JOHN O’GROATS!

   

Where do I begin with today’s update? The obvious place is to proudly announce that all 8 of us (Neill Shrimpton, Bernard McEvoy, Gerald Byrne, Kenny Dalby, Ercus Stewart, Matt Hoyle, Ben Williams and the driver, Michael O’Driscoll) completed the gruelling 1,039 mile journey and reached John O’Groats in one piece.

Our arrival at the finish point was a great; we cycled 7 abreast on a flat downhill section to the finish line just before sunset. Then, draped in our respective country’s flags and elated with the achievement we all looked forward to having our picture taken with the famous John O’Groats sign. We couldn’t believe it, then, when we saw that the famous sign had quite literally just been taken down and the photo-booth was being dragged away by a digger. Apparently we had missed out by 30 minutes. Having cycled for 10 solid days, however, and much to the annoyance of the onlooking workers, we took it upon ourselves to recover the sign and lift it above our heads to get the photo we all wanted. This actually made it better and more memorable because, as it turns out, we were the last ever people to have our photo taken with that iconic sign.

Today’s ride was, however, as much about the journey as the destination. In particular, we were treated to the “greatest flat cycling road in the world”, which, for 40-50 miles weaved through the relentless Scottish landscape. At one point we witnessed a herd of 50 wild red deer bounding up and over a nearby hill. Then, a few miles up the road we saw another herd. At first just a few and then – most brilliantly – 7 stags stood majestically on the hill top a watched us pass by. As we picked up a top speed of 45 miles per hour and with the hawks, eagles and military fighter jets circling above our heads, we were having the ride of our lives.

It was a fitting end as the route took us on the longest day, totalling 130 miles in 11.5 hours.

Performer of the Day: Gerald Byrne – Easy decision for two reasons: 1) Along one of the busy costal roads (with farms on one side and coastline on the other) a lone sheep had escaped and was roaming the busy highway. Due almost certain death if it stayed out on the road, Gerald threw his bike to the ground and, like a superhero, leapt to its safety, managing to pick it up, carry it across the road and – with the sheep held over his head – lift it over the fence and back into the field. We only hope he put it back in the right farm! 2) He was the only cyclist at John O’Groats that was mad enough to run, fully clothed, to the edge of the pier and jump into the north sea – it was freezing!

Other notable performees – Neill Shrimpton, Ben Williams, Kenny Dalby, Matt Hoyle and Ercus Stewart cycled for an additional 20 miles to reach the hotel in Wick.

Langer of the Day: Ordinarily it would be Ercus Stewart – As a team we decided we would take a 10 mile detour prior to John O’Groats so we could also visit the most northernly point of mainland Great Britain (John O’Groats is the most north-westerly). 5 of the team were content with a quick picture by the sign but Ercus and Ben decided they would go to inspect the lighthouse and peer over the sheer cliff-tops. As the rest of the team cycled off, Ercus and Ben took photos and admired the scenery. When they went to catch up with the team, however, Ercus realised he had misplaced his helmet. Panic ensued, as Ben and Ercus scrambled around the cliffs in search. Eventually, we found the helmet perched and teetering on the very edge of the cliff-top. You would think that Ercus should get the award for this schoolboy error, but as it was the last day, the award goes jointly to the other 5 members of the team for missing out on the absolutely amazing sight of 180 degree views of horizon and the powerful north sea smashing against the dizzyingly high cliff-tops.

If you would like to sponsor us now we have finished the journey –www.justgiving.com/1039miles

Tuesday 3rd September

For the first time in four days the waterproofs, tights, leg warmers, shoe covers and thermals came off and the sunglasses came on as we basked in glorious sunshine cycling passed Ben Nevis and along the entire length of Lock Ness. I can report that the only monstrous thing we saw, however, was Bernard McEvoy in shrink-wrapped in Lycra.

Michael (the driver) must have been tired because despite the fact that it was the simplest route chosen oven the 10 days of the trip he managed to take a wrong turning which resulted in the riders missing their lunch stop. Perhaps he got dodgy instructions, but I doubt it. When we spoke to him he said he was overcome by the beauty of the landscape and even thought he is Irish he grudgingly accepts that Scotland it is a more beautiful country.

It dawned on me today that I haven’t provided any update on what we eat. Since we descend on shops, tea rooms and hotels like a swarm of locusts and within minutes eat every last crumb, below is a list of what we will typically eat to keep our strength up:

7am (at least 30 mins after Neill calls us down): 1 – 2 bowls of cereal, a yoghurt, a bowl of porridge, fruit, brown toast and a cooked breakfast (e.g. two boiled eggs, hash brown and toast) – some have even more

10.30am: usually a sandwich, cake, cereal bars, scones, energy bars and a pint of milk

12.30pm: whilst on the bike – cereal bars / energy bars, cakes and/or biscuits

1.30 – 2pm: Lunch – usually a loaf of bread, cheese, ham, pastries, coleslaw, eccles cakes and a pint of milk

4pm: more cereal bars / energy bars, cakes and/or biscuits

7pm: a pint of milk

9pm: Dinner – two main meals each with extra side orders and a couple of beers
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Today we managed 107 miles in 9.5 hours. We are now all geared up for the big finale tomorrow – a 120 mile epic to the finish line.

