Isle of Wight Challenge & Training walks

This blog is long overdue.

On the 30th April a group of us "Team Ilson Glowsticks" participated in the Isle of Wight half Island Challenge. As you have seen from previous blogs we have done various training walks throughout 2015. These walks carried on in 2016 to make sure we were fully prepared.

24th January - Erewash Valley Trail 21km

Jo, Tricia, Rob, Jo, Danny, Sian, Me, Lauren. 

After all the different training walks this was the first one we managed to get all 8 Isle of Wight Challenge walkers together.

It was a simple 21km walk around a small part of the Erewash Valley Trail. We did the area around Ilkeston linking the West and East sections of the Trail. It just shows what you can achieve without having to travel too far. Check out your local walking routes and see what you can link up to turn a couple of 5/10km walks into a full day out exploring your local surroundings.

13th February - Kinder Scout

Ready for Isle of Wight I went to Kinder Scout with Lauren for a nice hill test walk. Fully kitted out for the conditions forecast we set off. The walk started in the rain, which turned to sun, followed by at least 3 good flurries of snow as we closed in on the top. By time we got back to the car it was the nicest part of the day and glorious sunshine.

Between the snow flurries and blustering winds attempting to blow our lunch away the views were spectacular. The walk wasn't all straightforward and you can easily see how people get lost up these places especially when the weather can change in seconds.

If you do go and attempt Kinder Scout or any major walk please make sure you're fully prepared. You've got the correct kit, supplies and training.

Map of our route with incline chart.

20th March - High Peak Trail 46km

This was our last big training walk and I made sure it was a little bit dull! The views, walk, company etc weren't dull but walking 23km along a trail then turning back and walking the same 23km back made it a little bit tedious. This was intentional as the Isle of Wight Challenge won't just be tough physically but mentally challenging too. This walk was the last chance to break the boredom barriers and get focused on the big task coming up. We set off from High Peak Junction and Cromford Canal walking to Parsley Hay and back.

A good walk 23k out and 23km back all on the High Peak Trail.

This wasn't our first time on the High Peak Trail as you will have seen in previous blogs. Last time we took on the climb to Middleton Top we didn't enjoy it. However this time after Kinder Scout and no snow around the walk up seemed a lot easier this time! Much to the joy of the little group on the walk.

Middleton Top

The views were brilliant as always along the High Peak Trail and I would recommend a walk along there no matter what time of year. The walk joins up with the Tissington Trail which we previously walk along at Halloween. On the Tissington Trail walk we turned back just before we joined with the High Peak Trail. This time we pushed on past the join to have a little rest at the Parsley Hay.

Once we had refuelled we set off on the return leg. We knew where we were going as we just retraced out steps along the trail. We had given ourselves plenty of time for the walk but with it being such a long walk and in a rural area we required our head-torches as we closed in on the finish. Again this gave us good preparation for isle of Wight Challenge as they would be required on the day. It proved a simple cheap head-torch provides a bit of light but maybe something a bit more powerful would be required along with our glowsticks.

The walk was eventually finished in the dark with all 5 of us feeling the effects of such a long walk. There were some major blisters which again allowed for good preparation as it highlighted suitability of footwear.

30th April - Isle of Wight Challenge 2016

The big day is here and we all made it down and across to the Island safely. There were lots of pre-walk nerves but all the training had taken place and I knew we could do it.

Sian, Jo, Jo, Danny, Lauren, Rob, Me, Tricia - Photo taken by Cliff!!!

We couldn't have asked for any better weather, the sun was out a gentle breeze coming off the sea and smiles all around. The route was the reverse of the route I did a couple of years ago. We set off from Chale walking West towards the Needles, then back East to Cowes. 

As with previous Action Challenge events I've done this event was really well organised, signed and supported. We all had different reasons for doing the event, personal goals, in memory of loved and lost family members, charity, health, fitness, the list goes on. Between the group we were supporting Cancer Research UK, Crohn's & Colitis UK and Miscarriage Association.

Since the event I've set up a team page on JustGiving so you can support all team members really easily - Ilson Glowsticks

We've raised a lot of money for the great charities and hopefully we can keep the donations coming.

The event went as close to perfect as possible. There were ups and downs along the way, tears, stress, doubt, but the was all cancelled out by laughter, joy, food, views, jokes, conversation, friends, and most of all crossing the finish line like we started as a team of 8!

At that point more tears followed, maybe because it was over, we could rest, or maybe because the jokes ended!!! Those on the walk understand why I focus on the jokes.

A massive well done to everybody who took part, it nearly broke us but we did it and you should be very proud of yourselves and each other. A big thank you to our "support crew" with Mum aka Fitness Mum, Seacombe family, Maron Family, and Bradshaws. It was nice seeing you along the way for a little boost and encouragement. Finally a thanks to everybody who has already donated and to those who donate after reading this.

