On hearing the news that Cameron and Sharon had made it to Lands End, the BBC despatched their top correspondent to interview them and find out more about their experience. Unfortunately he turned up 24 hours late, so you’ll have to make do with 10 questions texted by Graham and Julie;

 

Q1.      In 3 words summarise how you feel on completion of End-to-End;

UNDERWHELMED, DISAPPOINTED & ANNOYED. WE HAD VISIONS OF A TRIUMPHANT CRUISE DOWN THROUGH BEAUTIFUL COUNTRYSIDE. INSTEAD OUR KNEES HURT, WE WERE BATTLING INTO GALE FORCE WINDS FOR 8 HOURS, THE TRAFFIC ON TH A30 WAS POSITIVELY DANGEROUS AND WE WERE COLD.

 

Q2.      Who was the nicest person you met en route?

JANE AT CASTLE CANYKE FARM B&B AT BODMIN WHO TOOK GREAT CARE OF US AND EVEN PHONED AFTER WE’D LEFT TO CHECK WE HAD MADE IT SAFELY TO LANDS END

 

Q3.      What do you wish you’d taken with you that you didn’t?

MUCH DEBATE ON THIS – PROBABLY A MASSEUSE/MASSUER

 

Q4.      What was your most unexpected experience?

COMING ACROSS THE BANNER ON THE A6 AFTER SHAP, COMING INTO KENDAL. JUST A TOTAL - BUT WELCOME - SURPRISE

 

Q5.      Where was your best meal?

BY FAR IT WAS AT THE CRANNAIG BISTRO AT BONNER BRIDGE. ALTHOUGH THE CHEESE AND ONION BUTTY PROVIDED BY THE CHEESE CAFÉ IN CREDITON CAME HIGH ON CAMERONS LIST

 

Q6.      What was the best view on your trip?

FOR CAMERON IT WAS THE VIEW OVER LOCH KNOCKIE COMING DOWN TOWARDS FORT AUGUSTUS NEAR LOCH NESS. FOR SHARON IT WAS THE VIEW OF THE CATHEDRAL AS WE CAME INTO WELLS IN SOMERSET. (IT WAS NOT CAMERONS AR*E AS THAT WAS A CONSTANT VIEW FOR THE LAST 15 DAYS!!)

 

Q7.      What one piece of advice would you give someone contemplating doing End-to-End?

STAY AWAY FROM THE A30 AND ALL MAJOR CONURBATIONS

 

Q8.      What was the most bizarre thought/limerick you had?

(TO THE TUNE OF “ONE WHEEL ON MY WAGON”) MY ARSE AND KNEES, ARE KILLING ME / BUT THEY WON’T WIN COS I’LL KEEP PEDDLIN’ AND PEDDLIN’…..

OR

THERE WAS AN OLD LADY NEAR TONGUE

WHO REALLY COULD DO WITH  A BUNG

EVERY TIME SHE BENT DOWN

SHE’D FART ACROSS TOWN

OH THAT DIRTY OLD LADY NEAR TONGUE

(IN TRIBUTE TO A TRUE INCIDENT NEAR TONGUE)

 

Q9.      What was the thing you most disliked on the journey?

IMPATIENT DRIVERS AND THE WIND

 

Q10.    Would you do it again?

YES BUT NOT THAT ROUTE. WE WOULD TAKE A LONGER ROUTE OVER A LONGER TIME PERIOD AND AVOID CERTAIN MAIN ROADS (A30 SPRINGS TO MIND) ALL MAJOR TOWNS.

 

 

DAY 15

BODMIN TO LANDS END 61.2 MILES

THURSDAY 26/5/2011

 

WE’VE DONE IT!! AT AROUND 4:30PM WE REACHED LANDS END AFTER 962 MILES OF CYCLING OVER THE PAST 15 DAYS. BUT TODAY, FAR FROM THE EXPECTED “TRIUMPHANT” COAST DOWN TO THE END, IT HAS BEEN A BRUTAL SLOG FOR 8 HOURS. PARTLY THE HILLS, BUT PRIMARILY THE GALE FORCE WINDS STRAIGHT INTO OUR FACES KIND OF TOOK SOME OF THE GLOSS OFF THE CELEBRATION. MAYBE THAT VIEW WILL CHANGE OVER THEN NEXT FEW DAYS AS WE CHILL OUT DOWN HERE AT SENNAN COVE, OVERLOOKING THE SEA AND QUAFFING CHAMPAGNE!!! NO PLANS TO CYCLE ANYWHERE TOMORROW. YET.

