Hi Everyone,
I've put together a video that I hope will show you a little of our ride and fun that we had doing it.
Thanks to Phil and Liam from the softbodies (http://www.myspace.com/thesoftbodies) for letting us use their instumental version of Second Hand Melody.
We'll keep you posted with the money total in the next couple of weeks.
Cheers, Rich
Sunday 31 August 2008
Friday 22 August 2008
Mud, Sweat and Gears
Well, that ride is probably the hardest thing, physically, that I've ever done in my life. However, it is a rewarding feeling to know that myself and the other 5 put ourselves through it and succeeded. I couldn't have done it without their support... and a big thank you to Jonny for supporting us by driving round after us, carrying our stuff and generally being there when we needed him.
And finally a huge thank you to all of you who have so generously donated to such a worthy cause - I salute you!
Cheers,
Jim (James)
Tuesday 19 August 2008
Thanks to Everyone
Hello everyone,
After a couple of days I think that I'm just beginning to feel normal again. The thighs have stopped burning and the lower regions have stopped hurting!
All three days of the ride were absolutely amazing, we saw some beautiful places, had plenty of laughs and hopefully raised a wad of cash for Macmillans. So, if you put some money in then thanks a lot, all of us have been touched by the generosity shown by our friends and families.
You couldn't ask for a better bunch of lads to accompany you on a ride like this than Carl, Doug, Jim, Pete, Steve and Jonny. Always joking and messing about. I think at one point, on the peak near Allenheads, Steve and I were crying with hysterical laughter as we were pelted by stinging, cold rain and ridiculous high winds.
I'll post a video in a couple of weeks when I've put it together so keep looking.
I'm off for a beer on the balcony. Ooh! Did I mention I was in Spain in 40 degree loveliness? It's a long way from Allenheads.
Rich
After a couple of days I think that I'm just beginning to feel normal again. The thighs have stopped burning and the lower regions have stopped hurting!
All three days of the ride were absolutely amazing, we saw some beautiful places, had plenty of laughs and hopefully raised a wad of cash for Macmillans. So, if you put some money in then thanks a lot, all of us have been touched by the generosity shown by our friends and families.
You couldn't ask for a better bunch of lads to accompany you on a ride like this than Carl, Doug, Jim, Pete, Steve and Jonny. Always joking and messing about. I think at one point, on the peak near Allenheads, Steve and I were crying with hysterical laughter as we were pelted by stinging, cold rain and ridiculous high winds.
I'll post a video in a couple of weeks when I've put it together so keep looking.
I'm off for a beer on the balcony. Ooh! Did I mention I was in Spain in 40 degree loveliness? It's a long way from Allenheads.
Rich
Sleep ... Bath.....Bed.
Well I was dropped off yesterday outside my house with bin bag's full of wet, muddy and smelly gear plus a bike that looked like it had been spray painted brown, I was greeted by a banner in my office window saying 'WELL DONE DADDY' and balloons in the others, making it all worth while.
I intended on grabbing a quick bite then catching up on the Olympics but as soon as I sat down I fell asleep for 2 hours, Bec and Hol's came home for big cuddles, some tea then in bed by 10.30.
I have to say that was the hardest thing I have done in a very, very long time, and if I had attempted it on my own no dought would have failed on the first day.
I have to say a big thank you to my fellow cyclists who spured me on and made the hell of parts of the journey bearable and possibly enjoyable, also when the going got easyer and we had the privilege of looking around and seeing what a fantastic part of the country we were in, made it better by good company and friendly banter.
Also a big thank you to Johnny 'the blogger' Whitwam for blogging, driving,and generally supporting us all with food, water and as it turned out invaluable technical assistance as the punctures, failing brakes, pedals hanging off could have put a stop to the ride at any point.
A big kiss to my 2 girls on big one small both off which were in my mind while slogging into a gail with driving rain at the top of yet another climb.
But most of all the biggest 'THANK YOU!!!' must go to you the people who have put there hands into there pockets to raise some money for a invaluable charity, and it means a lot to us.
Keep watching as there are loads more pic's, video's and blog's to come, Rich will be doing his 'Speilberg' magic on the video and hopefully there will be something available in a few weeks.
So in conclusion THANKS to everyone involved and those who have enjoyed reading about our pain and haven't parted with a penny....... come on a £5 isn't going to kill you, you would spend more than that getting a couple of drinks on a Saturday night, and this money WILL change someones life!!!!!
I intended on grabbing a quick bite then catching up on the Olympics but as soon as I sat down I fell asleep for 2 hours, Bec and Hol's came home for big cuddles, some tea then in bed by 10.30.
I have to say that was the hardest thing I have done in a very, very long time, and if I had attempted it on my own no dought would have failed on the first day.
I have to say a big thank you to my fellow cyclists who spured me on and made the hell of parts of the journey bearable and possibly enjoyable, also when the going got easyer and we had the privilege of looking around and seeing what a fantastic part of the country we were in, made it better by good company and friendly banter.
