Beallach Beg - May 2009

I worked in Inverness for a year and made some good friends. I like to combine a visit to see them with a Bike ride in the area. The last two years I have been up in September to do the Beallach Mor sportive which is 93 miles and goes up the Beallach na bar in a circuit from Kinlochewe round the Applecross Peninsular.

This year was different because quite unbelievably my Aussie mate Paul has taken up cycling and to join regular cyclist and friend and former colleague Chris is the slightly shorter Beallach Beg. The ride is essentially the same but takes a shortcut to make it 43 miles. The terrible hill is still there as well as the lumps and bumps of the Applecross Peninsular.

So a quick 7 1/2 journey took me to Inverness and my digs courtesy of the Brett family. Porridge (scottish style) first thing Saturday morning then a further 1/3/4 hour drive to Sheildaig- the race start.










THE VIEW DOWN THE HILL








On the way to weather became decidedly 'scottish' with sun, wind, rain and hail all accompanying us on the drive.

Paul and I decided to stick together for the ride. He was a novice and I was unfit (first ride of the year apart from a bit of cyclocross over the winter). So off we went nice and steady. Me on the crosser and Paul on the Edinburgh cycles finest. Streams of proper cyclists passed us as we made our way towards LochCarron but were we bothered. Then after 12 miles you hit THE HILL. Its the biggest pass in Britain at 630m of climbing. This was my third and slowest attempt. From 41mins in 2006 to a terrible 56mins in 2009.



ME ON THE BIG HILL




Main thing though was I didn't stop. Just as the climb started I decided to lighten the load with a 'pee' stop. In true aussie sporting tradition Paul took this opportunity to go for it and leave me behind!

As I remounted he was no where to be seen. Off I went. 'Digging In'. Found it not too bad and met Paul just 200m from the top where had stopped. Good effort though. I carried on past him and up the feedstation at the top of the hill. Here we met up again and began the descent. Paul was like a 'sheila' on the descent so I left him again. The cross top levers on the cyclocross bike were ideal for this big descent and I passed quite a lot of cautious descenders. A poor chap came a real cropper on the dangerous road in 2006 and is now wheelchair bound so caution was always going to come into it.

Paul re joined me at the Applecross feedstation and then we began the long ride round the peninsular. Fantastic views across Skye however this did not distract me from the ever increasing pain in my quads. The lack of cycling muscle was starting to tell and the gears began to get lower and lower. This road goes on forever with hill after hill.

"10 miles to go" announces Paul and on we go. 4 miles later a Marshall calls "10 miles to go" eh!!. 2 miles further on a big sign says 10 MILES TO FINISH. Am I going round in circles or what?

Eventually we get to the end and, with Paul the stronger now, its a welcome relief. Chris is there looking pleased with his excellent time.

Well done Paul and thanks for the brilliant hospitality. Looking forward to re-paying when the boys come down for the White Rose Challenge and some 'reet' Yorkshire Hills





THE VIEW FROM APPLECROSS - Nearly as good as Yorkshire!

Lands End To John o Groats - July 2007

An old friend (Dan Spensley) had talked for years about it and was keen to do the Lands End to John O Groats. He persuaded a group of friends to join him. Plans were made, people were cajoled.

At the 11th hour poor old Dan cried off with a bad back (something about a slipped disk). That left a crack team of 7 to valiantly carry on. The team was;

Riders

Gareth Patchett - Navigator
Andrew Dudman - Catering and dietary advisor
Jeff Hornby - Joinery (Tools)
Christian Rushton - Diplomomacy manager
Philip Bannister - Bridge Crossings / Fish Restaurant Bookings Manager
Mark Atkinson - Mechanic/Hideous lesions advisor
Frank Reddington - Maps / Lead out Man

Another casualty was Les Fenton. Cruelly knocked off his bike and suffering nasty injuries weeks before the off.

Support Team

Joe Sheilds - Van Driver
Susan Milthorpe - Van Drivers Mate / Masseur
Stuart Spensley - Navigational Support
Anne Spensley - Car Support / Navigation / Nutrition
Karolyn Bannister - Nutritional and Motivational Support

Day 1 - Friday Evening - The Prologue
Cancelled
The prologue was to be a 9 mile time trial from Lands End to our accomodation in Penzance. Sadly the worst flooding for years put paid to this. Five Riders got to Birmingham before all trains were cancelled. The other two (from London) got stuck in Swindon. At 01.00 on Saturday morning the last two made it to Penzance. Everyone else had a few pints in a charming pub by the sea front. Joe and Susan got slightly merry!

