[Closed] I think I'm about to be diagnosed with cancer, and I'm fairly scared.

excellent i'm in awe!

It's Mark here.

I've got up especially early to try and answer some questions, and to update you all from my perspective. Firstly, the blog; I have no idea what is happening there at all. Tom db gave me access to the blog, but on the proviso that it had to be okayed by the STW computer monkeys before it could be released. I'm not sure if, through my sheer technical imbecility, or if they'd forgotten that this was the case, as to why it hasn't come up but I'll contact Tom and see if I can get it sorted.

Some of you have texted stating you'd like to join up for parts of the ride, which is ace; please do not panic if we haven't got back to you at this time. We're trying to establish some sort of riding routine and will bell you a couple of days before the date you'd like to ride with us with a comprehensive route guide for said day. If only because we need someone to take the front and act as a wind-block. Joke. As far as we're concerned, if you've expressed a desire to ride or meet up with us (to buy us cake) it's a given....

Here are the first two blog entries; they're a little rough, but will have to do. If anyone knows of a good bike shop in Glasgow please text the details to my phone and Meg will make sure we get it.

Cheers guys!

[i]PREP DAY:

****ing nightmare day. The morning was spent at the BRIT School, with Rowan trying to explain in laymen’s terms how the website will be operational. I, like a concrete headed buffoon smiled and nodded furiously, hoping that he hadn’t noticed just how thick-as-pig-shit I am with IT. I had an interview with the team at BRIT FM, and then picked up the last bits and pieces needed to complete the ride. Despite an ‘putting–a-chicken-run-up-for-a -neighbour’ related delay the van was finally loaded up and I set of to pick up Meg, Laura and J from Horley/Reigate. We dumped the dog at the in-laws, loaded up all the bikes and equipment, and by the time the fish and chip supper had been dispatched it was half ten. General consensus was that the planned stop in Leeds should be forgotten, and so we set off on the sixteen hour trek to JOG.

I could go on about the significance of the journey; the emotions, anticipation and so on, but quite frankly the night drive was an arse. 6.30am saw us arrive in Edinburgh, and after a long run up the A9 we came across a bike shop in Pitlochry called Escape Route. Smashing shop, lovely staff (“Would you guys like an espresso after your long drive?” GET IN!) including a fella named Peter, who did his best to fit me into a baselayer of Lilliputian proportions and proceeded to give us a box of those cola flavoured energy sweets that make you piss like a race horse. Top work my friend!

Several hours later we arrived at JOG, weaving the van through a throng of cyclists of differing proportions and equipment ownership. There was no thrill to be there; just a desire to get to the B & B, get some food on board and sleep. Kit was distributed, god-awful curry from the local pub was consumed and a friend was made in another gent called Peter who worked for Cycle Skeddadle (I think). Great advice, an offer to assist if he could and a colossal handshake that made my balls hurt were all offered and gladly accepted (apart from the aching gonads part), and a new friend made. All that remained was to get to bed for the early start…

Sunday 24th July: John O’Groats – Tongue

I like things to be well oiled and smooth. My bike, my plans, my groin, etc.. And the first day of riding was exactly that. Kind of.

From the beginning then.

An early-ish start with a fantastic cooked breakfast from our host allowed final adjustments to clothing, equipment and chamois cream, and when all of our duties had been completed we made our way to JOG for the start of our epic adventure. We got to the car park and found that, bar a couple of other cyclists, it was deserted. The JOGLE road-sign, so very prolific in all the photos, had been removed to prevent it from being stolen (to be fair, I understand this action totally; my intention was to nick it), so we ended up waiting for the resident photographer to arrive and take our picture.

After a little time had passed, the fella turned up and spent a good three hours telling us exactly what each island was, how old the local rowing boats were and other JOG-related trivia. After prising ourselves away from him, we registered our JOGLE trip at the café, and set off with the storm clouds gathering.

The first twenty miles were a piece of piss. As Chris from Cycleworld had suggested, it was a nice flat run along a coastal road, with a fair headwind, but nothing we couldn’t handle. We rolled into Thurso an hour and a half after setting off and surprised Meg who pulled into the car park at Tesco’s for supplies. A little retail therapy followed (batteries, bananas, lunch) and we set off to complete the remaining miles buoyant and content.

