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Thursday 25th October

We had a very early start this morning. 5.30 wake up! We were all dressed and out by 7am and got to Lands End by 7.30 when it was still dark.  All bikes were unloaded and we eventually set off at 8am after a few photos and shouts and cheers!

It's not easy navigating on bikes but all's ok because we have Pete Southerden's GPS. It seemed to take us on an unusual route turning off the Penzance road quite early and after some very steep ups and downs and 4 miles later we ended up back on a road which said Lands End 2 miles and that was apparently the direction we were heading! Pete got some very black looks after that and the GPS was abandoned for the time being.

We knew Cornwall was hilly but there just seemed to be no restbite at all.

We had our first pitt stop at Porkellis with some friends of Matt and Wendys who laid on some delicious cakes and fruit juice and teas and coffees. From Porkellis we went past Menherion Cottage near Stithians lake where Alex Matt and Mark lived as children.

Lunch was a cornish pasty at St Austell.

We made fairly good progress and by now Pete had mastered the GPS but after 70 or 80 miles we all felt the effect of yet another 10 mile long 50% hill (perhaps a slight exaggeration but it felt like it at times.)

Jason unfortunately had total burn out at the top of a particularly nasty hill - and couldn't continue for the rest of that day - Having been unwell for the last few weeks it was an accumilation of that and exhaustion which can hit hard when doing something as challenging as this. It was a hard blow for him and he was gutted not to be able to continue.

We eventually got to Launceston at about 6pm, exhausted, just as it was getting dark.

We were driven to Bideford to Pete S parents who had laid on an enormous meal - just what was needed. Bed time early as we have to drive back to Launceston Tomorrow for an early start.

Friday 26th October

Another early start as we had to drive back to Launceston which was an hour away. When we arrived we got a call from the local paper wanting a photo of the group so we had to cycle to the top of the hill to meet the photographer.

We we eventually set off at 9am - very late after getting up so early! We took the direct road to Oakhampton 18 miles away on a nice straight flat road. For some reason GPS told us to turn off the road and take another route. Pete R wasn't happy but we all rushed off down a very steep hill and struggled up an equally steep hill the other side with Pete R puffing and panting and breathing fire saying this wasn't the right way. We all shrugged it off but when we met up with the support vehicle Keith and Jason both confirmed that Pete wa absolutely right and we had done a 5 mile detour for no reason!

We cycled on to Crediton to get a pasty before heading out of Devon.

Jason has been brillant helping out in our support van and always seems to know what we want and when we want it, holding out bananas or energy jells when we pass. Tom had a knee problem and Jason was there with a knee support and good advice.

We made very good progress after Exeter and decided to go further than Whitestaunton on to Ilminster to give us a good start for tomorrow morning, however Matt was determined that we went via Whitestaunton Manor, Jills family home which was off the main road and up and down some very steep hills! we were not happy but Matt insisted that it was character building. Whitestaunton Manor is an amazing place and definitely worth the pain and agony of those hills and nostalgic for Matt having spent alot of time there with Alex and Mark as kids. Matt met an old neighbour who knew his Grandfather when he lived there quite well. These little detours are very much part of the journey and very important as part of the whole experience of why we are doing this. We still managed to get to Ilminster just as it got dark. We spent the night at Exeter Cathedral School with some friends of Matt and Wendy's who laid on an amazing meal for us and as the kid where still part of the support group they were well looked after too.
People have been so generous and kind. We stopped off at a pub to ask directions to the Cathedral School (honest!) and someone had seen us in Credition and decided to organises a whip round from everyone in the pub for us. Bit of a nuissance as we had to wait for them to do this so we were forced to have a pint!

Saturday 27th October

Another early start - up at 5.30am and off by 6.30 after breakfast as we had to get to Ilminster and ride 70 miles to Chippenham by 1.30 for the start of the fun ride when everyone is meeting us.

Jason jointed us again today so we felt complete again!

