End to End 98Lands End to John O'GroatsGlyn's Report16 riders, plus 9 helpers = total of 25 in the party 1056 miles in 12 days average of 88 miles a day at over 15 mph! One morning of rain and one afternoon of rain, and very few punctures! Over the 12 days our riders increased to over 18 in one day with others guesting with us for day rides and when we rolled into John O'Groats on Thursday Aug 27th at 3.00 pm there were 16 riders being greeted by the crowd of tourists at the FINAL line! A Day by Day AccountSat Aug 15th was bright and clear as we made our separate ways from all different parts of the UK, Australia & Canada! Glyns vans came down from Swansea with Craig Davies, Glyn Davies, and Claire Davies, plus Mark Farragher from Swansea along with Tim Denbow, and Joe Sergeant from Narbertth. along with Rowly Brooks and Warwick Jaundrill who came down with Geoff Fewkes from North Wales the night previous. Owen Goodspeed had made his way down from London too. They stayed the night at Neville and Lydiah Wiltshires. Glyns family had only just come in from their church camp. We stayed at Tony & Bev Harrison that night. Tim Denbow who brought Glyn back from camp slept at his parents house! We all called in at Newport on the way to pick up the Sadlers, Peter and Clive. John Owens and Steve Lowe took us up in their cars too.We met at Gordano Service Station on the M5 south of Bristol where we met up with the Autosave mini bus from Gloucester with Ron Kirkness, Steven Benge, Nigel Coates, Peter Richardson, Bob Rideout and Rob Yates. We had to transfer some of our goods into the van to make room for more cyclists! On the way down at another service station we were given some money towards our project! We arrived tired in St Just nearly running over Denis La Rochelle who had been brought down by John and Claire Wadsworth. Sam & Dolores Natasha and Josiah arrived safely too. As did Jim Stewart and Ian Hawkins. Some of the riders had to wait until Tony Harrison and Tim Jenkins along with Jonathan Harrison arrived with the last van bikes and luggage! Then some actually rode over to Lands End to see it for the first time. Others of us took a stroll into the town, where we met with an art gallery owner who had been born in the Congo of missionary parents they served God with the Baptist Missionary Society. Our accommodation at St Just Free Church was superb. The girls were billeted into the Manse others of us took over the whole church. The first night of the tour was a cacophony of sound and snoring especially from the orchestra of Jim Stewart and Tim Jenkins. The food was fantastic. That evening Mike and Jackie Sheppard joined us and we had devotions led by Bob Rideout. Just received a gift of 50.00 from St Just Church. THANK YOU SUNDAY Aug 16th DAY ONESt Just to Lands End to Carmel Pentecostal Church Plymouth 97.8 miles (according to Owen!) others had 102 miles on their computersBob Rideout and Glyn were on Radio Nottingham. A wonderful breakfast and then gifts were given to our hosts and then a team prayer and then the now familiar Denis La Rochelle shouts Through our Spokes . . . , the team replying : God Speaks We rolled out from St Just at about 8.00 am cycling through the town centre Arriving at Lands End in glorious sunshine. Many pictures after and signing of the book in the hotel we rolled out of Lands End at about 9.15 am. Some of the team take a wrong turning just after Penzance. We see a recumbent passing and it was lovely to cycle past the harbour at Penzance and to see St Michaels Mount. Jim Stewart guides the lost cyclists back together again. This being the first of his many excursions to find vans, cyclist and bananas! Our first T stop of the day was outside a church. The congregation soon came out after the morning service and they had wished we had gone into to share with them. Some of them gave us sponsorship and we in turn gave them the Trans World Radio book Towers To Eternity. Dinner was near St Austell. At an unscheduled T stop Tim Denbow had to call for the AA as our van would not start. Remarkably the AA were not long in replying and soon we were able to be on our way. At this stop we met Phil & Marion Rowlands, the minister of the church we were to stop at tonight! They were on holiday and saw a bunch of cyclist and wondered!! One of the many God Incidents So it was lovely to meet up with Phil after so many years. Glyn knew Phil & Marion his wife from their days in Swansea and their family! Coming down the the hill towards the Tamar Bridge Glyns mudguard stays came loose. Owen Goodspeed managed to tie his rubber band to them to keep them safe. It was lovely crossing the Tamar. Clive later fixed Glyns bike (not for the last time either!) Then it was time to follow Tim Denbow on his bike as he showed us the way into Carmel Pentecostal Church St Levans Road Plymouth. A slight mix up meant that we had no food! But Peter Sadler came to the rescue and he sorted us out for Chinese and etc. We had lovely showers at the Mayflower Leisure Centre as we all piled into the mini bus to take us there! Glyn now realizes it is high time to delegate as the Elder of the church tries to talk to a shattered Glyn. Glyn was too tired to take much notice of what he was saying!! This was also a personal best for Mark Farragher Ron Kirkness played the drums during the service and missed the showers!! We were all called in at the end of the service and were prayed for individually or in little groups. Breakfast was superb and the accommodation first