 

 

DAY 14

TIVERTON TO BODMIN 73.2 MILES

WEDNESDAY 25/5/2011

 

THE PENULTIMATE DAY STARTED WITH BICKERSLEY HILL – LIKE SHAP BUT BIGGER, LONGER – WHICH WAS CLOSELY FOLLOWED BY ANOTHER DOZEN SERIOUS HILLS MAKING THIS PROBABLY THE HILLIEST DAY OF OUR JOURNEY. THE DIFFICULTY WAS THAT THEY WEREN’T CONSISTENT CLIMBS, BUT CHANGING GRADIENTS FOLLOWED BY DOWNHILL SECTIONS THAT I SWEAR WERE FAR SHORTER THAN THEIR UPHILL COUNTERPARTS. AND DESPITE THE AMBIENT TEMPERATURES IT WAS BLOOMING COLD ON THE TOP OF DARTMOOR. STILL, THE B&B IS GREAT – WENT AND COLLECTED OUR CHINKY TAKEAWAY AND FREE STELLA. LAST DAY TOMORROW, NOT SURE HOW WE FEEL RIGHT NOW, I GUESS WE SHOULD BE CONCENTRATING ON THE 58 MILES REMAINING…..

 

 

DAY 13

MIDSOMER NORTON TO TIVERTON 60.9 MILES

TUESDAY 24/5/2011

 

ONCE OUR HOST HAD REMEMBERED WE WERE THERE (AND THEREFORE REMEMBERED OUR BREAKFASTS!!) WE WERE GIVEN AN ALTERNATIVE, VERY QUIET, B-ROAD ROUTE INTO WELLS WHERE WE STOPPED FOR COFFEE, CAKES AND A LOOK AT THE CATHEDRAL. A VERY NICE TOWN. UNLIKE TAUNTON WHERE WE A/ GOT LOST B/ GOT PUNCTURES FROM THE GLASS DELIBERATELY LEFT ON THE CYCLE PATH. I GUESS THE LOCAL BIKE SHOP MADE UP FOR IT WIYJ EXCELLENT SERVICE BUT OUR FIRST PUNCTURES – AFTER 800 MILES – RESULTED IN A NEW TYRE AS WELL AS TUBE FOR CAMERON. EVENTUALLY ARRIVED IN TIVERTON TO DISCOVER OUR B&B WAS AT THE TOP OF “EXETER HILL” WHERE WE HAD TO PUSH OUR BIKES (ANOTHER FIRST) PAST THE YAKS AND NEPALESE SHERPA’S WHO USE THE HILL TO TRAIN ON FOR EVEREST. THAT’S GOING TO BE FUN THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION TOMORROW!!! total mileage 826 point something

 

 

DAY 12
MONDAY 23/5/2011
LONGHOPE TO MIDSOMER NORTON 62.9 MILES

FIRST TIME WE’VE FELT REALLY TIRED – SOME SERIOUS CLIMBS OF 5% THAT WENT ON FOR MILES. THE TRAFFIC WAS ALSO BAD WITH CARS SCRAPING PAST. AND THE WIND ?!! THERE WE WERE GOING ALONG AT A STEADY 16MPH AND THE WIND WOULD BLOW AND SUDDENLY WE’RE DOING 5MPH. ON THE FLAT!! 8 AND A HALF HOURS IN THE SADDLE BUT AT LEAST WE’RE IN THE RIGHT PLACE AT THE RIGHT TIME. UNLIKE AN UNNAMED COUPLE WHO SPENT 4 HOURS ON SHAP SUMMIT WAITING FOR US TO GO PAST ON FRIDAY. (WE ACTUALLY DID SHAP ON THURSDAY)
TOTAL MILEAGE 766.5

