View Full Version : Rach & Sue's Cycling Challenge
Ever wanted to do something to make a difference?
Ever thought you’d like to challenge yourself to do something rather mad??
Well that’s the situation that Sue and I have found ourselves in, as we have done both of the above. And the result is that we have set ourselves two challenges.
Challenge number one
The John O’Groats to Lands End trip… by bicycle. Given that one of us, in particular, is a bit of a stranger to cycling, there probably could have been easier ways to raise money for our chosen charities.
However, the people we are raising money for sometimes don’t have the option of ‘an easier way’. We want to raise money for the RNLI and Help for Heroes. The RNLI volunteer crews and lifeguards can be called out to deal with some extremely challenging and demanding shouts and do so to save lives at sea, selflessly helping those who are facing danger.
Our armed forces are in the front line, in various parts of the world, literally risking their own lives in an effort to make the lives of others better.
So two weeks of peddling uphill and down dale, by comparison, is the least we could do! And here’s where you can help.
Challenge numbertwo!
Provide funds for RNLI Montrose Lifeboat station and to fund help for the injured serviceman or woman with medical/aftercare or rehab.
Our financial challenge therefore is to raise £1500 to split between these worthy causes. We would sincerely like to exceed this amount but have set the target to £1500 for now…..it hopefully will increase with your kind and generous help.
And of course you are more than welcome to join us on our journey. Whether it is for longer or shorter stretches, your company would be very much appreciated. .. As would a pint at Lands End!!
http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/team/Tour_de_Flounders
Thanking you very much in advance for your kind generosity
Rach and Sue
PS. Since you org folk are all over the country if you want to join us at all or have any advice on your area or have done it before and got some tips........ Pllllllllleeeeeeeeeeaaaaassssseeee post them here
Cheers guys
Rai x
Luckypants
16-05-11, 03:11 PM
Donated. Only 41 days away? How has the training been going? What daily mileage are you planning on?
Brilliant thank you so much lucky :)
Training has been going ok, had a bad day yesterday but managed to power thro. We have been nailing 60 - 70 mile training rides at weekends and cycling to work (36 mile) round trip during the week.
We need to be aiming to do 80 miles a day. Going to be hard work and painful but worth it!!
Nice to see the RNLI getting some money for a change. I will add to the coffers when i get paid.
These are difficult times, trying to do my bit :)
Thanks V
These are difficult times, trying to do my bit :)
Thanks VIts just that the RNLI is one of the very few charities that actually gets all their donations and is not subject to the 23% rule as most of their collecting is done by RNLI volunteers and not chuggers. Its also one of only 2 charities that i support.
Luckypants
16-05-11, 03:39 PM
Do you have the route Rai? I wonder how close you will come to us and if we might pedal part of the route with you?
I will write out the route and pop it up on here.
It would be brilliant if we passed close enough for you to join us for a bit! I think me and sue will be ready to kill each other by then so a fresh face would be great :p
Looks like an interesting route
Looks like an interesting route
..... yup, hope so
Luckypants
16-05-11, 04:08 PM
I will write out the route and pop it up on here.
It would be brilliant if we passed close enough for you to join us for a bit! I think me and sue will be ready to kill each other by then so a fresh face would be great :p
Surely you will have a support vehicle to keep you sane? :-?
maviczap
16-05-11, 04:27 PM
I'll donate once I get back from my travels abroad, as they're 2 of my favourite charities.
Good luck with the challenge, you'll do it, no problem. I'd like to join you like LP, but you'll not be riding anywhere near me.
If my old boss did it when he was 60 it'll be a breeze for you (fingers crossed :cool:)
Surely you will have a support vehicle to keep you sane? :-?
Yup that is true. We have a friend that will be our support van meeting us at the end of the day
I'll donate once I get back from my travels abroad, as they're 2 of my favourite charities.
Good luck with the challenge, you'll do it, no problem. I'd like to join you like LP, but you'll not be riding anywhere near me.
