Training update - No sleep till Corwen

There is something rather primal about changing out of wet socks and putting a warm dry pair on. You instantly get a feeling of comfort and that all is well. If that is combined with a steaming hot cup of tea and  a bacon butty you can quite easily get too comfortable. Which leads me on nicely to my latest training ride.

The sky was the leaden as I peered through the curtains on Saturday morning. It was doing its very best to unload its watery cargo over Derbyshire. The forecast the previous evening had not been encouraging. Heavy rain on and off all day, a strong westerly and temperatures not making double figures all weekend. So the perfect time to arrange a ride to Wales and our first full camp over in the van. Not!

Hayfield to Corwen 90 miles if you include a little wrong turn

The plan was to ride to Corwen (pronounced Serwen in Welsh) about fourteen miles beyond Llangollen. Rosemary had spotted a pleasant looking campsite in the Caravan Club brochure. We'd phoned up and explained we were camper van 'newbies' and could they go easy on us. They seemed really friendly so we booked the Saturday night. So all I had to do was ride ninety miles to get there - in the driving rain and into the strong westerly wind - and low temperatures. My warm and cozy bed seemed to have a "death star' tractor beam pulling me back in. I had to engage full reverse drive to resist its attraction. Eventually Chewy* managed to drag me from the force field and I got dressed. *sorry if you are not a Star Wars fan. Blame it on my Dad for taking me to the Classic cinema in Stockport when I was ten (have I told you this one before?)




Once again my good mate Neil had offered to ride with me. Neil had got a call from his friend Dave Dobson asking if there were any rides planned, so we said come along. The idea was for Dave and Neil to ride with me to Corwen, where Dave's wife would pick them both up and drive home. Dave lives over in Frodsham and was going to meet us at junction 18 of the M6 (Holmes Chapel) where Rosie, his wife would drop him at 9.30am, so we had to get a wriggle on at 7.45am.

Dave the Viking waiting for Neil who was numero dos if you get my meaning

The van was packed with everything for a sleepover.  We'd sat and planned a stop point with my Rosie to meet us at. So we headed off into the gloom. It was pouring down and the road spray was awful as we spun down into Cheshire. It was going to be a long ride and I knew that if I set off at the sort of pace that Neil is comfortable with I would be 'toast' very quickly. So I eased my way through to Wilmslow where I started to feel a bit more comfortable with the pace. We got to Holmes Chapel at 9.40am. Neil had described Dave, his bike and his riding style to me on the way. Neil is similar to me in taking delight in having cycling gear that doesn't quite match. Some cyclists (especially roadie's) can be totally anal about having everything perfect and matching. I am colourblind so I haven't a clue if what I am wearing goes or not. Come to think of it that is true of everything I wear. I tend to have a combination of road and mountain bike gear and I suppose it does look a bit odd. We've quite often been 'blanked' by cycling clubs as we ride past giving them a cheery 'hello'. Anyway the reason for me rambling on is that Dave takes this 'none conformist' approach to the next level...or warp factor ten to be truthful. His bike is an old Dawes steel framed affair that looks bit like the Forth rail bridge and he was wearing a pair of sweat pants and a sort of wooly jumper. He couldn't be more anti-road style if he tried. Dave's a big chunky fellow with blonde hair and as we set off he reminded me of a Viking. All he needed was a helmet with horns.

The rain had abated as we ploughed on to the designated stop point at Bunbury in mid Cheshire. The wind was biting and I was still wet through from our earlier dousing. My hands and feet were freezing and I realised a pair of overshoes would have been very useful (note to self - buy some overshoes) We cruised  along some flat country lanes, dodging rain showers as we headed west. I took over the map reading from Neil as I need to get some practice in for LEJOG. Its not easy using a map when you are blatting along. Its very easy to lose your position as you have to concentrate on the road ahead. Its also easy to make a mistake if you're mates are wanting to get on. Neil has a real knack with map reading. He is certainly better at it than me and seems to be able to memorise at least five or six direction or junction changes ahead. This can equate to 15 or 20 miles on a map and is a real time saver. I was lucky if I could recall three or four. I will have to improve.

