The End of the Journey ?

Put my tent up to dry, hung out all my washing and what happened? you've got it, RAIN. Never mind. The pain and stiffness has started to ease, the memories are of us climbing massive hills with ease, without breaking into a sweat, what does this mean !!!! Yes you've got it, I'm completely barking mad, also I'm loosing my memory. Before they come to take me away I have a few reflections about our journey i'd like to share, firstly thank you's. To all our families, without their love, support, understanding and encouragement we wouldn't have made it to the start line. Luke Gilliver for constructing an amazing website, and the updating of the website, many thanks Luke. M&G van hire for the loan of a van at the start and end of the journey. To Neil for forwarding the photo's. Dave Hancock for driving the van and his part in organising the Goldwing owners club escort. John Bates and all from the Yorkshire branch of the Goldwing owners club, you are all fantastic, kind and generous. To the other cyclists who joined us during the "you can be part of it" leg. To the couple who ran Forest View accommodation at Bryness for transporting Mick to a local cycle shop for spare tyres and inner tubes. The landlady of The Gun Inn at Ridsdale who allowed 3 drenched cyclists to dry their clothes in front of her coal fire while we ate her excellent lunch. To the owners of the Gallery Restaurantat Blair Atholl who donated £6 to the fund, the money saved by giving up smoking that very day. The lady at Newtonmoore who donated £20 to the fund. The couple at John-o-Groats who donated £5. To Henry, a really nice guy, who looked after us for two nights at the hostel at Helmsdale and then donated £5 to the fund. To the other end to enders we met en route, especially the group from Leeds, Wakefield and Dewsbury, a fantastic group of men raising money for the helping heroes fund. The 75 year old Scot who we first met in Tiverton on day 3 of our ride and then met again on the A9 in Scotland, what a gentleman. The group who were tavelling South who we met at Helmsdale. Thanks to all the very nice people who we met on our journey, and I'm glad to report that that was the vast majority of people who we met. As a threesome we have many happy memories, I would like to thank the other two for their amazing company, I think a special mention to Paul is warranted, he was chief mechanic, map reader and pace maker, many thanks Paul. We've seen some fantastic countryside, villages and cities. I've got some news to all of you Britain is brilliant, full of really nice people who go out of their way to help, don't allow yourself to think otherwise. Thanks to all who have donated any money, the two charities need it.

Well folks we've done it, a day early, two in fact, counting the rest day we have knocked two days off the scheduled 19 days and completed in 17 days of cycling. We cycled 957 miles in the 17 days an average of 56.3 miles a day. We are all back at our respective homes (thanks to Dave Hancocks careful and thoughtful driving) to have a well earned rest. I have a few thanks to make and a few stories to tell, but please forgive me due to tiredness I'll do that tomorrow, but an early thanks is to all of you who have helped/assisted in any way. See you all tomorrow. With loads of thanks, love and gratitude Graham

Photo gallery

The photo gallery is now up and running on the main website - check it out, tissues at the ready - its great!!

Cycle Ride Day 18

THEY HAVE DONE IT! WELL DONE TO MICK, GRAHAM AND PAUL.
They arrived at John O Groats at about 3pm today - and were cheered along by Paul's Uncle Michael and Aunty Eileen who travelled from Loch Eriboll in Scotland to be there - this was really appreciated so Thank you to them.
All are feeling dead proud and relieved its done, not to mention a little bit sore.
They will return to Wick tonight, and no doubt enjoy a beer or two, and return home tomorrow.

