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Clip of my radio interview with BCFM last Friday... Some words of wisdom before I left from school...
"Good luck Mr Stinchcombe- don't fall in any bushes."
"Be strong. Be Brave and don't let your family down." (Eeek!!!!!)
Many thanks to all at the staff and children at school who filled a book with their words of support and encouragement.
(and also to my mum who gave me an emergency whistle).
With everyone seemingly head off to Alpfresco, I thought I'd head off to Bristol Airport too.
Mum and Dad back from their holidays and had a coffee with them to.
Said my goodbye to the wonderful Danie- who has given me so much strength and support and love through this tough time. I love you very, very much and will miss you this much.
The pilot cheerfully announced that the flight time would be quite short as there was a strong tailwind. I began to feel sorry for anyone travelling back in the opposite direction....
Descended past snow covered hills/ mountains (I'm allowed to call them mountains-right?!... I'm Scotland!) into a cold Inverness where it was snowing.
Hopped on to a bus to Wick- travelling along the same road i'd be cycling along tomorrow.
A burly Scot fell sound asleep behind me and proceeded to have a big 'ol sleep talk with an imaginary friend... It started off (ironically) with him shouting out 'night, night, night'.
After passing some quite stark but very stunning coast line, we stopped to change bus. I was the only one not to crowd round the bus door and smoke.
The bus smelt like the buses we used to go swimming in when i was in yr4. 'Fresh' smoke would've been nicer!
My bike was in the bike shop opposite the B and B I was booked into and looked set to go- all nice and shiny...
Lovely cosy room and friendly owners... They didn't think i looked enthusiastic enough as I tried to close the door long enough for it to shut out the wind.
Just the small matter of trying to drink/ingest the 5,000calories needed for tomorrow.
Woke up to the wind... "we always av a wee breeze up here" according to the taxi driver.
Realised half way back that i hadnt switched the tracker on... Doh. On now!
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Ah the cycle after the night before.
But before all that…
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| | After one weekend off last week it was a bit of a struggle to get going this morning. The view of ice on top of cars outside the house hampering attempts to get out early. Still feeling like another few hours in bed and a few pints of water, I set off to the Severn Bridge.
I lost contact with my left foot after about 20minutes and also the right a few minutes later.
Bleak.
Had another three sponsors before I got to the chanel which lifted my mood but even they were unable to lift the grey clouds above. Breezed through the sights of the Avonmouth industrial estates and over into Clevedon. I thought I would try my chances at a garden centre breakfast.
After passing through a herd of Scottish terriers scaring every inhabibatnt of the rabbit enclosure with their constant yapping, growling and pawing at the glass (if any dog was going to feel threatened by a long eared rabbit it would have to be those yappy breed), I sat down for my food gazing out over the garden ornaments.
Cycled through Wells and then, after doing a loop of the tor, into Glastonbury. Rails upon rails of big woolley tie die jumpers everywhere and enough crystals to buy you about 5 lifetimes inside the Crystal Dome with Richard O'Brien.
I opted for no jumper, no crystals or wooden carved muchrooms just a pesto, mozzrella and tomato panini.
Nice flat road along to Bridgwater where I had to get a train back to Bristol- my right knee seems to have developed the same problem as the left did a few months back- hopefully see a physio in the next couple of days and some swimming to keep up the fitness levels (which are rapidly diminishing) will see it right… not quite 100 but thought it would be better to rest the knee.
Shared the train with the returning Weston Super Mare day trippers and my feet joined rejoined the rest of my body just outside Worle- which was nice.
Massive thank you to all of my other sponsors too- really, really helping my motivation!
A rather uninspiring photo for a similarly uninspiring ride!
 Cornwall. Day 1. 115miles
Rainbows are always very lovely things to see. You always stop and go… “aah look at that rainbow,”- no matter if you’re 8 or 62. In it’s own special way, the rainbow I saw through the mist of road spray billowing out from a passing lorry on an A road in Cornwall in the pouring rain and cold was lovely too. A rare passing gift Mr Lorry driver. Merci.
