Chute! Chute!

Wednesday 29th June 2011
Day 14
The Pedal for Parkinson's Double End-to-End Cycle Challenge
Dunnet Head / Thurso to Dornoch
69 miles
Posted by the Secret Secretary

Every cycle tour offers scope for a few tumbles and spills. "Chute! Chute!", "Crash! Crash!", is a familiar cry from the commentators on the Tour de France. So it didn't come as too much of a surprise when Les 'phoned home earlier than usual yesterday afternoon with bad news: he's had a fall, one that has resulted in the classic cyling injury, a broken collar bone. Ouch! The bike was undamaged. Not even a scratch, but Les is out of the Pedal for Parkinson's Double End-to-End Cycle Challenge; he's flying home from Inverness today (Thursday 30th June) and won't be on his bike again for a few weeks at least. It's very disappointing news as he has been enjoying finding some form again on the bike. Les takes over yesterday's story:

"It was overcast and grey when we left Thurso; ominous early signs maybe. The grey soon turned into hard rain and before long we were all decked out in our wet weather gear. It was now bucketing down, occasionally with stinging hail. Fortunately the rain eased but it was still dull. Before levaving Thurso the Team had decided that everyone should ride at their own pace. Nigel and I set off together, got into a groove and were banging along quite nicely back down the same coastal road that we had ridden the day before. The North Sea was now on our left. On a good day, the coastal scenery is a real treat but yesterday we were just focussed on our lunchtime rendez-vous with Liz and Geoff at the 'Challenge Arms', now at Loch Fleet (where we had seen the Osprey). Needless to say we missed lunch! We were bowling along at 25 mph when I hit a rough patch and the wet white line on the inside of the road and... down I went. Ouf! That hurt. No damage to the bike but I'd hit the deck hard. Happily I was wearing my helmet (as I always do). Nigel was with me and was able to 'phone Viv who in turn phoned Liz and Geoff. The message was quickly relayed and pretty soon Liz and Geoff were there in their caravan (the afore mentioned hostelry), having packed up and abandoned the Team's lunch. I was then ferried to a nearby cottage hospital where I was strapped up and dispatched with strong painkillers and declared 'hors de combat' for cycling, for the immediate future at least. It's very disappointing. I've been riding so well and can't now complete The Challenge, even if I have completed another Land's End to John O'Groats. And we were so near to our destination for the day, less than 10 miles away from our digs for the night in Dornoch. We should have had an early finish after lunch. As it was, everyone's day was thrown into chaos all because of a moment's misfortune. I'm now booked onto a flight back to London Gatwick from Inverness. Hey ho!"

Les and Nigel
"got into a groove and were banging along quite nicely".

So Les crashes out of the Pedal for Parkinson's Double End-to-End Cycle Challenge but the Team rides on. They are now down to 4 as yesterday morning Chris also bade farewell and, as was always planned, caught the train, with his bike, back to Ripon, LeJog in the bag. Team Leader David and his remaining riders, Mark, Neal and Nigel carry on with their route south and west towards Cambletown and then, after a ferry ride across the Irish Sea to Northern Ireland, down through Ireland before returning to mainland Britain and heading east again back to London. But even if he is now grounded and for the time being recovering at home, Les will be following the Team's progress very closely via the Internet and the Pedal for Parkinson's Challenge website.

Click here to go directly to the Pedal for Parkinson's Challenge Website and follow the Team's progress.

And don't forget to tune into The Wobbly Weasel for more follow-up reports, albeit from a distant perspective!

Been there, done that!

Tuesday 28th June 2011
Day 13 or, if you are superstitious, Day 12b
or maybe even Day 14*
The Pedal for Parkinson's Double End-to-End Cycle Challenge
Helmsdale to Dunnet Head
80 miles
Posted by the Secret Secretary

Only the Brave !

Dunnet Head: a cheerful tombstone (!) welcomes travellers daring to venture this far north.

*Day 13, 12b or 14?
If you include last Friday's (24th June) rest day in Stirling, it was (yesterday) 14 days since the Pedal for Parkinson's Team embarked on its Double End-to-End Cycle Challenge, making Tuesday 28th June Day 13 of cycling or, for the superstitious amongst us, Day 12b. However you count it, yesterday saw the Team complete the first of its geographic targets: having left Lizard Point in Cornwall, the most southerly point of mainland Britain, the riders were now at Dunnet Head, the most northerly point of the mainland. From Helmsdale, where the Team started this final ride of the first leg of its Odyssey yesterday morning (and according to the Roadbook) this meant a 64 mile ride. 64 miles plus a few bonus miles to take in John O'Groats, presumably because it's there.