DAY 11

SUNDAY 22/5/2011

LITTLE STRETTON TO LONGHOPE 59.9 MILES

HEADLINE FOR TODAY; IN THE BEER GARDEN, SITTING IN THE SUN, BY 3:30PM!!! A FEW HILLS BUT ALL WERE FOLLOWED BY LONG DOWNHILL SECTIONS. KNEES GIVING US NO GRIEF. ALL-ROUND PROBLEM-FREE DAY, EVEN THE RAIN AND WIND MAINLY STAYED AWAY. MYNDE HOUSE (LAST NIGHTS B&B) WAS VERY NICE. TONIGHTS PUB DOING GOOD BAR SNACKS WHICH WE ARE ABOUT TO DIVE INTO. HEY, WE NEED TO KEEP UP THE CALORIE INTAKE!! GRAHAM HAS JUST TEXTED TOMORROWS WEATHER FORECAST AND SUGGESTED WE “PEDAL LIKE BUGGERY” TOMORROW. YEAH, LIKE TOMORROW’S A DIFFERENT DAY??!!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DAY 10

SATURDAY 21/5/2011

 

DONES GREEN TO LITTLE STRETTON 62.8 MILES

 

TOOK IT EASY TODAY AND CONSEQUENTLY ONLY ENDURED THE IRE OF ONE BMW-OWNER WHO a/ SAVED HIMSELF 3 SECONDS b/ LEFT 1MM OF RUBBER ON THE ROAD c/ PROVED HE WAS AN UTTER C**K. OTHERWISE IT WAS BUSINESS AS USUAL ie WINDY. THE RAIN HELD OFF HOWEVER AND WE HAD A LONG SLEEP AT THE VERY GOOD TALL TREES LODGE LAST NIGHT. TIRED, KNEES HURT, BUT HEY, WHAT DO YOU EXPECT AFTER 650 MILES INTO THE WIND??? AT LEAST IT WAS FLAT TODAY ;-)

DAY 9

FRIDAY 20/5/2011

 KENDAL TO DONES GREEN 84.2 MILES

 

A DAY OF QUESTIONS; WHY HAVE WE LEFT THE COMFORT OF HOME? WHY IS MY KNEE HURTING SO MUCH? HAS SHARONS KNEE COME OUT IN SYMPATHY? WHY DIDN’T THE MET OFFICE PREDICT A MONSOON-STYLE DOWNPOUR? WHY DIDN’T IT HAPPEN 3 MINUTES LATER WHILST WE WERE HAVING COFFEE WITH FRIENDS IN GARSTANG? WHY HAS THE WIND PICKED UP AFTER PRESTON? (I HAVE SOME QUESTIONS FOR THE MET OFFICE AS WELL!!) DIDN’T THAT WOMAN SEE ME IN WIGAN? HOW CLOSE WAS I TO GETTING KNOCKED OFF? AM I A TARGET NOW? (SEEING AS CLOSE SHAVE #2 HAPPENED IN WARRINGTON) WILL WE EVER GET TO OUR HOTEL? ALL-IN-ALL A LONG DAY - STARTED OUT AT 8:05 AND FINISHED AT 18:40 - WITH HEADWIND FROM PRESTON ONWARDS BUT A GOOD CHUNK OF MILES UNDER OUR BELTS. TOTAL MILEAGE SO FAR 582.

 

DAY 8

 THURSDAY 19/5/2011

 

WESTLINTON TO KENDAL 54.2 MILES

HOME AT LAST!! BUT JUST IN CASE WE WERE IN ANY DOUBT REGARDING OUR TASK A BANNER HAD BEEN LEFT AT THE SIDE OF THE ROAD (SEE PHOTO) SAYING “WELL DONE” BUT ALSO POINTING OUT “YOU ARE HALF WAY!!” ANYWAY, TODAYS WEATHER HAS BEEN THE BEST OF THE TRIP SO FAR, BRIGHT AND SUNNY AND NOT MUCH WIND RIGHT UP UNTIL WE GOT TO CLIMBING SHAP SUMMIT. WE HAD INTENDED TO AVOID CARLISLE CITY CENTRE BUT THE SMALL MATTER OF CONFUSING LEFT WITH RIGHT SAW US IN TOWN BUT THE CYCLE ROUTE WORKED OUT OKAY. NEXT STOP WAS AT CAMERON’S GARAGE, ARMSTRONG AND FLEMING RENAULT DEALERS IN PENRITH WHERE THE PRESS WEREN’T WAITING. NEXT APPOINTMENT WAS AT SHAP SUMMIT TO MEET WITH SHARONS FATHER, BROTHER AND SISTER WHO HAD BROUGHT A MOUNTAIN OF CAKES TO SUSTAIN US. FINALLY IT WAS A LOVELY DESCENT INTO KENDAL (ADDING TO THE SURPRISE OF THE BANNER, LEFT BY GRAHAM AND JULIE) AND BACK HOME FOR THE NIGHT. TIME TO REPLENISH THE SUPPLIES, DO SOME WASHING, AND DESCRIBE IN TOO MUCH DETAIL CAMERONS SORE BUM.



