Driver |
|
||||
The Riders |
|||||
| Veterans of 1975 | First timers | ||||
|
|
||||
|
|
||||
|
|
||||
|
|
||||
|
|||||
| Becontree Wheelers Cycling Club LANDS END to JOHN O'GROATS club 75th Celebration Ride |
|
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
THURSDAY AUGUST 3rd |
As
previously arranged with Wilson Van Hire,
Tony, Charlie & I went to pick up the support vehicle at 5pm. A day before
we were all due to meet outside the Civic Centre at 10am for any last minute
loading problems, also an opportunity to meet with
a photographer from the Barking & Dagenham
Recorder. This to be followed by a Civic send off
at 11am by the Mayor and Mayoress Cllr Manley
and Helga Manley. Charlie & I got there on
time (Tony was already there) and the depot was shut with no way of contacting
anyone. We waited for an hour and during
that time frantically tried to think of another Hire company that would help us
at such short notice. Eventually a guy turned up
only to tell us that the previous hirer was late returning the van and if we
wanted to wait it would be two or three hours. Alternatively we could pick it up
at 8.30 in the morning. This we decided to do although
it is going to create a problem for picking up some of the riders, their
bikes & baggage.
FRIDAY
AUGUST 4th
|
 |
We
didn't manage to get to the Civic Centre until 10.40am only to find that the
photographer was not to be found. He had to go on another assignment!.
With the Good Wishes of the Mayor and Mayoress we left for "Lands End"
shortly after 11am. A photographer from the Mayors parlour recorded the
proceedings. The drive to Lands End took 12hrs
- stopping at Penzance for a meal, we arrived at
Lands End Youth Hostel at 10 O'clock. Time for bed!! Charlie, Bob Smith
and I are in the same room. We start off to John 0 Groats in the morning. |
DAY
ONE
|
|||
SAT
AUGUST 5th
|
|
||
|
By
9am we were ready to drive to Lands End - unload the bikes -Log on for the End
to End club - pose for numerous photographs at the signpost. Some with Bob Smith
who's doing a charity ride for Labrador Rescue &
the dogs were included in the pictures!! Nine of us started off all together
heading for Penzance. Things didn't go well and my
chain come off on entering Penzance, this led to me frequently losing contact
with the group. They waited at times and
eventually Karen &
the support vehicle stopped in a "Little
Chef" and CJ and I got in the van 1:15pm.
That was enough for me I stayed in the van until I
got close to Okehampton. Stopped for lunch in a layby
at 1:40pm, Tony decided he'd had enough & he
got in the van with us. We spent the afternoon leapfrogging
the lads who were now split into two groups Elliot & Dave Rudkins - Pete Lifford
& Frank Ryan - Bob Pannell
& Bob Smith. It stayed like that until 15 miles before Okehampton. Charlie &.
I decided to ride to the Hostel but Tony stayed in the van. I stuck to Charlies
back wheel all the way - was dropped on one stiff
climb but Charlie waited for me, then it was a
swoop down into town (Charlie punctured)
then finally on the climb up to the railway station Hostel I had to walk.
The van - Elliot & Dave Rudkins - Pete Lifford - came by me. Arrived at 6pm,
dinner at 7pm., Diary written and bed.
What a day ! Charlie reckons we have ridden 47miles
today the others 96miles. |
|
|||
SUNDAY
AUG 6th
|
|
||
|
Started
away from the Hostel 9.15 "the OLDIES" Charlie, Tony and me taking the
van to Exeter and the lunch stop. After that Charlie & I started off first
on the bikes. Tony didn't seem in a hurry but followed later, then the 6
"fast men" planned to follow us and the van bringing up the rear.
