Well another challenge is over, sadly not as successfully as we would have liked, but the deadlines were very strict and any delay was always going to be a problem.
However, a lot has been learnt from this challenge and it will no doubt be used in the future!
What has been really great has been the support team. It was really excellent to have the support of three drivers who were all so supportive. It was lovely to have Hazel back in the team to help with the planning with perhaps the optimistic timings, to make space in the van, to help to get the van to Inverness no mean feat and to train up new support members. Sarah helped with her good nature humour, encouragement and not to mention the help that she gave to Nicky after she lost the use of one arm! Jon is a new member of the support team but what an asset, from making tea in all sorts of weather to giving practical advice and of course getting us home safely again.
Anyone ready for the next one?
Saturday, 6 August 2011
Day 3
So day 3 starts but it begins with consideration of day 4 and going home. We need to make sure Jon the driver taking us the 6 hour drive home is in a fit state. Therefore the rest of us return to Scafell Pike at 4am while he stays at the hotel to lie-in and look after the bags. Little does he know that he has to play hunt the keys at 9:55am in order to hand them in at 10am.
As it starts to get light Foz and I start the climb at Scafell Pike, from Great Langsdale we know it is a longer walk than the normal route for a three peak challenge but this direction saves cycling. Unfortunately the mountain is again covered in mist. Foz has compass, map and GPS but the mist is winning in confusing us. Fortunately as we try and sort out the enigma we hear voices and like all good men, we don't ask directions but pretend to be resting so we can then follow them. It turns out to be a group of students we say hello politely and try to gauge their competency. They get to the same point we do and then become equally confused. We then admit our predicament and Foz has an epiphany and we continue to the top together. If the mist had cleared even a little it would have been obvious.
We come down and it has only taken 8 hours!?!
We return to Jon where more decisions and new plans are arranged. We conclude that the only sensible course of action is to get to Snowdon climb that in the evening and the next day fit some cycling in but starting at Snowdon and return to Scafell.
On the way to Snowdon, though, the van starts misbehaving. We pull into some services and reboot the electronics i.e. switch it on and off, and it seems to work but the doubt is there. However, we continue to Snowdon without mishap.
We arrive at Snowdon at 8pm. This time there is no doubt we are climbing there is no mist and it is a path we know well. In fact we make it in 1hour 40mins even though we had been climbing for 8 hours in the morning. At the summit it is so dark we have to put on head torches, but with Foz's experience we make it back down around 00:30.
Unfortunately, Nicky's injuries have been causing some concern in our absence and with there being no chance of cycling a decent distance in the morning it is decided that the challenge will stop there.
As it starts to get light Foz and I start the climb at Scafell Pike, from Great Langsdale we know it is a longer walk than the normal route for a three peak challenge but this direction saves cycling. Unfortunately the mountain is again covered in mist. Foz has compass, map and GPS but the mist is winning in confusing us. Fortunately as we try and sort out the enigma we hear voices and like all good men, we don't ask directions but pretend to be resting so we can then follow them. It turns out to be a group of students we say hello politely and try to gauge their competency. They get to the same point we do and then become equally confused. We then admit our predicament and Foz has an epiphany and we continue to the top together. If the mist had cleared even a little it would have been obvious.
We come down and it has only taken 8 hours!?!
We return to Jon where more decisions and new plans are arranged. We conclude that the only sensible course of action is to get to Snowdon climb that in the evening and the next day fit some cycling in but starting at Snowdon and return to Scafell.
On the way to Snowdon, though, the van starts misbehaving. We pull into some services and reboot the electronics i.e. switch it on and off, and it seems to work but the doubt is there. However, we continue to Snowdon without mishap.
We arrive at Snowdon at 8pm. This time there is no doubt we are climbing there is no mist and it is a path we know well. In fact we make it in 1hour 40mins even though we had been climbing for 8 hours in the morning. At the summit it is so dark we have to put on head torches, but with Foz's experience we make it back down around 00:30.
Unfortunately, Nicky's injuries have been causing some concern in our absence and with there being no chance of cycling a decent distance in the morning it is decided that the challenge will stop there.
Apologies for not keeping this blog up to date. Apparently where we have been cycling is either not good for power or for mobile networks!
