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1600 MILES IN 25 DAYS

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Kate's tour de uk diary

Friday 9th September

DAY ONE

Home to Fareham: 55 miles

Day 1 Done! Had a great start to my tour with Martin keeping me company for the first 20 miles, dry, not too hilly and the sun came out! 55 miles, 2149 ft of climbing. Am at my first stop with Carol Beaumont and her lovely family who are very kindly putting me up for the night!

 

 

Saturday 10th September

DAY TWO

Fareham to Lyme Regis: 97 miles
Day 2 Done! I knew today was going to be tough, but boy oh boy was it tough! started great with the Beaumont family out in force early this morning in there pj's waving me off! Then got a puncture after 6 miles, was pretty hard navigating through Southampton but had a lovely ride in the sun through the New Forest until I got and another puncture! Luckily they were the only 2 punctures I had today

Then the heavens opened, the wind picked up and although the first 70 miles were flat, they were slow going. The last 30 miles was all up hill!! No joke. I was a broken and tired girl when I finally rolled up to my Auntie Susan's cottage 9 hours after I had set off. I was very pleased to see her. 97 miles, 5469 ft climbing. Bring on tomorrow!!! woo hoo!!!

 

Sunday 11th September

DAY THREE

Lyme Regis to Postbridge: 50 miles

Day 3 Done!! A day late I know, but signal isn't the greatest in the middle of Dartmoor! Had a tough day yesterday, lots of climbing again, 2 punctures.. again, rain and a real head wind. Still had a great day and enjoyed the ride. The last 10 miles took FOREVER across the moor to my first B&B stop, but had a very warm welcome and a pub 500 yds away so was able to enjoy a well needed shandy!! Perfect end to the day

Had a lovely stay here with Adam and Lynn and there gorgeous 1 yr old Springer called Bob and the cat Monty! Would recommend them to anyone wanting to stay right in the middle of Dartmoor! and theres a pub 500 yrds away!!

Beechwood B&B on Dartmoor, Bed and breakfast in Postbridge, Devon
www.beechwood-dartmoor.co.uk
Beechwood B&B on Dartmoor, great bed and breakfast accommodation in Postbridge, a warm welcome at the heart of Dartmoor National Park.

:-)

 

Monday 12th September

DAY FOUR

Postbridge to St Austell: 53 miles

Day 4: Postbridge to St Austell: When I woke up at 7am this morning and could hear the wind and rain outside, it did not out a smile on my face. When I looked out the window and saw the wind and rain, I put my head back under the covers and hoped it would suddenly clear up and reveal a beautiful day.... it didn't. I had a great breaky, then set out into the 20 mph + head wind across Dartmoor... it's was slow, slow, going. Th whole day has been speant riding into the wind having to pedal up and down hill. At least it wasn't raining and I didn't have any punctures! Yeah!! Arrived at my cousins Nigel and Sue to another lovely warm welcome and all the family were here to welcome me! Looking forward to a good nights sleep

 

Tuesday 13th September

DAY FIVE

St Austell to Northam: 69 miles

Day 5: St Austell to Northam. So after reaching my most southerly point I'm now starting to head back up and in to Devon again today. The wind is still looking strong, but I should at least stay dry. Have had a lovely stay with Nigel and Sue and it was great to see Nigel's boys, Will and Adam yesterday, definently a high light of the trip!!! Feeling good today, everything's little sore and achy, but nothing major. Savolon and chamois cream are being a great help!! Binky (my bike) is doing a great job and although Gary (my Garmin satnav) and I keep having words we are getting along and working as a team!!! Thank you to everyone who is supporting me, it's a real lift!!

 

Wednesday 14th September

DAY SIX

Northam to Shipam: 85 miles

Day 6 Done! 86 miles and only 4000 and something of climbing! Unfortunately though, the saddle sores have kicked in big time! Had to do a lot of standing up today :-/ Thankfully it's a semi rest day tomorrow which has come in the nick of time to give my bum a rest! Have arrived at my cousins Richard and Pam's house here in Shipham and am looking forward to enjoying a beer or 2 tonight :-)

 

Thursday 15th September

DAY SEVEN

Shipam to Portishead: 17 miles

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Day 7... Done! A semi day off today, only had to do 18 miles! Am now at Liz and Ian's in Portishead, just outside Bristol. Hopefully plenty of time for my butt to recover before I head into Wales tomorrow! Have got a few really tough days ahead of me so am planning a kit sorting and bike washing day and am really looking forward to the Spa and massage this evening :-)

Well I'm 7 days into my 24 day tour round the UK and so far I'm loving it!
There have been some pretty tough times that have tested my 'positive mental attitude'... mostly the days that I've been faced with nothing but hills and riding straight into a head wind!
It has been lovely to see everyone and catch up with some faces I haven't seen in years! I'm getting a great panda tan on my face! Looks like I'm wearing my Oakleys even when I'm not!