We stopped at the junction of the A38, Tony came into sight - roared by -and
left us trying to catch him! It stayed like that until Taunton. I got dropped
& lost my way in Taunton trying to find the A38. Fortunately I picked up
Pete Lifford and the gang & rode with them until I got dropped approaching
Bridgwater. I was the last to arrive 3pm Karen took Tony Charlie and 1 in the
van to Bristol and I was ready for that !! Finding the Hostel was not easy
either on the bike or in the van. There was no parking at the Hostel so Karen
had to park the van in a car park some distance from the Hostel after we had
unloaded the baggage. Dinner was at 7pm and it was now 6pm. Frank
& Elliot hadn't found the hostel yet and I'm still rushing around trying to
find out what everyone's dinner choice is and we have only got half an hour to
get ready. Pete is complaining to the receptionist for not having the
Hostel signposted in the town and Tony got the job of getting the bikes
down in a lift to a bike store in the basement!. So you see no one was pleased
that I'd decided to use BRISTOL YHA We were all EXHAUSTED and getting in
quite a lather!! The OLDIES done 40miles today, the fast men 107. |
DAY
THREE
|
|||
MONDAY
August 7th
|
|
||
|
We
all got away from the Hostel at 9 15am Charlie, Tony, and I in the van
half way to Gloucester. There Charlie Tony and I joined Bob S. & Bob P. to
Tewksbury but I was soon off the back and on my own until I got to Gloucester
and I found Charlie on his own waiting for me at the ring road junction - the
others had gone round the ring road - but Chas wanted to go through Glos. We
ended up in a pedestrian precinct and had trouble finding our way back to the
A38 so asked a Policeman !!! (he didn't know either, and got a map out to find
out II. Back on the A38 we found Karen in a layby waiting for someone to show
up. Not a sign of any one , they had all got lost round the ring road. We all
regrouped eventually and Chas and I & the two Bob's set off for Tewksbury. I
got tailed off again and went through Tewksbury on my own. Thinking they were
ahead of me I carried on towards Worcester. What I didn't know was the two Bob's
had got lost in Tewksbury & Charlie was ahead of me on his own. I rode on
towards Worcester, and Karen in the van was trying to catch Charlie to decide
how much further to go before stopping for lunch, which turned out to be 3miles
before Worcester. I found the van parked in a bus stop and Charlie in the bus
shelter buttering the bread for the lunchtime sandwiches. No other riders/they
arrived two at a time eventually by 2 O'clock. Tony Charlie and me spent
the afternoon on to Kidderminster - Bridgenorth - Shrewsbury. Rain was a
problem, all six wearing waterproofs split into two groups and after
Bridgenorth the van shot off to the Hostel to prepare for their arrival.
They got there by 6 15 dinner was at 7pm. Checking in and parking facilities was
not a problem, unlike Bristol!! The mileage today was 120m Charlie reckons
we've done 40miles. |
DAY FOUR |
|||
TUESDAY August 8th
|
|
||
|
Started
away from the Hostel at 9.10 all nine of us riding to Warrington via
Whitchurch. I got in the van 12miles before Warrington, the others went on to
the lunch stop that Karen found 3miles before Warrington in a layby outside a
BUPA hospital 52miles covered so far, so I must have ridden 40. This afternoon
I'm in the van with Charlie & Tony to Wigan - Preston -Kendal.
Regrouping at Preston for the final miles of the day on the A6 to Kendal. It is
now apparent that the 6 riders are not going to get to the hostel until well
after 7 so Karen phoned the hostel to tell them. Her mobile is proving to be
getting us out of trouble every day. Nearly all the others (except me ) have one
and can be contacted at any time to find out where they are and if they have
trouble and need help. There was light rain on and off this morning but nothing
to worry about, we all carried waterproofs With
ten miles to go we waited to make sure they were not in trouble then shot off to
Kendal to book in, unload the bags, park the van, and find the bike store. It
was now 6.50pm. The lads showed up at 7.30 and sat down to dinner at
&.45. Not bad eh I only three quarters of an hour late!! Todays
mileage 135m of which I rode 40 Bob
was not the best of company tonight, complaining bitterly about riding on his
own ALL DAY and the poor quality of the hostel meal (I think his choice was
Cumberland sausage!) |
DAY FIVE
|
|||
WEDNESDAY August 9th |
|
||
|
My
plan today does not include riding with the group from Kendal up SHAP Fell to
Penrith. Tony intends to but Chas and I are staying in the van and will probably
start riding from Penrith. Started off at 9.15 It was raining & cool
and the climb was tackled with Dave & Elliot well away followed by Pete /
Frank / Bob P / Tony / Bob S each on their own. By 1pm we reached Penrith
for lunch. Charlie and I decided to ride to Beattock and set off before the
others. It wasn't long before we were caught, Charlie got involved with them and
I got tailed off the back and the rain was now heavy at times. I was still
hoping to get to Beattock summit before getting in the van. The van was always
to hand and reaching Lockerbie I told Karen I was not going well and this would
have to do. But surprise!! who was already in the van but Tony (he'd been there
since Penrith) and Charlie who had got on at Echelfechan! The two Bob's
were still behind us so we had to attend to them. Bob S had punctured which put
him almost 1 hr behind the others. He eventually decided he was not going to
ride to the hostel - it was still raining & instead of delaying everyone
still further he slung his bike up on the roof rack and came in the van with us.
