Weymouth Day 2 - Venue 6

So, Weymouth the pressure was on today to live up to yesterday's incredibly high standards.

The sun was shining, good start.  We breakfasted alongside a couple from Malaysia who donated £20, fantastic start.  We made it to the Weymouth & Portland National Sailing Academy early, excellent start.


We had 3 objectives, visit the Venue and learn a little bit more about the Olympic sailing sports, meet up with a photographer from the Dorset Echo and finally, do a photo-shoot to mark the fantastic donation made by Hornby to Action for Children and Access Sport.

Claudia was our contact at the Academy and she was brilliantly helpful, in fact the atmosphere at WPNSA was so much more relaxed than at any other venue, despite many teams busy training and competing and today being the final day before 'lock-down'.

We met up with Richard and James the photographers charged with getting usable images for Hornby - they had to take a LOT of pictures!

Jake in Hornby kit outside WPNSA

James, Richard, Jake & Philip
Probably discussing which is their better side.

After a fun photo-shoot, temporarily interrupted by the Dorset Echo photographer taking more pics,  the team headed into the cafe for a quick coffee.

They chatted to Sean, were introduced to Phil & Chris, and before you know it, Jake's signed polo shirt was getting more signatures.

Ben Rhodes and Stevie Morrison signing Jake's Olympian polo shirt.

Philip explaining the finer points of sailing to
Dylan Fletcher and Alain Sign, contenders for 2016

We had another great day in Weymouth - ready for the onward journey now.

Weymouth - Part 1, Day 1

Southill Primary School
Ruby, Jake and Amy

What a fantastic start to the day - Jake's huge smile still in evidence after the 2 school ambassadors had greeted Jake at reception with Mrs Brown, the Deputy Head Teacher.

The school was buzzing with Olympic fever and the team were hugely impressed with everything they saw.  There were fantastic, creative displays, lots of Olympic themed work and Year 5 were busy with costumes for an Olympic festival in Weymouth in July.

The school's ambassadors were excellent company and very helpful as were Mrs Brown, who had planned for our arrival with cake sales, non-uniform and Mr Roberts the Head Teacher, who presented us with honorary Olympic wristbands for the Dorset challenge.

Jake was invited to judge the 'sassy scooters and bling bikes' it was a true lift for the whole team and as we left we were presented with £108 collected by the school for the charities!

Jake being presented with a medal and London 2012 gifts

Jake presenting medals to the competition winners.
Well done to everyone!

The team didn't rest here but set off to Portland for another appointment at Royal Manor Arts College and a Year 9 assembly.  Thanks to Mr Dawson and staff, Jake and the team were able to describe the work of Access Sport and Action for Children to the pupils at the end of the week assembly.

Arriving just in time for assembly

How quickly can we get into assembly? 

If we're honest, the pedal up the hill to Royal Manor should probably not have been on Jake's schedule - it's a really good pull!  However, Jake pedalled brilliantly with no ill-effects and the achievement gave us all great encouragement for how the ankle was healing.

The view across Portland and Chesil Beach,
one quarter of the way down the hill.

We returned to The Fairhaven completely buoyed (very appropriate) by the whole day.

Thank you so much Weymouth!

Bristol to Weymouth

This was a big decision.  There were several options:

• Go home
• Stay in Bristol and wait for Jake's ankle to be passed fit
• Take the train to Yeovil or Weymouth
• Cycle regardless of the advice

At the hospital, Jake had really wanted to cycle, it was almost more of a shock to be told he couldn't than to have the accident.  

In the hotel room, the team were very down.  All options were visited and dismissed.  

We were NOT going to cycle.  Going home to rest was seen as the most depressing option. Stay put or move on?

We had commitments to lots of people in Weymouth, 2 schools, 1 venue, a major sponsor photo shoot and a local newspaper.

Distance 82 miles Bristol to Weymouth.  

Decision:  Take the train to Weymouth (either revisit the stages later in the ride OR make up the distance later in London).