JustGiving Page - Ilson Glowsticks.

Bring on the next challenge.

London to Brighton and back!

On the 26th and 27th September me and Rob had been daft enough to sign up to cycle the London to Brighton Challenge, there and back!

We originally looked at doing London to Brighton but the offer for the there and back ride was too tempting to say no too, or so we thought at the time. The ride was a total of 120 miles or 200km setting off from Smithfield Market in Central London all the way South until we hit the coast at Brighton, before cycling all the way back again.

Pre ride happy photo.

Before we set off it was time for a few photos, last bike check, some food, hydration and a little panic about what we had signed up too. At about 11pm we set off and it had to be said cycling out of London around midnight really wasn't simple, I thought the traffic would have died down slightly but it really hadn't. The roads weren't the best and I was one of many who had a light on pop out of it's holder and onto the road, thankfully everybody on the ride was really friendly and helpful and they all had their lights returned. The first rest stop was at 17km so not far but it was just out of London and a good point to meet back up with Rob and then time to set off again.

Once out of London the temperature really dropped cold but the roads improved and it was nice to be away from traffic lights. The next aim was Tulleys Farm which was around the half way point to Brighton (57km roughly). By this point we were both feeling confident about the ride and we became very happy once we got into the tent and saw the food they had put on for the riders. It was time to get some carbs in the system to help keep us going on the ride over night. Once we had used the facilities available it was back on our bikes and off to the next rest point.

Oakmeeds Community College was the next stop off point around 80km and it was really cold by now. I had to warm up in front of one of the heaters in the sports hall, after about 10 minutes I could feel my toes again and my socks had warmed up nicely to put back on. After warming up, refilling our water bottles and a handful of sweets to keep us awake we set off once more, next stop Brighton.

Well Brighton is the next stop but first we've got to get up and over the Ditchling Beecon. We have both cycled some nice hills around Belper and surrounding areas in preparation knowing they weren't anything like Ditchling but still some good hills. All I can say is I'm so glad we cycled up there in the dark so you couldn't make out the gradient. At first it wasn't as bad as I was expecting but it soon became a relentless uphill challenge. I could hear one of the guides encouraging a woman behind me and telling her "the more you cycle the less you need to walk." it made me laugh but also helped me keep focus. This was my challenge within the challenge, don't walk at any point on the up hills. I have read other blogs and it gets mentioned so often that this is the point to walk. I refused to do that and powered on to the top! BOOM I had done it!!! Ditchling Beacon conquered, happy days.

The video below is taken from YouTube to show what it's like the cycle up there. There was no point using my GoPro as in the pitch black it would have recorded nothing.

From here we were informed it was downhill all the way to Brighton, well in a car it may seem that was but it really wasn't. We eventually made it to Brighton as the last few people were leaving some of the bars and had some original heckling of "look it's the Tour de France.". It was nice to eventually make it to the Brighton rest stop and go to the toilet, get some food and drink. It was however depressing watching people get their medals for cycling to Brighton knowing we had to return to London to get ours.

When we set off the sun was just coming up but it really didn't warm us up. The trip back to the top of Ditchling Beacon was a long long gradual incline but once at the top the views were amazing. I did get a photo but there was some sweat on my phone so it looks a bit blurred - Instagram.

Now after cycling up the Beacon it never crossed my mind how fast it was going to be to cycle back down it. According to Robs Garmin we hit 39mph and that was while breaking most of the way down it. All there was to do now was cycle back to London and finish! This was only a matter of another 80km to get there. By this point it was the longest bike ride me and Rob had ever done and there was a long way left to go. Each rest stop seemed to be absolutely miles away and the small hills on the way seemed like mountains now. 

As the minutes and then hours past we got closer and closer to London. First passing Gatwick Airport which passed a few minutes watching the departures fly over head, then it was the first time I've ever been happy to see the M25 as it meant we were one step closer. Once past the M25 we had less than 30km left to cycle. That last 30km took us over 2 hours as our legs were spent, traffic was building up and traffic lights took away any momentum. 

Our route including elevation.

Eventually at 2:30pm we finished!!! I could hardly keep my eyes open and walking felt odd but who cared it was over! Time to go back to the hotel have a well needed shower and sleep. 

DONE!!!

So you may ask why we did this, well two reasons:- something big to aim for on a personal level for us both to work on our own fitness, push ourselves and see what we could do. Secondly to help raise money for Cancer Research UK.

My JustGiving page is - www.justgiving.com/adamfretwellpt

Robs page is - www.justgiving.com/Rob-Marron

Please visit and donate to either page.

Bring on 2016 and maybe the Leeds to Manchester ride with another client for a challenge.

Thanks

Adam