From the begining.

Here goes, first post....

I'll start by setting the scene a little, sat at home reading MBR and a feature on the coast to coast. I decided there and then that I wanted to have a go for myself, possibly over 3 days. Then I thought it would be fun to attempt it and bivvi overnight on the hills and pop down to eat lunch in the towns and villages along the way. Then, early last year I read about the 7 deadly spins and the 'one hit' attempt that Rich Rothwell was planning. A friend of my team mate, Blanche,(Dave Buchanan) was also attempting the Welsh coast to coast around the same sort of time. After reading their accounts and it was decided that my team mate, Rich Holmes and myself would both attempt to beat both records, simultaneously!

So far things have not gone to plan, the first recce ride from Ambleside to Kirkby Stephen was planned for early December, due to the flooding in the lakes over the previous month the going was very slow and it took the 6hrs we had to play with to complete the 22ml over a sodden Mossdale and on to Shap! At least I know how bad it really can get and I undertand where Rich Rothwell was coming from in his report.

The next recce was going to be a safe option as Padge and myself were to do this over the Christmas break. Richmond to Chop Gate, although there was a lot of snow/ice on the roads and a temprature of only 3 degrees things were looking good with 18ml clocked up in only 1.5 hrs, then Padge's rear hub bearings gave up in a spectacular fashion meaning an early bath following a lovely pub lunch and a pint of real ale in Thornton-le-beans.