Land's End to John O'Groats is of course a classic long distance ride for British cyclists at least. Les, Neil, Dave and Nigel have already ridden the course, again to raise money for Parkinson's but the route is new for Mark and Chris. For this reason, the Team did a prologue stage from Land's End to Lizard Point at the beginning of this year's Tour so that yesterday, by making the detour to John O'Groats, everyone could say that he has ridden LeJog!

Look John O'Groat's up on the Internet and you might come across Clement Panhard on the Web**, as its name suggests: a website dedicated to the Clement Panhard, "a veteran car beyond its time". The website tells us that: "in July 1901 John Stirling of Stirling's Motor Carriages drove a Clement Panhard from John O'Groats to Land's End in 59 hours and 15 minutes to prove the motor car's resilience. [...] Today the route between the two ends of Britain covers 850 miles and would take approximately 16 hours, back in 1901 it took a little longer." Travel in the other direction on bike and it takes a little longer still but the mission is almost the same - to prove the rider's resilience, particularly in the case of the Pedal for Parkinson's Challenge Team and the 4 riders who have Parkinson's: Team Leader Dave, master mountaineer Mark, veteran LeJogger Neil and... Les, who have been joined on this year's adventure by friends Nigel and Chris on their bikes and, in the support vehicles, (at various times) Jean, Viv, Liz and Geoff (and later) Stuart and Ann.

The Parkinson's is of course manageable to a degree through careful medication. Yesterday Les, maybe because of the Midnight Sun, was late with his first morning dose of anti-wobble pills and consequently had to wait behind at the hostel in Helmsdale for his legs to switch on before taking to the road on his bike. As Les has been proving himself to be the closet speed merchant in the Team, this was an opportunity for everyone else to get a head start at a more civilised pace. Les would catch them up, for sure...

Speedy Gonzales takes over the story: "Yesterday was a good day, clear blue skies and mild. With the detour to John O'Groats there were 80 miles to ride, all the way on the spectacular A9. Despite the fine weather at the start of the day, it had clouded over by the time we approached John O'Groats; the overcast weather only added to the village's usual dreich*** demeanour. It got very cold as we flaffed around for the commemorative team photos - part of the ritual of the LeJog experience. Then later, as we approached Dunnet Head the clouds parted to let the sunshine break through and it warmed up appreciably making a sunny backdrop for more team photos near the lighthouse before we then made our way to our digs in Thurso. Stage one of our mission accomplished."

(Above) Driving from John O'Groats to Lands End in
a Clement Panhard: a demonstration of resilience!**
Yesterday in grey, cloudy weather,
John O'Groats no doubt looked as dreich as it did in 1901.

So, having achieved the first target of this Double End-to-End ride, the Pedal for Parkinson's Challenge Team can now say "Been there, done that, got the tee-shirt." Only, if they did get the proverbial tee-shirt modesty dictates that they don't flaunt it. Take a look at the Team Photo, taken supposedly for posterity at Dunnet Head and now on ostentatious display on the Pedal for Parkinson's Challenge Website (contain yourself, it's just a click away - follow the link immediately below). Fathers with daughters, be afraid, be very afraid! Oh Lord! Talk about posing.

Click here to see the Pedal for Parkinson's Challenge Team photo at Dunnet Head (there is probably a law against this):

Cyclists Come Wannabe Rock Stars

**Clement Panhard on the Web

The Clement Panhard

***Dreich - chiefly Scottish, almost onomatopoeic word meaning "dreary."

Where Eagles Dare

Monday 27th June 2011
Day 12
The Pedal for Parkinson's Double End-to-End Cycle Challenge
Inverness to Helmsdale
59 miles scheduled, 69 miles on the clock

Posted by the Secret Secretary

Click on the map to view a larger image in a new window.
Or click here to see the interactive maps at
the Pedal for Parkinson's Challenge website:
The Pedal for Parkinson's Challenge Route and Maps

The 12th day of the Pedal for Parkinson's Double End-to-End Challenge took the Team on a pleasantly undulating, coastal ride north of Inverness to Helmsdale, from where Les texted a report early this morning whilst standing outside the hostel where the Team has just spent the night; standing outside, contemplating life, the universe and just the occasional Eddie Stobart truck trundle past, maybe coming back from the ferry port at Thurso with a charge of Orkney Highland Park whisky.