We pushed on for a good couple of hours and made really good progress but got a little lost over the mendips. The weather turned quite nasty over the mendips and it was very foggy and damp. We were running a little late but still on track for 1.30 until we had another GPS moment when it decided to take us off the beaten track down the steepest hill we have ever done and yes you guessed it up an equally steep hill the other side - 17% with wet leaves and really winedy. There were a few casualties who had to get off and walk or climb is perhaps more apt description. We were hoping to make it to Kington St Michael for a quick pub lunch before the fun ride but that put pay to that and serveral of us threatened to throw the GPS and Pete S in the ditch!! We did however manage a quick pint and a few packets of crisps so all was not lost.

We arrived at Tallywacker farm to be greeted by well over 100 people all in Your Day Foundation T shirts and bikes at the ready and after about half an hour we all set off along the back roads to Purton 17 miles away. We had a quick stop at Holland Handling for refreshments before the final 4 - 5 miles up to Pavenhill and into Purton. The last person came in at about 5pm. Tea and cakes all round in the veg shed which had been superbly decorated with an Autumn feel to it.

Talia had laid on a fantastic meal for us that evening with Moroccan style food - most of it from Purton House Farm or other local farms. Alice and Chris had donated bottles of Cobra beer and there was wine which Matt and Wendy brought back from France.

The rest of the evening was spent eating and drinking and chatting to friends and family but it was a relatively quiet party by Purton House standards as we knew we had a long way still to go to the end of our ride.

Keith our stand in driver has kindly agreed to contiue the whole journey with us which will be a big relief for Wendy as she is still not 100% and would be under alot of pressure to do the back up driving by herself.

Sunday 28th October

It seemed to take forever for us all to get ready this morning. We have to get to Telford so we really needed to push on (now Matts favourite saying!) but just as we were about to leave Pete R had a puncture and Tom fell of his bike in front of everyone much to his indignation. We finally set off in the rain and cycled to Cheltenham then through to Worcester and Kidderminster. The cycling kit we have has been very good and the boot covers really help in the rain as your feet can get quite cold. We stopped at a pub for lunch but the menu was a bit pricy so we carried on to the next town and had a huge plate of freshly fried fish and chips and a mug of tea - just the ticket!! It made it a bit of a struggle cycling that afternoon but we were well fuelled up and cycled over some lovely countryside. We eventually got to Ironbridge where we were staying that night in the dark. We arrived the wrong side of the bridge from the hostel and the van had to turn round and go back another way because of the height restriction over the bridge but luckily us cyclists were able to whizz across and found the nearest pub for a swift pint of two.

The hostel was very comfy and Wendy cooked a meal for us so we all ate well but after last night and a hard days cycling today we were very tired so went to bed fairly swiftly, apart from Pete S who each night has to set our route on the GPS. You can see the sweat dripping off his forehead as the pressure to get the route right is huge especially after the last few days!

Monday 29th October
'
It really was essential to get off early this morning as Pete S greeted us with the news that Matt's string and ruler technique for measuring the distance between stops was slightly out ---by 20 miles today!! We have 130miles to cycle to our hostel tonight. It was a cold but clear morning and our big dilema was whether to wear our kinky boot covers or not. As Matt pointed out this is probably the reason why none of us are world leaders as we found it difficult even to make that decision but Jason was wearing his so the majority went with him.

It really wasn't a good start as Jerry went on ahead when we had to turn left off a road and even though we shouted to him he just assumed we were stopping for a photo opportunity so totally ignored us. 15 mins later after someone chased him down we were off in convoy towards Telford. Several GPS moments later we managed to get through Telford and on to Whitchurch. We had a bacon sandwich between Whitchurch and Warrington then somehow managed to get slightly lost in Warrington on our way to Wigan. The GPS directed us off this road down what looked like a dead end so we all hit the overide button and carried on - big mistake as Pete S pointed out later 'leave it to the GPS it will get us there' Yes he was right after taking us through Bolton's council estates where we heard something like a bomb go off and we were pelleted with stones by some scruffy looking kids.