Thank you for your continuing donations. We have now raised over £13,800 –http://www.justgiving.com/1039miles 

Langer of the Day = Bernard McEvoy – the erratic Bernard stop suddenly without any warning causing a three bike pile up. Kenny Dalby was worst affected and was sent rolling down a hill into the edge of a forest.

Performer of the Day = Kenny Dalby – the ‘big man’ survived the fall and cycled well all day.

Day 7

Yesterday the team started the day just outside of Liverpool and rolled through the industrial north east of England. With less to look at the group turned to the usual topics of Greek philosophy, complex legal problems and ornithology. Bernard, having been given a book on the tour de france for his birthday entertained the group with interesting facts about the race.

Having flirted with Wigan and Manchester for half of the day they finally got to the English hills again. With the spirits rising the heavens opened to reminded the group that they are in Britain after all and heading north!!!

Highlights of the day included a stop of Garstang to be greeted by brilliantly welcoming people only too willing have a laugh and to give to the cause.

96 miles and 9.5 hours later we ended in Kendal at the foot of the Lake District with hopes and excitement of what is in store tomorrow.

Performer of the Day: Gerald Byrne – struggling with two injured knees and a dodgy ankle, Gerald spent the evening with ice-packs strapped to each leg.  He didn’t let it affect his performance though – 10/10

Langer of the Day: Ercus Stewart – two yellow card offenses.  Firstly for coldly stealing Kenny’s Eccles cakes at our lunch stop; secondly for leading Ben down the garden path…only 2 miles in the wrong direction.  Must do better.

Cyclist update:

Matt Hoyle- the resident Australian is still putting in a huge effort and is under strict orders not to shave his lucky beard as so far it has worked its mysterious powers making sure the group got safely home each day. Looks great in white.

Kenny – showed a new side of himself at dinner regaling the gang about his escapades in Budapest baths. Becoming a master of the puncture repairing and really looking forward to bringing us home to bunny Scotland.

Ercus – the silver tongue, blue eyed ‘face’ of the group managed to make 75 peoples’ day with his quick remarks. Most of the 75 were only delighted to give a few pounds to the cause after a few minutes with Ercus.

Neill – We would be in Colombia and not Cumbria if Neill was not on the trip. Managed to stretch, eat two sandwiches and clean his bike in the time it takes Bernard to go to the toilet.

Gerald – although his triceps are very impressive he still manages to reduce the masculinity levels of the group with the Sofie Lauren glasses he fashions. That extra weight and size are a huge benefit on the downhills, pity about the climbs!!!!!!

Ben –   it is very hard to believe this is his 5th day in the saddle as he looks brand new. Not a big fan on geese eggs but strong on facts. Wild youthful imagination makes him see umbrellas where toil is only present.

Bernard- beginning to realise that he would never have made it in the tour having read the book he has been given. Keeping spirits very high and using all of his extensive charm to get donations at bus stops and delis.

Michael- Moonlighting as a wedding photographer in his time off. Brilliant all day with the group.

The new group member is Andrew Coldwell who joined the group today.

Saturday, today is Day 7  and the team will enter Scotland as they cycle 96 miles from Kendal to Dumfries

Again you can show your support for the team’s fantastic and unwavering spirit as they take on the challenge! www.justgiving.com/1039miles 

Langer and Performer of the day!

 

The team are going strong and have even made some friends along the way – see sheep above!

Wednesday (Day 4) was another fantastic day for the team. Despite a boozy team building session in the evening and a very poor breakfast at a shoddy hotel in Weston-Super-Mere we cruised into Bristol, over the Severn bridge and into the stunning Welsh countryside.
With sprits high, perfect weather and Bernard challenging everyone to a race we managed to make the 97 mile trek in a mere 10 hours.

To give you a sense of the performances of the team I am introducing a ‘Performer of the Day’ award for the star cyclist and a ‘Langer of the Day’ for poor performance.

Day 1
Langer of the Day = Bernard McEvoy: the award undoubtedly went to the Chairman for a strop that any teenager would have been proud of.

Performer of the Day = Neill Shrimpton: an easy choice for two reasons: (i) for setting a good early pace and (ii) teaching us all how to deal with a belligerent Bernard McEvoy.

Day 2
Langer of the Day = Neill Shrimpton: the 107 mile day through Dartmoor clearly took its toll on Mr Shrimpton. He couldn’t handle the fourth 30% hill of the day and collapsed sideways into a bush.

