Steve Lord's Tuctuc Adventure

Other photo's from Lands End...

2008-10-19T19:06:00.000+01:00

The rest of the pictures from the joyfull culmination of this mammoth
effort, which almost consumed more brake fluid than it did petrol!

October 12th: All the way to Lands End...

2008-10-12T19:52:00.005+01:00

At around 2.15pm today Steve and the Tuc Tuc made it all the way to Britains most Westerley point - Lands End.

The culmination of this two week challenge. The Air Ambulance met with the Tuc Tuc, and even hovered overhead for a while (video to follow) lets hope some bricks were available to put behind the wheels in place of the 'for decoration only' handbrake!

Don't forget that there is a 'just giving site' set up for the Air Ambulance (AA) Stations Steve has visited on his route:

www.justgiving.com/stevelord = North West AA
www.justgiving.com/stevelord1 = Great North AA
www.justgiving.com/stevelord2 = Thames Valley AA
www.justgiving.com/stevelord3 = East Anglian AA
www.justgiving.com/stevelord4 = Yorkshire AA
www.justgiving.com/stevelord5 = Wales AA

Webmaster Will

October 11th : Portsmouth to Exeter

2008-10-12T09:00:00.003+01:00

After a very long day yesterday I slept in until 7.30am. Having contacted Will the Webmaster last night you should be able to see the links to our YouTube Video's from the Top Gear Race Track below.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=5z9zlCRvDV4
www.youtube.com/watch?v=uH6gAbig2Do

You can also search on YouTube under: "Top Gear Race Tack Round Table Tuc Tuc Challenge "

Please take a look...

Made it to Hampshire and Isle of White. But all the helicopters were out on a call. However just as I was about to back to Exeter one returned. I got a good photo (not yet posted) and one more teddy.

Long trip down A303 to Exeter.

Stopped at one petrol station where both the owners were Indians and really interested in our Tuc Tuc inviting me in for some coffee.

Nice to see Sarah waving at me from a bridge. "See you soon in Rome."

Final night stop 5.30pm at Exeter Police station where the Devon Air Ambulance is kept.

Sunday sees me needing to get to Lands End early so we can get the Cornish Air
Ambulance to meet us at the finish. It will be a 6.00am start. Follow my progress at roundtabletuctuc.blobseye.com

Steve

Exeter 123 Round Table.

2008-10-11T23:12:00.001+01:00

Staying with Exeter Round Table's Chairman Andrew Merrick in Woodbury
Salterton just outside Exeter. Andrew took a trip with us in the Tuc
Tuc to the Devon Air Ambulance Station at Devon & Cornwall's Police
Headquarters. We stopped at the village pub on the way hoime for a pint
of Otter Ale (1st time in a pub with thatched roof). Several locals
came out to marvel at the Tuc Tuc .

Andrew's children (Laura and Daniel) loved the Tuc Tuc and all the
teddies on the back seat.

Dinner party tonight with three members of Exeter Round Table and
their wives

Have had a few Tracker problems today. This was probably due to high
speed down hill to Portsmouth vibrating it loose. Got the tracker to
work after making sure connection was in and taped up. As you can see
from the report have made 45 mph down some of the devon hills.

I am new ready to face off against The Stig (see earlier blog!)

11th October : Photo's from along the South Coast

2008-10-11T22:50:00.002+01:00

___________________________________________________

10th October : Oxford to Portsmouth

2008-10-11T00:36:00.005+01:00

What was planned to be a short day actually turned out to be a very long day with an early start. At 7.30am I had an interview with BBC Radio Oxford.

Then I took the Tuc Tuc to visit one of our main sponsor Eurocopter UK. I was shown around factory by David Lewis and Matt Fincham [Chairman Area 50]. There were some very sexy looking helicopters (see photo) in their outdoor 'showroom.'

Then off to Thames Valley & Chiltern Air Ambulance Station at RAF Benson where I was met by Carl Undery. I was taken to see the Eurocopter I had last seen in July when it was launched at the Ferrari Day. This time I got to see where it was made also, thus making us old friends!