DAY 7

WEDNESDAY 18/5/2011

PEEBLES TO WESTLINTON 69.2 MILES (THE 0.2 WAS PROBABLY THROUGH SAINSBURY’S CAR PARK)

2 THINGS LEARNED TODAY; #1 THE MET OFFICE DON’T KNOW THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN 15MPH WINDS AND A HURRICANE. # 2 THE MET OFFICE DON’T KNOW THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN “DRIZZLE” AND “MONSOON”. SO THE ROUTE THROUGH INNERLEITHEN AND SELKIRK WAS VERY NICE BUT BY THE TIME WE HIT HAWICK IT WAS APPARENT THE WIND SPEED FORECAST WAS MISSING A DIGIT. IT WAS A CASE OF GO DOWN A GEAR OR TWO AND PLOUGH ON. 6MPH – THAT’S JOGGING SPEED!! STILL, IT COULDN’T GET WORSE….  EXCEPT IF IT P*SSED IT DOWN. THE RAIN CAME DOWN SO HEAVILY IT WAS LIKE RIDING THROUGH A 6 INCH LAKE. THE ONLY THING THAT WOULD MAKE US ANY WETTER WOULD BE IF A BATHFUL OF WATER WAS THROWN OVER US…. WHICH EVERY PASSING LORRY OBLIGED TO DO. THIS WAS “SWIMMING WITH A BIKE” AND IT CONTINUED RIGHT INTO ENGLAND. OH YES, NEARLY FORGOT TO MENTION – ONE COUNTRY DOWN, ONE COUNTRY TO GO!! WE’RE STOPPING AT THE LYNEBANK HOTEL RIGHT ON THE A7 AND JUST 3 MILES FROM CARLISLE. WARM. DRY. AND AFTER A DAY LIKE TODAY, IT'S GOT A BAR!!!!

 

 

 

DAY 6

TUESDAY 17/5/2011

 

 

GLENFARG TO PEEBLES 62.7 MILES (INCLUDING AN UNPLANNED 4 MILES LOST IN EDINBURGH!!)

 

ANOTHER DECENT DAY WITH THE SMALL ISSUE OF STARTING UPHILL, NEARLY BEING BLOWN OFF THE FORTH ROAD BRIDGE AND TAKING THE WRONG ROUTE IN EDINBURGH – ALL THE MORE GALLING SEEING AS CAMERON “THOUGHT THAT WAS THE ROAD BACK THERE”. HOPES OF IT BEING A BIT FLATTER DIDN’T MATERIALISE BUT AN HOUR FOR LUNCH MEANT IT WAS ALL QUITE CIVILISED. APART FROM CAMERON GETTING US LOST, DID WE MENTION THAT??

BIKE SHOP IN PEEBLES GIVING THE BIKES A QUICK “TUNE-UP” IN THE MORNING AND THEN IT’S DOWN INTO ENGLAND.

TOTAL MILEAGE COVERED SO FAR; 375

 

 

DAY 5

MONDAY 16/5/2011

LAGGAN TO GLENFARG 73.6 MILES

AS BAD AS YESTERDAY WAS, TODAY WAS THE TOTAL OPPOSITE ALTHOUGH IT DIDN’T START THAT WELL AS CAMERON’S KNEE WAS PAINFUL ON THE STEEP CLIMB TO DALWHINNIE. BUT THE PAIN CLEARLY TOOK HIS MIND OFF THE PARTING WORDS OF THE B&B OWNER OF THE RUMBLIE WHO SAID THAT THE EARLY CLIMB WOULD MAKE THE FEARED “DROMOCHTER PASS SEEM EASIER”. SO EASY THAT THE SIGN AT THE SUMMIT “1516 FEET” CAME AS A COMPLETE SURPRISE!! MET UP WITH BOB, CAROL, TOM AND PAULINE FOR A COFFEE IN PITLOCHRY WHICH WAS VERY PLEASANT (AND AN HOURS BREAK!!). A GOOD RUN DOWN THROUGH PERTH AND ONTO THE FAMOUS BEIN INN. TOMORROW WE TAKE ON EDINBURGH!!