class. Warwick suffered today and at one time Glyn thought of stopping too but Warwick encouraged him to continue Arthur Day my Pastoral Elder rings to arrange a meet for tomorrow. They are on holiday down here near Kingsbridge. We will meet at Yelverton on our onto the moors! We had devotions and these were led by Peter Sadler. MONDAY Aug 17th DAY TWOPlymouth to Creech St Michael 84.1 total 181.9 (according to Owen!) Gordon (?) from Plymouth who has ridden the End to End in 4 and half days joined us. He gave us 10 and we would like to know more about him as he is a recent convert. Have asked Phil Rowlands to make enquiries. Gordon rode with us to Yelverton (Phil Rowlands does not know Gordon we shall meet Gordon on the heavenly cycle path one day!) We left at 8.00 am This being the pattern for the the whole ride. Breakfast was toast and cereals and plenty of tea and coffee. The road up to Yelverton is a fast undulating road with some big lorries coming along too!We meet Arthur and Treva Day Pastoral Elders of Parklands Evangelical Church on the village green. This is a personal thrill to me as my Church Parklands has been so supportive in the organization of this ride, for without Parklands sacrificial help, the ride would never even have begun! Arthur prayed for us and read Psalm 121, this being the first of many times we would be given Psalm 121. Then it was onto the the moors. A friend of mine had indicated that this was to be an undulating road! Some friend! We later meet them at Post Bridge! Princetown beckoned and some took detours to see Dartmoor Prison. others then had to be hauled back for the first T stop as they went zooming past!! at Two Bridges. Glyn screeches to a halt near Postbridge as he sees friends from Parklands John & Lin Owens and family (these are the ones who said the moors were flat!!). Later we meet up them at Moreton hampstead. (They have their car broken into while watching us at Post Bridge!!) A few lanes later on Mark Farragher and Glyn nearly are killed! An Range rover overtaking a tractor was then followed on closely by a private car which meant Glyn and Mark had to jump into the hedge to avoid being crushed by the car!! The car didn't even stop!! This was lovely scenery but those hills!! Glyn was beginning to experience the problem that would be continuous of finding those Granny Gears Granny certainly did not want to come out to play! Dinner stop was at Belmont Chapel in Exeter here another God Incident we found out that one of the ladies Ruth Stokes, serving us, was instrumental in setting up the UK base of Trans World Radio and so Tim and Glyn were introduced! Some cyclists had a tour of Exeter!! As we head for Taunton and through the city Jim Stewart came into his own yet again leading cyclist around the town. A wonderful reception at Creech with Pat Dawson and her daughter ?Jane? ushering us out into billets for showers and then meeting the catering committee who insisted in us washing our hands and using our little fingers to drinks cups from!! Rowly Brook is suffering with his teeth & gums and so Jim is at hand again! We find a pharmacist God incident who worships at the church Rowly goes to the surgery then to the hospital who give him a prescription then Jim takes Rowly to the pharmacist and then JIm rings his friend who is a dentist near Bristol to make an appointment for the following night after we arrive at Gloucester! We even have laundry facilities! What a wonderful church. Glyn refused a cooked breakfast to the dismay of many of the team!! Peter Richardson offers to write up routes sheets and maps for the following day Devotions are led by Tim Denbow and in the morning the Minister prays for us before we leave and for the CONGO DAY THREE Aug 18Creech to Gloucester 84.8 miles Total=266.7 (Owens mileage!)8.00 am start. The pastor prays for us. And what another wonderful breakfast. Glyn refuses a cooked breakfast much to the annoyance of some of the riders!! We follow Nigels preferred route off the Big trunk roads, and Mike Sheppard is due to meet us today. Another lovely morning for cycling. Warwick suffers again today. Mark & Glyn puncture. Glyns was after Ian Hawkins (Aussie) had tried the track pump and it blew the tyre out! These were the first of the tour. At this point some of the riders went astray. In the Peter Sadler group Glyn and others had to back track some 10 miles! It was a lovely ride passing some of the route we had been on five years previously on the FIrst Bike for Bibles End to End when only 6 rode what a difference 16 makes! plus guests! Owen Goodspeed suggests that we have maps and also route sheets in the future what a great idea! This will be acted on. Peter Richardson has offered to do this for us with the help of Sam Wuermli. The route takes us towards Cheddar. The Gorge looms menacingly and invitingly for some/ But no one dares the ride up it. (one day I shall ride the gorge!) Instead we go up Shipham hill, this is where Glyn is nearly knocked off by a cement lorry going up the hill! T stop is on the village green at Shipham. What a lovely little place. Glyn suffers hear and is in need of some rest. Others have been here a long time and so Glyn sends them off. We are opposite Lenny Coffee Shop. They give us 10.00 towards the Bibles and also they take our info to put into the Parish Magazine! hope we can meet up again. They also give us a sticker for the 12th Sept Churches Historical ride wish I had more info on this. We make our way towards Bristol and then we meet