The red arrows came to town

At about 12pm I got a text from Rosemary that she was parked up at Bunbury with the kettle on. Rosemary is going to be my life saver on this journey. I cannot convey the sense of joy I get when I see the camper parked up in the distance. We were cold and tired. We'd covered 46 miles and we all needed a break. So as I said at the top of this post, there I was putting on a fresh pair of socks as my Wife was busy serving bacon butties to my cycling buddies. I am a lucky man.

Monty was along for the ride too as it was a full on test run. He quickly made friends with Dave and I think Neil started to get jealous.

It was hard getting up and ready to ride again but we had another 40+ miles to go so we said goodbye to Mosy n Moo and set off towards Wales. Cheshire is a very picturesque county. Its mainly flat pastural land with sandwiched between the Pennines and the Welsh borders. I think I have really got to know this county over the last four months. It has some beautiful, peaceful back lanes that criss cross its heart. Some of the villages and hamlets are straight out of an Elizabethan period drama. There are thatched cottages with real black and white timber frames dotted all over. There are cruick frame barns and stately piles abound. It really is quite wonderful. Its also a great place to cycle, as many of the back lanes are virtually car free. So we really put the hammer down and took turns at the front to give each other a break from pedalling. It was like the Tour de France as we sped past fields of rapeseed already in full yellow splendour. I was really enjoying myself, I had the bit between my teeth. My feet were dry again and it was getting a little warmer as we neared the Welsh border town of Bangor on Dee.

The three amigo's in Llangollen

Up above however, the clouds were looking menacing. I could see the hills in the distance so Wales was not far off now. We were in for another soaking but took solace in the knowledge that Rosemary would be waiting for me in the camper. We pressed on as the rain came down again. The wind was straight in our faces as we entered the vale of Llangollen, making pedalling more and more difficult. The terrain started to rise and fall and I knew we had left the Cheshire plain behind. Road signs had a distinct lack of vowels so we were definitely in Wales now. Neil and Dave had decided they wouldn't make Corwen in time to meet Rosie so a few hurried calls to both Rosie's and it was arranged that we stopped at Llangollen. We'd ridden 75 miles as we rode into town and you know what? I felt great. I had energy left in my legs. The training I have been doing seems to have paid off. I have to say it has all been down to Neil Coverley and his unbelievable kindness in offering to get me fit. He has truly gone beyond any help I could ever have hoped for and I am truly grateful to him.

We climbed off our bikes a bit damp and a bit tired and had a group hug (in a very manly way of course). Dave found Rosie and the kids whilst I went off to look for my Rosie. She was parked up in a CO OP car park a little way down the road.

I am sure I am not alone when I always feel that journeys seem to foster a real sense of camaraderie. I really enjoyed Neil and Dave's company and thanked them for riding with me. Neil quickly got changed and we all said our good byes.

At the campsite. The Sun came out when I found Mosy. It always does! ("creep" - Rosemary)

Corwen was another twelve miles down the road. I was a bit wet and cold but felt ok and wanted to carry on and cycle the whole way. It would have been really easy to just get in the van and drive there but that was not going to happen. So I climbed back on my bike and started pedalling for Corwen waving to Rosemary as she drove off for the campsite. We'd quickly checked the directions for the site before leaving Llangollen. It was easy, just turn left a mile after Corwen for Cynwyd and the campsite sign just after the rhugg farm shop.

The A5 climbs steadily out of Llangollen for a good four to five miles. It was hard going, especially with the westerly wind in my face. I was starting to tire as I rode into Corwen. I past the imposing statue of Owain Glyndŵr in the square. I was just hoping that we would get a friendlier welcome than he would have given us, when I noticed the sign for Cynwyd and the campsite, so I quickly turned left on to the steep road that led up the valley side. The campsite was apparently about half a mile on the right so I didn't mind getting out of the saddle as it wasn't that far. Well half a mile came and went, then a mile, then two and I thought "this ain't right" I stopped and looked at the map and it looked correct, but there was no campsite after half a mile?

