Shorter's End to End

Fundraising Total 27/06/08

2008-06-27T21:51:00.001+01:00

Total now stands at £4220 with more coming from Blairgowrie Rotary Club.

Fundraising Update 18/06/2008

2008-06-18T08:49:00.004+01:00

It looks like the final total raised on and offline, including a donation of £800 from the Rotary Club of Penrith is £4017.
Many thanks to all those who have contributed to this tremendous total.
Maureen & John

PS The legs have now recovered and it's almost like it never really happened.

28th May - Thanks for the welcome home.

2008-05-28T21:04:00.011+01:00

At the station.

Thanks to the welcoming committee at Penrith station, Dave & Sheila and Peter and Judith. And thanks to all the neighbours for turning out when we finally arrived home. It was great to have such a warm welcome.

Day 20...........Final Day!

2008-05-26T19:40:00.003+01:00

We made it!

Our reward!

Left B&B 8:55am, beautiful day, but as usual strong head wind, got to John O'Groats 11:20am, fortunately the sign was out. Photographs taken coutesy of a group of bikers. Had champaign and a bacon roll. Cycled to Wick, found the B&B, had dinner and crashed out. Train home on Wednesday. Thanks to everyone for thier encouragement and messages of congratulations. Will post reflections on the trip when we get home.

Many, many thanks to David for updating the blog every night. (added under instruction by my Mam.......:-) )

Day 19...............

2008-05-25T21:10:00.003+01:00

Left B&B at 08:45am, leaving our fellow guests, Leon and Lesley from Australia and David and Janet from Norfolk. Thanks to both couples for thier generous donations. Thanks to Mandy and Lynsday fro looking after us so well.
Leisurely cycle along Lock Naver, again single trail road with strong head wind for 20 miles. Climbed up to BettyHill and went straight down again, looking for the great Cafe we had been promised. Cafe closed but Kieth and Vivian kindly made coffee for us in thier Hymer.

Kieth and Vivian's impromptu cafe.

The 13 bikers arrived, so they had to put the kettle back on!

Crazy Bikers from Edinbrough benefitting from Kieth and Vivian's impromptu cafe.

many thanks to Vivian and Kieth, your hospitality very much apperciated.

Next 34 miles long climbs that just kept comming, along with head winds. Long hard day, 54 miles at average of 9.4mph, bringing the total milage todate up to 1034.

Day 18..........

2008-05-24T21:56:00.003+01:00

Left the B&B at 8:35am, a very pleasant day, allot of climbing, long and sustained not steep.

The Falls of Shinn (just to prove we were heading towards Leirg)
Called in at the Falls of Shinn to buy a half bottle of Harrods Champagne in anticipation!
From Leirg to Altnaharra, a long open road with a head wind all the way for 20 miles.
Got the first casualty of the ride, John got a puncture four miles from our stop.
51 miles at 9.6mph, penultimate daytomorrow, only 73 miles left to go!!!!!

The view over looking the Moray Firth after a long climb.

Day 17.............

2008-05-23T21:05:00.004+01:00

Started the day watching smoke come from John's tires! A man on a mission, managed 11.6pmh average to Inverness, went down hill - no UP hill from there!

We made it to Culloden but didn't fight!

Lunch In Inverness

Climbing across the Black Isle, 64 miles at 10mph average today.

Thank you to Val and Kieth our B&B hosts in Granton on Spey for thier lovely accomodation and kind donation. Many thanks!

Only 130 miles to go!!!!!!!!!!

Day 16

2008-05-22T21:25:00.003+01:00

Left Braemar at 8:25, first 9 miles to Balmoral a breeze, then came the climbing.
Top of the first climb on the road to Tomantoul

Top of Lecht, made Glenshee look like a walk in the park.

Stopped after the first down hill at Goodbrand and Ross Tea Rooms at Gougarss. Many thanks to the customers for their generous donations and special thanks to the proprietor for the complimentary lunch and generous donation.
Allot of climbing today, but still managed 47 miles averaging 9.1pmh

And we thought we had a lot of luggage!!!!

Day 15............

