Summary Stat Report. The Final Post.

This will be the final posting to The LEJOG BLOG. It's a wee summary of each day of the challenge and the winner of the caption competition.

Mrs Gav has deliberated and cogitated over the caption competition and has decided that the winner is .... Alan "Hogwash" Hogg! Well done Alan , mystery prize will be presented to you the next time you are out for a beer with Jimbo. Here's a link as a reminder ....

http://jimandgavs.blogspot.com/2010/07/lejog-blog-caption-competition.html


Stats Summary.

Day 1. Penzance to Lands End to Wadebridge
82 miles
12.2 mph
Granny gear rating 5/5

Via e.g. Marazion, Porkellis, Stithians, Peranwell Station (lunch), Truro, St Allen (one of 3 in the locality!), Whitecross,

Quotes of the day...

Gav "eventually this will end"
Jim "remember we're eating for tomorrow and the next day not just today"

Quote of the day outtakes
Jim "gav, resign yourself, ALL of Cornwall is like this"
Gav "Cornwall is a wonderful place to visit...in a car!"

Day 2. Wadebridge to South Molton
78 miles
Afternoon mph 14.4 for 46 miles. Morning - technical issue means unofficial rate of c8mph is all we can report.
Granny gear rating 5...again

Via e.g. Tintagel, Boscastle, Millook, Bude (lunch), Bideford

Quotes of the Day...

Gav "This feels like napoleons retreat from Moscow"
Jim "Gun it!" (this was Jim telling gav to make the most of the first non-dangerous descents of the trip)

QOTD outakes
Gav "I'm ready to go to bed now"
Jim "we need to take this one day at a time"

Day 3. South Molton to Compton Dando

88 miles
13.1 mph
Granny rating 3.5 out of 5.

via e.g. North Molton, Elworthy, Enmore, Bridgwater (lunch), Cheddar

Quotes of the day...
Jim "twice daily application of the chamois cream from now on"
Gav "this is my Waterloo" (struggling first thing in the morning)

QOTD outtakes
Jim "any day we finish before 7 is a bonus"
One from Hilary - "choose your food wisely" - very good advice- today was much better after a quality pasta lunch
Gav "let's go home and rub our legs"

Day 4. Compton Dando to Ludlow

102 miles
12.5mph
Granny gear rating 3/5

via e.g. Saltford, Westerleigh, Nibley, Iron Acton, Elberton, Severn Bridge, Chepstow, Tintern Abbey, St Briavels, Coleford (Lunch), Ross-on-wye, Fownhope (post office), Mordiford

Quotes of the day
Jim "it's all part of the legend"
Gav "these pedals ain't going to turn themselves"

QOTD outtakes...
Jim "I'm really suffering today"
Jim "I think I've hit the wall"
Gav "my legs are sore"

Highlight of the day...
Laughing so hard in the face of adversity we had to get off our bikes :)

Day 5. Ludlow to Mobberley (nr Knutsford)

90 miles
16 mph (SMMMMMOKIN!)
Granny gear rating 0.5/5

via e.g. Market Drayton (lunch), Adderley, Middlewich, knutsford

Quotes of the day
Gav "it's cancellara time!"

Day 6. Mobberley to Tebay

85 miles
11.1 mph
Granny gear rating 2.5/5

Made it to High Bentham via e.g. Warburton, Leigh, Chorley, Hoghton (Lunch - Private road!), Whalley, Slaidburn

Quote of the day
Laughlan "I'm really quite enjoying this apart from the rain and the cold...and the hills"
Gav "I thought the king of the mountains points finish line was the top of the hill"
Jim "yes it is, but we weren't at the top of the hill yet!"

Day 7 High Bentham to Langholm

85 miles
13.2 mph
Granny gear rating 3/5 (nothing savage but a lot of slow burners)

via e.g. Burton in Lonsdale, Middleton, Greenholme, Shap, Lowther, Penrith (Lunch), Plumpton, Carlisle, Longtown (& the border!)

Quotes of the day
Gav "open fire with the siege guns"
Jim "we better have a game of chess at some point, I've been hauling this set from lands end! Every gram counts."

