Check back regularly to hear how Gary is getting on..
One Week To Go...
Just
over a week to go and the nerves have set in. Have I thought of
everything? Probably not. Is everything in place? - for example
overnight stops - not yet. A couple of weekends ago we had a Spring
Fayre in Letton Church which was to raise money for Cathedral Quest.
If you check Letton Church on the Quest website you will find some
photos. Some of this money will be used to help fund overnight stops
where necessary. Later that week we had our last Quest meeting.
90% of things have been completed. The bike has been to Mastercraft
and has been checked over and had some new parts fitted, so many
thanks to Nigel and Lynette for that.
Our main problem is still finding enough places for overnight stops. Therefore I would like to ask anybody out there who lives along the route and would like to help out whether they can offer me B & B and an evening meal. If so, please get in touch either through the website or by ringing 01544 327640 to speak to either myself or my wife. Don't worry if you are not near my estimated finishing point each day because this could all change as time goes on.
The weather hasn't been helping at work. We still haven't planted the beans and the crop spraying is all behind. Some of the cattle have just gone out in the fields and they were pleased to go out after six months of confinement. At the moment my visit to the Isle of Man is in some doubt. This is because the ferry company that operates the service across to the island has said that I need to book the precise day and time that I want to cross but because I am not sure when I will reach Liverpool, this is quite difficult for me to do. However, that is how their system operates, with no flexibility if would seem. We haven't given up yet, so if anybody out there knows of another way for me to get across to the Isle of Man, please let me know. It would be a shame if we have to miss this cathedral out.
This Sunday, I have been invited into the BBC Hereford & Worcester studio in Hereford to be on their morning programme at 7.00 a.m. I will then be linked into ten other local stations around the country, so a good opportunity to let the country know about Cathedral Quest. I will try and post another blog before I set off and then hopefully day-to-day during the trip - so watch this space.
Through Wind and Rain!
Well
not many more weeks to go now before I set off. Saturday 10th May
is the day the Quest begins and I must admit that I am a little
apprehensive of what lies ahead of me. This, I think, is mainly
because I am just not sure how well I am going to cope but after
a few days we will all know!
The last couple of weeks have been quite steady. I have been trying to keep doing my training before breakfast most days of the week and have managed quite well. During the week, Premier Christian Radio phoned and asked if I could do an interview live on their Breakfast Show on Saturday morning which I obviously agreed to. If you missed it on Saturday, you can click here to hear how it went. It was actually done over the phone in the car in a car park in Hereford. Must have looked a bit odd - this character sat in his car talking to himself.
After feeding stock on Sunday the weather looked quite good so decided to do a longer ride. I headed towards Kington and then took the A44 towards Rhayader. I didn't go as far as Llandrindod but turned off left to Builth. You are quite high up at this point and it was definitely colder, and then the rain, or rather hail, came down. You should be able to see this from a clip from bike cam. Once in Builth I stopped at a garage and treated myself to a Snickers bar and then took the road to Three Cocks. This is a nice ride following the River Wye and what's more, it's downhill most of the way! Once at Three Cocks I dropped in on Mum and Dad for a cup of tea and a sandwich and then made my way home. This was the longest ride I have done since Letton2London having covered 59.5 miles in 5 hours - and I didn't feel too bad
Gary's Blog!
During
the week I have been getting up a bit earlier and training for about
half an hour before breakfast, but not every day. I know it should
be every day and a lot more at weekends, to be honest I am finding
it hard to motivate myself to do the training at the moment. I realise
if I don't knuckle down and get myself to do more then the challenge
ahead is going to be that much more difficult, with failure being
a real possibility and I don't want that. This is where the frame
of mind comes into play.
Anyway let's get more positive, today is a nice spring-like day,
sunny spells and not much wind. After finishing work at 10:00 I
hit the road towards Hereford, there was a lot of traffic about
for a Sunday. Once in town I made my way round Steels roundabout,
always interesting, then worked my way through the traffic towards
Tupsley.
