|
Day 15 - Sunday 14th July
Today is planned as a bit of a rest day, they are going to cycle to a
nearby pub where there is a fun day organised, CF3 is one of the two organisations
that will benefit. As we are preparing to leave the campsite Jim starts
fiddling with Calamaty's bike, swapping over the brakes so that the rear
is operated with the right hand, and Sam puts a supportive bandage on
Calamaty's broken left elbow. It looks like she is going to cycle to the
pub !! But that's not all - she is actually hoping to complete the ride
- unbelievable. The Hope and Anchor is in an idyllic spot on the river
Wye in Ross. When we arrive just after midday there are already some of
our posters in evidence - this is the first time that we have actually
been expected anywhere. The landlady and organisers are great and we have
a relaxing couple of drinks and lunch before setting off - we have an
appointment the other side of the Severn Bridge at 6.30, three and a half
hors to cycle about thirty miles. This with a broken elbow and the sun
beating down. As we set off Dolores and I assure Sam and Calamaty that
we will not go too far away in case the van is required. They stop every
5 miles or so to take on more water but luckily its mostly downhill -
on the uphill sections Dolores crawls along behind them as the traffic
is moving fairly rapidly on the dual carriageway. Calamaty sets the pace
out front with Sam beside her, watching Sam give her water as they ride
is really touching. Jim cycles at the back in the middle of the lane forcing
vehicles to ensure that they can actually overtake as opposed to squeezing
past in the same lane. His ploy of keeping either Jack or Bow to his left
at the back really seems to work. None of the drivers that pass are aggressive,
they see the ‘John O’Groats to Lands End’ signs on the
bikes and give them loads of room, a blast of the horn or wave and occasionally
even a donation. We eventually get to the Severn Bridge at quarter past
six and I get my bike out to accompany them over - if Calamaty can do
it I'm going to try. Actually riding the bike one handed makes me aware
of how hard it is for Calamaty - forget the pain it's actually difficult
to pull away and negotiate obstacles like the offset fences that are on
the cycleway for some reason. Both the weather and views are glorious
as we cycle over the bridge. At the services on the other side we meet
up with a photographer from one of the local papers, while the Canns pose
in front of the bridge, Beth (of Portishead fame) arrives with mate Niki.
She is taking over the driving of the van for the final week. We all go
for a burger before Dolores and I make our farewells and head home. It
has been a really great couple of weeks and I feel privilege to have played
a small part in helping with the ride. Sam is going to phone me each day
once they have set up camp so that I can keep this web site up to date.
Day 15's 33 miles brings the total to 746.
Day 16 - Monday 15th July
The morning started with an interview with HTV, all the cyclists had
a turn in front of the cameras. They then managed to cycle 50 miles today
in very hot conditions, Jim helped cool them down at a petrol station
when a stop for water turned into a very cold shower for some ! The new
backing crew is fitting in well - only one slight hiccup when Nicky who
is driving the backup's backup vehicle got seperated from Beth - Beth
drove the van and caravan around a roundabout 15 times before Niki reappeared.
Niki got a chance to practise her first aid skills and was pleased that
she managed a reef knot while readjusting Calamaty's sling. When they
pull into the caravan site at Bridgewater at the end of the day they are
recognised from the TV appearance - fame at last!! Sam calls me to discuss
the schedule - they are doing better than expected so decide to move forward
the appearance in Exeter. They are going to be on the Quay outside Saddles
& Paddles between 10.30 and 2 o'clock on Wednesday. They will then
go on to Crediton and stop outside Queen Elizabeth's where Calamaty-Jayne
and Haby-Blu are at school (when not skiving to cycle around Great Britain).
It will then be a leisurely ride down to Lands End, Sam has decided to
definitely commit to arriving there on Sunday. Day 16's 50 miles brings
the total to 796. Well over three quarters of the way !!
Niki takes over providing the words...
