LEJOG on a Raleigh Chopper

[geocycle]

Glad it's all going well MIck. I tried to intercept you near Lancaster but you must have shot over Shap quicker than I anticipated. Does your chopper still have the label on it 'this bike is not constructed to carry passengers'? This is indelibly stamped on my brain from childhood attempts to carry 3 or more on the long seat!

[rootes]

wave to my mum if when you go through shrewsbury

[rich.hr6]

Cycled out to meet MickF yesterday as he came down the A49 from Ludlow. Had a 10 minute natter and off he went. He must be missing Cornwall because he left me standing as he set off down the road. Even towing his trailer/box I couldn't have kept up with him if my life had depended on it. I was left wondering if he had a small rodent on a treadmill in the box, linked to the axle of the trailer!? There again, maybe I'm not pedalling hard enough?? Anyhow, good luck for the rest of the journey Mick.
Rich.

[Mick F]

The Wind Gods have been smiling on me since Inverness. I'm flying along! Shap was a breeze!

I'm in Bridgwater now, at the Admiral Blake with WiFi as well. Today was a good 66 miler from Gloucester - downwind again

Sorry, I never waved at anyone in Shrewsbury, and sorry too, Rich, best you pedal harder next time!

Tomorrow I'll sleep at home and have a day off, then only two more pedalling days to LE.
720 miles done and only 170 to go.

[MikewsMITH2]

Well Rich my son Will and I managed to catch him just north of Bristol and kept Mick company all the way to Bridgewater. We had a cunning plan to slow him down though! At each hill, where Mick was severely disadvantaged, I sent my son racing off to the top where he politely waited for Mick. Will then kept him talking while I recovered. (I don't think he noticed till towards the end!). We used various other ruses too, like getting him to carry our excess luggage in his trailer and eating his flapjecks (thanks Malc!). We managed to keep up with him as far as Bridgwater where his landlady at the Admiral Blake: Pauline, let us rest our weary legs awhile and Mick made us a (well earned in my opinion) cup of tea. then 2 minutes to Bridgwater station and back to Bristol on the train. Got home about 9.15pm. Mick goes like a train on the flat 15MPH+ and a confident 30MPH+ down the hills! Up hill is another matter. Fortunately there was only one big one on this leg. Anyway. Our average speed was 13MPH - not bad on a Chopper with a trailer! Even taking stops into account it was 12MPH over the 40.2 miles we did with Mick.! Here we are just South of Bristol on a comfort break:



And here we are with the legendary Chopper arriving in Bridgwater



A great day. Thanks for your company Mick!

[niggle]

Hi Mick, got slightly confused about your itinerary, but I think I have it now: reading your blog it looked like the last leg to Land's End would be tomorrow (according to the maps you posted back in March) but in fact it is Sunday according to your most recent blog posts and the last post on here? If that is the case I can definitely hook up with you for some of the last leg, eg. wait for you at Smokey Joe's and do last 30-35miles.

This would be a good place for you to 'refuel' if you are there at the right time for eating, in particular the breakfasts are legendary: up to 12 noon you can get a "Hungryman's" which is utterly huge served on a large oval platter with bacon, two fried eggs, two sausages, hogs pudding, potato fritters, two slices fried bread, mushrooms, tomatoes, beans (I think that is all of it ). They do a variety of smaller options, including an 'all day' breakfast if you are there later, and a whole variety of other meals: I normally just go for the 'healthy option' jacket spud and beans.

[Mick F]

Hi Niggle!
Thanks for your PM, I've replied.

I'll be up early on Sunday morning to get back out to St Columb. I chose there because it's not far from the A30 and there's a big layby to the south of the village at Trekenning at the entrance to the campsite etc. Also it's about 50 miles from Sourton and about half way to LE.

If we get up early enough - 6ish?- and I have a decent breakfast, I won't need much to eat for the five or six hours or so of riding. I don't like starting out again after a meal at lunchtime. Flapjacks or cereal bars keep me going ok.

My route is planed as:
http://www.bikeroutetoaster.com/Course. ... rse=124785
Until I get to Scorrier, it's not a route I've cycled before. I'm not afraid of the A30 and often use major roads when it suits me.

Hope to see you on Sunday!
Mick.

[Snakes]

Hi Mick,

I just wanted to say that I 'take my hat off to you sir'!!!!!!

I've been following your progress for sometime re the Chopper ride, and I'm delighted for you! Having owned a Grifter when I was a lad, and a close mate of mine having a Chopper, like any lad who grew up in the 70's/80's Choppers are an absolute classic/retro beauty!! IMO.

Well done mate. You deserve a medal for this one!!! : )

All the best, Snakes

[Mick F]

Thank you Snakes!

The amount of people that have spoken to me throughout the (nearly) 800 miles is fantastic! So many folk have fond memories of the Chopper. One lady in Kingussie chatted for a while telling of her daughter and friend riding one and coming a cropper. She's married now with children of her own and still has the scars from coming off!

A chap at Bridgwater couldn't take his eyes of it. He was almost in tears telling me of the times he had on his when he was eight.

So many stories and happy times that so many people remember. Even these days, when kids see a Chopper, they shout "Awesome!" and "wow!" at them. A design classic if ever there was one.

Well done Raleigh.

Just a pity it's so damned awful and heavy to ride!

This has put me in mind of thoughts I had whilst riding it. I wonder if it can be re-built using lightweight tubing and modern brakes and gears? I wonder if there's a copyright problem with the frame? I envisage titanium tubes and alu wheels, perhaps disc brakes and a Rohloff. It could be built identically to the original ......... but LIGHT!

[Mike G]

Hi Mick,

I just wanted to say that I 'take my hat off to you sir'!!!!!!
Well done mate. You deserve certifying for this one!!! : )

All the best, Snakes

There, Snakes, I fixed it for you

Mike

[Mick F]

I'll be leaving St Columb roundabout at 8am
..... or at least that's the plan now!

It will give me 6 hours to do the 50 miles to LE to arrive at 2pm. However, if I get chatting at Smokey Joes, it could make me arrive at LE more like 3pm!

LE photograph to follow .....

[GrahamNR17]

Hi Mick,

I just wanted to say that I 'take my hat off to you sir'!!!!!!

I've been following your progress for sometime re the Chopper ride, and I'm delighted for you! Having owned a Grifter when I was a lad, and a close mate of mine having a Chopper, like any lad who grew up in the 70's/80's Choppers are an absolute classic/retro beauty!! IMO.

Well done mate. You deserve a medal for this one!!! : )

All the best, Snakes

Totally agree and couldn't have put it better. As a frequent rider of heavy old bikes, I couldn't conceive of riding a 40lb bike outside of the little town I live in. I'm completely in awe of what Mick's achieved, he really has taken JOGLE to the next level and redefined the achievement. Puts me in mind of early cyclists, touring Europe on their hefty old Roadsters. Gotta admire the sheer effort involved!

[Colin63]

Chapeau!

[MPurslow]

Best of Luck on your last day Mick

[PW]

Near enough 2 o'clock, it should be nearly over. May I recommend the beer in either the Lamorna Wink or the Ship in Mousehole??