Day 22
Woke to cloudy but dry weather as we got onto our bikes for the final time. We had been told by loads of people that this final run was pretty flat, but we both found ourselves in granny gear for most of the morning. Made it to thurso for lunch and checked in with our support crew (a.k.a Charlottes wonderful parents Keith and Jan) who were driving up from Edinburgh after a drive from the Isle of Wight the day before, it was going to be a race to the finish. With renewed vigour we set off to cycle the final 20 miles. From Thurso the roads levelled out and the wind seemed to turn to assist us on our way. As we flew along the coast road we enjoyed the views across the coastline and onwards to the Orkney Islands. We passed Dounreay nuclear facility taking care to heed the advice that we had been given and keep our feet off the ground, not catch the eye of any of the local inhabitants and generally keep breathing to a minimum. As we neared the finish we could see a colection of buildings clustered on the coast to our left. We turned left and headed down towards John O Groats, but where was the start/finish line? As we got closer we could make out the familiar signpost and next to it two people waving like crazy, we waved back almost crashing into each other in the excitement. Seeing this Jan and Keith ran off at a trot and disappeared behind a building. We turned a corner and there was the line with Keith and Jan standing either side of a huge banner, sounding an air horn. We crossed the line hand in hand and leapt off our bikes for the last time. A besumed man looked on at this spectacle from his car as we celebrated. We had made it cycling in total 1024 miles! Day 21
Left the site in the morning with the rain starting as we packed up the tent. Headed out into wilderness against heavy head winds and torrential rain. Going was really tough and we were getting colder and colder. Kept going to the Crask inn where we found four other cyclists hiding out from the elements. Swapped stories and enjoyed camaraderie before heading back out. Rain just did not let up and we were glad to arrive at Bettyhill and our hotel for the night. Great views across the bay of golden sands and turquoise waters. Both really glad that today was over. Day 20
Crossed the bridge over the moray firth onto the black isle (birthplace of the best organic lager), heavy wind and rain lashing us as we went. Left the isle and headed to Allness for big eats and the opportunity to warm up and dry out a bit. Decided at this point to take the longer route via the north coast to JoG in the hope of better weather to enjoy the scenery. Headed inland along loch naver to our destination of Lairg. Met quite a few cyclists on the campsite and in the bar that night. Day 19
Left aviemore in the morning and climbed up over the Slochd summit before heading to culloden and then on into inverness where we camped for the night. Day 18
Did a distillery tour this morning and picked up a bottle of dalwhinnies 15 year old finest which has taken prime spot in the panniers (we don't need any of those spare tubes or tools anyway). Made our way to aviemore where we arrived in pouring rain. Day 17
Carried on along the valley, stopping off at Blair Castle for lunch, before heading back out onto the road in torrential rain. The road started to rise, and we soon faced a sign warning us of the dangers of the Drummochter pass. We checked that we had enough emergency oaty bars with us and carried on climbing up to 460m with spectacular scenery- it was fantastic! Spent the night in a very relaxing hotel in Dalwhinnie as it was 'brass monkeys' outside. Day 16
Got our first glimpses today of the Cairngorms as we climbed north. Followed a cycle track that ran roughly along the A9, give or take a few hills (d'oh!). Stopped today at Pitlochry, and enjoyed an afternoon off the saddle. Noticed it getting noticeably colder in the tent overnight . . . Day 15
Incredibly windy as we crossed the bridge in the morning (Charlotte reckons I'm just chicken). Had a tough ride into a headwind with gnarly tarmac which really got to us, so we stopped for cake and the finest hot chocolate known to mankind in a deli in Kelty. Spent the night in Perth where we worked out that we were ahead of schedule and could freewheel for a bit. Day 14
Continued our journey across the hills towards Edinburgh. Did a bit of our own sheep herding along the road as we went. Did the tourist thing today and visited Rosslyn Chapel before cycling into Edinburgh for a tour through the city. Camped just below the Forth road bridge. Day 13
A great day heading almost exactly north and into the wilds of the Southern Uplands. Crossing the Scottish border felt great! We headed into the Moorfoot Hills into the most tranquil place you could imagine; just us, some big hills and lots of sheep and cows! Saw several herons, climbed several hundred metres, and gave the logging trucks a very wide berth. Helped herd some sheep at one point. Stayed at an inn in the middle of nowhere where we finally met 2 other crazy End-to-enders! Day 12
