Cancer Research LWH2010

[russt1969]

I'm still alive

Sorry no updates lately. Been one of those few months. What with work and the weather. Not been good.

6 months and a few days to go then we're off. Chris has been able to get hold of a Pan European. It did have a sidecar attached. But I hasten to add. Not for long




I'll get a photo of both bikes up on here as soon as we get together on them.
Again many thanks for the support this site has given us. The donations are up to nearly £1200 so thats great.
Next on the list is to get out with the buckets and hit some supermarkets. mmmmmm What a way to spend a Saturday!!
All the best
Russ

[suds750]

Hiya peeps, I guess my cover has been blown and it's time to confess to my crimes! As Russ has said, I've also got my Pan European for the LWH2010 trip, but it's in need of a LOT of work! I've removed the sidecar, which was a major job as there was a ton of sub-frame hidden under the plastics. My to-do list is getting longer rather than shorter unfortunately, as I now have to find a centre stand, set of tyres, change the leading link forks back to the (supplied) originals, swap the rear shock spring back to the (supplied) original, swap all the front brake hoses back which should be interesting as it's an ABS/CBS/TCS bike so it's going to take AGES!
After all that's done I'll have to get it insured and mot'd and a cirtificate to prove it's age (even though it was first registered in this country!) so that I can re-register for use in the UK.
All this has to be done on a very limited budget, as I'm no longer gainfully employed as a minicab driver! (also the reason I ain't subscibed at the mo). So if anyone wants an @ just let me know, cos until I can find some other work, I'm a bit scuppered!

[russt1969]

We've been joined by my mate Mike from Ireland who is going to do the same as us but around North and South Ireland. He's journey will be roughly 2000 miles so between the three of us we'll be covering 8000 miles.

Target has been raised again this time to £1500 which we will hopefully have to raise again.

Many Thanks
Russ

[russt1969]

Just to let you know that our new website is up and running. Still a few bits to do here and there but it's looking good for a couple of amatuers.

Have a look About Us | Long Way Home 2010 let me know if you can think of anything we're not doing right or any other ideas you may have.
While your there why not visit our just giving website and help us to get to our target.

Cheers all
Russ

[suds750]

Hi folks, I've not been around here for a while now as I've been working hard on my Pan. I have to report that the work on the bike is now done and it passed it's MOT with flying colours...and no advisories! I have insured her and all the paperwork has been submitted to the local DVLA office, so I'm hoping that a nice letter should land on my door mat either on Monday or Wednesday.
We only have about 50 days to go before we start our ride and both Russ and I are wishing the time away as we're desperate to get going. We hope to get some practice rides in before we go, but finding days that we are both free is proving to be a bit difficult.
While I'm here I'd like to thank you guys for the support that you have given us, both moral and finacial, we really appreciate it!
A big thanks also to Meesh, our latest donator (is that a word??) I know you are all trying to raise money for TLD2010, so when we receive donations from you guys, it means even more to us!
When the paperwork finally arrives, I'll keep looking on here to see if I can join in with a ride out if I may?
Thanks once again.
Chris

[russt1969]

4 Weeks to go.

[alpslapper]

It's all starts to get unbearably exciting now Counting the sleeps

You guys have done fantastic so far Seems like you have all the hard work behind you now - just a case of keeping the head of steam with the fundraising and counting down those sleeps.

I and all the Alpslapperettes and I know everyone here on Xrv wish you all the very best and every success.

[russt1969]

Hi all,
Long Way Home 2010 UK is now all done and dusted and life is getting back to normal. I hope you enjoy my ride report and a few photos. I’m not the best at story telling and I’m no David Bailey…… I hope you find it mildley interesting.

Day 1
Cheam, Surrey to Craster, Northumberland.
Left home at 6am. Felt nervous and excited all at the same time. Meeting Chris at the Motorway service station. A quick blast into Norfolk then up the east coast to Northumberland and into Proctor’s Stead camp site. 352 miles.





Day 2
Northumberland to Turriff, Aberdeenshire.
The weather was again ok for this day. Great riding along the eastern coast road. Edinburgh has far too many traffic lights. Lovely part of Scotland indeed. East Balthangie Caravan Park had the warmest of welcomes for us indeed. 295 miles.



