Lands End to John O'Groats CYCLING TOUR IS FINISHED!  Photo is the group at Lands End on 13th July.  See day by day blog at the end in blue.

Thanks to everyone who has sponsored us so far. To anyone else please DIG DEEP - we still need those sponsors PLEASE!

Thank you for visiting 4 Sore Bottoms. We are four 16 year old guys on bikes from King Edward's School in Birmingham:

 Hamish "get dieting" Robertson
 James "nice ankles" Shirley
 Joe "heart-throb" Harrison
 John "legs 11"  Lumley

Other guys also on the trip:
Alastair Robertson
Keith Phillips
Derek Everest
Dan King
Joe Neary
Phil Lumley
Chai Bhalerao

Chief female fundraiser: Grace Santos-Murphy (BIG THANKS)

The reason our bottoms are going to be so sore is because we are cycling from Lands End (the most southern point of England) to John O'Groats (the most northern point of Scotland) from 13th - 31st July 2008. The tour is being organised by cycling guru Mr Philips from King Edward's School. OK, so why are we doing the 1061 miles? Well, it is an exciting challenge and we would like to raise money for Acorns Children's Hospice. The trust cares for life limited children and their families from across the West Midlands, by offering a network of care through its hospices. Joe Harrison's cousin, Olivia, was seriously ill with a cancerous brain tumour and was only 10 years old. Acorns provided much needed support for both her and her immediate family throughout many difficult times. Olivia's condition deteriorated recently and she sadly died on 27th April 2008. The boys have pulled together to do this trip, in memory of her and the wonderful work Acorns does.

We are paying for the trip ourselves so everything you donate WILL go to Acorns Children's Hospice.  Our target is £6,000 - 1,500 for each sore bum!

So please guys and girls give what you feel we deserve. We are also collecting offline using sponsor forms. This has so far been very successful. Thanks for looking and thank you for your support.

PS.  We will update the site with news of progress when we are on tour!

Donating through this site is simple, fast and totally secure. It is also the most efficient way to sponsor me: Acorns Children's Hospice Trust 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.

Welcome to the Tour Blog

30th July, 4pm - WE ARE at John O'Groats - drinking champagne! 

All 11 'sore bottoms' have made it!  Thanks for everybodys support - teachers, parents, grandparents, friends, family, work colleagues...and the drivers to take us home.   Well done to everybody, especially to Joe, John, James and Hamish for getting sponsored for such a worthy cause, in memory of Olivia.

30th July - Some stiff climbs following the north east coast. Eventually the wind has mostly subsided. Great views of the cliffs and the sea. Arrive in Wick, sunny weather, boys all well. Then off on the final leg, the last 18 miles to John O'Groats. Meet a very nice lorry driver on the way. Overtaken 5 miles short by the minibus and van to take us home. Last few miles all down hill. Swoop into JoG. All the drivers there to meet us. Lots of pictures and great celebrations - thanks for the champagne!

29th July - Excellent breakfast at Conan Bridge. Grey day with wind and some rain to start. Then off to the south side of the Cromarty Firth. Windy and sea mist made it quite hard going. Then down to the ferry at Nigg Bay - a strange small ferry taking one car. Then on to Tain for lunch. Then over the Dornoch Bridge - strong wind and cold. Then on to Dornoch - very beautiful and up to Loch Fleet. Fanastic view and saw some seals. On to Golspie, Brora and a long cold windy stretch to Helmsdale. Everyone very tired - 69 miles against the wind. Good meal out - fish and chips. 

28th July - Cycled back down to Fort William then joined the canal towpath. Wonderful run up beside the boats. Tremendous scenery. Up to Loch Lochy and Loch Oich we followed the Caledonian up towards Loch Ness. Once off the towpath the A road was very busy and somewhat hairy. Through Fort Augustus and along the west bank of Loch Ness. No monster sighted. After Drumnadrochit we had one of our most severe climbs. At the end of 60 miles it was a severe test. Then nicely downhill, mostly, and we arrive at the east coast- almost. Through Beauly and on to Conan Bridge where we stayed the night - 77 miles. Joined by Jezz, Derek Everest's son for an excellent evening meal.

