Shropshire & Cheshire ... and cheerleaders all the way!

LOOK!... I seems slightly odd to think that i've cycled all of that!! 

But before i feel too excited - i've still got a long way to go - we're over 1/3 of the way ... but still have another 12 days of cycling to go! And some of them are going to be a bit tough ... but let's not worry about them, the last couple of days have been wonderful - great weather, wonderful countryside and lots of friends/family coming along to say hi. 

We left Weobley on a heavy misty/foggy morning with one of Dad's friends cycling with us ... a serious cyclist who thinks nothing of pedalling hundreds of miles! It was good to have him along - pedalling at our / my much gentler pace and stopping for cups of tea along the way! The cloud kept lifting a little and tempting us with sunshine, the countryside was rolling and delightful. Apart from one long slog of a hill after lunch ....it was my favourite day - 

Until today! 

Well... what can i say of today other than i loved cycling it so much i could almost move here! The route felt flat but apparently it wasn't ... it was swooping, so that you could keep your speed and momentum up hills and swoop along ....  and then my own 'Team Coyne' appeared ... The lovely Lloyd Williams family came from Denbigh with banners and loud cheers and would appear in unexpected places waving and cheering! Then they'd pass in the car cheering me (& all of the others) along .... to find the next cheer spot! My heart was singing as i was cycling wondering if they would appear - we lunched in Tarporley and then i cycled off ... and was at my B&B by 3pm! 

My favourite day so far! 

 
Team Lloyd Williams Cheering beautifully!!!

Lost in wonder......

The ride from Chepstow to Weobley was really very very special.... the day started with a long and gentle whizz down the Wye Valley past Tintern Valley and up to Monmouth - glorious sunshine and wonderful wide views as we criss crossed the Wye... we stopped in Monmouth (birthplace of Father Rolls..) and then continued through orchards and farmlands.

It was our first hot day .... and the countryside was alive with farmers working away ... anyway shortly after 1pm i headed up Galway Hill... a long slog of a hill between somewhere pretty and somewhere lovely - thankfully it was shaded in part so i would occasionally 'pause' for a gaze at the view and cool down in the shade....

Well.... as i was having a gaze i noticed what looked like smoke rings coming out of the bushes - very bizarre - was there a teenager hidden in there refining his cool smoke-ring blowing prowess?!  I was miles away in a world of my own when i heard a voice say 'Ahhh you're lost in wonder aren't you!'... a farmer was driving slowly down the lane and i hadn't noticed at all!

We had a lovely chat - during which he said that he'd make a donation to Acorns on my behalf and went on our way ...  but during our chat we agreed that the 'smoke' rings must have been a plant releasing pollen -

Stunning!

... and on the other side of things ... wow there's a lot of road kill on the roads..

Worst so far a huge badger the size of a small dog ....  required evasive action!

We're up in the North Midlands tonight at Acton Bridge... 2 weeks to go and making progress! xxx

Hey Ho Hey Ho it's off to Chepstow we go.....

OK ... one day when i get to a B&B that has wifi which works better than something reminiscent of the 1980's i will write properly and upload photos... however for now ...

We're out of Devon and through Somerset ... off to Wales today .... via the Cheddar Gorge.... YAY!

Judging from a couple of texts / phone calls ... i'm wondering if my last post was a little gloomy? ... i haven't had chance to re-read it but when you see the photos you will see (a) me smiling and (b) that whilst the hills were tough - the views were BEAUTIFUL!

We've been so lucky with the weather... more sun ahead today ....  and my lovely friend Charlie is coming to cycle with me.....

Here's what i've learnt ...

When a stretch is described as 'undulating' it means hilly ... when it's gently undulating it means 'still hilly' ... Climbs out of town means ' there's a really BIG hill' and when it says 'Climbs steeply' it's basically a command to 'get off thy bike and walk'!

I will write and upload soon ...

All is good.....

xxxx

PS.. B&B's very variable .... like the hills... this one ... GAAAHHHH!!! Step back into Hi-De-Hi land! I'm a winceyette nightie and jar of cold cream away from it's clientele!!!!

Cornwall... DONE... Devon .... almost done!

So i didn't post last night for one enormous reason..... I made it out of Cornwall alive, but i merely survived it!!! I don't think i conquered Cornwall in any way at all.... i finished cycling as darkness descended after 8pm  - and all i could do was shower, eat and flake out .... also there was no wifi or mobile signal, so had i wanted to post i couldn't ...

Fair to say - incoherence would have ruled!