 

DAY 4

SUNDAY 15/5/2011

FOYER (LOCH NESS) TO LAGGAN 68.5 MILES

STARTED SH*TE, CONTINUED SH*TE, FINISHED SH*TE. TODAY WAS REALLY HARD!! STARTED BY CARRYING BIKES UP A MOUNTAIN BEHIND CRAIGDARROCH HOUSE AND IT THEN CONTINUED UP FOR ANOTHER 3 MILES! A BIT FURTHER ON ANOTHER 7 MILE CLIMB WHICH WAS SO COLD AT THE TOP 5 LAYERS WERE NOT ENOUGH TO WARD OFF THE BITING WIND, DRIZZLE AND COLD! FAST DOWNHILL INTO FORT AUGUSTUS THEN WEST ON THE A82. A LOT OF UPHILL DRAGS BROUGHT US TO SPEAN BRIDGE IN MORE DRIZZLE, ALTHOUGH ASTOP FOR COFFE BRIGHTENED THE DAY. REACHED LAGGAN AROUND 4:30PM AND ENJOYED ALL SORTS OF SNACKS AT THE RUMBLIE

 

DAY 3

SATURDAY 14/5/2011

 

BONAR BRIDGE TO FOYER (LOCH NESS) 58.7 MILES

SET OUT ON WINDY, DULL, RAINY MORNING ON A B-ROAD OUT OF BONAR BRIDGE. AFTER 3 MILES A QUITE (!) STEEP CLIMB FOLLOWED BY A LONG DOWNHILL SECTION TO THE A9. LUNCH AT A GREAT RESTAURANT ON THE LEFT BEFORE CROSSING THE CROMARTY BRIDGE. 7 MILES INTO INVERNESS WHICH IS A VERY NICE CITY. B862 THROUGH DORES TO CRAIGDARROCH HOUSE WITH FABULOUS ELEVATED VIEWS OVER LOCH NESS. WINDY/SHOWERY DAY WITH A FEW BRIEF SUNNY SPELLS. DEFINITELY RECOMMEND OUR B&B, KYLE HOUSE, AND THE CRANNAG BISTRO IN BONAR BRIDGE.

 

15/5/11 - A Note from Graham and Julie, who drove Cameron and Sharon up to the start at John O Groats;

Have you ever been to Scotland? I mean the top of Scotland. The most North Easterly point in Britain; John O’Groats? It might be stating the bleedin’ obvious, but it’s a LONG way!! An hour after we left Kendal we were in Scotland, and another 5 hours drive further on we hit Inverness. “That’s well north, isn’t it?” I was thinking. No, it’s still 115 miles (yes, one HUNDRED AND FIFTEEN!!) south of John O Groats!! Cameron and Sharon are cycling back down – I’ve just spoken to Cameron at Spean Bridge – and bear in mind our journey was only half the total distance. My legs are aching already….

 

DAY TWO 

13/5/2011

CLOUDY WITH SUNNY SPELLS, AND VERY WINDY (SCOTTISH BEANS JUST AREN'T AS GOOD). RODE THROUGH THE STUNNING GLEN NAVER UP AN 8 MILE DRAG TO THE CRASK INN FOR LUNCH, WEATHER WISE THERE WAS THE ODD SHOWER,  A TORRENTIAL HAIL STORM, BUT SUNSHINE AS WE ARRIVED IN BONAR BRIDGE. 

GOING WELL SO FAR, APART FROM A SLIGHTLY SORE BUM.

HEADING DOWN TOMORROW TO LOCH NESS.

 

DAY ONE 

12/5/2011

WOKE UP TO BRILLIANT SUNSHINE, WHICH SOON TURNED TO CLOUD! 53 MILES TO BETTY HILL, VIA DOUN RAY - THE HILLS GOT BIGGER AND BIGGER, CULMINATING IN A LONG DRAG UP BETTY HILL. QUITE WINDY, BUT FAIR ALL DAY. 

