Back home after 1066 miles

Its been nearly a week now since I finished my journey. My last day of cycling was  Wednesday when on a damp morning I cycled up to Dunnet Head the most northerly mainland point and then onto Wick where I stayed over night before I caught my plane home. The flight was not without adventure. Wick airport is the smallest airport I have ever been in with a distinct lack of planes and staff trying very hard to look busy. At last we took off at 12.30 in a very small SAAB aircraft which was so noisy I wished I had ear defenders. After a bumpy trip we landed in Edinburgh about an hour later and I had to wait till about 8.50pm in the evening before I flew onto Exeter airport. I met Alison in the arrivals hall and it was good to see her and be home again. The sky was clear and starry, I felt very peaceful and relaxed. In my 19 days of cycling what lessons did I learn? Firstly even when things seem difficult they don't always stay that way and if you keep going you eventually arrive.That there are many good and kind people out there who are willing to help especially if you give them a chance( and are wet and covered in road grime!) The news would make you think otherwise but I never found that to be the case on my journey. Most people could do what I have done, I was just lucky enough to have the opportunity.  My journey will stay with me for the rest of my life, it has profoundly effected the way I think about things and see life, hopefully for the better.Sometimes since I have been back I dream that I am still cycling on the road to JOG. I have woken up several times with a great sense of relief to find that I am not! I will still go out on the bike twice a week for my 25 mile training rides in the Devon lanes as way of relaxing and keeping fit. On my journey I lost 9lbs in weight and my belt was on the last notch! Lastly I would like to say thank you to all who so kindly sponsored me, I very much appreciated it. Thank you also for coming with me on this 1066 mile journey, knowing  that you were supporting, helped me get there!

Helmsdale to John O Groats - 52 miles

Well this was it the last day of real cycling and I woke to a wonderful sunny morning and after a good breakfast set out for John O Groats. I had been warned about two problems along the way. Firstly after 2 miles there is a long grinding climb from sea level up to 700ft. Once this is negotiated the Berriedale braes have to be tacked. This is a 13% climb up a steep hairpin bend for about three quarters of a mile. Fortunately my level of fitness was such that I had no problems with either of these challenges and got to the top relatively easily. Also after the hills in  Devon and Cornwall nothing can be that bad! The rest of the day was easy riding along the coast with blue sea on my right and heather and Cotton grass on my left. I had company for 48 miles of a fellow cyclist called Terry and it was good to share stories about the journey and life in general. The road then rose as I neared  John O Groats and the clouds grew darker. As the top of the hill was reached I could see right across to the Shetland Isles and the island of Hoy. I then rolled down into John O Groats and crossed the finishing line. I could not believe it was over. Its strange when I started out on that first morning I was not sure that I would finish. The weather was bad the terrain was hard and my mind was not right. After the wet Sunday two days later I could have given up. Why didn't I. When I look back on it I couldn't because the Journey was too important for me, I knew it would change my life if I let it and persisted. So that's what I did and it became as much a spiritual journey as a physical one. Also as the days passed my fitness improved and cycling became relatively effortless. I have met many interesting people along the way, most of them extremely kind and helpful. I have visited some amazing places, but as Dorothy said to Toto in  the Wizard of Oz, there no place like home. Lastly I would like to thank Alison for her support and clean clothing after the deluge on day 3. Also for the jelly babies, that she gave me that kept me going. My father was a greater cyclists than me and in part he  inspired me to undertake this journey. I often thought of his cycling exploits  and as I travelled along the way he was "with" me on the journey.. 
I fly back from Wick tomorrow lets hope I don't get caught up in the airport strike, I would hate to have to cycle home!

Inverness to Helmsdale - 68 miles

A fine but grey start to the day as I set out through a busy Inverness up the A9 and across the Beauly Firth over a large suspension bridge. The road then climbs up over the Black Isle and then heads for the east coast of the North sea which it hugs all the way up to John O Groats. I had the unusual experience this morning of freewheeling down hill for about three miles and I though "well this is easy". It did not last long as we then returned to the ups and downs of the coast road. Normal service had been resumed. I met a large group of end to enders today who were returning back to England by cycling through Ireland, better them than me! I passed them again on the road later on and did not see them again. As you get further up the coast you start to see  oil rigs out to sea and it comes as abit of a surprise. This is wild windy countryside with lots of birds of prey on the wing. I have also seen lots of Hooded crows hanging round with other members of the crow family. I also met a very fit 72 year old cyclist who was cycling form Essex to JOG. He was a retired Baptist minister and so we had lots of things to talk about on the way. He had problems with his disc brakes so I left him at Golspie at the cycle shop to see if he could get them repaired. Tomorrow involves some very difficult climbing for the first four miles so I think some pasta and an early night is required!

