Train day and trip reflection

After a 5.30 wake up call we were on the train this morning at 6.20! An early start but we made it in to Edinburgh at 14.20 and are all checked into the last hostel of our trip! After now having been away from home for over two weeks and travelling every day it'll be nice to finally get home tomorrow for some home comforts!!

When I get home and have settled back in I will be totaling up the miles etc for the final figures of the entire cycle to put into this blog...

I have really enjoyed the cycle overall and have been very happy with how all the planning has gone:

1) To anyone considering the challenge I would recommend cycling from Land's End up the country rather than the other way. While getting home has proved to take an awful long time I'd still rather do the travel before we started the route

2) With regards to planning, yes I did plan a lot and it took a lot of time however I really enjoyed it and wouldn't have wanted to undergo the challenge without doing it.

3) Be careful with trains, need to book in advance for the best deals and also from John O'Groats to London and London to Penzance need to actually book a bike space on the train or will be unable to travel. The trains from Wick or Thurso down to Inverness are often booked up very early with bikes so book far enough in advance when certain of a finish date!

Highlights:

The evening of the cycle from Carlisle up to Edinburgh was a huge cycle, the beers in the pub and seeing in the girls was amazing.

Low points:

Ben and I have both agreed that the lowest point was crossing the bridge out of Edinburgh into a headwind with a driving wind in the freezing cold!

After the first day was also a low point, after such a hard first day the challenge really began to dawn on us for real!!

Time running out in internet cafe will update post fully once home or on tomorrows trains!!

Day to wick: 17 miles

Today was the day that we took our mileage for the trip to over 1,000 miles! It had taken us two short trips for trains and 13 days to cycle a pretty ridiculous amount...

Day 13: Tongue to John o' Groats 67 miles

Scotland threw everything at us today and we managed to reach our destination mid afternoon having had two weeks of a real challenge! We set out to cycle the length of the UK and after 13 days of cycling we have reached john o' groats. Top tip for the day, never use glueless puncture patches.



After a particularly bad nights sleep nervous about todays final ride we awoke to a clear morning and tucked away a quick breakfast before heading outside. After reaching the bike shed we quickly found Bens tyre had deflated overnight so a change of tube was in order. While he set about taking off the wheel I ran inside to inquire if any of our fellow guests had any spare puncture to supplement my dwindling stocks. A kind thanks out roommate who gave us some patches as it turned out saved our day!

I returned outside to find Ben dancing around swearing and surrounded by midges! As I helped him change the tyre we were both bitten to pieces within 10 minutes. After finally getting on the road we made the first 6 miles without incident.



Before we made 7 miles however Bens tyre nightmared continued. We stripped off the useless patches and attempted to repair the damage as best we could. With one inner tube now completely useless, with the amount of gunk from the old patches making it impossible to week the new patches. We decided to see how the other tube would hold.



I was genuinely worried at this point that Ben was going to struggle to continue with the challenge, with us fast running out of options. A nervous two miles later his tyre suddenly went again as he had another puncture! This was easily repairable however the old hole was still leaking.

The decision was made to stop periodically to pump the tyre and see how far we got. So from this point on we cycled 3 miles before the tyre had deflated and Ben stopped to pump it up again. This coupled with a hilly stretch made for slow morning progress.



10 miles from Thurso and lunch we had our first slice of luck of the day, meeting a guy just starting his end to end cycles with early problems who had the number of a mobile mechanic and location of a bike shop in Thurso. The heavens opened briefly as we limped into Thurso and after a quick sandwich lunch we headed to the bike shop.

An hour later, after a good many stories and for only just over £20 we emerged from the bike shop with Ben now running on a new tyre, new inner tube, tightened brakes and spokes aswell as a decent puncture repair kit! From then on in the final 20 miles were plain sailing and we arrived at the most.north easterly point in Scotland just before 4.



We spent an hour or so buying postcards, taking pictures and calling families to announce our arrival! We then headed back up the road and enjoyed dinner and a few pints in the seaview hotel. We later header down to the hostel and looking forward to tomorrow beginning the journey home, what a challenge its been!

Time on bike: 5 hours 5 mins
Distance covered: 66.76 miles
Average speed: 13.1 mph
Max speed: 34.7 mph
Total distance: 995 miles

Day 12: Bonar Bridge to Tongue 51 miles

After the excitement of yesterday todays cycle was for more straightforward! Easily the shortest day of the trip, 51 miles over the moors to the north coast.  Even with our lie in and relaxed start of 9.30 we still made our destination for lunch at 1.30! Stunning scenery and rolling hills with gentle climbs and descents made this the best days cycling of the trip.





We awoke at the leisurely time of 8 and opened our door to find all our cycle gear washed and folded by our lovely landlady! We then enjoyed a stunning full Scottish breakfast with our hosts and finally made it out on the bikes around half 9.



