Counting Plants and Square Eyes

Hi everyone,

We've had a busy couple of weeks with social commitments and travelling organised around university work and lectures.  I've spent so much time staring at a computer screen that I'm getting square eyes (just like Mum said I would!).  The most annoying part of having deadlines is that I've missed getting out and enjoying the winter conditions here in the Lake District.

I had a chance to get out on Friday morning but I was shattered after working on an assignment late the previous night.  I have to apologise to Francis for crying off at late notice, so if you read this, sorry!  Francis runs a great company called Adventure Today - if you are looking for a friendly, relaxed day in the hills or rivers give him a shout!

This weekend Ross arrived up with a soil pH testing kit, a guide to British Upland Plants, a results table and a slightly haunted look on his face.  This could only mean one thing - Dissertation data collection!  He is writing a 10,000 word project comparing the vegetation on a glacier in Switzerland to that found in a Lake District valley.  Gripping Stuff...

Saturday morning saw us heading off to Haweswater, arriving at the study site in Blea Water around 1130.  Conditions weren't perfect, with the ground still too frozen to collect soil samples everywhere Ross wanted to.  Once we got into the routine of the study time passed quickly and we managed to enjoy ourselves.  It was great to be out in the hills again after 7 days inside working.



Haweswater

Counting plants is difficult here!

A blurry Blea Water (camera didn't like the cold)

A positive point of being on the internet for days on end was that I found or was sent some really interesting blogs.  The Adventure Cycling Guide gets into the meat of preparing for a cycle tour, with lots of tips about what to bring and what bike to get.  I found a few of these really detailed sites which are really useful but don't offer much in the way of inspiration.  If anything they tend to put me off by talking about buying things I don't have!

Much more welcome are blogs like Ness Knight's which focus more on the journey than equipment.  It's great to hear about people doing similar things as it gives a little confidence boost;  'if they can do it, so can we!'  Anyone getting outside and doing something a bit out of the ordinary gives me a flash of inspiration.  Cue a solo 24hr run around Snowdonia, Donegal's hardest climb, Mont Blanc Ultra Marathon and the Jungfrau Marathon.  I've become a bit running-mad lately!  Can't forget the Coniston Triathlon.  A possibility this year?

Since we started publicising the expedition more, information and pointers have arrived from all directions.  Thank you to everyone who has read the blog, sent us a link to a website or just wished us luck.  It helps massively and it's fantastic to find so many people interested in our mad, silly idea!

All comments are welcome, be it a good luck message, a nice campsite in Spain or a friend in Morocco.  How about donating to a good cause?  Our JustGiving page is set up to send donations directly to Alzheimer Scotland.  They do fantastic work such as trying to provide a Dementia Nurse in each local authority area in Scotland.

Thanks for reading,
John

Reality Has Hit (Kit List)

"Sure, it'll be grand.....We wont need that much kit!!"

With the route begining to take shape I thought about what kit I might need to buy for the trip. As a keen outdoor enthusiast I thought we would be sorted and ready to roll away in our new bikes. However, I think I may have been wrong?!? After doing quite a bit of research into the equipment needed for such a trip I have realised that in reality I need to start saving my pennies. So what do we need?

Bicycle Accessories

Front & Rear Panniers.
Handlebar Bag.
Seat Bag.
Water Bottles & Cage (s).
On board computer.
Front & Rear Lights.
Bike Lock.
Some Sexy Bike Mojo!

Camping Equipment

One Man Tent.
Sleeping Bag.
Therma Rest.
Cooking Stove.
Spork.
Spare Gas.
Lighter.

Clothes to Cycle In

Helmet.
2-3 Cycling Tops.
1-2 Cycling Shorts.
1 Cycling Tights.
Cycling shoes.
Waterproof Jacket.
Sunglasses.
Hat/Buff.

Tourist Clothes

Bumbag.
Linnen Trousers.
Socks 'n' Sandals.
Cotten Tee's.
Tillley Hat.

Repair Kit

Multi Tool.
Duct Tape.
Pump.
Spare Tubes (2-3)
Brake Pads.
WD-40 (Lifesaver).
Bike Multi Tool.
Chain Tool & Spare Links.

Personal Kit

Mobile Phone & Charger (Mains/ Solar).
Ipod.
Watch.
Head Torch.
USB Memory Pen.
Camera.
Maps.
Personal Books.
Notepad & Pen.
Toiletries.
Sun Cream.
Bald Man Sun Cream.
First Aid Kit.

Key: Already Own/Purchased.

So yeah.... we have a fair bit to go with the amount of equipment that we are going to need for this trip and I'm sure the list will only get longer. If you know of anything that we have missed out then please do let us know by posting a comment on the blog.

Thanks for reading folks,

Ross & John.