2008-05-21T19:31:00.003+01:00

Restful morning, reading the papers and having coffee whilst waiting to join the members of Blairgowrie Rotary Club for lunch.

John exchanging club pennants with President Spencer from Blairgowrie Rotary Club.

Our thanks to President Spencer and the members for their warm welcome and hospitality.

Thanks to our B&B hosts for their generous donation and to the lady from the Angus Hotel for her donation.

Left Blairgowrie at 13:55, arrived at the top of Glenshee at 16:55, arrived in Breamar at 17:35.

We concurred Glenshee!!

Day 14.........

2008-05-20T20:14:00.002+01:00

Change of plan today, planned B&B let us down late last night. Rerouted, direct to Perth and on to Blairgowrie. turned out to be a good decision. Cut 22 miles off the ride. Followed tourist route to Perth, lots of down hill and not many up hill.

Good B&B in Blairgowrie, collected £25.00 of donations in Perth, thank you to the two gentlemen in Perth for their generosity.

Had a half day, arrived in Blairgowrie at 3 o'clock. 44 miles at 11.1mph, a new course record!! Tomorrow will be SLOW!

Day 13...............

2008-05-19T20:36:00.004+01:00

Much easier day...... :-) Good roads and less climing gave the lungs and legs a well earned rest.

John on route.

Over We Go!

Spectacular views from the Fourth Bridge!

Reached our destination of Halbeath around 5 o'clock. Crashed out early in preperation for the next three hard days aheaad, but we're getting there!! About 330 miles to go.......... ;-)

Day 12

2008-05-18T22:04:00.005+01:00

62 hilly miles at average of 9.2mph, maximum 31.5mph. A hard day, with motocycle escort some of the way.

We were met, south of Eskdale Muir by Dave and Helena from Edinbrough. Good to see you, thanks for comming.

Another live interview with Radio Cumbria,just before Langholm.

Day 11 The evening

2008-05-18T21:41:00.003+01:00

Oak Tree Farm Bed and Breakfast.

Many thanks to our hosts, Silvia and Alec. A great evening, lovely meal and a comfortable bed. manhy thanks for the donation, also thanks for teh donation from the other guests at the B&B.

Day 11 Penrith

2008-05-18T21:36:00.003+01:00

Rotary club members on walk about in Penrith.

Thanks to all the members who turned out. Special thanks to the people of Penrith for their generosity, donating £145.oo in about half an hour.

Bill, Mike, Dave and Shiela joined us for part of our ride to Heathersgill.

37 miles at 9.2 mph, maximum 29.5mph

Day 10 Ingleton to Home

2008-05-16T20:55:00.004+01:00

John at Devil's Bridge with push bike instead of motorbike!

Had a motorcycle escort from Maulds Meaburn - Thanks John.

Another hilly day, 47 miles at 9.6mph. Had a very good start along to Kirby Lonsdale then towards Sedbergh, then the hills started which slowed us down.

Update from Bridgwater - lost photo

2008-05-16T20:45:00.003+01:00

Finally found this photo on the phone. Some very friendly natives in Bridgwater - sorry we had to wait till we could upload to a computer.

Day Nine.............

2008-05-15T21:31:00.007+01:00

Knew it was too good to last, had a hilly day! Smoe short hills, others long. The climb over the moors from Newton to Ingleton, the last hill being two miles long and steep in places.

Did 63 miles at an average of 8.3 mph, with a maximum of 41.2mph (achieved by Shorter of course)

A town named after our very good friend Alan.

Kath and Alan met us in Ingleton and took us our for dinner.

Rounded off our evening with friends Alan and Kath, our sincer thanks for comming to support us and for the lovely meal.

Day Eight..............

2008-05-14T20:59:00.005+01:00

Left Rose Hill Nursery with a brilliant send off from members of Market Drayton Rotary Club.
Sunny day, wind in our faces, but we did 73 miles with an average speed of 10.3 mph.

Manchester Ship Cannal Toll Bridge.

About 12 miles along the cannal tow path, had to lift the bikes over all the gates, panniers dont fit through!

8 days down, only 12 more to go!!

