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| Preparations for the 'off' |
SEE MORE PICTURES BELOW
Club Chairman, Rob Gomez and player Ashley Broughton are undertaking a marathon cycle ride,
from John O'Groats to Lands End, in aim of the charity 'Children with Leukaemia', to be completed in just 9 days, from 16th
to 24th October. 890 miles, in all !
Rob and Ashley will receive support from their back-up van driver, Mick Dunne, with one or two others
joining up at various stages, to provide support.
The following is a log of Rob and Ashley's progress.
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| Back-up man, Tony Marlow, ready to spring into action |
Day Minus 1 - Travel up to John O'Groats from Harborough
The
lads reached John O'Groats at 5 p.m., after a gruelling 11 hour journey from Harborough. Setting off at 6.15 a.m., the
journey was broken up by taking breakfast at Lancaster and a visit to Morrison's in Inverness, for supplies. The significant
hills in the Scottish Highlands made an impression on the cyclists on the way up, but the weather forecast is good for tomorrow.
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| Day 1 - Good weather through the Scottish Highlands |
Day 1 – Friday, 16th October - John O'Groats to Alness (near inverness) (100 miles)
In good weather, with a clear sky, Rob and Ashley completed Day 1 with no real problems. Cycling with the sea
to their left for much of the day, the two set off from John O'Groats at 8 a.m. and arrived in Alness, next to the Cromarty
Firth, at just before 4 p.m. The party looked to restore their energy levels for Day 2 by taking 'al fresco' fish and chips
in the small village, which is just north of Inverness.
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| Progressing past Loch Ness |
Day 2 – Saturday, 17th October - Alness to Ballachulish (south of Fort William) (102
miles)
Another
bright day starts with Mick Dunne riding with Rob and Ashley for the first 25 miles past Inverness. On to the Great Glen following
the course of the Caledonian Canal, alongside Loch Ness and past Fort William, through cracking countryside. Left Alness
at 8.45 a.m. and arrived at Ballachullish at 5.45 p.m. Cyclists now feeling a few aches, with Ashley's backside particularly
uncomfortable!
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| A look back half way up Glencoe |
Day 3 – Sunday, 18th October - Ballachulish to Coalburn (near Strathavon) (122 miles)
A
wet day today, with miserable conditions and the wind in their faces as the cyclists headed up through Glencoe and
on to Rannoch Moor. Slow progress was made to Loch Lommond, where a welcome lunch break was taken at 11.30. The
weather took its toll, with two changes of clothing necessary before the end of the day, at Strathavon. The lads were lifted
by the fantastic scenery and Rob spotted three stags through the mist!
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| Ever prepared, specialist rainwear comes out. |
Day 4 – Monday, 19th October - Coalburn to Lazonby (Cumbria) (108 miles)
Another damp day,
with the rain starting after 40 miles, near to Beattock. But the lads pulled out all the stops to get through to Lazonby and
dear old England in good time. Steady progress was made during the morning, through Border Reivers country and a lunch break
was made at Locherbie. Then, just short of Gretna, Ashley had the first puncture of the ride so far. Carlisle saw 'back-up
buddy', Tony Marlow dropped off for the the train ride home and work on Tuesday, before the last stretch to Lazonby was completed.
The accommodation for the night included a snooker room for the lads to relax.
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| At speed through Orton, north of Tebay, Cumbria. |
Day 5 – Tuesday,
20th October - Lazonby to Newton-le-Willows (Cheshire) (102 miles)
A late breakfast wasn't the best
start to the day as the lads set off after 9 a.m. Wind in the face all day with the best part of the first 40 miles, to Kirby
Lonsdale, spent climbing. Then rain joined in and lasted all the way to Preston. Despite the weather, Rob and Ashley managed
to get through to Wigan before darkness fell. 95 miles completed and a few miles short of their target for the day, but
a great effort in the circumstances.
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| Somewhere in Shropshire |
Day 6 – Wednesday,
21st October - Newton-le-Willows to Worcester (105 miles)
Following the miserable weather
of the last two days, a dry day on the road to Worcester was most welcome. An 8 a.m. start saw Rob and Ash make
good progress to Newport (Shropshire) for lunch, after 60 miles. Then one or mishaps impeded the afternoon's effort. Due to
poor sign reading, a couple of detours added 9 miles to the intended route!! Anyway, the lads got to eight miles the other
side of Kidderminster before bad light 'stopped play'. Rob's hopes of soaking in a good bath were dashed when the hotel for
the night turned out to be a right dive, with an unuseable tub!
Day 7 – Thursday,
22nd October - Worcester to Churchill (Somerset) (75 miles)
Day 7. 7.15am start. No breakfast
at the digs, to early for them. Slight breeze no rain however the sky looks pretty heavy. Heading for the A38 then straight
down to Bristol and beyond.
Day 8 – Friday, 23rd
October - Churchill to Tavistock (Devon) (80 miles)
Day 8. Started at 8am from Churchill.
Lovely weather. Headed down the A38 to Exeter, made good time altho the boys are feeling the pain now. Rob's ankle is bad
but he's determined to push on thro. Ash has some knee pain hut a good rub down has eased that. Dartmore was a challenge that
both lads managed, i'm so proud of them both. We, they finished in Tavistock 5.30 and did 96 miles. Last day tomorrow, he
ur that way inclined please say a prayer for them.
Day 9 – Saturday,
24th October - Tavistock to Lands End (95 miles)
Day 9. Last day woo hoo. Started at 9am 80 miles to go. Absolutly pissing it down.
Day 9. After an horrendous start to the day with heavy rain that lasted untill the boys cleared Bodminand
moor about 11.30 , a strong head wind that has been with them all day and made riding very tough. Woo hoo they made
it at 6pm. 872 miles cycled. Wow.
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