Les reports:

"Monday 27th June, 09h15: an early start under cloudy skies, we set off north out of Inverness across the Kessock Bridge on the A9; we would be following the NE coastline the whole way. The North Sea on our right, it would be a straightforward route. Unlike further south, where even in Ripon was hot and sticky, we heard, it was chilly - about 10°C max. It did however gradually brighten to give us a few sunny intervals but we kept our arm warmers and wind jackets firmly on.

Lunch was a picnic at the Loch Fleet nature reserve*, where we were privileged to witness close-up an Osprey defending its nest from a flock of gulls. The reserve is near Tain and the Glenmorangie Distillery and any wobbles yesterday can definitely be attributed to the intoxicating smell in the air of fermenting barley and peaty water!

We finished the day with something of a flurry: a gallop over the final, relatively flat, dozen or so miles, much of which we rode at 20mph, which pushed our average for the day over a very respectable 14mph. Ever the showman, I finished the ride with another of my flamboyant dismounts (just the one, no need to exaggerate) right outside the Helmsdale hostel** where we were staying the night. The hostel is well-maintained and comfortable with just the one inconvenience - just one convenience to share between the 7 of us (the 6 Riders and Viv in the support car - Liz and Geoff have been opting for the home comforts of their caravan) plus one other. Just one shower and a toilet between 8: yet another Challenge for the team to surmount!

And finally, I even have news to report on the Pudding Front! Supper last night was at the Bannockburn Inn*** in Helmsdale. Run by a landlord originally from Plumstead (a South Londoner like me), the pub serves very good home cooked food, including a selection of STICKY PUDS (so many puddings, so little time).

Back at the hostel dormitory, it was lights out (for me at least) before 22h30 but I was awake again by 04h30 - to bed and awake again in full daylight - we're in the land of the Midnight Sun. The morning has dawned mild and sunny, could the final stage of the first leg of our two-wheeled Odyssey be our first cycling day of fine, warm weather? I say 'cycling day' because predictably our day-off in Inverness was dry and sunny! Today we are riding to Dunnet Head / Thurso, the most northerly point of mainland Britain. We may however make a detour to John O'Groats so that Chris too can say he's a fully paid-up member of the LeJog club (he warmed up for the first day of our Tour by riding from Land's End to Lizard Point - nearly a fortnight ago!)."

So today, Tuesday 28th June, the Team completes the first phase of its Double End-to-End Challenge with a 65 mile ride to Dunnet Head (and for some, a detour to John O'Groats) on the north coast of Scotland. Any further and they'll topple off the edge!

*To find out more about the Loch Fleet nature reserve, click here:

http://www.nnr-scotland.org.uk/loch-fleet/

**The Helmsdale Hostel. Click here for more information:

http://www.helmsdalehostel.co.uk/

***There's more information about the Bannockburn Inn at:

Helmsdale.org

A Revel in the Rain

Sunday 26th June 2011
Day 11
The Pedal for Parkinson's Double End-to-End Cycle Challenge
Blair Athol near Pitagowen (Perth and Kinross) to Inverness
80+ miles

Click on the map to view a larger image of yesterday's route.*

Posted by the Secret Secretary

Whilst the Glastonbury revellers were yesterday donning their flowery wellies to dance to the dulcet tones of Beyonce in deep mud that, after the torrential rains of Friday, had now, in the very warm summer temperatures of England's mini heatwave, turned to a chocolaty goo, the Pedal for Parkinson's Challenge Team were making their soggy way northwards through yet more heavy rain across the Cairngorms, from Blair Athol near Pitagowen to Inverness.

