Day 1

Well day one is over...
We had a late start at Lands End due to photo's and a briefing. The run to Turo was excellent with the sun on our backs and a 30MPH tail wind. This really did create a false sense of security, the heavens opened after lunch and for the remainder of the afternoon we cycled through persistent rain and some very demanding ''rolling countryside". The afternoon also had our first injury incedent with Ade Baugh suffering a prolonged bout of cramp. We think this may have been brought on by the strict sports diet of  3 pints the night before or the ever increasing size of the hills? After a few stops, a roadside massage we made it Liskeard at around 5pm.

Day 2

This was always going to be a tough day; indeed is was billed as the worst of all twelve. It started wonderfully with torrential rain as we were leaving the hotel and got better when we were into the first major climb of the day. It was up and down like like a you know what all day long we were making fairly ropey progress although all 3 of us were in the front group (yes we know it is'nt a race but you have to be a little competitive!!) So we were doing ok until Tavistock when we decided that the test just wasn't stiff enough so we cycled past our turning for Dartmoor and went on a very hilly 6 mile wild goose chase. By the time we were back on track most of the others had gone through so we were then back markers!! After a quick Jelly baby stop (they are really good for exhausted cyclists apparently) we were off up the side of Dartmoor - it was so steep and went on and on and on, only to go down up a bit and then up a lot more, we were in the clouds - literally by the time we reached the top. The descents were the most frightening (49 mph on Ade B's speedo) into driving rain and on slick tyres we were all pleased to be down safely and we enjoyed sausage sanis in a place called Moretonhampstedchester shire or somthing but it was nice to catch breath. We pressed on and really eat up the miles after Exeter where it was much flatter, so much so that we were the first to the hotel!! So the three Musketeers are all in one piece and rested up in the hotels (Ade H in a framhouse and Mark & Ade B in The globe inn in a little town called Stampford Peverall) 82 miles and finished by 3.30 It is so nice to sit and watch all the weary riders coming in.
We are eating at seven thirty then an early night to charge the batteries for tomorrow, where our destination is south wales-ish.
Until the next installment.

Other news,  Mr Tony “I don’t need no breaks” Morris made his grass cutting debut at the Go karting track this evening. He was at full speed on a wet track approaching a 90 degree right hander when he realised his break pedal had ceased to function. I must take my hat off to the chap because he managed to do half a lap on the grass mostly sideways before he came safely to rest. (personally I don’t know why he was using his breaks anyway - Si)

Day 3

Today was Cullompton (Devon) to Tintern (South Wales) 90 miles in total. It started well on fast dry roads. After a huge hill at 45 miles in we stopped for lunch and guess what... it started to rain and it hasn't stopped. Unfortunately Mark had a couple of punctures within 10 miles of each other and was delayed somewhat. Crossing both the Avon and the old Severn bridge were impressive landmarks and the later marked our entrance to Wales. This is the start of the next chapter of our journey and looking forward to being close to home tomorrow.

Day 4

I have not received and official update about day 4 but I did see all three riders as they finished in Shrewsbury, They all looked in fine fettle and were very much looking forward to seeing their loved ones (hence no update I assume). A friend of Adrian Holles decided it would be a good idea to meet with them in Wales and ride to Shrewsbury just for fun! Mind you, he has never been right since he appeared on blind date.

Other news, Mr Holles has been a little shy coming forward with this one. Most people after winning a competition in a reputable magazine would be bursting with pride and telling the world but strangely Mr Holles decided to keep this one under raps. CLICK HERE for more information. (Cheers Si.).

Tintern to Shrewsbury; the day started well with realtively fine weather and a gentle ride through the Wye Valley to Monmouth. From there we took the old road to Hereford. Ade B and Mark were cycling with Kev and martin two Brummies and about 20 miles in a coffee shop with home made cake was too much of a draw. Ade H on the other hand had invited his mate Lyndon and he went off with him. A very pleasant lunch stop at Leintwardine, with the sun still shining. After lunch we picked up the A49 at Craven Arms and had a very rapid last 20 miles or so and we managed to get to the hotel at about 4pm, about 90 miles later. The high spot of the whole day was seeing our loved ones; all 3 of us were collected for an evening at home which really lifted our spirits as the significant mileage is beginning to wear, both physically and pschyologically.

Day 5

Shrewsbury to Preston
The day started well in sunshine and we rolled along pretty B road to the quaint villages of Wem and Whitchurch. We did have a quick stop off for cake and coffee to keep the energy levels up. We then headed into the busy town centres of Warrington and Wigan which made for difficult cycling, constantly stopping at traffic lights and dodging certain death from motorist only interested in getting their shopping done! It also started to rain which made the large roundabouts slippy and challenging. After a long final 10 miles we arrived as a large group all feeling good to have the heavy traffic day out of the way and a hot shower in a good Ibis hotel topped a good day.