Fort Augustus to Inverness - 35 miles

A shorter ride today before a 70 mile ride up the east coast to Helmsdale. I will soon see the first signs for John oGroats when I leave Inverness. Today was one of those difficult riding days when it is hard to find a constant pace. This was mainly because of the heavy rain for most of the morning which made cycling unpleasant and the clouds cleared only as I left the mountains and neared Inverness. I took refuge in a bus shelter, had something to eat and sorted out my wet weather gear. I met a local giving her dog a walk and gave him a pat to get my "pet fix". Then headed off again onto the busy A82 that hugs the shores of Loch Ness. The Loch is very long and ever present so when it suddenly disappears it comes as a surprise, when you enter farmland and cities again.I find it hard to believe that in two days time I will be at John O Groats at the end of my journey.

Ballachulish to Fort Augustus - 47 miles

Off we go again on the road to Fort Augustus. Crossing the bridge at Onich proved interesting. It suddenly became amazingly windy and I was worried that I would be blown of my bike and then suddenly  my hat was blown off . Alison had made a cord with a crocodile clip to prevent me loosing  my hat, if such an event should occur and my hat flew out like a kite on a string and I was able to retrieve it again! It was just like being a kid again where your gloves are connected to each other by a piece of cord so you don't loose them. Eventually Fort William was reached along a rather busy main road. There is not much to see there so I hurried on and eventually found myself on a minor road to the north side of the Great Glen. This in contrast was narrow with passing places not that I saw many cars. It hugs the shore of Loch Lochy and then comes to an abrupt end. You then take what is called a forest trial through Clunes Forest for about 7 miles. This was something else, undulating, ever so bumpy, and full of swarms of midges. They were in your face and you could not stop in case your were eaten alive. After what seemed like an eternity I emerged out of the forest and arrived thankfully at Fort Augustus. A pleasant spot with good pubs and a beautiful backdrop of Lochs and mountains, just perfect!

Inveraray to Ballachulish - 67 miles

The placed that I stayed in Inverary was super, modern,clean and wonderful breakfast. Porridge followed by a salmon scrambled eggs. After loading up I set out in sunshine to head for Ballachulish some 67 miles away. The air was cool almost autumnal and this was not the occasion for stripping off. The first 8 miles woke me up as It was all up hill . I was glad I had not had the kippers! There then followed a up and down ride for the next 20 miles until I reached Connel. On the way however I saw two Eagles about 80-100 metres from me. It was wonderful to see them. Every 10 miles I eat and drink and this tactic seems to work really well. I eat a mixture of Milky ways, Snickers bars (marathons) and Jelly babies. When I finish this adventure I don't think I will want to eat anymore of these for a long time! I eventually arrived at Ballachulish about 3pm. Its a small place but is right next to Glencoe. Tomorrow although the weather is not so good, the journey is shorter about 42 miles up to Fort Augustus.

Ardrossan to Inveraray = 62 miles

I woke this morning and would you credit it the weather was dry! Cold though in a northern breezy sort of way that us softy southerners are not use to! I made my way very easily up the coast road that heads via Largs to Gourock to catch the ferry that goes to Hunter's key near Dunoon. A ferry had just arrived so I pushed my bike onto it and enjoyed the 20 minute trip, ignoring the safety procedures as with my swimming ability I would be a goner if it sunk! Off I got at Hunters Key and started the 40 mile journey to Inveraray. In just a ferry crossing everything had changed, we were now in some very wild countryside. I cycled mile after mile through the mountains not seeing very many people and eventually arrived on the opposite side of the Loch to Inveraray. It was a mile and a half away if I could have only ridden on water! Instead I had to go all the way around the loch a journey of 18 miles! On the way however I saw my first dead Pine Martin who was not careful crossing the road! After checking into my B&B had a meal at The George Hotel which was excellent!

Kirkconnell to Ardrossan - 43 miles

Had a lay in this morning and had breakfast at 9.00 . Today yet more porridge and boiled eggs with soldiers. After loading up my 20lbs weight of all my worldly goods I set out into the sunshine. This lasted a mere mile and it rained on and off again for the next 10 miles. At times like this you have just got to keep going and hope things will change and you can do some "normal" cycling again. Eventually the sun broke through and I weaved my way through some undulating countryside, a bit roller coasterish where if you judged it right you could just get enough speed going down the hill to make it up the other side. I also met a group of unladen LEJOG cyclists who passed me and about 20 miles on I found myself ahead of them. They were amazed how I did it. All I can think of is I must have taken a faster route, goodness knows where they got to. Where I am staying there are great views on a clear day to the Isle of Arran. I am crossing by ferry tomorrow to Dunoon and will stop next in Inveraray.