I had a real battle with the ride yesterday - it was an uphill slog out of Perranporth and we seemed to spend the day climbing the steepest of hills ... and descending their cliff like counterparts....  glorious weather meant that the sun drained energy and a bad choice to have a milk shake at lunch prior to grinding up some grim hill out of Bodmin saw me sick a few times during the afternoon... I did in the end make it up to Minions (the highest village in Cornwall! Up on Bodmin moor.... ) and the last 10 miles home were hard won.

Yesterday i really doubted my ability to make it to the end ... the briefing in the morning had told us that once at Minions it was a long descent to the River Taymar which marked the boundary of Cornwall - but then 3 miles of steep climbs to the B&B...

Well...i hit a real low point in the afternoon after I was ill... and I was pretty much planning that i would make it to the bridge and then fold & beg for the support van to pick me up ... to be honest there were times when i doubted that i'd get to the river... But Jeff/Geoff (must check!) the amazing sweep rider
from Bike Adventures (who is pretty much my riding buddy as i'm the slowest in the pack!) is brilliant and sorted my head out! He also knew that a bottle of Coke & a flapjack at Minions would restore me! Also the combination of the descent from the Moor,  knowing that we'd done with Cornwall, and Jeff's wise words was enough to get me 'home' ... and when i arrived the rest of the team cheered me in ... it brought tears to my eyes ... was a lovely lovely feeling!!

Now i haven't mentioned the rest of the group much - shall do in due course, but i really like the feeling that sits amongst us... a great mix of ages - some couples, some cycling solo, young and old alike...  there's a lively banter and great sense of team spirit ...  or that's what i've felt for sure...

Right - the internet speed is woefully slow... was going to do photos but i shall do a mass photo upload tomorrow!

And on to Devon - Well.... a longer day if you go by miles, but i was cycling better today - the climbs were long and arduous but not so crazily steep (well the odd one!) ...  and there were stunning stretches of 'undulating' roads ...  it was tough to be only at about 20 miles by lunchtime and i worried that i'd be crawling in at midnight ... but the main climbs were the long slog up to Dartmoor.... which, when up there, is not flat for sure but somehow the beauty and the sweeping views made the hills less imposing ... (having spent a good proportion of yesterday walking really steep hills i was in the saddle a lot more today) .... and so many animals... sheep - cows - horses wandering around ... getting in the way (why was it always when you were descending to 'catch the next hill' they'd stop you in your tracks...) i don't know - it just didn't seem as painful.  The descent from Dartmoor was naturally a joy ... and then through lovely Devon villages.... some nasty hills ... but also some 'flying roads'... and then i whooped with joy when we crossed the motorway and saw a sign 'M5 - The Midlands' suddenly i felt as though we'd made real progress...

And tonight we all went for dinner... and Rob (Team Leader!) let on that we're less than 10 miles from the Somerset border ... Devon ... nearly done....

And now for bed... that's all a bit factual ... and i'll share photos and the entertaining side of things tomorrow ... but for now brain is only able to spill the beans and let you know that i am surviving .... ahhh and i thought that the world was perfect when i arrived at the B&B to find my ensuite had a Bath .... AND the owner would put a wash on .... there is no more that a girl could wish for!!

Oh ... but you must know this.... as i was slogging my way up to Dartmoor this morning in the heavy mist .... a 1920's Bentley flew past ... pretty sure it was a 3 litre but may have been a 4 1/2 ....  just like Dad's... felt like he was swooping past to say hi....

I promptly burst into tears... and then pushed on up the hill - it was beautiful!!

Day 2 .... Perranporth to Tavistock....

So this is what lies ahead for today .... wish me luck - there are some long long long hills...

But Dad always said that Devon & Cornwall are the worst days so .... bring on Thursday!!! Slow and steady i will be taking it (particularly up that vast stretch of 'up up up' from 25-35 miles!) ....

Weather's looking brighter than yesterday - it would be amazing to get up to Bodmin moor in clear weather ... but ... all will be good as long as there's no headwind!!! At least it looks like the last miles are better than yesterdays!!

Courage - Sticking post and all that .... will write tonight! xxx

Day One... and we're off!

It's time to sleep but i will write properly tomorrow... but for now ...

 The night before ... staying at Sennen Cove (beautiful!) the sunset didn't disappoint!! 

 This is like a 'first day at school shot' ... not only the nervous/anxious smile..

... but also the 'she'll grown into' look of the jacket!!! 

 Beautiful coastline ... 

But the hills... oh ouch the hills!!! 

 Yay! Look at that!!!! 

Perfectly named... almost 'home' ... little did i know that the last few miles had some of the worst hills! 

So ... Day One under the belt .... aching legs and feeling happy that i'm 'on the way' .... but a long long way to go ... so sleep now, and i'll tell you more tomorrow... 