If my old boss did it when he was 60 it'll be a breeze for you (fingers crossed :cool:)
Thank you :)
Its going to be hard work but looking forward to it
fizzwheel
16-05-11, 08:50 PM
You are doing a LeJOG ? - respect. I'll admit to being a wee bit jealous, something I have always wanted to do
Oh and you cant read the body of your text if you are using the any of the black / dark themes' do you want me to fix it ?
yorkie_chris
16-05-11, 10:34 PM
You are doing a LeJOG ? - respect. I'll admit to being a wee bit jealous, something I have always wanted to do
Should do JOGLE instead, be easier as it is all downhill then :-P
Best of luck with it :)
You are doing a LeJOG ? - respect. I'll admit to being a wee bit jealous, something I have always wanted to do
Oh and you cant read the body of your text if you are using the any of the black / dark themes' do you want me to fix it ?
Yes please fiz sorry didnt think about the background colours.
We are going JOGLE - the other way round. (In my head its all down hill wahhoooooooooooo) :rolleyes:
For those of you that might want to join us for a section, here is the rough route:
Day 1 - John O'Groats to Helmsdale - 52.6 Miles
Day 2 - Helmsdale to Dingwall - 59.4 Miles
Day 3 - Dingwall to Spean Bridge - 65.4 Miles
Day 4 - Spean Bridge to Luss - 86.7 Miles
Day 5 - Luss to New Cumnock - 83.5 Miles
Day 6 - New Cumnock to Gretna - 69.7 Miles
Day 7 – Gretna to Kirkby Lonsdale, - 96.6 Miles
Day 8 - Kirkby Lonsdale to Warrington - 74.5 Miles
Day 9 – Warrington to Chelmarsh - 81.4 Miles
Day 10 – Chelmarsh to Stroud - 76.8 Miles
Day 11 - Stroud to Bridgwater - 75.9 Miles
Day 12 – Bridgwater to Moretonhampstead - 68.8 Miles
Day 13 – Moretonhampsted to Par Sands, Devon - 57.3 Miles
Day 14 - Par Sands to Land's End - 66.1 Miles
If anyone is near to any of our day end points and can advice on cheap hostels or B&Bs (Or even be amazing and put us up for the night) that would be super!
Cheers
Rach
Hmmph - you ain't coming near me!! - i would have put you up for a night too!!
I still sponsor you - once I've come back from NI though
:( Sorry Q. That would have been brill to! Next time eh
Thank you :)
Though what towns you going through from luss to cumnock
Hmmm - other side of the city - thought as much though I will watch with interest and if i can plan any work jollys down to that area i will!!
Luckypants
20-05-11, 10:34 AM
Looks like I could ride part of Day 9 with you as that is the closest to me, do you know what date that would be? Would you mind if I brought another rider? We could set up a car shuttle that way...
Also have emailed a friend in Dingwall for advice on B&B places there.
Looks like I could ride part of Day 9 with you as that is the closest to me, do you know what date that would be? Would you mind if I brought another rider? We could set up a car shuttle that way...
Also have emailed a friend in Dingwall for advice on B&B places there.
4th July is day 9. You and your friend are totally welcome to join us! Awesom, thank you for asking your friend, any advice is utterly welcome!
I am picking up my new bike this afternoon Soooooooooooo excited!!! Bit nervous about cycling with SPD pedals for the first time tho
fizzwheel
24-05-11, 06:42 PM
I am picking up my new bike this afternoon Soooooooooooo excited!!! Bit nervous about cycling with SPD pedals for the first time tho
oh new bike, what are you getting ?
and dont worry about SPD's you'll be fine, just make sure you plan ahead when stopping and dont leave it till the last minute before you unclip.
But if you fall dont worry everybody does a few times. Its part of the learning process and you cant call yourself a proper cyclist till you've fallen over because you cant get unclipped !
oh new bike, what are you getting ?
and dont worry about SPD's you'll be fine, just make sure you plan ahead when stopping and dont leave it till the last minute before you unclip.
But if you fall dont worry everybody does a few times. Its part of the learning process and you cant call yourself a proper cyclist till you've fallen over because you cant get unclipped !