Jake reflecting the mood of the whole team.
It is the right decision but sitting on the train was not
good for morale. 

The day's cycling destination
as seen from the train.

Bikes travelling down to Weymouth

Having bought the tickets, the team were informed that we couldn't reserve places for the bikes.  It was 'pot luck' - no more than 4 bikes on the 2 carriage train.  Tension was high.  Once on the train, everyone felt calmer.  With time to reflect, we knew we were doing the right thing.

WE WILL MAKE UP THE DISTANCE!

The scenery on the way down was great, we also had a great travelling companion Bath to Bruton in Rowenna Seddon.  Arrival at The Fairhaven Hotel became a magical mystery tour of lifts, twists, turns and dead ends before finding our room and then a repeat in reverse as we went off to the Community Hospital.

Another late night in the Minor Injuries Unit became a real positive end to the day.  Kate looked after Jake brilliantly - we were all looking tired, especially Jake (reaction to the day before) and so the news that the wound was looking good, the stitches were great and he could cycle on Saturday got a clenched fist and, "YES" from Jake.

Back on track!

Cardiff to Bristol

This was an exciting day, the team were going to have company for the whole day (poor soul joining this mad bunch).  Mark Hardie, CEO of the charity Access Sport had put aside a day to accompany bikewithJake to Bristol.

Straight in at the deep end!  How the ... do we get out of Cardiff, without going down that dual-carriageway so beloved of Philip's.  The answer - not easily.  The group pedalled down about 3 streets before asking directions - Mark, poor chap, appeared surprised to find us equipped with a few pages cut out of a road atlas and some scribbled written directions.  He had not been well briefed!

A journey of 50+ miles had Mark calling out for caffeine and something to eat within 16 miles.  This is what happens if you hook up with a bunch of lunatics on bikes who insist on making a free crossing on Newport's fabulous Transporter bridge, only to then come back again - just because it's there!

Mark looking somewhat bemused at the proposal
being put to him by Philip.  Jake knows it's best
just to go along with it. 

Yes, honestly we're going back over now.

Newport provided coffee and Mark's healthy salad brunch whilst the team stocked up on banana cake.


Suddenly, it all got a bit frantic.  With mobile phones clamped to ears, messages came through about a date with BBC Points West on Clifton Suspension Bridge at 5:00pm.  


A leisurely jaunt trying to follow signs for National Cycle Route 4 became a bit more urgent and Mark resorted to Google Maps.


Let's just say that the verbal attack that went Philip's way during the Cardiff dual carriageway 'incident' was almost repeated when Mark led the troupe along the busy, main road into Chepstow in search of the Severn Bridge.  Luckily for Mark, Nic was two bikes behind, not just one and luckily for Mark we met a couple of fellow cyclists (Hi Julian and friend) who got us back onto NR4 and the bridge just in time.

Belting along an off-road bit of NCR4 after a
close encounter with a tractor and trailer.
Please note:  Mark is riding carbon, super-light bike, no panniers

Another, scheduled bridge encounter
crossing the River Severn.

We get into Bristol, we are outside Clifton Rugby Club, we have only to make it to the Suspension Bridge and Points West - things are looking good even if the team look a little weary.  Jake had earlier pointed out that his pedals were broken (the running repairs undertaken in Pateley Bridge had finally given in).  Jake went to clip into his pedal for the last 5 miles when ... he didn't cry!  Nic knew straight away that it was a steri-strip at least, but more likely stitches, accident.  


Jake had sliced his ankle on the cogs and it was a 2cm greasy hole.  Patched up we pedalled on and made it to the Bridge in time for the interview.  The injury was newsworthy.

Jake in relaxed mood with the Points West team behind.

From the bridge, to the hotel, to the safety of a car.  Becca Owen, Access Sport's Bristol Active Women Development Manager was the hero of the hour.  To begin with she took the team to meet inspirational leader of Hype Street Dance project, Tasha Benjamin.