The riders were able to make an early start for the 11th stage of the Pedal for Parkinson's Double End-to-End Cycle Challenge: an early start in cool, drizzly weather. The drizzle gradually turned into rain that then got heavier and heavier until it was, as Les reports, "bucketing down". At least if the weather was testing the route was fairly straightforward following the Sustrans Route** along the A9. There were no opportunities to get lost, it was one straight road all the way, up over the Cairngorms, but at times the Sustrans Route was bordering on the 'all terrain' category as it followed its path along the old road and through the bottom of a disused quarry where the road surface was a mixture of hard dirt or tarmac covered in sand, all of which was now turning into Glastonbury goo in the wet weather. It was a wet, dirty ride and Les for one was at times chilled to the core with cold. He has of course experienced difficult conditions like this before when he rode the LEJOG with the Old Portlians' Cycle club in 2008***. The route the riders took three years' ago over the Cairngorms some how managed to take in Glen Shee and was much bumpier than yesterday's course, which offered a much softer approach to Inverness, even if the weather was as grim as it could be. Curiously enough, even with just the A9 to follow, the Roadbook still underestimated the mileage for the day, which grew from an anticipated 80 to 90 miles at the finish early in the evening when the Team checked into their lodgings in an Inverness boarding house with polka dot (almost) wallpaper (for its two wheeled climbers maybe?). Another long, wet ride but the Team still have a full complement of 6. "Everyone is riding well, especially Nigel who is in contention for the King of the Mountains polka dot jersey". Just as well given that there has been plenty of climbing on this Tour.

Coming Soon to a Screen Near You: Les on Skype
Les looking very clean and dry after yesterday's cold,
soggy revel in the rain and mud
across the heights of the Cairngorms.

Today, Day 12 of the Pedal for Parkinson's Double End-to-End Cycle Challenge continues north into "the badlands" across the wild, bleak landscape of the Sutherland moors to Helmsdale. The ride shouldn't be as hilly as the Cairngorms and according to the Roadbook it should be a little shorter at just under 60 miles. With a bit of luck, there may even be a little less rain.

***

* The Pedal for Parkinson's Challenge Website includes a tracking page and interactive maps to help supporters follow the Team. Click on the link here to go straight to the website:

http://pedalforparkinsons.co.uk/maps.aspx

** To find out more about Sustrans, click here:

http://www.sustrans.org.uk/

*You can read about Les' 2008 ride from Land's End to John O'Groats with the Old Portlians in his book "From Wits' End to John O'Groats." Proceeds from the sale of this book go to The Cure Parkinson's Trust. There's more about the book in the right hand column or click here:

http://theweaselonwheels.blogspot.com/p/from-wits-end-to-john-ogroats.html

Fodder for the Mountains

Saturday 25th June 2011
Day 10
The Pedal for Parkinson's Double End-to-End Cycle Challenge
Stirling to Pitagowen (Perth and Kinross)
65, correction, 80 miles

Posted by the Secret Secretary

As reported yesterday, Friday 24th June was a rest day for the Pedal for Parkinson's Challenge Team. After a full week's riding (all too often in the rain), the day off in Stirling was a welcome and much needed opportunity to catch up with bike maintenance and the laundry. Even the sun came out for the occasion! Happily, in addition to the chores and bike fettling, there was also time for a therapeutic sports massage from local masseur Angus Robertson* who was ready to lend his healing hands, to help set the lads up for their next day's riding, and the day's riding after that, and again after that...

Needless to say, if the rest day in Stirling was gloriously sunny, the 10th stage of the Pedal for Parkinson's Cycle Challenge started under (in Les' words) "leaden skies and in drizzle" and... slightly later than usual. There was of course good reason for this delayed start: before hitting the road, the Team were again pleased to see off the local riders taking part in the second of this year's three Parkinson's UK Fun Rides**, which it is hoped will become an annual fund-raising fixture on the cycling calendar. The Fun Rides have been organised to coincide with the Pedal for Parkinson's Challenge route. So last Sunday (19th June) the Team were able to see the start of the first Fun Ride in Stratford whilst yesterday the second Fun Ride took place on a circuit setting out from Stirling and the third Fun Ride is scheduled to take place in Swansea on 17th July. Although the Team will have finished their own Challenge by then, they expect to be in Wales for the event.