At 2.30pm set off to Kent,Surrey & Sussex Air Ambulance at Dunsfold, where I presented the cheque from Stains Round Table. Since this is where Gear is filmed here I took the Tuc Tuc around the Top Gear Track. "How fast we could get in our reasonably priced Tuc Tuc?!?" I wonder if "The Stig" is as fast as me? Come on Top Gear, I challenge you!

See my two videos on YouTube:

www.youtube.com/watch?v=5z9zlCRvDV4
www.youtube.com/watch?v=uH6gAbig2Do

Then to see just how fast we were at a standing start we had a little race with a Mercedes (final pic).

9th October : Norwich to Twyfold

2008-10-11T00:11:00.002+01:00

The day started very early with my first radio interview of the day with BBC Norfolk. I took the presentor for a spin in Tuc Tuc while been interviewed. It was then off to East Anglian Station where Steve Whitby had arranged Press Photos and my 2nd Radio interview. Yet more photo's wit Tuc Tuc biscuits, plus another teddy. They have the most fantastic lottery fund raiser which pays for one helicopter all by its self. It was a long trip to Essex Air Ambulance. Thanks guys great visit. I like the idea of strapping a Europter Jet Engine to the Tuc Tuc. Maybe that would enable me to get over 35 mph?

Had a change of plan at 4pm and went straight into central London and visited The Royal Hospital Whitechapel. Thanks to John the Fire Officer who made this possible. However once again the helicopter was out doing its job. In the photo you can just see the Hellipad on the roof of the hospital. Whilst in London I had a close shave with a bus, which pulled out without noticing me and nearly wiped out the Tuc Tuc. Am I not colourful enough to be seen?

Next stop Stains Round Table to pick up cheque for £500.

The Sat Nav had a fit and took me on every back-road to my night stop. I finally arrived at 10pm at Tim's in Twyfold.

8th October : Nottingham to Norwich

2008-10-10T23:50:00.003+01:00

Visited RAF Waddington to see Lincs & Notts Air Ambulance, but the Explorer helicopter was out on a call. However I was shown around the HQ by Chief Executive Peter Aldrick. Funny how simple thing are always the best way. Peter explained how to calculate flight of times with a map and string (see photo)

We then had photo with Tuc Tuc and response car (Donated by local farmers) It was then off to the charity office for official hand over of teddy.

Nice and flat roads to Norwich. I over took 4 tractors.

At Norwich met up with local Tablers from Norwich No 1 & Andrew Kelly Area 6 Chairman. They did us proud with our 1st curry with the Tuc Tuc (a taste of home!).

7th Oct Rhyl to Nottingham (via Wales AA & County AA)

2008-10-08T01:01:00.002+01:00

Day started wet and only got wetter. From Rhyl we traveled 45 miles /2 hrs to Caernarfon, and was met with a warm welcome from Caernarfon Tablers. Caernarfon chairman Simon had also arranged for the local press and the local radio station (Champion FM) to be there .

See photo of Tablers at Wales Air Ambulance.

I have taken a few extra photos for Selby Round Table 450 "Guess you guys may want to increase your donation" I have have taken the challenge further guys.

Met with Lynne Regional Fundraising Manger for Wales Air Ambulance (AA). (With Tuc Tuc biscuits etc)

Plus photo of the charming young reporter from Champion FM(With Tuc Tuc biscuits etc)

This is the second radio interview I have given on the trip and also had a two filming bits from BBC Air Heroes and Spie Matthew Hall. The high of the day has to be when I overtook my 3rd vehicle of the tour "a tractor"

From Wales we traveled on to (100 + miles) RAF Cosford County Air Ambulance. Again AA on a call out.

Photos with Paramedic - One more teddies for the increasing collection. Back seat almost full.
Just as we set off from the base the AA returned. Just our luck.

Then off to NOTTINGHAM. Nice meal out with City of Nottingham RT59. Thanks go to Chairman Iain & Niall for their help enabling out team to coe last at the pub quiz. No chance of winning.

