Monday, 21 June 2010
Thursday, 17 June 2010
Day 4
Kate has updated a bit on today so I'll keep in short.
What a scorcher! It was hot hot hot today, the hottest place in the country, a blistering 25 degrees. Luckily we have no serious burns but Kate has some cracking tan lines.
Today started with the staff at The Best Western a little frazzled as no one had told them that there was a group of cyclist wanting a 6.00am breakfast, luckily they whipped us up some cereal and the vital tea and coffee. We then set off and had a great run to our second breakfast. Everyone should have a second breakfast especially at a vegetarian cafe, which was exactly where we pulled up. All those expecting their bacon and sausage rolls were treated to a nice bit of wholesome tofu! Brilliant.
I think we were all a little apprehensive about the 9 mile hill we knew we had to climb and it was certainly a hill. It went on forever. Justin, part of our support crew, did the honorable thing and got naked holding a, 'GO TEAM STEELCASE' sign covering his modesty. It did the trick and when spirits were getting low it gave us all a laugh and a boost up the hill. Thanks for taking one for the team Justin. We arrived at the top and the views were incredible. The Lake District is very pretty especially in the sunshine, I've only ever seen it in the rain, probably like most of the residents.
When we got to the top of the hill it was a four mile down hill stretch to lunch. We had a good break, refueled and set off on the last 30 miles to Carlisle. They were a great last 30 miles along country lanes. Spirits were good when we pulled up to the hotel.
We were treated to an extra bit of exercise after we checked in as we clearly hadn't done enough today, the hotel lifts were out of order. Just what you want after cycling over 95 miles a climb up three flights of stairs with luggage.
Another brilliant day all round. Last day tomorrow and we cant wait to arrive in Glasgow.
We have seen the most amount of road kill today. Poor Peter Rabbit x10 and those not so lucky magpies.
What a scorcher! It was hot hot hot today, the hottest place in the country, a blistering 25 degrees. Luckily we have no serious burns but Kate has some cracking tan lines.
Today started with the staff at The Best Western a little frazzled as no one had told them that there was a group of cyclist wanting a 6.00am breakfast, luckily they whipped us up some cereal and the vital tea and coffee. We then set off and had a great run to our second breakfast. Everyone should have a second breakfast especially at a vegetarian cafe, which was exactly where we pulled up. All those expecting their bacon and sausage rolls were treated to a nice bit of wholesome tofu! Brilliant.
I think we were all a little apprehensive about the 9 mile hill we knew we had to climb and it was certainly a hill. It went on forever. Justin, part of our support crew, did the honorable thing and got naked holding a, 'GO TEAM STEELCASE' sign covering his modesty. It did the trick and when spirits were getting low it gave us all a laugh and a boost up the hill. Thanks for taking one for the team Justin. We arrived at the top and the views were incredible. The Lake District is very pretty especially in the sunshine, I've only ever seen it in the rain, probably like most of the residents.
When we got to the top of the hill it was a four mile down hill stretch to lunch. We had a good break, refueled and set off on the last 30 miles to Carlisle. They were a great last 30 miles along country lanes. Spirits were good when we pulled up to the hotel.
We were treated to an extra bit of exercise after we checked in as we clearly hadn't done enough today, the hotel lifts were out of order. Just what you want after cycling over 95 miles a climb up three flights of stairs with luggage.
Another brilliant day all round. Last day tomorrow and we cant wait to arrive in Glasgow.
We have seen the most amount of road kill today. Poor Peter Rabbit x10 and those not so lucky magpies.
A short blog before a well earned meal and Lucy's official end of the day update - you might like to know that the blog is written every night after dinner and read to us as a bedtime story. Today was all about the hills, which will be reported, but the response this morning to the topography - oh yes, we're all talking bike geek now - was, 'what, a 9 mile uphill, 9 miles, all uphill, up hill for 9 miles?', it only sank in after about 2 miles when already puffing like an old steam train. No idea if the views were worth it as my vision was half way up still with my legs.
We've seen some excellent signs en route, starting with Live Reptile Food, Pigeon Food (heading North at this point), Closing Down Sale - thanks for your custom and finally today's favourite, Preston - Home of the Massive Onion.
We're all still friends, but everyone has started to reveal their own phrases and quirks, some as follows....
Mark Spragg - 'I know the way, why is no one listening to me, I used to live here'
Zoe - 'I need a happy bush' - such a lovely way of describing an au natruel loo stop
Neil - says nothing, just blasts past at 100 mph
Nick Mann - a cycling repetoire of punk bands, complains the least but looks like he needs his batteries recharged over dinner.
Kap - the downhill destroyer, 'why does anyone brake down a hill?'
