John O’Groats is quite a random place. In the far North East corner of the UK, it sits where development seems to have struggled its way in. Though, given its geographical position, it has become quite a popular and known place between cyclist, runners, and many other who have challenged themselves aiming to complete the infamous route in any particular, authentic or extravagant way. Not long before we did it, I heard one guy had broken the record in a Monocycle, doing it in something like 12 days... Freak!
The same can be said about Land’s End. A place full of contrasts. The first and last as it’s many times quoted along the route. It sounds like a remote place, but being at the corner of a more popular touristic destination like Cornwall, it has developed in somehow into a paradox of its name. Welcome to Land’s End and into a Mall!!! Are you for real?
Anyway, nothing they could have done in Land’s End or John O’Groats could spoil the satisfaction of riding, running or hand walk this wonderful route, though a welcoming bag of ice will be appreciated in any case. And this brought back a recurrent thought. The way you travel on a bike and the rewards of doing so. When I set off riding my bike, it’s rarely about the place I’m going to. It’s more about the ride itself, the journey and its ups and downs.
Throughout the eight days we took to complete JOGLE, we rode through some amazing landscapes. A rugged, raw and fearsome coastline of the North of Scotland. The windy and lunar sceneries of the Highlands and the mythical forests of the Cairngorms. Down we rode through Edinburg and rain greeted us all along our way into England, through some hills and lakes of mist. Down we went, leaving Manchester to starboard, crossing the Pennines and through the busy and winding roads of Yorkshire we rode the familiar Cotswolds into charming Bath, setting up the last, long and steep battle through Devon into Cornwall.
For me, a cherry on top of the cake of a wonderful year on two wheels. Liguria and the Maritime Alps prepared me for the long climbs along the Pyrenees and the Alps. My climbing legs were at their best but were not ready for the struggle of the head wind on the rolling hills of Aquitaine and the Loire, leaving the battle to be fought only on stubbornness. Sardinia, Malta and Sicily kept me trained through the summer, and I got to the UK very aware of the mission ahead.
At the end of the first day, after 215 km, when I struggled to make it to the campsite (trying to hide it from everyone of course) I knew it was going to be some tough 8 days. Of these, I’ll keep the joy, and challenge at the same time, of riding along such a cool bunch. A pleasant change from my usual solo riding. The raw conditions that slowed us to almost a dead stop on the second day, and the last push into Perth along Kev, Lance Andrew and Kieran Fucking Cancellara. The downpour as we were getting into England. The suffering you could see at Chris and Paul on every single stroke right from the second day and their courage to finish the ride head high. The disappointment at Tom’s face through the van’s window, and knowing he’s riding this tortuous route on a 65£ bike after no more than one month training. All for the good reasons. Patrick fading out and then cheering him up the last hill arriving to Liskeard, while I could hear him crying on pain. And tearful Kevin at the finish line, knowing he was supposed to be here 4 years ago when a serious car accident interrupted his training. And knowing that we were all there, giving our little support to a honourable cause and helping some of the riders that have first hand experiences with Parkinson’s made this awesome a week, a truly memorable one.
I’m excited about the times ahead. A new job, new places and a lot of sailing. But specially, I can look ahead at the prospect of more adventures like JOGLE 2010. I want to keep riding, walking or cooking and while doing so, try to make any of our enterprises as useful and productive as possible. Thanks to all of you who supported me in any way. To all the riders for their effort and words of pride and gratefulness about this whole experience. To the support crew who made it all easier on us. To James and Amy for putting this whole thing together, and to spectacular Britain for hosting us in such wonderful places.
Tunisia next... curious, always curious!
Check some pic at http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=232674&id=548987720&l=8a40b0bf74
A wonderful summary Alfonso, good on you! Lance :)
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