Couldn't have asked for a better partner on the long road north than old Penny. Endlessly good humoured, entertaining and upbeat, he kept my spirits up a good deal - particularly over the first two days when I was feeling so anxious about the days mileages that I could hardly eat my breakfast, or raise a smile till after 11! Filled my water bottles every morning, got the bikes out and made me more breakfasts than my wife! A top, top bloke and friend.
I'm a bit of a hypochondriac at times, but I had real concerns about my back on this trip. Happily, I didn't even have a twinge and I'm now convinced that the episode I suffered 4 weeks before we left was more down to over ambitious earthworks and fence building than the old Galaxy. Within a week of being home, I pulled a muscle in my groin walking the dog along the canal! You just never know with a body over 40. I lost half a stone, felt fitter as the trip went on and would heartily recommend it to anyone with a half-decent cardio vascular system.
I don't think either of us is what you'd call a 'keen' cyclist. We were both excited and motivated by the physical challenge and the chance to get a different perspective on the countries we passed through. We certainly got that, with days like the ride from Chester to Slaidburn, when the landscape shifting enormously as the hours went by.
It's been a brilliant, funny, knackering adventure - and we've raised a bit of money for a worthwhile cause along the way.
Here's some of the incredible wildlife we encountered - or thought we did - on the road. James very much enjoyed laughing at my mis-identifications. That was a brown trout at Carbisdale though...and I've missed out a few gazillion midges.
2 comments:
Well done the both of you. We've been following your progress, asking the question, "So, how many times did they get lost today?"
Apparantly you can buy maps and even plan your journey. But that would be too easy.
Your exploits have led me to think that maybe I should set myself a challenge. Fortunatley the feeling soon passes.
Some questions:
Was it harder/easier than you thought?
What was the sense of euphoria at the end?
When you were on the very last leg, the "John O'Groats 10 mile stage", did you get an adrenilin rush and fly buy?
Hi Andy!
1. It was harder at times than I'd imagined, like day 2 when I nearly fell asleep standing up in the kitchen after a very long, wet, cold and hilly ride. Other days - like day 14 - whizzed by easy peasy (ish).
2. Felt relieved to finish at the end and a bit sad. Journey over etc.
3. last 20 we flew really. Fruit slice and coffee in Thurso and away we went.
Seemed like an absolute age since you waved us off in LE - and thanks agin for that. We got lost a bit day 1 and 2 and lost a few times on the Clun - Chester stretch but otherwise, we were fine. It's good to set yourself some sort of challenge, but for me (Mike) now, it's going to be "Can I do a good drawing?"
Post a Comment