Last Night at Market Drayton Rotary Club

2008-05-14T20:53:00.004+01:00

Maureen and John with President Paul and his wife Chris.

President Paul presents John and Maureen with a cheque for £100 from Market Draytom Rotary Club for their Charity Ride.

A very enjoyable evening with members of Market Drayton Rotary Club. We were overwhelmed by their hospitality and generosity.

Day 7 - 13th May

2008-05-13T17:33:00.003+01:00

50 miles at 9.2mph average. Much better day terrain more friendly, weather still sunny but a breeze to keep us cool. Wind when there is wind continues to be in our faces though, so much for the prevailing wind on our backs!
Thanks to Leslie for finding us a bed for tomorrow night, and also thanks to the lady who gave us £20 in Much Wenlock where we stopped for coffee this morning.
Tonight we are being well looked after by Paul, the President of Market Drayton Rotary Club, We are going to their meeting tonight [Penrith attendance officer please note].
Tomoorow we go on north to the Wigan area.
Photos today are from Much Wenlock and Ironbridge in Shropshire.

Day Six..............

2008-05-12T19:15:00.006+01:00

53 miles at 9.6 mph, a course record, in hot sun. Met a fit looking cyclist near Leominster, he was very encouraging and said he'd make a donation on line. Thank you very much.

Stopped in Leominster for lunch, met six lads in the pub rounding off a long weekend cycling, they wish to be known as the cycling badgers, Justin, Costas, Ralf, Pete, Jamie and Colin (pictured with Maureen)

They had a wip round and donated £40, Thanks alot Lads!!

Continues to be hilly, next stop Market Drayton.

Finally, Good luck to Rob abd Hannah, fellow End to Enders, who we met in the Youth Hostel last night.

Final photo is Ludlow a picturesque Market town in Shropshire.

Picture update

2008-05-11T21:05:00.003+01:00

Penrith Station....

Land's End..... We're off!

Day Five.............

2008-05-11T20:11:00.004+01:00

Started at 08:30 this morning, a fablious day! Left teh B & B smothered in sun cream. Made our way through the lanes to the Seven Bridge, made our way over the bridge through Cheppstow follwed by a long sweeping road down into Tintern, where we found a wonderful ladyat Tintern Antiques who thought we deserved a cup of tea.

Thank you to Tintern Antiques for the wonderful cup of tea. It was very welcome. :-)

Left Tintern, climbing long and hard out of the valley (Yet again!). Rode through the Forest of Dean, thought we'd found the youth hostel, but ended up doing a six mile detour, doubling back on ourselves and down a three mile deadend to the youth hostel, a long haul up before we got to finally go down hill. Once again maureen spent teh day watching John's back (What a lovely sight).

Day Four............

2008-05-10T20:07:00.003+01:00

Left Bishops Lydeard about 09:00, thanks to David and Ann our hosts for their kind donation to the charities.
A much better day! A couple of hills, including Cheddar Gorge, but before that we stopped on the Summerset Levels to do a 'Live' interview on Radio Cumbria.

At the bottom of Cheddar Gorge.
At the top and still eating!

Day Three........

2008-05-09T20:10:00.002+01:00

Excellent B & B in Great Torrington, Four poster bed, very helpfull, even gave us a donation to the Charities.
Still very hilly, although we've had an easier day. 53 miles including Exmoor and the Brendan Hills, average speed 8 mph, maximum 39.7 mph.

Shorter on Exmoor after a mega climb!

Day two..........

2008-05-08T20:51:00.002+01:00

Harder than day one........ Started cycling at 08:30 finished at 19:30. Done 74 miles, with average of 8.2 mph. Left hilly Cornwall behind, now into hilly Devon. Crashing out now to get ready for day three..........Still trying to get the photo's sorted. Hopefully some tomorrow.