Well day one as you know finished with one challenger down but Nicky had joined the support crew. She still needed some strong pain killers for that role and us cyclists looked on enviously at their strength.
Hazel as she has included in the blog, decided that she should make the hard decision to leave the support team so that there was more space in the van, a very wise decision although a sad one for us as Hazel has been a constant support in many of our quests.
So Day 2
I said before this was the make or break day 140 miles Scafell Pike and another 20miles to the hotel. Everything had to work well if we were to complete the challenge.
We were up out of the hotel and cycling by 4:45am. After the efforts to catch up on time, the day before, we thought we deserved a little extra lie in, and we were rewarded with a dry start but not for long. The forecast had been light showers, and they were right. Inbetween the heavy downpours there were indeed light showers.
It was hard to get the muscles warm in the rain and chillier weather. We stopped off at small service area at around 8:15am for a hot coffee to top up the cups of tea that Jon was wonderfully serving up at our official breaks. You could tell we were still in Scotland we were served by someone in a suit and tie who turned out to be a keen mountain biker. While in the service station we caught sight of the weather forecast and it was supposed to clear up in the afternoon though it seemed rather vague.
Leaving the warmth of the service area behind we faced the rain again. The rain was so heavy it was washing the perspiration into my eyes making it very difficult and painful to see where I was going. I only knew which way to go by keeping close to Foz's rear light and hoping he knew where he was going. Foz was managing to plough on but our speed was down. We were struggling thanks to the great British weather. Then as we approached Penrith the rain started to give way but the rolling hills started, each time momentum was improved it was taken away by the next hill.
Just beyond Penfith we decided to have a slap up lunch of a big mac, yum. At last the sun broke through and we could start to get our speed up. The question that was always in the back of the mind was could we make it to Scafell Pike in time to climb it in the daylight.
In an effort to keep the cycling time to a minimum we were choosing a direct route to Scafell it included Kirkstone Pass a Category 2 hill. We sent the van to the top and followed behind, it is a 485m climb in 2 miles, it has a series of 15% and 20% hills within it, and we had cycled 130miles already. Apparently as the van went up they passed some cyclists near the top and then parked. Those cyclists still took 15minutes to climb the hill so the support crew thought we would be ages as they had left us 10miles behind. Sarah and Nicky got out of the van to walk partly down the hill in expectation that we needed encouragement. Jon on the other hand decided to stay with the van rather than going the walk. Where I soon found him eating a brownie! Foz and I didn't manage to cycle all of the hill as it got to the stage where it seemed it was quicker to walk but we certainly managed the majority of it.
A quick downhill and another 17miles and we were at Scafell Pike.
Border line madness.
With our efforts the time at the base of Scafell Pike was 6:15 which was later than we had hoped but it was still sunny. The decision had to be made, did we try and climb the mountain? There was a difference of opinion. Although it was sunny Scafell Pike was in mist. Foz is an experienced climber but he wasn't sure how long the route we were proposing to follow would take. We had to listen to his advice and it wasn't 'no' just 'its border line madness to consider it'. I took that as a positive however the support crew did not interpret it the same way and threatened to lock the van.
This sadly meant the challenge in its orginal format was over. A tough call but so be it. We then continued the proposed cycle route, which turned out to be 167miles for the day, not too bad when considering Ben Nevis and the cycle ride the day before.
The day ended with a late meal near the hotel. Where we had to decide what to try for day 3, surely Scafell Pike.
Well day one as you know finished with one challenger down but Nicky had joined the support crew. She still needed some strong pain killers for that role and us cyclists looked on enviously at their strength.
Hazel as she has included in the blog, decided that she should make the hard decision to leave the support team so that there was more space in the van, a very wise decision although a sad one for us as Hazel has been a constant support in many of our quests.
So Day 2
I said before this was the make or break day 140 miles Scafell Pike and another 20miles to the hotel. Everything had to work well if we were to complete the challenge.
We were up out of the hotel and cycling by 4:45am. After the efforts to catch up on time, the day before, we thought we deserved a little extra lie in, and we were rewarded with a dry start but not for long. The forecast had been light showers, and they were right. Inbetween the heavy downpours there were indeed light showers.