Day 6

This was a very long day of 100 miles and would include the classic 5 miles climb of Shap fell in the Lake District. The morning went well and the sun came out as we entered the Lake town of Kendal. A few people stopped off to acquire the famous energy giving mint cake but we obstained thinking of our waist line. We had lunch after a couple of miles climb to the foot of Shap feel. The scenery was stunning. After lunch we started the 5 mile climb. It wasn't particulary steep but went on and on and on and on...(I hope you get the idea) . We then had a fast rolling decent to Penrith. It was then a long drawn out wet and windy affair to Longtown. As Mr Baugh said it didn't rain... it was like sheets of water with a few holes in. We eventually arrived in Longtown which is 4 miles short of the Scottish border.

I will try to remain constructive about our views regarding Longtown. It resembled a wild west town with most of the resident looking to rebel all comers. As they probably have for hundreds of years of Anglo Scottish history. The cooking was their first weapon of mass destruction. Completley unedable and could do serious damage to your health. Customer service is a theory that has never reached this far north. We did suggest giving Gordon Ramsey a call but even he would see the cause was hopeless. The final weapon was the hotel rooms certain people (Mr Baugh) refused to put his bag down and promptly booked him into a new hotel. All in all an experience we will not forget or ever wish to repeat.

Day 7

I have finally taken control of the keyboard and am keen to give you the the Lumpey eye view of this trip, so here goes. The day started off from at Longtown (the weirdest town in the world ever), the first thing I saw when I left the hotel was an old man pushing a dustbin in a wheelchair!!! The general population seemed wary of all 'these smart city types with their book learning'. We left Longtown quickly before we diluted the fairly limited gene pool. 4 miles up the road we hit the border and had our photos taken by the welcome to Scotland sign, I'm sure cyclists are the new teddy boys, groups of lycra clad blokes milling around in groups at bus stops bothering old women! Anyway off we set into a headwind which made life even more painful all day, we got to Annan and regrouped but as soon as I set off I got a puncture and had to wait for Jo (my hero) to come and repair it. 30 minutes later I was on my way again to Dumfries, where I had another puncture!!! Oh deep joy. Once again Jo (bicycle repair man super hero) fixed it and changed the tyre, telling me I had a lot of catching up to do. The wind was soul destroying on the busy A76 and every lorry that came past almost blew you to a standstill. Lunch was at Sanquar where I finally arrived at 2.45 the rest of the day was more wind, hills and eventually a little bit of rain and sleet, just to add a little bit of variety! I finally arrived at the hotel at about 7.00
90 miles which felt like 190 we are now on the 600 mile mark, so almost two thirds of the way there........ Whilst the're not looking I need to get a message out..... I've been kidnapped by militant cyclists who every morning strap me into a machine of torture and make me pedal for 9_10 every day before they lock me in a hotel room ffull of wet sweaty clothes drying on radiators...... PLEASE~SEND HELP!!!!!!!!

Day 8

We left the premier travelodge in Kilmarnock well nourished after an excellent night's sleep and an equally good breakfast . Bright sunshine was on our back and the miles soon dropped away and we quickly reached Largs, where we enjoyed coffee on the promenade. After about half an hour of avoiding exercise we set off again and soon arrived in Gourock to catch the ferry to Dunoon, Mark was greeted by Anne's mom (the 2 Ade's were on the earlier ferry and so missed the photocall) After a good lunch at the botanical gardens we pressed on at a fairly resonable rate with a peleton of about 12 racing (and would be racing) snakes only one relatively stiff climb at the head of the Loch broke the momentum. We stopped at a garden centre for coffee to kill time as Joe bombed off to Oban to get Lesley's wheel repaired and took our bags with him. From then it was a really pleasant ride in with a very immature full-peloton sprint that Mr Baugh made an excellent account of himself and indeed led the charge until the nitrous oxide ran out. A second sprint led to Mr Baugh (again) clipped wheels with Ben, but after a near crash experience the peleton survied intact. We arrived at the Argyll Hotel just after 5pm with 75 miles on the clock.

One sad goodbye is to Steve Winter, who had to retire from the trek due to a knee injury, it was good to say adios to Steve in seamill on the way through. We wish Steve a speedy recovery and hope that he will revisit the second half of the challenge when he is recovered.