We are now at 1005 miles into the trip all working today with Tuc Tuc.

Now on home stretch, 700 miles to go....All down hill (I hope).

CORRECTED - STEVE LORD'S TUCTUC ADVENTURE UPDATE UP TO 7th OCTOBER

2008-10-08T00:02:00.000+01:00

TECHNICAL UPDATE SINCE LAST TIME

The TucTuc had it's service on Monday en-route from Clitheroe (Steve's Home Town) to Rhyl. One rear tyre has been wearing quicker than the other, and was replaced before the tread became an issue by an ever-smiling engineer.

Other bits needing attention were 2 rear wheel cylinders that were replaced, the headlights were fixed again (Steve has now seen the light - ha ha) with another soldering job to fix the switch, and to add to the electrical woes, the cigarette lighter (bidi lighter?) was causing problems with the SatNav system, and on dismantling the thing, Steve and Frank found it to be wired wrongly, so another quick fix, and the SatNav was back on track.

The weather for the journey from Clitheroe into North Wales was not at it's kindest, and the roof and canopy is still leaking, but bearable.

The handbrake is now becoming an ornament rather than something you could do a handbrake turn with - some more adjustment needed again - see the report for how it was tested by the Yorkshire Air Ambulance......

This morning - 7th October 08 - we did the last fine tuning for the mammoth run from Rhyl along the North Wales coast to the Welsh Air Ambulance at Caernarfon Airport and then cross country to Nottingham - the offside mirror needed adjusting slightly by Frank as Steve was already zipped up in the weatherproof curtains surrounding the TucTuc

SUNDAY 5th OCTOBER - GREAT NORTH AIR AMBULANCE, YORKSHIRE AIR AMBULANCE - NORTHALLERTON TO CLITHEROE

My First visit was to Teesside Airport to meet up with the Staff at the Great North Air Ambulance there, and here I'm with two of the Paramedics in front of their Explorer 902 helicopter, unique because it has no tail rotor, allowing it to get into very tight landing sites.

I had to wait for 45minutes to get the photo because as soon as I arrived they were off on a "shout" and I whiled away the time looking around the Police helicopter (a very different beast altogether)

I was also extremely pleased to be joined at Teesside by the Vice President of Ladies Circle, Niki Stocken, whose encouraging hug was worth at least 100 miles

My next visit was to Bradford Leeds Airport was to join the staff at the Yorkshire Air Ambulance. It happened again -just as I arrive the 'copter took off ; but have a closer look at the picture, you'll see my forearm straining to keep hold of the TucTuc as the helicopter downdraft started testing the strength of the handbrake - and won!. To make it all worse, our intrepid cameraman was standing on a barrel to take the photo, and he too succumbed to the force of the wind.

It gave me a chance to look at the other Yorkshire Air Ambulance helicopter parked in the hangar

and after only about 15 minutes the helicopter was back and I'm pictured with one of the Paramedics (right) and the Pilot (left)

My final "engagement" and my first "Challenge" was laid on by Selby RT 450 at Bradford Leeds Airport and a visit by two charming ladies who worked there. To qualify for a donation I had to tuck my trousers in my socks, my shirt in my skiddies and stand holding two packets of Tuc biscuits .... yes you guessed it, I had a double TucTuc.........cheeky monkeys!, but I was happy to oblige.

So, from there it was homeward bound to Clitheroe - a chance to sleep briefly in a familiar bed (yes - of course it's my own!) and tomorrow brings the TucTuc's first proper service ready for the second half of the UK and my journey.

MONDAY 6th OCTOBER - CLITHEROE TO RHYL VIA BLACKPOOL AND LIVERPOOL

After a few hours rest at home near Clitheroe, the first task was to get the TucTuc serviced and have some of the technical glitches seen-to. This took a little longer than anticipated, but we were greeted by smiles all round by the mechanics, and by Frank from Blackburn round Table who would be the support driver for the rest of the leg.