 

 

Here's a few first week statistics...

Total miles: 430 miles
Total hours in the saddle: 35 hours
Total amount climbed: 29,500 feet
Amount of calories burned: 9905 cals
Fastest daily average speed: 14 mph
Slowest daily average speed: 9.8 mph
Maximum speed: 44 mph
Number of punctures: 4
Longest day: 97 miles
Shortest day: 18.5 miles
Biggest climbing day: 5846 feet
Something I've learnt: What goes up... must come down. Which means the better the down, the worse the up!!
New motivation slogan: Toughen up princess, you're Kate Brooker, you live for this S**T!!!
Thank you to EVERYONE for your support and thank you to everyone who has kindly put me and Binky up for a night.

 

 

Friday 16th September

DAY EIGHT

Portishead to Aberdare: 65 miles

Day 8: Heading into Wales today! Leaving Bristol to head to the old bridge across the Severn. A beautiful sunny start to the day... i wonder if it will last?! Thank you to Liz and Ian Ranger for there wonderful hospitality and especially to Liz for booking the lovely massage I had last night.. just what I needed!

 

Saturday 17th September

DAY NINE

Aberdare to Haverford West: 75 miles

Day 9: Aberdare to New Moat: So I headed towards my most Westerley point near Haverfordwest today. First full day in Wales and it did not dissapoint! Rain, wind, sun, sheep, big descents, bigger climbs, stunning views... beautiful. Met my cousin Adrain and he rode the last 18 or so miles with me! Was great to have some company and someone who knew the way.... Gary Garmin's battery ran out 5 miles from the end! Looking forward to setting my alarm for the morning to cheer England on in the Rugby World Cup before setting of on a very hilly day. Thank you to Adrain and Karen for there beer and laughs! A perfect evening :-)

 

Sunday 18th September

DAY TEN

Haverford West to Ponterwyd: 65 miles

Day 10: New Moat to Aberystwyth: Well, luckily Adrain was able to supply me with a charger for Gary Garmin and my phone so I was back in contact and back on track... for a bit. The day started by setting off in awful weather! Low cloud, wind and driving rain... oh and the climb over the Preseli Mountains!!! The weather did not improve, it was very tough going, made worse by Gary Garmin dieing 5 miles from the end. Lost all my navigation, tour records and training records, all infomation and all my routes for the remaing tour... all gone. Managed to find my B&B that night, but was totally gutted about my Garmin and didn't get any phone reception so wasn't able to call or talk to anyone, for the first time I felt really lonely and sad :-(

 

Monday 19th September

DAY 11

Ponterwyd to Tarporley: 91 miles

Day 11: Aberystwyth to Tarporley: So today was one of the days I had been looking forward to the most on this tour, 91 miles through beautiful Welsh country side. The weather was good and it was due to be a flat'ish day. But having lost my buddy Gary, the thought of doing 91 miles with no proper navigation and no idea of how far I was going or had to go was really demorilising... not a happy bunny. Still, I set off and just got on with it and actually got on better than I expected! Saw some lovely views and it was a very flat day!! In Wales... a flat day!!!!! Found my B&B no problem and enjoyed a few too many ciders (drowning my sorrows).

 

Tuesday 20th September

DAY 12

Tarporley to Poulton: 64 miles

Day 12: Tarporley to Poulton: Half way!!! Only 12 days to go!! Set off on the day I was looking forward to the least... mainly because it was going to be tricky navigating with a satnav, let alone without! Not only that but by now Binky was showing the signs of nearly 1000 miles and a few other bits of equipment are starting to show the signs too. Weather was wet, again, but apparently it was due to clear up, which it did... 4 hours after I had set off. The one bit of good news for the day was that I passed a good bike shop that was able to sort Binky out, I was able to re stock with inner tubes (more punctures over the last few days) able to get a new rear light and some more chamois cream! Arrived with my friend Lisa who managed to get a smile on my face :-) Enjoyed another few ciders at the pub that night and felt much happier :-)

 