I have been meaning to meet up with Rob Powell at some point. He did a charity cycle ride in 2006 visiting 63 football clubs and covering 1500 miles. He lives just outside Hereford so I thought I would give him a ring and see if he was about this morning. No answer from his home so tried his mobile. I thought he answered but we were cut off so tried again. He did answer this time and we had a short conversation in which he explained he wasn't around to day so we would try and meet up at a later date. He emailed later and said that my phone call had caused him some embarrassment. At the time of the call he was in a chapel service and had forgotten to turn his phone off. There is always one, Rob, and this time it was you! Anyway, I am sorry for causing you that problem and I hope you have been forgiven.
I headed back towards home, going up past the Art college and Blind school and out to Holmer. At Holmer roundabout the Roman road exit was closed off with a digger digging a big hole in the middle of the road. They didn't mind me cycling through, you see there are advantages to being on a bike. Along the Roman road I got onto the cycle path. Not far along there was a load of broken glass which I just managed to avoid but a bit further there was more so I got back onto the road. This seemed to upset one car driver as he came up behind me blasting on his horn and pointing towards the cycle path which I took to mean he felt that is where I should be.
Well, for his information there is no law to say a cyclist cannot use the road even if there is a cycle path. I do believe that if they are provided we should try to use them but only if they are fit for purpose, which unfortunately many are not. By the time I got home I had covered just under 30 miles in 2 hours 15 minuites. I enjoyed my ride today.
Easter!
Was
hoping to get some decent training in over this weekend. I worked
Good Friday to try and catch up with some fertiliser spreading.
This weekend my parents were celebrating their golden wedding anniversary,
which means the big five 0 is creeping up on me, still you're as
old as you feel. We had a very enjoyable family meal out on Sunday
to celebrate and then back to our house for a glass or two of champagne
and a piece of cake.
After all this indulgence, on Monday I thought I had better get out and do some miles. I went over the river to Bredwardine and onto Clifford, through Hardwicke and then Dorstone. At the bottom of Dorstone hill I was tempted to tackle it again but I haven't sorted the brakes yet so gave it a miss and headed to Peterchurch instead. From Peterchurch I cut across to Madley and then turned left towards Blakemere and Moccas. It had been quite an easy ride up to this point as the wind had been from behind, now I was straight into it and it was gusty. Still no good complaining, I could have these conditions day after day in a few weeks time, there's something to look forward to!
30 miles in 2 hours 25 minutes.
Rowing, Accommodation and Insurance
Hello
again, the days are getting longer now so I should have more time
to get out training. I have also borrowed a rowing machine which
allows me to vary my exercise, so thanks to Stephen for that. I
am now doing a half hour session on the static trainer before breakfast.
This was a bit of a shock to the system but I knew this challenge wasn't going to be easy. We had our latest Cathedral Quest meeting this week. Things are moving forward but there is still plenty to do especially finding places for my overnight stops but we will get there. Hopefully within the next week there will be more details on the website of my route. If any of you who live along the route would be prepared to put me up for a night and feed me, please get in touch - either through the website or by phoning 01544 327268. I look forward to hearing from you otherwise it's the tent!
This evening I have had an insurance man round to sort out some life insurance - just in case, you never know!
An Eventful Week
Hello
again, this week has been quite eventful. On Friday the cattle had
to have their annual TB test. Every animal had to be put through
the crush and a vet injected each one in the neck in two places.
We then had an anxious wait over the weekend and then on Monday
the vet checked each animal again to see if any had reacted to the
injection given on the Friday - if one animal has a specific reaction
then that's it - all animal movements are stopped. Good news - the
test was negative - this time. So we can continue business as normal
for now.
Also on Monday I had an email from the Hereford Times asking if I would do a blog for their website. Obviously said yes but I still don't quite understand why anybody would want to read it.
