WE'VE DONE IT !!!!!!!!! 103 MILES.
Well as you can imagine we are all on cloud nine at this end and feeling extremely proud of ourselves.
The day started outside the hotel at 7.00am all in our fancy dress. We travelled back to Ovingham Bridge, unloaded the bikes and swapped a pedal off one of the spare bikes so Carl could continue with the ride on his bike.
It has been very cold today so most of the fancy dress costumes had to be adapted in some way and extra layers added so we didn't all catch pneumonia.
We left Ovingham Bridge about 7.30am and started our final miles towards Newcastle. We were on our own today as the support vehicles couldn't get anywhere near to cycle track.
The route took us along the riverside and into a small village called Newburn, then it continued into Newcastle. The whole route was on cycle paths most of which were by the riverside or quay side, it was hard to imagine that we were in a Major City, it was so picturesque.
When the paths did open out to run along side some of the city's roads the response we were getting from the public was amazing. All the cars and lorries were bibbing their horns and waving and smiling at us. The whole atmosphere was just fantastic.
Everybodies spirits were high and we pushed on through Newcastle and on to South Shields.
Just before we got to the South Shields ferry we hit the 100 mile mark and the cheers went up.
The ferryman waved our fare due to us riding for charity and went we got off the ferry on the other side Alastair & John were there to meet us.
We then rode down to the closest beach to officially dip our front wheels in the North Sea (as we dipped our back wheels in the Irish Sea when we started).
The final mile and a half was up to Arbeia Fort which is the official Start/Finish of the Hadrian's Wall Cycleway.
We are all so amazed at what we have achieved and really can't believe that we have actually done it and that it is all over, considering we started planning this last July!
Ina rang Beach Radio when we finished and they put us on the Air. They have been following us all week and have given us alot of coverage and have been updating you all on our progress.
Well not much more to say now except that we are off out tonight to celebrate before our trip home to you all tomorrow.
A great big thank you again to all who have helped and supported us through this adventure, to Alastair and John for being our support drivers, and not forgetting Lesley who unfortunately isn't here with us, we couldn't have done it without you all (George has suggested Lands End to Lowestoft next year but we will see).
Don't laugh too much at the pictures. I will update again in a few weeks when we know how much we raised.
We will see you all soon. Chez.
P.S I am having trouble with the photos again I will try again later.
Thursday, 4 June 2009
Wednesday, 3 June 2009
Day 3
Well here we are again. It has been a long day today as it was also our hotel change over day. We were all up at 5.30am and packed and on the road at 6.30am. We had a 45 minute drive to our starting point in Bardon Mill.
We unloaded and set off at about 7.30am. I just must say that today it has only been 13 degrees and we are all freezing (we are never happy)! It has been perfect cycling weather but the amount of layers of clothes that have gone on and off all day is amazing.
Our start was an immediate steady 130m climb. This warmed us all up. It didn't get any easier from there as we then immediately climbed again up a 1:7 to the summit of the whole trip at 256m above sea level. The view was fantastic and we stopped at the top for a photo.
The next bit was a very fast 4 mile, 195m descent to the village of Fourstones.
We then carried on through to the town of Hexham where we stopped for Breakfast (although by now it was really brunch) at a little breakfast van (I thought we were slimmers)!
After brunch we climbed a long steady hill through the village of Corbridge and stopped at the top for a quick rest. During our rest there was a crash and we all turned to see Pam laying on the floor. She had been trying to get back on her bike and lost her footing she put a big dent in the back of her helmet so thank goodness she was wearing it as she would have hit her head hard. This is Pam's 3rd accident so really we knew that it was coming at some point since things always come in 3's, (she fell in a hedge on one of our training nights, a hole on day 1 and now this).
The final stage of the day was another fast descent towards Ovingham and then one last climb in Ovingham and we had finished.
Another 29 miles done and now all the hills are over.
We loaded up and made our way to our new hotel and after a few wrong turns are now settled in for a well earned rest.
The bikes are now starting to show signs of strain as are we all. Carl has got to have some new pedals later tonight, my gears are not quite right and there are lots of other noises coming from a good few of the bikes.
I must just say that Lynda has had a fantastic day, her confidence has really gone up and she is just going for all the hills we can't stop her!
Well only 1 day left and no hills, yipee! Although we will be in fancy dress tomorrow so that will be quite interesting especially since we are going through the centre of Newcastle and probably a bit cold as the weather is supposed to be much the same as today.
Thanks for all the support and comments that you are putting on here we are reading them all.
See you tomorrow. Chez.
P.S. Hope you aren't too fed up with all the pictures yet. Wait for the fancy dress ones tomorrow!