Cycle Ride Day 17

NEARLY THERE..... The cyclists have made brilliant progress and are on course to reach John O Groats tomorrow!!
The weather has changed for the better and has been warm and sunny today - only a few light showers.
They are ahead of schedule at Helmsdale, and have seen a sign that says 'John O Groats 55 miles'.
They are staying in a hostel tonight and have just been for fish and chips - in Scotland's best Fish and chip restaurant!!
Along the way they have met some really nice people, some of which have been mentioned in the blog or website.
They would like to say Thank You to a couple more people:-
Mairi Wright of Station Road, Newtonmore, Scotland - they met Mairi one nite and during conversation explained what they were doing, she then gave them £20 for the cause.
Also at Blair Atholl Chip shop a man had just stopped smoking the day they met him and he donated the money he would have spent on cigarettes to them.
Thanks to you both!
I think they are looking forward to finishing tomorrow.... hopefully the sun will stay shining for them. Good Luck x

Cycle Ride Day 16

The cyclists continue to make really good progress. We spoke to them at lunchtime and they were at Inverness, and planning to continue Northwards to a place called Dingwall. The weather has been good to them, with a following wind to help them on their way. They are hoping to find a B & B tonight though as it is quite cold with snow on the hills.
They have come across some more end to enders in Scotland, including a group on racing bikes with full support from campervans. They were staggered by our cyclists bikes, particularly by how heavy the bikes were with their kit on.
They are all confident that they will meet Tuesdays deadline for finishing.

Cycle Ride day 15

Sorry for the delay in writing this post.... I think mobile coverage is starting to get a bit scarce now. Mum spoke to Dad (Graham) but I haven't spoke to Paul. Friday was quite wet and windy (again!!) but they continued to make good progress... so much so that they are planning to reach John O Groats Tuesday morning and then travel back Tuesday, aiming to arrive home very late Tuesday.

Cycle Ride Day 14

The cyclists have had a good day biking today, after the mishaps of yesterday. It is quite windy today up in Scotland, at times this has been a really strong side wind, however there have been some good tail winds too. I think the wind was a bit scary over the Forth Road Bridge!!
Tonight they are in a B & B at a place called Dunkeld, north of Perth. A good plan to be in a B & B tonight as it is still cold in Scotland at night - with a sprinkling of snow last night!
They are right on their planned schedule at the moment and doing really well, and spirits remain high.

Cycle Ride Day 13

Well quite an eventful day today - they have been plagued by mechanical breakdown after mechanical breakdown throughout the day. This meant they didn't get fully into their stride until well into the afternoon. They would like to say a great big thank you to the landlady at the hostel they stayed in last night as she drove Mick to a bike shop this morning to get a new tyre; without her help they really would have been stuck.
As the day went along they continued to experience mechanical problems.... despite this they have made it to Edinburgh tonight.
Fortunately the weather stayed dry and they had a following wind to help them on their way!
All feel glad to be in Scotland despite the problems they have experienced today.

Cycle Ride Day 12

I think its been another tough day of cycling in poor, cold,wet and rainy conditions today. They were really aiming to try and get over the border and into Scotland and almost made it - just 5 miles short so will be there tomorrow. They are staying in a small hostel tonight, and the landlady had given them a few pointers for their route to Edinburgh.

Cycle Ride Day 11

The cyclists are staying in a Youth Hostel at Edmundyers nr Hexham tonight, following a cold night last night under canvas. They've had a hard day today with plenty of big hills, but had a following wind at least to help them on their way.
The weather stayed dry today, and hopefully they will dodge the showers tomorrow as they plan to make a push into Scotland.

Cycle Ride Day 10

Well Paul, Mick and Graham continued onwards again - now just 3 men and their bikes but the memory of yesterday will stay with them for the rest of the trip.
They had a disturbed night last night - Thanks to the group of drunk and loud campers along side them .
Weather remained dry but quite windy today, and unfortunately this was a head wind which made it hard going.
By lunchtime they were at Ripon and heading towards Bedale tonight.
Check out the Gold Wing website at http://www.yorkshiregoldwings.co.uk/photos.htm they have loads of photos on their site, and don't forget please email any pictures you have to our website photos@thesouthyorkshireendtoenders.org.uk Thanks

Cycle Ride Day 9 - BE PART OF IT Day

Wow!! What a day.... massive thanks to all who made it a great day especially all of you that got the bikes out and rode along with Mick, Paul and Graham, also to all of you that joined us along the way at Parkgate, Swinton and Mexborough. Special thanks to the Honda Goldwing Club who did a fantastic job of accompanying the cyclists and creating a brilliant atmosphere - you really made the day extra special - THANKS.