Day 2 - Stage 1 - Penzance to Oakhampton 118 miles

Cornish Hills.

The 'race' began with a slow roll out from Lands End back to the digs at Penzance. A full hearty breakfast put the peleton on the mood for the 100 miles to Oakhampton. Early action was the first KOM hill nailed by Patchett as well as Sprint victories for Atkinson and Bannister. No sign of a promised hammer. Heavy rain set in as the hills got longer and steeper.


















Nightfall came and still no sign of Oakhamption. An advance call to the Hotel got us assurance of evening meal. Final sprint between Patchett and Bannister left Patchett in yellow by 2 seconds. Joe and Susan suitably well oiled on our arrival but the promised evening meal then didn't materialise. Dreadfull service at Betty Cottles Motel (avoid at all costs) meant a take-away Pizza was required.

Stage Win - Patchett, KOM - Patchett, Green Jersey - Atkinson

Day 2 - Stage 2 - Oakhampton to Bristol 108 miles. Peleton Begs for flat roads Another damp start took us straight into the Devon Hills. No respite from steep gradients. Navigator Patchett had selected a scenic route, free of main roads and free of flat roads. Again early sprints taken by Atkinson/Bannister who seemed to be working in league to deny Hornby any glory, Lunch in Tavsitock resulted in mutiny with the Peleton electing to stay to main roads for remainded of stage. Massive problems with navigation round Bristol eventually overcome and followed by a fast 5 mile dash for glory. Reddington kindly lead the train for about 3 miles and then Patchett tried for a breakaway which failed. The field stayed together for a blanket finish at the Severn View services. Joe and Susan suitably well oiled and down at the pub. Again too late for evening meal and therefore all into van for trip down into town for a pint and a Chinese. Small alarm when Patchett choked on his fried rice and collapsed. Despite his pleas that all was well, an ambulance arrived. Pleas faded when two stunning paramedics in green suits asked him into the Van.

Stage Win - Bannister, KOM - Patchett, Best Sprinter - AtkinsonOverall - Yellow Patchett (1 sec), Green Atkinson, KOM Patchett

Day 3 - Stage 3 - Bristol to Wrexham 130 miles Long Long Miles The riders departed on yet another damp morning and straight over the Severn Bridge into Wales. This was to be the longest day of the 'race'. Memories are vague. Swollen rivers and tired riders. Breakfast at a charming Hotel by the river. Sprints competition hotting up with Dudman flexing his muscles on a couple of occasions but the Atkinson/Bannister vs Hornby prevailed as the most significant battle for points. As the day wore on riders settled into the drudgery of mid Wales. With 15miles to go the heavens opened again. As the field stopped to don waterproofs Patchett sneakily carried on and made a break for the finish catching the peleton by surprise. He was soon pursued by Hornby who galliantly carried Bannister in his slipstream for the whole 15 miles. Patchett hung on for a one minute stage win with Hornby and Bannister 14 minutes ahead of the peleton.Stage Win - Patchett, KOM - Patchett, Best Sprinter - AtkinsonOverall - Yellow Patchett (1 min), Green Atkinson, KOM Patchett

Day 4 - Stage 4 - Wreham to Lancaster - 90 miles Big man hit form.Theoretcally an easy day but tiredness prevailed in the early miles and again memories are blurred. Horrible to navigate around the ugly Runcorn/Widnes area. A big climb just out of Widnes brought us to a Pub for lunch. Guest rider for the day Steven enjoying the jousting on the hills, using his fresh legs put the previously dominant Patchett in his place. The final sprint was into Lancaster and the stage was magnificently won by Dudman who unleashed an unstoppable sprint from1/4 mile out on the gentle downhill finish.

Stage Win - Dudman , KOM Reddington, Best Sprinter Atkinson

Overall - No change

Day 5 - Stage 5 - Lancaster to Moffat - 100 miles

A Classic Sprint Finish. Another damp day saw spirits low. Navigational change to avoid the Lakes so Peleton stayed on the A6 and onto the famous Shap climb. Good battle between Patchett and Hornby with Patchett narrowly edging that valuable points. Ice creams in Shap village and then on towards the border. Bit of a mix up in Carlisle before a dreadfull boring straight road to avoid the A74. Lunch in the tacky Gretna visitors centre before moving onto the rolling border hills. The drugery of the latter part of the route give no clue as to the upcoming climax of the day. A magnificent sprint competition with Hornby using every Dick Dastardley trick in the book to try and outwit his competitors. This eventually culminated in the race going the wrong way round a motorway roundabaout junction before plunging into Moffat. Just as Atkinson and Hornby prepared to celibrate victory, in stormed Bannister with a leaching, yet devastating finish to claim the spoils. Joe and Susan had got ahead in the drinking competition and Susan had treated herself to a little personal 'gift'Stage Win Bannister, KOM Patchett, Sprinter Atkinson
Overall - No change

