On Wednesday the 2nd of September a group of people made up of members of the Upper GI clinical team, patients and carers begin the long cycle from John O'Groats to Lands End. They hope to achieve in the region of 100 miles per day, arriving in Lands End in 10 days time.
Throughout this time there will be updates and photos posted on this blog so we can all follow their progress.
Journey to John O'Groats
The two support vehicles set off early full of bikes, bags and a sense of anticipation. We made Lancaster without much trouble but then the people carrier developed tyre trouble. After following directions to the nearest service station (via a road barely big enough to take the vehicle!) we were treated to wonderful service and hospitality. The tyres were checked and repaired and we were sent on our way – totally free of charge! We continued on but almost immediately hit traffic, jammed by an overturned lorry and trailer. Things however improved and we eventually arrived at our hotel. An early night was in order to be ready for the morning. However the eventful day was not over – the bathroom was flooded!! Sadly a mop up was the only solution as no other rooms were available but the hotel did refund our money. Lets hope this isn’t an omen for the journey to come……
a few of the team boarding their plane from Edinburgh to Wick.
bike preparation at John O'Groats ready for the start of the ride.
Lining up for the off with a sense of anticipation, nervousness and adrenaline flowing....
What a view! Riding through Helmsdale is a real treat.
A welcome site at the end of a hard days riding.
Day 1: John O'Groats to Dingwall
The first leg of our journey got under way with everyone feeling nervous and apprehensive. There were a few hiccups with people taking wrong turns and the support crew had a few teething troubles, but it all got sorted out and the rest of the day went well. Spirits remained high and we had a very warm welcome from our wonderful hotel at the end of the day.
Day 2: Dingwall to Glencoe
Internet reception was non existent but Jackie managed to phone through the anecdotes of the day from a very wild Glencoe!
Breakfast was very early so Jackie acted as waitress! Everyone set off for the second leg to Glencoe in good spirits. The scenery was fabulous and the weather very kind.
After a bumpy first day the support team developed an excellent strategy and worked really well. One vehicle stayed in front of the riders with the other bringing up the rear. The front van looped back a couple of times to provide refreshments and also to keep everyone in contact and up to date.
After our pre-dinner strategy meeting yesterday, everyone is in great spirits although it is hard going for the riders.
Nick (one of the Upper GI consultants) was pleased to announce that he had received a text message from his dog, Albie. Apparantly Albie had even asked Nick's wife to take a photograph of him. Steve Bravery, who is Nick's brother-in-law, observed that Nick has an unnatural relationship with his animals!
The day ended with entertainment from the local deer. A couple of females with young were near to the hotel. The young were practising their headbutting skills. After going through the warm up performance, they got ready for the charge…….and then completely missed each other! A light hearted moment at the end of an intense day
Day 3: Glencoe to Lanark
The early morning in Glencoe was stunning. Huge mountains either side of the valley with the sun rising above them - gloriously atmospheric.
The ride started well despite some confusion about the best way around one of the lochs. The riders, sensibly, took the shortest way around whilst the rear support vehicle went the longer route! The van quickly turned around and set off in pursuit. When they caught up they were met by the sight of several eminent surgeons all peeing into a bank of thistles – now there was photo moment!!
On occasions the riders got separated from the support vehicles. However on questioning later they owned up that they had succumbed to hamburger and chips for lunch!
Disagreement cropped up today with a couple of riders having words. However once they had ironed things out at the evening strategy meeting things improved. Ssshhhh don’t tell anyone but they are going to get back together again when they arrive at Gretna Green!
You would think that the main topic of conversation is the view or the great weather but no – bum cream is predominantly on their minds. What sort and where is the best to put it etc with every pun imaginable. Oh to be a fly on the wall!
The midges are feasting but spirits are still high. Roll on another good night’s sleep and the next leg in the morning.