It was hard to get the muscles warm in the rain and chillier weather. We stopped off at small service area at around 8:15am for a hot coffee to top up the cups of tea that Jon was wonderfully serving up at our official breaks. You could tell we were still in Scotland we were served by someone in a suit and tie who turned out to be a keen mountain biker. While in the service station we caught sight of the weather forecast and it was supposed to clear up in the afternoon though it seemed rather vague.
Leaving the warmth of the service area behind we faced the rain again. The rain was so heavy it was washing the perspiration into my eyes making it very difficult and painful to see where I was going. I only knew which way to go by keeping close to Foz's rear light and hoping he knew where he was going. Foz was managing to plough on but our speed was down. We were struggling thanks to the great British weather. Then as we approached Penrith the rain started to give way but the rolling hills started, each time momentum was improved it was taken away by the next hill.
Just beyond Penfith we decided to have a slap up lunch of a big mac, yum. At last the sun broke through and we could start to get our speed up. The question that was always in the back of the mind was could we make it to Scafell Pike in time to climb it in the daylight.
In an effort to keep the cycling time to a minimum we were choosing a direct route to Scafell it included Kirkstone Pass a Category 2 hill. We sent the van to the top and followed behind, it is a 485m climb in 2 miles, it has a series of 15% and 20% hills within it, and we had cycled 130miles already. Apparently as the van went up they passed some cyclists near the top and then parked. Those cyclists still took 15minutes to climb the hill so the support crew thought we would be ages as they had left us 10miles behind. Sarah and Nicky got out of the van to walk partly down the hill in expectation that we needed encouragement. Jon on the other hand decided to stay with the van rather than going the walk. Where I soon found him eating a brownie! Foz and I didn't manage to cycle all of the hill as it got to the stage where it seemed it was quicker to walk but we certainly managed the majority of it.
A quick downhill and another 17miles and we were at Scafell Pike.
Border line madness.
With our efforts the time at the base of Scafell Pike was 6:15 which was later than we had hoped but it was still sunny. The decision had to be made, did we try and climb the mountain? There was a difference of opinion. Although it was sunny Scafell Pike was in mist. Foz is an experienced climber but he wasn't sure how long the route we were proposing to follow would take. We had to listen to his advice and it wasn't 'no' just 'its border line madness to consider it'. I took that as a positive however the support crew did not interpret it the same way and threatened to lock the van.
This sadly meant the challenge in its orginal format was over. A tough call but so be it. We then continued the proposed cycle route, which turned out to be 167miles for the day, not too bad when considering Ben Nevis and the cycle ride the day before.
The day ended with a late meal near the hotel. Where we had to decide what to try for day 3, surely Scafell Pike.
Friday, 5 August 2011
a trucker's angle!
The adventure ended on Thursday for me, as the wonderful team were about to set off in the pre-dawn, for their wet ride from Scotland.
I was sad to wave "Goodbye" but it was just one of the many unexpected decisions that have to be made on adventures. Still, there's now time to add my reflections to the blog.
Today's been a beautiful day for the Scafell climb - though I don't suppose anyone saw much on the way up at 2.30am!! Weather for the ride looks almost optimal on the forecast - go for it guys!
Nicky is absolutely amazing - cool and calm about her big disappointment - she's a great addition to the "truckers" - knows what bikers are likely to need and I learned a lot during my last day, as she ignored her bumps, bruises and the rest, to focus on their needs.
My fellow truckers are brilliant - Jon's tea-making, muscles & mind (so many boxes, bikes and bags to be juggled at every stop, not to mention theological enigmas to be unravelled and road diversions negotiated - with the help(?) of a nagging satnav), Sarah's repartee, nursing/strategising (how do you undress an injured cyclist without resorting to scissors?) and "emergency" stops (OK, I had a few of those too - the van's an automatic and so's my left foot!)
What a beautiful few days it was - not least a minor monster-hunt on the bus ride from Inverness, after two easy days up from Horsham. (Must admit I wondered whether we'd ever arrive, when we hit road works traffic on the A24 after leaving BBH late, having realised we'd never fit all the gang in with luggage and bikes. The only other hold-up cleared as we had our lunch). Thanks, Alex, for the excellent route - my family will be treating this as a trial run for our trip to Orkney in Sept.
