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.

Wednesday, 21 July 2010

From Here It's All Downhill Sir.

Lancaster - Shrewsbury 110 miles

Up early today as I wanted to leave by 8:00 as I had a long day ahead.

The porter at the hotel wished me luck with " don't worry it's all downhill from here sir" What a Joker!

He was partially right as for the first hour it was pretty flat.

I was heading for Preston then on to Wigan which I had reached by about 11:45 and covered some good distance. A quick stop at McDonalds for a drink then I was on my way heading south.

The sun was in and out but it was fairly warm with only a few minor showers. It's the first time since I started that I took my long bottoms off and was in my shorts.

Through Chorley and onto the A49 heading for Whitchurch which I arrived at about 17:00, " great only 20 miles to go to Shrewsbury and it's a good run in mainly downhill.

Then about 9 miles out of Shrewsbury the heavens opened. I pulled over to put my waterproof on and my mate PJ pulled over in his car " fancy a lift?"

I thought I'd push on for the last few miles as PJ (a fellow Squadron Member) was putting me up for the night in Shrewsbury.

Within minutes I was soaked and the roads were awash with surface rainwater making cycling pretty tricky.

About a mile and a half I felt the front feel strange, looked down and, you guessed it a flat!

I decided to give PJ a call and he picked me up and went to his house.

The fold up bike was soon in the boot and we were of to Shrewsbury

His wife Alison was cooking some pasta and I jumped in the bath, ahh bliss.

After some good food I fixed my puncture which turned out to be some glass that had pierced the tyre.

The plan is PJ's wife will drop me of in the morning on the way to work where I was picked up so I can carry on to Chepstow.
Alison kindly washed my clothes and dried them and put my shoes in the airing cupboard to dry out.

Pj was a sight for sore eyes as I cud not be arsed sorting the puncture out there and then.

Not much else to report except that after nearly 10 hours in the saddle my backside is feeling a bit sore. Sudacream has been required.

I have to say there were a lot of people in Wigan with silly haircuts. May be it's a northern thing?

In summary a good day apart from the last 30 mins.

Road kill:

1x badger
2x rabbit
1x crow
1x starling

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