Moo inspecting the site 

I turned round and headed back down the road, got to the A5 and carried on. Low and behold there was another sign for Cynwyd and a campsite, oh and a rhug farm shop. Oops, typical bloke didn't hear the bit about the shop. I was knackered by now and very cold. The wind had got up and it was chilling me to the bone. To make matters worse the road up to the campsite was incredibly steep. It must have been 1 in 3 so I absolutely grovelled my way up to the site entrance. Once again the site of our camper van brought joy to my heart as I wobbled across the field to where my goodly wife had parked up. I had cycled 90 miles. Officially the furthest I have ever ridden. I was freezing by now and had to wrap myself in blankets to get some warmth to my core. I made a big mistake at this point and didn't take my sodden wet base layer off for some time. When I did I realised why I was so cold. It was wringing wet through with sweat. I quickly ran to the toilet block to get a warm shower but I was shivering and knew I had got a chill. I spent most of the evening trying to get warm. Rosemary was sweltering in the van with the heating on full blast. Monty was panting away and wanted to go out to escape the heat. I was just sat wrapped in blankets with my coat on, shivering away. Rosemary then proved why she is the best wife in the world, by making me a hot chocolate with whiskey (a very large glug too) it was pure nectar and warmed me up beautifully. I've not been drinking at all for some time now and I felt quite squiffy. After a quick spin round the field with Monty, we had huge dinner of sausage and mash before turning in for the night. As I switched the light off Rosemary told me that when she had booked the site she'd briefly mentioned to the lady that I was training for a LEJOG ride. So when she had rolled up to the site office she'd paid for the pitch and was promptly given back the money as a donation from the couple that ran it. They had googled LEJOG with Rosemary and Brian and found my blog. I was totally made up as my head hit the pillow.

Typical - the sky clears once I have got there. However it was a lovely sunset.

My trusty steed safely stowed for the night

The next morning I went and thanked Johnny & Nerys for their kind donation. The site was lovely and clean and even had wifi access. They wished me good luck on my ride as we set off for home. I would strongly recommend Gaer Hyfryd campsite if you are ever in the area. All in all it was a very successful trip. The only downside was that I have picked up a horrendous chest infection. I'm typing this the following Sunday and it hasn't gone away yet. I've not been near my bike all week and am worried that I am losing my hard earned fitness. I'm going to call the doctor tomorrow to explain my predicament. Hopefully I can get some antibiotics or steroids to calm this chest down before weekend. I'll keep you informed.

A little story from this week

First of all, sorry for the delay in posting this week. Time is rushing by and the 8th of May is just over  a week away. I am putting the finishing touches to my latest training blog and will post very soon. However I thought I would share with you a little story from this week.

Firstly, I have picked up a horrendous chest infection and haven't been anywhere near my bike since Saturday. If it's not gone by Monday I'm off to the quacks for antibiotics or steroids or a new body or something.

Anyway during the week my Mum, following a doctors appointment had to go into hospital. Mum being Mum didn't want to worry anyone and told Dad not to tell anyone. So as you can imagine, when we couldn't get hold of her or Dad all day we started to get worried. I went round to their house and there was no one home. I called Dad's mobile endlessly and just got a 'not possible to connect' message. I tried some friends of theirs just round the corner. Nothing! In the end I started panicking and called Stepping Hill hospital to see if a Mrs Knott had been admitted. She had, so I quickly drove down and found Mum and Dad in the Medical assessment unit. They had been there four hours and Mum had been given numerous tests an examinations. I gave her a good telling off in front of some other people in the room, for not letting us know. All she could say was "how did you find out" Parents hey! They think we are daft!

Peter Kay - knows how to dunk a biscuit

Mum introduced me to a lady who was in with her Mum. I think her Mum had been admitted with a suspected stroke and was in a wheelchair waiting for the doctor. My Mum had been chatting to them and they knew all about my cycling challenge. They had never heard of Ataxia, which has been a regular comment since I started raising funds for them. As a charity it is alway going to be hard for them to compete with the big guns such as Cancer UK and Children in Need.

