Packing

There's a chance it may not all fit.

The serious bit

It's easy to get carried away with the fun bit of this journey. But at the end of the day we did it for a good cause and in the memory of Chris Parr.
As I've said before, I met Chris  only briefly and was touched by his vibrant personality.  My first impressions of him has been confirmed by his mates. Not only by the stories they've told of Chris, but you can tell a lot about some one by the friends they keep. I now hope to call some of those friends of Chris friends my self.
In memory of Chris the team has raised, so far, £5,406. This money goes to Cardiac Risk in the Young. If you don't know about CRY and the effects of SADS take a minute to read the website to see the important work we're raising the money for: http://www.c-r-y.org.uk/
Donations to our efforts can be made at: http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/team/ChristopherParr_1
Thanks to those who've already supported us by donating and helped in other ways . Some have been exceptionally generous.

The morning after

We had a few drinks and, team tour fines and awards at the cricket club.

Many awards and fines where handed out including - the more mentionable ones -  best outfit of the week, d*ck of the week, and best crash of the week.

I hadn't mentioned the crashes in earlier blogs as I didn't want to jinx the trip or worry readers, but now we're all safe... The score for this was Grant 2 and Wallace 1.  I was nominated for the best crash award too but mine was more a stylish emergency dismount.While Wallace's effort in Dundee did have a large audience, Grant took the award for his splendid effort at the pedestrian crossing in the super market car park in Arbroath. His audiences' expression while using the crossing was probably what clinched the award.

Later we moved onto a few beers in pubs around Leek.

The night was quieter than expected - probably not a bad thing for some of us - as by the time a decision was made what to do every where was closing. Final drinks were in the Unicorn where an acoustic night was being held. There's some seriously good guitarists that perform there. Followed by a wander around Leek trying to find something to eat. Thanks to Johnno for the drinks.

A big thank you needs to go to the cricket club, Chris's parents and all those who turned up to greet us. The bbq really hit the spot.

More later.....

Arrived!!!

Arrived almost on time for once :20:00.

As a group we rolled into Leek Cricket Club.

Pleased and relieved that we'd all completed it, there was a twinge of sadness that it's  all over.  Champagne was opened though I'm not sure how much was actually drank.  This was followed by a team boat race, Scots v Non Scots.  The Scots soundly won - no surprise there - but I'm not sure all some of their beer was actually drank.  Still, no point in crying over spilt ale.

1 last stop over looking Rudyard

We'd decided to ride the last section and have a final gathering just outside Leek. We raced on from Macclesfield Town's ground to a stop over looking Rudyard sporting only the bottom half of our riding gear.  It was some what bracing.  I'd done this leg of the ride many a time while training for this ride.  It now felt much easier.

 

We gathered together at the stop to make the final ride in as one group.

 

Macc town

A quick break at Macclesfield Town FC where one of thier players, Richard Butcher, unexpectedly passed away from a heart condition.

Thanks to Paddy and to the Chairman, Mike Rance, for letting us stop and use the facilities at the club and for the photo on the pitch.

Warrington

Done. Signage or map reading, depending on you're view, adds a few extra miles.

St Helens

Delayed due to flat and missing group.

All present

All ready for the off. Only an hour and a half late.  Not bad for us. Now if we can only follow the correct route.  I'm sure the guys are enjoying it more than they say as we're doing a fair few miles extra. I think we're around the 370 mark already.

Thanks again to  Tom's folks for a great breakfast for us all.

Pickup

We're now awaiting the return of the missing two. As neither has any money or cards a recovery team has been dispatched to Liverpool in the van.

We counted them out

I've just been informed that two of last night's party didn't make it back.

Though this must be of concern to Moz - who has a tendency to count us all in and out - one suspects this was by choice.  There may be tales to tell. But given the parties involved there will be no names and no further comment on this blog.

Guess what?

It's going to be another late start. This time though it's planned.  Providing we don't get lost, or suffer breakdowns we should make Leek in good time.

It's still quiet at Tom's as the bulk of lads went for a night out in Liverpool. 

Barbi at Tom's

A great end to a hard day. Thanks Hugh and Carol.