Mike Sheppard. This is the day that Jim & Claire go and get bananas from Highbridge from Fyffes - they were a wonderful company must write to them. A few others get lost again and so we come into Bristol on the dual carriageway and then left up a very steep hill and onto the Clifton Suspension Bridge. We met up on the green and then Tim Denbow leads us on his bike into his church for lunch. Some riders & vans get lost some are very unhappy and and annoyed. A lovely church and there is need for some mechanical repairs, Glyns back wheel is posing problems with gears and spokes so Ian Hawkins again works on it and so does Peter Sadler with Marks back wheel. Just before we set off I call the team together for a time of prayer and apologies from Glyn for the hic cups and loss of way etc. We follow Tim and cars out of Bristol. We begin to ride together which is more fun. T stop just outside Berkeley. Thinking of my friends Mike and Sue Berkeley of SIM. Rob Yates then guides in the van to High Field Evangelical Church. in Gloucester. Jim takes Rowly off for his dental appointment. Rob goes and sees Lorraine (his wife) who lives just down the road! Glyn calls together various leaders of the team explaining his lack of experience and asking for their help which readily comes. Roy Forester here is wonderful, what a team and what lovely people. we are billeted out to showers what was the name of the folk I went to ?John? a cyclist join us for food he is a Gloucester CC cyclist and then in the am we have another ?John? join us for 30 miles. Devotions are led by Sam, Steve and Ron accompany us on piano and drums. A great time. Early start in the morning as we have a big leg there fore we start at 7.30 am! Again Peter Richardson is wonderful in organizing the maps and route. The church are superb in letting us use the phones and photocopier. Our hosts did not want us to leave them they just wanted to hear all about us. during the evening meal others of the church came and wanted to hear about us too! While others were repairing bikes etc. and just resting! DAY Four Aug 19114.7 miles 381.4 Gloucester to NottinghamAn early start at 7.30 am on the road. The team are getting the hang of things now and another very good breakfast. Today we have 18 cyclists, including Mike Sheppard and a guest from the church who rides for thirty miles. BUT has no spares unfortunately for him he has a flat and we have to supply two inners and a tyre he pays only 5.00!! An early climb takes us up CLENT HIll happy memories for Glyn as a youngster, what lovely views only wish Granny was coming out to play my granny gears are giving me trouble yet again! DINNER STOP at Woolston this is where there is the Holiday Bible Club. Warwick again is suffering but bravely is continuing. Rob Yates kindly takes over at the Holiday Bible club he uses Glyns bike and talks tot he children what a great job. After lady asks for Glyn she explains that there is a WEC missionary from this village in Congo her name is Annette Botting what another lovely God incident she has been flown out of Congo to Nairobi, Kenya. at the time of writing this diary now she is actually home in Woolston with her folks. Things are not good in Congo. As we leave there are a few punctures due the bits and bobs on the lawns! So a group goes on ahead and here is the slower group led by Owen. Mike Sheppard has to say goodbye thanks for being along Mike. During the afternoon a local cyclist guides my / Owens group through the lanes for about five miles. Another God incident _ we then wait at the top of a hill to gather the team together as a few are off track and wait for the vans catch us up. Also a motor bike friend of Jims joins us for a few miles and even arrives in Nottingham and has dinner with us. Just before Bob Rideout leads us into Nottingham on the outskirts a local cyclist passes us and Ian Hawkins gives chase go for it Ian but in the end even Ian has to give up!! Bob leads along the wonderful cycle ways in Nottingham into the Oasis Centre at Beeston where Nigel the pastor and Rob Yates brother greets us and what a wonderful reception. Bob Rideout has organized the local leisure Centre for showers, wonderful and then that lovely food and devotions led by was it Rob Yates? cant remember Quite a few are tired now this was along day. Mark Farraghers folks come to see him! This was the day that Jim & Claire pick up bananas from Fyffes at Blaby just outside Leicester We shall see you Oasis folk on our return when we come back in the vans in a few days time! Thanks for everything. DAY 5 August 20thNottingham to Leeds (Morley) 82.1 miles = 403.5 totalStill dry weather! Wonderful Prayer Backing this truly is felt as we go along. 