Alistair - 'it's a net downhill', right, so there are some ups then
Me - 'go past me, I'm scared of going fast'
Mark Stafford - too much to mention really but 'oh look, were climbing, we're 500 feet above sea level, this is really useful information'
All - No Mark, it's not, and if you mention it again you can cycle back to London
Last day tomorrow, over 100 miles still to go, wish us well!
Kate
Wednesday, 16 June 2010
Day 3
We are now over half way through our charity challenge and we're all feeling good. Spirits are high but legs are sore.
We have arrived at another Best Western! and we are looking forward to our beds. We have had another day of fantastic cycling the sun has been shining all day.
There has been a few hills to climb in preparation for tomorrow which will be the hilliest day but they wont beat us!
The morning flew by and we were soon at the Manchester showroom where we were greeted with Dominos Pizza. We had a good break and stretch. It turns out that the B free lounge is not just good for impromptu meetings in in-between areas but also a great piece of equipment for stretching tired legs.
We waved goodbye to Manchester and trucked on through Salford, Bolton and into the trough of Bolan and climbed over 1000ft. We finally made it into Chorley.
Along route, Guess who said said after breakfast: "Can anyone feel their sausage?"
Kate and I (Lucy) were offered the use of a toilet in a strangers home. Reluctantly we accepeted. As we left the man announced: "You didnt think you were getting off that easlily?". With imgaes of being dragged to the chaps cellar, all he wanted was a kiss on the cheek, a quick peck later, we were out of there like a rocket.
At a much needed Jock stop having just climbed hills for the last 20 minutes in the blistering heat and running low on water we found Jock holding his leg with cramp. Dont worry about us Jock desperate for water.
Another day done and looking forward to Day 4. Photos to come.
We have arrived at another Best Western! and we are looking forward to our beds. We have had another day of fantastic cycling the sun has been shining all day.
There has been a few hills to climb in preparation for tomorrow which will be the hilliest day but they wont beat us!
The morning flew by and we were soon at the Manchester showroom where we were greeted with Dominos Pizza. We had a good break and stretch. It turns out that the B free lounge is not just good for impromptu meetings in in-between areas but also a great piece of equipment for stretching tired legs.
We waved goodbye to Manchester and trucked on through Salford, Bolton and into the trough of Bolan and climbed over 1000ft. We finally made it into Chorley.
Along route, Guess who said said after breakfast: "Can anyone feel their sausage?"
Kate and I (Lucy) were offered the use of a toilet in a strangers home. Reluctantly we accepeted. As we left the man announced: "You didnt think you were getting off that easlily?". With imgaes of being dragged to the chaps cellar, all he wanted was a kiss on the cheek, a quick peck later, we were out of there like a rocket.
At a much needed Jock stop having just climbed hills for the last 20 minutes in the blistering heat and running low on water we found Jock holding his leg with cramp. Dont worry about us Jock desperate for water.
Another day done and looking forward to Day 4. Photos to come.
Tuesday, 15 June 2010
Day 2
An early start for Day 2. We were up, fueled and had hit the road by 7am. Mounting the bike was hard especially on the bum.
We have had another great day. The morning was beautiful cycling through country lanes in the sunshine, although it was fresh at 7.00am. A few wrong turns later and some nasty hills to climb we arrived at Stratford upon Avon for breakfast, which was where we awarded Mark Stafford quote of the day.
"Is there a river that runs through Stratford upon Avon?" to which we replied, "Yes, that would be the river Avon Mark"
We carried onto lunch and fueled ourselves up on some good pub grub!
After lunch we set off and said goodbye to the country lanes and hello to traffic lights, cars and potholes as we headed for Birmingham. After a quick hello to Amanda at the Steelcase Birmingham office, who greeted us with balloons, chocolate cake and tea, we were off again for the last 30 miles of the day. They were hard with lots of up's and down's, wrong turns and the first puncture!
A few hours later we had arrived at the hotel and not a moment too soon.
We have had another great day. The morning was beautiful cycling through country lanes in the sunshine, although it was fresh at 7.00am. A few wrong turns later and some nasty hills to climb we arrived at Stratford upon Avon for breakfast, which was where we awarded Mark Stafford quote of the day.
"Is there a river that runs through Stratford upon Avon?" to which we replied, "Yes, that would be the river Avon Mark"
We carried onto lunch and fueled ourselves up on some good pub grub!
After lunch we set off and said goodbye to the country lanes and hello to traffic lights, cars and potholes as we headed for Birmingham. After a quick hello to Amanda at the Steelcase Birmingham office, who greeted us with balloons, chocolate cake and tea, we were off again for the last 30 miles of the day. They were hard with lots of up's and down's, wrong turns and the first puncture!
A few hours later we had arrived at the hotel and not a moment too soon.
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