Gary & Roberto's End2enD
Our Web Log
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Final total raised = £2,218

£2,218 / 888 miles (Land's End to John O'Groats) = £2.50 per mile

(£1.25 per mile each)
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Well done Gary and Roberto !!
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Roberto = John O'Groats at 10:47 a.m.

   14 miles cycled today
   888.2 miles cycled in total in
   83.28 hours
   Average speed = 10.67 m.p.h.

Gary = John O'Groats at 10:47 a.m., Dunnet Head at 12:59 p.m., and Duncansby Head, near John O'Groats at 3 p.m.

   50 miles cycled today
   922 miles cycled in total
   938 miles cycled, including the journey to Wick on 19 May
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Day 20; Thursday 18 May 2006; Duncansby Head, near John O'Groats

50 miles cycled today

922 miles cycled in total.

[X] 19 May: 922 miles is a correction from yesterday - 992 was a typo'.

£2,081 / 922 miles = £1.13 per person, per mile.

Text message from Gary at 3:05 pm 18 May:  Left a Flag Of St. George at  Dunnet Head.  Have claimed Scotland for England!  Fifteen miles to John O'Groats.

Text message from Gary on 19 May:  Cycled 938 miles in total back to Wick.
 

Image caption from Roberto: This is the last photo at John O'Groats. - click on the thumbnail to see a larger version of the photograph (36 KB).

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Congratulations Gary and Roberto on finishing your 'marathon' journey!

Day 20; Thursday 18 May 2006; Duncansby Head, near John O'Groats; 50 miles cycled today; 922 [X] miles cycled in total.

Text message from Gary at 3:05 pm:  Left a Flag Of St. George at  Dunnet Head.  Have claimed Scotland for England!  Fifteen miles to JOG.

Text message from Gary at 3:00 pm:  At Duncansby Head, 50 miles today, total 992.  Weather permitting, bike to Wick for train tomorrow, get nearer a thousand miles!

Text message from Gary at 12:59 pm: Dunnet Head.  The most northerly point in mainland GB.

Text message from Roberto at 11:37 am:  Arrived at 10:47 a.m.  888.2 miles. 83 hours and 17 minutes.

Text message from Roberto at 10:47 am:  We have finished!

Average speed = 888.2 / 83.28 = 10.67 m.p.h.

Sponsorship raised/pledged so far is about £2,081 making it £1.17 per mile, per person.

Email from the person who was going to drive Gary and Roberto back to Hull:

Could you put on the web that it was their choice to go by train.  I just suggested going by train as there were cheap tickets (£27.50) when I checked on the internet [which might help to keep their expense costs down].  I was willing to go to collect them if they wished;  I even phoned them this morning to see whether they had changed their mind.  You can just write that it was their choice and that there was no change of heart about collecting them.
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Day 19; Wednesday 17 May 2006; Wick, Highland; 39 miles today +11 for Roberto; 874 miles in total; 17 miles left ( 874 / 891 = 98% )

Text message from Roberto:  Fifty miles.  Met gary at Helmsdale (11 miles away).  Made it together to Wick.  Forty-eight miles.  Only 17 left.

Text message from Gary:  [The person who was going to drive us back to Hull] had a change of heart.  Have to get the train back.  £111 each.
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Day 18; Tuesday 16 May 2006

Roberto = Brora (probably); 59 miles today; 824 miles in total; 66 miles left ( 824 / 890 = 93% )

Gary = Helmsdale (confirmed); 35 miles today; 835 miles in total; 55 miles left ( 835 / 890 = 94%)

Text message from Roberto:  Bruda, 59 miles.  Wet, cold and windy.  I have been involved in a car accident... More details tomorrow.  Sixty-six miles to the end.  Gary 11 miles down the road.  Gary and myself meeting tomorrow morning and stopping in Wick.

Text message from Gary:  [Sent 10:10 a.m.] Crossed Dornoch Bridge into Sutherland.  Wish I had a camera.  Strange German inscription on this side!?!?

Guestbook entry from Gary:  Cycled 35 miles from Tain to Helmsdale today.  First 2.5 hours were hard work with heavy rain.  Dried off by open fire.
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Day 17; Monday 15 May 2006

Roberto = Inverness, Highland; 47 miles cycled today; 765 miles cycled in total (c.  83% *  )

Gary = Tain, Highland; ? 102 miles cycled today; ? 834 miles cycled in total (c. 91% * )

* Percentages calculated using a predicted total journey of 920 miles.

