Sean Barker

Well done to John Cartwright, who rode this event on Friday 10th April becoming the 6th rider this year to do so

Jagodina (Serb) to Durdevo (Serb) [font=arial][size=4]Well the storm broke in the late afternoon today and boy what a spectacular storm it was. Riding through it with bolts of lightning hitting the road ahead of me and igniting a small stumpy tree to my right I couldn't understand how it wasn't me being hit as nothing was higher than me on this road.[/size][/font] [font=arial][size=4]I thought of how I had escaped with my life so many times on this tour from being run off the road and managing to grab on to the top of a tree before going over the precipice of a cliff, the incident in the marijuana plantation, camping in a mine field etc. I began to feel as if the Angel of Death was oblivious to my existence. I stopped in the driving rain of the storm and but my earphones in and listened to the Rolling Stones Gimmie Shelter on repeat as I rode through it surrounded with lightning flashes[/size][/font] [font=arial][size=4]Never did the lyrics of that first verse seem so apt[/size][/font] [font=arial][size=4][color=#474747]Oh, a storm is threat'ning[/color] My very life today If I don't get some shelter Oh yeah, I'm gonna fade away[/size][/font] [font=arial][size=4]As I sit in my tent now with the storm quietly rumbling into the distance, I think of the difference between the first part of the day and the latter part and how I had pushed my bike through a river crossing in the warmth of a sunny morning.[/size][/font] [font=arial][size=4][img]http://www.cheevie.webspace.virginmedia.com/Photos/Cycle%20Tour%206/P1000955.jpg[/img][color=rgb(0,0,0)]I stopped here to take off my shoes and socks to push the bike through the river[/color][/size][/font]

Bujmir (Serb) to Jagodina (Serb) It was hot and muggy today, the storm clouds are gathering, it's obvious that this is going to be a big one and with no waterproof clothing and not feeling well I could well be in for a torrid time. The question is will it break tonight or tomorrow when I'm out on the road? Today I made my way along the N road that for the most part shadowed the E75

Brus (Serb) to Bujmir (Serb) A hot day and a typical day of searching for quieter roads and getting lost. Despite my better instincts I spent most of the day travelling east and passing through a plethora of small villages before eventually ending up on the 217 and into Bujmir I don't think I'll have much option now other than travelling on busier roads for the most part These out of the way paths may be traffic free but they can be hard going all day

Kovizla (Serb) to Brus (Serb) A somewhat frustrating day. I spent most of the morning fixing my bike but it's still in a poor state, it is showing the war wounds of a long hard tour. Both wheels are well out of true and the rear wheel is hitting the brake-pads on every revolution. I hit an overhanging branch today and scratched my right eye; I now find I can't see out of it properly. My sore throat has gone full blown and I can't talk, it hurts to swallow and my neck is nearly as wide as my head. I'm not sure which is in worse state me or the bike. With the credit out on the phone I really do feel cut adrift. At least now I feel as if I am back into civilisation though.

Lukovo (Serb) to Kovizla (Serb) Wow! What a last 24 hours! I have been keeping a watchful eye out for signs warning of land mines before I venture into the forests to make camp but all too often the signs are hard to see as they are too low or even fallen over. Last night I looked carefully before making my way into the forest but could see no signs. I made camp some hundred metres into the forest after cooking up my evening meal beforehand and hanging my food in a bag from a nearby tree in case of an unwanted bear visitation. As I lay down readying myself for sleep I became aware of something digging into my back between my shoulder-blades. I tried to push it down through the groundsheet but it wouldn't budge. In frustration I battered it flat with the heel of my cycling shoe and then settled down for a night’s sleep. On the way out of the forest this morning (I had come out a couple of hundred metres further west than I had entered) I noticed a sign warning that that particular section of forest was mined. My mind was immediately taken back to the events of the night before where I had battered flat that protrusion. I’m still not sure what it was but I’m guessing it probably wasn’t a mine. Today was tough as I climbed some big mountains but the cooler air up there was most welcome. The latter part of the day was making my way down from the high ground with relatively flat terrain ahead of me to the north. A pretty alarming sign

Kursumlija (Serb) to Lukovo (Serb) I'm struggling now. I'm suffering from a sore throat and fever. I'm also well off the beaten track. I also have to be careful here in the woods as by the tracks and markings I am clearly back in bear country, also wolves and wild boar. This really is a wild and beautiful place but I have noticed signs from time to time warning about land mines. When venturing into the woods to make camp I am searching out the wild boar paths and sticking to them.

Prokupije (Serb) to Kursumlija (Serb) Today was considerably cooler than yesterday 28 degrees instead of the 35 degrees of yesterday and boy did I appreciate the difference. For the most part I followed a small river west and enjoyed a cooler breeze coming from the north. I am now quite close to the Serbian/Kosovo border and it is wild mountainous country. I have twenty days to make it to Vienna and then four days of easy street, I just hope I make it.

