8/5/14 - It's those chaps on their bikes again!

The Bat & Ball pub is on a Crossroads opposite Broadhalfpenny Down Cricket Ground, claimed to be the home of Cricket*. Nearly all of our longer training rides have taken us up on to the South Downs, and at some point in the ride we will invariably pass the Bat & Ball, arriving from one of the four possible directions. We invariably arrive and leave in different directions each time, so far we've managed 7 of the 12 possible permutations for passing through a crossroads, the Landlord and regulars haven't a clue where we actually come from, just that we keep going past the pub.

Our training has included going out riding in any and all weather conditions, it is possible that the strategy might pay off when we start our epic ride on Sunday.

* The game we know as Cricket is much older and originates from the Planet Krikkit which is situated in a dust cloud on the Eastern Edges of the Galaxy. We have not been here on any of our training rides.

Phil & Johns Lanterne Rouge LeJog

7/5/14

In 4 days John and Phil will set off on their great adventure. Lands End to John O'Groats by bike. Over 14 days we'll cover 1084 miles averaging 70 miles a day. We started training in secret in October finally revealing our plans in January when we were a little bit more confident of completing the challenge we had set ourselves. At this point we haven't met the other riders, but we've spoken with some of them via email and know there are some serious cyclists amongst them including 4 Canadians who are flying over to join us. John and I expect to be back markers in the group, but remember the Lanterne Rouge is a prized trophy in the TDF, our aim is to arrive in John O'Groats on 24th May having travelled the UK End to End under our own steam.

You can follow us here or on Strava where our group is Sword Juno LeJog.

John is also aiming to raise money for the Rowans Hospice, a very worthwhile cause. You can sponsor him at: http://www.justgiving.com/owner-email/pleasesponsor/john-horn

A final thought; If Scotland vote in favour of  independence riding End to End will be a lot easier as Lands End to Berwick is only 644 miles, but it probably won't have the same kudos.