August 2015

August: 425 miles on my trusty bicycle

Us back home, tired but happy.

On Thursday 6 August Gary and I did a 34 mile ride around the Lizard peninsular. There were a few little hills but nothing too challenging. It was a good ride to get me back into pushing those pedals round. 

Coastline including the Gurnards Head

On Friday 7 August Darren and I put our walking boots on and took Barney and Betty on a 5 mile walk in a pretty remote part of Cornwall, not far from Land's End. We walked from Zennor along this quite challenging piece of coast path to the Gurnard's Head and then back across the fields to where we started. It was a scorchio day so it was a bit warm to say the least! 

Map of our 54 mile route

On Saturday 8 August Gary and I did a pretty challenging cycle ride, a circular 54 miles around the middle of west Cornwall. The middle third from Hayle to Zennor was HARD with some stonking hills, the one up out of St Ives to Zennor being the toughest. I was a bit broken afterwards!!

Our lunchtime view across the marshes

Selfie and calorie stop in front of St Michael's Mount

The next morning, I got my bike out again and just did 6 miles to release my legs and, after stopping to adjust it many times, got my seat to the right height.

Map of our 32 mile route

On Wednesday 12 August I drove up to Wadebridge to meet up with Mel and Geoff from our London to Paris gang. Mel was our guide, taking us 32 miles along country lanes and through a couple of beautiful little villages. It was nice to have some different scenery, plus the hills weren't anywhere near as steep as they are back in west Cornwall!

We made it! Us after pedaling our way around 101 miles of Cornish roads.

On Saturday 15 August Gary and I did our biggest ever ride: 101 miles!! Are we completely mad? Probably! On the London to Paris challenge my biggest day is going to be 90 miles so I wanted to cycle further than that in one go so that I know it's actually possible for me to do it. Boy we were broken at the end. The last 15 miles were tough, no I mean really TOUGH!

We passed many derelict engine houses.

And some fabulous views across the far west of Cornwall.

Oliver, Kirsten, Geoff, Jacqui, Mel, Pete & me (& Stu taking the photo!)

On Saturday 22 August I met up with 7 of the London to Paris gang and we cycled just short of 70 miles around the roads of north Cornwall. It even included a short stretch of the main A30 dual carriageway which, although it was lovely and smooth to cycle on, was very scary in terms of the traffic. I hadn't realised quite how much 'pull' there is when vehicles pass you at high speed. I didn't like it much at all. Thankfully I don't have to cycle on the really big roads on a regular basis.

 We stopped off for a sarnie at Jamaica Inn

My solo 27 mile route

The next day, on Sunday 23 August, I decided to keep my legs moving by doing a reasonably short route, just to Penzance and back. It was a lovely sunny day so I really enjoyed it.

I don't usually come home from a cycle ride covered in mud!

On Thursday 27 August, Darren and I got our mountain bikes out and splashed our way around 9 miles of the Penrose Estate. It was pretty muddy!

Stephen, me & Kirsten

On Saturday 29 August, Kirsten and Stephen from my London to Paris gang joined me for a lovely 51 mile cycle ride around west Cornwall.

Map of our 51 mile route

We did a great route, taking in St Michael's Mount, Penzance, Mousehole, Lands End, St Just, Gulval, Marazion and then back to Porthleven. The weather was just about perfect: no wind, cloudy but warm. Please can we have this weather when we're doing our challenge??!!

Gary, me & Miguel

The next day, Sunday 30 August, I pedaled another 39 miles, this time with Gary and Miguel. We followed the same route as I had done the previous day but it was SO different. It was wet, windy, chilly and not at all enjoyable. My morale was badly lacking on this ride. I guess we're all allowed to have down days.

Apple Tree Cafe at Trevescan, Lands End

The best thing about that last ride of August was the most amazing hot chocolate I had at the Apple Tree Cafe in Trevescan. It was the BEST!!!

Just two weeks to go until my London to Paris challenge and I feel ready. Yes my body aches all over most of the time but I suppose I have to expect that. I'm not exactly 21 any more! I feel like I'm pushing myself more than I ever have before, but is that really a bad thing? Each time I get my bike out I learn something new, either about cycling or myself. Going out on my bike alone allows me time just to be me, to watch and listen to the passing wildlife, to observe what makes up this amazing world we inhabit, to enjoy the stunning landscape in west Cornwall, to feel the glorious sunshine on my face and to marvel at the stupidity of some peoples' driving!

