Naomi.

Neil has recently cycled  Lands End to John O'Groats. But what made things even more interesting was that Naomi had followed Neil in a camper van! Just as Rosemary intends to do with me. Neil very kindly invited us round to their house during the week to recount their adventure. It was absolutely fascinating and very helpful. We learned so much from them both. Rosemary was very interested in Naomi's experiences of driving a camper and how they both divided the day into meet points for for food, drink, maps and changes of clothes if it was really wet.

Most people would be more than happy with just finishing LEJOG. But that wasn't the end of it. Neil, with the tireless help of Naomi made it to JOG in 10 days which is pretty good going. He then just turned around and started walking back to Lands End.

Like me, Neil ran a blog before and during his marathon challenge. One post stood out when he got to John O Groats.

"My companion for the last 10 & half days is having a well earned rest!! She has done her job well and has been as reliable as ever! She never faltered once, responded immediately when I called upon her, looked as beautiful today as the day I first set eyes on her! I'll miss you when you go home my darling! I just hope Naomi lifts you down from the bicycle rack carefully!!"

Neil (right) with one of the many walkers at John O'Groats, ready to start the long walk back

Unfortunately, 19 days into the return walk and near Carlisle, he suffered a stress fracture to his shin. Now most people would have just given up at this point, but I get the impression he is quietly 'as hard as nails'. A stress fracture is very painful and requires plenty of rest. But Neil decided he could not give in. So after purchasing a little fold up bike with tiny wheels, he set off on again from Carlisle. Amazingly he made it back to Lands End a bit sore but very relieved a week later.

Neil having been 'There & Back'

Neil showed me the mapping software he used to plot a route. He is a freelance engineer and I could tell he has a methodical mind with regard to deciding on a route. His idea was to draw a straight line between start and end points of a days riding, super-impose that onto a highly detailed road map, then to follow that line as closely as possible using the available roads. He tried to stick to the quieter A or B roads wherever he could, but essentially used common sense. So if the busy A road was the only option without going miles of course then that was the road he chose.

Neil had printed out a hundred of these map sections covering the whole of his ride and numbered each one. He then made another set of copies for Naomi to use, so that they could refer to the map number by phone if either was having difficulty finding a route or rendezvous point. So he only had to carry around four or five of these maps at once. The rest could be safely stored in the camper until required. It made for a very simple but very efficient way of plotting and following the route without need for GPS and navigation equipment. Brilliant!

What is even more brilliant is that Neil has offered to do the same for me. So I am going to decide on a basic route we can and plot it out more accurately. I will then have my definitive route to show you all.

Anyway as a keen road cyclist as well as mount biker Neil asked if wanted to do a training ride this weekend. Up until now I just have not gone any significant distance on my road bike and have been acutely aware of this. Neil suggested we head out into Cheshire to get some miles in my legs. I had also never ridden with anyone on the road before so have no idea as to how good or bad I am.

It was very cold and we had to wrap up warm. We headed off for Wilmslow and Alderley Edge, which is a reasonably flat route, ideal for a first ride. We set off at a good pace and I managed to stick with Neil most of the way. It was obvious that he was a stronger rider than me but I never felt like I was holding him up.

Next time I will make sure I fully charge the bloomin batteries.

We covered nearly 40 miles and I felt ok at the end. I was really pleased as I think 80 to 100 miles in a day is achievable now. It's just putting 10-12 days of this together that I have to get my head round.

Once again a big thank you to Neil & Naomi Coverley. Rosemary and I really appreciate your help.