8.00 am start and another wonderful breakfast, Nigel and team are wonderful. In fact everybody especially the roadies are great. Bob lead us out of Nottingham especially through the precinct with our motto Through our Spokes etc. We pass Sherwood Forest Perhaps here I've forgotten bits so help please help me in remembering. Today Jim and Claire go to Wakefield & get bananas from Fyffes! Glyn suffers a bit today. Warwick is very brave and is still suffering. He is an encouragement for his perseverance. Two groups meet on opposite sides of the road, how did we do that? Well we are now on the right track! We eventually get into Morley, again quite early on, and we go across the shopping car park to the Leisure Centre for more wonderful FREE showers. We are in the church of the Nazarene Morley where Susan Ayano and her girls are there to greet us. Warwick is really suffering and is talking about buying a new bike or even perhaps stopping. We have a talk and prayer. Here Glyn receives a call from Mike Sheppard indicating advice and instructions from Bible Society re the ride! Also Radio Leeds come for an interview and Glyn, Craig and Sue Ayanao are interviewed the guy stays for devotions and listens in. Pray for him. Glyn is not a natural leader but relies on the others to help out e.g. Sam and Bob etc. More maps and routes are being planned. Prayer Backing still being felt. Devotions are led was it by ROB? Ian rebuilds Glyns wheel with the help of Denis spokes Jim goes to help Warwick find a bike shop. Morley is the birth place of Beryl Burton one of the UKs greatest ever women cyclists. In the morning we go over and pay our respects at the garden of remembrance only 200 yds away!! Again the catering and food were superb. God is so good to us. This is the place where they have a blue light similar to the emergency services blue light that goes on and flashes on and off every time some walks into the building so that was the way we were woken up the next day. Glyn does not sleep well, he thinks that one of the vans is being nicked? DAY SIXMorley to Hexam Aug 21st 123.5 miles (Owens mileage others have 127 and some even 130 miles) total 587 anyway this is the BIGGEST LEG OF THE TOUR. A huge leg. A colossal dayThe morning does not look promising but the weather holds, I think today is the first day we have a short but small shower? or is it the next day. We visit Beryl Burton's memorial Jim Stewart and Warwick know of Holly bush Christian Centre, where we call in for our dinner sop. This is a fantastic place, conference centre etc and accom, Glyn is glad to arrive here. Im bushed! Glyn decides to retire for today and get in the minibus. I know the symptoms of exhaustion. Warwick also decided to RETIRE form the Tour. Bob Rideout prays for him alone. Warwick does not want a big thing. He is hurting and his back and with his concerns over his daughters exam results and where she ought to g etc.! we later learn that Warwick takes a few days leave off and speaks at the Sunday service also one of his friends 46, dies and he is able to be at the funeral. God has His times and He is perfect. Well done warwick, you did well for 500 miles(?) Mid afternoon T stop is at a church cemetery! They are dying to get! This is a lovely spot. but the team are gettinG tired. The mini bus goes on ahead whew what HUGE hills coming into Hexam well just before that. How are the team going to manage? I am so proud of them as they roll in at about 6.30 pm. Craig falls asleep in his clothes! It was hot and a head wind and all those miles especially those hills 20 miles from Hexham!! It is great to meet up with Mike & Charlie Pinkney who even us look after us. Again showers are in the local leisure centre, we all go in the mini bus. again the cyclists are like locusts especially when they see the wonderful delights of trifles, cakes, pavlovas etc etc etc Thanks caterers. ACCIDENT: Denis La Rochelle clips Nigel Coates back wheel in Hexham and he falls off we later learn that he has broken a small or chipped his right hand knuckle so he is now off the tour too! But Denis wants to stay with us until he leaves at Brora. We meet up with Two Cyclists Mike Blackley ( Ron has met with him) he rides with us for 30 odd miles to Kielder water on his mountain bike and Andy Kerr from Ponteland rides with us the whole of the leg into Dalkieth where Shona his wife picks him and brings him back! Ponteland is here we will be staying on our return. Very short prayers tonight as so many are bushed. Many fall asleep early. e.g. Peter Sadler, Joe Sergeant and Craig. Bob and Clive have a massage clinic for those legs and bodies. Again thanks to the map folk and to the caterers. WELL DONE TEAM DAY 7 Aug 22ndHexham to Dalkeith (Edinburgh) 10.6.5 miles total 693.5Another wonderful breakfast Another glorious morning a bit chilly though. God is so good with the weather. Andy Kerr is there ready to cycle and also Mike Blackely Beautiful scenery we pass and see Hadrians Wall. Jim Stewart guides us out of Hexham and we see Hadrians wall!! A few hills today too. We go via Rons route Im glad as the other main road is very dangerous and fast! Through Kielder forest and part of this years Prudential Tour and Audax routes. Dolores takes Denis to the hospital where he finds he has a broken knuckle. He is in plaster. We stop for T stop at Kielder water what a lovely spot. At the border we take loads of pics even getting Jim to lie on the ground and then run like mad to get himself in the photo as well!! We even hold up the traffic as we spill over the width of the road for our pics!! Andy Kerr sets a cracking pace and he complements us saying that he could not keep up this pace for 12 days!! he is a keen cyclist and we need to nurture him with the Christian Cycling scene. A great guy. Ron guides us into Dalkeith passing his dads house and his own house in Newton Grange. Ron family are there to help us, Susan, Leslie and a friend. plus Ramona, Rons girlfriend. Showers are provided by Ron in the local leisure centre and we meet Dan. Ron organizes the laundry which proves to be too much and Ron goes out for the evening too. A wonderful food and lovely surroundings. Devotions are lead by Owen. they are good. Rons dad has picked more bananas at Newbridge just outside Edinburgh from FYFFES. Glyn meets one