Gorgeous countryside approaching Hexham, where we ate and slept very well, not to mention catching up with everyone at "Duncan Towers", in the middle of their holiday family fun, then "peaks and crests" on the clear rural roads all the way to Edinburgh. I had the easy stretch into Inverness, with Sarah and Jon both negotiating torrential rain. (Potential derailment for the whole trip when we stopped hoping for lunch at what turned out to be a distillery...!)
We did the tourist thing in Inverness - and were rewarded with an excellent Italian meal and the sight/sounds of a Highland band.
Still, with a developing infection and plenty of expert van support in place, I thought it best to get home while still within range of an airport - and to leave at least one spare seat in case of other emergencies (though of course there won't be any!)
Fozz is a diamond (this should be a doddle after his stroll from Mexico to Canada last year!) and Mark's a rock (all this is his fault - thanks so much for the vision, the careful planning and the fun! I take back all previous comments about never arriving where he says we will - we/they did!)
I really take my hat off to you all - cycling and driving through the rain, the pain and the East Lancs. traffic today, after a hard climb up the biggest mountain in England, with the prospect of Snowdon ahead. God bless and God speed you all.
Love to from Hazel xxxxxx
I was sad to wave "Goodbye" but it was just one of the many unexpected decisions that have to be made on adventures. Still, there's now time to add my reflections to the blog.
Today's been a beautiful day for the Scafell climb - though I don't suppose anyone saw much on the way up at 2.30am!! Weather for the ride looks almost optimal on the forecast - go for it guys!
Nicky is absolutely amazing - cool and calm about her big disappointment - she's a great addition to the "truckers" - knows what bikers are likely to need and I learned a lot during my last day, as she ignored her bumps, bruises and the rest, to focus on their needs.
My fellow truckers are brilliant - Jon's tea-making, muscles & mind (so many boxes, bikes and bags to be juggled at every stop, not to mention theological enigmas to be unravelled and road diversions negotiated - with the help(?) of a nagging satnav), Sarah's repartee, nursing/strategising (how do you undress an injured cyclist without resorting to scissors?) and "emergency" stops (OK, I had a few of those too - the van's an automatic and so's my left foot!)
What a beautiful few days it was - not least a minor monster-hunt on the bus ride from Inverness, after two easy days up from Horsham. (Must admit I wondered whether we'd ever arrive, when we hit road works traffic on the A24 after leaving BBH late, having realised we'd never fit all the gang in with luggage and bikes. The only other hold-up cleared as we had our lunch). Thanks, Alex, for the excellent route - my family will be treating this as a trial run for our trip to Orkney in Sept.
Gorgeous countryside approaching Hexham, where we ate and slept very well, not to mention catching up with everyone at "Duncan Towers", in the middle of their holiday family fun, then "peaks and crests" on the clear rural roads all the way to Edinburgh. I had the easy stretch into Inverness, with Sarah and Jon both negotiating torrential rain. (Potential derailment for the whole trip when we stopped hoping for lunch at what turned out to be a distillery...!)
We did the tourist thing in Inverness - and were rewarded with an excellent Italian meal and the sight/sounds of a Highland band.
Still, with a developing infection and plenty of expert van support in place, I thought it best to get home while still within range of an airport - and to leave at least one spare seat in case of other emergencies (though of course there won't be any!)
Fozz is a diamond (this should be a doddle after his stroll from Mexico to Canada last year!) and Mark's a rock (all this is his fault - thanks so much for the vision, the careful planning and the fun! I take back all previous comments about never arriving where he says we will - we/they did!)
I really take my hat off to you all - cycling and driving through the rain, the pain and the East Lancs. traffic today, after a hard climb up the biggest mountain in England, with the prospect of Snowdon ahead. God bless and God speed you all.
Love to from Hazel xxxxxx
Thursday, 4 August 2011
Day 1 and of the challenge
Sorry I am logged in as Mark, but it's Nicky
Day 1
Today started well... we managed to leave the youth hostel at 3am as planned without setting off any alarms :)
We arrived at the foot of Ben Nevis at about 4:30pm, and started to climb at about 4:45am.