The Fun Riders on their way, the 6 Challenge Riders left Stirling at 10h30. According to the Roadbook, there were 65 miles to cover but the planned route north out of Stirling on the A9 soon became very tedious and it was decided to revise the route in favour of much quieter roads. It was a good decision: even the weather brightened and, as Les says, the Team soon found itself "enjoying the best day yet in every respect". The kinder weather provided a welcome opportunity to take in some beautiful highland scenery: rivers, lochs and pine forests. So if the hills were indeed long and testing, the views offered ample reward and a fine backdrop for a picnic lunch. As it happens, the Team stopped for lunch at The Challenge Arms, a very welcoming hostelry run by Liz and Geoff who are following the riders in their mobile home from where yesterday they were serving refreshments on the A833 near Armulee.

***Yesterday's roadside lunch stop was on the A833 near Armulee,
where Liz and Geoff were serving refreshments and encouragement from "The Challenge Arms".

Of course, there were still quite a few, hilly miles to ride and after the early amendments the 65 miles scheduled for the day inevitably climbed to 80, making for another long day in the saddle. The riders finally reached Blair Athol, near Pitagowen, a little weary but in good shape and checked into their accommodation (a spacious bungalow, which the Team had to themselves) at 19h30. Just time to clean up a little before heading to the local, The Atholl Arms, for supper, which last night culminated in... treacle sponge. Fodder for the mountains!

The riders will be climbing (and presumably descending) again today as they continue northwards, over the Caingorms to Inverness. It promises to be a "massive" day!

*Angus Robertson, massage therapist. Click here to find out more:

http://www.natural-healing-clinic.co.uk/about-the-therapists

**Parkinson's UK Pedal for Parkinson's Fun Ride.
To find out more about these events, click here:

http://www.parkinsons.org.uk/

or click on the link in the right hand column.

*** The marvels of the Internet. There are lots of wonderful old cycling photographs on the Internet. Here's one site that is worth viewing:

www.bikeforums.net

Taking Stock

Friday 24th June 2011
Day 9
The Pedal for Parkinson's Challenge
A hard-earned day off

Posted by the Secret Secretary

Every cycle tour worth its name has a day off. So yesterday the Team was washing its collective shammies in Stirling. R&R time like this is always a good opportunity to take stock, to see what has been achieved so far:

To date, taking into account a few additional bonus miles, The Pedal for Parkinson's Challenge Team has cycled over 700 very hilly and soggy miles during which time there have been less than a handful of punctures, just a couple of odd acrobatic dismounts and Chris has no doubt munched his way through an unhealthy number of Kit-Kats. Most importantly the Team has raised some £14,445 (£12,635 from individual donations on-line and the rest from Gift Aid). If you would like to donate you can do so now by going to the Pedal for Parkinson's Challenge Fund Raising Page at:

http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/

or click on the link in the right hand column.

The Team has already covered a lot of ground. It's no mean feat and one that has been achieved with dedicated support from the Back-up Crew that have been with the Team behind the scenes so-to-speak, since the start of this adventure: Jean was there with her dog at various points on the side of the road between Cornwall and North Yorkshire, armed with a big smile and copious amounts of tea and sandwiches; Viv has been driving the Landrover equipped with the Ram tracking device, following the riders as they progress; and Liz and Geoff, after picking up the relay from Jean, have been following in their camper van, come lifeboat, come Ark, since the Team left North Yorkshire on Tuesday last.

The Back-up Crew, Jean, Viv, Liz and Geoff,
have been following the Riders,
providing support and encouragement.

Thanks are due also to the Team's hosts on route, in particular to Mark's friends Pat and Nicky who turned their lovely home in Matlock into a cyclists' den of iniquity for one night. And also, a big thank-you to all the friends and supporters who have joined the Team on route. After hours of riding in torrents of rain, their encouragement is... priceless.

(Above) Keeping in touch using Skype.
Look carefully: those cuts and bruises aren't from shaving,
they're evidence of Les' latest attempts at
acrobatic dismounting.
As for the "coif": fashionistas take note -
that comes with the rain!

The weather has at times been awful and unfortunately whilst the forecasts are now warning of a mini heatwave for the South, the skies are expected to remain stubbornly cloudy north of the border. Still, whatever the weather may hold in reserve, the ride continues and today takes the Team into the Highlands for an approximate 70 miles north to the metropolis of Pitagowen, in Perth and Kinross. The stage will get going slightly later than usual as before leaving Stirling the Team will be at the start of the second Parkinson's UK Fun Cycle Rides.