Day3
Aberdeenshire to Durness, The Highlands.
Left Turriff and headed northwards towards John O’ Groats. Made it to Golspie and the rain absolutely fell down. I’ve only ever seen rain like that in Sri Lanka. My Sat Nav died and we had to hope Chris’ kept on going. We had to forget going to John O’ Groats. It was just far too bad. Later found out there was a severe weather warning. There sure was…… Headed off to Durness. All the way the weather was the worst I’ve seen. Made it there and the Camp Site was under water. No good at all. Lets find a B & B. We gave up after and hour of riding around. No Vacancies was everywhere. We ended up in Ben Raey, Sutherland. Carole was just the best host ever. Very warm and just the best nights sleep ever. 338 miles.









Day 4
Ben Raey to Dunoon, Argyll.
Thick fog when we woke up so thought to ourselves here we go again. Another mad weather day in Scotland. But how wrong were we. The ride was just fantastic. Stopped off at Loch Ness as well as Ben Nevis. Through some lovely Glenn’s with the warm sun. Made it into Dunoon and guess what. It fell down again. Dot at Invereck Holiday park to us to pitch tent near the trees as they suck up the water well. And how right she was. Pitched my tent. Chris didn’t have as much luck. His tent poll broke and at just wasn’t happening so he decided to bugger off and leave me. And return at a later date. Great nights sleep with no snoring from the tent which was occupying my friend…. 325 miles








Day 5
Argyll to Ulverston, Cumbria.
Left Dunoon and headed up towards the ferry. Was able to see some sea lions and also what looked like a Dolphin or something like that. Was fantastic and made being on my own all ok. Ferry from Dunoon to Port Glasgow. Down near the Galloway Fofest onto Dumfries then Carlisle and into the Lake District. Again the sun was out and I was enjoying the ride. Made it to Grizedale capsite. 203 miles





Day 6
Cumbria to Tywyn, Gwynedd.
Woke up at 4am and thought lets get going into Wales. Was going to pop in and visit my Sister who was staying near Prestatyn. Flew down the Motorway in to wales and again the weather turned against me. Got to my Sisters and found out that her Husband had been admitted into hospital the week before. As it was raining and she was on her own I decided to spend the day with her and look after the sofa bed. Visited her Husband in Hospital then back to her Lodge. It was so nice to dry my gear off and have a few pints a decent meal and put the world to rights. Thumbs up to that day. 152 Miles






Day 7
Prestatyn to Brean Sands, Somerset.
Left Prestatyn around 5.30 am. And guess what. The weather was fantastic. A nice plod through Snowdonia down to Llanrystud to meet up with Rich from one of the Forums I’ve joined. He took me down through the Brecon Beacons on the A40. What a wonderful road, Stopped off here and there for a cuppa and a Bacon Sarnie. Into Abergavenny to a Bikers Café. Had a chat and off he went back home and off I went back into England and to meet up with Chris again in Western Super Mare. Warren Farm Holiday Centre had again another warm welcome for me. I pitched tent, got the kettle on and I recon Chris must have smelled the Coffee because he arrived just as the kettle was boiling. 332 miles






Day 8
Somerset to Truro, Cornwall.
Left Somerset and made our way into Exmoor National Park. Was good to have my mate back with me. But then again, this was getting boring. The weather turned again and it was a complete was out again. This time my Camera died and again the riding was turning into a chore. Lands end was just mad so we didn’t even bother to take a photo. What was the point. Never made it to John O’Groats…….
Headed towards Truro and again the site was swimming so again another B & B beckoned us. The Townhouse in Truro helped us out and all was fine in the world of Long Way Home 2010. 245 miles


Day 9
Cornwall to Lymington, Hampshire.
Left Truro and headed to Dartmoor National Park. The weather was great for a change. It really makes a difference. Carried on and made it into Bournemouth then into Lymington. And at the Campsite I had a mad idea. I was only about 120 miles from home. So as the weather was nice, That’s exactly what I did. I needed to see my Wife and get a pint into my belly. 315 miles.



Verdict.
So far raised £1600 with roughly £200 promised to me for Cancer Research UK.
Marie Keating Just shy of £1500.
2557 miles of smiles and fun even with the rubbish weather.
Watch out for the next Long Way Home.
Regards
Russ

[mickey]

I'll say well done to you guys. You dont seem to have much support from this lot. Well you did until you got shot of the twins. Still you've done it on two wheels thats the main thing.
Well done for doing what you did and raising some money for a great charity.


I'm off, this forum is far too "clicky"