The train to Penzance seems like a long time ago now, but mile by mile we peddled our way from one corner of the UK to the other, Land's End to John o'Groats in 10 days (taking a slight detour via Isle of Arran) and covering over 1000 miles in the process.
We saw some spectacular scenery and encountered some exceptionally friendly and generous people along the way. To view the photos from our trip click here. We slightly under estimated the daily mileage and most days came in over the predicted distance, some might say this was down to getting lost, but we like to think of it as spontaneous decisions to explore new areas! Cornwall and Devon are a maze of country lanes! The actual distances we covered are listed on the Route Info section, click here. A special mention goes out to Mr. Prewett for his exceptional organisational skills and for his patience in dealing with 7 lads throughout the trip. Mr. P ensured the wheels of green machine kept rolling smoothly and flawlessly. We are hugely grateful, thank you. Thanks also to Mr. D for his superb negotiating skills in finding us a fishing boat to cross the Cromarty Firth when the passenger ferry broke down, saving us a potential extra 30 mile round trip! Thank you to all those who followed our progress and supported us along the way and to all those who have generously made donations to William's Charity. This challenge has enabled us to raise over £6,000 for William's Charity and the Royal Children's Hospital in Bristol. Click here for latest total, and if you still wish to make a donation, it's not too late. Thinking hats are on for the next challenge...!
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OK, so it's not exactly The Times but it's a start. The LEJOG team and their challenge is featured in the July edition of the Hammersmith & Fulham News! Click here to read the article. Plus, additional photos that didn't make it in to the paper, click here. left to right: Jimmo, James Davies, Mikey, Joe and Pete. Image courtesy of h&f news.
Separate training camps were underway on penultimate weekend before the LEJOG challenge begins; one group toured the Oxfordshire countryside and the other was in Wiltshire. left to right: (back) Pete, Andy, "Paul Contador", "Gandalf", Jimmo, (front) "The H-bomb", Mikey and Ollie.
Conflicting diaries meant the team spent this week training in different countries; Wales, England and Poland, although the latter wasn't exactly cycling training, more "life training" (for further details on the hospitality of the Polish law enforcement, please contact Michael Johnson). This weekend Joey, Mikey, Pete and Macca decided to squeeze in a 60 mile ride on Saturday morning so that they could get back in time for the Loins first test against South Africa in the afternoon. Guilford was the chosen destination as the team had been kindly offered some free electrolyte powder and water bottles from the UK distributor of Zym who are based in the town (visit www.gozym.com/). In the absence of "GPS Jim" (who was on holiday), Guilford was an easy choice since the team had ridden towards the town on a number of occasions and didn’t need Jimbo to guide their route... or so we thought! A select few, including guest rider Chris "Rambo" Ramsden, chose to cycle to the South coast and follow the official London to Brighton cycle route. However, this was only just under 60 miles and now the LEJOG team are cycling machines this wasn't deemed far enough. So it was decided to cycle back to London too! 115 miles in total, yes that's right, over the magic milestone of 100 miles. Second major sponsorship partner announced, BNP Paribas Real Estate, the real estate property consultancy arm of BNP Paribas (www.bnpparibas.com). The LEJOG team are pleased to announce their first sponsorship partner, Arup. An early morning start and a 100 mile route through the Surrey countryside was planned this weekend, then the rain came and we did what any real man would do - stayed in doors until the rain stopped! We eventually ventured out in to the cold and wet conditions but not until late morning - a luxury we won't be able to afford during LEJOG and will have to cycle regardless of the weather (orders in for rain jackets have now been placed!). The weather brightenned up and the team managed 80+ miles. Over 80 miles through Royal County of Berkshire and an insight into how the other half live; cycling past the preferred residence of the Queen, Windsor Castle, followed by the latest outbreak scene of swine flu, Eton College, then on to a rowing Regatta at Eton College rowing lake, Eton Dorney, where we finally met the elusive 7th member of our LEJOG team, Grangey (proving he really does exist). The second half of the route saw a polo match at the Royal Guards Polo Club in Windsor's Great Park and numerous Sunday afternoon cricket matches being played on many of the village greens along the route. |
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August 2009
LEJOG BlogHere you you find some random cycling related ramblings and a daily account of our LEJOG trip. Categories |