We are aiming to cycle from Land's End to John O'Groats - around 1,000 miles - in 18 days, setting off on 9th July 2009.
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4th July 2009 - Can't believe we are due to start this week. Feeling apprehensive but also excited about the prospect of getting under way.
They are off!
Day 1 - Lands End to Boscastle, stopped for clotted cream Tea, recorded 90 miles on first day!
Day 2 - Stopped for another clotted cream tea at Bude. Matthew read somewhere you can eat and drink as much as you like on this challenge.
Day 3 - Reached Cheddar. Rained all day. Discovered my waterproofs not waterproof.
Day 4 - Made it over the Severn, across the Forest of Dean and to Ross on Wye
Day 5 - A more leisurely day along the beautiful River Wye to Tenbury Wells. Quote from local in 'The Vaults' in Tenbury who saw us drinking local farmhouse cider; "You're brave getting back on your bike after drinking that stuff"
Day 6 Tuesday 14th July - Travelled up through the Clee Hills, past Much Wenlock, Telford, Market Drayton and Whitchurch. Relieved to make it back home for the evening.
Day 7 We were joined by my brother Jon who is coming with us to John O Groats. Through the Cheshire countryside to Leigh and then past Blackburn to stay at Bashall Eaves.
Day 8 Beautiful scenery today as we passed through the Lancashire Forest of Bowland and on to Appleby in Westmorland
Day 9 A challenging day. Rain. RAIN. And then some more rain. And wind. Eventually made it to Brampton, without any accommodation booked. We were kindly offered the church hall by the vicar but the excellent tourist information found us a great b and b at Newtown farm.
Day 10 More rain and mechanical failures drove us into Penrith to buy new gear cables. Travelled over the border to Peebles. Once again we arrived with no accommodation booked and were rescued by Venlaw Farm who took us in even though they were full. We have met such a lot of kindness on our trip
Day 11 Wonderful open scenery as we went on to Perth
Day 12 A really strenuous day as we went over the Cairngorms. We thought we were dong 95 miles but in the end did 107 miles and ended at 10.10pm - this time with accommodation booked thankfully. Ended in Grantown on Spey.
Day 13 Carried on though Inverness and to our friends David and Judith in Beauly who have made us very welcome with a great dinner, wine and then some competitive card playing. Still on track...
Day 14 More dramatic scenery as we pushed north eventually reaching The Crask Inn, north of Lairg. More great food and some fine malts.
Day 15 Around 88 miles on our final day as we reached to North Coast at Betty Hill, and then headed east past Thurso and the Castle of Mey to John O'Groats. We finally arrived just before 8pm. It has been a fabulous journey.
Epilogue
Looking back over the trip I have been struck by just how much beautiful and empty countryside we have in Britain.
We have also met with a considerable amount of generosity for which we are grateful; in particular at Tregatherall Farm, Boscastle, The Morwenna Cafe, Bude, Venlaw Farm, Peebles and at John O Groats Guest House.
Including offline donations, the amount raised for the BBA is over £1,200; thank you all very much indeed.
Day 3 - Reached Cheddar. Rained all day. Discovered my waterproofs not waterproof.
Day 4 - Made it over the Severn, across the Forest of Dean and to Ross on Wye
Day 5 - A more leisurely day along the beautiful River Wye to Tenbury Wells. Quote from local in 'The Vaults' in Tenbury who saw us drinking local farmhouse cider; "You're brave getting back on your bike after drinking that stuff"
Day 6 Tuesday 14th July - Travelled up through the Clee Hills, past Much Wenlock, Telford, Market Drayton and Whitchurch. Relieved to make it back home for the evening.
Day 7 We were joined by my brother Jon who is coming with us to John O Groats. Through the Cheshire countryside to Leigh and then past Blackburn to stay at Bashall Eaves.
Day 8 Beautiful scenery today as we passed through the Lancashire Forest of Bowland and on to Appleby in Westmorland
Day 9 A challenging day. Rain. RAIN. And then some more rain. And wind. Eventually made it to Brampton, without any accommodation booked. We were kindly offered the church hall by the vicar but the excellent tourist information found us a great b and b at Newtown farm.
Day 10 More rain and mechanical failures drove us into Penrith to buy new gear cables. Travelled over the border to Peebles. Once again we arrived with no accommodation booked and were rescued by Venlaw Farm who took us in even though they were full. We have met such a lot of kindness on our trip
Day 11 Wonderful open scenery as we went on to Perth
Day 12 A really strenuous day as we went over the Cairngorms. We thought we were dong 95 miles but in the end did 107 miles and ended at 10.10pm - this time with accommodation booked thankfully. Ended in Grantown on Spey.
Day 13 Carried on though Inverness and to our friends David and Judith in Beauly who have made us very welcome with a great dinner, wine and then some competitive card playing. Still on track...
Day 14 More dramatic scenery as we pushed north eventually reaching The Crask Inn, north of Lairg. More great food and some fine malts.
Day 15 Around 88 miles on our final day as we reached to North Coast at Betty Hill, and then headed east past Thurso and the Castle of Mey to John O'Groats. We finally arrived just before 8pm. It has been a fabulous journey.
Epilogue
Looking back over the trip I have been struck by just how much beautiful and empty countryside we have in Britain.
We have also met with a considerable amount of generosity for which we are grateful; in particular at Tregatherall Farm, Boscastle, The Morwenna Cafe, Bude, Venlaw Farm, Peebles and at John O Groats Guest House.
Including offline donations, the amount raised for the BBA is over £1,200; thank you all very much indeed.