Longtown to Kirkconnel- 63 miles

I woke to a rather dull morning as I finished my porridge and Golden syrup and headed out in the drizzle to cross into Scotland. At a corner shop I stocked up with about six snickers bars and numerous Milky Ways.Felt a bit embarrassed as I paid for them as the lady might think I some kind of chocoholic. As I crossed into Scotland via Gretna the skies opened up and it rained "cats and dogs" for the next 20 miles. Despite my  waterproof clothing it was not a good experience. Character building maybe, good certainly not. I then began the long slow climb up the Nith valley through misty mountains past Drumlanrig castle to Kirckconnel. This was definitely a back of beyond area with few villages and no potential "watering holes". Even the houses had a tired grey look and I though that the Samaritans must be kept busy here. At last I reached my B and B. It was and old farmhouse with a kind couple who put me in an enormous family room and dried all my wet clothes by their wood burner. As there was nowhere to go in the evening they made me a meal and nothing was too much trouble. I soaked in the bath and reflected on my survival!

Ambleside to Longtown- 53 miles

A lovely sunny morning as I left Ambleside for a hilly ride to Longtown which is just two miles inside the border from Scotland. I rolled down into Grassmere and then began the long climb up Dunmail raise and then round Thirlmere reservoir and across the hills to Hesket Newmarket. On a loney lane I saw a red squirrel and heard the Cuckoo go "cuck cuck oo" ( in June he changes his tune) The little narrow roads were full of sheep and gates you had to keep opening and closing every half mile. When I got to Hesket NewMarket I was running low on water and it was very warm. I rang a door bell but with no answer. I then went next door and a man greeted me and offered to fill my water bottles and made me a cup of tea. I noticed they were Christians and we were able to have a good chat and before I left they prayed for my safe journey. I reflected on their kindness and that I had been sent to that house. When I got to Long town I had a good soak in the bath with plenty of bubbles. It was excellent!

Lancaster to Ambleside - 40 miles

The morning departure started a bit cloudy after some early morning rain which I just missed. I gentle wound my way passed early morning dog walkers along the Lancaster canal towpath. Church bells were ringing and eventually I arrived in Carnforth. Then it was out into the wilder parts of Lancashire before the scenery changed again and I entered the Lake District of Cumbria. The lakes were busy with tourist and I tried not to run some Japanese ones over with my bike as I continued on to Ambleside. The Great North swim was on in Lake Windermere and I reflected as I had a ice cream and stocked up on Snickers bars.The sky turned decidedly nasty and having showered I had a beer and watched the rain fall over the hills.

Day 9 -Eccleston to Lancaster 37 miles

A late breakfast this morning as it was a shorter ride today so ate my way through porridge with maple syrup toast and boiled eggs, loaded up and hit the road. Despite the forecast it was a sunny ride to Lancaster and apart from a unpleasant ride through Preston, I then broke through to the Lancashire countryside. This is a place of canals, cows in long grass and wide rivers . The ride into Lancaster followed a cycle path along by the river Lune and loads of families were out on their bikes. I weaved my way through them and eventually arrived in the town centre. Having checked in and showered I decided to find somewhere to eat. I found a good Italian restaurant and had some great olives and tasty  chicken with two glasses of white wine. All in all a good day!

Day 8 Ellesmere to Eccleston- 66 miles

The weather forecast promised doom and gloom so after breakfast I set out as quickly as possible for Eccleston in Lancashire which is situated between Liverpool and Blackpool. I made good time mainly to a strengthening southerly wind and reached Warrington by early afternoon just in time to see the swing bridge allow a large boat to come up the Manchester shipping canal . We all had to wait for this to finish and then the road opened again and off I went ever northward. Having negotiated the city traffic I headed of into suburbia and eventually the countryside and arrived early without all the promised rain. A real answer to prayer. I then relaxed over coffee and chocolate digestives and reflected on the day . How often our fear are just dreams that never materialise!

Bucknall to Ellesmere- 55miles

It was a lovely sunny morning as I set out from Bucknall and cycled passed  the old disused railway station that is cared for by the local WI. Out into the Shropshire countryside and the "blue remembered hills". I soon was able to see The Long Mynd a large humpback of a hill that has moorland at the top. As time passed I reached the quirky town of Bishop's castle that has some amazing houses. The first thing I notice was the sweet smell of hops that filled the streets. It came from the local brewery which I think is called The Three Tuns and is the oldest brewery in England dating from the late 1680's. The rest of the day was spent criss crossing from England to Wales and back again.. Near Oswestry I stopped at a roadside cafe which was on very much the"basic" side and had a mug of tea and a large bacon sandwich. I sat on a bench outside and watched the swifts glide through the sky in an effortless way. All the way from Africa to here, what was my journey in comparison to theirs. I then continued on to Ellesmere which was splendid and has a large duck population.