(But thank you - thank you - thank you - for your messages..... haven't had much time this evening to reply to you all - was tied up sorting out the gear problems that Bradley's been having ... and having 'team bonding' dinner... but the messages have helped me up hills for sure!!!) 

xxx

"May the mountains be levelled for you ...."

Is one of my favourite messages over the last few days ....  almost halfway to my fundraising target already and i can't tell you how special it is to receive messages of support ....   they come in all shapes and volumes from the loud yells of 'Go for it'... to the strong and determined 'You know your strength comes from the hills, they're not your enemy' ... I just know already that each and every one will be echoing around in my mind as i battle the miles....

Mid last week i got immersed in helping a friend sort out his invitation list for an upcoming art exhibition which i have to admit has been a welcome distraction from my growing nervousness! Whilst most of the country was finding respite from the rain during this (not so) glorious Bank Holiday weekend I spent my time chained to the computer building a database for a few thousand addresses or out on my bike battling wind and rain!

So - if you're in London around the 17th/18th September then go along to Charlie's exhibition at Gallery 27, Cork Street.  He's a brilliant artist and there'll be a massive range of work on show...

You see... it's been easy to hide my mind from my upcoming ride!!

If i'm honest whilst i am nervous about the hills (.... oh damn those hills!) .. and the weather's not looking good for the first week or so at least ... i am also getting excited! I am such a fan of this glorious country of ours - and i'm really excited about the beautiful routes that i'm going to follow... the crazy place names that will cheer my heart and just the Britishness of it all ...

I wonder what my fellow cyclists will be like... there's going to be 10 of us ... i hope they're nice!

And ...  already plans are falling into place for friends coming along to cycle a few miles - or meet up in a pub en route ....

I've always known that my first big milestone is going to be making it through the hills of Devon & Cornwall ... so it's great to know that for the first day out of Devon my mate Charlie will be joining me (no not the artist ... another lovely Charlie.... !) to cycle from Cheddar to Chepstow ... where his wife and another mate of mine from London will be greeting us!!! I predict i may be ready to have a mini little celebration ....

My Bike goes to Lands End ahead of me .... i drop it off at 9am tomorrow...

Then it's just bags to be packed and off I go!

xxxx

To name or not to name....

I've been asked quite frequently what i've called my bike ... but i haven't named it... which makes me wonder if i should....  i play around with vintage cars and they all have names and crazy as it may sound i 'chat' to them when i'm driving - urging them up hills (they're the kind that tootle rather than roar along!) and if anything sounds a bit suspect having a reassuring chat that everything 'will' be ok! Mainly to reassure myself obviously!!!

So ... why haven't i named my bike? Will it help me to think 'we're' in it together as i struggle up the hills?! I wonder...  in which case, what should i name it?!

Answers on a postcard!!!

Am i finally losing the plot?!

Had i named it i would have been having an enquiring chat on Tuesday when i was struggling with gear problems (again!) ... i had a bit of a fright that i was finding the 'easy' -  'spin your legs like a windmill' gears quite hard going - i was puzzled! And concerned - had i lost all my power during the week or so out of the saddle with bad shoulder?! But inspection revealed that the rear gears were stuck and not changing ... so off i went to my trusty local bike shop who spotted cabling issues (how do cables 'slip' out of tight connections?!?!) and restored it to working order!!! As a consequence 'trusty steed' is today having a full overhaul service to ensure that we're ship-shape and ready to go ...

When i say 'we'..... well - you know what i mean!!! If only there was a spanner set that could 'tune' me up too!!!

Just over a week to go ... i'll be back in the saddle for the next few days - then on Tuesday 'bike' is being picked up to be taken to Lands End... and i shall follow on Friday for a lovely stay in Penzance before the big adventure begins on Saturday....  currently when i'm not busy with other things i'm either riding or obsessing about weather conditions and gear....

You'd think i was heading off to remote lands.... when really, the truth is i'll probably be cycling past bike shops most days so if i need anything .... but somehow there's something in 'being packed and prepped' at the start!

You cyclists out there ... any top tips?!

Cambridge'd!

I've been a bit quiet recently .... partly because i was away over the last week - retreat to Malsanger and then a few days in France .... but also because after being battered by the hills around Bath i've been feeling pretty low about the trip ...

However 2 things have changed all of that! 

Firstly chatting to the organisers of our trip - who whilst we were sorting out the logistics reassured me that everyone will walk up some of the hills in Cornwall /Devon ... and not to worry .. just keep on training! 

And secondly .. yesterday i completed my longest ride yet - 64 miles from London to Cambridge! It was a fantastic day and even better .... i'm feeling good today and have already been back on the bike again! 

