Lands End 2 John O'Groats and John O'Groats 2 Lands End

T-Shirts.. well Vest Tops

This is the final for the T-Shirt design, what do you think? ( They will be Vest tops actually so imagine with no sleeves ;-) )

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Ok, I changed the Hatherleigh end for Great Torrington due to B&B issues, this change is purely personal choice. The plan was the day before Great Torrington to end up in Weston-Supermare. The main reason was most other ways into North Devon were very hilly having to go over the Mendips, my plan was to stick to the coast and , well go round them. However the more I think about it the more I thought I really would like to cycle through Cheddar Gorge, so ( sorry Colin ) that what we'll do and end up staying in Cheddar instead. The other advantage of this route change is we not going as close to the centre of Bristol as before. Now to find the final B&B in Chedddar
Here's the new route

http://connect.garmin.com/course/2052840#

Am I in trouble? ...i've got a doctors note for that

I woke up this morning ( sounds like the start of a song doesn't it) Anyway, today was not such a good day for the old back. Started getting a few spikes of sciatic pain over the last few days and my shoulder has been giving me trouble for a long while. So time to break out the drugs again Naproxen, as i've been taken off the Diclofenac, as there's concerns of heart attacks with long term use.... now they tell me! Probably a good thing though as i'm sure i'll already be at higher risk having seen some of the hills on the map. Well, this led me to think should I contact UADA? (U.S. Anti-Doping Agency) I don't want any of you saying i'm a doping cheat and calling me Lance! So I did some digging and can across this list:

http://www.theathlete.org/banned_drugs/index.html

where it states

"This Product can be used for the following complaints/illnesses:
inflammation, pain, anti-inflammatory, back-pain, tendinitis, arthritis"

This is with the proviso

"Disclaimer

This list is a reference source for licensed medical products according to the latest IOC (International Olympic Committee) guidelines. Some food supplements are included, but verified information on ingredients of most supplements is very hard to obtain.
Medicines and supplements may change in appearance, content and banned status from time to time, and some organisations may have more stringent rules for their own sport.
If you are in any doubt, consult with your group medical officer."

Well i've got a note from my doctor.....surely thats good enough isn't it? ;-)

Route Change

Ok, there's been a slight change in course/route. I've been having really difficulties getting a B&B in Hatherleigh which was the end stop of day 10( tried 3 either don't exist anymore or didn't get back to me ) So i've switch the route to end a little further north in Great Torrington and contacted a B&B there and bingo we're in. Only one place left to sort a B&B and thats Weston-SuperMare and that a case of spoilt for choice!

Made the news!

Well got a small article in todays Daily Echo. There is a small issue with article, as they have me doing it the wrong way round, as I'm going John O'Groats to Lands End but still hope it will generate a few more sponsors. Not sure the prolapse disc is entirely accurate as it's more of a disc bulge ( less serious ) but it still gets the old sciatic nerve going more often than i'd like!

Team Photo

We finally we managed to get a picture of the both of us...OK it's not particularly flattering but unfortunately that might have something to do with the two subjects! Sorry Colin.
I've managed to get FREE accommodation from a B&B in Tewkesbury, which was extremely good of them, so just a few more places to get the final ones sorted.
I've somehow, in all this weather, clocked up 266 miles in January. That's just a little over a quarter of what we need to do in 12 days! Daunting thought. Colin is picking up the pace nicely but confesses he gunna need another saddle!! I think his words were something along the lines of " There's no way I can sit on that thing for 12 days, it's got to go".I must say the switch I made to the Selle San Marco Regal , has been inspired. It's rock solid and you'd thing you'd want something softer , with more gel? If fact it's the opposite you need one the right bum width ( yes it can be measured) and something firm enough to give you the support. It's been great so far.
Well that's it for now more details soon

Ice Tree

Ok, So i'm starting to realise that regardless of the weather i'm just gunna hav' to get out there and start getting some miles under the belt. I'm just been putting it off since I came back from the Cornwall ride in september. A week ago I cycled to my mums and back which is a 35mile round trip and I couldn't believe how hard it felt! Well That was until today when I did the same ride all be it a lot colder! I passed " squirrel ninja" territory ( if you don't know read the blog bits for the Portsmouth 2 Lands End ride ) Needless to say the squirrels were nowhere to be seen, probably somewhere keeping their NUTS warm!........ no comment!

Well it was tough , had to have a hot water bottle to warm my feet up whilst at mum's and they just about thawed out in time for the return ride! Came across the Ice Tree below, very pretty.

With less than 4 months I have work to do... till next time .