Le vélo, c'est la souffrance!

Thursday 23rd June 2011
Day 9
The Pedal for Parkinson's Double End-to-End Cycle Challenge
Moffat to Stirling (Scotland) 70 miles

Posted by the Secret Secretary.

The Pedal for Parkinson's Challenge Team is now in Scotland after crossing the border and encountering some particularly inhospitable weather on Wednesday. But if the weather could then only be described as disagreeable, the warm welcome the Team received at The Buchan Guest House in Moffat*, where the Team was staying for the night, more than compensated.

Rested after a comfortable night's sleep, the Team was yesterday morning hoping for more clement weather as the riders embarked on their 70 mile ride from Moffat to the university town of Stirling, in central Scotland. Unfortunately, the forces of nature were not in an obliging mood and whilst the skies cleared a little for the mid-morning tea stop in Albington, the break in the precipitations was short-lived and deceptive: the early morning drizzle was soon replaced by progressively wetter and wetter weather and the Team was once again riding in torrential rain. Under different conditions the Scottish borders would have afforded some fine scenery for those travelling on two wheels but yesterday the countryside was shrouded under a low, grey, dismally wet cloud and largely hidden from view. The Team then had to find a way through the rather grim, urban lanscape of the Glasgow-Edinburgh corridor. It was as bleak, or to use the Scottish synonym, as dreich as the weather and made for tedious riding. Not surprisingly then, it was with some relief that the Team finally arrived in Stirling at 7 o'clock last night. The bike computers had logged some 86 miles. Again, the estimated mileage for the day had been short. The extra miles and the misearble weather made for a tedious day's riding but if Les reports feeling a little weary last night the prospect of a day off today is reassuring.

Whilst in Stirling, the Team are staying in a 4 Star Youth Hostel in the old historic quarter, just next door (some might say appropriately enough) to the old jail. Today the inmates are being "let out on good behaviour". A day to recuperate and maybe do a bit of laundry! The R&R started well last night with an evening meal in a Thai restaurant in town where the Team and its dedicated Support Crew (Viv, Liz and Geoff) were rewarded a free pudding of sweet rice and mango and chocolates. And after the antics of Wednesday, Mark too is in ebullient mood and reports that he is "in a class of his own when it comes to the hills." Of course, in France, the spiritual home of cycling, there is an adage amongst cyclists: "Le vélo, c'est la souffrance!" or "To cycle is to suffer!"

A bit of R & R
After 9 days of cycling, the Pedal for Parkinson's Team
are resting at the Youth Hostel in Stirling.
(Above ) "The 6 Day Cyclist" (1937) by Edward Hopper (1882-1967)

* The Buchan Guest House, Moffat: The facilities at the Buchan guest house include a drying room. Chris and Brenda Wallace often welcome cyclists on their way from Land's End to John O'Groats and understand the laundry needs of these particular travellers! To find out more about the guest house, go to:
http://www.buchanguesthouse.co.uk/

Bring it on!

22 June 2011
Day 8
The Pedal for Parkinson's Double End-to-End Cycle Challenge
Alston in Cumbria to Moffat in Dumfries & Galloway, Scotland
68 miles

Posted by the Secret Secretary

If the umbrellas were up in Wimbledon and the retractable roof was out so that play could continue on Centre Court, there were no such luxuries for our boys on the road yesterday as they found themselves, once again, riding in what can best be described as foul weather. There were only 68, rolling miles to bag but, as so often happens, the weather put a fierce complexion on the Team's first day in Scotland. Les had a strategy for the particularly challenging conditions: give as good as you get. So the smile was very audible in his voice when he 'phoned to say that Day 8 of the Pedal for Parkinson's Double End-to-End Cycle Challenge had been appalling but he was flying. Bring it on!

The Pedal for Parkinson's Double End-to-End Cycle Challenge
Day 8
Les reports that he is flying.

