After we completed our training, training day and training hike we also had to complete a training cycle, as we were cycling our expedition. We started in Castletown at the KWC Armoury, rode to Ramsey and stayed over night at the Crossags. The next day we set off for home and finished at our various destinations. Lucky for Nick - he had less to cycle!

The weather was generally good and we learned a lot about our abilities and speeds on bikes and enjoyed our final piece of training.

DISTANCE CYCLED

Day 1: 45.5 km
Day 2: 23.0 km
Total: 68.5 km

Saturday 13th May was the day we set off for a full over night training exercise from Castletown to Douglas camping at Ramsey. The total distance covered was approximately 45 miles, which included the diversion at St Marks that took us via the Ballamodha, a stretch of road which we had planned to avoid.

The detour was due to the fact that the St Marks road leading to St Johns was being used as a stage in the Manx International Rally. These road closures confuse all locals, as well as us.

We arrived at St Johns a little behind schedule but with enough time to photographically record the moment, take on refreshments and check our cycles. Avoiding the T.T. Course added extra miles taking us through along the coast road to Kirk Michael. We asked for permission Mike before using the T.T. Course for the closing miles to Ramsey.

We arrived at the Crossags Campsite in Ramsey, to greetings from Mr Turner and his two lively sons, who we later treated to a real Scout Wide Game! James Betteridge and Nick Kinrade soon had the spaghetti boiling whilst James Ramsey and Andrew Galka put up the tent. The bikes where stored in a secure shed after the removal of the panniers.

Sunday morning saw us up early to cook breakfast, pack the tents and set off by 8.20 a.m. The journey to Douglas was uneventful but the coast road was not as flat as one would imagine. James Betteridge left the group at the Dhoon and Nick at Laxey. Only 6 miles to go for James Ramsey and Andrew, who arrived in Onchan at 11.45.

A hot bath was the order of the day!