Whey Aye Man & Och Aye the Noo!

Many thanks to Katheryn (support vehicle driver and general servant-person extraordinaire) for carrying the Blog-torch for us last night and posting her version of events (we have a non-censorship policy within the Cycle Challenge Team by the way). I must admit that the Leeds – Newcastle day was long & hard with serious tarmac-overload, but swooping down into the town and across the Tyne Bridge in bright evening sunshine, side by side, with Wishbone Ash blasting through my ear-phones, was a grand end to the ride.

I’m glad to say that after lengthy negotiations throughout the night by our respective Agents, Mr Gooding and I are reconciled and determined to see this multi-media cycling extravaganza through to the end (which at present is planned to be John O’Groats on Sunday 30th May ’10, but who knows, we may just carry on cycling and blogging indefinitely …… such is the demand for our talents).

This morning we were pleased to be the recipients of a generous dose of Geordie hospitality from staff & foster carers at the FCA Seaton Burn Office, about 8 miles north of Newcastle town centre. Morris and I were subject to a very lengthy session with a photographer from the local press (at least that’s what we assume he was as he had the usual impressively long camera lens). Despite all our experience and professionalism, we ended up rolling about in fits of giggles as usual.

Whilst at the office we met a foster carer who paints with bicycle tyres (the paintings representing a child’s track through the care system & through life). As you can see, the affect is very interesting and proably unique.

After some speeches, we were presented with:
1. Offishal Geordie Passport
2. Offishal Geordie Drinkin Licence (for drinkin in an drinkin owt)
3. “Whay Aye Man!” – a useful book on the local dialect. The book offered us invaluable advice on what to expect next on our travels.

But all too soon, it was time t’lads weer hedin’ off ...... man (presumably!)

Cutting across country we reached the A696, then onto the A68 heading North through Boarder Country and the Northumberland National Park. The temperature dropped and we experienced our first proper rain of the trip. Extremes of weather conditions and terrain ensured we utilised our full range of cycle apparel during the remainder of the day.

 After a lengthy climb through the Cheviot Hills, we entered our third and final country of the cycle challenge.

And as fortune would have it FCA Teddy has met a new (if rather drunken) friend in our Selkirk hotel room.

Statistics for the Day:
Distance = 81 miles
Average Speed = 13 mph
Max speed = 38 mph
Ascent = 4256 ft

For the journey so far:
Distance covered since Lands End = 694 miles
Total ascent = 30,636 ft (higher than Mount Everest don’t you know)
Places visited which we didn’t like …. none.

Quote for the day:
“You can only do what’s right at the time”. Dave Raynor (Bike shop owner, just outside Harrogate ...... in response to me putting on my waterproofs and saying this was sure to bring out the sunshine).

Weather forecast for tomorrow in Scotland - Wet, windy with snow on higher ground ......... I knew it!