Text message from Roberto: Forty-seven miles, very wet, cold and windy conditions.  Made it to Inverness.  I think that Gary is further north in Tain.  Weather permitting, I should get to John O'Groats by Thursday.

Roberto ate out tonight at a Spanish restaurant called La Tortilla Asesina and was able to chat with the Spanish staff there.

Guestbook entry from Gary: Saturday cycled Perth to Pitlochry 71 miles, Sun Pitlochry to Aviemore 56 miles. Stayed in someone's house, snow covered mountains from bedroom! (accurate by my bike computer, maps and road signs).

Text message from Gary: Very hard today.  Only 86 miles away [from the end] now.
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Day 16; Sunday 14 May 2006

Roberto = Newtonmore, Highland; 42 miles cycled today; 718 miles cycled in total (c. 78%)

Gary = Aviemore, Highland; 56 miles cycled today; 732 miles cycled in total (c. 79%)

Text message  from Roberto: Forty-two miles.  Made it to Newtonmore.  Gary is twelve miles ahead in Aviemore.  Less than 200 miles to the end.  Physical conditions getting better.
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Day 15; Saturday 13 May 2006; Pitlochry, Perthshire; 71 miles cycled today; 676 miles cycled in total (c. 73%)

Text message from Roberto: Pitlochry 71 miles.  Six hours 20 minutes.  The longest day.  Crossing the Grampians tomorrow.  Very tired!  My Achilles still has fluids.  I am going to take it steady from today  to have real chances of finishing.
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Day 14; Friday 12 May 2006; Edinburgh, Lothian; 51 miles cycled today by Roberto; 605 miles cycled in total (c. 66%)

Text message from Roberto: Rest day for Gary.  Roberto did 51 miles to Edinburgh.  Now both planning tomorrow's journey.  Regards to Alf from PRH - the YCR bicycle flag maker!
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Day 13; Thursday 11 May 2006; Edinburgh, Lothian; 54 miles cycled today by Gary; 605 miles cycled in total (c. 66%)

Email from Roberto:  Emailing from Hawick, 10:20 am (Yesterday, we deviated from route and took A7.  We are now in Hawick and not Tushielaw as originally planned).  I have decided to have my day off in this town so I can give a break to the various body parts (Achilles, backside and legs in general).  Gary decided to continue and have his day off in Edinburgh.  We hope to meet in Edinburgh tomorrow night.

Text message from Gary: Got [to Edinburgh] OK.  605 miles so far!
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Day 12; Wednesday 10 May 2006; Hawick, Scottish Borders; 63 miles cycled today; 551 miles cycled in total (c. 60%)

Text message from Roberto: 63 miles.  We made it to Hawick.  We crossed the border at about 12:30, finally in Scotland.  Roberto's Achilles tendon is getting better.
 

-	Image captions from Roberto: Happy moments, we have reached Scotland. 20 miles on, no water, no houses, very hot and therefore Roberto decides to drink from the closest river. Nice and pure water! - click on the thumbnails to see a larger versions of the photographs (60 and 57 KB).

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Day 11; Tuesday 9 May 2006; Penrith, Cumbria; 40 miles cycled today; 488 miles cycled in total (c. 53%)

Text message from Roberto: 40 miles.  Made it to Penrith.  Pain during the sharp hills of Shap [village].  Not far to the border.  Regards and happy with text messages from work.
 

Image caption from Roberto: Top of the world (Shap [Summit], a well known killer mountain for cyclist). Very cold at the top! - click on the thumbnail to see a larger version of the photograph (35 KB).

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Day 10; Monday 8 May 2006; Burton-in-Kendal, Cumbria; 52 miles cycled today; 448 miles cycled in total (c. 49%)

Having reached their scheduled rest-point in Burton-in-Kendal, Gary and Roberto have managed to make up all of the time lost yesterday.

Text message from Roberto: 52 miles.  Strong winds of varying directions.  We are now in the border between Lancashire and Cumbria.
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Day 9; Sunday 7 May 2006; Wigan, Greater Manchester; 36 miles cycled today; 396 miles cycled in total (c. 43%)

Text message from Gary: Given up for today.  Absolutely soaked!  36 miles.  Only made it to Wigan, not Preston.  Both very down.

Text message from Roberto: In addition to Gary's message, my Achilles tendon is worse.
 