The delay to the start meant the pressure was on to make good time and I hotfooted it towards the next Air Ambulance destination at Blackpool Airport to meet the crew of the North West Air Ambulance. I arrived mid afternoon, and the weather had started to turn poor, rain and wind made heavy going, but the call of Merseyside, Cheshire and North Wales beckoned. Here I am with my own Area 34 Chairman Matt Jackson (left) of Lancaster RT160, one of the Paramedics, myself and a very tanned Frank, fresh from his Mediterranean cruise, shades in place and ready to roll. You can also see the support vehicles kindly sponsored by SPIE Matt Hall.

My last leg was a bit of a marathon, Blackpool, Lytham StAnnes, Preston, Liverpool City Centre, through the Mersey Tunnel (cough, splutter!) across the Wirral and into North Wales, in the dark and Rain. The Run was reasonably trouble free, but it was cold and wet, and the last leg was a descent of about 1200 feet in a couple of miles and on towards my next night stop, the infamous Sunny Rhyl, Riviera of North Wales and home to my fellow 52Clubbers, Rhyl & District 352, Table of our National Vice President Dave "Sharky" Barker. I stopped over with Mark Roberts (you know - that guy who seems to have been writing for Tabler magazine {sorry - TM} for years) and also Dave's PLC Chairman.

Carys laid on dried bread & cheese (sorry Carys - not that bad - honest!!) and we were joined by Rhyl's Chairman, Anton Sampson, and we all piled into the TucTuc for a spot of night time photo ops amongst the neon and arcades of Rhyl's Prom (yes - they were still open at 10pm!)

Anton is also seen making a donation of £100 from Rhyl RT to go towards the moneys raised for Air Ambulance.

The locals were totally bemused to see the TucTuc on a near-deserted promenade at 11pm, and here are myself, Anton, Frank and Mark just before we parked it up for the night on Mark's front lawn and headed off to Rhyl's meeting place, the Faenol Fawr for a quick refreshment

who say's you can't get good head in Wales..... mine's the half....

TUESDAY 7th OCTOBER - RHYL TO THE WALES AIR AMBULANCE AT CAERNARFON, AND ON TO NOTTINGHAM

An early start after Mark's bacon & sausage butties I manhandled the TucTuc out of it's little hideaway at the side of the house ....

to the bemusement of Mark and Carys' youngest daughter who thought the Wheelie bin had sprouted wheels ..........

and a quick photo opportunity in the daylight in front of Rhyl's Skytower, and I'm away at 10 to 9 am along the North Wales coast to meet the lads from Caernarfon Round Table, who a couple of weeks earlier had donated a cheque for £1000 direct to the staff of the Wales Air Ambulance at Caernarfon Airport and a joint meeting with Rhyl Round Table. I reached the Airport at 10.30am. More later

by Mark Roberts - who got it right 2nd time

Technical Bits over last few days.

2008-10-05T08:44:00.002+01:00

The weather-proof side for the Tuc Tuc are very good keeping out all the wind and the rain. (Made in Britain) The yellow roof for the Tuc Tuc like all new tents needs sealing. Hence leaks like a sieve as Marcus found out on the trip to the pub.

But have to add only leaks when it rains.

The engine is going fine not even using oil. Sunday night/Monday morning will go in for 1500 Km service.

Steve

Sunday 5th Oct - Great North Air Ambulance - Yorkshire Air Ambulance - Clitheroe.

2008-10-05T08:35:00.001+01:00

Day started with Blue sky and thankfully no wind.

Our hoist Marcus treated us to BBQ breakfast.

More to flow when hit home.

Saturday 4th Oct Haddington to Northallerton

2008-10-05T08:32:00.001+01:00

Whole day very wet, but bigger problem strong wind. Sides required due to rain but badly blown around.

Started in Haddington where Roger from North Berwick Round Table joined use for a bike ride.

Made Hole island for a food stop. One of my favourate place to visit but not with the weather we had.

Longest day so far and slow speeds due to wind.