Fantastic morning cycling through the heart of the lakes. Got buzzed by an RAF airplane as we reached the top of Dunmail Raise. Then a peaceful ride round Thirlmere and then out towards Carlisle past Helvelyn, Blencathra and Skiddaw Peaks. Got caught in a huge downpour in Carlisle - arrived at our campsite soaking wet just as the sun came out! Day 11
An easy first 30 miles with ice creams in Morecambe Bay. Then climbed for the next 20 miles and entered Cumbria on a farmers track via a stone quarry! Arrived to pitch our tent in Hawkshead as the lakes gave us a typical soaking. Day 10
Early start today to make a leap into Lancashire; managed just short of 70 miles so were really chuffed! Crossed the Mersey at Runcorn (where "2 Pints" is set) and used cycle tracks alongside the canals for a fair while. Cycled through Preston along cycle tracks again and then failed to find a campsite to the north so ended up staying in a hotel in a Guys Thatched Hamlet near Garstang. A really surreal place! Day 9
Domestic morning sorting out laundry and then a short ride to Chester where we stayed for the night. Spent the afternoon exploring the town which is very pretty and picturesque. Day 8
Finally met some other long distance cyclists today as well as the malevolent mutt of Munslow! Camped just south of Wrexham. Day 7
A bit of a roller coaster along the Welsh border to Ludlow today. Camped just outside town on a farm. Day 6
Today was the river crossings, first the Avonmouth Bridge then the Severn Bridge across into Wales. Cycled along the Wye Valley which was beautiful, and are camping at Monmouth. Day 5
Met up with my brother David, as we cycled across the Somerset Levels and onto a cycle track on a disused railyway across the Mendip Hills called the Strawberry Line which was fantastic. Spent the night in Clevedon. Day 4
Started out pretty early determined to get some miles under our belt and to get away from the hills. Good weather and plenty of food saw us enter Somerset just after 6. Spending the night camping on a cider farm just outside Taunton in their apple orchard with peacocks wandering around. Day 3
Had a great nights sleep and hit the road feeling refreshed. Spent a lot of the day climbing as we got closer to Dartmoor. Finally ending up in a B&B in Okehampton. Day 2
A hearty bowl of porridge and we were off. A tough start to the day heading off over the hills and to Padstow to meet friends for lunch. Leisurely jaunt along the Camel Trail and then to Camelford to camp. Day 1
Cycled the short distance to an eerie Land's End. The place was deserted and shrouded in mist. Took picture by the sign and then we were on our way. Spent a good deal of the day with a persistent drizzle. Hugged the coast through St Ives and then up to Perranporth where we camped for the night. Got little sleep thanks to torrential downpour in the early hours of the morning. Day 0
Got the train down to Penzance today, sharing a carriage with 30 guys on a stag do, enough said! Declined the chilli vodka. (Good luck Aaron - the parrot hope you survive). Cycled the short distance to Sennen Cove in rain of biblical proportions. Can't wait for the off now!
The Prologue: "I'd really like to cycle from Lands End to John O'Groats" I said casually. I didn't expect that Charlotte (my fiancee) would a) encourage this endeavour or b) want to accompany me! The moral of the story is think before you speak. Oh well can't chicken out now. The plan: On Saturday 21st June 2008 we will be setting out from Lands End, England to travel the 1000 (or so) miles to John O'Groats, Scotland. We are hoping to complete the journey in under three weeks, travelling approximately 50 - 60 miles a day. We will be carrying with us everything that we need for the journey (tent, spare pair of pants etc) and will be sleeping under canvas at night. The good news is that some bloke I met in the pub said that the prevailing wind should blow us almost all the way to Scotland, the bad news is that his mate reckons its uphill all the way !! The hope is to take our time and take in some of the sights en route, so if you have any suggestions on things worth checking out then let us know. The motivation:
I am going to be doing the ride in aid of the Bristol Drugs project which is an independent charity providing holistic support for drug users. For more information go to www.bdp.org.uk. It's an organisation that is doing excellent work and is desperately in need of additional funds to keep going. My partner-in-crime Charlotte is doing the ride in aid of Cancer Research UK, and you can check out her page at www.justgiving.com/charlotte-lejog. We will be extremely grateful for any support that you can give us large or small. If you don't want to sponsor us one lump sum why not sponsor us for 50p a mile !?! Many thanks John P.S. If anyone has any advice on doing this kind of thing (other than "get the bus") or on life in general we would be most grateful. There now follows a public service announcement:
Donating through this site is simple, fast and totally secure. It is also the most efficient way to sponsor me: Bristol Drugs Project Limited will receive your money faster and, if you are a UK taxpayer, an extra 28% in tax will be added to your gift at no cost to you.
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