Image caption from Roberto: Waterproof on! Photo taken on the go with right hand! - click on the thumbnail to see a larger version of the photograph (35 KB).

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Day 8; Saturday 6 May 2006; Chester, Cheshire; 43 miles cycled today; 360 miles cycled in total (c. 39%)

Text message from Gary: 42 miles to Chester.  Made it to the Rovers game! [ Tranmere Rovers 0-2 Doncaster Rovers ]

Text message from Roberto: My tendon is neither better or worse.  Planning first day off in Edinburgh.

Email from Roberto: Please fell free to put down my mobile number on the web for people to txt us. Number: 07811 06 86 45. From abroad: 0044 7811 06 86 45.
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Day 7; Friday 5 May 2006; Shrewsbury, Shropshire; 49 miles cycled today; 317 miles cycled in total (c. 34%)

Text message from Gary: Shrewsbury, 49 miles.  Now done 320 miles in total, 30 hours on bikes!  Roberto can't walk.  Good day otherwise.  Countryside so far really nice.
 

Image caption from Roberto: Celebration at the end of the journey - click on the thumbnail to see a larger version of the photograph (64 KB).

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Day 6; Thursday 4 May 2006; Hereford, Herefordshire; 46 miles cycled today; 268 miles cycled in total (c. 29%)

Text message from Gary: Hereford.  46 miles after having taken a wrong turn.  Heat unbearable.  Managed to reach the 40 m.p.h. speed limit!  Both of us are really tired wrecks!
 

-	Image captions from Roberto: Emergency bandage consisting of insulating tape (from nearest petrol station) and a page of the road map, and Gary shows his sunburned legs - click on the thumbnails to see a larger versions of the photographs (36 & 16 KB).

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Day 5; Wednesday 3 May 2006; Severn Bridge, Near Bristol; 62 miles cycled today; 222 miles cycled in total (c. 24%)

After riding 62 miles today (over fewer hills!), Gary and Roberto have now reached their rest-point of a hotel overlooking the Severn Bridge near Bristol.  Gary said that the weather was very sunny today (unlike yesterday, when they got soaked by all the rain) but this unfortunately meant that he has got sunburn on the top of his head!  Both Gary and Roberto are in good spirits, but Gary has developed a very sore backside and Roberto has developed a very painful Achilles tendon.  He is taking pain-killers and hopes that resting it overnight will mean that it is better in the morning.

The day also started with a 'narrow escape' in that a large lorry crashed into the house next-door to where they were staying resulting in the road being closed off and several ambulances and fire engines rushing to the scene!
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Day 4;  Tuesday 2 May 2006; Taunton, Somerset; 52 miles cycled miles today; 160 cycled miles in total (c. 17%)

Text message from Gary: Taunton zummerrset. 52 miles, rain, hills, wind & piles.
 

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Image captions from Roberto: click on the thumbnails to see a larger versions of the photographs. Getting technical, heart monitor on the left (yellow watch) and bicycle computer on the right.  Picture taken on the go by Roberto!  Heart monitor indicates Roberto's heart rate: 137 bits per minute (note: the displayed date is incorrect).  Bicycle computer indicates current speed (top) 15.5 MPH and cycled distance (bottom) 7.46 Miles (28 KB). Gary gets his waterproof on!  Rain does not stop.  (64 KB) A new county picture, SOMERSET, a big moral boost!  (40 KB).

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Day 3; Monday 1 May 2006; Okehampton, Devon; 48  miles cycled today; 108 miles cycled in total (c. 12%)

Text message from Gary: Made it to Devon. Forty-eight miles to Okehampton - all uphill! Really tired.

Email from Roberto: In general we are ok, although GPL is mentally down after his car broke down on the way back to Hull. Also he has an ear infection. I will email more pictures very soon. All the best and regards to everyone, Roberto.
 

-	Image captions from Roberto: We hit the second county (Devon, day 3) and danger in the road! - click on the thumbnails to see a larger versions of the photographs (92 and 40 KB).

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Day 2; Sunday 30 April 2006; Wadebridge, Cornwall; 40 miles cycled today;  60 miles cycled in total (c. 7%)

Text message from Gary: Wadebridge, did 40 miles, few bike and navigation problems!
 

-	Image captions from Roberto: GPL (left) and RGA cycling (day 2) - click on the thumbnails to see a larger versions of the photographs (40 and 28 KB).

