Monday, 23 May 2011

Jack's thoughts about the trip

Well I'm back at school now and have just looked back at the photos.

For me the best bit was the down hills, going fast down through the forest after the big up hills.

The hardest part for me was trying to get off to sleep when I was sharing a room with the others.

The funniest part for me was playing practical jokes on my friends - Like pretending there was double beds at the last hostel.

My favourite meal of the trip was the Indian meal at the end of the trip. I liked Mr Grimes' bacon butties but preferred MacDonalds on our last day (Sorry Mr Grimes!)

I would definately go again and make sure I cycled it all next time.

Thank you for all the staff for taking us and especially to Mr Hastings for agreeing to come along at the last minute.

Matt's thoughts about the trip

I am back in school now.

I am proud I cycled the all of the 73 miles.

The best bit for me was ALL of the biking, all of the ups and downs. And winning at Bowling!

The hardest part for me was sharing the rooms but we managed to get some sleep in the end - We needed it with all the biking.

The funniest part for me was Brandon thinking the sun cream was fake tan and Andrew falling in a hole when his legs were really tired after cycling up a massive hill.

I would definately do the trip again but would like to do more miles next time. I would really like to do do my own challenges in the future.

My best meal was the Chicken Korma on the last night. I loved the egg butties in the mornings too (Thanks Mr Grimes!)

Thank you everyone!!!!

Monday, 16 May 2011

Reviewing Our Challenge

We arrived back at school after a LONG journey back. 7 hours on the bus!

We will be reviewing the trip next week and publish everyones thoughts on the blog.

The purpose of the week was to 'DO THE GREAT GLEN WAY' - To CHALLENGE everyone.
Success was measured on many levels -
  • Teamworking
  • Individual challenges
  • Experiencing new things
  • Stepping out of Comfort Zones
  • Physical challenges
  • Preparation and Organisation
  • Communication
  • Health and Safety
  • Motivating and Encouraging self and others
  • Having a laugh

  • Everyone was challenged at some point during the week
  • Everyone Stuck it out all week
  • Everyone had Tough Times and Good Times
  • Everyone laughed
  • Everyone got tired
  • Everyone made it back on Friday 
  • Everyone will remember the trip for a LONG time!
A BIG THANK YOU TO EVERYONE WHO TOOK PART

UNTIL THE NEXT CHALLENGE.....

Celebration Meal - Loch Nessie Joins us

We all went out for a well deserved celebration meal in Inverness! A BIG Congratulations to everyone who took part in this Great Glen Challenge. Brandon and Jack displaying their handy work - Nessie Napkins

Nessie???

THANK YOU

We all ate well again tonight - It was nice for a change not to have to go shopping, prepare, cook and wash up.




Sunday, 15 May 2011

Journeys End - Inverness Youth Hostel

We made it! I think the photo says it all - A tired Andrew and Matt make it to the end.

The support crew had also been busy - Arranging a celebration meal, organising the rooms, cleaning inside the van and preparing the trailer and boot for the bikes and bags ready to set off early in the morning.

We were all ready for a good shower and a big meal out!


Well done! A tough MONSTER day completed and the end of the challenging 73 mile route

Getting through the City

We cycled down from the mountains and enjoyed some great down hill tracks.

It seemed strange seeing so many people, buildings and cars about after being deep in the Scottish Highland mountains and countryside for the last 4 days.

Here we see one of the bridges crossing the water into Inverness - Not long to go now!

Can you spot the cyclists on the bridge?

Inverness is in sight

The afternoon kept challenging us - with big hills and stormy showers
After some fun down hills we got our first sight of Inverness - A welcome sight and a reward for all the riding.

We had to keep focussed on the last down hill sections as everyone was tired and some challenging biking was still ahead of us - Fast downhills and getting through the city.

We couldn't switch off until we reached our Hostel in Inverness

Matt, 63 miles in - Still going Strong

Matt just keeps on going!

After 63 miles - Matt just gets his head down and looks forward to the final 10 miles.

Well done Matt - Great determination and a quality biker

Never give up! Even if the challenge is a tough one - Keep on going with a smile and a good sense of humour

Challenging Hills!

What an afternoon! The hills really were Monstrous - and just kept on up and up and up.

As you can see the riding was taking it out of us!

Matt still going strong and even though Andrew was facing the cycling challenge of his life - He never gave up (complaining...ha ha ) No really well done by all this afternoon.