We unloaded and set off at about 7.30am. I just must say that today it has only been 13 degrees and we are all freezing (we are never happy)! It has been perfect cycling weather but the amount of layers of clothes that have gone on and off all day is amazing.
Our start was an immediate steady 130m climb. This warmed us all up. It didn't get any easier from there as we then immediately climbed again up a 1:7 to the summit of the whole trip at 256m above sea level. The view was fantastic and we stopped at the top for a photo.
The next bit was a very fast 4 mile, 195m descent to the village of Fourstones.
We then carried on through to the town of Hexham where we stopped for Breakfast (although by now it was really brunch) at a little breakfast van (I thought we were slimmers)!
After brunch we climbed a long steady hill through the village of Corbridge and stopped at the top for a quick rest. During our rest there was a crash and we all turned to see Pam laying on the floor. She had been trying to get back on her bike and lost her footing she put a big dent in the back of her helmet so thank goodness she was wearing it as she would have hit her head hard. This is Pam's 3rd accident so really we knew that it was coming at some point since things always come in 3's, (she fell in a hedge on one of our training nights, a hole on day 1 and now this).
The final stage of the day was another fast descent towards Ovingham and then one last climb in Ovingham and we had finished.
Another 29 miles done and now all the hills are over.
We loaded up and made our way to our new hotel and after a few wrong turns are now settled in for a well earned rest.
The bikes are now starting to show signs of strain as are we all. Carl has got to have some new pedals later tonight, my gears are not quite right and there are lots of other noises coming from a good few of the bikes.
I must just say that Lynda has had a fantastic day, her confidence has really gone up and she is just going for all the hills we can't stop her!
Well only 1 day left and no hills, yipee! Although we will be in fancy dress tomorrow so that will be quite interesting especially since we are going through the centre of Newcastle and probably a bit cold as the weather is supposed to be much the same as today.
Thanks for all the support and comments that you are putting on here we are reading them all.
See you tomorrow. Chez.
P.S. Hope you aren't too fed up with all the pictures yet. Wait for the fancy dress ones tomorrow!
Tuesday, 2 June 2009
Day 2
We decided to get an earlier start today because yesterday cycling for such a long time in the heat took it's toll. We arrived at Brampton just before 7.30am and started out about 10 mins later. The sun was already beating down and its was already very hot. Lots of us were very uncertain what the day ahead would hold and there was a lot of wobbly stomachs. The first climb of the day was almost immediate and we were all wondering if we would actually make it to the end of the day after only one hill.
Yesterday was 29 miles on a relatively even level with the hills starting to appear at the end of the day and although today was only 20 miles it was hilly for all of it.
After Brampton we proceeded towards Lanercost and past the priory which was lovely. It was then on to Banks and the first really severe climb of a 1:7 which lasted for miles. This was our first real test and the heat was almost unbearable and it was only 9.00am. With plenty of stops and starts we all made it up and met up with the support crew for a rest and a photo on part of the Hadrian's Wall ruins.
We then dropped down into a lovely little village called Gilsland and found a coffee shop to have breakfast at. The coffee shop was called 'The House of Meg' and the two ladies who were running it were fantastic. The food and drink were lovely and they were so friendly and accommodating. We told them all about what we were doing and that we were all Slimming World members and the owner who is also a Slimming World member gave us a £10 donation towards our charities. So a big thank you to all at 'House of Meg'. We wish we could go back again tomorrow!
We left there after a good rest and proceeded towards Greenhead. Here we encountered a nice 1:6 hill which was so steep that Sustrans had built a separate cycle route next to the road. Unfortunately this had been topped with very loose chippings and most of us agreed that it was just too dangerous and slippery so we had to walk up instead (except Paul & Carl who rode it) This was quite disappointing as we all wanted to give it a go but it was just too dangerous.
A really fast descent followed into Haltwistle (Carl clocked 37.9 mph) it was quite scary but the breeze was very welcome!
Finally we climbed from Haltwistle up to Bardon Mill which was our finishing point for the day.
We made good time today by starting earlier and finished at 12.30pm.
Ina and the girls wanted to do some retail therapy at the Gretna Green outlet village so after a quick shower at the hotel we went on to do some shopping. There wasn't too much there so we sat down for refreshments at O'Briens Sandwich Bar and we were making so much noise and laughing that the owner asked what we were doing so we told him. When it came time for us to leave he came out and gave us a £10 donation for the charities. So a huge Thank You to Alan and all the girls and O'Briens in the Gretna Outlet Village it is much appreciated.
OK back for a rest before the evening meal and a debate about tomorrows 256m summit which is pretty much first thing in the day. That will wake a few people up! Tomorrow it's only supposed to be 13 degrees instead of the 26+ of today, but it will be a welcome change (I hope).
