Today had been a testing day with some really big climbs and my admiration for them both was growing. My concerns regarding as to whether they were taking on enough hydration, carbrohydrates and isotonics were still there. All I could do was to keep a close eye on them and regually check the fluid bottles. The late morning starts were another concern which was starting to worry me. Distance 62 miles
Day three and another 10.30am late start before the ride along the B3227 to South Molton. Not another good start to the day, but the first leg went quite quickly. Then it was north onto Withypool Common and the Exmoor National Park. Along the open tops to Withypool and down to Winsford and through the ford into the village. After a short stop in Winsford for tea and cakes. It was up onto Lype Hill and the crest of the Brendon Hills onto the B3224. Which took them straight to Bishop Lydeard, north of Taunton and the end of day three.
These late starts and finishes were really getting me concerned. We had to stick to the agreed program or risk loosing the challenge. Distance 55 miles
Days 4 - 7 Bishops Lydeard - Chepstow - Shipton - Church Minshull - Mellor
Day four started with a climb over the Quantock Hills to Bridgewater, which went very well. Leaving Bridgewater on the A39 before turning left onto the B3141 and through Woolavington heading for Cheddar and Bristol. Once the rain came. Quite light at first, but at Wedmore the heavens had opened. While climbing the Cheddar Gorge. Thunder and flashes caused a even bigger worry. It rained almost till Bristol and I was starting to feel sorry for them. Eventually they got to Bristol and the magnificant Clifton Suspension Bridge. Once over that bridge. They had the River Seven Bridge to cross and into Chepstow their next overnight stop.
This had been a bad day with the weather and I think we all new. If they could cope with today. They could cope with almost anything that this ride was going to throw at them. Distance 76
Day Five started like most of yesterday had been, with more rain. They were now almost 30 miles behind schedule and it didn't look good. As they peddled off along the B4228 through the Forest of Dean to Coleford on to Ross-onWye and tea and cakes. You had to take your hat off to them. Soaked to the skin before even getting on their bikes. By lunchtime the weather had improved for them and it turned out to be a very pleasent ride up past Hereford, Leominster and through Ludlow and on to Shipton.
A really good day. Distance 74 miles
Day six a nice early start and a good day in the sun as they set off heading north towards Crewe. Through Much Wenlock and past Telford, Market Drayton, Nantwich and finally Church Minshull.
This had been a really good day riding through some loverly countryside. The morning starts were now on time and their determination to succeed was really showing through. Distance 77 miles
Day seven and into England's former industrial heartlands and on to Blackburn and the Lake District. Crossing the Trent & Mersey Canal at Middlewich. The Bridgewater Canal at Lymm and the Mancherster Ship Canal at Hollinfare on their way to Leigh, Bolton, Blackburn and Mellor.
Another good day and our first 80 mile day, despite roadworks at Leigh and Westhoughton which caused much confusion, but little delay. Distance 80.
Days 8 - 10 Mellor - Tebay - Dinwoodie Sevices - Balioch
Day Eight started with a big climb on to Longdale Fell with it's spectacular views. Heading for Ingleton, Scales Moor, Dent, Sedbergh and Tebay and the lakeland hills.
A hard hilly ride today with some testing climbs and spectacular views. Distance 65 miles.
Day nine and the route to Scotland took them past Penrith and through Carlisle, Longtown and onto Gretna Green. Then along the B7076 through Lockerbie and Dinwoodie Services.
This was a really big day that lifted everyone's spirits. Distance 83 miles.
Day ten still following the B7076 for Glasgow before turning off and heading for Strathaven and the A726 into East Kilbride, Paisley and the Erskine Bridge and Balioch.
Another big day through Glasgow and on to Loch Lomond without a hitch. Distance 83 miles.
