Lead up to the big tour

So... I haven't posted in a while and thought it was about time for me to update everyone on the lead up to my big tour.

 I have finally booked my ferry do St-Malo from Weymouth, and my flights back from Bayonne to London so it's official, I am cycling from England to the south of France. On the 23rd of August Ollie and I will be getting the ferry from Weymouth at 13.15 and arriving in St Malo at 20.40 where we will be camping the night before we commence the big cycle on Sunday the 24th of August.

My bike is almost fully kitted out now, with cleat pedals, new lights, panniers and pannier bags, Go-Pro holder and speedometer. We have just ordered our lightweight tent, and the last thing on our list to do is buy some maps...

There you are, a quick update on where we are at. I have included some photos of my newest addition to the bike, the panniers, and me trying it out on the street outside my new house =) I hope that you all enjoy following my adventure, I will make sure I post regularly from now until I (hopefully) return to the UK after a successful cycle to Bayonne.

The 3 peaks challenge

Completed the 3 peaks challenge with the amazing team of Mollie, Laura and Ollie. It was an incredible experience, and we are all very proud of our selves! We started on Saturday 7th of June at 5.02pm at the bottom of Ben Nevis. The weather was dreadful, which made the start of the climb one of the most difficult part of the whole challenge. The final push to the summit was done in very poor visibility, and parts were crossed through the snow. Finally, we made it to the summit where Mollie gave a rendition of 'Ben Nevis' (copyright Papa Allen). We eventually made it down at around 10.30pm, just before darkness, and set off to the next mountain. Ollie had the challenging drive of 5 hours and a half through the night to get us to Scafell pike in the lake district. We arrived in perfect time to start Scafell pike in the daylight, 4.20am. The weather had significantly improved making the climb to Scafells summit a lot more pleasant. We took it slow, and successfully summited as a team just before 7am. The way down was done in silence, all of us exhausted and looking forward to our nap. We arrived back at the car at 9.30am, and off we went to the next, and final, peak: Snowdon. We arrived just before 2.00pm, and were met by Mike and Liz Greenhill. Ollie, Mollie and I set off at 2.06pm, and rushed up the mountain in order to complete it in under 24 hours (and to catch Mollies train in birmingham). We managed to summit (on a beautifully clear day) in 1 hours and 45 minutes giving us an hour and 15 to get down. In a dramatic sprint finish, we made it back on Sunday 8th of June at 4.58pm, just 4 minutes to spare but under 24 hours non the less! Laura successfully climbed snowdon with both her parents and we all met up in Birmingham for a nice cup of tea and a hot panini =)

Here are a few photos of the event. Unfortunately there aren't very many as I was filming a lot of the time. However, I am just editing the video at the moment so I will share it as soon as possible for everyone to see.

 Left: On our way to Ben Nevis, YUCK.

Up: First sign of snow in Scotlands Highlands.

Down: Mollie and I feeling rather proud after summiting Ben Nevis.

  Left: View down from Ben Nevis.

Up: 3 Peaks team at the summit of Scafell. 

Down: SMILE!

Right: View on our way down from Scafell. 

 

Up: Mollie and I at the summit of the final mountain! HELL YEA.

Down: YOUPIEEEE we made it.

Overall, the challenge was a great success, and that was thanks to the fantastic team I went with. So I want to say a massive thanks to Mike, Liz, Laura, Mollie, and of course Ollie, for picking the short straw and being the driver.

Feeling nervous...

Only a few more days ago until the 3 peaks challenge. We are starting the climb at Ben Nevis at approximately 5pm on Saturday, and (hopefully) 24 hours later we will be down from Snowdon having completed all 3 peaks. Here's a sneak peak of Snowdon, which we climbed as training a couple of weekends back:

Lovely Lovely Tytherington

A few shots from our cycle (with our brand new bikes!) around Tytherington, Longleat, Shearwater and Nunney. 28 miles in 2 hours 30 mins, Av. speed 11.2 mph, max speed: 37.8 mph (it was very hilly!)

                   Our beautiful beautiful bikes

 

Lunch stop at the George =)

Arrival back at the lighthouse... wonderful wonderful day

Otford to Eynsford

Here are a few photos of my walk with the 3 peaks team in Kent. Only 30 mins away from Victoria and we were in the beautiful country side. Top-left shows Ollie reading the directions (written in 0.6point font), and top-right shows the Mollie and Laura training hard in hilly Kent.

Our first ascent =)

3 peaks team in the blue bell forest

BRIDGE!!!!

And a well deserved ice cream at the end of it.

Tackling Mount High-North

It's not quite a "mount" at 953Ft, but it is the highest point in Carriacou, and it was a steep ascent. The climb was lead by Mr Dean of Carriacou (a 17 year old boy, wearing slippers and carrying a machete). We encountered numerous animals, including furious tortoises, solar crabs, singular snake, enormous iguanas, agile mountain goats, and rustling lizards.

Daily walks in Carriacou

 Here's me proving that I'm walking.

And here's me with my head in a cannon.

And here are the beautiful views

And here are the major injuries that occur whilst walking in-equipped for the rough Kayak terrain.

First cycle training

A beautiful day in London last weekend meant the start of our first cycling training. Safe to say that we are now pro's with sorting out any bicycle related issues, a wonky tyre, chain coming off multiple times, and a puncture. We learnt a lot nonetheless and had a wonderful day.

Bath-Half Finish line