I asked Mum if she'd had anything to eat or drink in the time she'd been there. I knew she wouldn't have as she never wants to put anyone to any trouble. She has always been like that and I'm always telling her off for it. Just then a nurse popped in and I asked her where I could buy a brew. The nurse kindly offered to make everyone a pot of tea for which she got a little cheer off the old lady in the wheelchair. So I thought I'd be cheeky and asked for some biscuits too. The nurse brought in five steaming mugs of tea and a plate full of 'Rich Tea' biscuits. Result! I could see the relief in Mums face. As the biscuits were 'Rich Tea' I couldn't resist the Peter Kay joke and asked the ladies if they dunked their biscuits. That was it, they were off. "ooh I love dunking, especially a digestive...with coffee" said the Mother. "ooh yes I do love a nice digestive". So I joined in, "no, what you want is a hob nob - they are the Rolls Royce of dunkers " Then the jokes started.

Rich tea - rubbish for dunking

Hob Nobs - the dunking SAS

The Lady in the wheelchair was a bit hard of hearing. She was a lovely lady who liked to join in and I don't want to sound cruel, but she was deaf as a post. This seemed to make the jokes that much funnier. Her daughter piped up with "what do you call a sheep with no legs?" and this is how the conversation went:
"sleep? I don't want to go to sleep"
"No Mum, Sheep!"
"why does a sheep want to sleep? - that's not funny?"
"No Mum what do you call a sheep with no legs? - a cloud"
" A cow? why are we talking about sheep and cows"
"No Mum - oh never mind -  What do you call a spider with no legs?"
"what spider? where Margaret? I don't like spiders"
It was just like a Peter Kay sketch and I was giggling away inside.
"No Mum, What do you call a spider WITH NO LEGS"
I shouted over "a CURRANT" upon which the old lady said "a curry? why would you put a spider in a curry"
Everyone laughed including the old Lady.

"Mrs Knott" came a voice from the corridor. The doctor had interrupted comedy gold. I was a bit disappointed as we headed out of the waiting room. When the doctor had finished, she told us that Mum would have to wait for the consultant registrar as the doctor wasn't 100% happy with things and we had to go and sit back in the waiting room. As we walked back in, Margaret and her Mum were heading for a ward. As she passed, Margaret gave me a £5 donation and said "good luck - I think its marvellous what you're doing" I was taken aback. What a lovely gesture from someone who didn't know us at all. I have been overwhelmed at the generosity of people since I started this challenge. It is very easy to get cynical with this world, but there is kindness and generosity wherever you look. I thanked them both from the bottom of my heart and hoped that the old lady was going to be ok. I even had a little tear or two.

JustGiving Total as of today. A huge thank you to everyone who has donated.

Mum had to stay in overnight, as the consultant wanted a CT scan and ECG doing and it was past midnight. Mum was not happy but we persuaded her it was for the best. We saw her to a comfy looking bed near the ward desk and Dad and I said goodnight and went home to get some sleep. Luckily the next day after a lot of tests Mum could come home. Phew! What a relief.

sub note

Stepping Hill Hospital has had a lot of stick recently in the media. I have to say that they were nothing short of fantastic with my Mum. Very caring and thorough in their examinations and they looked after her like she was their own Mum. So a big thank you to them from me and our family.

Memories of my Sisters part 6 - Music

Music is a wonderful thing. It unites, it divides us, it inspires and comforts us. I think that pretty much describes how music was for my sisters. Come to think of it, the whole family.

Dad looking groovy on the organ

According to my Aunty Joan, my Dad's side of the family is very musical. My Great Grandad was apparently the founder member of Marple brass band and my great Aunt was an Opera singer and well as teaching singing and piano. My Dad plays piano too and music was always a topic of discussion at home. However as kids, only Janet showed any real interest in playing an instrument. I remember there being a recorder club at primary school and Janet wanted to have a go. She picked it up really well and started to learn the basics of reading music. She seemed very good and played in concerts that the school organised. I still remember her recorder. It was an ivory coloured Hohner that Mum and Dad had bought her. I wonder if they still have it?

Janet's lovely Hohner C soprano recorder

Maybe the next Knott musician - My nephew Matthew

Dad used to try and teach us to play piano but we just didn't have the patience. I always wanted to play out, as did the girls. I really regret not persevering with the piano. I think it is a fantastic instrument. In my teens I decided I was going to be a guitar hero and saved all my paper round money to buy an electric guitar. I should have saved my money. I was and still am, properly rubbish. I did have lessons and learnt a few chords but I could never string a full song together. I think the musical genes bypassed me.

