JOGLE Blog - Jul’21 (The Ride)!
So it begins! We made it up to the top of the United Kingdom and arrived at John O’Groats to start our challenge of cycling 958 miles, 47,675 ft in 9 days!
LETS GO!
Day 1 - Off we went, cycling 122 miles, 6,279ft from John O’Groats to Alness. Unfortunately Dan picked up a sickness bug on the way up to Scotland so he did the whole day running on empty - as you can tell from his face here!!
Even though it was a tough start, we took it steady and enjoyed the rolling hills of the very north of Scotland!
Day 1 Sponsor - Antac Support Services (www.antac.co.uk)
Day 2 - Oh wow that was hard - This 2nd day made us fully aware of the scale of this challenge! Cycling 104 miles and 7,531ft from Alness to Ballater- Whilst it was so hard, we thought it was the best day of scenery, the steep hills going up to the Lecht ski resort were punishing but breath taking!
Fair play to Cal Mad - He was a long way behind but stuck at it and made it through without stopping! Not many blokes who are weighing over ???kg could manage to do what he did!!!
Day 2 Sponsor - Schwalbe (www.schwalbe.com)
After day 2, not many people where looking forward to day 3, more ski resorts to cycle through!
It was a great day though, cycling 98 miles and 5,772 ft from Ballater through the Glenshee ski area and finishing up in Edinburgh!
Even support crew member Ian George hopped on the bike (for the down hill part)!!
Day 3 Sponsor - Edwin Holdans Bottling (www.holdensbottling.co.uk)
What kept the boys motivated during day 3 was knowing a good night out in Edinburgh was at the finish line!
After the ice packs were put on the knees, the team went out for a few cold ones and a nice meal. Scottish rugby legend Jim Hamilton came out to meet us for a few drinks which was fantastic! Jim is an ambassador for My Name’5 Doddie and Matt Hampson Foundations and this really lifted the team spirits for the remainder of the challenge!
Following a great night out in Edinburgh, the team were back in the saddle to leave Scotland and head down to England through 103 miles and 4,427ft.
It was great to make it to the boarder knowing we were back in England, just the length of the country to go!!!
Day 4 Sponsor - Imperial Bricks
This was a hard day, not for the hills but just a long tiring ride from Carlisle to Haydock - 119 miles.
A few of the team were starting to struggle mentally after having cycled for 5 days straight, but the team had a huddle, lifted the mood, had a dance to “wagon wheel” and cracked on to complete the day!
Day 5 Sponsor - Accumix (www.accumix.co.uk)
Day 6 was a day we were all so excited for! Cycling from Haydock back to our home town of Bridgnorth in Shropshire! 91 miles and 2,936 ft which flew by!
We arrived down to the Bridgnorth RFC Edgar Davies Ground and were greeted by a few hundred friends and family for a BBQ and drinks! Bridgnorth Rugby Club also donated a few thousand pounds which was greatly appreciated!
Day 6 Sponsor - Besblock (www.besblock.com)
Following a great evening down at the EDG - a few of us had a better night than others!! Not ideal for technically the biggest day with 121 miles and 8,492 ft to climb!
Fortauntely Day 7 was one of the best, going from Bridgnorth, through Ludlow, over the Severn Bridge, over the Bristol Clifton suspension bridge and down the amazing Cheddar Gorge! So much to enjoy - check out our video from that day - Maul Together (@maul_together) • Instagram photos and videos
Day 7 Sponsor - Shropshire Homes (www.shropshire-homes.com)
The end was in sight on Day 8, but the bodies were starting to break. K Tape, massage guns, ice backs at the ready to get us through.
Cheddar to Launceston was not easy with the rolling hills covering all 102 miles (7,499 ft). After such a great 7 days of sun shine, we finally hit some bad weather but it didn’t dampen the mood!
Day 8 Sponsor - M&J Drilling (mandjdrilling.com)
The final day - After 8 hard days of sweat and tears, the final day 9 wasn’t going to give us an easy ride in. Whilst it was only 87 miles, there was still a large 7,779 ft to climb!
We got there in the end. Cycling into Lands End was incredible and seeing so many friends and family making the long journey down to celebrate with us. A fantastic end to a forever memorable challenge!
Day 9 Sponsor - Haybucks (www.haybuckscarpentry.co.uk)
Following the adrenaline of completing the 958 miles, we made to short trip to St Ives RFC where Bill (Gatts) put on his signature paella for everyone and we all had a great evening celebrating. A massive thank you from our Maul Together riders to our support team: Ellie Taylor, Debbie Ball, Ian George, Boge, Bill Hillyard, Lance Taylor - we couldn’t have done it without you!
Maul Together raised OVER £55,000 which was split between our fantastic charities “My Name’5 Doddie Foundation” and “Matt Hampson Foundation” - We know that every penny is going to the people who need it most!!!
Thank you so much to everyone who followed our journey and supported us and our charities!
We’ll be back for more soon!