QOTD outtakes
Gav "I'm going to de-rock right now"

Day 8. Langholm to Menstrie (nr Stirling)

112 miles (Langholm to menstrie nr Stirling)
14.4mph average
Granny gear rating 2.5/5

via e.g. Eskdalemuir, Ettrick, Tushielaw, Mountbenger, Traquair, Cardrona, Peebles (Lunch), Penicuik, Fairmilehead, Corstorphine, Winchburgh, Polmont, Stirling

Quotes of the day
Jim "

Day 9. Menstrie to Clachaig Inn, Glencoe

82 miles (menstrie to Clachaig inn, glencoe)
13.7 mph
Granny gear rating 2 (lots of long slow climbs but mostly managable in g+1 or g+2)

via e.g. Doune, Callander, Lochearnhead, Crianlarich (lunch), Bridge of orchy,

Quotes of the day
Gav "I just wanted to let rip and get the honkers out"
Jim "glencoe, consider yourself under siege"

QOTD outtakes
Gav "cold knees"
Jim "I think tonight could be a 3 Pinter"

Day 10, Clachaig Inn to Invermoriston

58 miles (glencoe to invermoriston)
14.7 mph
Granny gear rating - nothing to trouble the scorers (zero)

via e.g. fort Willliam, Spean Bridge, South Laggan (lunch), Fort Augustus

Quotes of the day
Gav "we were but children then" (referring to a holiday snap-esque photo at st michaels mount on Cornwall)
Jim "it always rains" (this after a rather annoying northern European chap at checkout at the Clachaig inn laughed at our cycling kit and took great pleasure in telling us it was going to rain. Much restraint was shown by not adding another few words)

Day 11. Invermoriston to Lairg
74 miles
13.9mph
Granny gear rating 2/5

via e.g. Drumnadrochit, Beauly, Muir of Ord, Dingwall, Evanton (lunch), Ardgay, Bonar Bridge

Day 12. Lairg to JOG
97 miles
14.4 mph
Granny gear rating 2/5

via e.g. Altnaharra, Syre, Bettyhill (Lunch), Thurso

This is LEJOG BLOG signing off......until our next challenge! ;o)

Lejog blog supplemental.

The lejoggers are on their way home ... Motorised transport being used. A big thanks to Paul and Sheila!

We thought some extra stats might be of general interest so here goes...

Top speed.
Gav clocked 39.7 mph in Devon and 39.4 just before beauly. But jimbo unofficially broke the 40 barrier both times as he pulled away (but had no speedo)

Maintenance report
- No punctures
- No broken spokes
- 2 sets brake pads replaced
- Adjustment required on jims rear cantilever brakes (thanks gavinos!)
- Chain cleaned and oiled (3 times for lazy Jim, almost every night for obsessed gav) - White lightning as recommended by David C gets a thumbs up
- Cleats oiled to help de-cleating (twice for jim)
- new set of cleats (gav)

Most aggressive rider award.
Must go to Alan "Hogwash" Hogg. Now also known as "jacky". He couldn't resist the temptation to race off miles ahead, the lejoggers had no match for his explosive attack.

Worst drivers.
There were no real dangerous moments for us to speak of but we did witness some careless, reckless driving. This rating is based on frequency of risk taking witnessed.
1. BMW drivers (take note Percy!)
2. Audi drivers

Radioshack team player award.
Alastair Young for "drafting" us along to Stirling. He clearly had plenty in the tank and put the team first to pull us home.

Best overnight stay award.
The Cashman's. Bike workshop. Loads to eat (a very tasty lasagne). Tracey driving to doune with our kit. They could not have done more. Thanks again!

Most devoted blog reader
The cameroons. We hear there has been a twice a day mini-addiction ;)

Ok, this is lejog blog signing off for the moment but here's a little taster of the sort of nonsense that helped us through the tiredness and rain.

The four horsemen of the lejog apocalypse.

Headwind
Fog
Driving rain
Mechanical failure

Mini horsemen
Bonking (energy plummets thro not eating enough)
Hills

There will be one more lejog blog posting tomorrow. A summary stat report and maybe a couple of outtake photos. Signing off for today.......

Sent from my iPhone

The day after...

Day 12. Stat report.

97 miles (Lairg to John o'groats)
14.4 mph
Granny gear rating 2/5

We made it...but it was a hard final day!