Our family tastes in music were wildly different. We always used to bicker at the dinner table over who's music was best. My Dad likes brass bands and and military music as well as opera and classical, whereas Mum is not really that bothered and preferred 'something quiet and soothing'. Both Janet and Erika were fanatical about music and would save up for all the albums and singles they could. Janet's undisputed favourite was Barry Manilow, Erika's was Michael Jackson. They would constantly argue about who was  best. I hated Barry Manilow with a passion and MJ was not far behind. Like I said, music can divide too. I look back and wonder why I was so narrow minded about music?

Barry Manilow - I hated Barry Manilow - I now have 3 Barry Manilow songs on my iPod 

I hated Michael Jackson - Guess what's on my iPod now?

My Sisters did however, like lots of other music and the pair of them would sit on a Sunday evening and listen to the top 40. Groups such as ABBA, Supertramp, Sparks, Jon & Vangelis from the 70s, then Wham, Culture Club, Bananarama, Frankie goes to Hollywood in the 80's. No doubt I have forgotten loads of their favourite bands. The list was endless.

Bananarama - I had a secret crush on the one on the left

I remember the DJ Tommy Vance who did the top 40 count down. He was very cool and had an amazing voice. He presented the Friday rock show at 10pm back in the 70's and 80's. It was way past my bed time but I used to tune in on my portable cassette player and listen to it with the volume really low, so Mum and Dad couldn't hear. I recorded every it week on a TDK C90 and played it to death the following week until the next show. I got to like rock and heavy metal from listening to Tommy Vance's dulcet tones. So on my list of favourites were groups like Deep Purple, Black Sabbath then Rainbow and Iron Maiden. As you can imagine dinnertime conversations about music got quite fraught and nearly came to blows on more than one occasion. There was many a tear shed over the merits of 'Mandy' over 'Smoke on the Water' or 'Thriller' over "The Number of the Beast' Mum and Dad would quite often have to pull us apart. Happy days.

Sabbath - Yep! I was a real 'greaser' back then - still am inside

My brother Harvey also became a 'metal head' - he's gonna kill me for this picture

So whilst Janet and Erika followed the fashion in the early 80's with big hair and shoulder pads, listening to Duran Duran and Whitney Houston. I became a lanky teenage dirtbag listening to Sabbath and AC/DC with greasy denim jackets and long hair.

Owen Paul was Janet and Erika's "favourite waste of time"

I will always remember the occasion when both Janet and Erika wanted to go and see a so called pop star,  Owen Paul. I think he had a hit out called "you're my favourite waste of time' It was one of those annoyingly catchy tunes that you can't get out of your brain for days. My sisters were crazy about him. I thought he was a....well I won't say what I thought. By this time both Janet and Erika were finding walking difficult. They could both just about still walk, but needed assistance. Dad was really not keen on going to the Apollo to sit with thousands of screaming girls and said they couldn't go. I am not really sure what happened next but I volunteered to take them. As I mentioned before, I was a long haired heavy metal freak. So"me' go to an Owen Paul gig? The shame! Anyway Mum or Dad (can't remember which) drove us down and dropped us off outside the Apollo in Manchester and I helped them both to their seats. The place was full of pre-pubescent girls. The only blokes were the occasional protective Dad who looked just as embarrassed as I felt. Anyway the afore mentioned Mr Paul took to the stage and the place went mental. I know how the Beatles or Take That must have felt after that concert. Janet and Erika loved it to bits and I have to say, the smiles on their faces made up for the ignominy of a 'metal head' ending up at an Owen Paul gig. I did manage to keep that one quiet for years. in fact I don't think I ever told my mates about it to this day. I am in for it now.

Fundraising total to date

With three weeks till my ride I thought I'd put up the latest fundraising total.

total as of 16th April

I have had some truly wonderful donations recently and am very grateful to everyone who has donated. As you can see we are inching ever closer to my target. However we still have a long way to go and it would be really great if we could smash the target to bits by the time I finished the ride (all things going well)

So once again a huge thank you for all your help.