The route down from Bristol to Land’s End is the toughest part- I’ve been told- more so than the Lake District and Scotland- thought it would be good to do a training ride from there ready for the big one over Easter.
Set off from Bristol on Tuesday to Penzance and stayed in a pub with mattresses made out of chicken wire. Unsure whether the pub quiz compere below or the trance from the staff living area upstairs was most annoying, I slept the night.
Breakfast at half seven looking out of the window at the wet pouring milk from a Malibu cocktail jug- the tropicalness of this was lost on me.
Land’s End is 10miles from Penzance so I cycled 5 miles towards it and then 5miles back through Penzance-
-Not wanting to spoil the finish of the real thing over Easter.
Or
-Not wanting to cycle any further than was absolutely necessary.
I’ll let you decide.
I didn’t know that it was possible to fit in as many hills in Cornwall as they have managed to- insane. Not one part of my journey was flat. Up down, up down, up up, up down etc.
Stopped every now and then for food and water.
I stopped for some food at 3 with still another 30 (which turned out to be 45) miles to go. I regretted it as soon as the macaroni cheese arrived swimming around in what looked like melted cheese and milk.
I was ‘escorted’ for a few miles into Okehampton by a man who had been fishing all day and drunk 10 pints- cursing at cars whilst wobbling around the road in the dark.
Cycled into Okehampton and out the otherside (up a hill of course) to my next B and B. Hot showers, homemade cookies, drying cupboard, a lift to the pub from the owner and no techno.
Perfect.
115miles- 7 ½ hours
 Devon and Somerset. Day 2. 103miles.
Sunshine. Smiles. Beautiful countryside. Lovely day!
Left Okehampton and cycled across to Crediton. Still very hilly.
Until this point, cycling 115miles up and over every hill in Cornwall in 7 and a bit hours (and in the rain) I thought was not bad… I was pleased with myself… Well…
I had stopped to buy a bottle of lucozade. The older couple behind the counter- who were sitting on office swivel chairs and didn’t look like they’d left them for several years- asked me "how far you come? How far yesterday? 'Ow long that take you?"… the man exclaimed in a very Devonian accent- “115 miles… corrrr that’s far.” His wife (tilting her head from side to side in disagreement) replied “Wellllllllll…. not that far achally…” I thanked them and left. As I walked out, she started telling him about a sponsored walk she did in 2nd year of secondary school just to put my cycling in perspective.
Down through Tiverton to the A38 and then on through Taunton to Bridgewater… the unrelenting hills had stopped!
Made better time and total was 103 in about 6 ½ hours…
One more 100 mile ride tomorrow to make it 320 or so… then the weekend.
Bristol, Gloucestershire and Wales. Day 3. 102miles
A lovely start, middle and end to the day.
Out the door, down past Avonmouth and along the A38 to Gloucester.
Stopped at the Harvester there (I’ve been twice before) and the three guys that were there the last time I was in were there again today. They were also there the first time I went there too.
Can’t imagine that much happens day in day out in the Harvester there but either way they appear to have become bored of me.
“You actually doing it yet?”
Cycled up more hills over into the Forest of Dean and down to Chepstow.
Average speed started to drop below 15mph but the sight of the Severn bridge perked me up until the Bristol traffic (that’s fine to blame that- right?!) slowed me down.
Oh, and I almost walked up a hill today. Almost.
Have a three day, 3 hundred mile ride planned over half term so only a short, quick blast this morning in beautiful sunshine along the Old Severn road, via Abbots Leigh to see Kai, then back to Bristol in a roundabout way.
Blue skies aplenty.
Nothing else to report apart from overhearing another cyclist telling his wife about a race he was in.
He came 90th. He said that he would have been in the top 10 had he not had to stop for traffic lights. Top four if his average speed was 27mph. His average speed was 15mph.
