Robert Clark
Rob's big challenge
Fundraising for Cancer Research UK
Story
Friday, June 1st 2012 - The day before.
So far so good....
The 10:30 First Great Western express from Reading to Penzance took a leisurely 5 hours, the first 1.5 hours of which was standing up due to over crowding (well it is the Jubilee weekend).
Once in Penzance the Sun came out and all has gone perfectly since, the short 9 mile ride to the camp site was a little hilly but taken at a snails pace.
The camp site is very pleasant and reasonably quiet (so far).
I've even had time to ride the very pleasant 3 miles down to Lands End.
Tomorrow's forecast is looking dry but fairly windy so it's going to be a very steady 90 mile day.
Bring on DAY ONE!
Saturday, June 2nd 2012
Land's End to Bude (88.9 miles)
Hills, Hills and a headwind!
Set off from Land's End at 07:15 bathed in Sun shine (after a rubbish night sleep), the only down side was strong Easterly winds.
Apart from the wind the ride went as well as expected.
The terrain in Cornwall is either up or down so not much time to relax.
Lesson number one - if you see a short cut on a map, don't attemp it unless you have an engine.
Tomorrow will be a lot less hilly but very wet, if this evening is any thing to go by, it's pee'ing down in Bude.
Until tomorrow :)
Sunday, June 3rd 2012
Bude to Winscombe (99.6 miles)
Wet, wet and still hilly.
So, woke to rain and decided to take my time to get started (7:30).
If any body tells you Cornwall is hillier than Devon don't believe them!
After 53 miles I met up with my family from Tiverton, In fact I only expected to see my uncle but it ended up being 9 locals and the surprise addition of my Mother and Father who travelled down yesterday (family and friends really help).
Once out of Devon and into Somerset the terrain got a whole lot easier.
Today's average was 15.8 mph over 108 miles.
Looking forward to a dry, quick day tomorrow.
20% Done :)
Monday, June 4th 2012
Winscombe to Ludlow (105.3 miles)
So, those who told me day three is the hardest I can concur.
Started my day at 7:15 and reached Ludlow (shropshire) some 10 hours later and 110 more miles complete.
I started the day with a headwind and it stayed with me the entire day.
The first puncture of the journey was at 50 miles just before Gloucester on a road with no verge so had to walk about half a mile before I could do the repair, oh the joy.
I ended the day with a killer hill up to a very basic campsite on a slope.
On a positive note the Sun is out and the campsite has a fab view.
Bring on day four :)
Tuesday, June 5th 2012
Ludlow to Chorley (110.1 miles)
Woke up this morning feeling fine!
It had been hard nights sleep but every things now going my way.
In fact, the day started dry with a tail wind and kept that way for the entire 117 miles with an average of 15.4 mph.
I'm now officially up north, sitting a few miles south of Preston.
Tomorrow will be the last full day in England, passing the Lake district (hills) and ending in Carlisle but with a light tail wind forecast it should be fairly comfortable as long as I can dodge the showers.
BTW - Thank you all for your support, it really, really helps.
Wednesday, June 6th 2012
Chorley to Carlisle (98 miles)
What have the Roman's ever done for us? Well the road from Penrith to Carlisle is pretty good :)
The day started in a wet and miserable Preston and continued all the way to Kendal which was actually good timing as within just a few miles I started the mother of all hills (Shap Fell 1400ft). It took me almost an hour to get passed it but the views are breath taking.
A quick lunch at Shap and on to Penrith and eventually to sunny Carlisle. Today's total was 112 miles with an average of 14mph. Tomorrow Scotland in the rain.
PS - Puncture number 2 just before Penrith, doh!
Thursday, June 7th 2012Carlisle to Paisley (111.9 miles)
It all started so well and then.....
Packed and on the road by 6:30 in full Sun.
With a tailwind I was flying along Carlisle was a distant memory, Gretna was just a blur and Dumfries was just a brief pit stop.
By lunchtime I was near Kilmarnock having lunch at 85 miles.
And then with 35 miles to Glasgow the heavens opened and the wind changed to a headwind, doh!
Apart from the last few hours the day would have been perfect.
Still Scotland has some fantastic scenery.
Friday, June 8th 2012
Paisley to Fort William (103.4 miles)
Rain, Headwinds, Crosswinds, Sunshine and a few mountains to climb (In a nutshell).