Wendy Keith and David had gone ahead in the ambulance (support van) to get some hot noodles on the go for us as a stop gap as we didn't have much time for actually meal stops. however because of our detour we arrived some 3 hours later after the noodles on the camper gas had been cooking for quite some time on and off! This was just outside Blackburn in a suburban street 'outside Mrs Browns house' as Wendy told us on the mobile. Mrs Brown was obviously interested to know why David, Wendy and Keith were parked up outside her house boiling noodles stew on a camper gas at 4pm in the afternoon? They didn't look like gypsys but you can never be too careful these days. Mrs Brown rose to the occasion offering all the cyclists beds for the night and hot cups of tea should they ever turn up. Obviously by 5pm when no cyclist arrived Mrs Brown gave Wendy £10 to the cause and hot footed it off to watch Home and Away never to be seen again probably muttering to herself 'mad! all of 'em'

The hot noodles were very welcome by us all and after a quick stop we continued on our way only to stop 10 mins later as Tom had a broken chain. This delayed us by another 45mins but we were determined to get to Slaidburn tonight as it would just put more pressure on us tomorrow if we had to go back in the morning. The last 10 - 15 miles were done in the dark and on narrow winding lanes in the pouring rain. One of the last hills was incredibly steep but we all got up it and down the otherside in one piece and cycled in to Slaidburn at about 9pm and rolled straight into the pub for a much needed pint. By 10.30 we decided we needed some food but the Hostel kitchen was due to close so we rushed over and cooked an omelete as the hostel keeper kindly allowed us to use the kitchen after time.

Tuesday 30th October

The wet dark tiring finish to yesterdays ride was in direct contrast to the fantastic morning we had cycling out of Slaidburn. Although there were some fairly steep hills the weather was glorious and the scenary just magnificent which gave us all a lift and spirits were high. We cycled into a village with a bakery and all ordered 2 or 3 buns each - probably double their normal daily sales! That is the wonderful thing about cycling 100 plus miles a day, you can eat what you like and not feel the slightest bit worried about putting on weight infact you need to eat a huge amount just to keep your energy levels up.

After reaching Kirkby Lonsdale the roads were fairly busy and we cycled along a dual carriage way to Kendal. The daunting prospect of cycling the much miligned Kirkstone Pass was now looming as we headed towards Windermere. Matt had built the Kirkstone pass into somewhat of a monster with stories of 25% hills and cars not even able to get up to the top. Pete R adamantly stated that he was not going to do it and was instead going to take the longer but easier route round Lake Windermere by himself - but we are a team and after refueling in Windermere he was dragged kicking and screaming to the foot hills. He thought he might have won when we were told that the road was closed for repairs but we found out that this wasn't due to start until next week -bad luck Pete! Well it started off fairly easy and we took off jackets and gloves in preparation for this monster but after maybe 2 miles of fairly steep hills we reached the Inn at the top without too much trouble and feeling that it was somewhat of an anticlimax - Pete R was one of the first up too, shrugging his shoulders and asking what all the fuss was about!! As it turns out we did not do the hardest approach but still it was good to get to the top without too much pain. The ride down the otherside to Ullswater needless to say was a breeze and the scenery magnificent. We cycled into Carlisle in the dark and our target for tonight was Gretna even though we were staying in Dumfries. Matt's string and ruler method failing us again with too many miles to fit into one day. Still it felt good to get to Scotland at least for tonight.

We drove to the Round House just outside of Dumfries where we were due to stay tonight and even though it was dark and cold and we were all very tired our host insisted on showing us all options of accomodation (bunk house - closer and more practical or round house in the woods no lights but log fire and cosy but totally impractical for what we needed tonight) We chose the bunk house for that reason but sad that we couldn't take advantage of the round house. He also showed us the hot tub and sauna although we felt we would all be too tired for that tonight.

We all sat down to a delicious meal cooked ready for us and then headed for bed - but were intrigued by the thought of a hot tub and sauna followed by a cold shower - we couldn't resist it. After all our host had specially warmed it up for us.

Sleeping quarters were close, 6 in a small room and with all the food consumed in a day there were some fairly fruity smells and noises coming from all directions!