of the Elders of the church who is from Cardiff! also meet Donald Cameron the sec. Dolores next day has to find a laundry to dry out stuff. also we have to pick up clothing at Dans in the morning! Thanks for a super stay and accom and food RON. & Co. I try to ring home tonight but the batteries on the phones and the signal are weak. We say good bye to Andy DAY 8 Aug 23rdDalkeith, Edinburgh to Perth 57.3 miles total 750.5I let the team have a lie in!! We leave at 9.00 am! Another fine day.! Glyn rings Monty who is one of our Elders at Parklands but Monty does not recognize him!! Another wonderful breakfast of porridge etc and croissants and bacon Ramona joins us for today. Ron Kirkness and Steve Benge take us on a scenic through Edinburgh passing the Castle. We see St Caths & Argyle Ron & Steves church and roughly see where Charlotte St Baptist is, see the castle and then we coming towards the Forth Road Bridge what a lovely sight and ? how long is it Craig? Was it 1.8 miles long? After the bridge Ron takes on a scenic Audax route instead of the main trunk road. It rains this afternoon buckets!! We go via Muckhart and Dunning, coming into Perth via Bells Cherrybank Gardens Mark & Glyn are on their own so a van is sent to find them but they are on the right route! At times we thought we were lost as it was so quite and no others? But that was enjoyable knowing that we could find our own way in. Sam has a puncture. But as we descend into Dunning Ian Hawkins catches up with us and we know we are OK Glyn asks the way of a local but needs an interpreter! We all meet up at the Gardens in Perth. Eventually a van comes and locates us and take us in. unfortunately though we lose Peter Richardson en route and he eventually finds us. It is raining loads now. Glad we have arrived early!! Charles Young the minister is very accommodating as we arrive early. We are then billeted out to church folk who are wonderful as they supply showers and laundry facilities., Another wonderful meal along with those deserts. We take the evening service here. A joint Baptist & Church of Scotland service we meet James the minster of the St Lethams? where we are to sleep also. It is because the baptist church which is in the middle of a housing estate is having an enormous extension built! After the service teas and coffee then we walk or ride to the other church which is half a mile away and in another community setting too. Both churches are slap bang in the middle of estates what witnesses with big congregations too! The church gives us 250 I MC the service with the theme of world-wide mission. Charles Young was blessed by dad ministry and thus went into the ministry and so we talked about World-wide Mission Glyn, Congo, Sam Wuermli - Wycliffe; Tim Denbow TWR and Ian Hawkins our AUSSIE B4B AND DENIS La Rochelle GAVE HIS Testimony and about B4B in Canada. Then Owen led in prayer, Ron read Psalm 121!! Bob and others did a drama on the Good Samaritan, Sam and family showed us how to remember the 10 commandments by then time was running out so I did not use Nigel Coates or a few others. At the other church others went and got chips!! then it was sleep time. another wonderful day and lovely folk and God is Gracious yet again. No devotions tonight as evening service and it is getting late. perhaps this is a lesson for us as tomorrow!!! DAY 9 Aug 24th51.7 miles today total 802.2 Perth to Blairgowrie / BRAEMARAnother 8.00 am start. the team are getting used to this and appreciating the time for rest in the evenings. Ron takes us to Blairgowrie where he has arranged for a prayer partner and friend of his mums to be there to give us a T STOP Unfortunate the second group misses us by a few seconds an they are on their way north. They are not a happy bunch and it take a long time for the van with Rob Yates & Claire to catch them. Craig throws down his bike in annoyance and Rob & Claire take the flak! (I only learn this after the tour was over!!) Glyns group have a lovely stop at the church. It is sunny. Glyn moves the mini bus as it is in the way of a van, Dolores & Rob are At Tescos shopping for our food. They also go in search of photocopying facilities for the maps. Today we meet and pass a tandem couple who are on the end to end having started on Aug 8th they join us for a cuppa at the dinner stop and later we will meet them at Braemar! The tandem folk have e met up with the pedalling Parsons a group who started at Bristol on Sat Aug 15th and rode to Aberdeen Mike Sheppard has more info on the Peddling Parsons AT Blairgowrie during the t stop Tim Denbow rings in with the news that the Andy Davey van has broken down, we later learn it is the head gasket! The AA are called and we then have to hire another van. this cost us a further 311 for a week where as the Andy Davey van only cost 300 for two weeks (later we learn the repair bill is 460 for the Swansea van. Im not hopeful to get a refund from the hirers!! So that was a bit of fun!! We stop at Spittle of Glenshee, this is supposed to be the highest road in the UK!! We pass the Christian Compass Centre on our right an outdoor pursuits centre! We are a bit early but Steve Lowe has rung in to alert the folk in Braemar. a lovely run into the town. what a lovely town. A Beautiful river running through with lighting in the evening. A lovely Sheiling Guide Hall with log fire and we have to cut our own logs! and the ladies who served us with wonderful food. Only one shower we take it turns. Is a bit chilly but the fire soon warms us