Performer of the Day = Ben Williams : the super featherweight, hill climbing extraordinaire wins the award for saving the teams’ life – as the only rider to have had the foresight to bring lights, he guided the team across Dartmoor in the pitch black to safety.

Other notable performances on Day 2
Gerald Byrne – with swollen knees he kept on going until the bitter end and showed admirable perseverance
Ercus Stewart – as the oldest member of the team he taught us all a thing or two about the value of experience

Day 3
Langer of the Day = Ben Williams: from hero-to-zero, Ben gets the award for several incidences of insubordination to a senior partner, Bernard McEvoy. Notably, expressing surprise each time Bernard wasn’t the last one up a hill.

Performer of the Day = Ercus Stewart: unbelievable ability to charm every passer-by, Ercus even managed to attract several donations by sweat-talking the locals. Good all round performance.

Day 4
Performer of the Day = Bernard McEvoy: came back with a bang, Bernard was in top form all day taking absolutely everything that Wales threw at him.

“Langer of the Day” = Bernard McEvoy: manages to win both awards. With less than 1 mile to go, Bernard challenged Ben to yet another race. Not playing by the rules, Bernard swerved straight for him causing Ben to veer off and crash into a ditch. Seeing the funny side, Ben still beat Bernard in the race

Today is Day 6 and the team will travel from Frodsham to Kendal. Keep checking back in to see who will be the Langer of the Day and Performer of the day over the weekend.

Don’t forget you can donate on www.justgiving.com/1039miles 

Remembering the faithful departed (while they’re still with us) – A piece in the Irish Times

In today’s Irish Times you will find an excellent piece on the Forgotten Irish. Whether it’s in print or online make sure you read this article which also focus’s on our charity cycle starting tomorrow.

Donate at www.justgiving.com/1039miles 

Hitting the mark

The target is £15,000 but the team is looking to raise as much as possible from their hard efforts for the Forgotten Irish. With the start of the cycle Land’s End in just two days the team have already raised over £10,000 which is fantastic!

We’d like to thank everyone who has supported the fundraising efforts and Please Show Your Support if you haven’t done so already.

Visiting Southwark Irish Pensioners Project

On Wednesday July 24th some of the cyclists along with The Ireland Fund of Great Britain visited the Southwark Irish Pensioners Project to present them with a cheque for £10,000.

Cyclists Bernard McEvoy, Neill Shrimpton and Ben Williams from the law firm Brown Rudnick and Michael O’Driscoll from RTE who is the Chef D’Equipe (or logistics man) for the cycle attended the presentation and tour of Southwark Irish Pensioners Project.

From the fundraising efforts of the team they hope to raise over £15,000 for projects like the Southwark Irish Pensioners Project who are supported under the Forgotten Irish campaign.

In the last number of years the Southwark Irish Pensioners Project has had a drop in funding due to cuts made by the council. The Southwark Irish Pensioners Project works with some of the most disadvantaged and isolated elderly Irish people in London. The work they do is vital for the vulnerable people in our community. The Ireland Fund of Great Britain was delighted to be in a position to help support them by donating £10,000 due to the wonderful work they do in both their centre and in their outreach work.

Remember you can donate at www.justgiving.com/1039miles 

Why We’re Cycling

Headed by Bernard McEvoy and Neill Shrimpton, both partners at Brown Rudnick LLP and members of the British Irish Chamber of Commerce, a team of 7 cyclists will set off from Land’s End in Cornwall this Sunday 25th of August and in just 10 days will have cycled the length of Britain all the way up to John O’Groats in Scotland.

The team are taking on the challenge to fundraise for The Ireland Fund of Great Britain’s Forgotten Irish Campaign. 

In 2007 The Ireland Fund of Great Britain commissioned unique research in order to identify, locate and quantify the numbers of vulnerable and elderly Irish in the UK. From this research, Peter Sutherland, Patron of The Ireland Fund of Great Britain, and President Mary McAleese launched the Forgotten Irish campaign aimed at raising awareness and substantial funds for the vulnerable and elderly Irish community in the UK.

Most of the Forgotten Irish came to Britain in the second half of the twentieth century, during one of the darkest and most impoverished periods of Ireland’s history. They paved the way for more recent generations of Irish immigrants to Britain. The majority came to find work and sent billions of pounds home to their families. Thousands of others came to escape the hardship, marginalisation and all too often, the abuse of institutional life. Many are still here, often living in isolation, poverty and deprivation – without the support of friends or family.

On why they want to support the Forgotten Irish Bernard says that “having watched a number of programmes on the Forgotten Irish I was and am always moved by the conditions that some Irish people are living in. A number of close relations of my parents came to the UK in the 50’s and 60’s. For those who have been ‘forgotten’ I believe we, as a nation, owe them something better.”

To show your support please visit http://www.justgiving.com/1039miles and keep an eye on this blog for updates.