"It was raining when we left Alston and I'm sure it didn’t stop raining all day, it just got heavier and heavier. The roads were flooded in places; we just ploughed though it. Lunch was a wet picnic on the side of the B7076. Our support team, Geoff and Liz, had parked their caravan and had the awning out: Noah's Ark! We all crammed inside providing the ballast as the trucks sped by creating mini Tsunamis that had the caravan bobbing about like a boat. (David must have thought that he was back sailing around the world.) It was bleak. Still, the ride goes on. I’m actually riding well. I had a couple more little falls: nothing serious, just my usual trick of toppling over whilst stationary on the bike. I’m getting good at it now. Mark had a proper fall though at the end of the ride in Moffat where he butted the pavement with his head. He was wearing a helmet but with an egg above his eye and a gash on his nose, he now looks as if he has just done a couple of rounds in the ring with a prize-fighter.The Team is staying in The Buchan guest house in the centre of Moffat where we are the guests of Chris and Brenda Wallace who often welcome cyclists riding Land’s End to John O’Groats.”

There are a few more miles to go before the Team reaches one of its targets at Dunnet Head, not far from John O'Groats and the most northerly point of mainland Britain, and then heads south and west to Ireland. For the time being, the next stage of the Pedal for Parkinson's Challenge is to Stirling in Central Scotland: about 70 miles and, with a bit of luck, sunshine, or at least a little less rain!

Midsummer Madness

Tuesday 21st June 2011
Midsummer's Day
Day 7 of the Pedal for Parkinson's
Double End-to-End Cycle Challenge
From Ripon (North Yorkshire) to Alston (Cumbria)
67 miles (we hope)

Posted by the Secret Secretary

After 7 days of riding in mostly wet conditions with occasional sunny intervals, the Pedal for Parkinson's Challenge Team took the road from Ripon in North Yorkshire to Alston in Cumbria. The road-book suggested a total of 67 miles for the day but up till now the road-book has shown a tendency to underestimate the mileage and the Team has been clocking up near centuries most days. Whatever, with a total elevation of 6000+ ft, the day was expected to be long. A long ride, some might even say a touch of midsummer madness, for the longest day of the year.

As it turns out, whilst yesterday's estimated mileage was just a mile short of the final tally, there was more climbing than predicted. The "plus" in the afore mentioned 6000+ ft was a big 400 ft of extra elevation, which of course all added a bit of metaphorical colour to a day of mixed humours (in terms of the weather at least). As the Team rode out of Well (north of Ripon in North Yorkshire) the sun was already starting to break through and soon the last remaining clouds gave way to bright sunshine.

Les reports: "We had a good 40 miles in the bag by lunchtime. It was very warm and sunny, so I discarded my winter gloves and left them in the Landrover, which Viv is driving.

(Above) : Mugshots
Les and Viv on Skype.
Viv is supporting the Challenge Team
with motorized back-up for the Mainland leg
of this double End-to-End Cycle Challenge.
The hand growing out of his ear is a Yorkshire thing.

With hindsight: a bad decision! In the afternoon, as we entered Teesdale the weather changed and became increasing foreboding and ominous. It had been agreed by the Team that everyone should find their own pace on the hills today, so, climbing out of Middleton and Teesdale up over the Pennines towards Alston I put my foot down and, to use the technical terminology, got stuck in. I ran into a ferocious hail storm that lashed down, stinging my hands and face but I just put my head down and focused on the finish line and... the cup of tea there. Over the top and it was then a fast, exhilarating descent into Alston where the weather changed again and it was already showing signs of becoming a pleasant evening. However, I wasn't home yet. There are big cobbles in Alston. The kind of cobbles that you would expect to find on the Tour of Flanders. Needless to say, as I slowed to a stop to find where we were staying I took a tumble and with my usual, spectacular flare, crashed to the ground. Can you believe it ! Having descended without incident and at speeds of up to 40mph, the moment I stop, I topple off, in front of a bemused public of course. Probably the most interesting thing that has happened in Alston for months. Some of those who witnessed my acrobatics were a little concerned but I explained that I always finish my rides this way and that I'm trying to perfect my forward tumble before I attempt the double backflip. Anyway, a little battered and bruised (my pride, that is), I found the youth hostel and everyone else was home within the hour after me. For me, it was probably one of the best day's riding that I've done for a long time despite the mishap in the final furlongs. But I know that one of my fellow riders and Parkinsonians is struggling and had a bad day; maybe today, with a little less elevation and hopefully more clement weather, he'll feel better. Hope so. On the plus side, Nigel and Chris are riding well and getting stronger with each day. Chris reports that he's developing a good cadence, which helped him to find a good, steady rhythm up the climb over the Pennines. But he still hasn't shaved his legs. Maybe he's saving it for the end of the ride."