We join up with the Canns at the Bristol Services where we are meant
to meet a photographer from the Bristol Evening Post. Of course we arrive
on time (not). The Canns are there in full force, after the photos are
taken with the lovely backdrop of the Severn Bridge we tried to get a
burger but the Burger King had run out of food ! Off to the camp site
then to Cribbs Causeway to find another one. Once our tummies were full
we said fond farewells to Chris and Doloreswho have done an outstanding
job - shame really as Beth and I now have to follow in their footsteps.
Back at the site Sam proceeded to have unbelievable wind. However that
turned out to ba an ingenious woopie cushion. After much laughter or possibly
extreme hysteria we hit the sack in the hope of a good night sleep.
Day 16 - Monday 15th July
Woke up to glorious sunshine and the excitement of HTV coming to do filming
and interviews. The Cann's sailed through all this although Sam's vanity
streak came to the fore as she was worried about her cold sore. Next came
Beth - We're not sure what she said as she spent the whole time laughing.
Once the stars had done their turn off they headed into the sunshine for
Burnham on Sea. Due to the extremely hot weather the ride was fairly slow
wit stops for shade and drinks. Dave joined us with Felicity who is going
to ride tomorrow. Off we went to meet the gang at the site near Bridgewater.
The man who runs the camp site had already seen us on TV and was more
then happy to accomodate us. We all had a lovely barbecue and by a miracle
managed to avoid food poisoning. Everyone woke at 4am due to the car alarm
blaring in our ears - Jim was first out ready for a fight thinking that
someone was stealing the van. Meanwhile I was spending a penny and thought
security alarms were going off. All back to bed for a couple of hours
sleep. Day 16's 50 miles brings the total to 796.
Day 17 - Tuesday 16th July
Up bright and breezy to head for Tiverton where more photos were taken
and the Canns had a meeting with the mayor. In the meantime Beth and I
were looking for a campsite but unfortunately couldnt find one in the
area that we wanted. After knocking on a few farm doors a very, very kind
lady said we could stay in her field so here we are. The kids have all
gone swimming in the river and we are about to have another barbecue because
Sarah Elsworthy (Bow's CF nurse) has come to join us. Here's to another
wonderful day. 50 miles cycled today brings the total to 846 miles on
day 17.
Day 18 - Wednesday 17th July
Miles 24, Punctures 1, Accidents 0, Calories 250,000
Decided to write in Bridget Jones mode due to offending remarks by a
person unamed - you know who you are !!
Again we rose to another beautiful day and thankfully all the midges had
gone. Last night the caravan was full of them much to the horror of Calamaty
and Habes. Jim came to the rescue with the headlights from the CF3 van
and managed to get most of them out (he's such a hero) At about 8am Sam's
mobile rings again and Radio Devon would like to do another live interview.
Sam (now a dab hand at this) flows through it as does Bow who is also
an expert at the old banter. Today we are heading for Exeter for 10.30
and you can feel the excitement as we are now heading for home ground,
so everything packed up we leave Jenny ( the kind lady who let us use
her field) and head for Exeter Quay where we will be greeted by the boys
from Saddles and Paddles. Everybody is waiting in anticipation as a reporter
from the Express and Echo and camera crew from Carlton TV are also due
to arrive. Beth and I shoot off to Morchard Bishop to leave the caravan
with Lydia (Beth's sister) as everyone is staying there tonight. We make
a huge pile of sandwiches and head back to meet the gang who are now making
their way to Crediton. We find them just outside of Exeter huddled around
a bike - oh no a puncture, not just a little one, a huge nail had gone
right through Jack's tyre. However yet again our hero Jim is at the rescue
and its sorted within a flash. It's so amazing to see them all because
even though they must be tired, hungry and perhaps worried when these
things happen they still smile their way through - bless 'em all. Now
they have to get their pedalling heads on as they need to be at QE school
by 2.45. Here they are greeted mainly by Haby's friends and friends of
friends who offer their support. Calamaty (who we all now know as Nellie
No Mates) makes excuses that all her friends are working - yeah right
!! Mr Eams, Miss Clawsun and Miss Bolton who are tutors at QE also greeted
the Canns with offers of their support. A photographer from the Crediton
Courier was there who took some lovely photos (hopefully) when he could
finally prise them away from adoring fans!! After lots of hugs and lovey
dovey stuff we head off to Lydia's with the thought of having a lovely
roast dinner and a good night's kip. We arrive first, the Canns however
stopped enroute by another eager reporter, this time from the Western
Morning News. Will they be Hollywood stars by the time they get to Lands
End? At around 5.15 they all arrive full of chatter and happy to see familiar
faces once again and a feast fit for a king. The food, of which there
was endless amounts , is eaten up in a matter of minutes - TV in the background
hoping to watch the day's interviews - once again we seem to miss it due
to being in the wrong part of Devon. Never mind we don't care, its off
to bed for a well deserved sleep. Clam sleeps on the sofa with Lady -
her cat who is exactly the same age but looks very much older - well not
that much, Bow and Jack sleep on the floor in Patrick's room. Sam, Jim
and Haby are in the caravan and Beth and I are on the floor in the lounge
with Clam.
