How are they doing?

As the team ride they will provide updates about progress, the highlights, and probably a few lowlights of their journey.

Buddy Beacon

See where the team is by using Buddy Beacon  CLICK HERE TO GO TO BUDDY BEACON

Their position will be updated every 30 minutes or so, provided there is signal and no network problems

TOTAL RAISED SO FAR

 £85,900+  (Donations and Gift Aid) 




Epilogue

Picture courtesy of Ruth Williams -
Pattern Tree

David and I are grateful to so many people. First and foremost, to John Plant, who put this crazy idea into our heads, and who then took us under his wing and helped and trained and advised us; to Julie Plant, one of the loveliest and kindest people we have ever met, who looked after and advised and fed and nurtured us, and who will always have a special place in our hearts; Beth Jones, our no. 1 supporter since we first hatched this idea, without whose help and intervention this project would most certainly have failed, and without whose pep talks and encouragement I may actually have given up on the project; to Kamal Shah who worked tirelessly in his own time to promote awareness and create publicity, and who has done a fantastic job of it; our friends and families who were behind us 100% of the way; all the wonderful staff at the NAC and the wider CAAPP, who printed, stuffed envelopes, created lists, photocopied, phoned, emailed and countless other boring administrative and clerical tasks to help us with publicity and fundraising, and who supported, encouraged, donated, sympathised, and most importantly, BELIEVED that we could do this; and last but not least, to our patients and their relatives and friends - we have been humbled and moved by your generosity and support, and your overwhelmingly positive response to our little letter of appeal - you have not only changed the Centre for the better, you have changed us as people too. THANK YOU! 

The final turn

We have cycled a 1000 miles and climbed nearly 60000 feet in 14 days; we have loved it at times and hated it at times, but have not for one second regretted doing it. Thank you to everyone who has given us money, sent us emails and messages, cycled with us or met up with us on the way. It has been an incredible experience.






Day 14 - John O' Groats

They made it!

At the end of a long day, much of which was into headwinds, the amazing duo reached JoG and still managed a smile. Perhaps helped by a glass or two of bubbly. 

Thirusha's Thoughts

Day 14
Altnaharra to John O'Groats
75 miles, elevation gain 3980 feet
Difficulty:HARD!!


It was cold and windy, as we set off at 7.30am. The first 8 miles along Loch Leven were simply idyllic with sheep lining the path almost all the way, as if they had all come out to bid us farewell. The ride up to Bettyhill was lovely as we had a view of the coast for the first time. Stopping for a bite to eat we were very pleased with our progress - it's was 9.30 and we had only 50 miles to go. Little did we know what horrible fiend lay before us. There was a lovely descent and then the first big climb of the day as we left Bettyhill. Turning a corner on the way up we first met the demon - the north westerly wind. It was like hitting a wall. It was relentless. It pushed against us as we crawled uphill and made it impossible to go downhill faster than 10mph on the freewheel!!! The only relief from this headwind came when it gusted from the left or right, several times nearly succeeding in pushing bike and I off the road or into traffic. Awful. It took us 2 hours to travel the 13 miles to lunch. At lunch I had a complete sense of humour failure as I was served up salty tinned soup and a 'plastic' cheese sandwich. With not even a decent lunch in our stomachs to fuel us, a grumpy afternoon of relentless headwind and hills followed. Not even the beautiful coastal scenery could prise my face into a smile. Seemingly endless miles of unsheltered road lay ahead of us. My knees began to ache from the exertion against the wind. My back ached as my core muscles fought to keep bike and I upright. My arms and shoulders ached from holding onto the bike for dear life. The odometer appeared to be refusing to count down the miles. We eventually arrived at the meeting point at 3.15pm - it had taken us a very long 3 hours to cycle only 30 miles! As others slowly trickled in at the meeting point there were no smiles, many shaking heads and even some tears. After some refreshments we all rode the remaining 7 miles to John O'Groats, where at last there were smiles and celebrations, champagne and photos.

David's Deliberations:

I'm knackered!



A big thank you to everyone who has supported the team on this epic journey. Many people met along the route brought donations that will be added to the total on Thirusha's return to the Royal Free.

By 15:00 David and Thirusha were just outside Thurso leaving them about 30 miles still to ride.

They had set of from Altnaharra at around 07:30

Sunset over Altnaharra

They had met the coast at Bettyhill in glorious sunshine

Bettyhill

Shortly after Bettyhill they came to one of the only road signs to John O' Groats

Day 13

Thirusha called at the end of their penultimate day. She and David had managed to go for a walk after the days ride!

Inverness to Altnaharra
73 miles, 
Difficulty: Moderate

Dear Scotland,
You are just so beautiful.
What a lovely penultimate day. A few hills but nothing too awful. 