The weather was thankfully sunny skies and we set off knowing we only had a shortish day ahead... After a short climb we headed out of Bonar bridge and reached lairg. Here we had a stop for half an hour while Ben replaced a patch on his inner tube however thankfully this was the only technical fault of the day.

We continued to climb gently for a while across the moorland with some stunning mountain views. After we had reached our highest point we then enjoyed a stunning descent with views around every bend. The day continued in much the same fashion, the rolling countryside bleak and yet stunning at the same time.



We arrived for lunch in tongue and spent a few hours after lounging in the sun catching up on the phone while Ben attempted again to patch up his inner tube.  Considering such a short day feeling really drained this evening and hoping for nice weather tomorrow as we press on to the finish!



Time on bike: 3 hours 26 mins
Distance covered: 50.50 miles
Average speed: 14.7 mph
Max speed: 31.9 mph
Total distance: 928 miles

Day 11: Fort Augustus to Bonar Bridge 70 miles

Mixed day, pretty much everything went wrong that could yet we still made to our nights accomodation in happy moods! With a total of 4 puncture stops, 2 heavy rain showers, 2 stops for a broken chain, my rear light falling off and duly smashed by the oncoming car and the steepest hill of the trip it was a wonder we made it to our destination at all!!

After a good breakfast of cereal we set off at 8 and within 2 minutes the problems began with Ben beckoning me back holding his chain in one hand! He had been hearing noises from his chain for a few days and it had finally gone. So after assessing the damage I made the use of another piece of well traveled equipment and we got to work with the chain breaker tool! After replacing the broken links and attaching the chain we then realised we'd attached it wrong and had to re break and reattach correctly.



We set off Loch Ness again just after 9 and had a steady first 20 miles along the loch until we turned west to avoid Inverness and head for the quieter roads. We were soon faced with a 15 degree slope for 1 mile sign, the first this steep since we left devon many miles ago. Half way up the climb Ben's chain came off again and after deciding the roads was to steep to work on we walked the remainder of the climb until we reached the top and fixed the chain once more.



Shortly after on the descent my rear light came out of its holdings to be swiftly destroyed by the following car and all the while we were still enjoying the cycle and stunning views. Just before lunch we were able to find a manned station and book out train tickets from John O'Groats to Edinburgh, whilst we were unable to book our bikes on the day we wanted we have an early train on the 17th leaving us an afternoon and evening to enjoy Edinburgh!



After a quick lunch in Tesco we again hit the road and enjoyed steady progress in the early afternoon with some of the best scenery of the entire trip!! With about 8 miles to go our problems continued again with first me getting a puncture and then after a heavy rain shower Ben also had a puncture! Two more puncture stops on the descent for Ben and another flash shower had us soaking wet but a stunning view over the Loch into Bonar made us still enjoy the afternoon. The viewpoint layby had 4 coaches of Americans who found us fascinating taking pictures and discussing the trip.



Despite all the problems we still arrived in Bonar Bridge around 4 and were welcomed to our B&B with cups of tea and a lovely chat with the hosts. Really really nice B&B some of the best accomodation and looking forward to a good nights sleep with a small lie in tomorrow and hopefully easier day ahead! Nice meal in the local pub and heading to bed happy with Match of the day and the news reaching us that England are the number one test side in the world!!



Also nearly forgot new top speed reached today!! Night all!

Time on bike: 4 hours 57 mins
Distance covered: 69.64 miles
Average speed: 14.0 mph
Max speed: 39.8 mph
Total distance: 878 miles

Day 10: Pitlochry to Fort Augustus 90 miles

What a difference a day makes! After yesterdays horror of a morning today we managed to cycle our 90 miles in quick time and arrive at our destination by half past 3!

The morning started like the day before with ominous signs! Grey and overcast conditions and again unable to make a booking for the nights accomodation... We set off after our muesli at 8 and navigated the quieter b roads to avoid the busy a9!

After a steady start the cycle paths as per usual became too rough and badly maintained to use! We decided instead of risk punctures to instead try our luck with the a9. As soon as we hit the road the weather took another turn for the worse! Waterproofs on and lights flashing we set off through the mountains with lorries and other vehicles flashing past us.

Thankfully the weather improved as the sun tried to show itself and we soon came off the a9 and began heading westwards... In my planning I had decided on today heading west for a period so that we could enjoy riding along the lochs and I was soon very glad of this decision!



The scenery today was very Scottish alongside mountains, pine trees and lochs. We cycled into lunch after a 60 mile morning along loch lagaan... After soup and jacket potatoes it was back on the road again. Several climbs and lochs later we arrived into Fort Augustus situated on the edge of Loch Ness!