From Thurso onwards, everything was up. The roads went up. The headwind was up. My bib was up. My crack, that is. Despite this, we continued to plough on and made very good time. Our policy of rehydrating every half hour combined with little bits of food regularly, was paying dividends and we scorched on past a number of other JOGLE groups towards the final destination of Tongue. During this time, Meg had been seeking out little spots for breaks, and managed to find an amazing beach in a cove close to Bettyhill, and so was getting her fill of beautiful scenery. This is very important – if your support driver isn’t feeling fulfilled, you’re screwed big time. Down goes the sandwich making, the friendly beeps as they drive by, and the encouraging words. Plus Meg grinds my nuts when she’s unhappy.

Towards the end of the ride, J and I decided to engage in a ‘Top Speed Challenge’ (TSC). Very little explanation is needed for this; suffice to say, J edged the challenge with me a fraction slower. This situation will be rectified soon. We rolled into Tongue four and three-quarter hours after setting off with a fairly respectable 13.9mph average, considering the terrain.

Laura’s knee has started to give her a bit of grief, but she has twice the balls I have so continues to grind out the miles. My shoulder is fairly knackered by still attached, which is good. J is so chirpy I want to hit him with a mallet until he stops twitching.

Yup, we’re all good. Roll on tomorrow.
[/i]

I love reading these updates Mark. Thanks. 🙂
Have a good ride today all of you and I hope Laura's knee has calmed down.

Mark - I just sent you an email regarding the blog.

Edit: Me silliness, you've been writing the blogs, they're there now. I just didn't look...

In case folks missed this the blogs (written in Mark's trademark entertaining style) are here:

http://www.singletrackworld.com/blogs/2010/07/numero-uno/

http://www.singletrackworld.com/blogs/2010/07/the-bullheart-jogle-from-petesgaf/

Good luck Mark! 🙂

Good luck guys!!

i get the feeling i'm going to enjoy reading this like a good book,great work guys, looking forward to the next installment.

I've been following this thread since it started. I had no idea what to say early on, but now I know...

Respect. Absolute humble respect.

...and enjoy!

sent you an email mate :O)

love the updates Mark, keep them coming 🙂

After a beak from STW I just skimmed through all the pages. WOW!!!! It's a real rollercoaster of a story making me laugh, cry and more. Hats off to both you and Meg and enjoy your trip.

Shit the bed I'm tired. I'm so tired I can't be arsed updating. We're all alive, saw a horrendous accident involving cyclists and a car with the air ambulance just past Gretna yesterday. Pretty certain it looked like fatalities, but just found a report here

http://www.bordercitywheelers.co.uk/index.aspx

Very sobering. Carlisle to Slaidburn today. Wish us luck.

Keep going buddy 2 days and then you can rest up for a bit - everyone is thinking of you! x

It *IS* worth it 🙂

Keep going and good luck.

Paul

Well if you must chose to do something so daft! Good luck and keep going.

We have yet to see you in the Surrey Hills again and I've no doubt but that we will.

One crank at a time. Keep on chooglin. All the best.

Could it up and huge respect.

you should just give up - that's what your line manager would do......

Just come back from Scotland yesterday shame I missed your posts, otherwise I would of made a detour on the journey home on your route to offer some encouragement! Best of luck just keep those pedals turning!

The collective strength of STW is behind you. Keep going in your inimitable style!

As someone said above, read all the thread few weeks ago, and didn't know what to say so said nothing. I add my respect, cheerleading pompoms and keep pedalling to the pile.

Ditto Kevevs up there somewhere ^^:

[i]Respect. Absolute humble respect.[/i]

Not a god botherer by habit and im certainly not sure it will do any good but every night i pray that you will overcome this mountain that you are climbing.

Just read this thread

Truly humbling

Like Tim said, I'll be praying that you'll achieve everything you want to

We caught up with the team at Kirkby Lonsdale yesterday - it was an absolute pleasure to meet them all. They we all utterly wasted but in remarkably good spirits.

They've passed the half way point now which is possibly some consolation. Maybe.

If you can get along to cheer them into town anywhere along the rest of the ride, please do. They're a fantastic bunch, plus you get to see Mark in lycra...

you get to see Mark in lycra...