 Would like to start off by thanking an anonymous donor for the £940
A big thank you to the man who bought me my first bike, taught me how to ride it and who has been through so much in the the last 3 years.
After last week’s freezing weather and the Office of doom and gloom (formally known as the MET office) predicting heavy rain, I set off in the sunshine.
After cycling 15 miles I realised I had left my pump so headed home to pick it up. Being able to change an inner tube is one thing, being able to fix a puncture is another thing but being able to do either of the first two without a pump is something completely different.
Cycled up the A38 then along the Severn Beach road from Avonmouth. Stopped at a café there for a 2nd breakfast. Whilst eating the omelette I’d ordered, a group of bikers came in full cold weather kit. The last of the group came in and after taking his helmet off and placed it with all the helmets which had accumulated on one of the tables.
“Too many helmets…” he announced VERY loudly, “ and not enough err…” I stopped eating my omelette and waited for whatever he had carefully thought of to say, “errr… breakfasts.” Back to the omelette.
Cycled over the M5 and after leaving Wotton Under Edge, climbed a steep climb up on the top of the Cotswolds. Bright blue skies.
It’s amazing how your view of everything can change so quickly.
Cycling along the flat at 30miles an hour, surrounded by fields and with a view of Wales to the left- things were looking good. Lunch stop was in 3miles, which at that speed with a tailwind was only 5 minutes away.
Tetbury is full of antique shops. They had a Persian rug sale in the town hall and it didn’t take long to realise no matter how seriously I looked at the reindeer rugs, in my cycling bib leggings and funny waterproof elf overshoes, I was never going to fit in.
Along the same bit of road as earlier, travelling at 10 miles an hour in the pouring rain, with the same ‘tailwind’ now heading straight my way, my view of everything was very different.
Home before 4 and straight out for a huge roast. 95 miles.
Donate here if you would like to support my JOGLE ride over Easter
Wearing two pairs of cycling bib tights has benefits two fold:
1) They keep little leggies twice as warm
2) They make chicken legs look more like turkey legs.
Have mostly got the kit I need for the ride over Easter now- including some new over shoes. These little neoprene numbers stopped my feet freezing today and it was -2 when I set off. Kept on the main roads so no ice really but very beautiful cycling through the countryside with snowy fields either side.
Cycled over to Clevedon and saw Kai who was staying over with my Mum and Dad… they were just getting ready to go out sledging and busy knocking down great brick towers.
Out of Clevedon and headed over to the A38 and past Axbridge. Somerset was completely white – no wind and no rain: allowed to smile!
Stopped to get some food in a little local shop for local people. The fridge was stacked high with meat -sausages, hams, pates and allsorts- I asked if the pies were vegetarian? They were not- she did have a lovely feta and spinach pastry behind the counter- I think she might have been saving it for her lunch but she let me have it anyway.
Through Wells and cycled round Glastonbury Tor- lots of people up sledging- had initially thought it’d be nice to climb up and take a photo from the top- not so keen after 50miles so I took a photo from the bottom looking up instead.
Stopped in Street for a mammoth Sunday Lunch and then cycled back the way I had come all the way home… insistent on making it too 100 before it got dark I cycled through Clifton and down the Portway on the way back to add on a couple of miles… rolled past the door just as the speedo ‘clicked’ past 100…
Thoughts with Danie and her family as she has gone up to Derby for her Grandma’s, Monica, funeral… such a wonderfully enthusiastic, loving and kind lady – she will be greatly missed.
Dear Mother nature,
Yesterday, you were horrible.
Today, you were radiant. Splendidly radiant.
Best wishes.
Long weekend in the saddle!
 Saturday- rain, sleet and snow.
Starting with Saturday- set off from Bristol late after my alarm didn’t go off/wasn’t set. Cycled down to Avonmouth, over the motorway bridge and then up over Failand and down the other side to Nailsea.