One of my favourite things when cycling is listening to birds of prey calling to each other as they soar and hover high in the sky. It's such a special thing that you can't experience when driving in a car. In west Cornwall, over near Lands End, I've seen/heard it every time I've cycled there and it makes all those tough hills worth all that effort.

Miles cycled in August: 425 miles

Current fundraising total: £4394  (95% of my fundraising goal)

If you have a spare couple of quid PLEASE help me towards my fundraising goal for this year by clicking here and sponsoring me. I'm just £205.12 short of my target!

Do drop by again to see how I'm getting on with my training for the London to Paris cycle ride (in September) and the Great Wall of China trek (in October). Monthly blogs will appear here along with extra ones devoted to extra events, such as fundraisers or the challenges themselves.

July 2015

July: Paddleboards, Bicycles & Sunshine

On the weekend 3-5 July I went on a stand up & paddle (SUP) weekend with a group of amazing people from all over the world & we had a whole heap of fun. We were almost all strangers and so getting to know each other was all part of the fun. We found the paddleboarding far easier and much more fun than we had expected.

Me with my board all pumped up (they're inflatable), bags secure & ready to go.

We paddled around from the Lizard peninsular into the Helford River.

 The whole team.

Us heading down The Helford river on the Sunday morning.

 What a fantastic camp site we stayed at.

Sundowners in the company of a herd of curious cows.

Dave did us proud and created an awesome short video which perfectly encapsulates our magical weekend. To check it out, just click here

Me, Gary & Paul

On Saturday 11 July I cycled 36 miles, to Mousehole and back, with Gary and his brother, Paul, who was visiting from Peterborough. The weather was glorious and we had a great time.

Me, Pete, Kirsten & Oliver

After a week sunning myself in Crete, on Saturday 25 July I met up with some of the London to Paris gang. Oliver and Pete were doing a mega cycle from Bodmin to Penzance and back, Kirsten joined them near Truro and I joined them for the middle 26 miles of their journey. Another day of fantastic weather showing Cornwall at its best.

On 30 and 31 July I did supermarket collections in Morrisons in Penzance. I like collecting here because the staff and customers are so friendly and welcoming. On Thursday 30th I collected £144.89 and on Friday 31st I collected £179.87, which is brilliant!!

Miles cycled in July: 62 miles

Current fundraising total: £4394  

Woooohoooo!!! I've now reached 95% of my fundraising goal 

If you have a spare couple of quid PLEASE help me towards my fundraising goal for this year by clicking here. I'm just £205.12 short of my target!

Do drop by again to see how I'm getting on with my training for the London to Paris cycle ride (in September) and the Great Wall of China trek (in October). Monthly blogs will appear here along with extra ones devoted to extra events, such as fundraisers or the challenges themselves.

June 2015

June: Cycling, rodeo, cycling and more cycling.

From now until I reach Paris, I'm concentrating on getting myself saddle fit. I've done lots of cycling, both road biking and mountain biking, and I'm certainly getting the hang of it.

Loe Bar, Penrose estate, Helston

On the 3rd, 6th and 7th, I hopped on my mountain bike and pedaled my way 27 miles in total around the Penrose National Trust estate and was treated to views like this. Just stunning.

On the evening of the 17th, I got my road bike out and joined Anthony, a fellow London to Paris cyclist, on a ride out around some local villages. We clocked up 14 miles.

On the evening of the 20th I held my biggest fundraising event yet, a Wild West Rodeo Night at our local farm. About 200 people came along to support the event and it was such brilliant fun.

We had a special Saloon Bar area as well as disco and bucking bronco.

Olly, Sophie, Georgie, me, Fi and Hugh: the fantastic bar staff who worked tirelessly all night.

A Line Dancing group from St Day came along to get people up and dancing.

There was a trophy for the person who stayed on the bucking bronco the longest and this was won by a lady called Emma who stayed on for a crazy 73 seconds! Everyone had a great night and we raised a mahoosive £1992 for Cornwall Air Ambulance, which I've used to kick start my 2016 fundraising.