Great weather. BREATHTAKING highland scenery as we followed Loch Shin and then cycled through woods and high moorland to the Crask and then on to Altnaharra. Everyday that we have cycled through Scotland has surpassed the previous for spectacular scenery, and today was no different. I will let the pictures speak for themselves. 

Moorland leading to The Crask
The forests are now being cleared to
restore a unique habitat

Rush hour near Lairg

Ann Smart, Thirusha, David, Cathy (Jack's sister)

At The Crask we were met by Anne Smart and family. Anne's husband Jack was diagnosed with multiple myeloma and amyloidosis 2 years ago; sadly, he died only a few weeks later, having been through a long process of diagnostic investigation, which for people with amyloidosis, is not uncommon. Like others we have met on this journey, she is passionate about raising awareness to aid earlier diagnosis, which could improve prognosis. We had hoped our 'ribbon of awareness' as we have cycled the length of the country would raise awareness of amyloidosis; news is coming through about stories and articles in local newspapers or on local radio stations, and hopefully there will be more in the coming weeks and months. Countless people have asked us about amyloidosis over the course of the last two weeks, thanks to the bespoke cycling shirts designed by John Plant. 

David crossing the last bridge before The Crask

So many people have helped us make this a successful fundraising and awareness project ... I'll tell you who they are tomorrow, as I now have to get ready for the last ride. I can hardly believe it's the last one

Day 12

Dear Scotland,

Must your hills be quite so hilly?? - Hills which appear to have more hills growing out of them?!?

Spectacularly beautiful scenery dominated the day today as we cycled along Loch Linnhe, Loch Lochy and Loch Oich and eventually Loch Ness. Unfortunately the mileage today prevented us from stopping for pictures as often as we would have like to, as the need to plough through the 82 long miles as quickly as possible was the main aim. We did get some camera footage whilst we were on the move and will be able to upload this after the ride is over (thank you Mark McConway!!). I would ask you now reader to stop and look at the elevation profile for the day, please. 

Day 12 Route Profile - As flat as Holland itself, apart from General Wade's Road

There is a 5 mile long, very steep climb right in the middle of the day. I will let that picture speak for itself, as I simply cannot describe effectively how awful going up that monster was. This hill was the site of the King/Queen of the Mountain Competition - the current record time for getting up this monster is 25 minutes, but anything under 30 minutes is considered pretty darn good. Whilst the hard core cyclists among us undertook this challenge, my aim was simply to get up the hill on my bike, i.e. not to get off and walk AT ALL. It took me about 50 minutes (and 4 or 5 pauses for breath along he way), but I did it. I could barely speak when I got to the top, and it was a few minutes before I could. 

At the summit - surprising how grimaces can look like smiles

Once recovered we had an easy-ish ride all the way to Inverness. There were a few cheeky hills that snuck up on us here and there but there were also some lovely descents. David and I completed today's 82 miles in 6.5 hours, which I think may be a record for us (we've stopped keeping track of such things). Only two days left now and the prevailing feeling is one of tiredness. We've done about 850 miles now. Only 150ish left to go!

Loch Ness

Day 11

Thirusha's Thoughts

Loch Lomond (Balloch) to Glen Coe

69 (not 67!!) miles, elevation gain 3100 feet

Difficulty: Moderate (No, this was HARD)

Dear Scotland,

Why, oh why, do you assault us with your rain and winds???

Welcome to the Highlands

Today was tough. It didn't just rain - it poured and pelted - and another 'p' word - down on us.

Drenched

The gusty wind tried its hardest to push us off our bikes. The ride out of Balloch along Loch Lomond is meant to be one of the most scenic of the entire 2 weeks, however, we could see little more than rain and cloud for the first one and a half hours. After lunch we met a new type of hill - hills so long and gradual that you don't even know you're on it - until you're so tired and out of breath that you have to stop for a few seconds, and whilst having a sip of water you look back and then realise that you have been climbing slowly and steadily for about the last 3 miles!! No wonder I was knackered!  (Hopefully no one has told Thirusha about General Wade's Road that they will meet tomorrow) .That first gradual climb after lunch went on for about 17 miles, and really, the rest of the day was hill after hill after hill. Not too challenging - unless of course you are also being tortured by wind and rain at the same

Mist over Loch Lomond

time. That's challenging! At some points I was actually riding at an angle of about 10 degrees off centre, leaning against the wind so as to stay on the bike. At times I had to just laugh out aloud. David thought I had lost my mind as I hooted with laughter. Today reminded me of one of those hideous night shifts in intensive care, where you have 2 or 3 really seriously ill admissions, ventilators and dialysis machines playing up, staff going off sick, a patient falling out of bed, a cardiac arrest, an anaesthetist shouting down the phone at you to find a bed for the next admission, not much more than a cup of tea to sustain you over the 12 hour shift ... At those times you have to keep your sense of humour and simply plough on. I think that's what I must have done today, as, exchanging stories with the group at dinner, I seem to be one of only a few who did not absolutely hate the ride today. I think I actually enjoyed it - or perhaps enjoyed not being defeated by it.

