THE JOGLE IS COMPLETED !

Sunday 22 May 2011

The big day arrives! tougher than ever to get up when at home but, in theory, today should be easier than ever: no luggage and a mere 65 miles or so..
Down to the Cathedral at nine as usual. We have some other riders to accompany us on our glorious final leg. Good to see you folks.
Off we pop to climb out of Truro.. mood is jolly and all is well (except that for some reason I (John) am feeling pain with every pedal stroke, have the legs finally given out? I toil behind the group wincing as I push. Any other club ride and I think I would have dropped out. I hope that, as the experience of the previous 2 weeks has shown, the body's amazing capability to cope with and suppress pain will come into play) On we go and finally down to the Lizard point where my lovely long-time friend and colleague, Joy, meets us with a bottle of fizz, glasses and some chocolate!! We pop the cork and take the photos. First objective met: From most northerly (Dunnett Head) to most southerly. great to be here in sunshine!
We still have to meet the final objective, but one historic call remains to be made: off we go toward Sithney and the legendary tea rooms where there now remain the 4 Joglers, Chris F, Shaun and Barney. Here we are joined by Rebecca. Drinks and humungous lumps of cake are consumed to fuel the last 20 or so miles (the dear lady doesn't charge the 4 of us! Jerry will make an equivalent donation to the charity as this was his forfeit for subjecting us to the abysmal B&B in Innerleithen!!) stomachs and bottles refilled we journey on, thankfully the legs are now not screaming at me with each ascent. Spirits are good and progress aided by Chris F and Barney taking the headwind for the JBs as we pass through PZ and Newlyn (here a brief stop for ice cream, thanks Jerry) and phone on to alert the waiting well-wishers that we will there within the hour. last few hills and we assemble at Sennen to glide in in formation as we near LE. We are greeted by friendly cheers as we arrive. We have arrived! We have done it! amazing!

Hugs and kisses again (I wish you wouldn't Jerry) and manly handshakes, then down to the signpost for the obligatory photos. Never had so much attention!
Lots of pics and back to assemble for a picnic. thanks again to Jon, Sharon and Cindy for welcome sarnies and cakes. We load up the bikes and drive to Truro, leaving Shaun to pedal his way home (at least he has the wind with him!)

miles:66.1
total miles: 1058
yellow jersey: and overall winner: Jerry