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Pitlochry to Inverness – 86 miles
Sunday 14 June 2009
Even if Sarah Webb has a tender bottom when she reaches John O’Groats tomorrow evening on the ninth and final day of the Be Number 1 LEJOG cycling expedition from Land’s End, she won’t be telling a soul.
“If you look on the donations page on the Be Number 1 website, you can see that my brother-in-law has very kindly sponsored me for £200,” said the two-time Olympic gold medallist.
“And you can also see that the little charmer has promised to stump up another £50 if I arrive in John O’Groats without a sore bum! So I am happy to advise him, and anyone else who may want to know, that my bum is absolutely fine and it is only the boys who are suffering from such conditions!”
The cyclists certainly haven’t hit rock bottom, that’s for sure. But the wear and tear of eight days in the saddle is unsurprisingly taking its toll, with Hugo Ambrose virtually riding on one leg.
“The ‘non-sportsmen’, if that is the correct term, have been unbelievable,” added Webb. “And they are also ultra-competitive. Whenever they have seen a sign for a new county, they have all sprinted towards it. But now they are pretty much sprinting towards every sign that they see!
“Nick [Dempsey] is astonishing. He just makes it look so easy. Hugo, Nobby [Rob Clark] and Toby [Sykes] have given him a run for his money at various times, but Nick quite often just casts a glance over his shoulder, gives a broad grin and puts the after-burners on. As for me, I can safely say that the boys have just about towed me most of the way. I am good at ‘drafting’ and have never been more than a couple of millimetres behind anyone. You won’t find me out in front very often, unless lunch is calling!
“Talking of which, the support team of Sarah [Ayton] and Adam [Gosling, Webb’s husband] have been fantastic and we could not have done this without their support and planning. As an example, we had lunch today in a spot very carefully chosen by them: between two lochs and looking at some of the most beautiful scenery imaginable. And they served up a feast that included barbecued chicken, potatoes, broccoli, baked beans, cheese and pancakes.
“It has been great to be reunited with Sarah and Pippa [Wilson]. It has reminded us of the good old days and it is just brilliant being with people who you know and like. Pippa unfortunately had to go home on Friday after pulling some ligaments in her leg, but the three of us really enjoyed doing the school workshops together.
“At every school we have visited so far – the last one is tomorrow in Inverness - the children have been amazing. They have obviously done lots of preparation work and it has been our pleasure to be able to talk to them about having a dream - whether it is competing at the Olympics or doing LEJOG – and many other things besides. Their enthusiasm has been contagious and we have all been astonished by the reception that they have given us.”
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