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Final blog entry from Tom:
Game Over
Despondently, I am dropping out of LEJOG 2010. I'm afraid Lanark will be my last stop.
There have been some significant achievements though: I've covered a little under 500 miles, ridden in England, Wales and Scotland, and I cleared Dartmoor on the famous 'Day of Death' without walking a single stride. However, a recurring injury to my left quad is giving me shooting pain on every incline, and there a quite a few of those in Scotland, so it's time to stop before I do permanent damage.
I've met some wonderful people along the. There were the two Flybe Top Guns, Half-American-Rob and Dangerous-Leftie-Dan, who guided me safely home on my last leg, who are an absolute credit to their airline. Then there was brummie Chris with the yellow bike and the best helmet hair you've ever seen. And, there were the three Young 'Uns, Stevie, Giles and Dave; the three most impressive 18-year olds I have met in a long time. Their technique of getting Tescos to deliver their food to the next YHA each night was genius (until one delivery omitted the mince they needed for the Spag Bol).
The bikes deserve a mention too as they took a hammering. Relatively few of the roads on the course are in a good condition, and we've been carrying everything we need for a fortnight, so the panniers have been heavy too. I weigh 18 stone 10 pounds (which probably added to the downfall of my quad), so it's unsurprising there were a few technical hitches... I broke a chain, had a puncture and narrowly avoided another due to the kevlar weave in my tyres, replaced two brake pads, had to buy more cycling shorts, Chamois cream, and reflective wear.
That was nothing compared to Rob, who interestingly bought a £250 bike from Argos discounted to £100 (I wonder why...). The front wheel buckled on Day 3, and when they replaced it, the front brake melted. And then the new front wheel buckled again.
Many of the places we have seen I would never have visited had it not been for the trip. Even if you never do LEJOG yourself, take a trip to Lands End once in your life. The plaques set into the wall are completely inspiring: from parents raising money for their ill children, to celebrations of people who sadly passed away on the trip.
My final blog entry on this trip could only end with plaudits for Mr William 'the Conqueror" Harris, without whom I would never have come this far. His commitment has been unstinting as always, and I hope he recovers his cycling mojo soon.
Will - sorry I talked you into this, next year maybe?
Tom
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Supplemental:
Inevitably I was pretty low hanging out in Glasgow Central Train Station, waiting for the long train home.
Will's parting gift to me was the mobile number of the lushly named Murdo McIlhagger, former colleague and friend, who now works in Glasgow where his accent doesn't stick out so badly.
Many thanks to Murdo for the pep talk; glad you've taken up drinking and boxing again, I think.
Tom
- comments
Jimmy Looking forward to seeing you guys again. Plenty of stories I hope.