24 miles cycled today brings the total to 870 miles on day 18.
Day 19 - Thursday 18th July
Miles - 56. Moods - a couple. Extra riders - 1, Patrick Nolan. Calories
- not enough.
Spreyton by 10.30 is the first goal of the day. En route some primary
school children from Bow came out to wave. A huge reception awaits in
the village (well big for Spreton anyway) and the children from the village
school come out to meet the family and chat to Sam who tells them their
achievements. Jean and Dave even leave the Post Office unattended which
was a bad move as Tilly stole a sausage roll - Tilly being our dog ! Once
again family and friends all around the increasingly popular Canns have
to say a fond farewell as a meeting with the mayor is required at 1pm
in Okehampton. We all get together outside the Jag phone shop and owner
Mike who has organised a delicious meal for everyone. Bow and Jack are
in their element as fake mobile phones are given to them of which they
now have 3 each !! Clam is beginning to get very tired and needs a lot
of TLC. She's done so well to get this far I can hardly blame her. Passers
by offer their support and donations (thanks to whoever it was who put
some money through the van window). Due to the weather being so hot, before
they set off (this time for Cornwall) a quick fully clothed dunk in a
stream is required. We meet them at Sourton at the end of the cycle path
for drinks and a bite to eat. We see them coming towards us and then Boww
sweeps past jumping about 3 feet in the air on his bike looking like Evel
Kneivel - I'm impressed - is there no end to this boy's ability ? The
aim for the day is to get to Culliford Lake's camp site. Clam doesnt realy
want to go on but yet again determination gets the better of her and she
does the next 26 miles to reach their destination. We've just eaten and
now everyone is showering - except Bow who has gone fishing with Dad.
56 miles cycled today brings the total to 926 miles on day 19.
Day 20 - Friday 19th July
Miles - 45.4. Broken pedals - 1. Moods - quite a few ! Press - 1.
Today there are a few miles to cover so we leave the campsite for a quick
pit stop at the Jag office where Sam receives a phone call from BBC Spotlight
who want to do some coverage in Bodmin. This was the first time I had
seen Sam unable to eat after a ride since we'd joined them. I think it
must have been the sheer nerves knotted together with excitement. We're
due to meet them at 12.00 which will take half an hour for these speedy
bikers, so off tey go into the blistering sunshine. We have to park in
a taxi rank which didnt go down too well with some of the drivers, its
amazing to see how charitable some people really are as the Canns found
out yesterday when unpleasant abuse was hurled at them from a passing
car because they were taking up the road. Spotlight arrive and interviews
take place with Bow, Calamaty and Sam. Another live interview was also
arranged with BBC Radio Cornwall. Beth and I listened to it in the caravan
and whilst Bow was talking a few tears filled my eyes when he was asked
"Who are you raising money for", to which he replied "Cystic Fibrosis
which is the disease I have". I think as we are getting closer to Lands
End emotions are definitely heightening. Anyway after finishing press,
having some food and drinks, and persuading a man to play his didgerdoo
we set off again aiming for St Austell. Sam decides to take the back roads
through fear of too much traffic on the roads and didnt want to upset
the kids. However she managed to do just that as they ended up getting
a bit lost. OOps whopping moods fill the air. Poor Sam. However, she soon
puts the smiles back on their faces when they start heading down the hill
with big flashing 30 mph signs shooting past them as they break the speed
limit. We finally manage to meet up with them in a layby just past St
Austell where once again we eat drink and laugh at Patrick who manages
to do amazing things with his cycling shorts even while wearing them !