Also a big thank you to Johnny 'the blogger' Whitwam for blogging, driving,and generally supporting us all with food, water and as it turned out invaluable technical assistance as the punctures, failing brakes, pedals hanging off could have put a stop to the ride at any point.
A big kiss to my 2 girls on big one small both off which were in my mind while slogging into a gail with driving rain at the top of yet another climb.
But most of all the biggest 'THANK YOU!!!' must go to you the people who have put there hands into there pockets to raise some money for a invaluable charity, and it means a lot to us.
Keep watching as there are loads more pic's, video's and blog's to come, Rich will be doing his 'Speilberg' magic on the video and hopefully there will be something available in a few weeks.
So in conclusion THANKS to everyone involved and those who have enjoyed reading about our pain and haven't parted with a penny....... come on a £5 isn't going to kill you, you would spend more than that getting a couple of drinks on a Saturday night, and this money WILL change someones life!!!!!
We are all alive
Hi.. Just a quick note to say we finished on Sunday in Sunderland and the reason the blog hasn't been updated since is that we had a few punctures on the last day which put us a little behind schedule and we went straight to the pub when we finished then to Newcastle and onto further pubs until we dropped (almost literally).
Monday morning travelling back saw a few sore heads as well as a few sore legs and I am guessing everyone spend most of yesterday sleeping and having hot baths.
All the videos and pics are being collated and I am sure Jon will post a few pics of us at the finish line soon before we get the full montage vid is completed.
As for me, I would like to take this opportunity to say a big thankyou to all those who sponsored us - it means alot, to the rest of the lads on the ride who were an excellent laugh throughout, to Jon for being the DSV and photographer / vid man - good man and to Luce who put up with my training and me being away for over 4 days
This was one of the hardest things I have had to do both physically and emotionally and I am proud to have completed it and for the money raised to be going to such a good cause who have helped my family alot in the last year or so. So thanks again to all.
Here's to something alot easier next year... ..Ste (or Steve or Till or Tilly or whatever you know me by)
Monday morning travelling back saw a few sore heads as well as a few sore legs and I am guessing everyone spend most of yesterday sleeping and having hot baths.
All the videos and pics are being collated and I am sure Jon will post a few pics of us at the finish line soon before we get the full montage vid is completed.
As for me, I would like to take this opportunity to say a big thankyou to all those who sponsored us - it means alot, to the rest of the lads on the ride who were an excellent laugh throughout, to Jon for being the DSV and photographer / vid man - good man and to Luce who put up with my training and me being away for over 4 days
This was one of the hardest things I have had to do both physically and emotionally and I am proud to have completed it and for the money raised to be going to such a good cause who have helped my family alot in the last year or so. So thanks again to all.
Here's to something alot easier next year... ..Ste (or Steve or Till or Tilly or whatever you know me by)
Monday 18 August 2008
Final Day - Part 2
The final slog
The lads left their designated start point (Lat 54º48’26”N /Long 2º17’22”W - link) at 9:23 on Sunday morning, following breakfast at the Cumberland Hotel in Alston. The weather was grim! Fog/wind and a fairly consistent light rain (you know the type – the one that soaks you fairly quickly), which quickly (within a few minutes) had turned to a fairly heavy driving rain. Not nice, at all!
There was a nice fast downhill section into Allenheads, which was quickly followed by a fairly grim and steep ascent up towards Currick, and the Northumbria/County Durham border.
The weather was even worse up there!
The route from Rookhope Village was by two separate routes, on-road or off-road. The chaps decided on the latter, which was to take them across Stanhope Common and Edmondbyers Common, which is an area of moorland that is bisected by the B6278 Road form Stanhope to Consett. Unfortunately, due to a navigation faux-pas (not really helped by the fact that the Sustrans route map is not detailed enough at certain points), the on-road route was taken, which took the lads via Eastgate and Stanhope, up some seriously-steep road sections. At this point the weather was horrendous, with strong winds and constant heavy and driving rain.
At Parkhead, the route crosses th B6278 onto the “Waskerley Way” for the drop down into Consett. The weather at Parkhead was abysmal! The lads made a brief stop at the café at Parkhead, before setting off on the “Waskerley Way” proper. The route took the lads over the moor and down into Consett. It was on this section that Carl had a blow-out on his rear tyre. The lads stopped at this point to make some running repairs to Carl’s steed, and then met up with myself just to the west of Consett, at the car park at Rowley.
Here, a new tyre was also fitted, but this had caused quite a delay in the route.
After a brief stop for some lunch in Consett, the lads set off for the final 24 mile section into Sunderland.
This took the lads past various places, including Annfield Plain (not quite Anfield, but near enough for the Liverpool supporters amongst us), Stanley and No Place (did someone suggest a soundtrack of “Road to Nowhere”?).
Unfortunately. This part of the route was heavily littered with shards of glass, which led to two punctures for Pete in quick succession. Luckily, his tyres turned out not to be of the tubeless variety, and so running-repairs were possible.