Made my Johnson Matthey Billingham site later that day.

Then on to Northallerton.

That night a fund raiser for Air Ambulance in the memory on Andrew Done. Over £500 raised.

Friday 3rd Oct - Aberdeen to Edinburgh

2008-10-05T08:21:00.000+01:00

Fine day but very strong winds. Had to take sides of Tuc Tuc to stop been blown around too much.

By 3pm we made Dunfermline, straight to Beer festival run by Round Table, Rugby club & Anthony Nolan Trust.

Invited to go back in the evening with Tuc Tuc and put it in smoker corner. Lots of interest in the fun event.

Then across Forth Road Bridge, wind had dropped so nice view and very safe.

Through Edinburgh city centre to A1 and Haddington.

Then to Richmond Park Hotel where we were welcomed by Bruce from Bo’ness Round Table, Hotel donated the rooms to use . Thank You.

2nd October : Fine weather today from Inverness to Stonehaven

2008-10-02T23:31:00.005+01:00

Nice run today blue skies all the way and no wind.

Roads clear and flat. I passed lots of interesting places where I would have liked to have stopped. That will have to wait until another trip as I had to keep going.

I did my first radio interview at lunchtime today! Then I continued to head to Pauls and Inverurie.

An evening out to meet up with Inverurie & District Round Table 764 + lots of others.

Table meeting with Area Chairman Kevin Wilson and Ex Area Chairman Blair Forrest. Not looking forward to tomorrow apparently the fists snow of the year has been forecast (just my luck!!).

1st October John O'Groats to Inverness

2008-10-01T23:28:00.005+01:00

All start fine except the weather.
Wind rain & small technical hitches.

Morning very windy and wet. Ideal weather for fixing sides onto Tuc Tuc. Helped with the improved kite
effect on the road but did keep rain off me.

But soon improved and saw Scotland in its glory and even sun.

Good time made and finished day 10 miles outside Inverness.
That's after a stop at Kost Effective Auto Services , 23 Lotland St
Inverness : Tel 01463 710665 - for welding to the exhaust that had become detached yet
again.

Thanks to Neil will start the morning ready to go.

Rufus Car 30th September Pre run service

2008-10-01T23:28:00.004+01:00

Big Thank you to Peter and Andrew of Rufus Carr for the service and
correction of the brake issue the Tuc Tuc had.

www.rufuscarr.co.uk

Off to a flying start!

2008-10-01T12:27:00.004+01:00

According to the Fleetsmart tracker on the Tuc Tuc, Steve set off from John'O'Groats this morning, and is currently travelling south down the North East coast of Scotland on the A99. We should expect a post from Steve sometime this evening, assuming he is not too tired by his first days drive.

He seems to be averaging around 27 mph, but will probably improve on this over the trip as the engine is not yet fully run in so he cannot yet go flat out.

Thanks go to Rufus Carr, the Ford garage in Clitheroe who repaired the brakes at the last minute. More on this in a later posting.

Go Steve go!

Webmaster Will

Sunday 28th Lytham Round Table Dragon Boat Racing

2008-09-28T22:30:00.002+01:00

Still running Tuc Tuc in, had a few repairs to do 1st thing.

Set off to help Lytham Round Table with their Dragon Boat Racing.

Over 20 teams competed on a beautiful day.

Lytham Round Table had a great day and is believed to have raised £5,000 to be split 50/50 with North West Air Ambulance & RNLI.

A fantastic event which really pulled the crowds

President Linda - Ladies Circle Ball @ Park Hall

2008-09-28T21:53:00.001+01:00

Saturday contined with taking the Tuc Tuc to Linda's Ball @ Park Hall. We rocked the night away with the Morris & the Minors.

Photo is of President's Peter and Kilsh (I am the one in the subtle jacket in the middle!)

Steve

Saturday 27th - Yorkshire 3 Peaks -Still running in.