up. Devotions are led by Craig and Joe and we have a guest who is Rev Bob Sloan who is the minister of Braemar and Crathie he is the minister who preaches to the Queen when she is in residence and goes to Crathie church! He joins in devotions and what a prayer he is port on!! A privilege to have met him. Glyn buys Ninon, Claire, Ruth and Craig a fleece at the old village hall which is hosting a sale of garments. He cant afford one for himself! Lovely shops and scenery almost like Switzerland only needing the bells on the cows. Mary Anderson gives us two Spatchels stirring sticks or ladles for porridge! She is over 90 born in China and rides when she can too! But her driving needs some attention! A wonderful lady. Porridge for breakfast. A really good nights sleep. DAY 10 Braemar to invernessAug 25th 79.9 miles total 882.1Leave at 8.00 am a bit chilly so gloves and legs! Give Mark Farragher Nins leggings. Ride past Balmoral Castle Queen is not at home! Some huge climbs today with a load of Arrows. go over the second highest t road in the UK. At Lechst Ski station we have a T stop. and food. Some lovely scenery. pass the tandem couple yet again! T stop at Lecht this is after Clive has taken a load of pics of us climbing!! Descent is a bit scary for Glyn as he has wheel wobble is it the cross winds is it fatigue is it cold. The others just scream past! On one section Glyn uses the help of a cattle trailer to gain momentum and get him into the T stop just after Grantown on Spey where there is a lovely river and midges come out! Craig has a puncture and we slow for him to catch up! We then join the busy A9 this is fast road, but find some little B roads ant then have T stop at TOMATIN where it is a children's play ground and the team play frisbee. We are getting in early again so Steve rings in and alerts the church. On the inward journey to Inverness the group with Glyn, Ian and Owen and three others are pulled up by the police for descending on a dual carriageway two abreast they want us to go in single file! even though we are in the hard shoulder!! We meet up with the van at a petrol station and they lead us in to the church which is opposite the Castle. problem with parking though as there are double yellow lines all over the place. other vans park in the castle car park for a while until room opposite . The folk in the adjoining coffee and book shop belonging to the church let us in Steve benge and Peter Richardson cycle on down to see Loch Ness some extra 15 - 20 miles!! The sun is glorious and we take time look around Inverness and cross the bridge and see some lovely scenery. Claire buys a woolly hat and Tim Denbow buys a coat. Dr George and Jean Mitchell are there to welcome us and hey give us a wonderful meal and desert etc. We sing grace led by George!! Then we are billet out to home or showers and laundry. Mark Farragher meets a friend who has come on his motorbike all the way from Skye a journey of 3 hours!! Glyn, Claire & Mark are billeted with Alan ??? a former soccer player with Leicester City and West Brora and Gloucester. He was one of a few Christians playing in the League then and was best buddies with Frank McKlintock. His son Paul? is the North East of Scotland Boxing champion in his own weight and also rides horses in his other time and once even beat Peter Scudamore!! Mark is in his element as he is from Leicester!! This is a lovely church. Denis leaves his bike here as this is where he will return from Brora and George will then take him to the airport when he arrives at the train station. No devotions tonight as many return very late. A very comfortable place The minister of Wick Baptist where we will be staying served part of his time here as assistant pastor at Inverness Baptist CHurch! Many thanks church! The local rag came and took out pictures the evening post of Perth I wonder what they looked like!! DAY 11 August 26thInverness to Brora 87.3 969.4 (Owens mileage here but he went off route for a few extra miles!!)We leave 8.00 am. George and Jean are there to say good bye and to pray for us on the church steps just outside on the e pavement. Another chillyish morning but it is warming up so most do not have leggings!! We cycle over the Moray Firth which brings memories for Ron , Glyn and Nigel of their first ever end to end with B4B. A strong head wind. Today Dolores and Denis (pronounced DENEE) set off for John O'Groats as Denis will not see John O'Groats because he needs to fly home. so they set off and meet us at Brora,. Sam takes the lead for Glyn and pulls him over one of the bridges as it is a very strong head wind. We make good progress to our T stop but we miss Owen Glyn has a word with the team because some went on ahead supposing Owen had joined the slower group. Owen had gone into Allness Owen soon arrives though! Ron suggest instead of taking the B road which we had been on 5 years earlier. Another pass was blocked so we decided to go via Bonar Bridge. Then Ron suggested we visit Carbisdale castle another 10- 12 mile detour by then Glyn was on Bonk rations!! Ron has been here with a previous girlfriend for a dance!! A lovely castle though. w e retrace our steps and make for Bonar Bridge a lovely quaint old bridge. soon it is another T stop. We are rolling very well and soon Brora is insight. Again Steve has rung ahead and Brora have a new minister. Sam Wuermli and Peter Richardson go for a swim in the sea! As we unload we find it is Free Church of Scotland where they stand to pray? and sit to sing? or