The Paps of Glenco - snow lingers in the cores

As we came over The Pass of Glen Coe  I had a moment of pure awe and joy that almost brought tears to my eyes. Have you ever had a moment like that, where you are just awe-struck and humbled by the beauty of nature? That moment was totally worth the 5 preceding hours of torture. 

Glen Coe, you are stunning. I will definitely return here. Perhaps in the car next time.

Day 10


This is a long day with rough road surfaces that create terrible vibration for the rider. Hands tingle and teeth rattle incessantly, making life hard. Glasgow is complex navigationally.

Thirusha's Thoughts

Moffat to Loch Lomond (Balloch)

79 miles, Elevation Gain 2900 feet
Difficulty: Hard

Dear Scotland,
Why are your road surfaces so rough? 
The ride from Moffat to Glasgow was excruciating. On such road surfaces it only does your bottom take a beating, your entire body does, as the impact of every vibration goes through you. At one point my hands, wrists and elbows were so sore I almost let go of the handle bars. I was almost in tears when we met up with Mark McConway and Tam McLucas at the Abington Services at around the 18 mile mark. 

Mark's Big McCycle shirt

In May this year Mark and Tam cycled from Dumferline to The Royal Free in London in aid of the Amyloidosis Research Fund Mark's Just Giving Page . In a 6-day ride which started out to raise awareness about amyloidosis, not fundraise, they have to date raised over £2000 from friends, family, colleagues, and people on the street who read their shirts and stopped to give them money! Amazing! As we set off Tam warned me that Mark would talk my ears off and actually I was really grateful for this, as the 22 miles to lunch seemed to pass in a flash! More difficult surface and tricky navigation followed through Glasgow. At Glasgow we met Gail Hogg and George Turner who are both patients at the Centre. They were both very complimentary about all the staff at the NAC, and not only did they give us donations, but sweet treats as well! Thank you thank you THANK YOU! Gail, your chocolate chip cupcakes came into their own at about the 70 mile mark, giving us the energy to get through to the end! 

Thirusha, Mark, Gail, George, David

Mark, Gail and George had the opportunity to exchange stories about their amyloidosis experiences and treatments. Eventually waving goodbye to George and Gail we ploughed on through to Balloch. At the end Mark left his handle-bar mounted camera so that we could record some scenery over the next few days. These lovely guys helped us through a really, really tough day, and were kind and supportive and just generally wonderful - thanks so much Mark and Tam!!! We will be back to go mountain biking with you!


Day 9

A momentous day Scotland is reached at last.

Thirusha's Thoughts

Keswick to Moffat
73 miles, elevation gain 3000 feet
Difficulty: hard (yep!)
It was a tough old climb away from Keswick. There were the long gradual climbs which I don't mind (can't believe I just wrote that!). There were two short and sharp climbs that took you a bit by surprise as they followed lovely descents, giving you little or no time to get into the right gear - changing gears on a steep hill can result in a broken gear, so your only choice here is to get up off the seat and plough through. Oh, and must remember to breath - deep and regular, not shallow gasps - it helps get oxygen to those poor quadriceps (to help get you to the top) and to the brain (so you don't get dizzy and fall of your bike). Also, focussing on your breathing helps take your mind off the pain in your legs! Then there were the hills I previously described - the ones that go on for ages, then a short plateau, then another climb, then a short plateau, then another climb ... you know the type I mean. We had one of those too. David called it the 'hill that just keeps giving' - I laughed so hard I almost didn't make it up the hill! 

Farewell to The Lakes

Weather took a turn for the worse as we came into Carlisle, and I had to ride in David's slipstream for most of the way as the headwinds were so strong that I could barely get out of the lowest gear. Being towed along in another rider's slipstream is great but requires much concentration - the greatest effect is achieved by riding very close behind, and so good communication between the riders is essential. Scotland welcomed us with 4 hours worth of rain, strong winds and hideous road surfaces, making for a pretty miserable afternoon's riding. From discussion with others it seems that most of us have crossed a threshold - from thigh pain, not saddle-soreness being the predominant complaint - to thighs being much stronger and less achy, but bottoms being a bit weary. There is a group of about 18 people wincing their way up Scotland on the horrid bumpy roads!