 

 

 

01/05/2011

Not long now. Pulled my back yesterday after return from a ride, but seems OK now, so will be out for a ride in the morning but cutting down on distances now untill we set off.

Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.

Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving – they’ll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they’ll send your money directly to the charity and make sure Gift Aid is reclaimed on every eligible donation by a UK taxpayer. So it’s the most efficient way to donate - I raise more, whilst saving time and cutting costs for the charity.

So please dig deep and donate now.

 

Hello again, 04/04/2011 now and all accomodation just finally booked tonight. Training going pretty well and with 5 weeks to go really looking forward to getting started. Raised £2064 so far with a lot of donations still to come in so hopefully will get over £3,000- we,ll see ! Just over two weeks to go now, still training on this glorious sunny Easter weekend and apart from a chain snapping and cracking my head on a dry stone wall ( had my helmet on thankfully ) no probs. Really just want to start now and get on with it ! FUND RAISING still doing OK but hoping to get over the £3,000 mark before we start and then who knows?

Will keep updating especially each day on the ride. All donations gratefully received, so keep them coming

 

Hello, 09/02/2011 now and we have just had our first serious ride outside the gym, approx 62 miles and it went pretty well. Hving a fewdays off next week to increase consistency each day and will keep you advised.Definately need a different saddle though. Thanks for all donations so far and for those who intend to, but havent got round to it yet, please do it now so we can keep the figure on an upward trend.

Got some accomodation booked in the more remote areas, with most still to sort.

Better late than never, forgot to mention through winter we have been hard at work in Pride gym in Kendal, trying to get our base strength and fitness up ready for the riding starting now.

 

The Objective;

Cameron and Sharon are embarking on a tremendous challenging bike ride from John O,Groats to Lands End. Yes, we know it's the "wrong way round" but it has got to be easier going downhill !

Cameron and Sharon live in Kendal, since 2005, previously living in Brigham near Cockermouth for 22yrs. Cameron runs Armstrong and Fleming Ltd, a Renault garage in Penrith with Stuart his business partner. Cameron was born in Preston and Sharon in Windermere.

The idea has been mulling around for some years now, and we seem to be enjoying our biking more and more so thought we would go for the challenge and at the same time, raise money for a great local charity which is entirely kept going by charitable donations.That is the GREAT NORTH AIR AMBULANCE service based in Langwathby and Tees Valley airport. Just go to www.justgiving.com/cameronandsharon and go onto sponsor a friend.

We set off on May 12th 2011 and hope to reach Lands End on 26th May all being well.

Bikes were bought at Keswick mountain bikes who we have dealt with for many years now. Eugene and all the staff are really helpful in there with loads of advice and tips always forthcoming, the kit we will be using on the ride has been kindly supported by Keswick bikes.It is in the bright green and black of the Keswick mountain bike team colours. By the way the Lakeland Pedlar cafe is fabulous too and well worth a visit if you are in the area.

Photo of bikes and Keswick Bikes kit attached and below our revised route taking in Loch Naver, Loch Ness and Edinburgh into Engaland, heading into Wales via Warrington. Out of Wales through Stroud,Glastonbury,Okehampton and down to Lands End.

Day 1-John O,groats to Bettyhill 59m

Day 2-Bettyhill to Bonar Bridge 59m

Day 3-Bonar Bridge to Easter Boleskine(Loch Ness) 58m

Day 4-Easter Boleskine to Dalwhinnie 72m

Day 5-Dalwhinnie to Perth 65m

Day 6-Perth to Peebles 59m

Day 7-Peebles to Gretna 69m

Day 8-Gretna to Kendal ( home! ) 58m

Day 9-Kendal to Warrington 83m

Day 10-Warrington to Church Stretton 64m

Day 11-Church Stretton to Stroud 78m

Day 12-Stroud to Bridgwater

Day 13-Bridgwater to Okehampton 66m

Day 14-Okehampton to Penhale 60m

Day 15-Penhale to Lands End !!! 44m

Total mileage --- 967 miles

And now for a few days rest in Sennen Cove, before we head for home.

Please give generously