27th July - Late start from Oban, no great hurry as only 50 miles today. Very hot day, sunny and clear sky. Wind that there is is mostly behind. (Blog editor; we have had enough of this wind from behind, isn't there more gossip). Less hilly but scenery just as majestic, round every corner is a flat calm loch and a wonderful view of mountains behind. Road is very busy so somewhat hairy. Up past Benderloch and stop at Port Appin. Then up the shore of Loch Linnhe and over the bridge at Ballachulish. Stop on the shores of the loch for lunch. Boys skim stones. Sun is hot and there is plenty of time. Continue on up at a good pace and arrive in Fort William about 3. Boys have ice creams. Youth hostel very nice just opposite Ben Nevis. Too hot to stay outdoors.  Had a good meal out in Fort William last night joined by Wilson, Hamish's grandad. Good scottish fare, some even had haggis!

26th July - After being eaten by midges we left Lochranza on the ferry, arrived at Claonaig. Steep climb out. Pleasant weather and majestic scenery we made our way to coastal village of Tarbert. Boys came back from shops with vast supplies - for a snack. James (nice ankles) with large bag of jam doughnuts, Dan with pots and pots of fruit. Wind behind we soon made it to Lochgilphead. Very beautiful and time for lunch. Another visit to a bike shop in the endless search for a solution to Dan's back wheel. Very helpful shop but no solution but phones ahead to Oban who may be able to help. A fast party decide to sprint to Oban. Phil with Joe 'Heart-throb', Dan and James steam ahead.
Hard work in the afternoon, breathtaking scenery and so good to see it from a bike, massive climbs and fearsome descents. Scared to think what speeds the boys reach! All boys cycling really well.
In to Oban, good youth hostel. Boys want to go and see Batman - how quickly they seem to have a place sussed out. Given money for meal and film. They have a great time. The older adults stumble on a seafood restaurant worthy of visiting again, perhaps on the next LEJOG tour...   Another good day. 

25th July - Another good day. Full English (not Scottish?) breakfast at Sanquar was one of the best yet. This hotel had been a real highlight and we were sorry to be leaving. The route through the hills at the start was very scenic. Weather was hot and wind was behind. In general we were downhill so another morning at a cracking pace - we did have a ferry to catch! Through New Cumnock and on to Irvine. Things were going well. Then Joe N went over a ragged post sticking out of the ground. Blown tyre but also shredded and dented rim. Needed another new wheel - bike shops doing well out of the tour! Suddenly short of time. Joe and Derek went for a new wheel - rest had lunch at a supermarket.
Then a good cycle track nearly all the way to Ardrossan. Ferry arrived and over to Brodick on Arran.  Super run round the coast then up a steep long climb. Over the crest down a wonderful descent into Lochranza. Out for a meal at the local (only) pub then early bed. 

JUST WANTED TO ADD A HUGE THANKS TO MRS PHILLIPS FOR WASHING THEIR CLOTHES AT RATLINGHOPE - IF NOT, I AM SURE THEY WOULD BE HIGH BY NOW! 

24th July - Mr P and Alastair cooked breakfast so not the usual large fare. Cycling was great today, probably the best yet. Wind behind and sunny skies we weaved our way north along quiet roads and cycle tracks. We sped along through Rockliffe, and Longtown. Stopped in Gretna to see some poor chap getting married! Then on up to Dumfries for a stop and lunch. 41 miles - average speed almost 15 mph - we'll be challenging Lance Armstrong yet! Then a great run going up the Nith valley. Superb scenery and enjoyable descents. Visited Drumlanrig Castle - well, slept on the grass bank outside. Then a super run beside the Nith up to Sanquhar - 77 miles in total. Staying in a comfortable, traditional Scottish hotel. Very enjoyable dinner. Early start tomorrow.

