Bikewithjake is coming out of hibernation for a monumental, Olympic size challenge!
Jake, now aged 11, is planning  to cycle 2012 kilometres between all the London 2012 Olympic Venues.
 He will be starting out on 1st June 2012 from Hampden Park, Glasgow and will finish at the Olympic Park, London in July........

Halfway Stage

Sorry we've been missing - Cornish & Devon Hills in way of good communication.

This momentous journey where we've lost count of the huge hills we've climbed, how many seaside villages we've visited, how many wet day starts, how many lovely people we've met along the way, how many amazing coastal landscapes, has slightly dimmed this evening by the cycling incident on the A379 into Shaldon when Jake came off his bike and damaged his handlebars and brakes.

Thanks to Bob from Braking Wind Cycles, Dawlish the bike was repaired and we missed the ferry over the Exe and are camping West of the river at Leadstone Campsite, courtesy of Andrew, the proprietor.

Jake was also involved in a showering incident when he managed to lose his pyjamas & towel because he went off to play.

Highlights: It's been a fantastic journey of discovery - lanes of surprising beauty with ferns on the banks along the roadside, an amazing array of wild flowers, rolling hills (and those very steep ones too). Encouragement from so many people, Sid & Mike 2 campsite owners who boosted the kitty by £50 between them, cafe owners and walkers in the middle of nowhere who have been touched by Jake's extraordinary journey. People have been flabbergasted by the distance covered and the terrain that's been tackled. Their enthusiasm and encouragement has been touching and motivating.

Halfway, same to go again. We are coping surprisingly well. Micro camping cookbook soon be released - grab cornish pasties when you can and top up on cream teas!

We would dearly love to see friends and other folk along the way and thank all texters. Thanks to Mac for his training over the last 6 months - it's paying off.

Will try to keep this updated subject to connections and power.

Better weather would be great and an opportunity to actually enjoy one of these beaches would be fab too.

It's wet, we must be in Cornwall

Just a really quick note to say IT’S RAINING!
12 hours of persistent wetting drizzle meant a cancelled trip to the beach and an unscheduled trip to the campsite laundry tumble driers.
A few hitches; rain, Jake’s publicity t-shirts are still at home, the National Cycle Route to Land’s End is very sandy (not good for gears and brakes), the A30 is amazingly busy being as it’s next stop – water.
Aiming to pack our wet tents early and hit the road tomorrow – some daunting hills to get us to Penzance.
Philip complaining of ailments, Jake taken up residence in someone else's tent - last minute nerves or is Nic driving the boys nuts?
P.S. trial ride should be on Endomondo

This is REAL!

Well all is safely gathered in and down at Lower Treave Campsite near Land's End - not without a few toys being throw out of the pram in last minute nerves.

Nic had misplaced a couple of important bits of kit and that meant a midnight end to the last night in a bed. Philip had a paddy and all was eventually resolved with the discovery of said bits of kit.

Jake started out very nervous - agitated & grumpy - to be expected, however we ended up being 7.5 hours on the road, 256 miles so what a relief to arrive at Land's End.

Glorious weather, fabulous panoramic views of sunlight glinting off the sea and a realisation that this is REAL!

Thanks go out to everyone for their support especially Jake's grandparents, Barrie & Angela who have done the jaunt down to the end of country to deliver people and their bikes.

Tents put up in light drizzle, barely warm enough this evening and absolutely no room in panniers for extra clothing or extra anything.

Quick zoom round and beach time tomorrow together with photo opportunities - spirits restored although Philip's spirits would be even better with the spirit of Jameson's Whisky!