I started off from Pier Road (where we are based) on a bright and beautiful Jersey morning. I quickly found my way past St Aubins Bay and it's lovely beach, complete with a mix of fitness freaks, people doing Tai Chi and the occasional straggler from the previous night making their way home. I then linked up with the 'Corbiere Walk' which is cycle/walking path running from the edge of St Aubins Harbour and eventually bringing you out at the SW tip of the island. Along the way I managed to disturb much of the local wildlife including some alarmingly large rabbits and a couple of red squirrels. Unfortunately for me there had been a bit of rain on Saturday night and this led to much of the path being a bit of a mudbath and the going was fairly heavy. The sight of the Corbiere light house basking in the early morning sun was breathtaking and certainly made the effort to get there worthwhile.
I then got lost for the first time. I was supposed to follow the B35 up along the west coast of the island but, somehow missed my turn and ended up climbing a very steep hill and doubling back on myself along the A13 which runs parralel to the 'Corbiere'. I figured I had gone wrong so turned around and started to descend the hill only for some reason, I'm not sure why, I started to doubt myself snd turned around and climbed the hill again. By the time I had figured where I had needed to be I had already added a good 25 minutes to my journey time.
Having descended the hill once more, the ride alongside St Ouens Bay and it's array of old German armaments went smoothly until I reached Etacquerel where I, again got lost. I climbed the VERY steep cliff at the NW tip of the island where I was greeted with the words 'WELL DONE' spray painted on the road. I thought "that's a nice gesture from the locals", little did I realise I had picked the same day as the Tour Of Jersey to do my ride and that the message had been intended for them. Throughout the day I had to suffer the indignity of those pro or at the very least experienced 'Tour' cyclists whizzing past me at great speed. When I reached a cross-roads a mile or so on from the cliff top I, wrongly, turned left and soon found myself back at the cliffs summit via a back road. Looking at the cycle map it did appear to show that if I descended the hill I would find my way out, but after 10 mins of aimless riding I asked a local if they could help. Firstly he assumed that I wanted to ride back along side St Ouens and when I told him I was trying to cycle across the North of the island he raised his eyebrows and said "that's a hell of a ride you are attempting." He then told me that I needed to cycle back up the VERY steep cliff and go straight ahead at the cross-roads before wishing me luck. Another 45 minutes lost.
I made my way across the North of the island pretty smoothly. It was tough terrain, with lots of country lanes, and very few main roads but I didn't get lost!!! I passed through the brilliantly named 'Devils Hole' and had some stunning views out over Bonne Nuit Bay, before starting to cut slightly inland and make way over to the East coast and Rozel. At this point I could feel my knee ligaments 'grinding' and started to experience some serious pain. Not to be deterred I then dropped down to St Catherines Bay where I got lost, again, on my way out. I managed to get some very dodgy directions from a fella who told me he had been cycling the islands for years but, given the information he gave me, I suspect he may have been an escaped mental patient. Having spent a good 20 minutes trying to figure out where I needed to I spotted some of the Tour riders and, reasoning that they must be going the right way followed them down through Gorey.
By this time I had already been in the saddle for 4 and a half hours and had already completed the 40 miles that the trip was supposed to take!!!!
I ended up missing another turning here and had to once more double back on myself. I picked up the seemingly all uphill A3 that would lead me back into St Helier. By this time I was fooked and having made it safely through Longueville I found myself back in Pier Road having managed 49.68 miles in just over 5.5 hours. I was disappointed with the time I was hoping fro under 5 hours but, given the amount of time and distance added on for wrong turns I can console myself with the fact that I would have beaten that comfortably if I had been able to read a map correctly.
I want to say a huge thanks to all those involved in helping me with the ride. My sponsors Meadows Mouldings and Fluid Fusion. My wife Ali and my kids for giving me so much support during my training. Dizzie for constant encouragement and also her help in sorting out the Ska night. Finally to all those who sponsored me - it's all appreciated and your donations will go directly to SCBU and help them in their never ending search for funds that our Government should be giving them!!!!!
I then got lost for the first time. I was supposed to follow the B35 up along the west coast of the island but, somehow missed my turn and ended up climbing a very steep hill and doubling back on myself along the A13 which runs parralel to the 'Corbiere'. I figured I had gone wrong so turned around and started to descend the hill only for some reason, I'm not sure why, I started to doubt myself snd turned around and climbed the hill again. By the time I had figured where I had needed to be I had already added a good 25 minutes to my journey time.
Having descended the hill once more, the ride alongside St Ouens Bay and it's array of old German armaments went smoothly until I reached Etacquerel where I, again got lost. I climbed the VERY steep cliff at the NW tip of the island where I was greeted with the words 'WELL DONE' spray painted on the road. I thought "that's a nice gesture from the locals", little did I realise I had picked the same day as the Tour Of Jersey to do my ride and that the message had been intended for them. Throughout the day I had to suffer the indignity of those pro or at the very least experienced 'Tour' cyclists whizzing past me at great speed. When I reached a cross-roads a mile or so on from the cliff top I, wrongly, turned left and soon found myself back at the cliffs summit via a back road. Looking at the cycle map it did appear to show that if I descended the hill I would find my way out, but after 10 mins of aimless riding I asked a local if they could help. Firstly he assumed that I wanted to ride back along side St Ouens and when I told him I was trying to cycle across the North of the island he raised his eyebrows and said "that's a hell of a ride you are attempting." He then told me that I needed to cycle back up the VERY steep cliff and go straight ahead at the cross-roads before wishing me luck. Another 45 minutes lost.
I made my way across the North of the island pretty smoothly. It was tough terrain, with lots of country lanes, and very few main roads but I didn't get lost!!! I passed through the brilliantly named 'Devils Hole' and had some stunning views out over Bonne Nuit Bay, before starting to cut slightly inland and make way over to the East coast and Rozel. At this point I could feel my knee ligaments 'grinding' and started to experience some serious pain. Not to be deterred I then dropped down to St Catherines Bay where I got lost, again, on my way out. I managed to get some very dodgy directions from a fella who told me he had been cycling the islands for years but, given the information he gave me, I suspect he may have been an escaped mental patient. Having spent a good 20 minutes trying to figure out where I needed to I spotted some of the Tour riders and, reasoning that they must be going the right way followed them down through Gorey.
By this time I had already been in the saddle for 4 and a half hours and had already completed the 40 miles that the trip was supposed to take!!!!
I ended up missing another turning here and had to once more double back on myself. I picked up the seemingly all uphill A3 that would lead me back into St Helier. By this time I was fooked and having made it safely through Longueville I found myself back in Pier Road having managed 49.68 miles in just over 5.5 hours. I was disappointed with the time I was hoping fro under 5 hours but, given the amount of time and distance added on for wrong turns I can console myself with the fact that I would have beaten that comfortably if I had been able to read a map correctly.
I want to say a huge thanks to all those involved in helping me with the ride. My sponsors Meadows Mouldings and Fluid Fusion. My wife Ali and my kids for giving me so much support during my training. Dizzie for constant encouragement and also her help in sorting out the Ska night. Finally to all those who sponsored me - it's all appreciated and your donations will go directly to SCBU and help them in their never ending search for funds that our Government should be giving them!!!!!
