Pete's LEJOG

We departed Preston 6.45am in torrential rain and drove to Southport were we picked up Brian Gough at 7.20 a.m. and proceeded to drive to Lands End. Brian had agreed to ride with me for the first 3 days but had to be back at work on Monday morning. We had a good journey to Lands End taking six and a half hours, stopping twice, once for a cup of tea and the loo, and then for lunch. At Lands End we did the traditional thing of having an official photograph taken. We were anxious to start the ride and at last got going at 3.15 p.m. aiming to at least get to Bodmin. The weather was bright and sunny and there was a south-westerly wind blowing us along. Brian was so enthusiastic I had to tell him to slow down. The road was to say the least "lumpy" with many long drags. However we were making excellent progress and decided to press on to Launceston arriving at 7.30pm, rather tired as we had pushed ourselves in the 4hrs. We rode on the A30 which is a major road very hilly and the traffic is very fast moving although there is a strip at the side of the rode you can ride on for stretches. Marilyn booked us in at the White Hart Hotel in Launceston. After having a soak in a bath we had a drink in the bar and a meal which was passable. We retired to bed at 10.00pm. A good first day we thought. Well done Marilyn.

Miles today 85.

Day 2 SAT 18^TH July 1998.

After not too bad of a nights sleep we went for breakfast at 7.30am, and had the usual cereal, egg, bacon etc, toast and marmalade. We were ready to set off on our second leg at 8.30am, again having to travel on the A30. Our first stop was Pocome Bridge, with Marilyn stopping in lay byes to check that we had all that was necessary. This was the order of things for the rest of the ride with short breaks every 2 hours for a drink and a banana or Mars bar. Again the terrain was extremely hilly with no respite. Marilyn took to following behind us in the car and probably due to he fact we had all kinds of hoardings attached to the roof rack saying we were involved in charity ride the only horns that were sounded seemed to be ones of encouragement even though this must have caused some hold ups. We got off the A30 at Exeter and the roads got flatter and it was a relief to get away from the traffic. It started to rain a little but it was still warm. The A38 took us up to Bristol, having stopped at 1.00pm for lunch at a local garden centre. For some silly reason, yet to be answered, we travelled through Bristol City centre, this turned out to be a disaster, as we got lost and probably went out of our way by at a least 10 miles. Marilyn managed to get through and on to the A38 towards Gloucester, probably by more luck than judgement, as there were no signs. Marilyn rang us and re directed us back on course from Avonmouth, how we got there we will never know. This put us back time wise by about an hour. We got back on track at about 6.00pm. About 10 miles from Gloucester and after 149 miles riding we decided to call it a day. We found a nice B&B a few miles off our route, had a shower and had a short drive up the road for an evening meal. Brian and I both complained of a sore bum, and were very tired. We retired at 10.30pm.

Miles today 149.5

DAY 3 Sunday 19/7/98

We managed a lie in this morning, as breakfast was not until 8am. We again ate as much as we could before starting our journey through to Southport, this was going to be a gruelling day as we needed to achieve 160 miles to be able to get back into our own bed for the evening. We started well, the breeze was helpful although rain was in the air. The first stop was about 10.30am. The route took us through Gloucester, Tewkesbury, Worcester and Kidderminster. The roads were fairly flat until a few miles before Bridgnorth when they became very steep. We stopped at 12.30 for lunch, after beans on toast and a cup of tea at a greasy cafe we proceeded towards Telford. We stopped after another couple of hours just before Whitchurch, the strain was now beginning to tell. Our next step was at Oulton at around 5.00pm, by this time it had started to rain quite heavily. After Marilyn crossed the Runcorn Bridge she informed us that the exhaust had gone on the car, a job for tomorrow. At this point we could recognise home territory which gave us a boost. The weather brightened up and we kept going I think by this point we had got our second wind. We had a 10 min break at Ormskirk after which Brian decided to put the hammer down and increase our average speed, we only had 7 miles to Southport so I hung on. We covered 172 miles in the day, which was fantastic, very hard, but a good days work. Marilyn and myself had dinner at a friends who was looking after Dawn which gave us a chance to see her for a little while before going home and retiring to bed at about 10.30pm

miles today 172

Today was Brian's last day thanks a lot Brian for your help and support.

Day 4 Monday 20/7/98.

After what was not a good nights sleep, I was going to go further North. I did have another friend joining me in the shape of Steve Wall who owns our local village shop. We left home at 10.00am and proceeded to GUS in Preston where Marilyn works on the way we met Steves Dad who was also to ride with us towards Carlisle. We have had a tremendous amount of support from the people at GUS both in their understanding about Dawn and in the way of sponsorship for the ride. We set off from the Gus building at 10.50am and travelled north, the weather being very warm but threatening rain. Marilyn took the car to get a new exhaust. I was now in familiar territory riding north up the A6 and through Lancaster. It took me all my time not to call at Scorton for teacakes. A few miles North of Lancaster the three of us were caught by Marilyn, complete with new exhaust, and Steves wife driving the shops van. We halted for some lunch. North of Carnforth it started to rain. We took the scenic route and missed out the bypass. The closer we got to Kendal the more it started to rain. By the time we got to Kendal it was torrential. We now started the long climb of Shap and it was like riding through a stream all the way up. We stopped at a cafe in the small village of Clifton. At this stage I decided we would stop for the night at Penrith so off I sent Marilyn to look for accommodation. On reaching Penrith the weather had improved enough to encourage us to continue to Carlisle, of which Steve was in agreement. So off we went. This part of the ride was quite pleasant as the rain had stopped and the sun was out. We arrived in Carlisle at 6.15pm. Marilyn had already arranged B & B.
This is where Steve and his father, who had also ridden most of the way, had to depart. Their bikes were loaded into the van and Karen drove them back to Newton.