It's been a long day, but almost at Tom's. So, a quick break.

Navigating Preston

As title

Lancaster

Quick stop after navigating Lancaster via Kirkby Lonsdale. Lots of climbing when tiredness is kicking in.  Tough going but we're getting there. Preston next.

Kendal.

A quick stop in kendal after the descent of Shap. There's one hidden climb part way down that really isn't fair

Shap

Another long climb.  Feel the burn. Travelling down south has a lot less down than you think it does.

Cold showers part 2

Having arrived late last night I dived into the shower to clean up. Unfortunately the shower control came away in my hand as I tried to increase the heat. So the cold shower score is two nil. 

Thanks to the hotel manager who with out quibble apologised and made recompense.

Delayed start

AndyR has to visit the physio this morning. His knee is really playing up. We're going to delay starting until he returns.

Penrith

Tuesday nights in Penrith are best done early.  Having found most restaurants not keen to take a late table of ten, and most pub kitchens closed we had to fallback to take away. Pizza or KFC. Unfortunately, due to an unintended detour around a housing estate Kfc was closed. Mac was open later so that was the next stop. Numerous kids in chav-ed Corsas wasting their or their parents hard earned on petrol and Tyre rubber driving round the little car park. A extraordindary quantity of junk food later the hunger was sated.

A visit to the pub turned out much more promising.  Though once again any staggering was down to the ride rather than ale.

The A6 from Carlisle is a real roller coaster.  I don't know if it was because it came at the end of the day but it felt much tougher than the A68/A7 from Melrose to Carlisle.

Riding as one.

Today, rather than being split into two separate groups we rode for most of the day as a single unit. We took turns heading the group.  I guess some of us have spent too much time watching the Tour De France. But this did work much better as the slower riders were drawn along by the pack and morale was high.  Even with a split for the last tortuous undulating miles there was not much difference in arrival time.  Once again Andy gets the bravery award for finishing with a painful knee - not as the spell checker suggested in an earlier post disgusting.

Day 3 done

Through Penrith and at the.hotel. the A6 is real roller coaster. Not what you need round off the day. I'm now so attached to my bike - even though it causes me so much pain - that it has to share my room.

Carlisle

In on the A7 ; out on the A6. In rush hour, best done by bike.

One of many.

We've a good stock of inners. Just as well.

Langholm

Quick dip in the Esk. And on our way

Hawick

Slight detour along the roller coaster A68 and eventually we pickup the A7 again at Hawick.  Top tip of the day: have the map the right way up when deciding to turn left or right.

In search of the bike repair man.

Wallace has taken his bike in the van towards Galashiels.  Moz is driving while they look for a bike shop.  The rest of us are awaiting their return at the hostel.

Cold showers

I thought the days of cold showers at youth hostels were over.  Last night no matter how high I set temperature the water was cold. I enduredva cold shower.

A good nights sleep makes all the difference: this morning I noticed the shower power cord.  The one I didn't switch on.

The A7 flyer

Last night while coming over the highest point between Edinburgh and Galashiels the lead group, who thought we were flying along, where absolutely blitzed by an unknown rider.  Dressed all in black, with thighs the size of tree trunks he flew past.  To make us feel even worse he wished us a nice ride. We wouldn't have minded the greeting had he been even slightly out of breath.  And he was carrying a small rucksack. I'm now starting to wonder if Chris Hoy has a brother who lives up there.

Wallace has a bike failure.

Delayed post due to poor coverage.

Shortly after our last stop Wallace, following in the second group, had issues with his chain jamming.  This was some way out. Wallace refused to come back in the back up van and one of the guys sent out their bike so Wallace could finish the ride. Hats go off to Wallace and Drew who stayed with him.  And thanks to Ken and Moz who did all the running about while the rest of us got cleaned up and went to eat.

Wallace and Drew both arrived some what late. By which time the pub had stopped serving food. However, the pub did generously allowed them to eat their take out with us. But only after having Id-ed Drew when we ordered them both some drinks.

Their Chinese looked good. Our pub food  was excellent and, even though the portions were large, we nearly all went for three courses. Hungry work cycling.

