Day Nine: Mountain Mayhem!
Today I was quite glad I fell off. This is Ollie speaking of course, and since my accident on day one it’s fair to say I’ve had my fair share of low moments. But today - Monday - I can safely say I was glad I wasn’t riding a bike…
I may write for a living, but words simply can’t describe how proud Penny and I are of ‘our’ cyclists. They have been through hell today. The pictures don’t do it justice, my words can only scratch the surface of what they went through, even the video we shot is inadequate. To understand, you simply had to be there. And no, I’m really not exaggerating for dramatic effect…
The day started promisingly. For the first time since our departure from Land’s End, the sun greeted us at breakfast and weakly managed to accompany Tom, James and Georgie as they made their way out of Blairgowrie aiming for their first major destination – the Spittle of Glenshee.
That’s right, Glenshee, as in the ski resort of Glenshee. Because today was the day they had to conquer the Cairngorms. I’d urge you to grab a map at this point to have a look at the climbs they had to do, and then imagine the conditions they had to endure.
It was just as well Georgie’s folks came along today to reinforce the moral support offered by us in the Fun Bus – it was much needed. Both cars shadowed the cyclists all day, but neither could offer the protection needed.
So why all the build up? Well, in the Cairngorms there’s no protection from the elements. There are no trees, barely even a bush and the wind is funnelled up exposed, barren valleys, driving the rain horizontally into whatever lies in its path.
Usually that’s a sheep, some heather and the occasional derelict building. Today it was our intrepid pedallers and the wind was in a bad mood. As they crested the top of Glenshee it was blowing at around 40mph and gusting much faster. Enough to rock the Fun Bus and blow people across the car park, anyway.
And there was no escape – even the uphills weren’t sheltered from head-on gusts and the downhills were no fun either – Tom stopped pedalling on a slope he’d normally expect to roll down at around 25-28mph, and found himself doing 11.9mph. He didn’t really want to be going any faster, either, because more speed just means the icy raindrops hit you harder.
In fact, I’ve forgotten to mention the temperature so far. It was six degrees at the Lecht this afternoon – and that’s before any windchill is taken into account. And this is June, don’t forget.
Lunch at Braemar was a welcome respite for the team, and throughout the afternoon Georgie’s parents and the Fun Bus shadowed the riders closely. By this stage they were well behind schedule and we’d underestimated the distances involved. We thought this would be a 65-mile day – but it ended up at over 80 miles.
Although we’d booked a B&B in Grantown on Spey it was looking like they’d get no further than Tomintoul. Peter and Mandy (Georgie’s parents) went so far as sorting somewhere for them to stay and I phoned the place we were meant to be staying to tell them we might not make it.
The chief reason was the Lecht ski area and the climb up to it. We plied them with hot chocolate at the bottom before they could see what they were in for – James already knew because he’d raced on these roads years ago, but for Tom the 20 per cent incline for over a mile, that then dipped slightly before climbing again at over 10 per cent for a couple more miles was a new experience. And not one they’ll want to repeat in a hurry.
For the last couple of days Tom has said how determined he is to ride LE-JOG without getting off and pushing. Getting to the top of the Lecht was a remarkable effort. Especially since there wasn’t much reward to getting there. It was after 5.30, the massive ski building was shut and the only other reward was the surreal sight of seeing piste bashers, snow-making machines and draglifts…
The building provided shelter at least, but we didn’t hang around for long. The Fun Bus headed for Tomintoul, tempted by the promise of a legendary fish and chip van (it was truly awesome), and the cyclists nosed into town a little later. By now 7pm was fast approaching, but the decision was made to press on for Grantown – another 15 miles away.
It was definitely the right decision – the Dunallan B&B was superb and the tired trio finally arrived a little before 8pm, unsurprisingly exhausted. And yet, now, sitting safe in a lovely guesthouse in the warm glow of achievement, none of them would change a single thing about today. Well, except the weather…
Special mention should go to Sasha and Luke today for being so well behaved when for much off the day it was too windy and wet for them to be taken out of the Fun Bus. They’ve been as good as gold which has made Ollie and Penny’s life much easier!
So a long blog from today – but necessary to try and convey what’s been going on. Tom, James and Georgie have been battered by relentless wind, blown to a near standstill on climbs - and descents, too, and grit and determination were all that saw them through. How bad was it? Well, they’re talking about greasing their faces for tomorrow in order to reduce windburn!
This should have been the best leg of the trip with stunning scenery all around, but as Tom put it: “I didn’t see more than the rain dripping off the peak of my helmet”
Highlights:
Not nearly enough of them…
Every time we stopped and were able to get warm
Low points:
The weather – apparently there’s been widespread flooding in the Midlands
The climbs (who said Cornwall was worse than Scotland? They were wrong!)
Stage Stats:
Today’s mileage: 81.04
Total mileage: 824.92
Average speed: 11.9
Max speed: 35.2 (and that despite really steep descents)
June 26th, 2007 at 12:35 pm
Well done everyone,you all deserve medals and a big hug!
Lovely to recieve a card from Sasha&Luke&the funbus,they won’t want this to end!
Lots of love&this message from your prayer support team!
KEEP GOING,IT CAN ONLY GET BETTER!
mum&susan,neil&everyone here in Wales xxx
June 26th, 2007 at 12:40 pm
Heroic, simply heroic. Ollie, wishing you well with your possible return to the saddle. Tom, James and Georgie - amazing - very very well done so far.