Thanks Karen and Steve for your support.

miles today 98

Day 5 Tuesday 21/7/98.

The stop at Carlisle left a lot to be desired as the hotel did not meet Marilyns exacting standards but never mind off Marilyn and myself went. I was now riding alone for the first time. We anticipated the weather to be awful but it seemed to start off okay. The A74 into Scotland was extremely busy but at Gretna we left it for a B road which was pleasant. This road runs roughly parallel with the motorway and is great to ride on. We had to re join the A74 for a few miles before leaving it again to go to Moffatt. After a quick Café stop there was a long climb over the "Devils Beef Tub" and then a descent that seemed to go on for ever, this coupled with some rain chilled me to the bone but after stopping for a bowl of lentil soup and a pot of tea I felt refreshed enough to start my onward journey to Edinburgh. This stretch seemed to be very fast and with the wind behind me I was on the big ring for a number of miles. As we approached the signs for Edinburgh and the Forth road bridge Marilyn sat in a lay-by very apprehensive as she hates bridges at the best of times let alone having to drive herself across one. We proceeded towards the Forth Bridge and ended up on a motorway, I had to do a u-turn and Marilyn took the straightforward route across the bridge. After some deviation, as I kept coming to stretches of motorway, I eventually got over the bridge but at this stage Marilyn and myself had really lost touch as I hadn't taken my mobile with me. In the end I called my friend Colin who rang Marilyn so we did meet up again with Marilyn rather stressed purely with concern for me. We continued towards Perth and at 6.15 we decided to stop at Kinross. I felt as though I had a good first day on my own. Hotel good. Evening meal at Indian, really good.

Miles today 127

Day 6 Wednesday 22/7/98

After listening to the wind and rain all through the night I was concerned that today's weather would be awful. At 8.15am with a break in the clouds I decided to give it a go although it didn't look too promising. Today's destination was going to be Inverness. At this stage I had taken to wearing two pairs of shorts and this offered some relief. As we got further north the weather became promising, lots of clouds but moving quickly with the wind and also lots of breaks. This was another hilly day, but it was also by far the most picturesque of the whole journey. On reaching Perth Marilyn decided to do some shopping so I forged on alone. I seemed to make good time even though it was very hilly and windy. The A9 is a very good road although quite busy in parts. North of Dunkeld Marilyn caught me up again. On through Pitlochry and we stopped at Blair Athol for some lunch. Some of the climbs around here are significant but the wind once again was mostly favourable. After reaching Inverness at about 5.00pm and riding through the rush hour traffic we decided to go another 15 miles and at 6.00pm we arrived at a hotel Marilyn had found via tourist information. I did the last 5 miles at 25 mph+ as I had got on a guys wheel who was going like a train. Marilyn had one word for the hotel "CRAP". To make up for this we went to the Morange hotel in Tain for an evening meal which was excellent, in fact so good we decided to book this hotel for Thursday evening. The plan was to reach John O' Groats and drive the 100 miles back to the Morange immediately.

PS, This diary, by mistake, went to the hotel Marilyn describes as crap and we eventually got a letter of apology together with the offer of free weekend accommodation. We have not yet taken up the offer.

miles today 145

Day 7 Thursday 23/7/98.

This was going to be our last day after spending an awful night in a grotty room we set off for John o' Groats, only 100 miles today. The weather didn't seem to be looking good but off we went. By 10am I was drenched and the wind was howling and the rain pouring I knew this would be a hard day because of the conditions. At Helsmdale I reached the top of the longest climb of whole ride and waited for Marilyn, unfortunately what Marilyn thought was the top and what I thought was the top seemed to differ, so in the wind and rain I waited and waited. As time passed and I got colder and colder I decided to shelter in a BT telephone box. After what seemed to be an eternity (Marilyn says 15 mins) I decided to call home from the box as my mobile had no signal. My daughter had not heard from Marilyn. The only think I could do was, yes wait for it, cycle back down the hill. I met Marilyn at the bottom as she was coming the other way, we did have words, as Marilyn explained she had been sat in a lay-by waiting for me then got worried when I didn't turn up. At this stage I put the bike on the car and stopped at the telephone box and proceeded on my journey. The weather didn't get any better and we also couldn't find anywhere suitable for a hot cup of tea so we plodded on. Eventually we reached Wick with only 17 miles left where I managed to get a bowl of hot soup, a sandwich and a cup of tea. The last leg seemed to be the hardest of the whole 900 miles with the westerly wind trying to blow me off the road. I eventually made it at 5.10pm.

It was an emotional moment when I finished and I was elated to have done it in 61/2 days.

miles today 104

This was a wonderful experience and at this stage both Marilyn and myself would like to thank everyone for their support and contributions. The amount raised was £4,500 which was given to the Young Oncology Unit at Christies, Manchester where my daughter was treated .