Wednesday 31st October
'
Needless to say, another early start waking up at 5.30 and off by 6.30 back to Gretna to continue on to Glasgow (or just north). A puncture delayed us slightly on the road to Dumfries but otherwise we made steady progress on the road to Kilmarnoch stopping at a tea room for some lunch. The roads were fairly busy but we managed to make quite good time stopping occassionally for an energy bar or GPS check or for Tom to admire his lastest found love - highland cattle. but again we didn't get in until dark and cycling round some of the roads near Glasgow was fairly scary in the dark. The back up ambulance was always close behind us to help us see the way and we got to Howwood 15 miles further on than our accomodation for the night to give us a good head start for tomorrow. We stopped just outside a pub and whilst we loaded the trailer some of us got the drinks in. Our tight lycra was admired by various Scots propping up the bar (we assume they were admiring as we couldn't understand a word they were saying except the bar lady giving Pete R a cheeky wink and saying 'aye! it works for me')

Tonight we stayed in quite a smart B & B. We met up with Wendy's cousins who had come 70 miles to see us. We had a nice meal in a pub nearby who kindly kept the kitchen open late to accomodate us.

All of us by this time were very tired and with a big ride tomorrow to Fort William we headed off to bed.

Thursday 1st November

We were looking forward to a nice fry up but unfortunately the hostess of the B & B said cooked breakfast at the earliest would be 7 am and we had to leave by 6.30 so it was cereal and yogurt and fruit juice. There was a suggestion the night before by Jerry (who was nominated for his diplomacy) that perhaps the hostess could get up a bit earlier to cook our breakfast? He was soon put in his place with an icy retort in broad scottish 'I'll be up at 5 am milking the cows! cooked breakfast is at 7 am and no ealier' So that was that cereal and yogurt it was!

We drove back to Howwood and were nearly ready to set off by 8am when someone got a puncture and we had to hold up for 15 mins for it to be repaired. once on the road we hit alot of traffic as we tried to navigate round the outskirts of Glasgow at rush hour. Once over the Erskine Bridge the traffic had calmed a bit and we headed out towards Loch Lomond on our way to Fort William. The first part of the ride was fairly flat and there was a suggestion by Matt that we should push hard for the next few hour as the weather was getting worse and we needed to get on. This was met by a few choice expletives from Pete R's lips. Nevertheless we still made excellent progress and the road although narrow and busy was quite fast for us and we had 62 miles under our belts by lunch time. We stopped at Tyndrum at a renound chippy for some freshly fried fish and chips and we were met by the back up van along with Matt and Wendy's friend Andy and Matt and Wendy's kids who were all very excited to see us. coincidently Talia turned up 10 mins later. She was due to meet us today but happened upon us by chance.

Only 48 miles to Fort William this afternoon but of course we had to cross the dreaded Rannoch Moor which Pete R had warned us about yesterday. He had got a call from an experienced cyclist friend who lives near Inverness stating the dangers of 'Rannoch Mooooor' when the fog comes in and the wind howls. It sounded like something out of the Hound of The Baskervilles and Pete R seriously wanted us to concider another route. But Fort William was always part of our plan. Alex had done his commercial diver training there 20 years ago and it was an important part of the ride - Alex would be proud of us risking our lives like this and there was an sense of foreboding as we crossed over the bridge into 'Rannoch Moooooooooooooooooooor' We waited for the fog and wind (there was rain) and eerie howls and killer bears and wild dogs but none came - infact it was a really great ride with incredible views and not too many steep hills. We survived! all of us came off Rannoch Moor alive and well if somewhat sore and wet!

The scenery was magnificent with rolling hills and mountains all around and Matt ask Jerry if it made him feel like putting his crampon on to which Jerry calmy replied 'it feels like someone has shoved my crampons up my arse at the moment Matt' It was a moment when some of us nearly fell off our bikes laughing.

We stopped briefly at a petrol station at Ballachulish for a cuppa and carried on to Fort William arriving in the dark all wet and cold. The Youth Hostel was some 3 miles on but we decided to load up the trailer where we arrived in the centre of Fort William and return to the same spot in the morning rather than trying to find the hostel on our bikes in the rain.

Luckily the hostel had a drying room which we could us as all our stuff was soaking wet and needed drying off before tomorrow. Talia and Wendy cooked a great meal and we all stuffed ourselves before retiring to bed.