Fantastic swing saloon doors made by Gary.

I must thank my friend Katrina for having the idea in the first place, friends Fi, Sally and Gary for helping me make the event happen, Hugh and Sally for letting us use their barn, Phil from Nightchasers Disco for keeping the music pumping, Olly, Sophie, Georgie, Fi and Hugh for spending the whole evening behind the bar keeping the ale flowing, St Day Line Dancing group for getting the dancers up and synchronised, Shaun at Fritz Entertainment for bucking the bronco, Sharp's Brewery for giving us such a fantastic deal on Doombar ale, Adrian from the Atlantic Inn for getting us a free barrel of Devon Dumpling from Bays Brewery and helping us store and set up all the beer, Porthleven Post Office for donating a bottle of wine as a prize for the best Wild West outfit, Porthleven Fishermen for donating a big box of ice, Bel at Lindy Lou and Claire at The Jewellery Workshop for selling tickets for the event, Georgie, Sally and Mary for convincing the cowboys to buy raffle tickets, Sally, Kallum, Georgie, Gary, Darren and Toni for helping set up and take down the barn and, of course, everyone for coming along and helping make the night such a huge success.

Mousehole harbour

On the 24th, I decided to do my first big solo ride. I pedaled out to Mousehole and back, which was 30 miles in total. I actually quite enjoyed being able to go at my own pace. I can't say I enjoyed riding along the main road on my own because some drivers just don't give us poor cyclists much consideration. However, I enjoyed the ride and was treated to some spectacular views.

Land's End airport

On Saturday 27th, Gary took me on my longest ride yet, 53 miles! We cycled through Penzance, Mousehole, Paul, Land's End (passing the airport), St Just (where we stopped for a cuppa), then back home via Penzance. It was scorchio when we left home, chilly and overcast on the north coast and then scorchio back at home again. It just shows how different the weather on the north and south coasts of Cornwall can be.

Loe Pool, Penrose estate, Helston

On the 29th, Daren joined me on an 8 mile mountain biking pedal around the Penrose estate. It was another beautiful day.

Miles cycled in June: 134 miles

Current fundraising total: £4030 (87% of my goal)

If you have enjoyed reading my blog and would like to help me towards my fundraising goal for this year, please visit my fundraising page by clicking here 

Do drop by again to see how I'm getting on with my training for the London to Paris cycle ride (in September) and the Great Wall of China trek (in October). Monthly blogs will appear here along with extra ones devoted to extra events, such as fundraisers or the challenges themselves.

May 2015

May: Hadrian's Wall & cycle training

So this month began with me up in the borders walking Hadrian's Wall. Please see my separate blog entries for each day (links to the right).

Since restoring my energy levels after returning from Newcastle, I have been focusing on my cycle training for September. On Tuesday 12 May I went for a pedal around Degibna Woods to see the bluebells with some friends. It was beautiful.

Jayne, Katrina, me & Gary

On Saturday 16 May I did a bag packing stint in Tesco Extra in Pool and Toni and Kallum had kindly agreed to lend a hand. I suggested a competition to see who could collect the most in their jar. 

 Kallum wasn't impressed to see lots of people popping coins into Toni's jar so decided he had to do something to attract more attention. So he wrote a sign on a banana box!

A few days later Becky at Air Ambulance gave me the jar totals. And the winner was ... Kallum! Kallum's jar contained £51.60 and Toni's had £50.16. The sign (or the hat) must have worked! I can't believe how close the amounts were. I'm very grateful to them both for giving up their free time to help me with the collection. 

On Sunday 17 May, I went on a rather longer cycle ride (42 miles) with Gary to Mylor Bridge and back via Helston, Gweek, Constantine, Port Navas and Mylor. We even managed a detour to Griffin Towers for a drink and biscuit. Thanks to Jonathan and Kate for the refreshments.

On Wednesday 20 May I decided to get my mountain bike out again and did a great route into Helston and round the Loe Pool (8.7 miles). The weather was lovely.

On Monday 25 May I did a fabulous 41 mile cycle ride with the boys. We cycled to Mousehole via Penzance, St Buryan and Paul.