7th May Day 1 of the ride

2008-05-07T20:11:00.004+01:00

Arrived at Landsend from the guest house [Weavers at Sennen]. Couldn't have our photo taken under the signpost because they don't put it up till 1030! Had to settle for Photo under the entrance sign instead. It has been sunny and hot since about 1000 after initial fog at Landsend.
Did 67 miles to Treyarnon Bay Youth Hostel yes we are young enough. It has been a very hard day - Cornwall is very hilly.
Youth Hostel is in tremendous location overlooking Treyarnon Bay but I think we will be to bed early.
Still no photos for the blog as phone is not performing for photo messages yet - will try and rectify soon.
Oh by the way Maureen has decided that we are carrying too much gear, this will be rectified in Penrith on the 16th/17th

The journey begins.........

2008-05-06T20:27:00.003+01:00

515 miles done...................17 on the bikes! Its true what they say about Cornwall there are more hills than in the Alps!

Thanks to Peter, Judith, Dave and Shiela for the wonderfull send of at Penrith station.

The time is nigh

2008-05-05T21:44:00.001+01:00

We're on the train at 0800 tomorrow - for 10 hours. It's 2200 and we're still packing. When will we ever learn?

Maureen's final cornering clinic with Durham Police [retired]

2008-05-04T18:10:00.002+01:00

After training like this there should be no more gravel rash!

Thanks to Donald & Lorna

2008-05-04T18:07:00.003+01:00

Many thanks to Donald & Lorna for treating us to a sumptuous afternoon tea with the neighbours. A lovely send off!

Thanks to Bob & Annie

2008-05-04T10:28:00.013+01:00

Thanks to both for accompanying us on the last training ride. To Annie for the brilliant card [pictured], and to Bob for being the official camerman and putting video on the blog yesterday.

Final Training Ride - 03/05/2008

2008-05-03T18:18:00.007+01:00

Click on 'Play' button above - to view video....
Lovely weather 26 miles with Bob and Annie. Hope the weather stays like this!

Click image above to view more photographs

THANK YOU

2008-05-02T13:24:00.003+01:00

THANK YOU to Lakeland Embroidery for helping to make us stand out on the road!
Your assistance is much apprecated.
John & Maureen

THANK YOU

2008-04-29T07:47:00.004+01:00

We would like to say a big THANK YOU to Carlisle Family Chiropractic for getting us in the best possible shape before the ride. Your assistance has been much appreciated by both of us.
John & Maureen

South Shields Gazette

2008-04-26T19:11:00.002+01:00

They are supposed to being doing a feature on the ride. All you Geordies keep an eye out.

Training 26/04/08

2008-04-26T19:08:00.001+01:00

42 miles round the base of the pennines. Good day, dry and not cold. Now using the tourers to iron out any problems before the ride. Today tried eating a little every hour - seems to keep energy levels up - we hope!

Training 23/04/2008

2008-04-24T21:39:00.001+01:00

john- - 20 miles to Haweswater and back. Glorious day - even warm! Long may it continue, only 11 days to go now.

Training 19/04/2008

2008-04-20T15:05:00.002+01:00

We're back from a week in Scotland in the camper - super weather there!
Today - 28 miles round Greystoke and Ullswater. Sunny but very strong wind from a cold direction! Only just over two weeks to go, now assembling spares for trip.

Training 06/04/2008

2008-04-07T11:20:00.000+01:00

It's snowing again!
Turbo trainer rules OK. 1 hour John, 40 minutes Maureen

Training 04/04/2008

2008-04-07T11:16:00.002+01:00

Turbo trainer again then - 30 minutes for John

Training 31/01/2008

2008-04-01T14:25:00.001+01:00

John - 24 miles to Glenridding and back - lovely sunny day - not too cold - light till 8pm - feeling good. Is winter over?

Training 29/03/08

2008-04-01T14:24:00.001+01:00

John - 42 minutes on turbo trainer

Training 28/03/08

2008-03-29T08:36:00.002Z

John - 43 minutes on turbo trainer

Training 26/03/08

2008-03-29T08:33:00.000Z

John - 30 minutes on turbo trainer

Training 25th March

2008-03-26T15:13:00.001Z

John did 20 minutes on turbo trainer - so far so good!