Our village pub, The Swan, has reopened recently which is great news for the community. A few of us met there the other evening and enjoyed a meal and some good company. It's brilliant to have another venue in the village for people to meet up. The new owners are very friendly and welcoming. I really hope it works out for them - we must, as a village, support them as much as we can.
Don and I started on filming for a promotional DVD last weekend. This will be sent out to TV stations and other media organisations as another way of getting them interested in Cathedral Quest.
Training this week, so far, has been a bit bitty - half hour here and there, mostly on the static trainer. Still, it all helps.
Training!
Had
a lie in this morning until 7.00 a.m. and then went to feed the
cattle. Once the cattle were fed and watered I checked the bike
over with a bit of lubrication here and there and then set off towards
Hereford. Halfway up Tin Hill, John Skyrme was cutting the hedge
on the roadside. If I get a puncture later, I will be ringing him!
At Bridge Sollars bridge I stopped to look at an ironing board in
the river - some poor woman obviously had had enough! I headed towards
Madley - it's terribly rough and full of pot holes. In Madley I
turned left and then right at The Comet, down the straight mile
passed BT Satellite Station which reminds me that I haven't had
a reply to my letter of complaint I sent them. Once passed the industrial
unit, the road turns into what resembles a farm track. The people
in charge of our roads ought to be made to cycle round some of them
and then they would get a feel for how good they are.
From here, I went onto Peterchurch. Quite a few new houses have been built here and a police station - very lucky to still have one! Out of Peterchurch, passed Wilmaston Farm where I lived for a few months in 1978 and onto Dorstone to tackle Dorstone Hill. Well, it is a 1:4 in places and I am afraid I had to get off and walk on the really steep bits. Going up was quite tough. Coming down was just plain scary. I had the brakes pulled on as hard as I dared because of the mud in places but I couldn't slow down enough to be safe. I just hoped nothing pulled out from a house or farmyard. As it was I was ok and got to the bottom without incident but I will have to have even bigger brake blocks or ones made from better material. Anyway, I am glad I did that hill today as it showed up a problem which needs attention.
After crossing the river at Bredwardine it was only 5 minutes back to Letton. A total of 23 miles in 1 hour 55 minutes .
Gary's Blog!
Hi
everybody, my apologies again for not having spoken to you all for
a while. Anyway, since the last episode not a great deal has happened.
We had our latest Quest meeting at the beginning of this month.
Don had received replies from about half of the Cathedrals and I
have had some good feedback from some companies which I have written
to. If you look at our sponsors' page on the site you will see the
names of organisations that are helping in various ways. Our latest
sponsor is the cycle maker Dawes, which as the more observant of
you have seen, is the manufacturer of the bike I am using for this
trip. Therefore, I am very pleased that they are on board. Training
is going still quite slowly. Not really doing enough and when we
get into March I am going to get busier at work. Still, I am sure
I will fit the work in somewhere!
My other pressing problem is my overnight stops. I do have some names and addresses but I must get some more details of the route on the web and then people will be able to see if they can help me out. Anyway, if all else fails there is always the tent.
Rain, Wind, Cold: Numb Feet and Fingers
Feeding
cattle this morning so didn't get out on the bike until around 9.45.
Weather not too good, some rain and quite windy, anyway can't just
go out on the nice days. Headed towards Hereford with the wind against
me which is unusual, never mind should mean it will be behind me
on the return. Got into Hereford in quite good time, negosiated
Steels roundabout and made my way up to Holmer. Followed roman road
back to Credenhill then took road out to Yazor and through to Norton
Canon where the rain started to get quite steady, time to put my
jacket on. It was quite cold now, my feet and fingers had gone quite
numb, good job its not far to home. Once home did a few stretching
exercises then had a nice warm shower to get some feeling back into
my extremites. Total miles 30, in 2 hours 24 minuites.