Knuckling Down

This weekend John & I spent the weekend with Demi in Aberdeen for a welcome break from University work to watch Scotland Vs. Tonga. Needless to say, yes, Scotland got beat but we won't dwell on that.

As this was myself and John's first time together since the trip was properly finalised we found the time to have a quick photo shoot with our new tops on, supplied by Alzheimer Scotland.

Demi looking impressed with John's idea of stopping off for some shopping time in Madrid.

 

The reality of planning the trip is...

 

 

It's a real head-scratcher!  We have maps of France, Spain and Morocco and it's just a matter of picking a route that connects it all together.  We run into problems when we add in places we want to visit; Toulouse, the Pyrenees, Madrid, Valencia and maybe others.

 

We got as far as Calais in this session.  Hopefully things will speed up as we get more practise!

 

Thanks to Alzheimer Scotland for providing the t-shirts, they will be useful in raising awareness for the cause.  Remember, you can donate to the charity through our JustGiving page.

 

If anyone has any tips, hints or suggestions about planning this sort of trip, please get in contact using the comment box below.

 

Training Begins...

On Sunday (18/11/12) I (John) ran my first marathon.  It feels quite strange to be saying that, after many years of thinking about them and watching other people run them on TV.  The blisters, bruised toes and sore muscles are constant reminders of the experience though!

In case you were wondering, after running a marathon some things are painful;

• Walking
• Standing up
• Sitting down
• Running (shock!)
• Going down stairs
• Getting on a bicycle
• Falling off a bicycle
• Putting on my shoes (and taking them off)
• Rolling over in bed

I'm sure other things are sore too, I just haven't found out yet...




The gang before heading to the start (© Victoria Jewitt)

However, other things are surprisingly not painful;

• Riding a bike (once you get on it!)
• EATING
• Drinking - purely for re-hydration
• Watching TV
• EATING
• Sleeping
• Telling everyone you meet all about the race in minute detail
• EATING

Oh, and eating is quite nice to do as well.

I have to say, this time last week I didn't think I'd be in this position!  It started when I was asked to take part in a research project for a Dissertation.

"All you have to do is the beep test, a 10 mile hill run, stick with a training programme for a month and then do the beep test and the 10-miler again"

"No bother", says I, "it'll be good training for the cycle!"  And I thought no more of it.  Tuesday arrived, bringing with it a message;  "Beep test is on for tomorrow.  10-miler cancelled, Grizedale Marathon instead."

MARATHON?!  I googled it, found the website (www.ultratrail26.com) and gawped for a while at the route map.  After a bit of panic, I had entered.  There's no going back when you've committed to help someone out!

This wasn't a normal marathon, it was a Trail Race.  No nice flat roads here, instead you'd find rocky tracks, mucky paths and steep slopes.  Think of school cross country races, then multiply by at least 3.  Think of running with a rucksack weighing 4kg or so, filled with emergency equipment.  Think of having to navigate your way round the course by map, when you're shattered from the endless running.  This was going to be quite the challenge.

So the Dissertation Crew was formed; a few lads and Vicky, who had planned on running for a while and had actually trained.  In my eyes, the rest of us were average Outdoor Education students out for a jolly time!

Race day dawned cold and clear.  We registered, got changed, checked our kit and had a group photo.  Heart rate monitors were hooked up, nervous giggles were giggled and last minute toilet dashes completed as a team.

It was time!

I crossed the line.  No stopping until it's done or I break, and I'm not going to break.  Off up the hill at a jog, so many runners.  What am I doing?  I've never raced before, never ran more than 10 miles!  I'll finish and be happy with it.  I'll go for it, hard as I can.  Keep the pace slow, conserve energy.  Shuffle quickly.  Open the stride down the hills.  So many nerves, I want to sprint and leave everyone behind.  No!  Do it properly.  Feel the rhythm, feel the ride, get on up, it's bobsleigh time!


The race was split into two loops, each beginning and ending at the start point.  In other words, you started, ran the first loop, passed through the start again, headed off on the second loop and finished where you started.

The first loop was on forestry tracks (see picture below) which were good underfoot and didn't have many bad hills.  After a refuel at the checkpoint (fig rolls and coke, excellent!) it was off onto the meat of the course.  Loop 2 was longer than the first, and on rougher terrain with LOTS more bad hills.  We ran over fields, up rocky farm tracks, lakeside footpaths, roads and everything in between.

It was on this ground that I found myself making up time, overtaking people more used to smooth tarmac.  Where they had gained on the flat, smooth first loop, I gained by fast walking up hills and throwing myself down loose, muddy slopes.  Seemingly hillwalking was better training than lots of running!

At 18 miles I was struggling, but a quick snack on the go from my bag sorted it.  I can't remember much until being shouted at that "it's only 5 miles to go!"  That set me off!  Away I went down the hill, loving life and thinking it was in the bag...