(Above) Wednesday 22nd June 2011
Les and Chris say "hello" via Skype
from the Youth Hostel in Alston, Cumbria.
Chris is getting stronger with each day's riding
and is turning the gears nicely, but he still hasn't shaved his legs.
(It's a cyclist's thing).

Today the Team cycles over the border to Moffat in Scotland. Ah Scotland, the home of World Champion cyclists, world ranking tennis players and world class... midgets.

Northwards towards brighter skies

Monday 20th June 2011
Day 6
The Pedal for Parkinson's Double End-to-End Cycle Challenge
From Matlock (Derbyshire) to Ripon (North Yorkshire)
81 miles

Posted by the Secret Secretary

Like salmon and pigeons, it seems folk from Yorkshire, wherever they may stray, will always, sooner or later, return home. So it was that, with a large Yorkshire contingent in both its active and supporting ranks, the Pedal for Parkinson's Challenge Team's route for Day 6 of its double End-to-End cycle ride would lead away from the steep hills of Matlock in Derbyshire to (eventually) the undulations of Ripon between the Dales and Vales of North Yorkshire. And as the quest continues northwards the Team will be riding (for one day at least) away from the unsettled but mainly wet weather that is now ensconced in the South (and particularly above Wimbledon where the roof on the Centre Court has already been closed), to find clearer skies! The weatherman has even dared to evoke the possibility of sunny intervals for the northern counties at least, which surely includes Yorkshire, although of course Yorkshire is a rule unto itself and I understand it is quite normal to experience all 4 seasons in the space of a day there. Still, with round-the-world yachting, Antarctic expeditions, Himalayan trekking and a few cycle rides already from Land's End to John O'Groats on its collective CV, this Challenge Team can no doubt cope with even the most capricious bees of the Yorkshire climate.

As it turns out, the weatherman was right. Les reported in early this morning using Skype: "Day 6 was our first sunny day. Leaving Matlock we first encountered the beautiful grounds of Chatterton House and then had an undulating route that passed through Sheffield and Leeds, so a lot of urban scenery. We maintained a good pace and what little wind there was, was favourable. We arrived in Ripon at 5 o'clock yesterday evening to a warm welcome from the Lady Mayor and a hundred or so people. The local press was there too. As a couple of the lads had tailed off, the four of us that got there first retraced the last few miles of the ride to find them - we never leave a comrade in arms, or on the pedals, behind ! The bonus miles and then the 10 miles to David and Kath Greaves' house in Well (north of Ripon) where I was staying for the night, conspired to make another 100 miles. Ouf ! I was very tired and during the evening at the Millbank Arms in Well, as nice as it was to be together for a meal and (for me) to join up again with friends who had turned out especially, I was struggling to stay awake, let alone hold a coherent conversation! I hope my friends will forgive me."

The Wobbly Weasel reporting to the Secret Secretary (disguised as the Pantani Pirate) using Skype. There are lots, more picturesque photographs of the Challenge to enjoy at
the Pedal for Parkinson's Challenge Website.
Go to:
http://pedalforparkinsons.co.uk/default.aspx
(or just click on the team photo at the top of this page)
and click on the tab marked "Daily Log of the Journey",
which David Greaves is keeping up-to-date.

Happily, a good night's sleep does wonders and as tiring as the accumulative affect of riding nearly a 100 miles every day for the last few days is, Les and his team mates continue to do well. There have been no mishaps on the bike (long may that be so) only the usual wobbles, topples and tumbles off the bike. Les is not alone of course when it comes to wobbling here and there... David, Mark and Neal have their moments too but the Parkinson's wobble isn't a reason to stop cycling and the ride goes on...

Today the lads are pedalling to Alston. '"Alston the highest market town in England, sits at the junction of several trans-Pennine routes; its steeply cobbled streets, hidden courtyards and quaint shops inviting exploration at every turn." The clues are in the opening description of the town in the Go Lakes, Lake District Website at http://www.golakes.co.uk/places/towns/alston-introduction.aspx. It looks as if there is going to be a lot of climbing today. As he was signing off, Les muttered something under his breath about 6000 ft+ of elevation. Shush ! Not a word to the Team.