So, I'm sure Glasgow is very nice when it's not raining but sadly I will never know, I left at 7am and the rain and a strong headwind saw me battle my way over the Erskine bridge and on to Dunbarton.
From this point I rode along side Loch Lomond for what seemed like an eternity, steadily climbing and then I found myself climbing up, up and up into the Trossachs (Scotland's not very flat) until eventually up to Glencoe's ski station.
Did I say the were mountains to climb?
Spectacular views in the sunshine and a decent comparable with many Tour De France favourites.
Once back down to sea level I just had a short 16 miles to go before Fort William and a good night sleep, shame about the strong headwind.
Tomorrow I'm heading past Loch Ness to Inverness and eventually Tain.
Just two days to go :)
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Saturday, June 9th 2012
Fort William to Taine (101.9 miles)
So, I'm sure Glasgow is very nice when it's not raining but sadly I will never know, I left at 7am and the rain and a strong headwind saw me battle my way over the Erskine bridge and on to Dunbarton.
From this point I rode along side Loch Lomond for what seemed like an eternity, steadily climbing and then I found myself climbing up, up and up into the Trossachs (Scotland's not very flat) until eventually up to Glencoe's ski station.
Did I say the were mountains to climb?
Spectacular views in the sunshine and a decent comparable with many Tour De France favourites.
Once back down to sea level I just had a short 16 miles to go before Fort William and a good night sleep, shame about the strong headwind.
Tomorrow I'm heading past Loch Ness to Inverness and eventually Tain.
Just two days to go :)
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Saturday, June 9th 2012
Fort William to Taine (101.9 miles)
One day to go but I've already ridden from one side of the UK to the other, OK it was the shortest bit but hey.
The day started with a swarm of midges in Fort William and then more hills than I care to remember as well as a headwind, oh and light rain.
Taking the weather out of the equation and the wee beasties, the Great Glen is spectacular and the Loch's are vast (no sign of nessie).
Tomorrow is a short 80ish mile hop from Tain along the east coast up to the top of the country.
On a serious note, I would like to thank all who have made such generous donations to Cancer research UK via http://www.justgiving.com/RobClark65
It's been my main motivation and the good news is It's not to late if you haven't already:)
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Sunday, June 10th 2012
Taine to John O'Groats (83 miles)
The day started with a swarm of midges in Fort William and then more hills than I care to remember as well as a headwind, oh and light rain.
Taking the weather out of the equation and the wee beasties, the Great Glen is spectacular and the Loch's are vast (no sign of nessie).
Tomorrow is a short 80ish mile hop from Tain along the east coast up to the top of the country.
On a serious note, I would like to thank all who have made such generous donations to Cancer research UK via http://www.justgiving.com/RobClark65
It's been my main motivation and the good news is It's not to late if you haven't already:)
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Sunday, June 10th 2012
Taine to John O'Groats (83 miles)
Well that's it folks, 985 miles in 9 day's.
Blood, Sweat and Tears! OK, no blood and a few tears but plenty of the other stuff.
All I can really say is, if you think you can do it, what are you waiting for, it really is one hell of a great experience.
I have met some lovely people along the way and seen some amazing views.
The highlight for me was descending Glencoe in brilliant sunshine at nearly 40mph, what a buzz.
Today was hard going, unfortunately I was battling a strong headwind from the off which made the steep climbs twice as bad.
With all the tough stages and the strong wind behind me I can't help feeling that I would happily do it all again, just not for some time :)
Best wishes to one and all for all your support, it made it all the more pleasurable.
By the time I get home you have helped me raise over £1,000 for Cancer Research UK.
THANK YOU!!!
Blood, Sweat and Tears! OK, no blood and a few tears but plenty of the other stuff.
All I can really say is, if you think you can do it, what are you waiting for, it really is one hell of a great experience.
I have met some lovely people along the way and seen some amazing views.
The highlight for me was descending Glencoe in brilliant sunshine at nearly 40mph, what a buzz.
Today was hard going, unfortunately I was battling a strong headwind from the off which made the steep climbs twice as bad.
With all the tough stages and the strong wind behind me I can't help feeling that I would happily do it all again, just not for some time :)
Best wishes to one and all for all your support, it made it all the more pleasurable.
By the time I get home you have helped me raise over £1,000 for Cancer Research UK.
THANK YOU!!!