Why JOGLE

Why JOGLE? And Why on a Brompton Foldup Bicycle? John O Groats to Lands End (JOGLE) is something that every cyclist wants’ to do and I am no different. Its a challenge and it's there so why not!

The main reason for completing the challenge is to raise money for The British Limbless Ex Serviceman's Association (BLESMA) and The British Legion (Jersey).

Blesma is a charity that directly supports all our service men and women who lose limbs, the use of limbs or eyes or the sight of an eye whilst in the service of our country. Blesma are with them whenever they are needed for the rest of their lives.

The British Legion (Jersey) again continues to support Ex Service Personnel both young and old and plays an important role in the welfare of Channel Islanders that have served their country.

Like so many servicemen and women that have served on recent Operations in Iraq and Afghanistan I have seen first hand the injuries sustained to service personnel and the long term injuries that they have to live with for the rest of their lives, long after the conflict has finished

I ask you to donate to Blesma on www.bmycharity.com/brompton or if you want to donate offline to Blesma or The British Legion you can find Sponsorship forms at the following places:

Murphy’s Mens Clothing (West Centre, St Helier)

Big Maggy's Coffee Shop, (26 Burrard Street, St Helier)

Reception at Lloyds TSB (New Street Branch, St Helier)

C5 Alliance (Anley/Sand Street, St Helier)

A big thanks goes to those that have already donated and also to C5 Alliance that are the main sponsors.

Friday, 16 July 2010

Cycling Downhill

Left Dornoch this morning at about 9:15 after a nice breakfast and a good nights sleep.

Set of in the rain which is not a good start to the day. Within minutes I decided to don my £9.99 Argos yellow cycling cape which proved very effective against the heavy rain and spray from passing trucks.

Heading along the A9 south I decided to take a short cut by passing Inverness saving about 10 miles.

The trouble was I spent the next 3 hours on a undulating gradual climb which was hard work against the wind. I had about 2 hours of respite from the rain which was nice. The sun even made a appearance; be it all for about 10 mins.

Saw a few cyclists going the opposite way and they were flying with the wind behind them.

Again some stunning scenery and passed a lot of distilleries. Also in abundance were a lot of those Brown places of interest signs specifically aimed at american tourists searching for a past to their home "Glen this, Clan of Gunn, house of Ord etc".

I have noticed a huge amount of Germans and Italians over the last couple of days, of who I had to remind one that people queue in the United Kingdom when I popped into the post office in Drumnadrochit home of the world famous Loch Ness Museum.

Leaving Drumnadrochit at about 1600 I had another 18 miles to go to Fort Augustus following a very undulating road alongside loch ness.

Arrived at Fort Augustus at about 1815 which wasn't to bad considering the weather.

B&B tonight (thanks mum) as need to dry of my gear and get a good nights sleep.

Long day tomorrow heading to fort william and beyond to Grampian mountains with the weather looking the same.

A few strains and pains. I am going to ensure I stretch off every hour as it seems to make a difference.

The Brompton is going well but is a little hairy at speed, coming down to Drumnadrochit i had a cheeky 3/4 mile descent reaching 35mph.


Total mileage today 80 miles.

Best thing seen today: another bird of prey that flew alongside me briefly, pretty spectacular.

Road kill:

1x field mouse
1x hedgehog
1x frog
2x Blackbird
1x Small bird of prey

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