The elements were kind in the morning. No rain. Not much wind. Our 9am start allowed us to power up to bettyhill through some amazing peat bog, loch, mountain territory in a faster than expected 16.2mph for an early 12:30 lunch with Paul and shiela (the wife's parents). They are very kindly giving us a lift down the road tomorrow.

An added bonus was that we offloaded most of out kit and fairly raced off after lunch unburdened.

We had 50 miles to go and were trying to beat the forecast rain storm. However, we had to battle an easterly wind and what with Sutherland being very exposed this was a constant drag and struggle.

Protecting each other from the wind by taking turns in front we fought our way east. The terrain is quite hilly between bettyhill and Thurso which actually gave some protection from the wind but after Thurso it was so exposed and the wind buffeted. We were tired and hungry and there wasn't much chat as we counted down the last 20 miles one by one (they were slow hard miles).

Until, surprisingly we saw a sign for 1/4 of a mile to go...downhill...down wind. Even the fatigued, weary lejoggers could manage that!

An amazing welcome was awaiting us. Paul, shiela, robin and Karen were ready with balloons, medals.......and bubbly awaiting us. It was an unreal feeling to be finished and it probably won't sink in until we don't need to get on our bikes and cycle 90odd miles tomorrow!

On the joirney back I'll post one or two extras to round things off. The lejog blog is off to bed :)

Sent from my iPhone

We made it!

1000 miles in the saddle...does strange things to a bloke #2

1000 miles in the saddle...does strange things to a bloke #1

Encouragement from the boys

Doesn't get much better...

100 miles to go...

...c'mon these bikes ain't going to cycles themselves!

Day 11. Stat report.

74 miles (invermoriston to Lairg)
13.9mph
Granny gear rating 2/5

Once again Karen made an early break before the peloton (thanks go to jims mum for correcting our erroneous spelling!) got going. No need for pock rocks today, they stayed firmly in their pocks.

Jim and gav got going sharply around 9am and pulled a 42 mile, 15 mph morning session to catch up with the breakaway but yet again Karen got the morning green jersey points. The morning included a tricky 3/4 mile 15%er and was altogether harder work than yesterday. More on the 15%er later.

The afternoon session was unfortunately punctuated by a mechanical issue with Karens bike. Her seat post clamp lost it's thread as we were adjusting so we had to limp to the next town (ardgay). Luckily there was a handy mechanic there who was happy to help. The limping did give us the opportunity to enjoy the amazing views over the Dornoch firth however. Dazzling.

We spun into Lairg about 5:30 and met robin, gav's dad, who will do a shorter cycle via train tomorrow with Karen.

Aside. Tomorrow is our last day and we'd like to thank everyone who has helped, supported and encouraged us along the way. Also many thanks to those who have donated to cancer research. The challenges we've faced over the last 11 days are surely small in the grand scheme of things.

Ok, 2 relatively short/easier days behind us we face the final push. The king of the mountain jersey was conceded to jim on the 15%er this morning. The green sprint jersey has been conceded to gav after opening fire with his siege guns to take the last two stages (4-2 overall for stages contested). Clearly we both wear the yellow jersey if and when we make it to John o'groats (the pock rocks!).....
....so tomorrow is just about...
Jim and gav, 100 miles, (the elements) and John o'groats.......

Sent from my iPhone

It may look like a picnic...

...but lejog sure ain't no picnic!

Gav said "why's my helmet so high on my head? Jims is all snuggly snuggly"

Gav and Karen

Climbing the hills over from evanton to ardgay

Urquhart castle

Home of the clan urquhart, on the banks of loch ness. Percy boy!

Day 10. Stat report.

58 miles (glencoe to invermoriston)
14.7 mph
Granny gear rating - nothing to trouble the scorers (zero)

This was a recovery day. After averaging nearly ninety miles per day for the last 9 days it was good to have a shorter, easier day before the final push. It was also good to have Karen (gavs big sister) along for the ride- if she only hadn't done a jacky Durand and taken the green jersey points at spean bridge! ;)

Karen had bolted before the lejoggers had even surfaced and was in spean bridge in time to have tea and bacon buttie before the pelaton caught up.

Conditions were benign, if a little chilly and we formed a 3-bike pelaton for the rest of the day.