Gym & Tonic
Had an appointment today with a lady called Cat Lawford, a fitness
instructor, who has a gym in Hay on Wye called Gym & Tonic. She
is going to help knock me into some kind of shape for my little
adventure. She has worked out a few exercises which will complement
the cycling and also some to correct muscle imbalances which cycling
creates. I have been given some forms to keep a record of what I
eat and drink for a week and for some reason my bowel movements
but you don't wan't to know about that. This is now getting quite
technical, but I think this attention to detail will be the difference
between succeding or failing this challenge.
20 miles in 1 hour 38 minuites, not too bad!
After
a bit of a lay-in this morning, well it is sunday and I wasn't feeding
cattle, I got up and went out on the proper bike. The weather was
good, some nice sunshine for a change although the wind was quite
gusty at times, but as I headed out towards Sarnsfield with the
wind behind me it seamed a very pleasant morning. At Sarnsfield
I turned left towards Lyonshall. I was now heading more into the
wind, should have had another shredded wheat for breakfast. Anyway
just before Lyonshall another cyclest came alongside. We exchanged
good mornings and grumbled about the wind and then off he went.
I tried to keep up but to no avail, well he was on a very swish
racing bike and he looked alot younger than me. Still he did say
I was doing well which was nice of him. Once out of Lyonshall I
headed for Kington, picked up a newspaper after negotiating an access
platform in the middle of Kington high street taking down the Christmas
lights. Left Kington heading back towards Hereford, called in on
Nora and had a welcome cup of coffee and a chat before heading home.
Total distance 20 miles in 1 hour 38 minuites, not too bad.
Training Training Training
Hi
everybody I am sorry I haven't written anything lately, I don't
have any excuses except laziness. Anyway after speaking to my son
Daniel last night and getting told off for not having anything new
on the blog, here is the next instalment.
Back at the beginning of December I mentioned an idea to help with the training and finally it's up and running. Well actually it doesn't go anywhere as you can see from the picture. This enables me to train every evening, but it is rather boring. Still, once the evenings are lighter I can get out on the proper bike. From the sequence of photos you can see how the trainer was put togeather. The two rollers with bearings were made by local engineer, Keith Dale, who also supplied the rest of the metal, so thanks for that Keith, much appreciated. I also mentioned a bit back about finding someone who could help me with some gym work and my diet. Well I have spoken to a lady who has a gym in Hay and she has kindly offered to help so once I have been to see her, hopfully she won't see me as a hopless case, then I will let you know what's involved.
We
have had flooding over the last week. The main road through Letton
was closed twice with water over two feet deep. Sheep had to be
moved and with the bad forecast that was being given for last weekend
we were expecting some serious problems. Fortunately for us the
heavy rain went further north so this time we escaped the worst.
It will be a week or so before we can tell how badly the crops have
been damaged, but that's one of the drawbacks of having land along
the river.
Making the News!
It
has been an eventful start to the new year. Since the press release
at the beginning of last week we have had quite a bit of interest
from the media. The
Western Daily Press came out to take some photos last Friday
and I believe that article is in
today's paper. The Epiphany
service recorded in Letton Church was broadcast on Sunday and
I was interviewed live on that morning's program. I have also been
contacted by BBC
Radio Somerset to do a live interview on their Wednesday breakfast
show. So things are moving quite quickly now and I am pleased that
people are finding this an interesting project. I do find these
interviews quite nerve racking but hopefully I will get better at
them and to be honest these interviews are very important to help
make this trip successful so I must just get on with it. As for
the training, well I have been out on the bike but only for a couple
of short runs. What I am going to have to do is find a gym that
will help me out with a training program to complement the cycling.
Time to get serious I think!
Latest News
Click on the links below to read Gary's blog, to view Gary's route and the distance covered, to view the photos and videos taken en route. And click here to read and listen to all the latest news.
Sponsors
The support of the following individuals and organisations is very
gratefully acknowledged:
Dawes - Gym
and Tonic - Harris
Active Sports - IMPRESSprint
- Mastercraft Cycles
- Widemarsh Workshop