Morning :) Still alive!
I decided on a Specialzed Sirrus Elite. Its a flat bar road bike. Nice bike and quite versitle for what i need it for. I ordered a new pair of shorts too (havent got them yet tho) some Assos ones.... people seem to be raving about how comfy they are.
Was a nice cycle home last night and i didnt fall off yay!!! :cheers:
fizzwheel
25-05-11, 07:25 AM
some Assos ones
Are you made of money !!!
Nice bike, wont go wrong with that.
Are you made of money !!!
Nice bike, wont go wrong with that.
lol I wish... cycle scheme and RNLI staff get discount at the shop with that and lots of flirting i got them down to just over £110. I hope they are worth it, but by all accounts they are
I was worried the bike wouldnt be roady enough but it is pretty quick so quite happy with it.
maviczap
25-05-11, 04:51 PM
lol I wish... cycle scheme and RNLI staff get discount at the shop with that and lots of flirting i got them down to just over £110. I hope they are worth it, but by all accounts they are
Yes they are, however on an epic journey like yours it'll be wise to have more than one pair of shorts.
Saddle sores aren't nice :smt104
Lol yup i have a couple of other pairs but none that expensive
I think my bum is going to hate me after this
Luckypants
26-05-11, 03:25 PM
My friends got back to me about B&B in Dingwall, they don't know anywhere personally but asked around and came up with these two
Fairfield House 01349 864 754
Garfield House 01349 867514 <-- this one has a family room
HTH
maviczap
27-05-11, 06:59 PM
Lol yup i have a couple of other pairs but none that expensive
I think my bum is going to hate me after this
Doesn't matter, so long as you have a clean pair to wear whilst the others dry. :D
Luckypants
15-06-11, 03:45 PM
How is training going Rai?
oh and a free bump! :)
Hellooooo
Training is going well, and actually am feeling quite excited!!! Are you still up for joining us?
Not long to go now, just starting to get all the bits in place and start sorting kit :)
Luckypants
16-06-11, 09:13 AM
Yep and my mate is too, so we can organise a car shuttle to do the whole day with you or perhaps do a 'there and back' and do 50 or so miles with you.
maviczap
17-06-11, 07:21 PM
I'll donate once I get back from my travels abroad, as they're 2 of my favourite charities.
Good luck with the challenge, you'll do it, no problem. I'd like to join you like LP, but you'll not be riding anywhere near me.
If my old boss did it when he was 60 it'll be a breeze for you (fingers crossed :cool:)
Just donated, hope this bleedin awful weather clears up, good luck :)
Bluefish
18-06-11, 07:51 AM
Good luck on your travels girls :notworthy:
Thank you so much guys!
:)
Lucky - which section will you be joining us on?
Luckypants
20-06-11, 11:09 AM
Day 9 – Warrington to Chelmarsh - 81.4 Miles
This bit mate, will talk to my buddy soon and let you know how we are fixed for doing the whole lot or just a there and back with you. I reckon we can keep you company for at least 50 miles though.
If you can PM the route for that day it will help with planning meeting you etc.
Ok will do
If anyone wants to follow our progress : http://jogle2011-rachsue.blogspot.com/
Hellooooo
WE DID IT!!! We finished at 14:00 sunday - I have attached a pic as proof :p
Had a fantastic time and met some wonderful people. I would totally say to anyone who has even though of doing to just go and do it!
Still tallying up all the money we raised so will let you know as soon as i do but i think we have at least reached our target :)
Thanks to all that donated
Sorry to Lucky that i couldnt get hold of you, would have been great to meet you
Rai :D
Luckypants
13-07-11, 12:40 PM
Well done Rai that's one hell of an achievement. :notworthy:
No worries about not being able to get in touch, it was one of them things.
Catch you on the return trip? :rolleyes:
Congratulations to you both.
So come on then, we need a write up about the tirals and tribulations.
maviczap
13-07-11, 12:48 PM
Whooo hooo well done you two.
Makes my 35 mile ride this morning a bit pathetic.
Perhaps I'll do this one day, if you can I can
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