We stopped for lunch on a barge at south laggan, which was a little bizarre- not least for the "characters" we met there. There must be something in the highland air!

A short afternoon pedalling gave way to a pre 5pm finish- unheard of thus far and worthy of entry in lejog hall of fame for it meant that the lejoggers could lie on their beds and doze for half an hour or so before tea. Luxury. Time not eating, sleeping, cycling, phoning home or blogging is at a very high premium on lejog.

Prior to the doze there was a wee comedy moment. We were supping tea and eating cake under the watchful eye of Jock the b&b dog. Gavin made a comment that could have been taken in the wrong way as a slight criticism of the b&b. Jock was not happy, he gave gav a 10 minute stare and has not been the same welcoming hound since.

Tomorrow is back to slightly longer territory, no dozing expected in a 70-odd mile stage. Although, the navigation is so much easier north of the border that a lot of time is saved versus our earlier adventures (hope this is not jinxing us!)

Quotes of the day
Gav "we were but children then" (referring to a holiday snap-esque photo at st michaels mount on Cornwall)
Jim "it always rains" (this after a rather annoying northern European chap at checkout at the Clachaig inn laughed at our cycling kit and took great pleasure in telling us it was going to rain. Much restraint was shown by not adding another few words)

Sent from my iPhone

Barge coming through!

Lunch on a barge. Then progress halted as we had to wait for a bridge/lock to let a barge through (not the same one!)

2 minutes before the midges struck

Day 9. Stat report.

82 miles (menstrie to Clachaig inn, glencoe)
13.7 mph
Granny gear rating 2 (lots of long slow climbs but mostly managable in g+1 or g+2)

The day started with our time on the road and miles covered telling. Jim left some clothes behind at David and tracey's. Lejog is a mental challenge as well as a physical challenge. It takes a lot out of you. So a big thanks again to Tracey for driving out to meet us (see earlier post). It later transpired that gav had actually seen jim's clothes that were left on the bathroom floor and had also left his own toothbrush. Jim took a wee booster from this, knowing it wasnt just him that was losing it and led off with renewed vigour from doune, westward.

Tiredness again showed as Gavin had to be called back following break as he'd set off sans helmet.

Day9 was a bit of a classic. Jim and gav's lejog blog may be biased but the country we passed through today is very hard to beat. Jim had the pock rock on, but only for a wee bit chill in the air. Only a small morning shower to contend with. Gav had team endura windcheater on to keep said coldness at bay.

Injury report.
Jim...right knee has been showing signs of wear. Increased frequency of prevention treatment (eg tennis ball) helping to contain.
Gav...increasing saddle soreness has been encouraging more frequent "honking" (cycling term for standing up and pedalling aka dancing on the pedals) this, however has resulted a strain down the back of his right knee. Change to saddle position and reduced honking seems to be helping. Although this ain't helping the saddle soreness :(

A wee note on the cycling conditions today
- road surface, at times very bumpy and prohibitive to getting into a rhythm.
- moderate westerly headwind, was proving irksome until we turned more northerly after crianlarich (50 miles in)
- traffic, a little busier than we've been used to but this is where the high viz rock comes into it's own!

So after a stunning spin through the trossacks and the start of the southern highlands we entered glencoe. Strangely we had to pedal down the descent against the breeze to gain much speed and turned into the road for the Clachaig. Jimbo couldn't hold back any longer and attacked to get the stage victory...too soon however as Gavin counter attacked with surprising power and took the stage on the line. 2-2 is now the tally.

Gav's sister Karen, met us at the Clachaig. She is cycling with us the next couple of days.

Aside.
A wee mention for Hilary who is still soldiering on back home with the two boys. If anyone is in the vicinity and can lend a hand please do.

Quotes of the day
Gav "I just wanted to let rip and get the honkers out"
Jim "glencoe, consider yourself under siege"

QOTD outtakes
Gav "cold knees"
Jim "I think tonight could be a 3 Pinter"

Sent from my iPhone

30 secs before the midges struck

The wee devils!

Rock and terminators...

A great look for the autumn season

Jim is forgetful

Jim is very indebted to Tracey who not only spotted some left clothing but also drove out to doune to catch up and give them to us. This was after also catching us two minutes into the ride with jims panier covers! Maybe Jim is getting a little tired and inattentive.