Day 9

Inverary to Invergary - 97 miles
The day started really badly with Adrian (B) suffering a broken spoke and buckled back wheel. Fotunately Joe (our bike mechanic superhero) managed to set up running repairs to allow him to continue, some 45 minutes after everybody else. Weather conditions were grey and fairly miserable, although the terrain was not too taxing, with only 3 or 4 hills of any note. Mark continues to suffer with his leg and this is hampering his progress; the upside to this is that the other ladies on the trip have a adopted him as their mascot - because he spends most of his time cycling with them. He is proud to be a lady what cycles!!!
The 2 Adrians caught up with the rest of the pack by lunch and rewarded themselves with hot soup and coffee at the cafe by the lunch stop.
Joe was unable to locate a replacement spoke for the broken wheel so a call to Jayney at IFSOL was all that was needed to organise replacements from Fred Williams Cycles ( thanks mate!)
A brief coffee stop in Fort William and a photo stop at the commando memorial in Spean bridge was all that was needed to help us to our destination of The Invergarry Hotel.
A pleasant evening was only spoiled by Adrian's beloved Wolves falling to Sandwell Town in the playoff semifinal
Only 3 days to go now- it seems so close now!

Day 10

The day commenced with Adrian B in a very excited state..... He had Drumnadrochit fever! He was jumping up and down excited at the prospect of cycling up a stupidly steep hill! We set off from the hotel and convened for a coffee 30 miles later at the foot of the climb. Suffice to say AB got up with the aid of Chanting and telling himself he's a Tiger GRRRR!!! in the mirror, even AH got out of his saddle half way up the hill. As for myself I stopped half way up for a drink and a cigarette, now you don't get that in the Tour De France. The rest of the day was over the top of mountains and down the other side to Bonar Bridge where we are stopping tonight. Which ever way you cut it there is nothing right about two paunchy chaps dressed in Lycra sharing a hotel room with bags full of creams, lotions and lubricants. We are now getting close to the end and I'm cycling with one leg up hills but we're all determined to make it to the end.....and then the bike is on e_bay.....CASHBACK!!!!!!!

Day 11

At last… a short day of only 52 miles Bonar Bridge to Tongue on Scotland’s North cost. A much welcomed rest.

The day started out damp and windy. After an early morning coffee stop we then entered one of the most uninhabited areas of Europe. The single track road started to wind through desolate moor land and forests all with the back drop of distant mountains. The cycling was hard due to a relentless and cold gusting side wind and what seemed a never ending slight incline. At around 11.30 we stopped at Carsk Inn. This pub has no other buildings within a five mile radius of it and I am sure that in the surrounding countryside you could walk for days without seeing another soul. The Landlord had been warned of our impending arrival (20 odd people in Lycra is something of a talking point in these parts). His wife had freshly baked scones, rhubarb jam, local natural comb honey and lashings of hot tea waiting for the lycra clad band. Needless to say these we devoured the goodies in an instant. Mr Holles also managed a whisky to help ease the next few miles away. We emerged from the pub to discover that the sun had made a very welcome appearance. We started on our way to discover that the wind had now become a 30 mph tail wind, even on the slight incline, pedalling seemed almost optional. To make the day extra special the countryside became increasing more rugged and remote, with sun bouncing on small Lochs in the distance. Then… the holy grail of cycling appeared… a long downhill. For about 12 miles it was possible to hold speeds of between 45 mph and 30 mph on both the flat and descents. If cyclists go to heaven, it will look and feel exactly like this stretch of road. Stunning!

We stopped for lunch at the side of Loch Loyal, the setting was the making of the finest picture postcard. After lunch a quick blast on the pedals and we had arrived at The Tongue hotel early. The end of our perfect day of cycling was finished of with a beer or a whisky if you prefer.

The Final Day

Well it all comes down to this; the last 67 miles from Tongue to John O Groats. Mark & Ade B set out at about 7.50am with Ade H setting off some 40 minutes later. The first 30 miles or so to Melvich were just like Dartmoor; massive uphills followed by monumantally fast downhills (Ade B recorded 45 mph on one) We were very fortunate that there was a 20-30mph wind blowing from the west in a straight line from Tongue to JOG, The problem was the road that we cycled was not in a straight line so we had an ever changing scenario from strong tailwind making the going easy to a vicious side wind making progress downright dangerous. Nontheless we made relatively rapid progress and soon we were at Thurso, which was our first stop for the day some 45 miles from the start. We had coffee and sandwiches to fuel us to the end. We had just over 20 to go and with the wind almost always behind us now over the flatter terrain we made excellent progress and soon ratlled the miles off. We met as agreed at the hotel just a quarter of a mile from JOG to gather so that we could cross the finish line together.
And so we did 12 days and 975 miles, 5 punctures, 3 tryes, 1 broken spoke, lots of aches, loads of laughs, no arguments and 22 new friends later we had done it. The three musketeers crossed the line greeted by the smiling faces of Clare, Carolyn and Scorchy (and Scorchy's dad) it was done and the training works and we are all the better for it.
And the consensus; we were glad we had done it but never again!