2008-09-28T21:48:00.006+01:00

New van and Tuc Tuc Meet

With new tracker fitted and a sunny day went off to Settle them 3 peaks to try some hills. Engine getting looser and by end of run could get up hills in 3 & 4 gears. Problems with LPG system, will have to contact Greenconversions.

Meet up with a gang of Harley Davidson bikers at the Cafe.- Thanks for the donation- Enjoy the road.

Steve

Thank you to all my sponsors

2008-09-28T19:00:00.003+01:00

A whole range of organisations have kindly sponsored different aspects of this project. A big thank-you to all the sponsors...

GPS Tracker is now live

2008-09-26T15:58:00.003+01:00

Our thanks to fleetsmart who today fitted a GPS tracker to the Tuc Tuc. You can now plot my progress live via the web site:

http://roundtabletuctuc.blobseye.com

Thanks to fleetsmart!

Running in....

2008-09-26T10:55:00.001+01:00

The preparation continues. So far several of the lights have failed, and last night the exhaust supports broke off, leaving the exhaust vibrating like a tuning fork! Fortunately the Tuc Tuc is in the workshop is being beefed up ready for the 1st October.

However, most of these issues are minor and will soon be resolved. So far I am 200 miles into the 1000 mile running in period. Only then can I reach the Tuc Tuc equivalent of Mach 1, that being 35 mph!

More news as it happens

Steve

Raising money for good causes

2008-09-19T12:57:00.000+01:00

As well as raising the profile of the UK air ambulance charities in the UK, Steve's trip is also hoping to raise money for the various air ambulances plus a raft of smaller charities (RTCW, ANT & Freedom Through Education)

If you would like to give money to your local Air Ambulance, a 'Just Giving site' has been set up for each region. This post is mainly for Steve's JM colleagues where the two relavent sites are:

JM Clitheroe = "North West" Air Ambulance :: Go to www.justgiving.com/stevelord

JM Billingham = "Great North" Air Ambulance :: Go to www.justgiving.com/stevelord1

Over the next two weeks all the 'Just Giving' addresses will be posted here, so watch this space

Webmaster Will

The Route

2008-09-16T19:53:00.000+01:00

Preparation for the big trip

2008-09-16T18:39:00.000+01:00

This blog will form the on-line diary of Steve Lord's Tuctuc Adventure. The aim is to drive an Indian Tuctuc (see picture right) from John'o'Groats to Lands End, but not in fact the easy way!

The whole excercise is to promote the work of the Air Ambulance Service and it's association to Round Table. Thus Steve's route is far from the shortest as he plans to visit most if not all of the UK Air Ambulance stations on the way.

As this blog develops all kinds of background information will appear hear, and when on the 1st October he sets off from the North Coast of Scotland Steve will be blogging his progress here.

So, watch this space!

Webmaster Will

Steve Lord's Tuctuc Adventure

Other photo's from Lands End...

October 12th: All the way to Lands End...

October 11th : Portsmouth to Exeter

Exeter 123 Round Table.

11th October : Photo's from along the South Coast

10th October : Oxford to Portsmouth

9th October : Norwich to Twyfold

8th October : Nottingham to Norwich

7th Oct Rhyl to Nottingham (via Wales AA & County AA)

CORRECTED - STEVE LORD'S TUCTUC ADVENTURE UPDATE UP TO 7th OCTOBER

Technical Bits over last few days.

Sunday 5th Oct - Great North Air Ambulance - Yorkshire Air Ambulance - Clitheroe.

Saturday 4th Oct Haddington to Northallerton

Friday 3rd Oct - Aberdeen to Edinburgh

2nd October : Fine weather today from Inverness to Stonehaven

1st October John O'Groats to Inverness

Rufus Car 30th September Pre run service

Off to a flying start!

Sunday 28th Lytham Round Table Dragon Boat Racing

President Linda - Ladies Circle Ball @ Park Hall

Saturday 27th - Yorkshire 3 Peaks -Still running in.

Thank you to all my sponsors

Sponsored van has now arrived

GPS Tracker is now live

Running in....

Raising money for good causes

The Route

Preparation for the big trip