Arrived at the Hostel at 6pm and prepared for the others arrival and when they
were all settled (8pm) we all went out for an evening meal at a Brewers Fayre.
Todays mileage KENDAL - NEW LANARK 126miles I done 49miles. |
DAY SIX |
|||
THURSDAY August 10th
|
|
||
|
My plan today is to ride in the van until Stirling where we will
join the A9 and I'll ride the bike from there to Pitlochry. Got away at 9.30
Tony and I in the van, Charlie decided to ride with the group. He started out
first on his own to get up the stiff climb to Lanark and hopefully the lads will
catch up with him there. Karen was concerned about Frank & Elliot who were a
long way back from the bunch but all were in touch on mobiles so finding the
route got sorted out and we all met up at Dunblane. It's time I got round to
riding so I took off with the rest of them in the hope I could last out to
Pitlochry. The first 25miles on the A9 was a flyer and we stopped for late
lunch. Pete Tony and Dave were away first - Charlie and I followed. I didn't
make contact with the lads and Charlie who was on my back wheel lost contact so
I was alone. I wasn't going well & the wind was not helping & although
it was not hilly I was down to my lowest gears on what looked like flat roads.
Finally got to Pitlochry at 5.45 and had a job finding the hostel (not
signposted) Found it at 6pm some were already there, Charlie Frank & Elliot
came in later Todays mileage 97miles I must have done 50m Karen cooked dinner in
the hostel Pasta - various sauces - said -cheese & bacon scraps helped down
with red wine. Well done Karen!! Some off us helped by washing the dishes
afterwards. |
DAY SEVEN |
|||
FRIDAY AUG llth |
|
||
|
Carbisdale
Castle Here we come!! I've decided to arrive at the Castle riding the bike
which means riding from Inverness over Struie hill and down to Bonar Bridge.
It's going to be tough, I can well remember the 1974 attempt. Got away at 9.30.
Tony went to the bank to sort out a card problem he has (he'll start riding from
there when he's solvent! Bob S got away early (9am) on his own, Pete L -
Dave R - Bob P went after. Frank and Elliot went to find a bike shop in
Pitlochry to get a shoe problem sorted out that Elliot has. They will now be
last on the road unless Tony's still waiting for the bank to open!!
We're in the van at the moment in Pitlochry CO-OP car park waiting while Karen
stocks up with a days food and a hostel meal she's got in mind for tonight. Got
started at 10am and caught Tony -Frank & Elliot - Dave R - Pete L - Bob P -
Bob S Not too sure where Tony wants to get in the van? At lay by 91
on the A9 Tony decided he'd done enough for today and he'd do the rest in the
van. We then went on to Aviemore and Carbridge and Charlie and I decided we
would ride from there to Carbisdale, leaving before the others (2pm). We
rode on to Inverness, across the Black Isle & on to Alness then up over the
dreaded Struie hill. Nobody had caught us but on the descent to Ardgay Charlie
dropped me and I was on my own all the way to Culrain, and then the final five
miles to the Hostel. but within half a mile Dave & Elliot caught &
passed me. Charlie went on and got the prime to the Castle on his own with Dave
& Elliot a few seconds behind and me a minute later 6.40pm. Total mileage
today 127 miles, mine 50 miles. Karen cooked the meal - Spaghetti
Bolognaise - cheese salad -leek soup. Got a phone
call from a railway enthusiast friend of mine who had made a train journey from
London to John 0 Groats. He was expecting to see the Becontree ride through WICK
on their way to John 0 Groats the following day.(he was checking we were on our
way) Phoned Helen, then with difficulty climbed into my top bunk
(it's not easy for the aged). Booking in at the hostel was a long affair, there
are 120 international hostellers here and bottom bunks were hard to come by!! |
DAY EIGHT |
|||
Saturday AUG 12th |
|
||
|
Last
Day! Away from the Hostel at 9.30. Everyone on their bikes except Tony.
