Thursday 15 July 2010

Some Bad News.

Hi Guys,

Unfortunately on tuesday afternoon after making my way out of melton mowbray and within spitting distance of Market Harborough I was maliciously brought down by a twig which got lodged under my wheel like a wedge under a door and threw me 6 feet forwards onto solid tarmac. The weight of my bag combined with the momentum i had ensured my face was the first thing to hit the floor. The impact was softened by my helmet but my eyebrow managed to take a firm hit. Head injuries bleed alot and my first aid kit was unable to cope with so much blood so i had no choice but to phone an ambulance.

4 stitches and a good amount of glue at kettering hospital stopped the bleed but the cut was deep an painful and accompanied by a swollen eye. I made a very hard decision to call off the rest of the trip to risk further injury. In my mind this was the right choice as my helmet is scarred and weakened and will not fit comfortably over the stitches. Safety first is a top priority on events such as this.

DIARY:

In all i completed over 125miles in 3 days travelling from Hull to Market Harborough. I was ahead of schedule and making good time.

Day 1:
My first day was the toughest with the road surfaces being broken chip and seal rather than tarmac. Humber bridge stayed within sight for most of the first few hours which drilled in just how far i needed to travel. I skated for 7hrs and only made it to kirton in lindsey, The heat of the day meant my water supplies dramatically ran out, with no sign of a town and the dinner time approaching i decided it was time to get off the road and set up camp. Here i spent the first night in my tent in the corner of a field. Pasta was boiled in chopped tomatoes to save water and a bag of haribo was consumed for dessert. It was tough to get to sleep as many thoughts were playing on my mind, and my legs and shoulders were on fire. I'm glad i packed a book about adventure to ease my mind and i eventually fell asleep.

Day 2:
Upon wakening at first light i decided to get out of the field before a farmer showed up. 5:30am start and better road surfaces saw day 2 get off to a good start. Newark upon Trent was reached by lunchtime. Continuous increasing drizzle from 8am soaked me throughout and created a muddy puddle on my board and by 2pm just outside of Bingham i was beat. I looked about for local B&Bs and discovered a jewel hidden around the corner. The Paddock at Peacock Farm B&B is self catered accomodation in Redmile. Nicky Wainright, the proprieter was an absolute hero providing me with food and drink and conversation. Anyone visiting the area would do well to stay here.

Day 3:
After a much needed sleep and shower day 3 started with a good breakfast and some sandwhiches for the road (I wasn't to know that these sandwhiches were never going to be eaten)my bearings had taken a beating from the rain the day before so 3 replacements were needed. Melton mowbray was a great little market town and it happened to be cattle market day. An hour was spent wandering around the market and a rather tasty freshly made pork pie was purchased and consumed before heading out of town.

The route was not as easy going as day 2 with uphills being in their plentiful. Tilton on the Hill is an aptly named town and to reach the top was an enormous accomplishment and I was over the moon with myself for making it. Where there is up there is also a down and some great downhill runs were around every other corner. some much needed mileage was covered.

Then the accident happened. It all happened so quickly and unexpectedly it is hard to piece together. one second i was casually rolling into Market Harborough elated at the prospect of food and with a firm sense of achievement on my mind and the next second i was watching blood stream out of my head and reaching for the first aid kit strategically placed at the top of my bag. When I managed to press some gauze to the gash on my eyebrow I was able to take a moment to figure out what happened. My board was 6-7 feet back from me and in-front of which was a tell-tell mark on the ground leading to a stick (much like the mark chalk leaves on a blackboard). This was all the evidence I needed to work out that a twig no bigger than a pencil had just got the better of me. By now people had started to stop and if they are reading this I'd like to thank the ex-para who stayed with me till the ambulance arrived who had turned around up the road to come to my aid and also the RAC van driver who made sure the ambulance knew exactly where i was. Also a big thanks to the ambulance drivers and my Brother Jason who was in the area on business who picked me up from the hospital. And finally to the Kirkbrides who had one extra visitor for the night.

I am deeply dissapointed in not finishing my challenge as this was as much for me as it was for the charity. For all those who gave support and donations I hope you feel that 125miles+ in 3 days is enough to warrant the money donated or merchandise sent.

This may be the end of 300miles-nocar-noproblem. But I hope to take the nocar-noproblem name on to other ventures. My sense of adventure and my want for a challenge has not been defeated......So watch this space.

Until the next time
Sam

Saturday 3 July 2010

My Route to Bournemouth.


View hull to bournemouth in a larger map

Hi Guys.

Above is a route map of my skate trek to Bournemouth. I have this printed out (thank you print screen+MS paint) and in conjunction with my snazzy Android phone (of which i have downloaded this map to), a portable battery charger and the phones GPS i SHOULD stay on course. Depending on what times i hit some roads i may make on the spot alterations but i should be relatively ok for the most part.

If you can see any roads i need to stay well clear off let me know. Or if you are going to be close by and want to come have a chat let me know as well i would love to talk to any one of you.

Kind Regards
Sam (A little bit excited now)