Day 4: Lanark to Penrith
We woke up to yet more spectacular scenery. It was another early start and the weather continues to be kind. Today was a gentler, easier and slightly shorter day. It was enjoyed by everyone and spirits were high. This evening’s hotel is wonderful with reports of feather four poster beds no less. The wonderful owners have allowed all the bicycles to be parked in the ballroom (there are other uses?!) for which everyone was extremely grateful. Yet another example of the wonderful hospitality we have been shown to date.
We had another amusing anecdote from Nick who reminisced that as an infant he and his twin sister had their own language. He used to tell her what to say on his behalf and she would translate. So effectively he did not talk to anybody until he was four years old. One of the nurses was brave enough to note that Nick is making up for that now!
A new rider joined the team this evening for the next couple of legs. He and his wife arrived and were immediately thrown into the camaraderie of the evening meal complete with the continuing bum cream conversation! This has now moved up a gear with proposed selfies of rear ends for a competition ‘who has the sorest backside?’. All that high altitude is clearly starting to affect them!
One of our sponsors, marathon-photos.com also arrived today to take photos of the ride.
The weather forecast for the week ahead showed fine weather – news that was very well received.
Day 5: Penrith to Wigan
The day began early again with wonderful weather and vistas. The ride took everyone up very steep hills which eventually became wonderfully downhill. However at this point one of the riders took seriously ill and needed hospital treatment. The ride continued with a much lower mood as everyone was very concerned. Fortunately when Bob and Nick visited him later it turned out to be less serious than first thought and after a few days in hospital he will be able to go home to family.
Below Stirling Castle.
Nick somewhere near Glencoe.
Once again the morning brought lovely weather with more amazing views. With great excitement we made the ride’s half way point with many souvenir photos of the occasion.
Unfortunately the logistics were distinctly off today. The support vehicle went one way whilst the riders went another (the wonders of sat nav)!! This meant that the rear support car actually arrived before the cyclists – total chaos! Fortunately with Clare now involved the riders did get refreshments. Jackie and Clare are now referred to as the Banana ladies!
Bum soreness reigns supreme!
Oxford tomorrow........
Day 6: Wigan to Kidderminster
Look no hands! (Bob & Kinnari)
Kinnari and Michelle - always smiling
Mike, thrilled to have made it up a long hill
Day 7: Kidderminster to Oxford
A number of new riders joined the group today at Kidderminster. It was decided to put an experienced rider with a new one in order to give as much support as possible to everyone. This worked very well, particularly getting through Kiddeminster’s rush hour traffic.
As a result of this support Anna, who was originally only riding this one leg, asked to join in the rest right to Lands End. This is a real testament to a group of inspiring and supportive riders.
The first stop was about 25miles out of Kidderminster. Martin cycled across the white line into the layby when he heard a suspicious whooshing sound from his back wheel – yes it was a puncture! He couldn’t have timed it better though as the support vehicle was right there and everything got sorted our very quickly.
At the second stop many riders wanted to do the usual of heading into the bushes to make themselves comfortable, only to discover there was a group of campers the other side (you couldn’t make this stuff up!) There were heard many requests to ‘please face the other way’. And as for the nettles……
An uplifting part of the ride was arriving in Oxford to the reception at the Churchill hospital. There was a wonderful atmosphere with supporters and families all there to welcome the cyclists. Jonathan’s three young daughters were very excited to see him and scrambled all over him. Nick’s faithful friend Albie greeted him with enormous affection and Simon’s young son did a sterling job of handing round food with great energy.
The ground support group at the Churchill did a great job of dressing up the garden with banners and balloons and made it all look wonderful and very welcoming. The press were there and Nick, Jackie and Simon were interviewed for the television and the Oxford Mail and Cancer Research UK sent a communications person from London.
Everyone is looking forward to sleeping in their own beds tonight and getting some well deserved family time.
Nick and Jackie thanking the supporters and sponsors
Churchill Hospital Reception.
Lisa, Anita and Michelle enjoying a supportive group hug.
Jonathan our wonderful group techie.