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Day 1; Saturday 29 April 2006; Hayle, Near St. Ives, Cornwall; 20 miles cycled today (c. 2%)

Gary and Roberto are now staying at the Travelodge in Hayle after having driven down to Land's End (overnight to beat the holiday traffic) then cycling the first 20 miles to get a head-start on their journey.  Please check back here for daily updates of their progress northwards.

Text message from Gary: 5 am Hull, Land's End 2 pm. Had to borrow spanner to fix Roberto's bike! Did 20 miles, strong headwind and hills.  Hoping for change of wind direction tomorrow!
 

Image caption from Roberto: GPL and RGA at Land's end (day 1) - click on the thumbnail to see a larger version of the photograph (48 KB).

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Wednesday 26 April 2006 | Hull, East Yorkshire | Sponsorship breaks through the £2,000 barrier

Sponsorship pledged today by another one of our colleagues at the MRI Centre has taken us through the ?2,000 barrier - just the right kind of news to buoy us upp before we set off!  (Note that this amount might not be registered on our justgiving.com page yet.)
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Tuesday 11 April 2006 | Hull, East Yorkshire | Sponsorship breaks through the £1,700 barrier

Sponsorship pledged today by one of our colleagues at the MRI Centre has taken us through the ?1,700 barrier!
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Monday 03 April 2006 | Hull, East Yorkshire | Sponsorship raised now well over half-way towards our target

Sponsorship pledged today by the staff at the Bed And Breakfasts Guide web-site (who have also helped us to arrange accommodation for our trip) has taken us through the ?1,600 barrier!
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Saturday 30 March 2006 | Hull, East Yorkshire | Good luck message from The Lance Armstrong Foundation
 

We received a couple of tee-shirts and a card with a good-luck message from the Lance Armstrong Foundation in the post today.  This is the cancer support charity which was set up by the seven-times Tour De France winning cyclist Lance Armstrong and which works out of Austin, Texas (Lance's home town).  Whilst the card wasn't signed by the champion cyclist himself - who is also famous for overcoming testicular cancer before winning his first Tour - it was encouraging to know that the organnisation is rooting for us.  The Foundation sells the original yellow LIVESTRONGTM charity wrist-bands, but if blue is more your colour, check out the Yorkshire Cancer Research version here.

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Saturday 25 March 2006 | Hull, East Yorkshire | Chugging

We spent a couple of hours collecting money on the streets of Hull today; the second time that we have done this (the other time being a couple of hours on 25 February). In total we raised ?211.67, so a big thank you to everyone who was kind enough to donate!  This also means that we have now broken through the 50% barrier of our target, with our grand total of donations and pledges now standing at ?1,573.31.

Friday 16 March 2006 | Hull, East Yorkshire | Making preparations

We have now made the final decision on which route to take, as shown in this map (click to enlarge):--

Thursday 09 March 2006 | Hull, East Yorkshire | Making preparations
 

We bought our new bicycles this week from Cliff Pratt Cycles in Hull. They cost £210 each (paid for from our own pockets, not the sponsorship!), but they very kindly threw in a few accessories for free. Sadly, after a lengthy period of freezing cold weather, we are now in for a wet spell which is curtailing our actual use of the bikes! We both now have a Giant Cypress SE  like the one in the picture (click it to enlarge), only with aluminium racks and mud guards too (it was specially customised for us). We are very happy to have these important pieces of equipment; especially as Gary is now able to cycle to Hornsea and back in nearly 25% less time!

Friday 03 March 2006 | Hull, East Yorkshire | Making preparations

Our new web site goes live as we celebrate breaking through the £1,300 sponsorship barrier!

Wednesday 09 November 2005 | Hull, East Yorkshire | Making preparations

Today we received our first on-line donation - thank you Sinead!

September 2005 | Basel, Switzerland | Training

Roberto gets some training in by cycling most of the way from Basel to Italy and back before the ESMRMB scientific conference!

August 2005 | Holland | Inspiration

It was whilst cycling around Holland on a tandem with a friend in August 2005 that Roberto came to enjoy cycling and decided to join Gary in his ambitious plans for a journey from End2enD.

July 2005 | Southport Lancs. to Hornsea, East Yorks. | Inspiration

It was whilst cycling the Coast-To-Coast route from Southport, Merseyside/Lancs., to Hornsea, East Yorks., in July 2005 that Gary first had the idea of cycling from Land's End to John O'Groats in aid of charity.

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