is it the other way around! but they do not have any accompaniment but have a presenter who leads the singing! They take us to Brora Rangers (one of the most northerly soccer clubs in the UK apart from Wick Academy . They play in the Highland Football League, their claim to fame was playing Celtic a few years with a ground capacity of just under 3000! w e are to use their showers and dressing rooms,! some bright spark writes up the Bike for Bible soccer team on to their team sheet board!! Rob Yates meets up with an old friend he used to work with Bob? Boomber Brown or something like that . Rob asked for him in the local tourist office and they pointed him out at the local ice creamery where the e best ice cream is in north Scotland apparently. So Rob had a guided tour of Brora!! We have time to explore the town and find the railway station for Denis in the morning! ANother stonkingly good dinner and food. We billet ourselves in the church a lovely old church. The girls have showers in the Manse and it is the finest day they have had for ages and a wonderful sunset!! What is the name of their minister the sec is Ross Mcleod! Devotions are led by Dolores she is very good just the tonic for most if us with THE LOVE TANK and needing someone just fill it up and each one is different but needs encouragement and someone to say thank you or just to fill up the love tank! Just to be loved (Little did I know that the roadies were feeling it today!) Wish I had known. I would have loved to have encouraged them but God knew through Dolores.! another God Incident! We walk around the village and the sea front others go for a pint! This is Denis last night with us so Glyn presents him with a the trophy and certificate. Denis gives us each key rings etc. And says a lovely thing: That this is the best ever B4B ride and bunch of guys he has ever been with Well thanks Denis and thank you God for allowing denis to be a part of this unique and wonderful family team. DAy 12 Brora to Wick (John O'Groats)August 27th 87.3 (Owen includes Dunkansby head and return to Wick!) Total 1056.7 milesAnother 8.00am start. weather not so good looking. We say our goodbyes to Denis and Then see him off on the railway station at Brora. It is sad! We say our goodbyes to the folk at Brora. and then we are off. Ron suggest that we stop just before Berridale hill! for T. Glyn struggles with his Granny today. The the rain and mist and etc starts so we do have a soaking. others help Glyn but in the end he is just too slow for them and he is left on the climbs. This is OK as I can come up under my own steam. I have to take off some clothing as Im too hot. Some hard climbs but very nice too. A strong head wind. How do these cyclists race up and down these? Then I see Ron indicating to pull in. so I jump into the van and change my clothing. we are soon off again after the T stop and Am first down the Berridale and first to gain the first bend on the ascent. This is a very steep hill. Soon our king of the Mountains Ian Hawkins is flashing past me and he gains the King of the Mountain jersey. Then they all go past me! Soon Peter Sadler is there to help me with the head wind and he is a great help along with Owen Goodspeed. Mark Farraghers gear give trouble so Craig stops to help him and we are glad of the rest. we are doing well again and so we decided to make Wick our dinner stop. Again Steve has rung in advance and we meet Angus Morrison the minister there. They have a wonderful building. we unload, freshen up and then have dinner. we are soon refreshed. the rain has stopped and it is becoming glorious sunny w weather again! We encourage Tim Denbow to ride and also Steve Lowe. Bob is back on the road again and so as a team we roll off toward John O'Groats. Clive Sadler Sacrificially drives the van, but he has a migraine so we are careful of him. He has been a tremendous support person and a wonderful character.. The team are just enjoying themselves and singing and chanting John O'Groats John O'Groats, John O'Groats etc. The miles fly past and then we are on the hill overlooking John O'Groats so it is time for pictures with the island s in the distance etc a time of festivity BUT we must remember those roadies who have so sacrificially given up their holidays to look after us. THANK YOU EACH ROADIE Then there are more pics at the sign of the village then Glyn is given the privilege to lead the team with Craig and Joe the youngest and I also call up Nigel and Ron the previous riders, well it is just great t fun, a carnival atmosphere So we roll in John O'Groats and the finish line with the vast crowd of tourists clapping us and cheering us as we rode in. Quite a festival, with lovely sunny warm weather! then more pics and the ones for FYFFES too. and then signing the book. A few of us then ride off to Dunkansby head the most north westerly point of the UK This is where Ian manages to fall off his bike and Clive exclaims all right Owen goes down to take pics too and then we leave him he will catch us up!! As Tim Denbow heads for Wick Bob is soon after him and on his tail! Peter Sadler, Joe Sergeant and Ian Hawkins! and / or Mark Farragher take the opportunity of riding in the van on the way back. it is hard gong trying to catch up with Bob He was MOTORING was the description of the tour leader! And so we get back into Wick. Where they have laid on a most fantastic meal and desert. They are truly wonderful folk. we leave with them two boxes of bananas we do not need all those bananas. They