As the route led the lads along the river into Sunderland, they went past the Penshaw Monument,
and on past the Stadium of Light, before leading them around the marina in Sunderland/Roker,
and to the official C2C Stamping Station, and the plaque indicating the end of the route.
Job Done!
The lads finally completed the C2C in Sunderland at approximately 18:15 on Sunday (17th August), having ridden the approximately 142 miles from Workington.
Obviously pleased at their achievement, the guys made their way to the beach between the two jetties to perform the traditional dipping of the front wheels in the North Sea.
Unfortunately, in a moment of madness, Rich decided to drive full-tilt into the surf, which swamped his bike, although I believe he really enjoyed it (looking at the expression on his face)
I'm sure I speak for all of the lads when I say we'd like to thank you for sponsoring & donating over £1100 (currently) via the Justgiving site
And on a personal note, I'd like to say a big "Well Done" to all 6 of the lads - A great achievement! I'm proud to have been associated with the whole event.
Jon
The lads left their designated start point (Lat 54º48’26”N /Long 2º17’22”W - link) at 9:23 on Sunday morning, following breakfast at the Cumberland Hotel in Alston. The weather was grim! Fog/wind and a fairly consistent light rain (you know the type – the one that soaks you fairly quickly), which quickly (within a few minutes) had turned to a fairly heavy driving rain. Not nice, at all!
There was a nice fast downhill section into Allenheads, which was quickly followed by a fairly grim and steep ascent up towards Currick, and the Northumbria/County Durham border.
The weather was even worse up there!
The route from Rookhope Village was by two separate routes, on-road or off-road. The chaps decided on the latter, which was to take them across Stanhope Common and Edmondbyers Common, which is an area of moorland that is bisected by the B6278 Road form Stanhope to Consett. Unfortunately, due to a navigation faux-pas (not really helped by the fact that the Sustrans route map is not detailed enough at certain points), the on-road route was taken, which took the lads via Eastgate and Stanhope, up some seriously-steep road sections. At this point the weather was horrendous, with strong winds and constant heavy and driving rain.
At Parkhead, the route crosses th B6278 onto the “Waskerley Way” for the drop down into Consett. The weather at Parkhead was abysmal! The lads made a brief stop at the café at Parkhead, before setting off on the “Waskerley Way” proper. The route took the lads over the moor and down into Consett. It was on this section that Carl had a blow-out on his rear tyre. The lads stopped at this point to make some running repairs to Carl’s steed, and then met up with myself just to the west of Consett, at the car park at Rowley.
Here, a new tyre was also fitted, but this had caused quite a delay in the route.
After a brief stop for some lunch in Consett, the lads set off for the final 24 mile section into Sunderland.
This took the lads past various places, including Annfield Plain (not quite Anfield, but near enough for the Liverpool supporters amongst us), Stanley and No Place (did someone suggest a soundtrack of “Road to Nowhere”?).
Unfortunately. This part of the route was heavily littered with shards of glass, which led to two punctures for Pete in quick succession. Luckily, his tyres turned out not to be of the tubeless variety, and so running-repairs were possible.
As the route led the lads along the river into Sunderland, they went past the Penshaw Monument,
and on past the Stadium of Light, before leading them around the marina in Sunderland/Roker,
and to the official C2C Stamping Station, and the plaque indicating the end of the route.
Job Done!
The lads finally completed the C2C in Sunderland at approximately 18:15 on Sunday (17th August), having ridden the approximately 142 miles from Workington.
Obviously pleased at their achievement, the guys made their way to the beach between the two jetties to perform the traditional dipping of the front wheels in the North Sea.
Unfortunately, in a moment of madness, Rich decided to drive full-tilt into the surf, which swamped his bike, although I believe he really enjoyed it (looking at the expression on his face)
I'm sure I speak for all of the lads when I say we'd like to thank you for sponsoring & donating over £1100 (currently) via the Justgiving site
And on a personal note, I'd like to say a big "Well Done" to all 6 of the lads - A great achievement! I'm proud to have been associated with the whole event.
Jon
Sunday 17 August 2008
Final Day - Part 1
Final Day - Allenheads to Sunderland
The final day dawns with a smattering of rain at our B&B (The Cumberland Hotel) in Alston. The lads are looking forward to th run down into Sunderland via Allenheads and Consett. The mileage should be somewhere around the 60 mile mark.
Just to say thanks for the sponsorship pledged so far.... but please keep it coming, if at all possible.
No doubt there will be another one or two blog entries today, so watch this space.
The final day dawns with a smattering of rain at our B&B (The Cumberland Hotel) in Alston. The lads are looking forward to th run down into Sunderland via Allenheads and Consett. The mileage should be somewhere around the 60 mile mark.
Just to say thanks for the sponsorship pledged so far.... but please keep it coming, if at all possible.
No doubt there will be another one or two blog entries today, so watch this space.
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