It was an, erm, 'interesting' sight - and I am sure he will agree with me.
I have some photos, will try to post one or two later.

You might be better calling Mark direct as Meg's had to leave to go back to work. 🙁 (gutted we didn't get to meet her too yesterday) He should then be better able to give you an idea of when/where they'll be.

I saw a bloke and a woman on the A49 yesterday between Shrewsbury and Church Stretton wearing Cancer Research jerseys. Apparently not Petesgaff tho 🙂

TN - cheers for that update - I'll give him a call shortly!

Props to Mark and the gang, much respect.
.
In contrast, my greatest achievement this week is working out what JOGLE stands for having first heard of it about a year ago.

Mark, you are a true hero, a total inspiration to so many on here.

All the best.

Morning,

If anyone would like to see a fat man in dayglo lycra weeping by the side of the road in the driving rain, get yourselves down to Chester - Whitchurch - Shrewsbury - Clun today. Photos are available on donation to the JustGiving page.

(sniff)

Keep going Mark,

Gray skies are gonna clear up,
Put on a happy face;
Brush off the clouds and cheer up,
Put on a happy face.
Take off the gloomy mask of tragedy,
It's not your style;
You'll look so good that you'll be glad
Ya' decide to smile!
Pick out a pleasant outlook,
Stick out that noble chin;
Wipe off that "full of doubt" look,
Slap on a happy grin!
And spread sunshine all over the place,
Just put on a happy face!
Put on a happy face
Put on a happy face
And if you're feeling cross and bitterish
Don't sit and whine
Think of banana split and licorice
And you'll feel fine
I knew a girl so glooming
She'd never laugh or sing
She wouldn't listen to me
Now she's a mean old thing
So spread sunshine all over the place
Just put on a happy face
So, put on a happy face

brilliant ! enjoyed reading the update , hats of to you all and keep up the good work

Did Chester to Whitchurch with Mark et al this morning - really sorry that I couldn't do the whole day.

Just wanted to say that these are really great people (but you already knew that), and do take the opportunity to ride with them and support them if you can. You would not believe Mark was so ill such a short time ago.

Mark, I can't believe you let me navigate - sorry for the two small detours. and the puncture.

All the best for the rest of the trip.
Paul

Feel like joining in but I can't find the route...

EDIT: Gutted, I can't make it. At work 🙁

Hi folks, Mrs Petesgaff here. Mark's been wi-fi-less in hostels the last couple of nights but asked me to put a post up to say it's all going well. I think they're pretty excited that the end is almost in sight, although I spoke to him this morning and he said that he thought today was going to be quite a long day. Not sure of exact details, but think they are taking a National Cycle network route, over old Severn bridge, through Bristol, to Street.

Then tomorrow it's Street to Okehampton, Sunday Okehampton to Perranporth, and then Monday across that finish line (ok well maybe not across it as that would mean falling into the sea). Hoping they'll be there around lunchtime, as I managed to get the day off work to wave them through, but then have to drive back to Kent ready for work on Tuesday...

Very very proud of Team Bullheart, and thanks as ever for all your support (special mention to Dawn, Trudi and Julian xxxxx)

Meg

That's my wife that is. She's ace.

Aren't there any pics?

Sadly I've been unable to make it down to join along the route.

Not been able to follow you as much as i'd have liked Mark but skimming over the updates things look on the up. I'm planning on sitting down tonight with a brew to read through properly though mate. (typing this off the old dog n bone while settling the little one to sleep). Big up to you all and hope the sun's shining for you from here on in, particularly on Monday, RESPECT!!

Go Team Bullheart - i'm in awe - truly x

We want photos posted up here of the celebration arrival.

Anyone riding with them today or tomorrow who can get some pics posted up here?

Top Man

Wow, what a man! Well done, fella.

Here is a picture of Mark 'Bullheart' Fradgley with his support van on Saturday somewhere North of Okehampton

[img] [/img]

No doubt someone will post the finishing line pictures tomorrow 😆

This might be a daft question, but the bikes that have been used on this trip, are they going to be auctioned or raffled or something like that at the end? I seem to remember a bike shop donating / lending them so perhaps they have to go back, but otherwise it might be worth doing.