The Rogersons

At lunch time at Gretna we were met by the lovely Margaret Rogerson, her husband, daughter and granddaughter Emma. Margaret is a patient and was very grateful and complimentary about all the NAC staff, singling out the monthly telephone calls from Darren Foard (AL amyloidosis specialist nurse) as particularly helpful. They handed us a cheque to add to the growing total - a collection from all the family as a token of their appreciation. Emma later sent a lovely message via the blog as well. 

A selection of messages can be seen HERE 

Louise Rae and the narrowest hotel in the world

At Moffat we were pleasantly surprised by Louise Rae and her husband Keith. Louise is a patient. She had been trying to arrange for some people to ride along with us from Gretna, but plans fell through when her daughter became ill. Her daughter is now recovering and so Louise came to visit and treated us to dinner! Aren't we lucky to have all these lovely and generous people coming to meet us? Some more uplifting messages have come through today via text, email and blog - thanks so much everyone - it really helps on wet, bumpy, grumpy days like today!

No need for passports - at the moment

Day 8 

A notable day. A radio interview with Radio Teeside, Lisa Garlick stood in since the team were out of range of signal. A great interview thanks to Brigid Press for arranging this and to Lisa for standing in at short notice.

The Lake District was dry and from Thirusha's report enjoyable. David and Thirusha are unrecognisable from the bike riders that trained through the early months of the year. As the French would say "Chapeau" you are now Cyclists!

Tomorrow its into Scotland, a real turning point, but there are still over 400 miles to go

Thirusha's Thoughts

Conder Green to Keswick
60 miles, elevation gain 3600 feet
Difficulty: Moderate

It was a chilly morning as we arrived at the morning pre-ride briefing. Whilst performing the morning jobs - pumping up tyres, oiling chains, applying sunscreen etc,  David and I had a surprise visit from Kevin Dobie who is a patient at the Centre. Kevin came along to show support and wish us luck on our way -what a lovely start to the day for David and I! Today we had a chance to ride along with the rest of the LEJOG group as we had no guest riders. We enjoyed this opportunity to get to know people better. We stopped at Staveley for lunch and were met by the Staveley Festival in full swing with parades, costumes, drum bands, bunting, people on stilts ... Amazingly, despite the hundreds of people who were at the festival, we managed to meet up with Jean Siegel and her husband Mike. Jean recently attended the Centre with her brother George who has been diagnosed with TTR amyloidosis. She even managed to arrange for a reporter from a local newspaper to come and talk to us about the challenge! 

Jean and Mike Seghal at Staveley

After a quick chat and some photos we waved goodbye to Jean and Mike and headed off towards Kendal. Beautiful scenery followed and we could hardly complain about the hilly terrain. 

Thirlmere - the ride along the lake is
one of the best parts of the ride 

At Keswick we were treated to a delicious dinner by Martin Baxter, a patient of Dr Helen Lachmann at the NAC Fever Clinic. Dr Lachmann's and Prof Hawkins' Fever Clinic patients have been extremely generous and supportive from the beginning, and we are very grateful for this. The evening ended well as we caught the end of the World Cup final - David drew Germany in the NAC sweepstakes, winning ~£60. Dinners on him in Moffat tomorrow!!!!

David. Martin Blake, Thirusha at The Moot Hall
in Keswick

Day 7

On Day 7 Thirusha and David were joined by Team Garlick for the ride from Runcorn to Conder Green on the Fylde Coast. Mobile coverage was very poor and Thirusha was expecting to have problems sending data. The ride seems to have gone much better than yesterday's marathon and she sounded very cheerful when she spoke to John. Hills, both up and down are becoming less of a problem, and she is actually enjoying speeding down hills, something that did not come naturally after she bought her first bike, now called "Lola". Yesterday evening David and Thirusha met David and Enid Roberts, Enid is a patient. They were given cheques that took the total raised so far to over £51,000.

Messages of support are still being received from many people which gives a great boost to moral, and tired legs.

Thirusha's Thoughts

Day 7

Runcorn to Conder Green

70 miles, elevation gain 3300 feet

Difficulty: hard (this is debatable!)

I have to start by saying I simply cannot believe I have cycled from Cornwall to Lancashire!! I had every intention of finishing the ride, of course, but I'm still surprised and pleased I've made it so far. Although a lot of today's ride was through busy built-up areas, requiring concentration and at times tricky navigation, for me it was the easiest day thus far. David navigated us expertly through it all (John would be very proud of him!). There were a few hills before and just after lunch but David and I were not phased by them!

This morning we said goodbye to the lovely Graham Pugh, and were joined by Team Garlick - Lisa Garlick (a patient at the Centre), her husband Darren (Daz), two lovely daughters Lauren and Maddison, and Lauren's partner Andrew (Andy). Daz and Andy rode with us for the day and the Garlick girls followed in the car. We had a really pleasant day riding with these two lovely guys. 

