Day 7 - Kendal to Lockerbie around 80 miles and now over half way !

That's the mid point reached and surpassed a big well done to all !!

By the end of the day the team will have clocked up around 550 miles since leaving Lands End, LeJog is well and truly on !

 

 

The Lake District shows the team why they are so called, as the rain follows them up the route. Passing through Shap the weather is awful and blowing a gale, they can barely stand. (I have good memories of Shap Wells Hotel and an unconformity hahahahaha - private geologists joke !)

 

the weather improves towards Carlisle where the boys have a nutritional meal at one of the nations best restaurants, oh wait a minute....

 

 

some pictures from the journey

 

somewhere near ShapPenrith castle in the rain

 

 

As the team have entered Scotland they decided to adorn themselves in the national dress, they are hoping the weather stays warm as the clothing is a wee bit draughty around the Trossachs !

 

 

 

They arrived in Lockerbie at 615pm for a much needed pint ! Steve needed to buy a new waterproof as his had worn out. He also said its down hill from now on..............apart from the HIGHLANDS !!!!!

 

 

Day 6 on the road - Newton Le Willows to Kendal approx imately 75 miles

Wow, now the countryside is passing them by and it looks like progress is being made. The halfway mark is in sight !

Todays stage saw the boys enter the lake district, I can recommend the chocolate covered Kendal mint cake for a boost !!

 

 

They left the hotel at about 9am (lie in ???!)
The weather on the trip up to Kendal was quite nice dry and warm

http://www.bbc.co.uk/weather/2645826

 

the weather for Saturday looks a bit less favourable.

Support driver and chef de mission is pictured here apparently burning lunch near Garstang ! mmmmm

Here are the boys pictured in the sunshine with the Lake District in the background somewhere near Carnforth.

Steve commented on the day by saying ' Arrived at Kendal 70 miles in nice weather. I can't believe we are halfway through and move into Scotland tomorrow. We will have to keep an eye out for bandits. We all had a good days riding but all have various aches but still enjoying the adventure.'


 

Day 5 in the saddle Stokesay to Newton Le Willows

Today was a marathon of a stage, by the close of play the boys had notched up 96 miles. Thankfully the stage was relatively flat, if wet.

The route saw the team cycle through the best county in the UK - Cheshire! and the passed through my birthplace Nantwich.

 

The first 20 miles were done in absolute torrential downpours. Steve commented that they found the best cycle paths in Shrewsbury, maybe he meant psychopaths ? but that Nantwich has the worst road signs hence the mileage increased slightly as they went round and round in circles. You'll never leave..................

Although it stopped raining in Market Drayton for 2 minutes today was quite a wet stage. However rain makes for lush green grass in Cheshire the county of the dairy farmer, so you can't have it both ways and the people are very friendly !

They safely arrived at their digs for the night at around 630pm for a well earned pint.



Day 4 - Cromhall, Wooton Under Edge to Stokesay approximately 65 miles

The Welsh were most upset to find the team were not to venture into Wales. The cultural attaché had been herding sheep for a tradition Welsh welcome. Apparently though its not a problem, most of the British and Irish Lions Welsh contingent will be home soon.

 

The cycle up the Wye Valley was enjoyable passing Tintern abbey en route

 

 

Steve said the second half of the 65 miles today fro Monmouth to Stokesay was somewhat hilly but nothing like Devon !!

Day 3 - Taunton to Cromhall, Wooton Under Edge approximately 75 miles

Day 3 and the novelty is wearing off ! With another 75 miles to grind out of their wheels the boys are really feeling it and a new supply of Chamois cream is on order. 

 

 

 

http://www.bikeradar.com/mtb/gear/category/accessories/creams-and-balms/product/review-udderly-smooth-chamois-cream-12-46289

 

Now interestingly when I looked for a web link for chamois cream I found this one. This product for cyclists posteriors was developed for rubbing on dairy cows udders during milking.....................enough said!

 

The journey today took the boys some 9 hours, the terrain was somewhat easier than the previous two days in the saddle.

 

 

here are the team about to set of at 830am

Looking at the map I think the quicker route would have been up the M5 !!

With the weather improvements and temperatures in the mid 30's,  Steve briefed the team on the importance of keeping hydrated and was keen to take his turn at carrying the supplies !

 

The team actually finished in Chepstow, a photo of the old Severn bridge

 



 

I spoke to Steve (Russell) Hart this evening, he sounded perky and had had a pint the day had been much nicer on both the weather and hills front.

Day 2 - Liskeard to Taunton approximately 80 miles

Another 80 miles in the saddle was completed today!

 

 

The team set off at about 830am on the stage between Liskeard and Taunton.
They hit their hotel at 700pm for a well earned rest and some ointment!

I received an update a few minutes ago where Steve said

"today was very tough and although we thought Cornwall was hilly,

Devon is far worse !!!!
Never mind apparently we have done the worse hills.
I thought we were supposed to be doing this in summer :(



Please despatch new legs and bottom ASAP
Regards
Steve
PS I would have sent photos but mist and rain don't come out to well!! "

I sourced some photo's they're not real, you know who I'm talking to !!!! yes the person who thought the Pope and Adolf Hitler had waved the boys off from Lands End.
The weather http://www.bbc.co.uk/weather/2636177 for tomorrow appears to be much more like summer, so don't forget to cream up !

 

Here's my Bob Geldof moment !
Lets not forget why the lads are punishing themselves, they are raising money for 

 www.cancerresearchuk.org

 

This is a charity which is close to the hearts of the team due to a mutual friends condition.

 

You can donate to their charity via BT's mydonate using the following link, if you do please use gift aid

          https://mydonate.bt.com/fundraisers/stevehart1 

 

With BT mydonate all of your donation goes to the charity!

Steve's site alone has donations in excess of £650 he has a target of £1000 so if you can and haven't already donated please give generously to this worthwhile cause.

Day 1 - Lands End to Liskeard approximately 80 miles

Well the first day dawned and the team ventured to Lands End to start LeJog in typical British summertime conditions!

 

 

 

The wet weather gear was modelled under cover. I've had it confirmed the gaffer tape was not to keep the rats out!

 

Apparently there was a group of fans at Lands End to see the boys off in style ! The boys were touched !!!!

 

 

 

The 80 miles has been completed and Steve's very brief summary of the days cycle says it all !

"a very tough day 80 miles mostly in the pouring rain into a gale. Hopefully tomorrow will be kinder"

 

sorry mate but the weather is not looking great !

 

http://www.bbc.co.uk/weather/2644409

 

Tomorrows leg is Liskeard to Taunton, lets hope for a fair wind and a good day in the saddle !