LEJOG Day 3 - Crediton to Yatton 75 miles

Day three started with a sumptuous breakfast provided by Jackie and Lockers after which the team had a speedy ride to a Wellington some 28 miles away and proceeded to have scrambled eggs , beans and bacon a the town centre cafe.

The rest of the days cycling was somewhat more sedate as we travelled through the Somerset Levels (not sure how level there were) close to Glastonbury and on to my sisters Sian's place at Yatton where we were treated to another sumptuous meal of homemade cooking.

This time we didn't make the same mistake as yesterday and managed to get to the pub in time to sample 'Twisted Oak' an ale brewed specifically for the pub called Butchers Arms and 'Butcombe' an aptly named ale for out adventure.

We did met some of the local one who stood out wearing a 'Sons of Anarchy' tee shirt whilst stroking a tiny dog wearing a fetching coat....... well this is Somerset.

LEJOG Day 2 Padstow to Crediton

Day 1 took 9 miles to our first mechanical failure and a visit to a local bike shop today took only 5 before having to call in to Padstowe bike shop to have the gears on Spuff's bike adjusted - to slow the "I've done an Ironman" young fit student down.

The route took us along the Camel Trail eventually onto Launceston and past the rugby ground, where Bees played their Cornish counterparts in National 1, before we eventually ended up in a campsite deep in the rolling hills of Devon called Yeatheridge Farm..

The days cycle was a joy inspired by the dervish Millichap yelling 'savour the hills' everytime we ascended something that required a bit of effort.

Unbelievably I'm unable to report on the quality of the local beer as the campsite bar shut and 10 O'clock and we'd been royally enjoying Lockers  evening meal of steak in peppercorn sauce garlic sauteed potatoes, broccoli and other delights before we descended on the campsite bar so missed out on the opportunity to sample any of the ales in a well stocked bar .  We did manage a few bottles Doombar with the meal therefore a map of Devon & Cornwall breweries will have to suffice.

LEJOG Day 1 - Lands End to Treyarnon Bay (Padstow)

Today's 62 mile ride from Lands End to near Padstow- the shortest distance of our adventure - started at Phil's abode 100 miles away in Ashburton in Devon. An early breakfast and quick spin in the support wagon driven by Sebastain Vettel. 

Starting from a very sunny Lands End the aim was to reach Treyanon Bay near Padstow in good time to enjoy the beach and fantastic sunset before devouring Lockington's first Michelin Star evening meal.

It didn't quite work out that way due to a three hour lunch in Penzance some 9 miles from Lands End.

The team will say it was for some unexpected bike repairs caused by a slight incident (no casulaties) that required a visit to the local bike shop - you can draw your own conclusions but there is evidence that we had a pavement picnic

Redruth saw an ice cream stop due to the onset of impending heat stroke  before the sea mist unbelievably decended prior to entering New Quay blanking out the sunset view at our nights stop.

However we managed to get a quick swim in the sea before our sumptuous evening meal.

Today's local ale was Betty's Stogs a 4% brew locally know as brazen cornish bitter.

Five of us about to share a four bed YHA room!

Good night all.

LEJOG Day 0

Great start to the day with the Lions victory over the Waikato Chiefs and lovely to get a picture from Bethan who was at the game with Alex and Tyrel and Armani.

Quick bit of packing and van loading for trip from Solihull down to Devon to the Millichap rez.

Bit of R&R at Millichap's Dez Rez 

before award of LEJOG stash 

and sampling of local ale, Dartmoor IPA (light hoppy ale 4.0%  and Dartmoor Best (reddish brown ale very tasty may I say 3.7%

Great preparation for first days cycling starting from Lands End in the heat.

Last supper served up by mine host Jackie - wonderful.

It's a long road, it's a great cause

Just a quick note to say that I am delighted to have been appointed (if that is the right term) PR advisor to LEJOG4THEBOG challenge.

As the boys head down to Devon to prepare themselves mentally for the challenge (i.e. go to a local pub and onboard as much fluid as possible), I will be manning the PR desk at Communications HQ here in Solihull.

I will be posting regular updates on the www.beesrugby.com website over the 14 day challenge and will be in regular contact with the riders and the support team as they take on this epic journey.

It's a long road, it's a great cause (name the song) so let's get behind the boys as they set off on Wednesday this week.

Cheers

Richard Smith

Proper Preparation Avoids.........

They say that Proper Planning and Preparation Avoids P... Poor Performance.So with less than 48hrs to go before we start our much anticipated Lands End to John O'Groats cycle ride are we prepared?

The training has been long and hard, the bikes are serviced with spare parts galore packed. The endless Kit List is ticked to cater for 14 days outdoors in all weathers including the appropriate cycling, camping and cooking clothing/equipment. The route has been meticulously planned to reduce the daily metres of climb, along with the overall distance travelled, whilst trying to avoid busy roads. The accommodation and ferries are booked in advance  and the meals have been planned by Jackie and Andrew. 

So what could go wrong?

Well the five cyclist have never cycled together - a pre-requisite for energy saving well paced cycling and none of us has cycled an inch of the proposed route. The seven of us going on the adventure have never been in the same room together let alone spent 14 nights couped up in tents and Youth Hostels.

But far more challenging is this fantastically hot weather. Where did that come from? All the training has been conducted in cold and wet weather and we are certainly not suited to Mediterranean conditions.

Arrgghh well, we'll just have to make sure we take onboard sufficient fluids.

Thank you for all your good wishes and support.

www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/lejog4thebog

Good News

There have been two bits of good news for our LEJOG trip over the last few weeks.

Firstly, in addition to the Millichap's camper van we have been able to secure an additional van that will both act as an extra support vehicle during our adventure but will also enable us to transport our bikes and equipment from the Midlands down to Lands End for the start of our trip and then transport us back home from John O'Groats when we have completed our adventure.

Phil Pinfield - a long time Bees support - of Mid Hire  is a lovely man and his company is a lovely company and if you ever have to hire a vehicle (vans or cars) then please ask Phil as he has helped secure a special vehicle at Mates Rates for our adventure.

The second bit of good news is that Andrew Lockington has offered to come on the trip. Now anyone who knows Andrew would think he would be a total liability on a cycling trip, which of course he would be if he was cycling. However Andrew is not cycling but will use his well renowned skills as a top calor gas camping stove cook to provide Michelin Star meals throughout or journey which we are all looking forward to with great anticipation.

On top of being the tour chef Andrew intends to grow a beard - apparently something he is not allowed to do at home - and complete another chapter of the book he is writing which apparently is 'gripping thriller with a twist.'

Thank you to everyone who has given so generously so far to our LEJOG fund raising. If you would also like to join in with giving then please follow the link

www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/LEJOG4THEBOG

Thank you.