Drumnadrochit Power Lunch

A great effort by all this morning.

The weather was back to its mixed rain, wind and occasional sun. The biking team was welcomed by the sight of the support crew and lunch table.

A good effort by the support crew who had supplied a mix of isotonic drinks, banannas, sandwhiches and energy snacks. Brandon and Andrew looked tired after all the organising and planning but Mr Hastings looked quite fresh and relaxed reading his newspaper... It's a tough life eh!


Monster Energy break - No Loch Ness Monster sightings yet, only these 4 little monsters!!!


Tired Sirs - The dream team!

Day 3 - The long one!

Loch Ness to Inverness - The hilly way

We had not seen Nessie yet but looking at the map - today's ride was going to be a MONSTER!!!

Jack and Matt were up for the biking challenge this morning and Andrew and Brandon took the lead as Mr Hastings' little helpers. Choosing to be support crew was not the easy option! There were many jobs to do including shopping and setting up lunch stops and supporting the tired riders. Brandons legs were aching after cycling for over 50 miles in the last 2 days and Andrew set himself the challenge of riding the tough afternoon stage from Drumnadrochit into Inverness.


Biking team - Ready for a tough morning


Support Crew - (Can you spot Andrew..?)

Loch Ness Pizza

No sightings of the monster yet but watching Mr H in the kitchen was quite frightening..

We were treated to Pizza tonight - Another good feed

Evening Activity - Island tour

The Isle of Skye

We went for a scenic tour to the Isle of Skye tonight. Ice cream stop then down to Elgol to see the view of the famous Cuillin Ridge.

Wow, what a windy wet evening - The views were....Um...... well.... misty

A fun evening was had with lots of laughter and some interesting country roads

We saw lots of deer aswell

Re-fuelling

Our support team took it easy today (Mr H) organising a chippy lunch as a treat.... or was it because he was too tired to prepare a lunchtime buffet...? Ha ha

A very welcome stop at Fort Augustus - Nice one

This is what it's all about

All 4 riders out this morning - The riding was tough to start but eased off later. We were rewarded for our efforts with a very welcome tailwind to help us along.

Keep it going lads!

Day 2 Riding - Setting off in the Sun

Wednesday morning and the weather is great! Sunshine :-)

We had some very heavy showers during breakfast (Sausage and Egg butties). We left Invergarry Hostel ready for the first big climb of the day - Plenty more hills ahead of us now!

Matt is Bowling Champion

Well done Matt!

Cycling in the rain and storms all day then winning at bowling - Good effort!

A good evening had by all

Tuesday, 10 May 2011

27 miles!

We arrived at our hostel after about 27 miles of pretty tough riding. The tracks were quite hilly but luckely the wind was behind us.

The hostel is great, we have settled in well and cooked a big pasta for tea.

We went into Fort William tonight to go bowling as it's still raining.

Ah well - Tomorrows forecast looks good..... Rain again

Yum Yum Yum

As you can see, the rain stopped a few times - Here we are having lunch which was kindly set up by our support crew in the van.


Rain, Rain, Rain...

Brandons Blog -

Well - What can I say. I had a good days cycling - I had loads of energy but I dont know how. It was all just off the bacon sandwhich I had for breakfast and not much sleep but I wont get into that...

I set myself the challenge of getting up every hill and I completed it and I am really proud of that! At this point I am getting very tired so am off for an early night now. Hopefully tomorrow will be another great days cycling.

Thanks for reading my blog - Brandon

Setting Off - Neptunes Staircase, Fort William

Master chef day 1 - Fajitas

Day 2 - Ready for Biking

Up early and getting ready for cycling - Weather looks good..... For snorkelling!

The soggy weather will give us a chance to try out our new kit.. Mind you Andrew is one step ahead of the game - tested out his gear by giving us a fashion show dressed in Lycra after tea last night.


Ah well - Bacon and Egg butties are ready so we'd best be off now

Wish us the best!

J, A, M, B

Glen Nevis Fajitas!

Had a grand feast of Chicken Fajitas tonight - YUM! Thanks to ALL the lads for helping to prepare, cook, EAT, and...wash up.

More photos to follow

Monday, 9 May 2011

All packed up and ready to go

We're off!

We set off at 9:30 on our 7 hour journey. We had a good trip. We are trying to sort out the computer at the hostel to show you some photos. The weather has been not been on the best side really but its nice and sunny now :-)