Day 6 Grosmont to Bucknell 53 miles

I had stayed the night in a very strange B and B which had  strange plumbing. When I say strange I mean not hot water and the taps rattled when you turned them on. The place was so large I rattled about like a pea! I was glad to get on the road after my morning porridge and faced a challenge after10 minutes as I had to climb up the very steep hill to Grosmont before heading out to the Golden valley towards Hay on Wye. From Hay I crossed Herefordshire on my way to Shropshire. There were alots different birds including Nuthatches, flocks of greenfinches and a calling Cuckoo. Early afternoon arrived and the sunshine and showers continued. I came into a village and found a group of 20 End to End cyclists who were travelling with the Bike Events organisation.We sat outside a pub and swapped stories and they bought me a pot of tea. I then travelled up a hilly valley to Bucknall and stayed in the post office which is also a B&B. The whole village was having a party for some children from Peckham in London to show them how evacuees got on in the war. Lots of people were dressed war time clothing, it was great. In all a very good day!

Day 5 Lower Langford to Grosmont 63 miles

Today I left Somerset in bright sunshine  and wound my way past the Bristol outskirts across the Avon and up the Severn estuary to eventually take the "old Passage" that takes you up to the cycleway across the Severn suspension bridge to Wales. Getting around and about Bristol took alot of map reading but I eventually crossed the Severn bridge and came to Chepstow. The bridge vibrates to the heavy lorries and it is a bit scary at first but the cycle lane is very good. From Chepstow I headed up the Wye valley all shady and lush on what was proving to be a hot day. I was glad of the valleys coolness. Eventually I got to Monmouth and took directions on how to get on the road to Grosmont which has a Norman castle. It was a hot 10 miles journey mostly uphill till I got to my B&B. I found a Swallow trapped in a sun room with my bike so picked it up and let it fly away.

 I walked to the nearest pub which was a 2 mile round trip for supper. I felt I needed the exercise!!

Day 4 Cullumpton to Lower Langford 57 miles

I set out this morning in a slight drizzle. It was hard to get going because I had seen Alison last night and was missing her. I headed out on the Taunton road and eventually got there as the sun peaked through at last. Tauntons' traffic system was a dice with death but after I left there, the run across the Somerset levels and wetlands was wonderful. After crossing the levels the Mendip hills came into view and I eventually reached Cheddar (of cheese fame) It was in this area at Burrington that Augustus Montague Toplady sheltered from a storm and got the idea for his hymn rock of ages. I them climbed over the edge of the mendips to Lower langford to my B and B. It was excellent and my bedroom had a spa bath that created lots of bubbles. I eased the pain away and went to the pub across the road. This morning when I was leaving she had packed me some flapjack,cake and a sandwich to see me through the day. 

Day 3 Launceston to Cullompton 65 miles

I am not one to complain but when I woke up on Sunday morning I did not want to go outside. It had been raining since 3am and in the dim light of 6am nothing had changed except it was now even windier with gusts up to 35 mph. I roused my self at 7 am and offered a prayer to make it through the day. After eating as much as I could I set out in the deluge to cross the edge of Dartmoor that passes 900ft before dropping down into Oakhampton. The first 20 miles were scary, steep hill up and down and wet brake blocks that forced you into a Kamikaze existence. The wind rushed at me and it was a struggle just to keep moving. It never stopped raining the whole journey and it was torrential. I stopped regularly for a bite on a cereal bar , a milky way or some jelly babies and kept drinking water. I could not stop long as even though I had Gortex jacket and trousers and special overshoes I was by now 40 miles on and drenched. The last 20 miles seemed like forever and I had to play mind games on reasons to be thankful. I must admit I did struggle a bit! When I nearly got to the B and B I had to climb out of Cullompton into the gale. I then could not find the B and B and had to knock on a door and  ask some  poor chap to help me. It was a few yards down the road and I have never been so glad for a cup of coffee and a hot soak to mend my wounds. Alison caught up with me in the evening and brought me some dry clothes. It made me realise how much she cared for me and I was thankful to have survived the day!.