June 26th, 2007 at 1:13 pm
Well done I was worried that you may not have made Grantown last Night but so glad you did and the B’n'B was a good one. Congratulations to you all espeacially Georgie for just keeping going. I am sure you all wish that your road bikes have a lower gear for the hills! Hope you make it to Bonar Bridge tonight.
We hope to catch you up tomorrow on the A836!! We are so proud of the team. Hoping for dry weather and a tail wind.
Mimi & Pops
June 26th, 2007 at 3:46 pm
Well done everyone! Keep it going. Sounds like the conditions can only get better! It will all be worth it in the end - what an achievement!
I’ll keep my fingers crossed for better weather for the next few days.
Petra
June 26th, 2007 at 3:53 pm
Too right about the Midlands being flooded. You’re lucky you are out of this area, the weather was positively Niagaran Falls yesterday. Push on you guys you’ll be there soon!
June 26th, 2007 at 3:56 pm
Well done on your achievements so far! I can’t even begin to comprehend what you’ve been through facing the driving wind and rain each day not to mention the hills! The levels of mental strength and stamina you’ve all had to get this far and keep going is amazing. Keep going! Look forward top the next update
Susannah
June 26th, 2007 at 4:23 pm
WELL DONE GUYS! ESTO ES INCREÍBLE!!!!
THIS IS AN IMPRESSIVE ACHIEVEMENT. I AM NOT SURE YOU TOTALLY COMPLETED THE FINAL DAY, BUT IF NOT YOU WILL BE THERE VERY SOON!!!!!!
THIS IS SO CRAZY, AND YOU GUYS ARE “TOTALLY BANANAS”! AND I LOVE THAT!
CONGRATULATIONS TO THE WHOLE TEAM!
I HOPE JAMES AND THE REST OF THE TEAM GOT SOOOOOO MANY GOOD AND NEW IDEAS (AS JAMES PROMISED) SO WHEN YOU ARE BACK NEXT WEEK, WE CAN BASICALLY GO ON HOLIDAYS TO MALLORCA FOR THE NEXT 2 MONTHS!
CELEBRATE THE ARRIVAL AS YOU KNOW, AND RELAX A BIT DURING THE WEEKEND.
BEST
Marta
June 26th, 2007 at 4:58 pm
Guys,
What can I say. You are doing so brilliantly well. M & P could not believe your pure grit and determination. I don’t think I can even begin to imagine what you guys are putting yourselves through. It is for such a worthwhile cause. James - your mum would be so so proud of you all. I know the light is very much in sight now. So keep going. Rest well. Take care.
Tams & Lee
June 26th, 2007 at 4:59 pm
PS
James love the shot of you with the banana!! x
June 26th, 2007 at 5:06 pm
Great work - keep going. Before you know it you’ll hit the floods of North Yorkshire, but the fish & chips will be even better……
Presume it’s against the rules to attach ropes to the fun-bus and obtain some “drag”?
June 26th, 2007 at 5:16 pm
I cannot believe the pictures I have just seen….. this really does say something about your spirit and determination….. my legs have turned to jelly just looking at the conditions and cannot even imagine the pain. Well done …….Keep going…….
June 26th, 2007 at 6:14 pm
Wonderful achievement, keep going you are nearly there, just hang on in and keep those legs going!!.
Love Auntie Judy and Maurice
June 26th, 2007 at 9:38 pm
we have left our comments on day eight. cant believe how truly awesome you three are. courage and sheer willpower got you all up those hills. Never let anyone say girls are the weakest sex coz Georgie proved that girls are just as strong as the boys. the end is now in sight and nothing can be as tough as today. love you all to bits Mandy
June 27th, 2007 at 8:24 am
Tom & team…not long now…you’re nearly, almost, just a whisker away from finishing. Huge amount of respect for you all - I get exhausted just reading your blogs! We are thinking of you all and hoping that the weather improves and the last few hours are a bit more enjoyable for you. Enjoy the moment that you cross that finish line and get back in to the arms of the ones you love. I’m sure Nicko is especially looking forward to a cuddle with daddy. Love to you all and good luck!
June 27th, 2007 at 8:40 am
Guys, you are all doing so bloody well, utter respect for all of you. Have loved reading about all your adventures. Keep going, not far to go now. Come on Georgie - totally doing it for the girls!! xx
June 27th, 2007 at 12:24 pm
Guys, ahead of your final leg I just wanted to say how proud I am of you all. This has been alot tougher than I think any of you had anticipated with all the problems you have all faced. But you have stuck through it and there should be a deserved swagger in your step (or pedal!) tomorrow. Your support team have been fantastic. Tom, losing your wingman on the first day is a nightmare. Ollie, to go through your accident and still smile whilst you had to watch your team mates must have been so hard. Georgie, I cant say enough, you have supported James so well and here you are, the novice of the group yet you have held your own… and lastly, bro, I know there will be someone watching from above tomorrow, a glass of cold white wine in her hand, smiling in complete and utter pride. Simply put, my hat goes off to you all.
June 27th, 2007 at 3:34 pm
What an amazing journey-& for a VERY worthy cause! I just found out about this yesterday from my dear friend Mary! As a person who has had to deal with some pretty bad weather myself(I live in New Orleans!)-I can only express my admiration for what you have endured.May then sun shine on your last few miles!Very best wishes to you all,Fiona.