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| Saturday, May 30th, 2009 | | 2:35 pm |
| | 9:31 am |
The Fast Boys at Lands End, Day 9
The Fast Team have arrived, well done guys, excellent result. They left Liskeard 9 ish, using the 390 to St. Austell, stopping for lunch at Truro, then using the back lanes to coffee stop opposite St Michaels Mount, then Penzance ( to be met by Anna, Lee,s girlfriend ) and on to Lands End; around 940 miles the trip. Official photos were duly taken at the sign post with the ride motto " How Hard Can It Be ? ",. They also met some club members who were camping in the area. Weather today was cracking hot with quite a bit of wind, after Lands End the wind swung round to blow from the side which made a hard ride back to Penzance. " How Hard Can It Be. " This ride was designed and organised by John Cooper, which was deliberately set at the outer limits of his ability and the other members of the team were invited to join if they thought they could keep up ! A ride to the new forest was supposed to be a training ride but I think was a secret test. How did it go ? John Cooper was definitely the weakest rider as he somewhat expected, finding the last 2 days extremely hard, I asked how close this was to his limits of ability and he gave it 9.5 out of 10, but never close to giving up. ( I hate to think what kind of mess he would be in to force him to give up ! ). Hopefully I can add the thoughts of the others later but for the moment; John Beesley was rock solid, setting a fast steady pace for the whole event and great to sit behind. Lee ( now to be known as "Sprinter Lee" ) was full of energy the whole time. Malcom the punture king maintained a steadier pace and put in some solid navigational work. John Cooper had done a lot of organising before the event and as always the organiser is in a difficult position and he is grateful to the rest of the team for their patience and good humour on the trip. All in all, well done and a good result. Personal challenges set and met, what more could you ask for. They ride back Sat and Sunday hopefully meeting some club members at Mortonhampstead on Sunday. | | Friday, May 29th, 2009 | | 9:08 am |
The Fast Boys at Liskeard, Day 8.
Leaving Bridgewater today and John Cooper was down for an early puncture, route was Taunton, Wellington, Cullumpton, lunch at Crediton, Oakhampton, Launceston and then B roads across to Liskeard. 100 miles today. Much to my surprise John Cooper was absolutely shattered on arriving at the hotel in Liskeard, when I queried this he explained that today was the hardest day they have had ; it is well known that end to enders have given up on entering Devon and Cornwall which I find inconceivable having come all that way and put in so much effort , still if the fast team have run up against their hardest day in their home territory it must be completely devastating for riders used to the flat, John says the route was littered with arrows ( those arrows on the map for hills ) . Sergeant John was left behind on the hills again, a position I am well used to and seems to be exhausting in itself. John Beesley, Lee and Malcolm are going well although at the time of calling Malcolm was laid out flat waiting for his dinner. Lands End tomorrow. | | Thursday, May 28th, 2009 | | 3:43 am |
The Fast Boys, at Bridgewater, Day 7
Leaving Hereford with a damp start its down the Wye Valley, towards Monmouth, on the main road they find the road completely blocked by a fallen tree, its a case of hauling the bikes through the branches, Sergeant John chips out to a lorry driver " you try doing that then "; here they met a group of 3 end to enders going the other way, how many end to enders are there on the roads ? and why are most of them doing it the uphill way ? Down to Chepstow and over the bridge, then Nailsea Clevedon, arriving at Bridgewater for 7pm. 90 miles today. The weather dried up around midday and for the last 20 miles John Beesley was out in front blocking the wind and setting a cracking pace 20 - 23 mph; great stuff. Tomorrow its home territory and our lovely hills. edit. looking at the map Nailsea and Clevedon can,t be right, surely ? | | Wednesday, May 27th, 2009 | | 3:42 pm |
The Fast Boys at Hereford, Day 6
Away form Wigan for 9 am, A49 for Warrington, Nantwich, Whitchurch, Shrewsbury, Ludlow, Leominster, arriving Hereford 8.40 pm. Sounds to me like a Train announcement, did they take the train ? Jesting does not always work, I must remind myself not to do it before I get into trouble. Lunch stop today was Nantwich which was a bit of a pain riding into the centre of town and then finding the way out, the team ended going down a road the wrong way ( walking the bikes of course ! ), Coffee and cake at Leominster, no wonder it was a long day. The terrain was reasonably flat with very long gentle gradients and the wind crossing from the rear quarter. Today was a staggering 122 miles, the schedule was for 106, it would seem to be an error in the original distance. Malcome said his knees were getting stiff towards the end of the day, oh, and Malcome is now the officially the fastest puncture fixer in the club, having had 6 or 7 punctures so far; he bought brand new tubes and tyres for this trip and as soon as he see a bike shop they are in the bin and replaced. ! I asked if they would now be dreaming of Lands End, apparently they all felt today was harder going than the first day, the explanation was the first day they had been whipped up into a frenzy of anticipation and with the evil weather they just switched off for the day. Looking at the map, I can see home territory just down the road. Hoping the bad weather tomorrow misses them. | | Monday, May 25th, 2009 | | 9:29 pm |