See you tomorrow. Chez.
P.S. We will add more pictures as we can but they are taking ages to upload. Keep checking the Slideshow on the right and if you click on one of the pictures they should open in a new window a lot bigger (I think).
Yesterday was 29 miles on a relatively even level with the hills starting to appear at the end of the day and although today was only 20 miles it was hilly for all of it.
After Brampton we proceeded towards Lanercost and past the priory which was lovely. It was then on to Banks and the first really severe climb of a 1:7 which lasted for miles. This was our first real test and the heat was almost unbearable and it was only 9.00am. With plenty of stops and starts we all made it up and met up with the support crew for a rest and a photo on part of the Hadrian's Wall ruins.
We then dropped down into a lovely little village called Gilsland and found a coffee shop to have breakfast at. The coffee shop was called 'The House of Meg' and the two ladies who were running it were fantastic. The food and drink were lovely and they were so friendly and accommodating. We told them all about what we were doing and that we were all Slimming World members and the owner who is also a Slimming World member gave us a £10 donation towards our charities. So a big thank you to all at 'House of Meg'. We wish we could go back again tomorrow!
We left there after a good rest and proceeded towards Greenhead. Here we encountered a nice 1:6 hill which was so steep that Sustrans had built a separate cycle route next to the road. Unfortunately this had been topped with very loose chippings and most of us agreed that it was just too dangerous and slippery so we had to walk up instead (except Paul & Carl who rode it) This was quite disappointing as we all wanted to give it a go but it was just too dangerous.
A really fast descent followed into Haltwistle (Carl clocked 37.9 mph) it was quite scary but the breeze was very welcome!
Finally we climbed from Haltwistle up to Bardon Mill which was our finishing point for the day.
We made good time today by starting earlier and finished at 12.30pm.
Ina and the girls wanted to do some retail therapy at the Gretna Green outlet village so after a quick shower at the hotel we went on to do some shopping. There wasn't too much there so we sat down for refreshments at O'Briens Sandwich Bar and we were making so much noise and laughing that the owner asked what we were doing so we told him. When it came time for us to leave he came out and gave us a £10 donation for the charities. So a huge Thank You to Alan and all the girls and O'Briens in the Gretna Outlet Village it is much appreciated.
OK back for a rest before the evening meal and a debate about tomorrows 256m summit which is pretty much first thing in the day. That will wake a few people up! Tomorrow it's only supposed to be 13 degrees instead of the 26+ of today, but it will be a welcome change (I hope).
See you tomorrow. Chez.
P.S. We will add more pictures as we can but they are taking ages to upload. Keep checking the Slideshow on the right and if you click on one of the pictures they should open in a new window a lot bigger (I think).
Monday, 1 June 2009
Day 1
Well here we are and raring to go and it is so hot. We left the travel lodge at 7am and travelled to the starting point (we got lost once). We had breakfast at a pub in the village of Bowness and then proceeded to the starting point on the beach. We unloaded the bikes and took some photos on the beach. The tide was right out and it was quite muddy. This is where we had our first mishap of the day, on the way back to the car park from the beach Pam fell down a big hole and her bike fell on top of her. Everyone was laughing so much that she layed there for a bit before we managed to get her up and Alaistair filmed the whole thing!
We then started off on the route towards Carlisle, the scenery is just breathtaking and the weather was great. Here comes mishap number two. Lynda stopped because she had a problem and Chris was right behind her, Chris swerved to avoid her but had nowhere to go so breaked hard and ended up in a mangled heap on the floor with her bike. Luckily the support crew weren't far away and no serious damage was done but she did cut her elbow and will have a massive bruise on her leg. Two accidents and we hadn't even done 10 miles but at least none of them involved Carl!
We proceeded on towards Carlisle stopping every now and then to fix a few problems caused by the bikes being in transit (nothing serious). The route wasn't very well signposted in Carlisle and we got a bit lost but soon got back on track and picked it up again. It was at this point that the ladies found some Firemen doing their training in the river and just had to have their photos done!
We continued through the lovely park and then over the M6 and on towards Brampton. We stopped for a drink in a small Pub and then kept pedaling on. By this point most of us were half cooked but kept pressing on.
Then we started to find some hills and boy were they hills. This was supposed to be an easy day!
The hills took their toll after a little while and everybody needed a lot of encouragement, but we got their in the end.
We arrived in Brampton at 3.45pm. Day 1 took us 6 hours which is longer than we expected but no training could have prepared us for this heat. We are all very tired and very red but extremely proud of what we have achieved in these conditions, and this is only day 1. We are going to start earlier tomorrow to try and avoid some of the heat although it supposed to cool a little.
Day 2 here we come. See you tomorrow. Chez.
More Pictures will follow later, time for Tea now!