allow us to stay at Wick for two nights. Devotions are led by Steven Benge! I think, Wick baptist hold their own prayer meeting too. it is also time for the presentations of certificate and trophies. WELL DONE TEAM everyone Showers are in the church there is one in the disabled toilet and we take in turns to have a shower!! WELL DONE TEAM this was unique PRAISE GOD FOR HIS GOODNESS TO US DAY 13 Aug 28thDAY IN ORKNEYThe next day is a day of rest but most decided to go and see Orkney BUT it is raining so we all pile into the mini bus with Clive driving and go off on a bus journey, across the ferry and bus around Orkney. Ron goes off to see his cousin, and the Wuermlis and Rob Yates and Tim Denbow remain d and see the glass factory in Wick and generally have a restful time. We get back to cook our evening meal. what fun as the boys do it! A right mixture. With banana split for afters!! We meet as a team and decide that we need to leave at 5.00 am to get into Dundee and return to Perth with the vans and to swop over vans with bikes etc. Otherwise we spend over 150 + VAT on taking the hired van back to Swansea. What a team Praise God. Thanks Team! DAY 14 Aug 29thHomeward bound via Dundee for the van Perth for the van Edinburgh to drop off Ron Steve and IanTo PONTELEND, Newcastle So we do get off early!! Praise God for His safety Sam and Dolores lose their front wheel but it it not serious as they find the wheel nuts 50 yards down the road. So the AA jack them back up and tighten the wheel back on it could have been so much worse!! We don't say goodbye to Wick though that is my only disappointment. We learn of Steve Two Wheels Lowe who turns off the road on two wheel this is in the van! We get down to Perth Ok and then get over to Dundee to pick up the Swansea Van (This has cost 460!!!) for a head gasket!! Meanwhile Sam and Dolores are back on the road an they go into Perth Baptist to see the flower Festival and folk are really glad to see them. We drop off Ron at his house and Steve Benge there too and Ian Hawkins this mid afternoon and we are quite tired. we have T at Rons House! It takes 12 hours to get from Wick to Ponteland near Newcastle where we stay the night. On t he road down we over the Cheviots This is a fast road and am glad we did not cycle it! What another wonderful reception at PONTELAND Andy and Shona Kerr are there to greet us and the minister David Hanned the uncle of Lynwen here in Swansea and brother of Mike Hannen the bookbinder here in Swansea whom I know They take us to have showers in the local leisure centre and then prepare a wonderful meal. Peter Richardson takes the train from Newcastle to home in the morning. (later I find out that he has a two hour wait in York so he goes and joins in the worship for a few moments in York Minster!) meanwhile we learn a new game from the Wuermlis !! It is good fun and Ninon tries to talk to me while the game is being played and givers up. Rob Yates is so kind to take Peter Richardson to the station in the morning! We have a good nights sleep and off in the am DAY 15 Aug 30thHomeward bound PONTELEND via Nottingham, Birmingham Gloucester Newport and Swansea we decided to split the two vans & Tim Denbow, Steve Lowe and Rowly Brooks head south to take Rowly home.we in the mini bus go via Nottingham where we meet up with the Mount Pleasant Mini bUS and swop min busses. A wonderful breakfast the FIRST cooked breakfast of the tour, then it is the goodbyes, lovely set of people one lady says to Glyn I've never ever been involved with anything like this before (Well if the the whole tour was just for her!!)) Peter Richardson goes by train Rob Yates kindly takes him to the station We call in at Nottingham at the e Oasis centre en route we see the Angel of the North! an ugly thing! Tony Harrison and Tim Jenkins and Jonathan Harrison have been in church at Oasis centre and been blessed. Nigel is there to say hello and he gives us the thumbs up for our reunion THIS will be on Fri. Sat 7 Sun November 27, 28 & 29. We are off then having left Bob Rideout behind with the Autosave bus. he the next day takes it back to sheffield and cycles home against a head wind and realizes that the prayer cover is not there any more!! En-route now for Birmingham Nigel is dropped off at Solihull station he had to wait 10 mins!! We then make our way to Rob Yates place in Chosen Drive Gloucester where we meet up with Tim and Steve Lorraine Robs wife has put on a fantastic spread we are really are tired but did not expect this thanks Rob & Lorraine and (mum) and little Olivia! This is where Rob gets out Thank Rob for all you have been and done this tour. Next drop off point is Newport and we say good bye to the Sadlers all right!! here wheel s are sorted & Owen had his gear returned from Marks Bike!! Then we drop off Tim Jenkins we go via a long way to Monmouth etc to save the cost of the Bridge!! Soon we are in Swansea This is a culture shock for Ninon. Owen stays the night with us and in the morning I take him over to Neville to pack up his car and Owen is then off to London Tony takes Mark home! And Joe's dad comes for him from Narbeth. The drive is full of luggage and bike bits and food! It takes Glyn a few days to unwind an to sort things out. A truly memorable Tour and a unique tour. Only with the Prayer backing world-wide was this able to be accomplished. thanks to Parklands Evangelical Church too for their input. Psalm 121 is precious Roll on the next one!!
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