Training 18th to 24th March

2008-03-26T15:03:00.007Z

Avid readers will have noticed that training has been non existent for a week.
Why??
6am 19th March - John whizzed into Penrith hospital casualty with irregular heartbeat - ambulanced up to Carlisle, feeling a right plonker.
Heart returned to normal at about 1200 but kept in overnight for punishment, sorry observation.
Finally escaped Wednesday [20th March] lunchtime - OK but tired.
Cleared to resume light training when less tired - watch this space!

Training 18/03/2008

2008-03-18T14:58:00.001Z

John - 41 miles, once again round the Eden Valley. It doesn't seem to get any easier!

Training 16/03/2008

2008-03-16T18:42:00.001Z

20 miles round Eden Valley with Penrith Rotary Club finishing with lunch in Culgaith. Very civilised.

Training 15/03/2008

2008-03-16T18:35:00.003Z

John did 20 to Glencoyne and back. Had a puncture at 10 miles and broke tyre levers removing tyre, which was brand new and very tight.
A guy stopped to help and it turned out his ride, up till then!, had included Winlatter Pass, Hard Knot Pass, Wrynose Pass, Kirkstone Pass and he was on his way back to Keswick. Anyway we removed the tyre with his tyre levers and he went on his way.
Next problem was getting tyre back on! Another lad stopped to assist - he had come from Newcastle!
Puncture fixed I returned home, only 10 miles, feeling very inadequate with my paltry 20 miles.

If either of you guys read this - thanks very much for your assistance

Training 14/03/2008

2008-03-14T16:47:00.001Z

A beautiful day, 18 miles in the Eden Valley to Morland for coffee. The weather will probably be good now we have the turbo trainer as an alternative!

Training 13/03/2008

2008-03-13T20:18:00.005Z

The Turbo Trainer has landed so the weather can no longer be an excuse for not training!!

First tries of 10 mins for Maureen and 20 mins for John reveal that it's even harder than the real thing!!

Training 09/03/2008 and Fundraising Update

2008-03-09T14:06:00.004Z

Cumbrian Homes sent us £100 yesterday - Thanks to them for their generosity.
Training today - Haweswater and back 25 miles - windy yet again but at least it was dry and not too cold.

Fundraising Update 05/03/2008

2008-03-05T16:19:00.002Z

Today received £50 from Amey Mouchel's Three Peaks Team - Thanks Guys.

More donations recieved from friends and neighbours.
About £300 promised from the members of Penrith Rotary Club.

We think that the overall total with gift aid where appropriate must now be approaching £1000.

Training 04/03/2008

2008-03-05T16:18:00.001Z

John did 37.5 miles up Eden Valley, surprising hilly and very windy!
Maureen busy in Wigan.

Training 02/03/2008

2008-03-03T12:06:00.000Z

30 miles Hartsop and back along Ullswater. a lovely day but cold.

Training 28/02/2008

2008-02-28T14:53:00.000Z

25 miles today down to Haweswater Maureen flying, John tired from walk yesterday!
weather sunny but cold.

Training 24/02/2008

2008-02-25T09:57:00.004Z

36.5 miles today; a circuit up towards Armathwaite, it seems that every time we go up there it's cold on the way back. Today was no exception, but we had an otherwise uneventful ride.

Fundraising Update

2008-02-23T15:46:00.004Z

Many thanks to all who have donated so far. Due to the generosity of neighbours, friends, and Durham Police Motorcyclists we are already up to £467.
THANKS
I suppose we're really going to have to do it now!!!

Durham Police Motorcyclists [BikeWise]

2008-02-23T09:13:00.006Z

Durham Police Motorcyclists [BikwWise] have made a tremendous £250 donation to our fund.
John worked with them on Advanced Motorcycle Training, with Durham Advanced Motorcyclists, from 1994 to 2004. They were a tremendous support then and they're still supporting us now!
THANKS A LOT GUYS - your help is much appreciated, and is going to to two worthy causes.
Ride Safe.
John & Maureen
To have a look at the BikeWise site click this - http://www.bikewise-news.blogspot.com/

Training 21/02/2008

2008-02-23T09:12:00.001Z

18 miles - Morland for coffee with Bob & Annie. Annie enjoyed it so much she is now looking forward to the C2C!!!!!!