The evening ended with us all staggering back to the youth hostel. Staggering not because of drink but due to the legs forgetting how to walk.

Melrose

The first group has arrived at Melrose syha.

Nearly at Galashiels

That's one long climb out of Edinburgh

Next stop Melrose.

Interesting ride round Edinburgh's cycle network and some hairy road riding through the city centre. Andy is really soldiering through with a disgusting knee to add to the hand.

Rene goes shopping

Rene the flying Dutchman has a new look

Forth bridge crossed

After a late start and cycling around glenrothes and Leslie to buy bike,medical supplies, and for the flying Dutch man to buy some Marty dutch team cyling gear to impress the ladies, we proceed in a couple groups through kircaldy and across the Forth bridge.

Day 1 summary

After late start, alledgely due to Tom checking how smooth his new look shaved legs are, we made good progress.
The "losing of Lefty" started just outside Arbroath. Lefty had been tucking in behind our group who had dropped back to help him up the hills.We caught up with Grant who'd suffered a puncture. Stopping to help, Andy and I told Lefty to carry on and we would catch him up. The problem was He kept going all the way to Carnostie. He was supposed to stop when he caught up the front group in Arbroath. Lefty had no phone or money on him so was out of contact. We'd no idea of his plan to get a head. A few calls were made to let people know we'd lost the one with the special hat. Lefty was eventually located by the Wallace family some considerable time later lurking around Carnostie. We'd lost lost a lot of time as Abroath was searched for him.

Once notified that he'd been found safe we set off to the Wallace household where Mrs Wallace provided us with ample and well recieved supplies of pasta, and plenty of fruit. A very welcome respite from our ride.

Andy Wallace then guided us from Carnostie. A route along numerous footpaths. While crossing a very narrow foot bridge at speed the other Andy collided with it's side removing some skin from his hand. After the briefest of stops He soldiered on.

The day had started with sun and the wind at our backs. A few climbs later we'd progressed along the coast. With good weather and the stunning views, a terrific ride. The latter part of the day the wind had switched and we'd moved more inland. A series of long climbs and we eventually we arrived, tired and maybe a little more tanned.

A meal and the Hamburger incident later and we all retired.  I managed the get Moz to sleep on the couch in my room.  He was going to sleep in the support van that he'd been driving all day. As the van was full of dismantled bikes - we'd no where else to store them - it wouldn't have been the most comfortable location.

On to day two.

Day done

Long day. Tired legs. Great day! Bath, beer, food and bed

Final stop before Glenrothes

Tay bridge crossed

Weather is sunny and warm.

Carnostie

Lefty has been located in Carnostie. Where we're stopping for a bite to eat at the Wallace household

Puncture delays arrival in Abroath. We've list lefty. He was in front of the puncture group. We think he may have gone in search of a burger van.

Stonehaven reached.

Next the climb out of here and on to the a92

Off we go

Leaving from Chris's former digs.  Running a little late due .  Shaving his legs took longer than expected.

Last night, a couple of pints of Guiness to settle in and meet some of the guys doing the ride.

Early breakfast this morning then
await some of the team to ride by. We're going to ride up to the start point.

Touchdown in Aberdeen

Uneventful journey, followed by a massive bowl of chicken and noodle soup.

Boy it's a long and tiring trip by coach.

Why Aberdeen for a bike ride

Firstly, I'm not really a cyclist. I guess I will be after; or I'll never straddle a saddle again.

So, why ride from Aberdeen to Leek ?  It's one of few events to celebrate the life of Chris Parr: http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/team/ChristopherParr_1

I can't say I knew Chris well.  There are many others who are better placed to say what a great young man He was.

What struck me was his cheerful and positive manner.  He was a real joy to chat to.  He had real potential.

Having been blessed with two wonderful sons of a similar age I cannot come close to understanding the loss to Chris' family and friends. I do know that along with celebrating the vibrant life Chris had, I want to do what I can to prevent this happening to others.  I'm doing this by joining a group of Chris's friends from his former Uni in raising money for CRY.

Journey begins

Sat waiting for the coach up to Aberdeen  for the start of the Charity ride in memory of Chris Parr: http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/team/ChristopherParr_1