Daily ride update

Photo album

posted 23 Aug 2010 15:14 by Richard Bradley [ updated 29 Jun 2011 14:29 ]

To see photos go to Photo Gallery and videos go Video Gallery

I must go down to the sea again*

posted 19 Aug 2010 04:50 by Barbara Bradley

Spalding to Cromer 80 miles 5 hrs 30

12 noon: Received text from Kings Lynn intimating they were ahead of schedule and were eating an apple pie [both or just Brad wasn't made clear].

12.45 Brad rang from vicinity of Great Massingham; aiming for lunch in or near Fakenham; still ahead of schedule (hope this isn't too tempting for the Pixie of Punctures). ETA promised after their lunch.........

Meanwhile back at Incleborough House, Barbara is doing what B&B ladies do plus making an extra cake - she's been reading this blog and is ready for 2 hungry cyclists (She doesn't believe they'll do the Fun Run...).

Chris, our elder son, has popped in to Cromer to check that bicycles are allowed near pier [one can't check everything in advance]

LATER.....

After several texts and phone calls but no visits from the Puncture Pixie we hear our Daring Duo have reached Cromer but don't know way to pier (er.. head towards sea?). No. 1 son, Chris, directs them towards the church where he points them down towards said pier; no.2 son, Adam, runs down ahead to video triunmphal arrival on esplanade to wild cheering from Rent-a-mob**.

Locals ignore us inspite of retina-searing orange MS Society T-shirts worn by our heroes. Probably thought we were part of the Carnival! Barbara bought double flake ice-creams for the cyclists (Adam and Chris only merited singles).Photos were taken, wives were kissed then Allie (friend and Cromer B&B lady) arrived, kissed the cyclists (who didn't know her from Adam and vice versa), apopogised for being late then invited us back to her place for cold drinks in the garden. Several drinks and B & B anecdotes later [and would you belive Allie's partner had met Paul's brother ?] we moved on to Incleborough House, East Runton where they finally got a shower. (Suggestions about how nice a quick dip in the sea would feel after 400 miles fell on deaf ears, especially after cold beer had been mentioned.) Followed by Nick's excellent chicken and tomato pasta with garlic bread. and a liitle wine.

And so to bed.........

*

from Spike Milligan's famous verse like Masefield but shorter

I must go down to the sea again,
to the lonely sea and the sky;
I left my shoes and socks there -
I wonder if they're dry?

Rent-a-mob** consisting of Barbara and Nick, Barbara's sister Heather, her husband, Phil and daughter with future grandchild, Webmistress, Chris and Adam which makes 8 and half so technically more of a mobette or moblet.

Familiar Faces

posted 18 Aug 2010 09:51 by Barbara Bradley [ updated 19 Aug 2010 05:43 ]

Long Itchington to Spalding 80 miles in 5 hr 30

Cold start with a little sunshine later in the day.

Market Harborough for morning tea plus a sandwich for Brad.

Paul is back to what passes for normal so please stop the Get Well cards.

On to Uppingham where they met up with Brad's parents, Jim and Janet, and Paul's mate Rob for lunch in The Vaults.

Liver and bacon and mash for both lads.

The steep hill past Eyebrook Reservoir tested their mettle en route to Stamford but the threat of rain spurred them on to Spalding by 5.30pm. Their luck held; as they rode into the drive at tonight's B&B [staying in a fantastic family room on second floor]. The garage door was remotely opened and they cycled in just as the heavens opened!

Jackie,The *Rope Walk's hostess, having saved them from an early shower not only provided tea, chocolate cake and a chat but also a map of recommended eateries in the town - where they're presumably stocking up on calories for the last leg of the odyssey as I type. Meanwhile my son, Adam and I enjoyed a pleasant evening.with Barbara and Nick before the excitement of The Grand Finale at Cromer Pier tomorrow. I refer of course to the Crab Dressing contest and Fun Run (I'm sure Brad and Paul will enjoy both events before a welcome shower and plate of pasta at Incleborough House in East Runton).

The ride there from the pier will give them the chance to 'warm down'!

If you're in Cromer around 4 pm this Thursday do come and wave .............and warch the Fun Run too.

SNACKS Brad 4 apricots Paul 0
*Rope Walk - there is still a rope walk but no longer a rope making industry in Spalding.