Simon having a well derved rest
Jackie writes:
Today we had even more riders than yesterday. The weather was misty as the riders left Oxford but warmed to a beautiful sunny day as Somerset beckoned. Almost all the riders were moved to stop and take photos of the stunning views and vistas.
Over the evening meal there was discussion about the minor mishaps that the group has experienced since JOGLE-ing off in Scotland (note from Kay: makes a change from bums!).
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3 punctures
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4 falls
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1 brake system malfunction
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1 broken chain
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1 crank pedal decided to divorce its bike
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1 gear cable broke
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and there have been two punctures for the support vehicles
Fortunately, in true Monty Python mode, we have a wonderful bicycle repair man to do the mechanics to the bikes and a host of nurses to do the mechanics to the people.
Memories turned to Richard who we had to leave in Wigan. The news is good. He has had his operation, is much more comfortable and expects to be discharged over the weekend. Richard jetted in from California to join his good friend Simon for this ride and he has promised Simon he'll be fit in time so they can do the ride together next year.
A number of the riders who left Oxford this morning are leaving the group at Glastonbury. The remainder of the riders are still in good spirits and are making plans to beat the steep climbs that beckon tomorrow.
Roll on Liskeard.......
Jackie’s husband Roger shared an anecdote of his own today.
‘Support for JOGLE is, as you know, co-ordinated and managed by Jackie. I just do as I'm told. As a result I found myself in Scotland helping to unload bags from one of the support vehicles. I was wearing a short-sleeved shirt and the midges were out for their evening meal. Several days later the spots that have appeared following their bites are still growing in size and level of irritation. With only two days left it's probably too late to change my name to Richard. Then they could call me Spotted Dick.’
Day 8: Oxford to Glastonbury
the ride passed by Avebury Henge
Bob M is now known as Bender, a resurrected childhood nickname. It is not known how he came by it – yet! It is intended to find out at the party tomorrow evening…… (resistance will be futile!)
Rain threatened for late afternoon but most riders made it to hotel in time. Getting there the banana/chocolate/strawberry milkshake travelled 181 miles getting very well shaken unfortunately without finding their owners. The support vehicles got very lost! The navigator was….Jackie! (note to herself - find something else to do!)
It was Mikes turn to fall off his bike today he was accelerating too fast up a wet road. Steve who has not been riding long had a puncture yesterday – only the 2nd one in his entire life
Jonathan is now known as Dick Turpin since he collected £4 at a garage as he refreshed his water bottle and then went on to rob a further couple, in the hotel bar, of £2. He claims they felt sorry for him with his South African accent.
However Jackie has trumped todays donations by receiving £10 from the hotel manager in Liskard
Day 9: Glastonbury to Liskeard
Day 10: Liskeard to Lands End
Everyone woke with a sense of trepidation it being the last day. Many of the riders were trying not to think of all the hills they had to face. However a true spirit of resolve settled in as riders got under way. Determination seemed to drive them on. Once again the weather was unbelievably kind to us.
At the watering and feeding stops everyone’s minds were clearly set on the finish line. Jonathan, Michelle and Rupert were the first through the finish and were greeted with cheers by supporters and strangers alike. As another two groups came through they were met with a similar response. There was a wonderful atmosphere. Then it was a final dash down to the sign pointing north to John O’Grouts. where a group photo was taken before the photographer went home
At dinner there was an air both of disbelieve and recognition that they had all achieved this amazing goal with minimal scratches bruises and bumps. Meals were selected from local produce such as lobster, crab compote, dressed crab, white bait and other similar delicacies. Unfortunately most were too tired to get into too much trouble although the bar bill did reflect some revelry.
The origin of Bob M’s nickname remains a mystery!
Breakfast this morning was much quieter than usual as aches, pains and tiredness took control.
However there was still an undercurrent of triumph. On returning home our support vehicle showed 2500 miles on the clock.
Well done to an incredible team of clinicians, patients and carers. You have again proven that anything is possible and you are all an inspiration to us all.
Day 11: Going Home