Amyloidosis Ribbons flying at Conder Green

Every person who joins us brings something very different to the ride. Daz and Andy brought a really relaxed atmosphere, and within a very short space of time we felt like we had known them for many years. Today was a challenge for them too, having never cycled more than 20 miles in one go, Daz and Andy both achieved a personal best today! It was nice for David and I to focus on someone else's challenge for the day, and we were so proud of their efforts today, especially going up those seemingly endless hills! Pleasant weather and pleasant scenery followed in the afternoon, after some tricky navigation through several cities. We were able to chat as we rode along, even stopping for a cheeky 'selfie' just outside Ribchester. The Garlick girls were waiting for us at Conder Green, and a very upbeat dinner followed as we celebrated the achievements of all involved, including breaking the £50K barrier on the JustGiving page! The Garlicks and their friends and family have contributed significantly to getting us there, with their personal donations and the sale of the amyloidosis awareness wristbands .... this wonderful family is 100% behind us, and David and I were really moved by this. 

David, Thirusha, and Team Garlick (Daz and Andy) at Ribchester

We were also joined for dinner by Enid Roberts and her husband David who brought with them some extremely generous cheque donations. Once again David and I end the day in awe of the dedication of patients and their friends and relatives to this cause, and are humbled by the overwhelming support we have received. Tomorrow we enter the Lake District where many more hills await!

Day 6

This day comes as a shock after the short and wonderfully scenic day from Monmouth to Clun. It is on this day that the riders meet 80+ miles for the first time. Navigation is difficult and traffic volume can be high.  I (John) watched the weather forecast with some concern. Fortunately the gusty northerly winds of yesterday had dropped, these would have been horrid  on the more open terrain of north Shropshire and the Cheshire plain. The heat would be a major issue though. The grading of the day from Peak was much debated in 2012. While it is flat distance, and in the case of the ride that year head winds, made it a real marathon, that left many riders feeling spent and in need of the creature comforts offered by The Holiday Inn at Runcorn, a sports massage was on offer!

Messages from Thirusha and David reveal just how much meeting patients and friends means to them. Often a friendly face has appeared at a particularly hard part of a day. This has lifted them more than you can imagine. Meeting Mark Jones on Dartmoor at a time when I was feeling really drained was one example, and a memory that I will treasure.

Thirusha's Thoughts

Clun to Runcorn

80 miles, elevation gain 2400 feet

Difficulty - Moderate

Having cycled more than 80 miles before, I wasn't expecting today to be tough, but it was. In the sweltering heat, the 44 miles after lunch seemed to loom before me endlessly, and motivation ebbed. Coming from Africa I'm not one to complain about heat but today I really struggled with it. We all did. Not even stopping for photos we ploughed through to try to get to our destination as soon as possible.

Graham Pugh

Graham Pugh rode with us today. An accomplished cyclist, he nevertheless stuck with us all day, never more than a few meters ahead or behind. It's not easy to cycle at a slower pace than your own, and although I encouraged him to cycle ahead, he always replied 'Thirusha, I'm here to support you and Dave'. And that he did. His mere presence, especially as we had to navigate some tricky urban terrain, was a huge comfort to me. 

The Holiday Inn at Runcorn was a sight for sore eyes.

This evening we were joined by Hazel and Mike Huby, and together with them and Graham, we had a really nice evening. Good food and lovely, kind and supportive company - what a nice end to a not-so-nice day. Thanks so much, Hazel, Mike and Graham!

Graham, Thirusha, Hazel, David, Mike - post dinner

On Day 7 Team Garlick join us and we look forward to riding with them and getting to know them. The rest of the LEJOG group and the Peak Tours guides have been very friendly and welcoming to all our guests and for that we are very grateful.

A lovely postcard from David's daughter Ettie cheered us up too

Day 5

Thirusha's Thoughts

Monmouth to Clun

58 miles, elevation gain 3300 feet Difficulty: Easy/Moderate

Another day of lovely sunshine as we left Wales and returned to England. Herefordshire is a beautiful farming county and David and I really enjoyed the views. It reminded us of Tamworth in New South Wales, Australia, where his parents live. 

Bunting and "buns" at the Vicary's

Today in Hereford we were treated to something wonderful - Paul Vicary and his wife laid out a spread for us on their lawn - delicious fresh fruit, sandwiches, sweet treats and refreshing drinks. They even got out the bunting!!!! I adore bunting! We were also met by the lovely Alice Lee, a patient, and her granddaughter. I continue to be amazed by the support from patients. 