23rd July -  Those who knew about the coming climb had a light breakfast (Mr P). The rest of us had full English. Waved off by Sarah and co we set off along a few picturesque miles along the shores of Windermere and Grasmere. Then a long hard climb up Dunmail Raise. It was hot and humid, not very severe but hard work. At the crest we looked down onto Thirlmere and the valley beyond.  The descent was fantastic! We sped along through the forested banks, the lake (Thirlmere) flat calm. Brief stop for a puncture on Joe's bike then up to Threlkeld, avoiding the sheep and potholes. The scenery was impressive. More climbs and descents and then speeding through tiny villages at the foot of the hills. Across open moor where we were assaulted by very friendly ponys roaming free. The boys had a great time. Then down to Hesket Newmarket - a beautiful village with hardly anyone around. Fresh sliced ham from the only shop and cheese cut with topeak multitool was main course. Then jaffa cakes, penguins etc etc. Next major climb a few hundred yards after lunch!  But then a gradual descent for the next 10 miles into Carlisle. The youth hostel is in student residences which has been converted from a brewery. Very nice. Early finish at 3pm only 40 miles.   Grown ups went to buy breakfast. Boys, after showering went into town. Boys had dinner in town and have gone to see a film. Back by 10 we hope.

20th July - Left Ratlinghope after a large breakfast - too large in fact as we were soon into our steepest climb. Cold, windy and very steep we went up over the Stiperstones - a famous climb.  Great views at the top, then down a long descent into the valley below. Fortunately the rest of the day was fairly level.  Going north through Shropshire, occasionally into Wales and out again. Not many towns or villages, but lots of green rolling countryside. Took a good cycleway into Warrington and arrived about 6pm having done 80 miles! Staying in a hotel but went out for food tonight - some had a balti and others an Italian. Living it up.  Good to see Mikey and Emily (Hamish's cousins).  Everyone coping well with what have been two very long days. Bikes not holding up as well with two bikes now without a spoke - urgent visit to bike shop needed.

19th July - Swooped down to Monmouth from the castle at St Briavels  (youth hostel) after a large breakfast stocked up with supplies as our journey would not take us near many shops - up the Welsh marches. Found Dan had one fewer spokes so needed the bike shop to effect repairs. Then followed the Wye valley for some miles. Great scenery, but lots of steep climbs and steep descents made it tricky. Blustery wind and rain didn't help. Fairly tired at lunch. Done 39 miles only 50 more to go! Into the Golden valley and deepest Herefordshire. Rolling green fields, relatively gentle climbs but still some off road adventures. The boys were amazingly fresh when eventually arrived in Ratlinghope (Shropshire), one Dad (Alastair) less so, and a few sore bottoms! A 90 mile day. Thanks to the many parents, wifes and grandparents who were there to greet us. Only 80 miles tomorrow.

18th July - Started from Cheddar - grey skies and blustery wind but no rain. Some steady climbs going north towards Bristol. Stopped in Clevedon for an early lunch. Onto the cycle track, then over the Severn Bridge - spectacular! Stopped in Chepstow at the local Lidl for supplies. Then on and up a long climb, eventually arriving in St Briavels. Fantastic hostel. Old castle. The boys room was the prison! Lots of space big day tomorrow. Everyone in good spirits.

16th July  - Lovely day today. Sun shone and wind behind so we made good time. Left the luxury of Launceston after a huge breakfast. Some steep hills to start with then onto the Granite Way - an old railway line that took us in to Oakhampton for lunch. Very pretty with some long fast downhills in the afternoon, we sped our way into Exeter.  All boys well & happy.

15th July (PM) - Very hard day today - 60 miles - up lots and lots of steep hills that went on for ever and down some very steep descents. Only one spill - small graze (Dan). Went inland from Perranporth then on to Padstow for lunch on the pier. Thne onto the Camel Trail, up onto bodmin moor - very misty - then down to Launceston. Luxury sleeping and eating tonight at a golf club - rooms with proper beds and washing facilities, food eagerly awaited!  Starter then the steak and ale pie seems popular followed by steam syrup sponge and ice cream. Needing the calories.

15th July (AM) - We are now just leaving Perranporth in Cornwall. Highlights have been Cornish pasties, cream teams and the weather !  Lows have been eating too many cream teas and then trying to cycle up the very steep hills, and a crash which turned Joe N's back wheel into a 'pringle' shape! Mr P 'mended' and we limped on to a bike shop for a brand new wheel.