Where camping is fun for disabled and able-bodied together

Its not looking good as overnight Ben has been very sick - am sure he is soldiering on which shows how determined they are to finish the challenge!! Lets all hope the lads are ok.

No more blog tonight as the lads are getting some well earned rest!

James

Its 2am (on day 11) and I'm finally in a fit state to write my blog. The last 24 hours has been tough for us and especially Ben (who has written something himself) but I'm hopeful that the worst is over.

I heard Ben getting up in the night and by morning he looked rough. I had had stomach cramps but hoped it was just as a result of eating too much, too late, too quickly (wouldn't be the first time!)

By the time we left the cabin I knew I wasn't 100% but I was more concerned with keeping Ben moving so myself and Tim kept him between us as we rode so that he could draft the one in front without being allowed to drop behind. It was surprisingly cold with bike computer reading as low as 11 degrees (+ wind chill) so it wasn't long before we were riding along togged up in thermals and windproof's (that's if I'd took a thermal out with me...).

The route that I had originally plotted back in the comfort of home took a back road over the high ground to the east of the conurbation of Ayr, Prestwick and Irvine but we decided on reflection to work out way through these towns as it would be flatter and therefore easier going. The riding was straight forward even if the road surfaces were generally crap and we made steady progress despite Bens condition which appeared to be deteriorating. We stopped for lunch with Matt and Alison then continued northwards up the A78.

It was after lunch that I started to feel worse with the stomach cramps getting worse and generally feeling unwell. We made the ferry to Dunoon with seconds to spare, racing to beat a squally shower that was fast approaching.

On the other side the final 6km push to camp required a herculean effort from all as we battered the cold north wind, rain and fatigue. We rolled into camp a battered bunch but we had achieved our planned mileage despite the set backs. Camp was hastily erected and we got ben to bed. Alison and Matt cooked a lovely dinner but I was only able eat a little before nausea and declining energy levels forced me to bed. I woke in darkness just in time to crawl outside and lose everything I had eaten that day then spent the next few hours sweating out a mild fever. I now feel almost normal and I just hope that after a few hours sleep and a (light) breakfast I will be in a fit enough condition to completed a days riding without suffering like Ben did.

Its funny how poor health and adverse weather can effect the moral of the trip. Today was the first day when I didn't want to get on my bike and ride and this is a shame when you consider the wonderful scenery we are in. The support of other team members and the knowledge that people are rooting for us back home and pledging money for a worthwhile cause, are the things that keep us going at times like these....

Craig