Another day another detour

posted 17 Aug 2010 13:27 by Barbara Bradley [ updated 18 Aug 2010 09:50 ]

Clehanger to Long Itchington 82 miles in 6 hr 30
On Mike's advice our heroes set off via Ledbury to avoid heavy traffic. Over a cup of tea in an internet cafe (they could have updated this blog themselves!) they sought directions to Pershore..............unfortunately the dialect defeated them and they ended up in Tewkesbury! Only an extra 10 miles...........
Lunch at Evesham in the Coffee Cup.
Poor Paul was suffering with a gippy tummy and only managed a ham salad and raspberry cheesecake for lunch and a medium rare sirloin steak for dinner.
Brad meanwhile managed 4 apricots as well as lunch and dinner.
Sleeping tonight at Manor Farm, Long Itchington, a very pretty village with 6 pubs and a duck pond (hope they don't end up with the ducks............)
Low point of the day was cycling on very narrow and busy Fosse Way.
High point was Paul cycling at all and recovering in time for the steak.
Meanwhile Barbara* has arrived from Incleborough House to whisk Barbara and son to Norfolk tromorrow to wave our heroes into the North Sea should their brakes fail on the pier.......................

Barbara* - not to be confused with Webmistress Barbara aka Brad's wife.

Almost a Rest Day

posted 16 Aug 2010 10:27 by Barbara Bradley [ updated 17 Aug 2010 13:31 ]

Brecon to Clehanger. 36 miles in 2h 45
Breakfast not mentioned so presumably as yesterday.
Stopped Hay-on-Wye for pot of tea (Paul had an icecream). Posed as tourists for a while and pronounced Hay as pretty and packed so lunch at
The Globe @ Hay (Brad baked potato Paul scrambled eggs) then back on the bikes at 1.30.
First mishap of trip is a wrong turning outside Hay up very steep hill to Clifford. Slight detour to get back on course.
Second mishap is Brad's chain coming adrift in the Golden Valley*. Luckily no one recorded any comments but some nearby grass got smeared with oil.
Then it's all downhill to Clehanger near Hereford and the home of Mike** and Sarah.
As Brad was downloading report to Webmistress*** (and Paul was in shower - hope you're paying attention at the back) Sarah was plying him with a cheese sandwich, tea and hummus with little veg sticks to tide them over till Mike gets back from work. Will Paul get out of the shower before Brad finishes the hummus? Tune in tomorrow to find out....

Golden Valley* named after River Dore [dwr - Welsh for water but the Normans heard d'or - French for gold] another case of lost in translation?
Mike** one of Paul's twin brothers [like Andrew (see day one) he also appeared in the First Great Ride as provider of free B&B]
Webmistress*** aka Brad's wife Barbara also appeared in the First Great Ride as blogger - new title same money

Breezing into Brecon

posted 16 Aug 2010 09:37 by Barbara Bradley

7am Chris Evans mentions the ride but names Adam Bradley as the rider! Webmistress will demand a correction.

Carmarthen to Brecon. 50 miles in 3 hrs 42.

After a good night's sleep in spite of the party being held in the adjoining function room our heroes ate a hearty Welsh Breakfast* before setting off at 10.30am.
It was a warm day with a gentle breeze and one gentle but very very long hill. In Llandeilo they stopped at The White Hart for coffee and muffins (Brad** 3 Paul 1).
A few miles later they thought they'd reached Matlock Baths from the number of motorbikes but it was actually Llandovery . Lunch was partaken in a teashop in company with a local cycling group (birds of a feather?). Sorry Webmisttress cannot read what they ate but she was taking down report whilst trying to watch 'Vexed'.
5pm saw them reach Brecon. Dinner of roast presumably Welsh lamb at the George Hotel. And so to bed ................

Brad** aka Richard [did you think they'd acquired a third musketeer?]
Welsh Breakfast* English plus laverbread I think.

Day One : Hilly and Windy

posted 14 Aug 2010 10:37 by Barbara Bradley [ updated 14 Aug 2010 11:06 ]

St Davids to Carmarthen. 45 miles in 3 hrs 30.
Battling crosswinds with no hedges for shelter as they negociated 12% hills our cyclists survive their first stage. Newgale hill tested their brakes well.The lack of teashops en route was annoying but meant they arrived at the Boars Head just before the heavens opened, so every cloud....
With bikes safely stowed in the cellar they can enjoy a shower and supper.
Carmarthen appears to be hosting a Merlin Convention - so hope the bikes don't turn into brooksticks in the night.

SNACKS
Richard: a banana and 6 dried apricots
Paul: a banana and a cereal bar

The journey begins.....

posted 14 Aug 2010 09:00 by Barbara Bradley [ updated 17 Aug 2010 13:41 ]

An early start in Rothley, Tansley and Thurcaston for Paul, Richard and his brother Andrew, who had rashly offered to deliver bikes and riders to Wales (he should have known better having delivered our Dynamic Duo to John o' Groats 6 years ago!). Some of us had been up since 4.30 just checking he'd packed everything again, there wasn't even a beautiful sunrise to compensate! They were waved off from Thurcaston at 7.45 am by Richard's family and tucking in to lunch in St. Davids by 12.30 pm.Richard had lasagne and Paul chicken pie, no mention of Andrew's lunch but then he only has to drive back to Tansley. Hope they took on enough calories to get them over those little Welsh hills....... and it's been very very damp in Leicestershire.

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