This archived blog covers our training for, and cycling from, Lands End to John O'Groats in June 2009.
We cycled 1054 miles and 60,000 feet in 15 days with 104 hours saddle time.
Being a blog, the entries are in "last in/first out" order. Route maps and details at at the end of the blogroll.

2009/06/08 - Day 3 - Whiddon Down to Bridgewater

Anyone following our tracks today on Instamapper would have been puzzled why it was on the M5. Read to discover why.

Rita had not had a good experience with mine host the evening before over the time of arrival, and he had said that breakfast was at 8:30. We had decided the night before (I think) to attempt an earlier version so came down at 8 to find mine host in the kitchen who Cherry affably accosted requested and got breakfast. We were happily munching away when Kim from BA popped her head in and said that Cherry could borrow her bike for the day and do the ride. Without any hesitation she said yes, so we dashed up stairs, unpacked and she got dressed, and we carried the bags down for Rita to give us a lift to the campsite, with me having the obligatory bang on the head. We adjusted Kim’s bike for Cherry and after a short spin round the site, she left with Martin. I was amazed at her pluck and in awe of her positiveness.
So now we split into 2.

Here is Stuart’s day:
We drove along the M5 to Bridgwater to find SJSCycles, who claim they are the largest tandem dealers in the UK. They have a small frontage with an enormous warren of a warehouse and service workshops. We met Robin, the owner, who heaped scorn on anyone having disc brakes on a tandem. He said he could replace the disc callipers with Shimano ones, but they would only be marginally better and would still fail in similar circumstances. That was not something I ever wanted to risk again. So I test cycled a Thorn with Ian as stoker, and choose the Hobson’s option of a new tandem from their display models. Robin said he would put on a disc supplementary brake on the rear and changeover my stuff from the Viking, sell it on eBay and we could pick up the new tandem in the morning. He would tell me how much it was then. You can tell that I wasn’t in a strong bargaining position. We came to the campsite, put up the gazebos, and I had tea and cakes all afternoon, typing this entry.

Cherry arrived back at 7:50pm after 60 miles. Her tale will follow when she drys out, warms up and wakes up.
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5 comments:

  1. Anonymous8 June 2009 at 23:33

    Should we sponsor the Marshall's more for hardship or less for walking on Day2? The blog has got more exciting with Captain kamikaze doing the no brakes trick to grab people's attention. We look forward to Cherry's lone push on a borrowed bike being posted when recovered. Well done Cherry.

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  2. c8 June 2009 at 23:42

    thorn's are good

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  3. Eve9 June 2009 at 03:39

    I am in total awe of you two and very glad that you are alive! I thought you would be doing the luxury version with not a nobbly towel in sight.
    I follow you with admiration and realise that we forgot to sponsor you... Shocking friends. Will catch up with that when you get back.
    Please please look after each other! You are far away but very precious.

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  4. gill9 June 2009 at 07:19

    I knew something was up!!! Stalker that I am , I thought there had either been a problem, or the sat nav technology thing had failed! I am SO glad you are both alright - and that was only DAY 2!! How many bikes will you get through before the end? Do take care you two - ending up alive is so much better than the alternative! X

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  5. gill9 June 2009 at 07:21

    PS Its posting my comments with a +2 hour time difference! (just in case you are interested!)

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