The South Yorkshire leg was sponsored by Paling Plumbing - Pauls very understanding boss, so Thanks Phil.

The day started well with the Radio Sheffield interview at 8.30. The female presenter apparently likes men in lyra so they were lucky to leave the studio in one piece!! The interview isn't yet available on the internet but will let you know when it is.

The bikers left Sheffield at 9.40 in the sunshine and made good progress to Parkgate by about 10.30. The Honda Goldwing riders created a great atmosphere honking their horns all the way.

There was a great welcome waiting at Parkgate, the Rotherham Cancer Care Centre central to that.

Onwards then for the long slog up Rawmarsh hill up towards Swinton. Thanks here from Becky to all the men who cycled slowly up the hill so that I wasn't left alone, especially Rob who got his screwdriver out to try to fix my gears!!

As we cycled past Pauls home it was great to see all the neighbours out to give a cheer and wave.

Another great welcome at Mexborough - the shoppers really didn't know what had hit them. This time the Aurora Centre central to the gathering.

The hard core of cyclists then continued to Doncaster and New Beginnings and the last warm welcome of the day. All glad to see refreshments waiting here too - Thanks for that.

Paul, Mick and Graham then continued to Selby accompanied by Carl, and arrived there safely at the end of the afternoon.

I know Paul, Graham and Mick were touched by all the great support they have received and I think it will really spur them on for the rest of the journey.

The main website will have photos soon and links to the Gold Wing Members Club, who also took lots of Photo's.

Rest Day - Day 8

Hi All the next time I'll be making an entry will be when we've completed. Today was a rest day, ha ha. Paul and myself spent time shopping to bring our kit upto standard, then the telephone started first from Sheffield Council then Sheffield Police, it would seem the information about the event didn't get to the people who should have known, but anyway we've been given a clean bill of health to proceed, but remember those of you taking part no more than two abreast and obey all road traffic signs and safety is more important than speed.
I would like to record a few thank you's for the kindness we have received on our journey so far. Firstly to Dave Hancock for driving us to Lands Ends last Friday, to M&G for the van, to the Staff at Colliford Lake campsite for their generosity (reduced rates) and the assistance they gave Paul when repairing his pannier holder, to Mrs Pugsley of Great Park Farm B&B Crediton who gave us reduced rates, a donation towards the event and her husband to drove us into to town to collect 3 take aways, to Wayne and Lynn Powell of the Brook House Inn touring park who opened their bar just for us then wouldn't charge us for the drinks, to members of the Caravan club on the above site who gave us tea and sausage sandwiches as we packed our tents in the pouring rain, to Radio Sheffield, Sheffield Council, Sheffield Police and John Bates (Goldwing Club). I would also like to thank Paul and Mick for the laughs, the encouragement and your excellent company.

Day 7

Hi all Graham here, as you will guess by me writing we made it to Sheffield last night a full 24 hours ahead of schedule. The bikes are currently being cared for by the wonderful Radio Sheffield at their studio's, we arrived at the studio's around 4.30pm after completing fifty one and a half miles. The aircraft noise last night wasn't to bad, I have a few tyre marks on the roof of my tent caused by low flying planes as they took off. The day started with fine weather, although the tents had to be packed wet ( a couple of brief showers in the night and heavy morning dew), however around lunch time the rain started and we had several really heavy showers, but not to be daunted we carried on. Friday is to be a rest day, to give us time to pack clean dry clothing for the rest of the journey and dry out the tents etc. Last night we clocked 399 miles for the journey so far, we all have a few aches and pains, I have a little soreness where you expect me to be sore, so a day off should help recovery. Sorry this entry is a day late but after a hot bath and an excellent evening meal tiredness took over last night. I will complete another entry for Friday later.