johnnymack63 Posted July 8, 2021 Report Share Posted July 8, 2021 Well,It’s been a couple of weeks since we all said goodbye at John O’Groats to return to our normal lives. Or in the case of the people who manned pit stops, it’s been a couple of weeks since we said “Hello, Goodbye”.I really wanted to drop you all a line to most of all express my sincere gratitude to each and everyone of you, but also because I’m getting withdrawal symptoms from having not sent out some sort of comms to you all for a while!!Just for this e-mail, I’d like to set aside the small matter of the £61K (plus £11K Gift Aid) that you all raised for CRUK, it is a given that we all know that’s the prime factor why we do it, and the total this year is stupendous.For me, a really important thing about the challenge that you all either took part in or helped to make happen, is that you all completed it and made it home to your families and friends in one piece to be able to tell the stories and bask in the glory of their inevitable pride in you.I know having spoken to several of you the morning after at JoG that the ride rates as one of the best rides you’ve ever done, and in some cases the best thing you’ve ever done and was a genuinely positive experience never to be forgotten. This for me is the heart of the challenge and why I organise it each year, because that’s how it made me feel when I did it. Stopping once in a while to make memories and having shared experiences with like minded folk is a terrible cliche, and very much overused especially in some sort of marketing spouted by manufacturers to get out there and have an adventure……..on their bike. As you all know now, it’s much much simpler than that, you just need a bike, any bike, some time and people. For me and Jo the trip is every bit an adventure every year, with new people to meet and names to get wrong, different challenges to solve and a really long way to drive too; we love it!! To see the feeling of total satisfaction in you all the morning after is a real treat. So, thank you for sharing your experience with us, we feel it is a privilege.To the volunteers, it is a sad fact that on the day that by virtue of our role in the van bringing up the rear we don’t get to spend much (or any in the case of P4 this year) time with you. We spend the day catching up to the riders, but do take comfort that knowing you guys are there waiting for the riders and on hand to help get them through the day with whatever help they need. I’ve heard and seen stories from riders who on the day were close to giving up when they got to the next pitstop, only to have encouragement, support and love heaped on them (and food) with the result that they felt able to carry on. Then there’s the scramble to get a split links for a snapped chain ready for the broom wagons arrival to get a bike back on the road so a rider can complete the ride. Who knew a man dressed as an alligator could mastermind such a repair ? DO NOT EVER underestimate the importance of the role ALL you guys play on the day. Based on the feedback I’ve had, I can say with absolute certainty that at least 3 more riders would not have finished the ride were it not for you guys. The pitstops were the absolute highlight of the day for all the riders.The invisible threesome really must take a bow too. Mitch, Heds and Dan are the people solely responsible for making the event visible to the outside world, and making it look like the amazing advert for motorcycling and motorcyclists that LDC has become. There is literally not one task that any of them do that I can, so without the three of them, I and the event would be invisible and probably stopped years ago. They were all there for the first LDC, and somehow they’ve stuck with me and supported all the various tweaks and changes that I’ve made to it each year.Matt and Julian in the minibus did a fine job of eating pies, pastries and Haribos and drinking a case of Red Bull most of the way to Scotland, then killing Bambi and an Owl when they got north of the border, then spending the afternoon in the brewery at JoG. Superstars.They’re not on the list of recipients for this e-mail, but a big thank you to Anglian Water for the loan of their minibus - Sorry about the damage, but Julian brakes for nobody, not even Bambi. Also to Michael Rutter for coughing up £500 to hire the broom wagon for the event. If you’re at a BSB meeting this year, be sure to find him in the paddock at the Bathams Racing truck and say thanks……and buy one of his books.I have no clue where LDC is going or what the future holds for it. When me and Jo decided to do what we could to make it happen, we thought it would last a couple of years and we’d have a laugh then it would burn out. But here we are, 8 LDC’s down, over £210k in the bank for CRUK and I estimate about 150 riders that have experienced what you guys have and the genuine sense of having achieved something special. I’ve always given priority to new riders who haven’t done it before and people who didn't finish it, then to people who have and want another crack at it. So, I expect our paths will cross again at some point in the future, maybe