Day 11 - 13 Balioch - Onich - Dinwall - Dunbeath
Day eleven along the Loch Lomond cycleway following the path of the old Military Road. Then on to the A 82 and Fort William. Through Glen Falloch, Crianlarich and Bridge of Orchy. Before the steep climb on to the top of Rannoch Moor and into a persistant westerly wind. Making even peddling downhill past Glen Coe into todays overnight stop in Onich hardwork.
The day had started with a pleseant ride alongside Loch Lomond. Then onto a quiet A82, but congestion when any buses or wagons met on the narrow roads. Which soon petered past the Loch and much progress being made early on. I became quite concerned when both Bill and Adam showed sign the heavy going on Ruddoch Moor was having an effect. The cold air, rain and now wind were very worring and they needed to off as soon as possible.
Day twelve and the end was in sight as they set off alongside Lochs Linnhe and Locky toward Fort William, past the Calidonian Canal and onto the beautiful Fort Agustus on the shores of Loch Ness. Following the loch shores to Urquhart Castle and then over Glen Convinth to Beauly and Dingwall.
This had been another good day through some spectacular countryside.
Day thirteen and their last, but one and well ahead of schedule. Once again the cold and rain chose to spoilt the day and an earlier than normal finish at Dunbeath.
Once again the cold and wet conditions were showing on Adam and Bill, so should an early finish and hot shower.
Day fourteen and only almost forty miles to go through Wick and the A9 to John O'Groats and the finish just after 12.00.
This had been an incredible journey for Adam and Bill. A journey many people said they would never complete. I cannot praise both enough for the way they approached the whole event, From the pre-ride training to the on ride focus. Am I glad they proved them wrong.
This had not only been a triumph for Adam and Bill, but also The Pilgrim Club. For their organisational skills and commitment to ensure Adam and Bill completed their challenge. Distance travelled 1000.5 miles
Many thanks and much appreciation go to.
Durham County Council's Youth Opportunities Fund,
Lottery Funding, Local Children's Network Fund,
Neighbourhood Renewal Community Funding,
County Durham Foundation,
GlaxoSmithKline Gift Aid Scheme,
Catherine Cookson Charitable Trust,
Lottery Funding Awards For All,
Aycliffe Fabrications
Councillor Dorothy Bowman,
Councillor Mick Hardy,
Councillor Garry Huntington,
Councillor David Handcock,
Councillor Ricky Mathews,
D A Taxis Shildon,
All contributed and supported The Pilgrim Club Cycle Challenge Project.
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A Day In The Forest
The early morning day started with a ride over the skills loop to let everyone know what to expect. and the volunteers an opportunity to judge their individual skills level. With everyone safely over the loop, it was off along the forest routes and the first ford of the day. Everything went well with seven year old Joseph making easy work of the river crossing.
A late lunch and time getting on. It was time set off back on the last leg of the ride to the visitors centre. The long ride over the hill towards Metcalf's Building along the old road from Wolsingham to Barnard Castle. Proved just too much for some of the group after such a hard day, but like most climbs. There is nearly always a downhill to follow and this was no exeption.
This had been a good first ride in Hamsterley Forest and most certainly an unforgettable experience for this young group.
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Eldon Partnership Sponsored Mountain Bike Ride
Volunteers from The Pilgrim Club recently organised and supervised a sponsored mountain bike ride on behalf of the management committee from the nearby Eldon Partnership.
The 24 mile Bishop Auckland Loop ride, or was it swim. Was part of a fund-raising day of activities. Which accumilated just over £1000 for the partnership.
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With the latest activity in Hamsterley Forest. Six youngsters from the under 13s section spent the day cycling around the forest and the Skills Loop.
All six rigged out and ready to go.
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This first day was a relatively flat and short 42 mile ride. Following the coastline North past Sellafield, Egremont and into Whitehaven and our first stop of the day. Then heading for Workington and Maryport along the beautiful Solway coastline. To our first overnight stop and campsite in Allonby. The first day had gone very well. With plenty of energy left and following an end of day bike check. Kelly found time to organise a swimming session for the group in the campsite pool. 
