Today’s route took us 96 miles through the Lake District and into Scotland. We had planned to get a ferry across the famous Lake Windermere but, due to technical faults, the ferry wasn’t running we had to put in those extra miles in the saddle to cycle around. Despite the rain, wind and cold, the Lake District was simply brilliant.
There are some tired legs tonight but, now well versed as a team, the cyclists are able to fall into formation – when faced with traffic – with speed and efficiency that the Red Arrows would be proud of.
Performer of the Day: Our newest member, Andrew Caldwell, faced a baptism of fire with the mountains in the Lake District but admirably pulled through. Gerald’s knees are holding up.
Langer of the Day: Mother-nature – the heavens opened several times during the day and the team were subjected to chilling winds and pouring rain
http://www.justgiving.com/1039miles
In a slight change to the usual format, below is an account of the trip so far from Michael O’Driscoll (the support van driver):
“So far this has been an incredible journey in every sense. The peloton has cycled through Land’s End, Helston, Lizard, which is actually more southern than Land’s End, Weston-Super-Mere, Presteigne, Frodsham and Kendal. The cyclists have travelled 510 miles in six days, averaging over 95 miles a day and they look extremely professional.
We are all learning on the way: about ourselves and our co-travellers. A mixed bunch maybe but incredibly genuine, concerned human beings. Some are quiet, some less so. We have a charmer (at least in his own mind), another must have spent years in a Cistercian monastery he is so quiet.
The organiser in chief is Bernard McEvoy: he is the one who first had the crazy idea and got the whole thing rolling. There are 3 Irish cyclists; Gerald Byrne, Ercus Stewart and Bernard. Ben Williams is the youngest and, without doubt, the most mannerly, courteous and considerate of all – “he’d teach you manners” as they say in Ireland. Matt Hoyle (aka Shelia as he is commonly known) is probably the most experienced cyclist and it is difficult to shut him up once he starts talking.
The final member of the group is Kenny Dalby who is married to an Irish lady. Kenny is Scottish and a true gentleman with some great yarns to tell. No doubt his repertoire of tales will be enhanced after this venture. Gerald just got engaged recently and, by his own admission, is one to keep the head down. Apparently his fiancé does all the work for the forthcoming wedding, reports to Gerald at the end of each day and he signs off or not on everything. Ercus is Ercus and keeps the morale and general demeanor of all on a high. More of this anon.
The man around everything circles, however, is Neill Shrimpton. He has put a tremendous effort into the venture – he organises the route, daily distances, hotels to stay in and generally is the main man.
From my point of view Norton, for instance, will live forever in my memory. The day organiser chose it as the third meeting point on Day 3 of our journey. This choice was made on distance only, i.e. distance from point A to point B, which was measured in 20 mile chunks. The satellite may know where Norton is. After that, however, difficulties arise. So much so that in trying to locate it, Norton, that is, I stopped at a local residence to enquire. The up-shot was a blazing row between the residence – a man and a woman – who, even though living within a mile of the aforementioned Norton could not agree where it was.
English people are tremendously helpful, but ask any two of them, separately, for directions and you will be guaranteed to get two divergent sets. Examples of other bits of advice: “go right to the traffic lights” (what was meant was drive directly to the traffic lights) another one; “see those trees up there” (there were three different layers in the field being pointed to and it was 3 or 4 miles away on a hill) “thats where you want to go”.
I may write to Hereford County Council and Kendal likewise. The former trap you in the centre of town and sometimes after multiple efforts, people manage to escape (I was one such lucky one). In Kendal I got the distinct impression that they don’t want visitors. I felt lucky to emerge from one of the most confusing and difficult one-way systems I have ever encountered. Despite all the stress, the punctures, the minor accidents, the tensions, the unnecessary toilet breaks, I get the distinct impression that everyone is having a great time.
The cause is a great one – it is amazing how our lives can effect others. The many old and dead Irish for whom this trip is all about have made me cry in villages and towns throughout England and Wales as I explained to strangers why the 8 of us are on this trip. I am more and more convinced that everything we do in our lives has an effect. The immigrants of 50, 60 and 70 years ago are making me cry. They were, unknownst to themselves, real patriots.”
1039 Miles 