Thankfully we found accomdation straight away, a hostel attached to a large campsite and after showers headed into the small 10. Really nice area despite more rain and a very nice dinner for two in the local pub including my first experience of haggis!



Also managed to book ourselves into a b&b for tomorrow night so a weight off. Also thanks to our early finish we now have a little more time to relax before bed...

Time on bike: 5 hours 48 mins
Distance covered: 89.71 miles
Average speed: 15.4 mph
Max speed: 37.2 mph
Total distance: 808 miles

Day 9: Edinburgh to Pitlochry 79 miles

Wet, cold and very miserable is the only way to describe our morning! After a lovely day in Edinburgh with the girlfriends and their family it was hard enough setting off again this morning, let alone when it was throwing it down and blowing a gale! Thankfully the afternoons weather improved enough to stop my teeth from chattering...

After a lovely breakfast in the hotel we set off just after 9 into the grim Scottish weather. It did at least give me a chance to wear my skins baselayer bottoms which I've been carrying for no reason up till today... We successfully negotiated out of the city centre with very few problems and headed over to the forth bridge.

Within 5 minutes we were drenched from head to toe and not.really enjoying being out of bed! After a number of rough cycle paths including climbing over a fallen down tree I inevitably got my second puncture of the trip and changed the tube in the pouring rain. We finally reached the bridge and managed to cross it in probably the foulest weather I've ever experienced in mid august!





After ploughing on, Ben then had his second puncture of the trip too and another delay was incurred. We finally stopped for lunch in Perth around half 2 and sat shivering on a bench eating our Tesco sarnies! As I mentioned the afternoons weather was much improved however still cold and overcast.



We reached Pitlochry at 6 and having forgotten to book were glad to find they still had space for us. Sadly the joy of a hot shower wasn't the best due to the lack of power but after a cleanup and very nice dinner am all ready for a good nights sleep and hoping for better weather tomorrow.



Time on bike: 6 hours 23 mins
Distance covered: 78.56 miles
Average speed: 12.3 mph
Max speed: 25.8 mph
Total distance: 719 miles

Day 8: Carlisle to Edinburgh 92 miles

Probably the best beer I've ever had! Rest day in Edinburgh tomorrow so after our longest mileage of the trip, and finishing around 4 even despite Ben getting a puncture 2 miles from the end, we decided the pub was the only logical thing to do!

After a breakfast of whatever we could find the night before in the local store. Yoghurts, cereal bars and Ben even enjoyed a pre cycle pot noodle! We set off just after 8 into rush hour Carlisle traffic and headed to the a7 where we remained for the rest of the day!



The Scottish it would seem have a far better grasp of building roads through hilly regions! Where as yesterday through the dales we spent the day going up and down the sides of the valley, today we climbed slowly into the valley from Carlisle and then followed the contours of the landscape! It made for good cycling and we made it to lunch at 1 having already covered 60 miles!

After our lunch in galashiels the afternoon of 32 miles to Edinburgh seemed a formality. The route itself was very straightforward however for the first time on the trip I felt a small niggle in my knee. Hopefully nothing to serious and our rest day will sort it out however it did slow us down slightly in the afternoon! That said it was mostly downhill to the city and an altogether easy afternoon!



Coming into the city itself and having just discussed finding a pub I heard the unmistakable hiss behind me and bens first puncture of the trip! We were exactly 2 miles from the end, and it would seem the pub would have to wait a little longer...



After the tube change we quickly found our accomodation and the nearest pub across the road. We then enjoyed the most deserved beers and bowls of chips I've ever had!

After an emotional reunion with the girls, so lovely to see them, we grabbed showers and headed into town to meet up with their family. After more drinks we were treated to a meal at pizza express and enjoyed live comedy at the fringe festival! Rest day tomorrow! Going to enjoy it...



Time on bike: 6 hours 25 mins
Distance covered: 91.77 miles
Average speed: 14.3 mph
Max speed: 31.4 mph
Total distance: 640 miles

Day 7: Slaidburn to Carlisle 76 miles

Long, tough day...! Awoke to strong winds and cloudy skys so decided to wear my baselayer for the first time and after a good amount of cereal set off just after 8! We started climbing almost literally out of the front door and continued to crawl for the first hour through the forest of bowland!

We reached almost 500m, our highest point of the whole trip and as the weather closed in and the rain began it was rainjackets on and heads down as we reached the summit and cruised down the other side... sadly the joy of being down out of the wind was shortlived as we soon began to climb again.



The second half of the morning was just as tough, climbing around the yorkshire dales and edges of the lake district. After a painfully slow morning we took lunch after 45 miles and it was nice to take a weight off and relax for an hour.

After lunch the last 30 odd miles were thankfully a lot easier than the morning. We also found a bike shop in the afternoon where we were able to pump our tires back up to full pressure. They have remarkably lasted this long without any pumping other than when I had my puncture! I was also able to replace my brake pads since I've been struggling a little to stop recently...!