Day 8. Stat report.

112 miles (Langholm to menstrie nr Stirling)
14.4mph average
Granny gear rating 2.5/5

Having got on track yesterday we managed to sleep in this morning! Silly jim left the iPhone on silent. Have no fear, this was a minor hitch and 15 mins late for a 7:30 breakfast still translated into a 9ish kickoff.

On our way out of langholm we had our usual morning loosener. Before any conclusions are jumped to this means a climb out of the town. It seems we always have a "loosener" after breakfast and lunch. Probably because we stop in towns and they appear to be built in valleys.

50 miles through Dumfries and galloway followed by the borders on almost deserted roads (apart from the sheep ... And midges!!!) were stunning and revitalising. There were climbs, but they were long and steady rather than sharp and we had ample excuse (by way of the odd shower or two) to pull on the pock rocks (although we don't need much encouragement...wonder if we could set a trend back home on George street ;))

Peebles was lunch stop (50 miles) and jim just about sneaked the green jersey points for intermediate sprint. For those interested, contested stage victories currently lie 2-1 to Jim. I know we've had 8 stages but when you are limping home on impulse power it's sometimes ok to share the stage.

Peebles to Edinburgh saw the pace quicken. The road is flatter than we've had for most of the tour and we got the bit between the teeth.

We met up with Alastair and Alan near pc world in corstorphine and were looking forward to being pulled most of the way home. However, hogwash set off like jacky Durand and it took the pelaton to winchburgh to reel him in! Nice orange jersey though mr Hogg!

It was great to have the company and Alastair tapped out a great pace for the rest of the way out to Stirling before turning off to meet his family.

The final few miles were back the two of us as we wheeled into menstrie for a wonderful welcome, superb home cooking and to swap tales of cycle tours and bears! with the recently wed David and Tracey cashman. A veritable treasure trove of bike maintainance kit and advice was avaiable in the garage as well. Much appreciated folks!

Quotes of the day
Jim "
Sent from my iPhone

We had some help along the way...

Alastair (middle) and Alan "Hogwash" Hogg in the "fashionable" orange campag jersey. Jimbo seems to be frozen in ski-jump / time trial position. That's what 600 odd miles in 8 days'll do to ya!

Ah, a wee rest off the saddle

Scottish Borders in the background. Between ettrick and Peebles.

Day 7. Stat report.

85 miles
13.2 mph
Granny gear rating 3/5 (nothing savage but a lot of slow burners)

The boys are back on track! A bit of route engineering avec monsieur iPhone and we laid down a steady beat on the pedals to arrive in Langholm (in bonnie Scotland again!) at a civilised 6:30pm

It was a real adventure in the first 7 days in England (and Wales). Spinning through places we'd never heard of before with no prior knowledge or gut feel for the route. Back now on more familiar ground some of the adventure may have gone and the navigation may be easier...but we've still got nearly 400 miles to go!

Today was another day for sporadic pock rock usage. I don't think there has been a day when they've not been on (maybe day 1). But the rain was showery rather than persistent.

It could have been a demoralising taxi back to high Bentham (and it didn't feel great) but we knew it was a new day, the weather was better and with a new 85 mile route sorted we were more than capable of getting this challenge back on schedule. And that's how it turned out. The scenery was fantastic, roads mostly non-busy. Even the goodly number of hills were brushed aside with no more than a clickety click down to the Lowest gear, a stiff upper lip and a resolute turn of the pedals. We even managed a few wise cracks along the way.

On a sadder note, gavin's gran passed away peacefully today. Our thoughts go out to the family.

Quotes of the day
Gav "open fire with the siege guns"
Jim "we better have a game of chess at some point, I've been hauling this set from lands end! Every gram counts."

QOTD outtakes
Gav "I'm going to de-rock right now"

Sent from my iPhone

England (and briefly Wales) tamed by the siege guns

Someone is glad to be home ...

Back to where we left off

High Bentham... Not our favourite place on the planet (no offence intended)

Ok, let's make up some miles......

Sent from my iPhone

Back to where we left off

High Bentham... Not our favourite place on the planet (no offence intended)

Ok, let's make up some miles......