The Fast Boys, at Wigan, Day 5
Weather was really warm today and most importantly, no wind; it threatened rain around 5 pm but stayed off. It was a long hard climb (one of 2.5 miles , not in the granny ring, wow) from Carlisle to Ship, 1400 feet , they stopped at Shap as it was the halfway point of the trip. Malcolm wants to know why its hours uphill and 10 mins down the other side ?, easy, time flies when you are having fun ! A lunch stop today at Kendal and then relatively easy as the roads were quite flat, 18-20 mph cruising. Malcolm is pleased to report that they have not been overtaken by any riders going south, not caught any up though , they have seen loads of groups going the other way. Arrived at Wigan ( Premier Inn ) 8.30 pm, a bit late due to getting lost in Wigan, two roads with the same name apparently. 114 miles today including 6 mile detour. The team have now ridden into the trip and are as fit as fiddles. Rock on the fast boys. | | 7:54 am |
The Fast Boys, Day 4 at Carlisle
The team were away from Glasgow at 9 am. The late start was because with Premier Inns breakfast starts at 8 am, the advantage is at the other end of the day, rooms, evening meal and pub are all in one place which saves time and effort looking around for a evening meal and means a later arrival is possible. The route today down the Clyde valley, on the old A roads now declassified to B as the M74 has replaced them, this meant a good route over quiet main roads which was useful as the day started with strong headwinds, thankfully sliding round behind them later in the day. John Cooper got left behind on a 2 mile climb, come on chaps, the technique is to fall in behind and use encouraging words !! Coffee stop was at Abingdon, Scotland's highest lead mining village, oddly being at 2000ft today was higher than when in the highlands. Afternoon stop was a short detour navigated by Malcome to Lockerby. 101 miles today and arrival at Carlisle at 7 pm. A good result. Four days in and despite a demanding itinerary and not ideal conditions they have stuck to plan. After 4 days the body knows what's coming so it will either charge happily on or refuse to function, judging by John,s mood this evening all will be well and Lands End can be envisioned. Wigan tomorrow. | | Saturday, May 23rd, 2009 | | 10:37 pm |
The Fast Boys, Day 3 Glasgow
My mistake, it was Sergeant Cooper with the broken spoke, for some strange reason it necessitated a new wheel, and delayed departure till 11 am. It was a quick call tonight as they were not in until 9.30 and still had to wash and feed, personally I would be just thinking of sleep for a week. It was a very windy day which made heavy going particularly with the climb through Glencoe, lunch was a quick snack at Loch Lomond ( sounds nice ), Malcolm did the navigating at Glasgow and took them straight through the centre as it was late, the traffic was light. An attempt was made to find a nearer Premier Inn but there were no rooms. This was the third day and at 116 miles a real test of endurance, two riders have struggled today, tomorrow is a new day with 97 miles to be out of Scotland. | | 11:15 am |
The Fast Boys, Day 2 at Fort William
Friday Night, I caught the team on the phone just finishing a meal stop at 8.30 pm, 8 miles short of Fort William, it had been a hard day, 120 plus miles, the terrain was flattish, a bit like our Teign Valley with few hills but they were very long, traffic was surprisingly busy, or was this just different after the wilds of Scotland. The route was down from The Crask Inn and then along the lochs to Fort William. Will the Crask Inn turn into a legendary cycling tale ? Up at 6.45 am with no power, there is no mains electricity and the generator wasn,t turned on, no TV either, Malcome didn,t like his porridge, being a McKendry he should be right at home with Scots Porridge, ( salt instead of sugar ), they were away at 8am. Good weather today, It was a bit windy and they took turn and turn about in the lead, John Beesley found the extra distance today challenging, he has also had a spoke break ( too much power John ) so this will mean finding a Bike Shop in the morning and a late start, I am sure everyone will enjoy the extra lie in, next stop is a Premier Inn so they can eat late if needs be, Glasgow, is this back to civilisation ? | | Thursday, May 21st, 2009 | | 10:04 pm |
The Fast Boys at Wick
Sergeant John managed to get Lee out of bed for an 8.20 start, Wick to John O,Groats ( about 16 miles ) and then off following the A836 Westwards along the coast to BettyHill and then South to Altnaharra and to the Crask Inn at Wick. Much to my surprise the team hadn't mutinied and left John tied to a signpost, I was expecting severe hills from the map but luckily for John it was reasonably flat. Lee sounded buoyant, reporting an average speed of 15.5 mph, phew, really shifting, especially as the weather was rain AND showers. the Crask Inn was closed when they arrived 4.45pm ( out walking the dog ), I admit I don't understand the reference but apparently the atmosphere is a little strange, the Inn Keepers wife is exactly like the Scottish Hotelier but without the flute in the TV programme " Little Britain ", I was told this sotto voce, so if the internet has spread to these remote lands they could be in for a dodgy breakfast. Thanks to all for the texts of support that our club members are sending in. Lets hope they get the sunshine we had today tomorrow. | | Wednesday, May 20th, 2009 | | 9:49 pm |
The Fast Boys have arrived !