Paul, and a friend of his who is training for JOGLE, continued along with the Harveys and David and I to Clun. A beautiful and scenic ride in the gorgeous sunshine, we found ourselves ambling along, chatting as we rode. There were quite a few 'cheeky' hills (as they were described by Paul, a description poor Rob grew to hate as the day unfolded!) this afternoon, so I wouldn't describe it as an 'easy' ride but it was certainly the easiest day for me thus far. That was probably due to a combination of factors - great company, glorious weather, beautiful scenery, quite country roads, lower mileage, fewer nasty hills... And dare I say it? ... stronger legs??

We've had some lovely messages throughout the day today via text message, email and the blog from patients and colleagues at the NAC - please do not underestimate how uplifting these messages are for us. Thank you all so much!

We said goodbye to Rob and Dave Harvey and Paul Vicary this evening; three very different but nonetheless extraordinary individuals, and downright nice chaps!!! Thanks for your support guys!

The "Harvey Boys"

Tomorrow we are joined by Graham Pugh, whose son Steve is a patient. It's a long day tomorrow - the longest thus far so we have an early start. We are also looking forward to dinner with Hazel Huby (a patient) and her husband Mike tomorrow evening in Runcorn.

The "Magic Van" provides a much needed brews stop
at Brampton Bryan

Day 4 July 

Thirusha's Thoughts

Glastonbury to Monmouth

64 miles, elevation gain 2900 feet Difficulty: Moderate

Another day of glorious sunshine! I awoke feeling tired as the events of the previous day did not allow for a good night's sleep. I was expecting Rob and Dave Harvey to join us that morning, but as I sat down to breakfast a text message came through saying that Dave had fallen down the stairs at the B&B and hurt his foot. Aaaaarrrgghhh! They did not set off with us that morning but would try to catch up later. We had a lovely ride through Wells with most of the group riding together. 

The whole Peak Tours Group assembled at Wells
ready for the grind away from the city 

Coming out of Wells was the challenge of the day - it was one of those hills that was so mean and nasty because it gave you a false sense of completion as you reached a little plateau, but then as you turned the corner there was EVEN MORE hill, and with a steeper gradient. There were  4 or 5 corners to this hill!One of the many psychological challenges I have had to overcome in preparation for LEJOG are ... hills. The legs may be strong but if the mind isn't you have no chance. I used to really panic when I saw one up ahead but my technique now is to just get into my lowest gear, look down at the road ahead (not up at the hill!!) and go somewhere else in my mind. 

My mind has been going to all sorts of places - the lovely messages from patients on the just giving page (and personally), sweet messages from my family on WhatsApp, my friend Lisa Rannigan advising 'just keep your legs moving', my personal trainer Annamaria shouting 'OF COURSE YOU CAN!' David's children saying 'we love you Rooshy', my friends and lovely colleagues at work, my sister-in-law Justine going 'ooooooh this hill's a thigh-burner' (funnier if you imagine it said in an Aussie accent) .... then before I know it, I'm over the hill! Thanks to everyone who has helped me prepare for this challenge and who have been unflinchingly supportive - you know who you are.The first day cycling without John was a little emotional and I had to blink back tears quite a few times. 

Gill Scott and family with Thirusha, David,
James (from Peak - hiding), and Heather Reid

However, two events changed my emotional status for the better. We managed to meet up with Gill Scott and a few of her family and friends on the Clifton Suspension Bridge. It was lovely. It reminded me again why I am doing this. 

Later on we were joined by Rob and Dave Harvey and between those two and David Hutt I spent almost every minute of the rest of the day laughing my head off. The Harvey boys were exactly what David and I needed to cheer us up. 

The Harvey Boys and David

Riding over the Severn Bridge was great, and descending into Monmouth was beautiful. A tea and cake stop at the lovely coffee shop at the Tintern Abbey Ruins was essential, and all the LEJOG group were reunited there.Tomorrow we meet up with Paul Vicary whose wife is treating us to some snacks on their lawn as we pass through Hereford. The Harvey boys and Paul are all under our care in the Fever Clinic and so are looking forward to meeting. Amyloidosis and the related rare and ultra-rare periodic fever syndromes (CAPS, TRAPS, HIDS, Schnitzer's Syndrome etc.) can be isolating for sufferers and their families due to their rareness. Another lovely thing emerging from this ride is that patients are getting to meet each other and therefore, hopefully, taking something important and special away. I feel really lucky to be a part of that.

Thirusha and David at Tintern

The New Severn Crossing taken from the old bridge
that is crossed on the route

Message from John

Thanks to everyone who helped me yesterday; the godparents of Rebecca (one of the riders) who without hesitation drove me to Musgrove Park Hospital, to James, Graham and Tom from Peak who ferried people and bags around so as to effect my rescue, the staff at A&E at Musgrove Park a great team who impressed Thirusha and I, and Thirusha who rushed to my aid and took charge of things. I am home now feeling very tired and have been advised to rest. 