Tasha Benjamin and the team with Jake holding the
Olympic Torch carried by Tasha on a relay leg in Bristol

From the project, Becca then, very kindly, committed herself to a long wait in A & E at South Meads Hospital (once we found it!)

Jake was very nervous about having stitches, Nic was more nervous about Jake having the wound scrubbed with iodine.  Both fears were allayed as copious numbing gel and local anaesthetic did the job and out came the scrubbing brush followed by the little 'fish-hook' needle and there he was patched up.

Bomb-shell - NO CYCLING for 2 days.

This was not in the script - big decisions loomed.

Cardiff - Venue 5

The team were accommodated in Nomads Backpackers and it was great to wander around totally relaxed, access to a kitchen, laundry facilities and the start of Wimbledon on the TV (in a real sitting room).

Jake and Mabel making friends in Nomads

The object of the exercise was to get to the Millennium Stadium, the impressive, well-located, well-known next Olympic Venue.  So, Philip, how did we end up on the main dual-carriageway exactly?  Anyway folks, Cardiff Bay (yes - that area of Cardiff that is not home to the famous, Millennium Stadium) is really very smart.  Luckily for Philip it is also well supported by cycle routes out of the Bay area and into the city, where the stadium can be found.

Look boys, there it is!

Once there, the finding of the stadium paled in comparison to the ability to get into it.  LOCOG were busy and there were floodlights being replaced - it was a 'hard hat' area only and apparently our cycling helmets did not constitute hard enough head wear!

John, tried to give us the best of the photo opportunities available outside so we found our obligatory Venue statue and stood there in the drizzle.  Poor little Destination London 2012 taxi cab risked a soggy box in order to be photographed.

Jake, cold and damp standing with
Sir Tasker Watkins and his taxi.

Venue 5 Millennium Stadium

The stadium visited we had another important date to keep to - supper with Freya, Philip's daughter who is at university in Cardiff, studying Psychology.

Freya took the team to see the enormous Olympic Rings that celebrate Cardiff's involvement in the Olympics.  Apparently, of the 8 matches being hosted the men's match GB versus Brazil is a sell out.

These really are huge!

Cardiff - Venue 5

The team were accommodated in Nomads Backpackers and it was great to wander around totally relaxed, access to a kitchen, laundry facilities and the start of Wimbledon on the TV (in a real sitting room).

Jake and Mabel making friends in Nomads

The object of the exercise was to get to the Millennium Stadium, the impressive, well-located, well-known next Olympic Venue.  So, Philip, how did we end up on the main dual-carriageway exactly?  Anyway folks, Cardiff Bay (yes - that area of Cardiff that is not home to the famous, Millennium Stadium) is really very smart.  Luckily for Philip it is also well supported by cycle routes out of the Bay area and into the city, where the stadium can be found.

Look boys, there it is!

Once there, the finding of the stadium paled in comparison to the ability to get into it.  LOCOG were busy and there were floodlights being replaced - it was a 'hard hat' area only and apparently our cycling helmets did not constitute hard enough head wear!

John, tried to give us the best of the photo opportunities available outside so we found our obligatory Venue statue and stood there in the drizzle.  Poor little Destination London 2012 taxi cab risked a soggy box in order to be photographed.

Jake, cold and damp standing with
Sir Tasker Watkins and his taxi.

Venue 5 Millennium Stadium

The stadium visited we had another important date to keep to - supper with Freya, Philip's daughter who is at university in Cardiff, studying Psychology.

Freya took the team to see the enormous Olympic Rings that celebrate Cardiff's involvement in the Olympics.  Apparently, of the 8 matches being hosted the men's match GB versus Brazil is a sell out.

These really are huge!

Monmouth to Cardiff - Day 15

Fewer miles today after yesterday's 55 miler we chugged along for 42 miles.

Shirt sleeve weather from 8:30 a.m, an unheard of treat and an impossibly beautiful run via Raghlan via Usk to Newport.  

Now what have you lost?