Wednesday 21st September

DAY 13

Poulton to Keswick: 81 miles

Day 13: Poulton to Keswick: Day started great! Lisa rode the first 25-30 miles with me and got me past Lancaster. Then I sadly waved her good bye and set off into the Lake District... the wet, grey, windy, hilly Lake District. Hit some big hills and torrential rain around Windermere, then came the head wind, then came Dunmail Raise... a long, long hill. Got to my Uncle Brians house in Bassenthwaite, very wet and tired, but was given a wonderfully warm welcome, cup of tea and a warm bath. Then......... my dad arrived!!!!!!!! My dad, my wonderful dad, had driven all the way up here to offer me moral support and a new Garmin!!!!!! Hurray!!!!!! Doesn't bring all the data I've lost back, but certainly makes the rest of the tour much better :-) Thanks dad xxxxx

 

Thursday 22nd September

DAY 14

Keswick to Moffat: 63 miles

Day 14: Keswick to Moffat: Out of the sunny lakes and into sunny Scotland today! First day since day 1 that is hasn't rained on me! Had a lovely stay with Brian and Marlene and am very grateful to my Uncle Bri for doing some running repairs on my panniers! 70 miles today and not too much climbing, slight head wind but all in all a good day. I'm staying at a lovely B&B, Moffat is beautiful and I'm happy again :-)

 

Would recommend this lovely B&B in Wales, they really went out of there way to help me AND gave me a discount on my room asking me to donate the rest to my charity, Harper Asprey Wildlife Rescue. Lovely people.

Ffynnon Cadno Guest House -01970 890224- Welcome
www.ffynnoncadno.co.uk
Ffynnon Cadno Guest house is an ideal place to stay for those who want to explore the Mid Wales mountains and coeast. All rooms have Freeview Satellite, there is a snooker table and large mature gardens

 

 

Friday 21st September

DAY 15

Moffat to Edinburgh: 52 miles

Day 14: Keswick to Moffat: Out of the sunny lakes and into sunny Scotland today! First day since day 1 that is hasn't rained on me! Had a lovely stay with Brian and Marlene and am very grateful to my Uncle Bri for doing some running repairs on my panniers! 70 miles today and not too much climbing, slight head wind but all in all a good day. I'm staying at a lovely B&B, Moffat is beautiful and I'm happy again :-)

Definently recommend this B&B up in Scotland! Lovely welcome, lovely area, lovely food and lovely cats!

Limetree House, Guest House, Moffat, Annandale and Eskdale, Scotland
www.limetreehouse.co.uk
Limetree House, Guest House, Moffat, Annandale and Eskdale, Scotland

 

Week 2: What a different 2nd week I've had!! Physically not as tough as week 1, but mentally much tougher. Heading into Wales last Friday I was really looking forward to the coming few days. I love Wales and although I knew the weather would be awful and the hills would be tough I was really looking forward to it. Unfotunatly things started to go wrong on night one of week 2...
Long story short... over the next few days I had no route, no idea of time or distance that I was riding, either no phone reception or no phone battery, hit a pot hole and buckled my wheel, got more punctures, broke my rear light, ripped my panniers and got very cold and wet on numerous days.
But then my luck turned! My dad personally delivered a new Garmin for me, I found a bike shop and got Binky fixed, my uncle fixed my panniers, I had a dry day and I drank cider... role on week 3!!!
Week 3 estimated statistics!
Total miles: 515.5 miles

 

Satuday 22nd September

DAY 16

Edinburgh to Jedburgh: 53 miles

Day 16: Edinburgh to Jedburgh: Another day without getting wet! Didn't have to leave until 12pm today, but I was up early to watch England and then NZ win! A good start to the day. Had a really lovely stay with my cousin and her son, was great to see them. Set off into the beautiful sunshine and rode out of Edinburgh and towards the Scottish boarders. Had a very hilly last 10 miles but all in all a lovely ride :-)

 

Sunday 23rd September

DAY 17

Jedburgh to Whitley Bay: 64 miles

Day 17: Jedburgh to Whitley Bay: Had a lovely sunny day yesterday and although today was a little chillier it was still very sunny. Great stay in Jedburgh, was in a very nice B&B and surrounded by beautiful sceanery. Todays ride really was a ride of 2 halfs, 30 miles very hilly, 30 miles flat! Made it tough and slow going to start but was nice to pick up some speed at the end. Was able to enjoy some beautiful views at the boarder between England and Scotland, even though I'd had to climb for over 7 miles up there! Got to Whitley Bay in good time and had a little ride along the sea front, before enjoying my cousin Mark and his families hospitality. Finished the day by having a few ciders in the local... again :-)

 

Monday 24th September

DAY 18

Whitley Bay to Hexham: 38 miles

Kate's Tour de UK
Very pretty B&B, with nice veiws and sceanery all around.