Friday 2nd November
'
It was still raining this morning when we got up but at least we had dry clothes to put on. We had a quick breakfast and headed off on our bikes 3 miles back into Fort William to our finish post from last night only to double back onourselves for 2 miles along the same road leading to Inverness. We knew this might be the case but last night we were too tired to go searching for our hostel on our bikes - they'll be no cheating and we felt it important to get to the place we finished at the previous day. The rain eased up a bit from yesterday and we cycled fairly fast for a few hours. We got a call from Wendy saying that the ambulance side door wouldn't shut and they had to call the RAC out to fix it which might take a few hours. Because of the remoteness of where we were we rely on the support to bring food etc so we were somewhat put out to hear that we wouldn't get sandwiches for an hour or so. We went passed a tes room and Jerry and Jason were adamant that we stop for a quick snack to which Matt and Pete replied that we had to get on as we had 120miles to do to day. Pete R swore again and we all stopped for tea and cakes!! decision made! We timed ourselves - in and out in about 10 mins a record for us. The ambulance turned up about 20 mins later with sandwiches but we decided to carry on for another 20 miles before stopping again. Rather than going via Inverness we took a shorter back road which unfortunately started with a 15% hill nearly 1 mile long. It was a real struggle to get up it and we were totally unprepared still with full regalia on and all of us stripped off at the top soaked in sweat. Tom said he felt dizzy at the top and was cycling on the wrong side of the road for a bit - luckily just missing a sports car that came hammering over the brow of the hill doing about 70mph! PHEW another near miss for Tom who often spents most of the time cycling with his hands in the air or resting behind his head!! What can you expect after all he is in love and with so many highland cattle around it must be a big distraction!!

The next 5 or so miles were really easy and mostly down hill. We cycled on to Dingwall to have a quick snack. The Scots arn't renound for their good food and if Dingwall is any thing to go by then it's obvious why. Pete S had the most revolting pie and the chips were disgusting!

Wendy worked out that we only had 30 or so miles to do but Pete S' GPS indicated about 50. It lifted our spitirts a bit to think we might be there sooner than we thought but we still had to push on as it would be dark in a few hours anyway.

About 10 miles out of Dingwall we could hear alot of commotion when a few cars went past with passengers shouting and screaming. It was Rowie's other sisters Ibby and Alice (with hubby Chris) and her brother James and her three girls Imo Matilda and Lilly along with Sonia and Flo, Pete R's family who had all come up to see everyone finish the ride and cheer us all on. It was a big excitement and made us all realise the the finish was in sight and what a huge challenge this has been for us.

We got to the point where the road turned off for the youth hostel and loaded our bikes into the trailer to return to the same spot tomorrow but Tom had a few miles left in him and he cycled the 4 - 5 miles to the Youth Hostel.

The hostel was conveniently close to a pub so we all stopped for a quicky but after 1 or 2 pints we were joined by everyone else and it turned into quite a rowdy evening. The Landlord must have taken a months takings in one night. The place we stayed tonight was old 1st class reailway carriages converted into small rooms with 2 bunk beds in each. It was a really great place and we all ate in the old waiting room which was done out really nicely.

We were sensible enougt to get to bed in fairly good time - even though tomorrow is only 75 miles we have to drive back south of Inverness which could take about 3 hours.

Saturday 3rd November
'
So this is finally it - our last day! It was a real struggle to get up this morning. Some of us were complaining of sore heads and not surprising really! We drove to the main road where we stopped last night and groaning and creaking we got our bikes ready. By now we know each other so well that all inhibitions have gone out the window. Pete S let rip a really long and loud botty birp (for the kids reading this!) although he did blame it on Rowie. Rowie was quite happy to accept full responsibility wanting to feel like she was one of the lads. Jerry and Pete R at this time were liberally applying vasline or udder cream to their crotch area in full view of not only Rowie but every Tom Dick or Harry who happened to be driving past. Complete contrast to day one when everyone was holding in flatulence or at least apologising for any suggestion of wind or scuttling in corners furtively looking over their shoulders whilst applying crotch cream.

We set off at a steady pace and the road was fairly flat for a while - the weather was holding out for us so it was a real joy to cycle and the scenery was so good. Alice who stayed with a friend in Wick last night told us to beware of a sting in the tail. We hit a fairly steep hill which wasn't too bad but just went on for ages and we hoped that was the sting. We stopped with the back up van and everyone else supporting us for some sandwiches and drinks. Pete R whizzed past deciding not to stop and must have cyled the next 20 miles by himself which he probably quite enjoyed! By this time Imo, Rowie's eldest daughter joined us and cycled with Matt and Rowie at the back but kept up really well.