Charlie - Bob S - and me got away first back to Culrain, Ardgay, Bonar Bridge,
and Spinningdale, by then Bob S was off the back and Charlie had dropped me.
Dave R and Elliot had caught and passed me & Car lie but he was
hanging on to them The van had gone ahead and when I got to Clashmore &
joined the A9 the van was waiting to pick me up. Charlie was with Dave &
Elliot steaming up the A9. We now went on to Brora having made sure Bob S and
the others were on the A9 and heading for WICK. Stopped at Brora (11.30) to give
them food. Charlie took a ride in the van at Helmsdale and we pushed on to
Berriedale for lunch 1,40. Weather today warm & sunny, light cross
wind. Daves wife showed up in a car, she had arranged to welcome him as he
covered the last final miles to John 0 Groats. Tony got his bike from the van
and decided he'd ride the last miles as well. I stayed in the van in the hope I
could get to WICK before 3pm in time to see my friend who was waiting there to
see the Becontree roar through before he caught the train back to LONDON at
4.301 Delays attending to riders needs made it seem doubtful. But would you
believe it? Charlie & I got on our bikes 2miles before WICK and rode in to
find him waiting patiently in the Main street, time 3.30 He had been there since
1.30 and seen Tony go through before us and hoped it won't be long before I
appeared. Charlie and I stayed in WICK afterwards and picked up a few gifts
& souvenirs from the Caithness Glass Factory but had no idea where the van
was to put them in. We had to carry on riding the 16miles to John 0 Groats in
the hope the van would appear at some time and take the gifts from us that we
were carrying in plastic bags draped round our handlebars. Unfortunately it
didn't appear until we were 5miles short of John 0 Groats, when taken from us
the ride to J 0 G was easy. Lots to do now, log off at the Groats Inn.
Group pictures to be taken of our arrival. Cards & souvenirs to buy. Then a
2^ mile ride to Canisbay to the Hostel. It was now 6.30, Karen set about cooking
an evening meal rice - chicken curry - nan bread - and a few bottles of red
wine, while a few tried to find space in the van for the bikes ready for the
drive home early in the morning. Some of the wheels are going on the roof rack
which means we'll get all the frames in the back of the van. The lads took a
drive to the nearest pub and Charlie & I are ready for bed 10.15 (bottom
bunk this time!) Our room is for 4, Three Becontree Charlie me and Bob S were
sharing with an Austrian guy who's travelling by train around Europe. Wrote 5
cards before retiring. Total mileage today 95miles mine 30miles |
SUNDAY
AUG 13th
|
 |
Got away at 8.30 after loading the van
and a quick breakfast marmalade toast & a cup of tea! There's only
nine of us now Dave
R is Staying at the Seaview Hotel with his wife for a few days (we've got his
bike) Inverness was the first stop 11.30 Tony driving. Had something to eat in a
Safeway coffee shop. Then on to Edinburgh, Karen driving then Pete took over
just before Edinburgh where we dropped Bob P off (he is staying there for
a few days ( we are now down to eight) Carried on via Jedburgh to Newcastle by
6pm Then on the A1(M) we called at the Granada services to eat and changed
drivers. Frank took over 7pm. Further on heading towards Newark we stopped for
fuel and Tony took over the driving to Alconbury the M11 and A414 to Ongar and
Brentwood where we dropped off Bob S outside Graham Woods House 11.30. It
was exactly midnight when Charlie and I were dropped outside my house and 12.30
when Frank & Elliot got home. Tony then took the van back to the Depot
and in his own car drove Pete & Karen home 2am and himself home 3am
After starting out from John 0 Groats at 8.30 the previous day that was some
journey!!! Karen now tells us that to enable us to have food available from the van on each of the eight days she had bought 35lb bananas -110 Mars bars - 12 malt loaves - 19 ordinary loaves - 5pkts Fig rolls - 8 1/2lb tomatoes - various cakes-eleven and eleven bottles of wine,
|
Total Mileage covered |
Fast men: 903 miles | OLDIES: 346 miles |