It was thick mist at first which left me feeling rather disorientated, but Mark and Fozzie seemed ok, in fact Fozzie was zooming. Thankfully the mist cleared on the way up for some fab views, even though the top was not clear. The whole climb took nearly 6hours, but we had been eating on the mountain, so when we came down we knew we could change and go.
The cycling started fantastically, glorious weather, legs felt good as the muscles were different and we were keeping a good pace without putting in much effort - amazing!!
Sadly our fortunes were about to change.....
After only 12 miles of cycling, disaster!! I had just had a drink (only water to be clear :D)and was putting my water bottle back, and then we think I clipped a small pot hole. I have been told I went head over the handle bars, all I know is that I rolled a lot on the road, while telling myself not to pass out.
I managed to just about stay with it enough to realise I was in a road and so started to try and bum shuffle to the side... it's rather blurry, but with the help of Mark and Fozzie, me, my bike, them and their bikes made it to the pavement.
I was in pain but felt ok... so onto the important things... how is the bike was a big concern!! I was shown my front wheel which had snapped! I also realised I had hit my head so got the guys to check my helmet to find that was also cracked in a few places.
Some lovely people stopped to help, one was cycling lejog, Mark and Foz were chatting to him, I then realised I was about to pass out, so had to interupt their conversation.
Thankfully I soon snapped out of it, and was making plans to continue by getting the guys to remove my broken wheel etc, and wondering where I could get a new helmet.... sadly Foz was wanting to call an ambulance which I said was not needed, but did want the support crew.
I soon realised I couldn't actually move my left arm/shoulder, I was thinking of options to numb the pain and ignore it, but the guys said I had to go to a and e :(
The support crew were great and took me to Fort William hospital. After rather a wait I was seen and had shoulder x-rayed. Thankfully it wasn't dislocated, and no broken bones which was amazing but they said I had popped my ac joint (i think that was the one) and so the tendons etc were snapped and the Dr said biking was a no :(( The nurse showed me the x-ray later as I wanted to see what was wrong and know I couldn't carry on.
By 3pm we were done at the hospital, but I was now truck bound, but at least I felt I could support the guys as I didn't want to go home.
Mark and Foz had got back on the bikes and were now really zooming to make up for lost time. They were really amazing, I spoke to them over the phone while they had lunch to let them know I was ok, and would now be telling them off if they didn't pedal fast enough. Still that wasn't needed as they were going for it! They did so well and even with the problems of the day. They completed the days cycling by 9:30pm, and we all went for dinner at the hotel.
Thanks so much for your prayers, even though I was in quite a lot of pain at the end of the day, I was able to sleep well.
Huge thanks to Sarah who is really looking after me, helping me get dressed, putting my shoes on cutting my food etc. I do feel like a small child, but so greatful for the help!! Thanks also to Jon and Hazel, you are all stars!
Day 2 blog will be up later... typing one handed is a bit slow
Nicky xx
Day 1
Today started well... we managed to leave the youth hostel at 3am as planned without setting off any alarms :)
We arrived at the foot of Ben Nevis at about 4:30pm, and started to climb at about 4:45am.
It was thick mist at first which left me feeling rather disorientated, but Mark and Fozzie seemed ok, in fact Fozzie was zooming. Thankfully the mist cleared on the way up for some fab views, even though the top was not clear. The whole climb took nearly 6hours, but we had been eating on the mountain, so when we came down we knew we could change and go.
The cycling started fantastically, glorious weather, legs felt good as the muscles were different and we were keeping a good pace without putting in much effort - amazing!!
Sadly our fortunes were about to change.....
After only 12 miles of cycling, disaster!! I had just had a drink (only water to be clear :D)and was putting my water bottle back, and then we think I clipped a small pot hole. I have been told I went head over the handle bars, all I know is that I rolled a lot on the road, while telling myself not to pass out.
I managed to just about stay with it enough to realise I was in a road and so started to try and bum shuffle to the side... it's rather blurry, but with the help of Mark and Fozzie, me, my bike, them and their bikes made it to the pavement.
I was in pain but felt ok... so onto the important things... how is the bike was a big concern!! I was shown my front wheel which had snapped! I also realised I had hit my head so got the guys to check my helmet to find that was also cracked in a few places.
