We're nearly ready to go . . .

The time to pack up and go has nearly arrived!  We'll be leaving Wrexham tomorrow, and setting out from Lands End on Wednesday.  Please keep us in your prayers, and keep up with our progress here!

There are lots of people who have helped to make our adventure possible, including my colleagues here in Wrexham, covering my duties during my Sabbatical, and the Diocesan authorities who agreed to allow me to take it, as well as many others . . . we're very grateful to them all.

Another key person is our friend Pauline, who arrived here today to house sit while we're away.  We're very grateful that we can leave everything here in her capable hands.

Hills and more around Wrexham

Finally, a day when we could enjoy a ride!  As we're trying to get ready to start from Lands End next week, we decided we could do with some preparation for the hills of Cornwall and Devon.  Not quite 25 miles and c 1,500 feet of climbing later, we're feeling more confident that we won't be beaten!  Many thanks to Jonathan for joining us today and giving us some valued encouragement.

The Great British Weather!

The weather has not been our friend as we try to get ready to cycle the length of the land!  We had plans to do lots of miles together as a family during half-term - most of which were rained off!  Last Saturday, we started a challenging ride, and had to give up when the heat became too much.  During the early part of this week, the heat put paid to most of my planned rides - and then today, I was rained off!  

The first few days through Cornwall and Devon in couple of weeks time are going to be very hard work!  Please pray for good conditions for us, along with the necessary stamina and determination - especially for Nathan and Joel, who won't know what's hit them!

To the End of the World!

Well, not quite!  But I did cycle through World's End on my way round the mountain from Minera to Llangollen.  At times it felt like I was on top of the world.  I'm quite pleased that my legs coped with the nearly 3,000 feet of ascent over the course of 30 miles.

The photo is a view of the Dee Valley, looking up towards Llangollen (taken from the canal towpath).

Evening ride

It was a frustrating day today, trying to work out how best to navigate our planned route from one end of the country to the other!  Experimenting with apps, none of which quite seem to do the job.  

We've been asked to record our Grand Trip on Strava.  This evening we all went out for a ride, and did my first Strava recording.  You can see it by clicking on the link to the right.  Hopefully, each day of our LeJoG trip will appear in similar form, so you can follow exactly where we've been each day!

My new wheels

It turned out that my trusty bike wasn't going to manage another 1,000 plus miles, without lots of money spent on it.  So here are my new wheels!  Nothing desperately fancy, but they should do the job.  Only a few weeks left to 'ride them in'!

Saturday

After a frustrating day yesterday, when we were 'rained off', we had a pleasant ride today.  We left home mid-morning, and cycled through Llay, Rossett, Holt, Sutton Green and Cross Lanes.  The route was about 21.5 miles, with about 666 feet of ascent and descent.  We'll have to increase those figures if we're going to be fit for starting LeJoG at the beginning of July!