Fabulous hazy countryside

We have decided that everyone should travel the road Monmouth to Cwmbran and then down the Monmouth - Brecon canal.  The roads are narrow and travel through great green swathes but the views are truly spectacular.

On the way up to Coed y Paen & Llandegfedd Reservoir.
The top of a good climb which was followed by 1:6 climb

Water lilies along the Monmouth- Brecon canal

Volunteers are restoring locks along the canal

As we headed into Cwmbran and saw the hills all around it looked like we might have a difficult afternoon ahead of us.  After some fiddly negotiation around the north of Cwmbran we tracked down Route 49.  A canal, what does that mean?  Cycling was great all the way down to Newport.  We stopped and chatted to the volunteers who were chipping away and bricks and mixing concrete with total abandon.  Good job lads!

On down to Newport in search of a cup of tea we pulled into The Riverside, Newport's fab new Arts Centre.  There on the menu board was lunch - Large Salad (we remember salad; fresh, green, red, yellow, healthy).  Pytsje (pronounced Peacha) and her colleague were the world's best hostesses and loaded a huge bowl of salad with tomatoes, olives, rice, new potatoes, lettuce, rocket, mixed beans and pulses - getting the picture?  This was topped with slices of FRESH baguette and turkey.

We recommend the journey from Monmouth to Newport to finish at The Riverside - it's a MUST DO!

This route in to Newport certainly beats the M4 that goes
over the bridge ahead of Jake

The pillars are reflected in the canal
The rumble above is considerable!

Huge sculpture outside The Riverside, Newport

The Transporter Bridge, Newport

Kersoe to Monmouth - Day 14

Always thought that this would be tough - leaving home to crank ourselves up again still feeling tired.

So, how fantastic to have a couple of cyclists to accompany us for the first 20 miles or so.  Jake's cousin, Harry, came along for 20 miles and our mad cycling friend, Fred, helped us churn out the first 15 miles.  Quick side note:  Fred is mega, let's cycle the Pyrenees and do 100 miles a day at stupid speed fit.  Harry is 16, play hours of tennis at county level fit.  An added bonus was an early morning visit from Gege, Fred's wife.  It was just the boost we needed.

Harry, Jake, Fred, Philip & Gege

It was drizzling but we were on familiar ground and the 20 miles until we were three again seemed to whizz by.  Poor Fred, he probably hasn't cycled that slowly for years but at least we didn't tire him out before he sets off for the real mountains.

Bye, bye Fred - thank you!

Bye, bye Harry - thank you!

Having endured intermittent drizzle whilst in company, the weather perked up as we wheeled towards Ross on Wye and the promise of coffee where we struck up a conversation with a local cyclist before heading into the Herefordshire wilderness.

A busy thoroughfare in Herefordshire

We passed through Llangrove, with their commemorative water pump and Bruin the dog accompanying Sue Chivers and the most stunning views just down the road.

Sorry Sue, Bruin is much more interesting

Jake admiring water pump commemorating Queen Victoria's
Golden Jubilee

Fabulous view back towards Ross on Wye & beyond

From Ross to Monmouth and a great cup of tea at Coffee # 1, with excellent directions to the Travelodge further down the road.  Day 1 of part 2 completed in sunshine, in good time, bikes sleeping soundly.

Night, night.

A 'real' day off!

Wow, at home with access to a washing machine - this is the height of excitement!

You wouldn't believe how much we can cram in 4 panniers!

There was also the small bike matter of new handlebar tape for Jake's bike.  Let's just whisper this, in his exuberance to be greeted at Bredon Hill Middle School, he stormed round the car park roundabout and ... one kerb hit, one massive crash, Jake tumbling across the grass and handlebar tape duly shredded.

Not what we wanted to see - thankfully no major damage
to bike or Jake

Knowing that Paul at Vale Cycles was busy building a bike to a tight deadline, we were helped out by Echelon in Pershore - thanks guys!

Not sure where the rest came in but we did make it to bed earlier.  Jake spent all day on bike or scooter and building ramps for the scooter - no rest for the wicked...