Training 15/02/2008

2008-02-15T17:57:00.001Z

35 miles round the Eden Valley. Another brilliant crisp sunny day. You could almost enjoy this!!

Training 12/02/2008

2008-02-12T21:38:00.002Z

Another fabulous day in the Lakes. However Maureen, like a real pro, went for a slide down the road while cornering exuberantly! Two hours and six stitches in the elbow later we returned to our ride and did 30 miles up the Eden Valley.

Training 09/02/2008

2008-02-10T09:05:00.000Z

A lovely sunny day!!
39 miles in the Eden Valley at an average of 11.1 mph, feeling good on the second half.
Sponsorship is now coming both on and off line. Many thanks to all who have donated so far.

Training 05/02/2008

2008-02-06T22:04:00.000Z

24 miles to Glenridding and back. Windy yet again, but at least it did not rain.

Training 03/02/2008

2008-02-03T19:26:00.000Z

32 miles in the Eden Valley, which is perhaps best described as undulating!
Weather cold and very windy. Earnest may really have arrived.

Training 29/01/2008

2008-01-29T12:45:00.000Z

Today we started in earnest, HO HO!
14.5 miles in pouring rain, what fun, took longer to dress than do the ride.
Overshoes and gloves both leak.

The Training's started!!!

2008-01-20T19:56:00.000Z

The weather has been very wet and cold this year so far but training has now commenced, possibly in earnest.

John now has 4 rides under his belt, ranging from 6.5 miles off road to 28.5 on road yesterday.

Maureen has done 2 rides so far, after missing time with knee problems since an arthroscopy. She came back with a bang yesterday by doing 28.5 miles.

Yesterday was our first ride together 28.5 miles [ including a coffee stop!]

The Plan

2008-01-20T19:23:00.000Z

6th May Penrith - by train Penzance/LandsEnd
Day 1 Landsend to St Wenn days miles 58 total 58
Day 2 St Wenn to Great Torrington days miles 58 total 126
Day 3 Great Torrington to Bishop’s Lydeard days miles 54 total 180
Day 4 Bishop’s Lydeard to Saltford days miles 48 total 228
Day 5 Saltford to English Bicknor days miles 50 total 378
Day 6 English Bicknor to Ludlow days miles 48 total 326
Day 7 Ludlow to Market Drayton days miles 54 total 380
Day 8 Market Drayton to Leigh days miles 56 total 436
Day 9 Leigh to Slaidburn days miles 49 total 485
Day 10 Slaidburn to PENRITH days miles 60 total 545
Day 11 PENRITH to Heathersgill days miles 33 total 578
Day 12 Heathersgill to Traquair days miles 61 total 639
Day 13 Traquair to Crossgate days miles 50 total 689
Day 14 Crossgate to Luncarty days miles 52 total 741
Day 15 Luncarty to Braemar days miles 49 total 788
Day 16 Braemar to Grantown on Spey days miles 47 total 835
Day 17 Grantown on Spey to Evanton days miles 54 total 889
Day 18 Evanton to Altnaharra days miles 51 total 940
Day 19 Altnaharra to John o’ Groats days miles 73 total 1013
Day 20 John o’ Groats to Wick 18
27th May Wick - by train PENRITH

April 2007 - C2C & Rievers

2007-12-08T16:28:00.000Z

April 2007 - the C2C and back via the Reivers Route 310 miles, practicing for the End to End - May 2008

Alpe d'Huez

2007-12-08T16:05:00.000Z

Training in the French Alps 2006, unfortunately we have not kept the training up!

What's it all about?

2007-12-08T15:41:00.000Z

This year, in fact until June 2008, I am President of Penrith Rotary Club. As a personal contribution to club fundraising my wife Maureen and I have decided to cycle from Lands End to John o' Groats.

We hope to raise lots of money for Cancer Research UK and Eden Valley Children's Hospice in Carlisle UK.

The plan is to do the ride in May 2008 without support; just 2 bodies 2 bikes and 4 panniers.

We'll really have to start training soon.