Unfortunately for Imo the previous hill wasn't the sting we had hoped and we realised this as we cycled down an incredibly steep 13% hill. The other side was obviously going to be just as steep going up. Credit to Imo she managed to cycle it all the way to the top without getting off and carried on with us for another 10 - 15 miles. Imo then changed places with Addie, Matts middle son who joined us when we were training in France for some of the rides and he kept pace really well. We cycled in to Wick and stopped at Tescos for a cuppa and a bite to eat. Only 13 miles to go but that still seemed a long way when you are winding down for the finish feeling exhausted and still hungover!

From Wick Ollie, Matt's eldest joined us for a few miles. Pete R was at the front and Matt had to tell him to slow down a bit (for Ollie) but Pete R labouring the point ask Matt to say that again - a bit louder 'you want me to slow down!!' music to his ears no doubt after Matt had been pushing Pete to speed up relentlessly for 8 or 9 days now.

Jerry and Tom had stopped somewhere else and we lost them for a while but hitched up again with them before the final push. Ollie got back in the van we felt it wasn't fair on the other kids if one of them was allowed to cycle to the finish with us.

Despite our competitiveness last night when we were all individually deciding how we were going to engineer it so each finished first, we all cycled in more or less abreast and coming over the hill towards John O'Groats we were greeted by a beautiful rainbow which somehow seemed fitting.

We cycled to the end of the road, a very emotional moment for us all and there were cheers and shouts from all the support team and champagne for each of us - lots of hugs and kisses and photos and fortunately right at the end of the road there is a pub!

So after a few pints and signing of the book we headed off back the way we came and drove 3 hours just south of Inverness to a hostel where a gourmet meal had been laid on by Ibby and Alice for 20 adults. The meal was delicious smoked salmon to start with followed by local venison stew and a delicious pudding wash down with champers! Unfortunately we were all too tired to party for too long as most of the partying had been done the night before.

Riders individual memories

Jerry Woods

Well, it's done. 1000 or 992 miles, the odometers varied in the end, in ten days. Weather kind to us, mild with only a couple of days of rain and headwind, only a few punctures and breakdowns, and no injuries other than aches and pains which responded either to Matt's cries of "ride through the pain", or to various combinations of painkillers. Now out of the bubble that surrounded us for those ten days and back to normality, and it seems like such a long time ago. Bum no longer crying out in horror at the thought of another 8 hours in the saddle, food throughput back to normal levels, no longer waking spontaneously at 5.45am... But what a time it was! Jason coming back from the brink, Tom remaining upright for several days in a row, Organic Pete cussing all the way then leading us home in easy style, Pete the vet sweating over the GPS which could have led to violence but proved a great ally. Matt with his almost indefatigable but occasionally mistimed humour, and Rowie, who appeared unfazed by the miles ridden, the farting, snoring and bottom-fixation that afflicted us all. Rowie appeared to sail cheerfully through it, her determination to do it for Alex giving her great strength which I think we all drew from. Well, we weren't going to be beaten by a girl, were we? Some girl, Rowser. And all the while in the background, Wendy, Keith and David doing their utmost to find us, feed us, shop for food and all the bike bits we were daily discovering we needed. MOT-ing the ambulance with 2 days' notice, fixing a tyre and a dodgy door, rewiring the trailer electrics. Loading and unloading bikes and servicing a bunch of riders who were not always in the best of moods! It's impossible for a group of people to exist in such close confines without occasional disagreements, especially in such physically demanding circumstances. One of Organic Pete's moments springs to mind: After a bitter complaint about something or other (I forget the details!), there was a moment of silence as we all contemplated our shoes. Then Rowie said, "Right. Now get back on your ******* bike and get on with it, Pete". Pete grinned and got on with it. Job done. As far as I'm aware no emotional baggage came away from the trip. Every issue was dealt with matter-of-factly (though not always as brutally) and we are now a group of friends united by memories of a very tough, worthwhile, rewarding, fantastic experience. Thanks again to all our sponsors for making the trip possible and for making it successful in terms of donations to the Your Day Foundation. And special thanks to all the well-wishers who either followed us and cheered us on or kept in touch, or thought of us as we rode along in our little bubble. Jerry 8/11/07