We checked into a travelodge tonight after hearing bad reports about the hostel and am enjoying a few basic comforts. Very long day to Edinburgh tomorrow however with a rest day the day after it will hopefully be ok! Sleep time...

Time on bike: 6 hours 26 mins
Distance covered: 75.89 miles
Average speed: 11.7 mph
Max speed: 32.2 mph
Total distance: 548 miles

Day 6: Chester to Slaidburn 83 miles

It ain't half grim up north! For the first time today on this whole trip I was cold on the bike! Up on the moors between Bolton and Blackburn the weather took a turn for the worse and it was a relief to be down on the busy roads around the city out of the wind! Also great excitement today as I had the first puncture of our entire trip!



After an amazingly good nights sleep considering the busy, crowded and noisy Chester hostel we set off nice and early just before 8 to quietish roads! Today around the northern cities was potentially our busiest day traffic wise however falling on a Sunday it worked out well and the roads remained fine all day! We made good progress all morning on flat roads with good surfaces and managed to get the first 25 miles ridden by just after 10.

The weather threatened all morning but it wasn't until we had reached the outskirts of bolton that the heavens opened around the same time as the hills began! We had a long but steady climb onto the frankly bleak and desolate moors where we began to really feel the cold.

After dropping off the moors we skirted around the blackburn ring road and finally took lunch coming out of blackburn after a 65 mile morning! After deciding to only stop for half an hour for lunch due to our seats outside tescos being rather cold we headed off again.

Then just before we hit quieter roads for the rest of the afternoon we finally had our first faulty bike problem! My first puncture, I soon managed to get the tyre off and after locating and removing the sharp stone that had caused the incision I replaced the inner tube with my spare and fixed the damaged one later in the hostel!



After the small drama the rest of the afternoon passed smoothly albeit rather hilly and we arrived into Slaidburn just after 4. After fixing the puncture, washing clothes and showering we headed over to the local pub for a really lovely meal and now an early night! Lovely hostel in a sleepy village with a dorm to ourselves so hopefully a good nights sleep ahead of another long day tomorrow!



Time on bike: 6 hours 23 mins
Distance covered: 82.82 miles
Average speed: 12.9 mph
Max speed: 35.4 mph
Total distance: 472 miles

Day 5: Leominster to Chester 90 miles

Long day! Probably the best way to describe todays riding, it wasn't especially hilly and the temperature has dropped however we were on the bikes for a long time to cover the 90 miles to Chester.



We set off just after 8 to a cold crisp morning and after a good number of chocolate weetabix for breakfast we headed into the back roads around Leominster heading again today due north! It was nice to be back on the quieter back roads after a couple of days on busier a roads and the terrain was hillier than the previous days but still steady climbing rather than Sharp up and downs.



After climbing for a good while in the late morning we quickly descended into shropshire and the rest of the day was flat with only minor rolling hills! We stopped after a good mornings riding of 53 miles in a village pub with really nice food quality food. As is becoming the norm for this trip we were then joined by a number of locals with who we discussed our trip, the afternoons route and other of Lifes stories!

The afternoon was again flat and quietish roads up until we were immediately cycling into Chester where the route became busier and we were luckily able to take the cycle path into the city centre...



After showering we headed into Chester for a filling meal of subway and a wander around the busy streets.  The distance we had travelled really hit me today when I saw a van drive past with a Liverpool flag in the back window. I thought strange team to be supporting before realising that we were in fact that far north! Another early night with a long day ahead tonorrow. Will upload pictures as soon as I can get on a pc...

Time on bike: 6 hours 40 mins
Distance covered: 89.83 miles
Average speed 13.4 mph
Max speed: 29.2 mph
Total distance:  389 miles

Day 4: Bristol to Leominster 68 miles

Finally today we began to head due north, after three days heading east it was a nice feeling to be really heading in the direction of john o'groats!  As today was another shorter day we decide to have a bit of a lie in and after our fourth fry up in as many days we left the hostel at 9.15!





Our route out of bristol followed the river out to the river severn which we again followed to the older of the two severn bridges and crossed into Wales. After the start on busy roads it was nice to continue north through the wye valley up to monmouth where we took an early lunch. A lunch of sandwiches was spent discussing our ride with many of the locals who stopped to wish us luck.

As promised by a couple of local cyclists the afternoon was hillier however we still managed to keep a decent pace through the herefordshire countryside and arrived at the Leominster yha just after 4! A self catered hostel so we headed to town for dinner and bought our breakfast for the morning, we are expecting a tougher day ahead tomorrow!



Time on bike: 5 hours 9 mins
Distance covered: 68.36 miles
Average speed 13.2 mph
Max speed: 36.6 mph
Total distance:  300 miles