 Darren, Gary and me

 Mousehole was very busy.

St Michael's Mount

And we had a pretty cool view on the way home too! I have to say, cycling is a great way of experiencing the sights, sounds and smells of Cornwall.

Miles run in May: 3

Miles cycled in May: 105

Current fundraising total: £3950 (85% of my total)

If you have enjoyed reading my blog and would like to help me towards my fundraising goal for this year, please visit my fundraising page by clicking here 

Do drop by again to see how I'm getting on with my training for the London to Paris cycle ride (in September) and the Great Wall of China trek (in October). Monthly blogs will appear here along with ones devoted to extra events, such as fundraisers or my challenges.

Hadrian's Wall, Day 6, Newcastle

On Saturday 2 May we met for breakfast about 08:30, I continued my run of full cooked breakfasts, and we set off walking about 10:00, our latest start of the week.

We continued walking through Tyne Riverside Country Park and we were passed by rowers out on the river. It was a lovely start to the day. We walked right by a rowing club just as one crew were putting their boat in the water.

We continued along the trail with the River not far away to our right for the entire day.

We left the trail briefly to visit a shop and I spotted this. Those of you who know me will understand why I liked the sound of this fast food wagon!

There was a lot of industry in the areas we walked today, with some interesting structures.

Wildlife was never far away and we saw lots of birds including this, which we think was a Thrush...

... a Speckled Wood butterfly...

... and a female Blackbird. Anne-Marie is interested in birds so it got us looking out for them.

As we continued along the riverside walk I spotted the Angel of the North statue on the horizon. We could only see it for a short time as it is on the outskirts of Newcastle.

We stopped for our lunchtime flapjacks on some perfectly placed benches out of the chilly wind ...

... and enjoyed this view.

As we neared the centre of the city there were lots of bridges ...

... and also The Stage which is a very modern building standing right next to an old church. On the river bank right in front of The Stage is HMS Calliope, Royal Navy Reserves.

A bit further along we passed St Peters Marina...

... and this car with a rather funky paint job!

We were surprised at how many young guys were fishing along here. The water is very brown so you wouldn't think there'd be much living in it.

Further along the path we came across a poorly fox. It must have been ill because it seemed very confused and out of sorts. It eventually disappeared into the shrubbery.

As we climbed a path up from the river a foreign passer-by explained that there was some wood on fire. We found it and tried to put it out with water from our bottles but it needed more water than we had with us. Anne-Marie called the Fire Brigade and we tried to describe where we were as best we could, but it wasn't easy as we only had a rough idea ourselves!

We saw quite a few ponies today, which seem to be kept in stables and small dusty yards. A few were tethered on grass so perhaps they take it in turns to be staked out to graze.

This end of Newcastle is very industrial and pretty tired looking.

About 16:10 we reached Wallsend, Segedunum. We were disappointed to find there was no fanfare, brass band or greeting by village elders, in fact there is not even an arch or sign to mark the end of the trail (as there is at Bowness-on-Solway).

As we could find no obvious end to the trail, we asked in the Segedunum Museum and they took us into the site so we could take a photo in front of the end of the Wall.

We each bought a souvenir in the museum shop and walked to where our kit bags were being held, a few hundred yards down the road. My friend Gina who lives close by came to collect us and soon after we got in the car it threw it down with rain. Lucky timing again!

Hadrian's Wall Path official length: 84 miles

According to my Endomomdo app, we walked 106 miles.

I couldn't visit Newcastle and not go to see The Angel of the North statue, so Gina took me the next morning.

Thank you for reading my blog. I hope you enjoyed it; we certainly had a great time walking the trail.

Credit for the idea of doing the walk goes to Anne-Marie so I must thank her very much for that. I also thank her and Jackie for their good company over the week. As with all my challenges this year, I'm doing them to raise money for Cornwall Air Ambulance. If you have enjoyed reading my blog and would like to help me towards my fundraising goal for this year, please visit my fundraising page by clicking here 

Do drop by again to see how I'm getting on with my training for the London to Paris cycle ride (in September) and the Great Wall of China trek (in October). Monthly blogs will appear here along with ones devoted to extra events, such as fundraisers or my challenges.