Thirteen days to go

 

Kingsway Cycles

Here's the bikeshop that I use in Cambridge - Kingsway Cycles at 8 City Road, Cambridge CB1 1DP. (01223 355852). They are such a good bikeshop. It's run by Steve and Nick and I have been using the shop's services for 21 years now. I wouldn't think of going to any other bikeshop. I have bought three bikes from them in that time - all of which are being regularly ridden (I gave one away to a friend). 

Kingsway was recommended to me by a friend when I first moved to Cambridge. So many folk in the Cambridge Triratna Buddhist Community use them for all their bike needs. Apart from selling all kinds of bikes and ebikes, they also stock extensive cycle clothing and spares. They also hire bikes and carry out same-day servicing and repairs.

On their website, they describe themselves as Cambridge's most helpful bike shop, and I would say this is definitely true. That's always been my experience over the last 21 years. They have been very helpful with this upcoming Land's End to John O'Groats (LEJOG) ride. Lots of free advice and cycle wisdom for taking this iconic trip. They have recently prepared my bike and set it up with all the spares I'm likely to need - all for a subsidised price. They have been generous, and have allowed me to publish my fundraising page on their spocial media site - very helpful. I feel well-backed up by them.

I have a story regarding their helpfulness. Before I retired in 2018, I was working in the Secure Mental Health Unit of Fulbourn Hospital for three and a half years. It was a demanding but satisfying job, and I was working early, late and night shifts at the hospital. I was cycling back and forth at all hours, I needed a reliable bike. Nick sold me a second-hand Marin Hybrid which never let me down. However, when I was doing regular nightshifts, I would take NHS study books in to work with me for the long nightshifts (which were mostly pretty quiet). I would load up my back panniers with heavy books, along with sandwiches, flasks, art materials (I used to do a lot of Art with the patients) and other paraphernalia. I think I was overloading those panniers with too much stuff. 

I started to get broken spokes on the back wheel. Each time I took it in to Kingsway to repair the wheel, Steve and Nick had it repaired before my next shift started. After two lots of broken spokes, Steve tactfully said "You've probably got a lot of weight on that back wheel, why don't we put a stronger wheel in there for you?" What with all the gear I was carrying and me being 90kg, it was too much for the poor old back wheel. This solved the problem of the broken spokes. Steve didn't say "Don't overload your bike!", he was practical about it, and solved the problem permanently. 

In this recent photo here with Nick, I am pictured with my bike serviced and ready to go on the LEJOG. You'll notice I'm not taking much stuff. As I'm staying in B&Bs each night, my gear is all very lightweight and minimal, without leaving anything essential out. I've learned my lesson about overloading bikes!

My arthritic condition

 

I suffer from sero-negative inflammatory arthritis, which is a form of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). I've got very used to it over the last 21 years. Initially, I was very disabled by it and on crutches. After the first year, I slowly got back to something like a normal life - with the help of a wonder drug called sulfasalizine. Without this, I would be in a lot of trouble.

RA is an 'auto-imune desease', meaning my immune system is attacking my joints. No-one knows why this happens, but there are theories.... I live with a lot of daily pain. One day, this joint, tomorrow another joint. Every day is different. I recently realised that I have become so inured to pain, that I hardly recognise it anymore. It is so normal. My partner, she recently asked me: "Are you in pain at the moment, Love?" I had to stop and observe and then said "Yes, in my wrists and feet today". It sounds strange, but sometimes I haven't noticed fully, as it is so normal. I can't remember life without pain. I also have osteoarthritis in my feet.

Cold, damp conditions are the worst for me. Also sitting still for long periods. So I can only really meditate for 50 minutes max now. 30 minutes is better. I don't take painkillers at all as, if I did, I would probably become addicted. I would need a lot. Exercise and movement are best.

I am not a moaner. I just get on with life and appreciate what's good in my life (which is a lot). 

A few years ago a Rheumatologist at Addenbrookes Hospital, Cambridge, suggested I cycled, swam and went to the gym more. He said that vigourous exercise would improve my musculature, which would then support the joints more. It would also help stave off osteoporosis (thinning bone density) which I am at high risk of. He was right. These excercises are working well, and my week contains a mix of cycling, walking and visits to the YMCA gym. When the pools reopen, I'll be swimming again.

I currently cycle around 130 miles a week. I have cycled 8000 miles since March 2020 lockdown. 

This LEJOG cycle is within my abilities, I believe. And..... I'll continue to keep taking the tablets.

My route

 

There are literally scores of different routes one can take when doing a LEJOG. The route I am taking between July 11th and August 10th is as follows: Land's End, Truro, Liskeard, Okehampton, Honiton, Street, Bristol, Cheltenham, Garway, Knighton, Malpas, Leigh. Burnley, Carnforth, Keswick, Gretna Green, Abington, Glasgow, Callander, Killin, Pitlochry, Aviemore, Inverness, Lairg, Kinbrace, Thurso, John O'Groats. 

There are several reasons I'm going this route: 1) It has been recommended in two good guide books and is well-cycled by thousands. 2) It's safer and more scenic: mostly on cyclepaths, quiet B roads, along canals and away from main roads. 3) I'm doing some small detours to stay with family (my elderly father in Okehampton, my son and family in Cheltenham, and with two order members in Garway). 

Covering 40-50 miles daily fits nicely into one month's ride. At the completion, I'll have covered around 1200 miles. The longest endurance ride I have done by far! What I really, really look forward to most of all is simply being on the road in our varied and beautiful country. I know that Britain is amazing, and I'll get the opportunity to really see it properly and raise some money for the project in the process. Turning those pedals, the wind in my face, and the open road. Apart from meditating and being with friends, the place I'm most currently happiest in is on my bike. I simply love it! Also knowing that the cycling really helps the arthritis in my legs a lot is a double benefit. My legs are currently the strongest they have been over my whole life.

I have all my B&Bs booked up well in advance. It has cost me £1300 in accommodation for this ride, but it is worth it. It means I can cycle from 9am to 6pm daily. I'll have meditated and breakfasted at the B&B before my 9am start, with a sandwich on the road at lunchtime. I'll reach the B&B for around 6pm and have a shower, meal and do my blog in that order. Then bed for a decent sleep before doing it all again the next day! Every day will be different in terms of places passed, but my routine will stay the same throughout. 

I am taking overnight sleepers to and from each 'end'. A sleeper to Penzance, and a sleeper from Inverness to London Euston (having taken a local train from Thurso to Inverness). 

I'll be adding to this blog daily during the ride - mostly with videos. You can keep up with me daily!