Had a flat in the rain and to stop to fix that… an old man took an interest in me fixing my bike in the rain. Rather irritatiatingly he said “I would help you if I could-but I can’t”. He then did some more watching of me fixing my bike in the rain and then decided to tell me about his son in law who cycles a “long way very often” and is down in Italy cycling as we speak.
He managed to keep this very one sided converstation going for a while before moving on.
Stopped at Harvester Longwell Green (I think it was there) for my late 2nd breakfast. It was rammed but didn’t take more than 3 minutes for my meal to arrive… I’ve started to plan routes around Harvesters- making good use of the salad bar to load up on calories.
I was called “my love”, “my darling” and "my sweet" an astonishing number of times by the lady serving in an accent that can only be found within 10 miles of Bristol City Centre.
Cycled to Bath and then had to climb out of Bath onto the Medips/Cotsworlds over to Wells… lots more rain.
Ate a big lasagne in Wells and as I was so cold, I had to sit on the same table as an old man and his beer so I could sit by the fire. In between staring at my food and out of the window, he burped which was nice.
Knew that it would be dark before I could make 100miles so decided to cycle back over the Mendips on the old Bristol Road. Shortcut- yes. Gentle ride- no.
After a good 30 minute climb levelled out a bit and then came the sleet. Yes sleet. Driving sleet. To my surprise this turned into snow- and enough to settle too- see photo!
Arrived home wet and cold but the heating was on and soon felt more human- birthday drinks for Ollie Critchlow went down wonderfully well… quickly forgetting I had to cycle tomorrow too…
All in all- 85 miles. (and did I mention twice over the Mendips? And the snow? And the puncture?)
 Sunday- a day of sunshine.
Got up with a woozy head but after a bit of complaining, pushed myself and my bike out of the door.
Minus 1 when I left and my toes froze almost instantly- shoes still wet from yesterday. No nice.
Cycled along the A38 to Gloucester in bright sunshine… admired lone trees standing in the middle of fields against the blue sky. Photo didn’t come out too well.
Arrived at the Harvester and noticed that two locals were sitting in the same seats as the last time I passed and stopped for lunch. One remembered me (and looked slightly less shocked than last time when he was reminded that I'd arrived ALL the way from Bristol) and had a chat about how last time I was dripping wet and this time I wasn’t- he wished me good luck!
Cycyled along to Mitchel Dean and then up a long series of hills before stopping to take a photo of the River Severn ‘from above’. Not sure if I’ve ever heard this saying before so I’m claiming it as one I’ve made up myself-
‘You cant have a view without climbing the hill first.’ Mark Stinchcombe, 2013 (9 GCSEs and two A-levels).
Cycled through the Forest of Dean and managed to overtake a young-un pushing his racer up a hill… He overtook me ½ a mile later. Touche.
Cyled down to Chepstow and then over the Severn Bridge just before sunset. Knew that I’d be a few miles short of 100 so cycled the long route home through Bristol via the Mall… glistening with all it’s pretty neon lights and fast food signs.
Homemade soup and the promise of a leg massage courtesy of the in-house masseuse… thank you Danie Ward.
99miles all in all!
 Did a 99miler (in lots of rain) and a 93 miler (some rain) in between Christmas and going back to school too… slowly but surely I’m getting there. I think/I hope.
Following the night befores Christmas party, I set off in some very lovely sunshine. No sign of ice anywhere but still feeling pretty ‘delicate’.
Cycled past my parents’ house and they had Kai down for the night so was great to see him and have a bit of rough and tumble before carrying on with the ride. Have included a photo of him- growing up so quickly- a proper little boy now.
Headed down to Portishead and it was at this point that an owl was circling overhead- I looked it up on google- some do hunt in the daytime! As I was looking up at it, it dived right down and, had I not ducked, I am convinced it would have carried me off in it’s talons. A driver passing the other way thought it was hilarious.
Cycled through Portishead and over to Clevedon. Still beautifully sunny and fresh.
