Thanks for creating time to read my JustGiving page.
My dad and I will be cycling approximately 1,000 miles (if we don't get lost!) from Lands End to John O'Groats with no support vehicle. We are starting this ride on the afternoon of 2nd July and hopefully finishing on the 14th July...if the weather will be kind (for once!!). We are doing this to raise money for the Leukaemia & Lymphoma blood cancer charity.My mum will update this page with a progress report each night. So please be kind and donate generously for this charity. Thank You.
PROGRESS REPORT - Reached John O'Groats at 10 am 14 July! - Final Mileage: 966 miles
LEG 1 (half day) - Sat 2nd July - Lands End to Wadebridge
5 am drive to Lands End arriving in beautiful sunny weather. Started in earnest midday, after re-routing to Penzance to buy a spare tyre, when discovering a split in a front tyre after 500m. Taking a route avoiding much of the dreaded A30 - but still hill after hill after hill. Reached first stop over at Wadebridge by 6 pm. Crisps and chocolate provide an emergency energy fix. Thank goodness for the Spar. Elliot's quote "This would normally be described as pigging out..but in the circumstances". Later boys tuck into Steak and Ale Pie and BBQ chicken.
Solid start - 60 miles.
LEG 2 - Sun 3rd July - Wadebridge to Cullompton
Still sunny and still hilly! Totalling 6,000 ft ascent (steepest climb 16%) and 4000 cycling calories - according to Elliot's bike computer. Elliot starts to think of approrpriate songs on the way, no Bat Out of Hell today, more The Hills Are Alike. No evening meal at accomodation & the only pub was closed, but a Chinese take-away hits the spot.
Days mileage - 85 miles
LEG 3 - Mon 4th July - Cullompton to Skenfrith
Sunny again (!) Enjoyed the view over the Severn Bridge and fantastic scenery into Wales. Met a fellow End 2 Ender attempting journey on a Royal Mail bike with 3 gears, quote " Devon & Cornwall nearly killed me". They never saw him again. Struggled to find accomodation but worth the extra trek after a big mileage : Award winning restaurant using local produce. Elliot orders Woodpigeon with Pork. Mark goes for Leek, potato and Beef.
Distance covered - 110 miles (!)
LEG 4 - Tues 5th July - Skenfrith to Shrewsbury
Very wet morning - good test for the waterproofs. (Must check with Dad to ask if he did re-proof the jackets). New mudguard required from Halfords. Found another great stopover. Elliot orders Woodpigeon again - followed by a souffle.
Distance covered - 70 miles
LEG 5 - Wed 6th July - Shrewsbury to Up Holland
Perfect cycling conditions - despite black clouds ahead and behind all the way. Arrive in time for welcome party hosted by Ev and Jim. Black clouds empty contents over the Wigan Warriors vs Castleford game. Flat tyre found as putting bikes away for the night, 1-00 am finish for Dad. A win for Wigan thanks to a strong second half - inspiration for the second half of the cycle trip?
Distance covered 65 miles
LEG 6 - Thurs 7th July - Up Holland to Penrith
Tyre trouble and dreadful cycling conditions at start of the day with very heavy rain from set off. First stop - cycle shop. Second stop - the DW stadium and home of the Wigan Warriors. Conditions improving during the day and reached Penrith in good time. Kendal was half way, when Dad said "No going back now" Elliot's reply "We never were". No pressure then Dad. Conquered Shap Fell, 370m vertical ascent in 15km.
Distance cycled 95 miles.
LEG 7 - Friday 8th July - Penrith to Sanquhar
Headwinds. Hard going. Tyres OK though! Pie and Chips just what was needed. Dad will need another tube of Ibuleve soon.
Todays cycle distance 84 miles
LEG 8 - Sat 9th July - Sanquhar to Dunoon
Dry - but yet more oppressive headwinds. Took detour towards coast to escape winds - but worse! Check in to a B & B with great views. Tall Ships Race contestants berthed across the way in Greenock. Refuel at Italian restuarant. Enjoy very thick milkshakes.
Distance covered 80 miles
LEG 9 - Sun 10th July - Dunoon to 'somewhere near Fort William' (Duror)
Hard going but great scenery. Rumour had it that there were midges in the west of Scotland...CONFIRMED. Mouths kept shut whilst cycling, or no need for an evening meal
Distance covered 94 miles.
LEG 10 - Mon 11th July - Duror to Muir of Ord .
Tough going. Nessie wasn't spotted. Met a young couple going Nth to Sth, having taken 5 days to do ~140 mls. It will be a long trip if the relationship lasts that long. A 15% hill into Beauly at the end of the day tests the stamina. £5 kindly donated en route by Richard (THANKS!). Bit cold and drizzly.
Distance covered 84 miles
LEG 11 - Tues 12th July - Muir of Ord to Altnaharran Good weather returns and steady enjoyable scenic cycling. Planning on shorter days now, to give flexibility towards the end, just in case of breakdowns etc. Managed a cup of tea at Crask Inn, no other buildings within a 8.5 ml radius. Shortbread - chocolate - sandwich. Bread pudding with sausage, pan fried pork swede potato mash, steak and chips. Cheeseboard.
Distance covered 65 miles.
LEG 12 - Wed 13th July - Altnaharran to Dunnet
Vicious headwinds, if they stopped pedalling they went backwards - very tiring, especially climbs out of Betty Hill. Still spectacular scenery! Had planned on cycling to Dunnet Head, the most northerly point on the UK mainland, but had enough of headwinds for one day. More shortbread, custard creams, cake bar, crisps, double decker all day breakfast sandwich - before dinner of tagliatelle and meatballs.
Note: having technical problems getting into website to update log for the last few days so sorry if recent updates seems slow. In case problems with update again tomorrow - just to say they have 10 miles left to go should reach John O Groats by 10.30 am. A 'bike taxi' service is due to take them to Inverness to catch the overnight sleeper to Euston arriving Friday morning. Thanks for all the lovely comments and generous donations. Back soon.
LEG 13 - Dunnet to John O Groats - 10 miles
More headwinds but last few miles go very quickly. Reached John O'Groats at 10 am ! Time for a few photos and a stop at the souvenir shop. Arrangements for pick up by taxi go very smoothly. Bikes ("Ancient" and "Loyal") take courrier route back home as no bike spaces left on the train. Nice Italian meal in Inverness. Cheese biscuits and grapes on the train. Due to get to Euston early Friday morning.
MASSIVE THANKS for all the encouragement and to everyone who helped in any way. Should have some photos later to add to the page along with some technical stuff from the bike computer. Back soon.