Allerton House Jedburgh Bed and Breakfast Accommodation in Southern Scotland
www.allertonhouse.co.uk
A charming guest house in historic Jedburgh in the Scottish Borders
Like · · Share · 27 September at 09:26

 

 

Tuesday 25th September

DAY 19

Hexham to Fremington: 51 miles

Day 19: Hexham to Fremington: Today was HARD! 52.5 miles, 6900 ft of climbing!! The biggest climbing day. I have been dreading today since I started this tour. It was up hill from the start, literally! Headed up a 15-16% immediately, heartrate was above 150 within 30 seconds! Climbed over the North Pennines and then over The Pennines, had a side/ head wind. Did not like today, but have a great sense of achievement.
Like · · 27 September at 20:14

Things I've left out from the last few days: Got pooed on by a bird in Edinburgh. Stopped and had lunch while watching a local rugby game in Melrose, Scotland. I had an ice cream on the sea front in Whitley Bay. I saw a very new baby cow, still wet and wobbly! I saw the biggest bull I've ever seen! Met an Australian couple who thought the Scottish we're nice, ha ha!! I got board riding my bike. I'm getting tired.

 

 

Wednesdya 26th September

DAY 20

Fremington to Throne: 80 miles

Day 20: Fremington to Thorne: Woke up this morning and everything hurt. The effort of yesterday has taken its toll. Had a lovely stay at The Dales MTB Centre, but set off today up hill, again, 16%. The day did get flatter and heated up to 28 degrees! Slight disaster, my gear cable snapped 10 miles from York! Luckily it was flat to York and I found a bike shop! Arrived at my B&B after 80m... 7 long hours.. shattered.

 

Thursday 27th September

DAY 21

Throne to Grantham: 67 miles

Day 21: Thorne to Grantham: The efforts of the last 2 days have taken there toll. Had 68 miles to ride and although it was very flat, I was really tired so it was tough. Heated up to 32 degrees today!! Went through 8 water bottles and took it very steady in the sun. Managed to get some factor 50 suncream before I left Thorne, but my cyclist tan is looking ridiculous! Have a bad case of panda eyes and very odd stripes on my legs and arms!
Arrived at my cousin Annettes who I haven't seen in about 10 years!!! Was great to see her, meet her children Oliver, Gina and Molly, her husband Kev,the dog Katie, the cats Forest and Tiger, all the ponies, Rosie, Ziggy, Jack and Dora, oh and the chickens and sheep!! Animals are great :-)

 

Friday 28th September

DAY 22

Grantham to Long Clawson: 17 miles

Week 3:
Once again, what a difference a week makes! Cannot believe I'm at the end of week 3 with only 3 days riding left!! The final week started by heading into Scotland and seeing the Brooker side of the family. The weather turned a corner and I haven't got wet since Last Friday morning!! My body has started to feel like it's ridden hundreds of miles though, I'm feeling tired even on the 'easy' days. Tuesday was such a tough day, I have never climbed that much in one day in my life! My legs are still aching 3 days on.
Only 3 days riding to go now, estimated 20 miles on Friday, 90 miles on Saturday then 90 miles on Sunday! Looking forward to getting home, have sooooooo missed all my animals, cannot wait to see them all :-) Also looking forward to having some company on the last stretch home, have arranged with Martin to meet up and ride the last bit together :-)

Week 3 statistics:
Total miles: 478.5
Total climbed: 27,227 feet
Hours in the saddle: 37.30 hours
Biggest climbing day: 6900 feet!
Smallest climbing day: 1706 feet
Something that made me laugh: Seeing a chip shop called 'Frying Nemo'! Brilliant!!
Number of punctures: 0!!!!
Times I had to tell myself to toughen up: Several!!
Thing I'm looking forward to most about getting home: Seeing my animals and giving my bum a rest!

 

 

Saturday 29th September

DAY 23

Long Clawson to Cambridge: 88 miles

Day 23: Long Clawson to Cambridge: 2nd to last day!! Had a very hot and long ride today, 91 miles, 7.20 hours!! Went through an awful lot of water bottles and food! Was a very flat day, but still very tiring and am feeling in general... shattered... sure am looking forward to getting home tomorrow and seeing all my animals!!
Am at my final stop tonight with my cousin Angus and his family. Have been well fed and am ready for the final push home tomorrow, just 90 miles to go now :-)

 

KATES HOME

 

 

WELL DONE KATE FANTASTIC

Sunday 30th September

Cambridge to Home!: 90 miles

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

KATE & BINKY THE BIKE HOME

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Certainly is crazy Kate but we all wish you luck and are all behind you. Lots of love and luck from all of us We are looking forward to your updates xxxxxxxxxx

 

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