On Monday I found I was becoming progressively slower and was unable to ride up almost any slope in my normal gears. Worryingly I found I was becoming breathless and every mile had to be hard won. I put this down to the day being one, if not the hardest of the ride.

At the brew stop on Tuesday morning I felt so tired that I had to sit for a while, and the effort of getting back on the bike felt enormous.

I arrived with a group of slow riders for lunch ate and drank well and then set of once again for what would be the "crux' hill of the day. I didn't even make the foot of this

I hit a minor slope and realised that I couldn't go on. As I climbed off my bike, on what for me was a minor a slope, I was close to tears. The frustration of being unable to ride it in my lowest gear and the thought that I was about to abandon a cause that has become more significant to us as time went on was a horrible moment. 

Thirusha and David have done so much to prepare for this challenge. In the first two days Thirusha showed just how much more competent and strong she had become. Every day they ride from now on gives them greater certainty that they will reach John O' Groats. I will be with them in spirit on every day of what is an epic journey. Sadly one that this year a journey I have failed to complete.

Tuesday, July 8th

David joins and is already charging ahead!

Thirusha's thoughts.  Day 3 began with a harsh 128 metre sharp climb out of Moretonhampstead, followed by another longer, sharper climb shortly after.  My legs felt like lead!  However, the team was complete today with David joining, and so spirits were up.  Some tricky navigation through urban Exeter took us back out into the countryside.  The first brew van stop was at ~17 miles in the car park of The New Inn at Broadclyst, Exeter, a lovely place with a very nice landlord who let us use the facilities.  David noticed that John looked a little tired and John admitted he was feeling out of sorts, but okay to ride.  We proceeded to Broadhembury for an early lunch stop at 29 miles.  After lunch there was a nasty hill out of Broadhembury.  As David and I passed John on the hill (in itself an unprecedented event!!) we noticed he looked a little unwell.  He hopped off his bike, and I knew something was wrong.  A trip to the hospital  followed, where I spent most of the afternoon with John whilst he had various investigations.  He is doing okay but sadly has had to leave the ride for now.  It was a tearful goodbye when his daughter Gemma came to collect him.  John and I have been working on this project for about 18 months, and we were both feeling pretty devastated that he had to leave.  Still, his health is more important and investigations will continue at his local hospital and at the NAC.  Now, more than ever, I feel I MUST finish this challenge.  For the MRI scanner.  For the friends, family, colleagues who have been so supportive.  For the patients who have been so generous.  And for John.  Many thanks to the guys at Peak for all their support today, and to the godparents of Becca (one of the riders) who sped John off to A&E at Taunton.  Tomorrow Rob and Dave Harvey join us to ride for a couple of days, and we meet Gill Scott on the Clifton Suspension Bridge.  As John would say, onwards and upwards.

Monday July 7th

Day 2 is perhaps the hardest day of the tour.  Starting at Fowey we crossed the river by ferry to hit the first of many tough climbs.  The route took us to Looe and then to the Cremyl Ferry.  The ferry was our escape from Cornwall.  We landed in Plymouth to be greeted by rain.  Plymouth gave many navigational challenges that ended only when the Plymm Valley Trail was found.  The trail is a delight - an old railway properly surfaced with an illuminated tunnel.  Using it we gained height steadily to reach Yelverton, a coffee stop, Dartmoor, and the first of many ponies.  There were lots of foals playing happily.  Climbs came one after the other as height gained was lost on decents where speeds reached nearly 50 mph!  Just before Princetown and Dartmoor Prison, foreboding and grim, we were met by Mark Jones, the husband of Yvonne Jones who is a patient.  He had motorcycled from Totnes.  It was great to meet him and to hear how Yvonne was fairing.  It raised our spirits enormously at a stage when legs hurt, energy levels were low, and many more climbs lay ahead of us.  It was a magic moment on a long day, thank you Mark.  Devon will be behind us tomorrow.  We reached Mortonhampstead at around 18:00 after 9 hours of riding.  Speed was down due to complexity of route finding (we did get lost once), and by climbing in excess of 6,500 feet.  We are now 130 miles into our journey.

Thirusha's thoughts.  Day 2 began with a hideous ascent straight off the Boddinick ferry from Fowey.  It was so bad that you had to get into lowest gears before you got off the ferry, or else you didn't stand a chance.  I had to stop for a rest at the middle, but I made it.  The hills continued all morning and were pretty intense.  The descents were also intense and so gears and brakes got a really good work out.  A tough morning of steep ups and downs was followed by beautiful views of Plymouth as we came up along the B3247 towards the Cremyll Ferry. 