My friend Rachel and I did the cycle which was brilliantly organised by Bike Events who i have to say ran it perfectly, I couldn't fault a thing  - over 4000 cyclists kicked off from London,  the sun shone, thankfully there was a gentle breeze and we wended our way through country lanes up to Cambridge... there were some long long hills but i'm happy to say none of them defeated me (although i salute Rachel in her amazing hill prowess!) ... and we had a lovely lovely day. For much of the route there was no traffic (maybe they very wisely avoided hoardes of cyclists on narrow lanes!!) and the lanes were filled with cyclists pedalling along .... a really lovely experience. It's run every year in July - and if the weather's good I wholly recommend it! 

The start ..... cyclists had been leaving for 3 hours ... we were the last group... which was huge! Fair to say when we arrived and found ourselves surrounded by Wiggins'alikes we were slightly concerned!!! 

 The girls ready to start ....... 

 They had 4 refreshment stops en route ... brilliant! 

 We spent the day surrounded by bikes!!! 

 Glorious views from the top of hills... and the most glamourous cyclist i know! 

(NB there were some people who walked up hills... I felt slightly delighted I didn't join them!)

And then when we got to Cambridge... well this cycle should really be called 'London - Cambridge & then around Cambridge for miles' ... and eventually we got to the finish line! Which was well worth finding as they really made an event of it .... people wooping and cheering as we arrived... medals and certificates handed out ... 

There was even a bouncy castle!!! 

So after chatting with some lovely cyclists and getting fine advice about upcoming adventures we got back on our bikes and got the train back to london ... 

It was a really lovely day - and i'm feeling so relieved...  64 miles matches the longest day on LeJoG and whilst i know the  terrain may be tougher... well... i can do this thing! One day at a time i can do it! Apart from a slight issue with my new clippy shoes (toes going numb - apparently i had them done up too tight) all gear is working ... and for those of you that have warned me of 'chafe' issues... well this stuff  along with padded shorts seems to avoid the issue! Enough said! 

So ... now ... 6 weeks to go and many more miles to get under my belt!  Please keep on sponsoring me ... it really is spurring me on! 

Seriously ... time to build an Ark...

This summer of ours is beginning to really wear me down ... and it's been a real challenge getting on the bike over the last couple of weeks. With 8 weeks to go - this is NOT good - but the relentless rain has been a real deterrent!

Here I sit in another downpour - wondering if Murray's semi-final will even get played today - and i'm finding it so easy to do anything but get on the bike...

I had a long chat with the 'Oracle' last night and now skipping is being introduced into my life (... don't think i've skipped since i was at prep. school!) ... will let you know how i get on if the rain ever pauses .... skipping in the rain is just so wrong! And kettle-bell as well.... diversity he says will speed up the fitness and get me more excited.

As is sit looking out at the sheeting down rain ....  i wonder if i'll ever feel excited again!

Rain Rain go away!

Having seen that the 10 day forecast predicts rainy blustery weather for the foreseeable... i really can't turn this blog into a weather rant ... so instead i shall reflect on the wonderful weekend i had!

As you know ... i love 'playing around' with old cars... another legacy i have inherited from Dad - after many years of being 'Dad's shadow' and tagging along to events with him i have over the last year or so got involved in my own right. I had an adventurous drive to Sweden last February to collect my 1928 Chummy and since then have started having 'Chummy based adventures'!!! More of them later ... and indeed were i not spending so much of life in the saddle this summer i would be having more of them now (although the weather isn't ideal!) ... 

Anyway Sunday was the VSCCs day at Shelsley Walsh - a historic hill-climb venue near to Worcester... so this was how i spent my day... 

 
 

The best kind of car park - ready for picnics galore! ..... and my kind of Paddock!!!!!

Lining up to get ready for the start

 Ooooh look at that - Napier Bentley ... 24 litres of power!!!  

The delightful young Jim Young in his 1932 Aston Martin.... 

 1937 Lagonda Le Mans Rep... 

 My new friend Ellie & her Dad Adam - she can't wait to get behind the wheel!!! 

 Last minute chatting waiting to start... 1921 Bugatti Type 13 

 At the start ..... ready to go! 

It was a great day - catching up with friends (old and new) ... gazing at wonderful cars and all of the excitement of a speed event!  More photos of the action are here  

Then it was back to London and into the saddle for more wet, blustery cycling ... in muggy wet weird weather.  Less than 60 days to go.... 

Getting scary!!! xxx

Stormy day ....

 Cycling home i came up through Primrose Hill and stopped to enjoy the view - there was a lovely moment where the sun broke through the clouds and lit up St Pauls on the skyline...