If you would like to donate to my ataxia challenge please click on the link JustGiving

27 days and counting - Here's my route plan

I just looked at the calendar and its only 27 days till I set off (May 8th) Time is just flying by at the moment. I'm busy organising stuff with Rosemary for the camper van.

I have ordered some cycling shirts with both the Ataxia logo and the text  Lands End to John O'Groats 2012 on the front and back. They were only £25.00 each fully printed up. The idea is that as I will be wearing them all day it will attract a bit of attention and possibly the odd donation. It might also persuade drivers to give me a bit more room - but probably not.

My Mum says I need a shave

I've been hard at work on my route which is now finalised. I have detailed full colour maps for every step of my route printed on to A4 paper. There are approximately 100 pages from LE to JOG and I have two copies. One for me and one for Rosemary, so that we can easily refer to the same page and hopefully find each other without too much bother. Thanks again to Neil Coverley for all his help on this.

This is a very basic version of my route, listing major towns that I pass through en-route

May8th - Day 1 - start slow and build up. Cornwall is a roller coaster of hills
set off - Lands End
Newlyn
Penzance
Hayle
Cambourne
Redruth
Quintrell Downs

Day2 - though Devon
Wadebridge
Camelford
Holsworthy
Dolton

Day3 - Somerset and Avon
Wiveliscombe
Taunton
Bridgewater
Banwell

Day4 - Across the Severn and through Monmouthshire
Clevedon   (Meet friends Ian, Lara, Colette and all at Dantherm)
Portishead
Avonmouth
Severn Bridge
Chepstow
Tewkesbury

Day5 - following the Severn Valley through Midlands and into Cheshire
Worcester
Stourport on Severn
Bewdley
Bridgenorth
Shifnel
Lilleshall (Centre for sporting excellence - they will have to make an exception for me)
Market Drayton
Audlem
Nantwich

Day6 - From Cheshire across the M56 and M62 corridor through Lancs and into Cumbria
Winsford
Sandiway
Warrington
Winwick
Golborne
Ince in Makerfield
Wigan (past the wagon works)
Coppull
Charnock Richard
Bamber Bridge
Preston
Fulwood
Garstang
Lancaster
Carnforth
Milnthorpe

Day7 - Shap summit and into Scotland
Kendal
Shap (might need a push here)
Penrith
Carlisle (across the border)
Gretna (look out for elopers)
Lockerbie

Day8 - Heading inland between Glasgow and Edinburgh
Carstairs
Forth
Whitburn
Armadale
Shieldhill
Falkirk (past the wheel)
Denny
Bannockburn (Battle my way through)
Stirling (and here too)

Day9 - Into the Highlands, some big hills and Glencoe heading for Fort Bill
Doune
Callendar (the highlands start here)
Crianlarich
Tyndrum
Bridge of Orcy
Rannoch Moor
Glencoe   (playing Queen track from Highlander on iPod))
Ballachulish
Fort William

Day10 - Through the Great Glen heading for Inverness and the Black Isle
Spean Bridge
Fort Augustus (start of Loch Ness)
Drumnadrochit  (and Urqhart Castle)
Inverness
Kessock Bridge
North Kessock (meet my old friend Neil Tuckwell)
Cromarty Bridge
Tain (Glen Morangie distillery)

Day11 - My destination is ahead, lets hope all goes well
Dornoch Firth (bridge)
Golspie
Brora
Helmsdale
Wick (almost there)
Jan de Groot (or John 0 Groats in real money)

April fools day ride

Firstly can I apologise for the delay in this post. I have had my head in a bunch of maps for the last week and I was determined to get my route nailed down. I've just finished it. Thanks once again to Neil Coverley for the detailed mapping and over 200 full colour 1-50,000 scale A4 print offs - just amazing! I'll post separately the whole route plan next.

Earlier in the week I put a short post up to explain how tired I felt after last weeks ride. Here's the extended version.