Amazing views over the Somerset levels from Axbridge with Glastonbury Tor in the distance and the Cheddar Gorge on my left. Lovely to see distant hill tops far way lit up by the sun against some pretty menacing looking clouds. Bought a few presents (heavy ones too L ) at a local craft and flea markety type place. Taking my current present buying total to 2.
Cycled through Cheddar and then onto Wells, a funny old place, for some lunch. Asked a friend who used to work there for some recommendations for places to eat and was given a few suggestions.
Only a short stop before heading off over the Mendips back to Bristol via Bath. Long climb out of Wells up to the top of the Mendips on a road called ‘Bristol Hill’- not very pleasant at all.
At this stage it was absolutely pouring with rain.
Just before coming down into Bath there was a huge bright rainbow- which was nice.
Back home to a glass of port, a hot bath, attempts to warm up my feet and de-frost my toes and a chance to ‘wallow’ in the cold that I’ve developed!
Almost dead on 80 miles/130km
The sun was shining, the roads were icy (so I stayed in bed till they weren’t), the air was fresh and the sublimely dullish-grey outline of the Second Severn Crossing was magnificently offset by the sludgy brown of the River Severn.
After quite pleasantly getting lost once or twice Almondsbury garden centre way, I got overtaken twice crossing over the Severn bridge. Ah, a pair of young-uns more whippersnapperish than myself I thought. I passed the same pair on the Welsh side of the Severn- had to be going on early sixties at least.
Through Chepstow and then up through the forest of Dean on beautifully quiet roads, every now and then getting a view of the cliffs of the Wye valley on the other side. Hadn’t occurred to me that I’d be riding uphill for a good half hour on said other side in a couple of hours.
Sat in the hottest pub I think I have ever been in and had a lovely meal. Enjoyed listening to an older couple discussing the suitability of various suitors for their daughter. “Yes but she is not a ‘shirty’ person. It’s HIM. HE makes her get all shirty”.
Rode down to Monmouth and then along the road which hugs the river Wye all the way back to Chepstow, past Tintern abbey (which at that point, I had no interest in looking at).
Rode back over the bridge and then along the A38 into Bristol past Filton Airport- which is simply stunning at this time of the year at dusk and in the rain.
80miles- but 130km sounds further, hence the title of the blog.
The day was made sweeter when I got back and found out that someone had anonymously donated £500. How amazing. Thank you so much you very, very generous person. Hope you read this…was very touched indeed.
X
And one more for my anonymous donator! X
AND... a lovely homemade pie to come back and demolish from Danie. ;{)
Having acknowledged and accepted that the weather in Scotland in March is unlikely to be particularly favourable to cycling, I went out for a 60mile ride on Saturday. It was wet and it was cold.
I quickly found out that whilst things may be waterproof for a 15 min ride to school, they're not waterproof for much longer than this. Also found out that I need some gloves.
Cycled up along side the River Severn towards Gloucester and stopped after 30 miles for a late lunch. The pub didn't have any veggie options on their board and after being told "just to have a steak mate", I was offered a veggie lasagne. Spent the whole time dripping on the floor and listening to some elderly locals betting about what the price for a ton of potatoes would be and whether or not there would be a hosepipe ban in August- the theme tune from Titanic was playing loudly.
Went past the world's/Gloucestershire's biggest Give Way! sign- and I did, naturally.
It was National Tree week so I took a picture of a single oak tree looking very grand in a flooded field but it didn't work out so you'll have to imagine it instead.
Smell of wood burning stoves and fires was beautiful. Riding back along the A38 at 5pm in torrential rain was not.
As long as there's a bath at the end of a long days ride in the rain in March, I think i'll be ok-ish.
Greg Wilson's Festival Anthems mix was a brilliant one to have on the run back to Bristol!
http://soundcloud.com/gregwilson/greg-wilson-festival-anthems
Thank you Mr Wilson!
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