Sergeant Cooper is extremely relieved that the bikes are ok, they have all been out for a road test and all is fine; Sending the bikes by courier to the B&B was untried, it has worked extremely well as the team flew at 7am from Exeter to Edinburgh and then transferred to a 36 seater Dash 8 aircraft, here it gets a bit weird or is John kidding me ?, firstly they had to walk right around the airport and then the plane had a flat battery needing a jumper pack, as the plane had a female pilot John thought they might end up in Wick Ireland, ( if Mrs Cooper reads this he will get a well deserved thick ear ); after a bumpy ride and landing they arrived at Wick for 12.30, a great result. The weather is warm with mixed sunshine and showers, B&B is good, there is another pair of end to enders staying but they are going down the coast road. Spirits are high and they are looking forward to tomorrow, the team have no idea what's in store, have a look on Google maps (terrain view) the Crask Inn is the first stop. Breakfast at 7.30, depart 8am sharp! | | Monday, May 18th, 2009 | | 4:31 pm |
The Fast Boys, End to End
Hi, News is that John Cooper has organised a John o Groats to Land End. Hopefully I ( Phil ) will be reporting on a daily basis for anyone interested in their endevours ! Riders are John Cooper John Beesley Malcome McKendry Lea Atkinson John is the organiser and shall be know as "Sergeant Cooper" and the team is "The Fast Boys" as the Sergeant has laid fixed plans for 9 days at 100-120 miles a day. In case Rod reads this there is space in the naming for "the SUPER Fast Boys". Bikes were packed up and sent by courier on Tuesday 12th with help from BreakingWind cycle shop at Teignmouth. They fly North on Wednesday 20th, reports will be in soon after, so keep reading and fingers crossed for some good weather. Cheers Phil | | Tuesday, May 12th, 2009 | | 7:35 pm |
| | Thursday, September 14th, 2006 | | 1:00 pm |
Euan completes his End to End
Euan Mahy arrived safely at John O'Groats yesterday afternoon, ahead of schedule. His journey was fairly free of mishaps, with a bit of wet weather for the last few days in Scotland. GB | | Wednesday, September 13th, 2006 | | 8:34 am |
38 Miles to go!
Euan camped out in a soggy campsite at Dunbeath last night having ridden up the East coast from Dingwall. He's on the road this morning heading through Wick and hoping to arrive at John O'Groats at around lunchtime. | | Monday, September 11th, 2006 | | 1:35 pm |
Ben Nevis & Great Glen
Euan camped last night at Glen Nevis in the shadow of the moutain. Today he's heading up the Great Glen alongside Nessie,through Drumnadrochit, heading towards Inverness. By tonight he should be within about 100 miles of finishing his ride at John O'Groats. Weather not looking so good today. GB | | Saturday, September 9th, 2006 | | 11:00 pm |
Euan in Scotland.
Euan Mahy is progressing well on his ride. Yesterday he stayed near Kendal, and today did almost 100 miles to take him to Southern end of Loch Lomond. The weather is holding, and he's feeling more comfortable. Tomorrow he'll set out through Crianlarich and over the Rannoch Moor and through Glen Coe, hoping to make Fort William. | | Wednesday, September 6th, 2006 | | 10:36 pm |
Euan in Wigan
Euan is on Day 5 of his End to End trip and tonight is settled in Wigan. Tomorrow he sets off heading towards Penrith. He's had pretty good weather for cycling the last 48 hours. More updates soon. GB | | 8:23 am |
Euan heading North
Eaun Mahy travelled through Devon on Sunday, having got soaked on the Saturday riding up from Truro. He rested North of Bridgwater on Sunday night, and on Monday he rode up to Monmouth. At least the winds have been in his favou so far. GB | | Friday, September 1st, 2006 | | 8:43 am |
Euan's on his way.
Good luck to Euan Mahy who sets off from Lands End on Saturday 2nd September. Euan will be camping plus the odd hostel aiming for an 80 mile a day average. He's sponsered via Just.giving.com for the Radio Cornwall Appeal. Euan rode a few miles with us one E2E in 2004, and we hope to update his progress on here. GB |
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