Decision Made

I've decided to complete another Coast to Coast, this time it will be The Way of The Roses. Another 170 mile route solo and unsupported starting in Morecambe across Lancashire and North Yorkshire to Bridlington.
I've set myself 3 days as I did on last years Hadrian's Cycle. I plan to set off on Thursday 14th June 2012 reaching Bridlington on Saturday 16th all being well. Again this will be in support of The Motor Neurone Assoc. Charity in memory of Martin Russell - Donation requests soon.

Winter Blues

Summer is over now, with the first signs of snow and gale force winds,I am struggling to maintain a monthly target of 150 miles. This is purely to keep my cycle fitness level up,as I'm no longer able to cycle to work. I'm currently looking into next year's challenge. a couple of options present themselves along with a desire to do more "BIKE EVENT" rides. Watch this space.

Manchester to Blackpool Bike Events 10th July 2011

We left the house for Manchester at 7am Sunday morning with the bike on the roof rack, not surprisingly the roads were empty. However upon reaching Old Trafford we were met with thousands of like-minded people. Thankfully the weather seemed calm, at this point anyhow. I left Lady S., who kindly once again had dropped me off at the start. I joined the queue filtering toward the start line. With only seconds to spare I managed a quick photo before we were off.

I've never cycled in a large group before and I estimate there were 7 thousand plus riders participating, given the race numbers I spotted en route. The first 5 miles were slow due to the numbers but we soon strung out and I was able to get up a head of steam, albeit for a few miles. Some great sights amongst riders, some in fancy dress , some club riders on very expensive steeds and some very brave souls who appeared to have found their bike in the canal and jumped on it to ride 62 miles. I followed one guy for a bit who's back wheel was like a 50p piece, remarkable effort !
It would have been folly to think I could have made it without getting a soaking. I was right, as we reached the area of Standish and Chorley the heavens opened and I got proper wet along with several hundred others.

Tree cover here was at best sparce and the covered bus stops were full of cyclists gazing hopefully up to the heavens. I stopped breifly to put on a waterproof but ploughed on regardless. Within 3 miles I'd past the downpour and was approaching Preston when I hit some broken sunshine.
Up until this point there had been little wind, but as I left Preston I felt the wind pick up, a sure sign of nearing the coast. 50 miles in with a headwind I felt the recent holiday start to kick in. Very slow at Lytham due to the traffic and narrow roads, but as I got beyond that I hit the GPS tracker on the iphone and rode on. The first sight of The Big One & The Tower greeted me a couple of miles out as I neared the finish line. The crowd swelled and sun came out, the last mile felt great.

Lifted by the number of people there to wave us on I was tempted with a sprint finish, but decided it could all go wrong infront of thousands. So I free-wheeled in and crossed the line to be given a Certificate,Soreen loaf, bottle of water, Kendal Mint Cake,energy drink gel,shampoo & joint rub.I have no idea what condition they expected the riders to be in when they finished to supply them with these goodies ? Couldn't have been more different to last month when I finished Hadrian's Cycle with no one there other than a stray dog.
Lady S. had tried to be there to greet me, but due to the numbers had been forced to park several streets away and missed my finish. 62 miles in 4hrs 33 minutes.( with stops ) I cycled to meet her at The Sand Castle, South Shore and celebrated with and ice cream from Pablo's opposite. The obligatory photo , during which I kind woman who'd noticed my t-shirt asked my time and if I was cycling for MNDA . Then gave me a donation of £5 bless her.

Preparations again

Having spent the last two weeks on holiday, what little fitness I gained on the Hadrian's Cycle has possibly been lost. So the Challenge of a one day 60 mile cycle from MUFC's ground at Old Trafford to the allure of the "Glitter Ball" South Shore Blackpool now look's a little more daunting than it did last month. However I am comforted in the fact I will be one of many thousands of participants, I am No.1194.

Follow me on the map again & wish me luck. If you can a small donation.

Target Reached !

I can't believe we've reached the ambitious, or so I thought , target of £500 in less than a week. The overwhelming generosity of those who have donated, online and offline and supported this ride leaves me humbled and grateful. I hope those that read this will continue to donate, even the smallest amount.

PS. Cycle shorts being surgically removed tomorrow , fingers crossed Rowley doesn't win his bet and everything is is where it should be.

HADRIANS CYCLE DAY 3

Haltwhistle to South Shields

I awoke early in the sumptious B&B, breakfast was at 8am and did not disappoint. The "Full Monty" was the order of the day fuel for the coming 60 miles. I did chuckle to myself overhearing a conversation amongst 6 walkers next to me whilst placing their order of miniscule proportions; "On special occasions we will have white bread at the weekend" ...draw your own conclusions, but they must have spoken about my plate of calories all day.
However a fabulous place to stay if you are inclined to visit these parts( www.ashcroftguesthouse.co.uk )
9am I set off, this was a day of two halves though. The first 20 or so miles were gruesome , about 5 miles in I realised the elevation scale on the sustrans map I was using was different from the day before. Thus these hills were somewhat bigger and steeper. This was not aided by a headwind the higher I got. However the scenery was magnificent and the RAF were out again. I wasn't fooled this time , never looking up, I didn't want to make a wrong turn on these hills. Passing several Roman outposts, I reached the highest point on the ride at about an hour and a half in. I hoped from thereon it would be downhill, but it wasn't the case. The rain started and it was sunshine and showers for the rest of the day - jacket on,jacket off,jacket on. No animal encounters upto now as I rode through Hexham onto Prudhoe.
On reaching Prudhoe I caught my first sight of the River Tyne and knew from there it was a flat ride in. The scenery changed and the headwind picked up as the sound of the Geordie accent grew stronger. The cycle path was a former railway line to Newcastle and led me straight into the quayside and famous bridges.Rather nice along here.
Along to Wallsend onto North Shields through some very interesting housing developments and the passenger ferry to South Shields. Navigation took a little time here as the locals seem to enjoy defacing some of the signs. I saw the Ferry at the dock and the sign to it, in my haste to get there before it left, I rode into someone's driveway only to be met by a load of Geordie builders looking at me oddly. This wasn't the cement delivery they expected. A quick about turn and I jumped on the Ferry. A 5 minute ride / break and on the other side I had 1 mile to go . Another bloody hill. As I arrived I was surprised to find the Roman Fort of Arbeia in the middle of a housing estate opposite a primary school. I knew they were forward thinking....
The rain started again here and despite the fact it was in the middle of an estate there was nobody around to take a picture of my achievement. A kindly chap visiting the site obliged but took 4 attempts due to iphone dyslexia. A shade under 59 miles today according to my bike computer.
Lady S. had made it to the nearby coastal road to pick me up as pre-arranged. But I found myself riding another 2 miles along the coast into a headwind to meet her, just what I needed. God bless her though, she had driven up in the morning and waited several hours for my arrival, so I can't moan.
I drove home from there and we made it back just after 8 ( time for a mint ).

Made it

I shall update today's events tomorrow but a big thanks for everyone who supported me.