Nis (Serb) to Prokupije (Serb) I didn't feel too well today, I think the heat got to me. Today was in the high 30's and I found myself constantly getting dizzy and swerving on the bike so took plenty of rests along the course which slowed progress down somewhat. I have spent the day making my way along the quiet little roads that connect up the little villages north of the E-80 As I camp in the woods tonight I can clearly see I have some seriously mountainous terrain ahead of me

Event Name = Sam Weller’s Day Trip to Wochma Organiser = Mark Rigby Distance = 220km Total Climb = 2300m Start and finish point = The Hop Pole Pub, Tewkesbury Entry Fee = £4 Date ridden = Saturday 7th February 2015 It really is a lottery as to what the weather will bring you at this time of year but today was milder than of late even if only reaching a high of six degrees. The start was below zero with plenty of ice patches in the first section so discretion was very much the better part of valour. It’s a striking course nonetheless with some truly stunning scenery, particularly the Wye Valley and Severn estuary. The course had to be changed slightly this year due to the demise of the post office in Wormlow Tump, so an extra 10km loop was added to reach the new control at Alensmore Controls at Alensmore, Chepstow and Malmesbury, plus 2 information controls.

Event Name = Mr. Pickwick’s January Sale Organiser = Mark Rigby Distance = 201km Total Climb = 2100m Start and finish point = The Hop Pole Pub, Tewkesbury Entry Fee = £1 Date ridden = Saturday 3rd January 2015 This is a course designed should the weather conspire against us. It does for the most part stick to fairly quiet B roads, but roads that will be gritted should the need arise. It is still a charming route as it heads north to the first control at Chaddesley Corbett, then eastwards to Warwick Services South before heading into the Cotswolds and to Chipping Norton and back to Tewkesbury. The weather was horrendous as the heavy rain never ceased. It was hard to enjoy this one but the sense of achievement on finishing immense. After finishing and getting changed into some dry clothes I decided I was going to have to get a better waterproof option gloves wise. Controls at Chaddesley Corbett, Warwick Services South. and Chipping Norton, plus 2 information controls.

Event Name = Kings, Castles, Priests & Churches Organiser = Mark Rigby Distance = 202km Total Climb = 2550m Start and finish point = The Hop Pole Pub, Tewkesbury Entry Fee = £4 Date ridden = Saturday 6th December 2014 A classic and challenging winter Audax. With over two and a half thousand metres of climbing it’s a tough one on a cold winter’s day, but it is simply stunning in terms of scenery. Perhaps my favourite section is the climb out of Ludlow and the view back from the Mortimer Forest over the Town The ride departs from Tewkesbury and makes its way to the first control in Bromyard taking in an info control in Ledbury on the way. The second stage takes you to Ludlow and then the third stage is where the lion’s share of the climbing is to be found as you head for Kington. From Kington it’s on to Wormelow Tump and then home to Tewkesbury. The route is cleverly designed to follow country lanes avoiding the busier B roads Controls were at Bromyard, Ludlow, Kington and Wormelow Tump, with two info controls

Event Name = Mr Pickwick’s Cymraeg Cyrch Organiser = Mark Rigby Distance = 209km Total Climb = 2200m Start and finish point = The Hop Pole Pub, Tewkesbury Entry Fee = £4 Date ridden = Saturday 8th November 2014 This is an Audax with a difference on the way out and indeed or the return it covers a section of the cycle path that runs alongside the River. A particularly magical moment for me was on the return leg when I cycled in the dark following two badgers for fifty or so meters before they darted back into the woods. The café stops are all pubs with plentiful food at most reasonable prices. Without doubt an event for next year’s calendar. Controls were at Monmouth, Yalybont-on-Usk and Symonds Yat East and no info controls

Event Name = Mr Pickwick’s Autumnal Outing Organiser = Mark Rigby Distance = 210km Total Climb = 2350m Start and finish point = The Hop Pole Pub, Tewkesbury Entry Fee = £4 Date ridden = Saturday 18th October 2014 This Audax has become something of a mainstay in my Audax calendar and with good reason. Some testing climbs but without doubt the prettiest route through the Cotswolds I have ever ridden. Mark Rigby has built up a well-deserved reputation for excellent courses and faultless organisation and it has been noticeable how the numbers have increased over the last few years. If you intend to ride this or indeed any of the Blacksheep series then early entry is strongly advised. . Controls at Shipston-on-Stour, Daventry and Chipping Norton with a couple of info controls along the way

Pershore (Coffee 1 or Abbey Tea rooms) 48.5 miles This route is is suitable for a B run or even an A run in the colder and potentially icy conditions of winter Map and GPS download

I'll start us off with this Stourport (the cafe on the high street) 41 miles This route is suitable for a B run Map and GPS download

I will keep a selection of our more popular club run courses in here, please feel free to add any you wish