Day 6 - Stage 6 Moffat to Loch Lomond

Scottish Woes. With Dudman starting to look positively ill, the Peleton set off once more. Last nights curry and beer providing fuel for the 85 miles ahead. Featureless terrian and then a horrible skirt around Paisley put everyone in a good mood. Then misleading signs to the bridge across the Clyde and onto the Great Western Road. Group split and some tension in the ranks sorted as the days racing was neutralised. Atkinson managed to blag a free service for his bike in Halfords as well as use of the Staff toilets (something to do with turtles). Overnight in delightful Balloch with a Italian meal in town.

No racing today

Day 7 - Stage 7 Loch Lomond to Fort William - 75 miles

This was to be the day that changed the race. An attack early on by Hornby was ignored by the Peleton. This turned out to be a mistake as no one estimated the sheer power of the hammer once it was swung. Hornby grimly fought against the wind and rain of Rannoch Moor to put 15 minutes into the field. The chasing Peleton plotted strategy at Glen Coe (in a nice Cafe) whilst the escapee soldiered on. The race was won and there was a new man in yellow.

The Peleton were consoled by Bannisters promise of Dinner at one of Scotlands finest fish restaurants. Later Tthe Peleton were cruelly dashed by news that the booking was just for Bannister and the support crew. So Pie and chips was the order of the day.

Stage Win - Hornby, Best Climber of Day Hornby, Best Sprinter Hornby

Overall - Yellow Hornby (19mins), KOM Patchett, King of Sprints Atkinson

Day 8 Stage 8 Fort William to Dornoch - 80miles

The Great Bridge debate - a fishy memory!. With Dudman back on the team and a slight following wind for a change. the Peleton set off on the 'easy day'. After a stop for photos at the top of the first climb is was off for Buttered scones and tea in Fort Augustas. Dudman back on form and celebrating a couple of sprints. Hornby (in his striking yellow top) was slightly brought down to earth by the arrival of a bus full of 'brothers'. After the stop it was onwards to Drumnadrochit and then the big climb out of Milton and onwards towards Beauly. More tea and cakes before setting off for the last push to Dornoch. Bannister partly making up for the fish incident by negotiating bike storage at the Royal Dornoch Golf Club. Then a classic sprint for the stage with Hornby (now satisfied withhis yellow) led Patchett out brilliantly for a sprint finish at the end of the Dornoch Bridge. The Atkinson/Bannister monopoly smashed at last. "It was so good I was practically freewheeling to the win" said a triumphant Patchett. Embittered Bannister was initially unavailable for comment but then a spokesman retorted with "He didn't think that was the end of the bridge!"

Stage Win - Patchett, Best Climber of Day Patchett, Best Sprinter Dudman

Overall - Yellow Hornby (19mins), KOM Patchett, King of Sprints Atkinson

Day 9 Stage 9 Dornoch to John O Groats 90miles
To be known as Reddington day and the day that Rushton surfaced for the first time. After a magnificent breakfast at the Royal Dornoch (and big thanks to Stuart for the mini bus driving) it was off up the A9. A following wind to start helped quick progress to Helmsdale. Whilst 6 of the team settled into scotch pancakes Reddington batted on into the hell that is Strathhalladale. The remaining six (not knowing of Franks failure to spot 6 bikes outside the only Hotel in a one horse village) decided to take the easier route via the A9. This left Reddington to cycle 50miles alone across the Scottish Wilderness. After worrying about Reddington for about 30 seconds, the Peleton set off again. Rushton (although always denied) had clearly accepted some performance enhancing substances from the International staff at the hotel and he suddenly felt the need to make a breakaway towards John O'Groats. He managed to hold out for about 15 miles until finaly hauled in by Patchett on the Berriedale Braes. Tea in the Wetherspoons in Wick (rubbish) was followed by the turn into the wind and rain for the last 20miles to John o groats. Waiting there was the trumphant Reddington. Photos quickly taken and then back in the bus. 9 days and 970 miles. Raised £2000 for Macmillan nurses. New friends. Result!