Thursday, 28 May 2009
EDP Article / Ready for the Off
On Wednesday 27th May seven of the group braved a windy seafront in Lowestoft to do an article and photo shoot for the EDP. The Article is in the EDP today (28th May) and is excellent. It is nearly half a page with a good photo and great write up.
Our last training rides took place over the bank holiday weekend with a Sunday & Monday ride out to Southwold and finally a Tuesday evening ride out to Blundeston. We are not doing anymore training now just resting up for the main event next week.
We will be off on Sunday and will cycle Monday to Thursday arriving home again (very sore) on Friday.
I will be doing an update on here every evening (as long as internet connection allows) so you can follow us each day. I also hope to put more photos on as the last day will be done in fancy dress.
Lets hope the weather is good to us & thanks again to you all for your support.
Chez.
Our last training rides took place over the bank holiday weekend with a Sunday & Monday ride out to Southwold and finally a Tuesday evening ride out to Blundeston. We are not doing anymore training now just resting up for the main event next week.
We will be off on Sunday and will cycle Monday to Thursday arriving home again (very sore) on Friday.
I will be doing an update on here every evening (as long as internet connection allows) so you can follow us each day. I also hope to put more photos on as the last day will be done in fancy dress.
Lets hope the weather is good to us & thanks again to you all for your support.
Chez.
Wednesday, 20 May 2009
Quiz Night / Fold-Up Bike Auction
Tuesday night saw the third of the WWW quiz nights take place at Kirkley Bowls Club. It was well attended again and a good night was had by all. The 'Quizicals' (George, Lesley, Jim & friends) won again with a score of 118 points but this time not far behind were 'Lost Hope' (Paul, Chris, Cherry, Carl, Me & Ina) with a score of 106 this was pretty amazing considering last time we came near the bottom. We decided it was all down to Cherry joining us for the first time she must have brought us good luck!
We have very kindly been donated by a local young man a proper fold-up commutor bike. It has only been ridden a couple of times and is in excellent condition. We have had it valued by Cedar Cycles at £299. It is far too good to put in a raffle so we have decided to Auction it off over the course of the next month. We have put a reserve on it of £100. Bids can be made to any of the Wobbly Wheeler members or using the contact details on the right hand side of this page. We have also decided to take the bike with us on the cycle ride so the winner will also get a certificate to say that it came with us on the first ever Waveney Wobbly Wheeler challenge.
It is a lovely bike and we are very lucky to have had such a generous prize donated.
So get bidding!
Chez.
We have very kindly been donated by a local young man a proper fold-up commutor bike. It has only been ridden a couple of times and is in excellent condition. We have had it valued by Cedar Cycles at £299. It is far too good to put in a raffle so we have decided to Auction it off over the course of the next month. We have put a reserve on it of £100. Bids can be made to any of the Wobbly Wheeler members or using the contact details on the right hand side of this page. We have also decided to take the bike with us on the cycle ride so the winner will also get a certificate to say that it came with us on the first ever Waveney Wobbly Wheeler challenge.
It is a lovely bike and we are very lucky to have had such a generous prize donated.
So get bidding!
Chez.
Monday, 18 May 2009
Beccles Cycle for Life
It was a glorious sunny day on the 10th May when we all took part in the Beccles Cycle for life. It was a 25 mile route around the neighbouring villages and there was more than 350 taking part. We left the Beccles Middle school at 10.00am and had a nice leisurely ride through the countryside and through the various checkpoints finishing off back at the middle school at about 2.00pm.
It was a good training ride for us and there were a few sneaky hills included on the route. Unfortunately Carl had trouble with his bike and had to leave us at Sotterly to bike home and make a few repairs. He joined us again later and his bike just made it to the finish, in the end he had actually done more than 25 miles with his detour home and back!
The ride itself was followed by a Bar-B-Q which was enjoyed by all and gave us a chance to have a good rest.
Training rides continue most evenings and average about 15 miles now with a longer ride out on Sunday's. With only two weeks to go we are finalising and double checking all the preperations and the last quiz night is on the 19th May at Kirkley Bowls Club. Chez.
It was a good training ride for us and there were a few sneaky hills included on the route. Unfortunately Carl had trouble with his bike and had to leave us at Sotterly to bike home and make a few repairs. He joined us again later and his bike just made it to the finish, in the end he had actually done more than 25 miles with his detour home and back!
The ride itself was followed by a Bar-B-Q which was enjoyed by all and gave us a chance to have a good rest.
Training rides continue most evenings and average about 15 miles now with a longer ride out on Sunday's. With only two weeks to go we are finalising and double checking all the preperations and the last quiz night is on the 19th May at Kirkley Bowls Club. Chez.
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