A lovely view over Plymouth

After lunch we crossed over on the ferry to Plymouth, where it started to rain.  Navigating through Plymouth was tough and John kindly volunteered to lead the group.  Unfortunately along the way all the Garmins went a little crazy, giving various conflicting instructions.  The group then split into two, and then three, as we all tried to get through urban Plymouth safely, but by different routes.  After Plymouth we had some heavy off-road action - I was very grateful for my heavy and sturdy tricross bike just then, as some of the road bike riders had to walk some sections which were really rough.  We managed to meet up with some of the group on the national cycle route which went on for quite a while.  The weather, having started out lovely and sunny, took a turn for the worse and it quite quickly got cold and drizzly.  We decided to stop for a coffee, but soon realised that it was going to be a very long day as it was 4 pm and we had only cycled 35 of the 63 mile total, and we hadn't even hit Dartmoor yet!!  Pressing on 10 miles to the edge of

John on the Cremyll Ferry

Dartmoor where we would meet the brew van I started to feel myself sink a bit.  I even considered asking to go the rest of the way in the van.  I was tired and cold and my legs hurt.  By the time we got to the brew van, right on the edge of Dartmoor, I felt pretty despondent.  John waved at me to come over and introduced me to someone.  It turned out to be Matt Jones, husband of Bev Jones who is a patient. The Buddy Beacon hasn't been working so he started at Moretonhampstead and just kept driving until he saw the brew van.  This unexpected visit from this lovely man really cheered me up.  John and I were very grateful for the support on this tough day.  I felt a lot better as we entered

Wild ponies on Dartmoor

into the phenomenon that is the Dartmoor National Park.  However, there followed ~20 bleak miles and ~2 hellish and soul-destroying hours of relentless hills and terrifying descents as we crawled through Dartmoor in the depressing greyness and wetness.  I really don't know how I got over some of those hills.  For the first time my fear of freewheeling downhill was overcome by the need to cover as many miles as quickly as possible.  By the time I got to Moretonhampstead I was soaking wet, freezing cold, had numb feet, and pins and needles in both hands.  David was a sight for sore eyes waiting for me on the side of the road.  I was so happy to see him, and yet couldn't so much as smile.  I wanted to cry from relief but didn't have the energy even for that.  It took about 20 minutes before I recovered enough to even say 'hello'.  Widely considered to be the toughest day of the tour, I survived Day 2.  I couldn't believe it myself!

Distance covered Day 2

Riding time
Day 2

Almost as many miles as Day 1, but it took an hour and half longer!




 

 

Sunday July 6th

The start!

A perfect cycling day - dry, sunny, warm, with a tail wind.  We left Land's End at 09:00 and cycled via Penzance, Marazion, Leedstown, and St Austell to Fowey.  Total distance was 72 miles with around 5600 feet of climbing.  A hard day.

Thirusha's thoughts.  Sunday was an early start and a tough day.  It started with a 6 mile ride from the hotel in St Just to Land's End!  Not ideal but at least it got the legs going.  It was a tough day and very hilly.  After lunch I managed to lose John to the group of 'alphas', as I call them.  That would have been fine, but he had taken my route map with him!!  Aaarrrggghh!  Thankfully I found another rider and we rode together until we found the others at the brew van.  The brew van is the refreshments van and parks at designated spots twice a day and offers hot and cold drinks, all manner of snacks and encouragement.  The latter part of the day, riding into Fowey was awful.  Legs were tired, it had been really hot all day, and some of the hills were horrid!  I had a hypoglycaemic episode trying to get up one of them and had to stop and eat one of my home made energy bars whilst walking up the hill with the bike.  I recovered within 10 minutes and got back on.  Finally arrived in Fowey at 16.30, which meant I had been riding for only 5.5 hours.  Felt like twice that!!  I slept very well that night!

Riding time

Day 1

Distance covered
Day 1

End of the day in Fowey (still smiling)

Saturday July 5th

We are almost at the start.  Tomorrow we start our ride.  The weather forecast is uncertain, and we are checking it regularly.

On the train journey here we could sit back and admire the "rolling landscape".  Thirusha has admitted that she thought about texting to say that Cornwall looks hilly!

Thirusha's thoughts.    Nearly missed the train at Paddington!  Left home slightly later than planned after having to drag the kids out of bed.  Drove around the diversions and one way systems at Paddington station about 3 times.  My train was at 09.06 and at 08.40 we were still driving around!  Finally found a parking space and the four of us had to leg it down the street - with bike and heavy suitcase.  Train ride was 6 hours long but uneventful.  Got to Penzance and the weather was lovely.  Had dinner with the group who all seemed very nice.  Met the three guides who were lovely chaps!