Some lovely people stopped to help, one was cycling lejog, Mark and Foz were chatting to him, I then realised I was about to pass out, so had to interupt their conversation.
Thankfully I soon snapped out of it, and was making plans to continue by getting the guys to remove my broken wheel etc, and wondering where I could get a new helmet.... sadly Foz was wanting to call an ambulance which I said was not needed, but did want the support crew.
I soon realised I couldn't actually move my left arm/shoulder, I was thinking of options to numb the pain and ignore it, but the guys said I had to go to a and e :(
The support crew were great and took me to Fort William hospital. After rather a wait I was seen and had shoulder x-rayed. Thankfully it wasn't dislocated, and no broken bones which was amazing but they said I had popped my ac joint (i think that was the one) and so the tendons etc were snapped and the Dr said biking was a no :(( The nurse showed me the x-ray later as I wanted to see what was wrong and know I couldn't carry on.
By 3pm we were done at the hospital, but I was now truck bound, but at least I felt I could support the guys as I didn't want to go home.
Mark and Foz had got back on the bikes and were now really zooming to make up for lost time. They were really amazing, I spoke to them over the phone while they had lunch to let them know I was ok, and would now be telling them off if they didn't pedal fast enough. Still that wasn't needed as they were going for it! They did so well and even with the problems of the day. They completed the days cycling by 9:30pm, and we all went for dinner at the hotel.
Thanks so much for your prayers, even though I was in quite a lot of pain at the end of the day, I was able to sleep well.
Huge thanks to Sarah who is really looking after me, helping me get dressed, putting my shoes on cutting my food etc. I do feel like a small child, but so greatful for the help!! Thanks also to Jon and Hazel, you are all stars!
Day 2 blog will be up later... typing one handed is a bit slow
Nicky xx
Tuesday, 2 August 2011
Cyclists and support crew were successfully reunited at the Inverness youth hostel. The same hostel that Nicky, Hazel and Mark stayed at for the last day of their 2008 Land's End to John O'Groats challenged so it has brought back memories.
The support crew arrived just before 3pm and it has taken 2 hours or so to reorganise the van and tweak the bikes so that everything will run smoothly tomorrow. Well at least in theory. We could have sorted everything out in less than two hours but someone took the lid off the tin containing Fiona's brownies and everything seemed to slow down after that.
We have also been planning the escape strategy for leaving early tomorrow at 3am. Apparently it will not be that straightforward but we think we have a way which won't require us to tie sheets together and lower them out a window.
Time for dinner soon and then an early night before the fun and games tomorrow.
The support crew arrived just before 3pm and it has taken 2 hours or so to reorganise the van and tweak the bikes so that everything will run smoothly tomorrow. Well at least in theory. We could have sorted everything out in less than two hours but someone took the lid off the tin containing Fiona's brownies and everything seemed to slow down after that.
We have also been planning the escape strategy for leaving early tomorrow at 3am. Apparently it will not be that straightforward but we think we have a way which won't require us to tie sheets together and lower them out a window.
Time for dinner soon and then an early night before the fun and games tomorrow.
Monday, 1 August 2011
The first part of the challenge was unexpected but successfully completed. Loading the van took much longer than expected.
This was partly because when we had packed all the yorkie bars, energy drinks etc there was very little room to fit in such superfluous items as bikes, apparently. Also the mystery of Foz's quick release system for his front wheel was only fully appreciated when it was accepted it was a slow release system which took an extra hour before the wheel could be detached. No one is quite sure why.
The van and support crew has successfully made it to its stop over point. The cyclists have the joy of budget air travel tomorrow and we all meet up in inverness sometime in the afternoon/evening.
This was partly because when we had packed all the yorkie bars, energy drinks etc there was very little room to fit in such superfluous items as bikes, apparently. Also the mystery of Foz's quick release system for his front wheel was only fully appreciated when it was accepted it was a slow release system which took an extra hour before the wheel could be detached. No one is quite sure why.
The van and support crew has successfully made it to its stop over point. The cyclists have the joy of budget air travel tomorrow and we all meet up in inverness sometime in the afternoon/evening.
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