even next June……Before we all set off to meet at Lands End, I sent an e-mail out with several messages in it, including a reminder to us all to remember who and why we’re all putting ourselves through the effort and time to do the ride. I asked you all to take those people with you on your rides and to make them proud, and to ride in the spirit of the event. For what it’s worth, I think there is no question that we all did that this year, and more so put on display the very very best of motorcycling………..and you raised over £60k and still rising every day !!Class of 2021: Each and everyone of you that took part or helped, you are all magnificent !!Laters,JM 11 7 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hawkati Posted July 8, 2021 Report Share Posted July 8, 2021 Massive thanks for everything you've done organising this and taking it to a surreal level of fundraising. Now approx £72k with gift aid this year. Awesome. 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cuban pete Posted July 9, 2021 Report Share Posted July 9, 2021 Weeks later, I'm still a little overwhelmed by it all. If I've done anything better in my life, I'm struggling to think of it. The challenge was brilliant all around and my sincere thanks to the Boss, his better half and all the people involved in making it happen 😊 The morning after the run and starting the long trek home I was filling the zzr up in wick. The sun was out, it was a perfect morning. I sat on the bike and had a pause for thought and just burst into tears inside my helmet. Relief, tiredness, joy at actually having got the bike and myself over the line, but all tied up with some real sadness that it was all but over. The time riding up through the Glenn's with Cal and Angus at speed on a moonlit night where it didn't really get dark was just a profound experience. Please do it. Raise some money, but above all it will change you in ways you won't expect and for the better. It was a genuine privelage ❤️ 17 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Herr V. Posted July 19, 2021 Report Share Posted July 19, 2021 A totally honest summary that I think everyone can agree with. The run from the Ferry and up through Glen Coe in the fading never to be properly dark night was so beautiful. Once I got used to the concept that every wild camping white motorhome wasn't a camera van. 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thunderbolt Posted July 19, 2021 Report Share Posted July 19, 2021 3 hours ago, Herr V. said: A totally honest summary that I think everyone can agree with. The run from the Ferry and up through Glen Coe in the fading never to be properly dark night was so beautiful. Once I got used to the concept that every wild camping white motorhome wasn't a camera van. We were in save fuel mode for that bit, after Fort William and Inverness to JoG was brilliant. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thunderbolt Posted July 19, 2021 Report Share Posted July 19, 2021 Tyndrum petrol station being closed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaycee Posted July 19, 2021 Report Share Posted July 19, 2021 30 minutes ago, Thunderbolt said: Tyndrum petrol station being closed. The Green Welly Stop? Really? It's a bloody landmark, as well as a strategic fuel stop Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thunderbolt Posted July 19, 2021 Report Share Posted July 19, 2021 Just now, jaycee said: The Green Welly Stop? Really? It's a bloody landmark, as well as a strategic fuel stop Yep, closed. We filled at Ardrossan and were reliably informed* it would be open and we didn’t need to fill before then. Being worried about running out, I coasted down the hills. Angus, @cuban pete and I had my spare 5l and agreed to share it if the worst came to the worst. *by strange men at the pitstop. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaycee Posted July 19, 2021 Report Share Posted July 19, 2021 6 minutes ago, Thunderbolt said: Yep, closed. We filled at Ardrossan and were reliably informed* it would be open and we didn’t need to fill before then. Being worried about running out, I coasted down the hills. Angus, @cuban pete and I had my spare 5l and agreed to share it if the worst came to the worst. *by strange men at the pitstop. I think they run reduced hours at the petrol station and shut at 9pm Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cuban pete Posted July 19, 2021 Report Share Posted July 19, 2021 11 minutes ago, Thunderbolt said: Yep, closed. We filled at Ardrossan and were reliably informed* it would be open and we didn’t need to fill before then. Being worried about running out, I coasted down the hills. Angus, @cuban pete and I had my spare 5l and agreed to share it if the worst came to the worst. *by strange men at the pitstop. Crazy thing is, my fingers have only just got over the tingling and my right foot toes are still numb. I said never again. Snag is, I can't not do it again 😂 2 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thunderbolt Posted July 19, 2021 Report Share Posted July 19, 2021 6 minutes ago, jaycee said: I think they run reduced hours at the petrol station and shut at 9pm You tell us that now!!!! 