What a mistake!  The hardest was yet to come.  The final 2 miles made me dig deeper than I've ever done before.  I wish I could say my legs went on automatic but in fact every stride was a conscious effort.  The banter at this point was, in retrospect, great;

"This is the longest 2 miles I've ever run!"
"Do marathons always hurt this much?"
"Nearly finished now" (Ha!)

The final descent!  I went into lockdown, concentrating hard on the trail.  My best descending technique showed itself; lean forward and let the legs do the thinking!  Suddenly, a shout for help.  I stumbled to a stop.

"Our dog can't get over the stile, can you help?"

If I hadn't been so shattered I would have laughed.  As it was, I nearly cried.  Me?  Lift a big hefty Labrador over a stile?  In my state?!  All I could do was hand them my map and hope I didn't need it again.

Down, down, down.  All that height gained in sweat is lost.  The road is in sight.  Clear the last loose rocks in a bound.  Last 300 metres.  I gunned it, all I had left.  A sprint finish!  Through the finishing gantry, arms pumping.  I fancied I looked like Mo Farrah, but was probably more like NO FARTHER!

Finished.  4hrs 41mins 40secs, 27.4 miles, and roughly 600 metres ascent.  A happy end to my first run longer than 10 miles, first race and first marathon.  Africa, bring it on!

I ran a marathon and all I got was this t-shirt...and a medal!

 

 

You might be able to spot familiar faces in this video

Thanks to Victoria Jewitt and SportSunday for great pictures, and to Tasha Swan for artistic consultation services.

First Donation!

With the Justgiving page up for only 2 hours we have had our first donation thanks to Abbie Taylor.

We only ask that you donate what you can, when you can.

Thanks again Abbie!!

Ross & John

JustGiving

Hi folks,

Just a short message to let you know our JustGiving page is up and running - it's at

http://www.justgiving.com/UK2Africa2013

The expedition will be paid for entirely out of our own pockets, however we hope to raise some money for Alzheimer Scotland along the way.

The best way to do this seems to be a JustGiving page.  This site sends all donations directly to the charity. It also allows everyone to see what the charity stands for, how much money has been raised, and how it will be used.

Supporting those with dementia and their carers is important to both Ross and myself. Unfortuantely Ross' Grandma spent her last few years suffering with Alzheimers so if you feel like you could help, please give what you can.  It will make a real difference.

If you have any questions or comments, please get in contact either on this page or the JustGiving link above.

Thanks for reading.
John and Ross

"Let's go live in London next summer..."



That's me, John Niven.  On the 28th June 2012 I didn't agree to cycle from the UK to Marrakesh.

 

This is Ross.  On the above date he suggested we both go and live in London the following summer, to get used to not being students any more.  Over the next 10 minutes the idea changed from living in London to Madrid, China, Germany and finally to cycling to Africa.

I suppose you could say that good things happen in unexpected ways.  Eric Newby began his short walk in the Hindu Kush on receipt of a telegram from a friend, leaving his job in the London fashion industry to travel overland to Afghanistan in the 1920s.  Walter Bonatti began mountaineering when a stranger found himself without someone to hold his rope.  Harry Potter found out he was a wizard from a half-giant bursting into his holiday cottege.

I suggested cycling to Africa thinking that Ross would tell me I was being stupid and to get a grip.  However I underestimated how much he wanted to be Peter Pan and never grow up.  I nearly choked on my smugness when he agreed.  Even worse, he sounded positively enthusiastic about the idea!  After a couple of days, we both agreed to go for it.  After setting up and publishing our first blog post there's no backing out!

The aim of the trip is to see something of the world, and remind ourselves that life does go on after leaving education!  The general idea is to cross the channel from Dover, head through France and cross the Pyrenees into Spain.  A stop in Barcelona would be nice, before heading on to Gibraltar to cross the Mediterranean Sea at its narrowest point.  From landfall in North Africa we will head for Marrakesh.  After that, who knows?

Click to see a Google Map trace of the route. This gives a very rough idea of the route, we are currently refining it.

The trip will be funded entirely by ourselves, but we will be setting up a JustGiving page in aid of Alzheimer Scotland.  We'll post the link when it's sorted.

A bit about us;
John Niven is 22 and from Strabane in Northern Ireland.  He is at the University of Cumbria on the final year of the Outdoor Studies (Environment) course, and lives in Ambleside, Cumbria.  Travelling around rock climbing, cycling and running is what he does in his spare time.  He does not have a girlfriend.

Ross is 21 and lives in Liverpool, studying Outdoor Education and Environmental Education at Liverpool John Moores University.  He has a girlfriend but cannot brush his hair.  However, he does enjoy wearing a gilet, driving fast boats, and organising 'things'.

 

We will be keeping this blog updated with our planning/organising progress and with news on the trip itself.