Sunday April 1st - April fools day........so Neil and I set off on a circular route as we'd decided not to risk taking the campervan out with all the fuel shenanigans going on. Neil knew a route that took us down through Cheshire into Staffordshire and back through the Peak District. I felt quite good after our previous weeks ride up to Knott End on Sea. I knew I was capable of 80+ miles in a day so was ready for a hillier challenge. What I didn't bargain for was a raging headwind for 35-40 miles once we turned for home. It was just brutal.

76.4 miles and 2400m of ascent

looks like a Tour de France profile.........ok it doesn't but I have to cling to something.

I felt fine all the way to Leek. Neil, as usual was trapping on at around 22mph. I am sure this is just too fast for my comfort zone. I can hang on but am obviously using up more energy than my body is happy with. I am having to try and drink water as we motor along and I just can't get used to it. I feel as though my stomach won't take any fluids as it is under load (or that is how it feels) Anyway once out the other side of Leek we hit some steady climbs that seem to just go on and on. They really took there toll on my legs and I began to get weary. My neck starts to ache when I get tired and slowly gets worse and worse until I am desperate to stop. I have had neck problems ever since my little helicopter trip in the Alps. It just mentally saps all my strength and I get quite low with it. I am sure this and my poor fluid intake are responsible for my lack of energy. Luckily we got to a nice cafe on the Manifold valley trail, where I could do some stretches and get lots of sweet tea, cake and crisps in me. I don't know how Neil does it but he seems to be able to exist on a brew and an eccles cake for the whole ride. Maybe it's because I am a big lanky herbert that I need more fuel and water

Sites like this make my heart sing

Local landmark - Thors cave on the Manifold valley trail (there is actually a cave in that hillside - I'll have to sack the photographer)

Neil had to drag me out of the cafe. I knew we had another 35 odd miles to do and it would be quite hilly. We set off and I actually felt ok for a while. However we rode through the picturesque town of Hartington and turned north down the limestone valleys of the white peak. As soon as we changed direction we got the strong headwind roaring straight at us. It was like riding through cold treacle. I was really grovelling to keep going. My legs were burning and every turn of the pedals got more and more difficult as we slowly climbed along the straight roads that cut through the peak. Neil knew I was struggling and slowed the pace right down. Even then I had trouble keeping with him. I had to really dig deep. It was at that point I started to think about Janet and Erika. It is amazing how your mind controls your physical condition. I was telling myself that 'the suffering I was feeling was nothing to what my sisters had to go through. I could stop whenever I wanted. No-one was making me do this. But Janet and Erika never had the option of a time out'. I seemed to get a small lift and a bit of energy as we rode towards Harpur Hill. Neil kept coming back and encouraging me. He told me to remember why I was putting myself through this, which again picked me up. Eventually we rolled into Buxton and stopped for a chance to rest my legs whilst we decided which way to go. 

I love Buxton - its a beautiful town

The options were (a) long route through Dove Holes and Chapel en le Frith or (b) shorter hillier route over Long Hill. Long Hill is a grueller of a hill but once you are at the top its 5 miles of down hill towards home. We went for the Long Hill option (have a look at the contour above and you will see the last big hill). Suffice to say it was hard but I managed it and rolled into Hayfield very tired but really pleased that I had managed to keep it going. Neil then told me he had been grovelling too but didn't want me to know. I think he would make a good poker player. 

Anyway the ride was 76.4 miles. As we freewheeled down my road, we saw Nick Craig and we stopped for a chat about the ride. Apparently during Nick's professional riding days, he used to use the exact same ride for training. He told us that it was a very tough route and was probably worth 100 miles of normal roads, which made me feel really good. However he poured cold water on my pride when he then told us that during his training routines, he would ride that route ten times in eight days. Some people are just sick!

Quick Monday update - Very tired.

Am sat at my desk at work so can't take too long on this.

Know how this guy feels

Went out for a long ride yesterday and am truly exhausted. 74 miles around Derbyshire and Staffordshire. Was feeling very low as I struggled round. I just couldn't seem to find the energy at all. Had to really dig deep and remember why I am doing this. Erika and Janet got me home yesterday.

Thanks to Neil Coverley once again for his support and help.

I'll post properly later in the week.