Not the best photo i know - but i managed to whip out my iPhone and catch it ... it really was beautiful.

And then the sun went away again....

Despite my mutterings there is always something beautiful to see cycling around London.... 

Those who disdain the humble cyclist ....

Whilst i have begun to love cycling ... i would only go as far as saying that i tolerate cycling around London... it never ceases to amaze me how many road users have complete disregard for everyone else on (& off!) the road.  It is sorely tempting to get a camera fitted to my helmet and start to compile the craziness on the roads.

I have begun to identify patterns ...

- The larger the vehicle the less likely to use indicators....
- The smaller the vehicle the more erratic the behaviour ...
- Cyclists - the more safety gear the more likely to stop at red lights....
- Pedestrians.... alas totally unpredictable ... other than the obvious - if theres a phone in the hand they're likely to step into the road without looking!

I foolishly thought that i'd 'sneak' through the backwaters of Mayfair where there isn't much traffic... well it was a lesson in flawed logic. Whilst it's true that the traffic numbers are low... this does not lead to free flowing streets as the only vehicles in Mayfair are all oversized 4x4's that can barely squeeze down the streets and certainly never use indicators or mirrors... slapping bonnets or boots as they swing towards me is become increasingly common....

Wonder if i'm slapping the cars of russian drug lords?!

Cycling this week has been a bit of a chore - lacking motivation somewhat.... and the mixed weather is tricky - having (almost) mastered the layers required for cold, blustery, stormy weather i'm now learning the best gear for hot, muggy, rainy weather ....

So off i go ... another session ahead of shouting at pedestrians and slapping cars!

Joy!!!

Sx

The weather outside is frightful.....

So today was another wet dreary London type of day where i've cycled over 40 miles but not continuously (off to meet friends, then doing jobs around town a few laps of Regents Pk, meet friends for a coffee and then home) ... so not really real training but after advice from my cycling 'Oracle' (you know who you are!) i did concentrate on technique (position in saddle, angles of legs, shoulders, arms) and am learning what feels better when,  and what adjustments i'd like to make to the bike....

As i was doing 'town' stuff i was also not in lycra gear ... so the heavy showers were just vile! ... sodden jeans do not a happy cyclist make! And 'that' wet strip that not having mudguards leaves.... gaaah!!! ... and not just 'helmet' hair, but wet frizzy helmet hair.... just as well the glow of exercise and bright eyes (of fear from the cabs that were lethal today!!) makes up for it eh!

Anyway as i pedalled my way around town....  i had the old christmas song 'Let it snow' going round in my head... mainly because the 'weather outside was frightful'... so once the batteries had died on my iPhone (doh!) i started adapting the words to suit ....

Made me giggle as i cycled, got wetter and looked dreadful around town!!!

Oh the weather outside is frightful 

Cycling in rain is not delightful 

And from training i cannot hide 

I will ride! I will ride! I will ride! 

Buses never show signs of stopping 

And taxis i'd exile to wapping 

I've only 10 weeks to go 

Ohhh No! Ohhhh No! Ohhh No!! 

... and then if i remember rightly there are two more verses... for another day!!! Fear not musicians ... a lyricist i am not!

Lessons for the day - 
- Street furniture (manhole covers etc) are like ice patches in the rain
- It really surprises people if you smile at them from a bike in miserable weather!
- Taxis  ... nightmare drivers!  Addison Lee are the worst without doubt....

However .... despite all of that i spotted a new divine place in Regents Park....  no cycling so i had a walk to dry out ....

'Remember me' ... for many people.... 

 Whoever said that London's a concrete jungle... roses everywhere.... 

 Even more beautiful after the rain has come! 

 And when (if?!) summer arrives... i like the look of this bench for 'pausing' on... 

Gorgeous hey! Open your eyes and there's always something beautiful to see... whilst i was whizzing along i suddenly saw my mileage for the week tip to .... 111.11 miles!  

So i thought it warranted a picture...  wonder when i'll make it to 222.22 in a week!! It has been a cycle lightish week because of the weather - but there's been plenty of swimming & some Pilates too ... and today 'The Oracle' suggested that i should inject some skipping into life!!! Really!?!? I haven't skipped since i was 8 or 9 ...  i should confirm that he means skipping with a rope as opposed to skipping as a  way of getting around a la 'Miranda' or is that galloping? !!!

And i couldn't resist including this .... as i've said before i do love passing the zoo - although it's not often that the animals are visible from the road!  Giraffe's are my favourite animals ... 

So whilst the weather was indeed frightful - there was much that was delightful as i pedalled my way around town!