JoGLE in Memory of Sdn Ldr Ant Downing

On the 22nd December 2011 Sdn Ldr Anthony Downing was seriously wounded when the vehicle he was travelling in was caught in an explosion south of Kabul. Ant was flown back to the UK where sadly he died of his wounds at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham.

Ant was my brother, an exceptionally good man and an inspiration to so many, myself included. From an early age he tried to push himself to see what he was capable of. Whilst he was at school he competed in endurance events in running and cycling and as an adult went on to such feats as cycling across America in 25 days a number of Iron Man competitions and completed a Double Iron Man too.

At his funeral the idea of retracing his wheel tracks on a ride across the USA was talked over with many of Ant's friends. I said on a number of times I would like to give it a go. This ride however is not quite so ambitious; it is a training ride to see if I have it within me to cycle long distances. Ant completed the Lands End to John O' Groats trip on his own in 1999. The journey should be approximately 874 miles, hence the target for the fund-raising. My friend Chris Tremblett and I shall be doing the journey in September the other way around mainly due to logistical reasons.

We have been told on a number of occasions that going North to South is the awkward way to do it as we will be pedalling into the wind every day. However, Scotland is high up on the map and Cornwall is at the bottom so although it's a long way it will all be down hill. How hard can it be?


Very, I suspect...

Friday 14 September 2012

T Minus 11 Hours

After fourteen hours of travelling involving one car, two planes, one train and a pair if buses (excusing two visits to a Weatherspoons) we are in our b&b at John O' Groats. Apparently the start line is a mere five minutes down the road and we have assembled the bikes although after a few shandies on the 4h train ride it may well be a good idea to check them again in the morning.
Much thanks must go to Mag my patient girlfriend for waking up at half four this morning to take Chris and I to Exeter airport, and to the bus driver who dropped us off right outside the Broo B&B in JoG rather than making us walk from the town.
So, the bikes are ready, the weather will be what ever it will be and hopefully us two foolish mortals shall be able to cycle at least eighty miles tomorrow. And then the next day, and the day after that too until there is no more of this green, damp and occasionally pleasant land to cycle upon. Hopefully we will see a few of you upon the way and share a cup of tea or two. Time to get a good nights kip and then get this farce on the road in the morning.
Night all...
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4 comments:

  1. Anonymous14 September 2012 at 22:55

    Good luck for tomorrow (and all days after that)...It will hurt but its worth it! Only 2 weeks of pain and sweat :) Mag x

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  2. Piers Morrell14 September 2012 at 23:00

    Best of luck to you both for tomorrow. Don't forget to take a 'before' picture to compare with the 'after' picture at the other end/bottom of the hill. Hopefully the 'carb loading' worked - important part of nutrition! Safe pedalling.

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  3. Helen14 September 2012 at 23:27

    I'm sure you won't come anywhere near Swindon, but just in case you do, there is tea and Rocky bars, a shower, and comfortable sofas available. Just keep pedalling and the miles will take care of themselves. Helen :)

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  4. Vicki Gilbert15 September 2012 at 17:45

    Been thinking of you and wondering if you're still pedalling at 5.30pm Saturday.

    I don't remember there being a plethora of Weatherspoons on the A9 so I hope you're managing to survive without ;-)

    Vicki (also in Swindon)

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