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thunderbolt Posted July 19, 2021 Report Share Posted July 19, 2021 1 minute ago, cuban pete said: Crazy thing is, my fingers have only just got over the tingling and my right foot toes are still numb. I said never again. Snag is, I can't not do it again 😂 I know this. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaycee Posted July 19, 2021 Report Share Posted July 19, 2021 3 minutes ago, Thunderbolt said: You tell us that now!!!! I didn't know. I am pretty sure I've pulled in there later than that in the past. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Basil Posted July 19, 2021 Report Share Posted July 19, 2021 Sounds like the type of place they send strangers around the back after 11PM "Follow the signs for poker in the front, liquor in the rear" and at midnight all the strippers turn into vampires* and the locals know it too! *Well more so than regular strippers do at least! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cuban pete Posted July 19, 2021 Report Share Posted July 19, 2021 (edited) 9 minutes ago, Basil said: Sounds like the type of place they send strangers around the back after 11PM "Follow the signs for poker in the front, liquor in the rear" and at midnight all the strippers turn into vampires* and the locals know it too! *Well more so than regular strippers do at least! Sounds like a forum Sort of night out. Book it 😁 Edited July 19, 2021 by cuban pete 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thunderbolt Posted July 19, 2021 Report Share Posted July 19, 2021 10 minutes ago, Basil said: Sounds like the type of place they send strangers around the back after 11PM "Follow the signs for poker in the front, liquor in the rear" and at midnight all the strippers turn into vampires* and the locals know it too! *Well more so than regular strippers do at least! We had a local with us, a nice man with a broken bike - who talked to us and @cuban pete for the brains. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Basil Posted July 19, 2021 Report Share Posted July 19, 2021 10 minutes ago, Thunderbolt said: We had a local with us, a nice man with a broken bike - who talked to us and @cuban pete for the brains. No odd handshakes or vanishing acts at any stage? Perhaps this secret is more secretive than I'm giving the natives credit for Or I need to climb my ladder outside Salma Hyek's window again! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cuban pete Posted July 19, 2021 Report Share Posted July 19, 2021 38 minutes ago, Thunderbolt said: We had a local with us, a nice man with a broken bike - who talked to us and @cuban pete for the brains. There wasn't 5 brain cells between us... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Basil Posted July 19, 2021 Report Share Posted July 19, 2021 13 minutes ago, cuban pete said: There wasn't 5 brain cells between us... Maybe he got confused between vampires and zombies, it's zombies that eat brains not vampires... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hawkati Posted July 19, 2021 Report Share Posted July 19, 2021 1 hour ago, Basil said: Maybe he got confused between vampires and zombies, it's zombies that eat brains not vampires... ....and that's why zombies are so slow. Poor diet. That garage being shut cunted any ambitions of a swift time in the fuck, but gave me the moneyshot picture by making me go slow escorting Glyn to the next fuel stop. 9 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaycee Posted July 20, 2021 Report Share Posted July 20, 2021 OK, if we have a similar route next year, perhaps I should bring along some fuel to top folk up before the ferry Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cuban pete Posted July 20, 2021 Report Share Posted July 20, 2021 1 hour ago, jaycee said: OK, if we have a similar route next year, perhaps I should bring along some fuel to top folk up before the ferry Fuel stops and lack of sat nav is where I fucked up if I'm honest. Would have made it a lot easier on myself if I had planned it better. But then again, it was a bit of an adventure me doing it half assed. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hawkati Posted July 20, 2021 Report Share Posted July 20, 2021 2 hours ago, jaycee said: OK, if we have a similar route next year, perhaps I should bring along some fuel to top folk up before the ferry That's a luvverly thought but we ought to work that kind of thing out for ourselves. As we clearly didn't this year. Derp!🤪 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaycee Posted July 20, 2021 Report Share Posted July 20, 2021 6 minutes ago, hawkati said: That's a luvverly thought but we ought to work that kind of thing out for ourselves. As we clearly didn't this year. Derp!🤪 Although, as "locals" we should have been more aware of when fuel stations shut. I'll look into it better for next year and not rely on my knowledge from a decade back when I used to ride that side of the country 😁 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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