He should have been a ballet dancer !! Felicity decides to ride again
after having a little rest earlier (I've got the photo's to prove it).
Jack is tired and says he will only cycle 10 miles so he is assured that
that's all it is to the campsite. We wave goodbye and watch them disappear
into the distance. Its about 7pm so we crack on to find a campsite, we
are welcomed by a very nice lady at xxxx caravan park and joined by the
Canns & co at 9pm (Bow aariving firts with a huge skid, landing awkwardly
and breaking nothing but a pedal on his bike - once again I'm impressed).
We have decided to take them all out for a meal tonight as they have had
a very difficult day. We can't be any later than 10 so its quick showers
all round apart from Clam who decides to stay smelly !!! We all pile into
the cf3 van and head for some well deserved grub.
Day 21 - Saturday 20th July
Miles - 28.14. Additional cyclists - 1. Abuse hurled at us - 0. Swims
and smiles - lots.
Press - day off so far.
Today should be an easy one. Just a mere 30 miles!! They plan to head
straight down to Marazion where we will spend the rest of the day and
night. Dave Nolan (Pac n Fliss's Dad) joins us for extra support and sarcastic
comments !! We are now all here, its about 4ish, the kids are swimming
in the sea with a beautiful view of St Michael on the Mount and I am about
to join them. So we will have an update on today's events tomorrow when
the goal will be hit - Lands End here we come !!
Day 22 - Sunday 21st July
Last Day. Total miles 1019, total hours 100, average speed approx 10
miles an hour, muscles ginourmous!!! Respect...... in abundance.
Yesterday ended with a few drinks and spending an endless amount of money
on "who wants to be a millionaire"!!!! Haby and Calamity realised
they were better off sticking to cycling!! When we woke on Sunday morning,
well all of us apart from Bo who for the first time since leaving Devon
had a huge lie in, there was a strange feeling around the camp. The day
had now arrived and I think the feelings were ones of excitement but also
sadness as it was soon to be all over. All the preparation, the endless
miles, the tears and laughs, sights and sounds would dissappear into memories
in just under 5 hours. Once again the sun was shining, we had been so
lucky with the weather, well Beth and I had, I think for the Canns it
was a bit too hot doing all that hard work, ah well, tough!!! I managed
to get in touch with the news desk on pirate radio in Cornwall who mentioned
it every hour which was good. So breakfast was eaten, the bikes checked
for the final time, hats on and kisses all round and off they went. The
next time we would see them would be in Sennen where we would follow behind
them to Lands End. They pass and we follow beeping our horns all the way,
the end is in sight and so is a crowd. Tears start to build as we get
nearer and nearer, 1020 miles at 1.00pm on the 21st of July 2002 and they
cross over the line. First is Jack (8 years old) who breaks the record,followed
by Bo who breaks the record again as at 7 years old is the youngest person
to have achieved such a feat. It was amazing to see and be a part of it.
I am going to end the story here as obviously there was a party afterwards
and photos from press and family and friends but I would like to leave
you thinking just how amazing this family are, especially the children
and I'm sure it has given an awful lot of people inspiration and hope.
They hoped to have raised over £8000 for the Cystic Fibrosis Trust,
lets hope it helps the scientists in moving further forward to finding
a cure. A personal note to the Cann family, "You are all stars!!!"
xx
Words by Niki - support vehicle driver...
The End ... (?)
Week 1
Week 2
Photos
Bow-Jango's
Diary Capabilaty-Jack's
Diary Calamaty-Jayne's
Diary Haby-Blu's Diary
|