Day 2 St Newlyn East to Launceston 40 miles

 Just to say sorry that I can load any pictures at the moment but my B and B has a dodgy wireless signal.Day two however started sunny and continued so as I set out for Wadebridge across the Cornish countryside. Lots of hills and I eventually arrived and passed the long que of traffic for the Cornish showground. Then up to Camelford and across the edge of Bodmin moor ending up in Polyphant and Launceston .My B and B lady was good and she made me a pot of tea and gave me  something to eat. I soaked in the bath and reflected on a better day. Sadly this was not to last! A low preesure was developing in the West and it had my name on it!

Day 1 Lands End to St Newlyn East 60 miles

1. Alison and I travelled down to Lands End on Thursday night and stayed near Sennan cove. Friday morning the day of departure dawned and it was raining hard as I set out from Land's End. It was not just light showers but the heavy stuff. It felt sad to say goodbye to Alison as I headed out along the hilly coast to Zennor and then Penzance. The coast line was shrouded in mist and as I ate a cerial bar about 10 miles out I could not in my wildest imagination think that I would ever get to John O Groats a 1000 miles away! I then heard a Cuckoo and that lifted my spirits and I set out on the road again. From Penzance to Cambourne I got seriously lost on a cycleway and ended up going round in circles and did an "extra" 8 miles in the pouring rain. I sheltered under  a railway bridge and took stock of the situation. Eventually the sun broke through and I headed via Redruth to St Newlyn East. The road turned out to be a roller coaster with long ups and downs. I eventually arrived in sunshine about 5pm and decided to have a shower to clean the brake water stains off my leg. I could not work out how to get the shower hot and the cold water nearly took my breath away. Eventually I got it warm and dissapeared down the pub for some food and a pint. All in all a successful day!

Lets get Packing!!!

You know how it is, you need to get on and get your stuff packed for the journey, but procrastinate over what to take. I do have a fear over taking some heavy spanner uphill and down dale all the way to Scotland and never using it!.At the same time forgetting to take my Swiss Army knife, which no doubt I will use even if its only for opening a bottle of wine! The other issue is clothes and how many pairs of under ware to take. I read one helpful guide to "minimalist cycling" that suggested I think, rather optimistically two pairs of pants. Wear one, wash and dry the other pair on the radiator overnight. If  they were still not dry in the morning, the suggestion was to put them over the tea pot in the morning like a cosy to finish off the drying process.At least it would add a new dimension to breakfast conversation with the other guests. Hopefully I will not have to result to that! I have also been reading a book from the 1940's on a cycling tour in the west country . I had the book when I was 13 and gave it away. I got it back again from a book stall in Hay on Wye which I will pass close by on my trip. Alison and I spent our honeymoon there so it will  have special memories for me I travel through.

Less Than a Week to Go!!

Had a pleasant if very windy 21 mile warm up ride today. Over 109 mile covered in the last 5 days and the legs feel OK for an old chap! I learnt this week about the need to pace myself  and just take my time, drink plenty and conserve energy. Not much to see this morning on my ride, except an escaped cow that I treated with caution as he "mooed" at me! Plenty of new road kill creatures including foxes and badgers who have not mastered their "green cross code". I am starting to sort out what items to take on the journey  and hope they will all fit in my saddle bag. Fortunately I have my expect packer in Alison on the case and what will not fit in is left behind! I am also posting  materials onto Wick in Scotland for packing my bike when I fly home. Two more training rides and then I'm off too Lands End, it a bit scary!! 

A Bad Day For Squirrels

I set out on my 32 mile ride this morning and it was really enjoyable. The weather was warm, the wind light and the miles went by easily. I headed up the river valley to Stockland,  the sign of which was changed by somebody to Sockland!  I stopped for a drink and some young cows came to visit me. Climbing out of Stockland  I came across two dead squirrels and another one checking out the situation. They had obviously misjudged crossing the road and had been hit by a car. The survivor decided to cut his loses on seeing me and headed off into the bushes. It reminded me that during the 60-70's adverts appeared on TV for road safety promoting the "Tufty club". Children were shown how to cross the road by a cartoon squirrel. I got to thinking that today on the current evidence they might not be the best role model!! 

Mile By Mile

As I cycled by the river Axe this morning I got to thinking about distance. The wind was blowing strongly from the north west and I knew today was going to be hard work. Hilly and windy make for demoralising cycling. It was then that it struck me  that Dale Carnegie's advice was right,about "living in day tight compartments". Any problem or for that matter journey looked at as a whole can seem too big to conquer. Broken into smaller parts it becomes more manageable and in the end doable. A journey can be treated in exactly the same way. 50 miles seems a long way but when you start enjoying the journey you  soon forget the distance and the miles start to roll by as each smaller target is accomplished. Sometimes when you get so distracted you even can't remember the road you have just travelled along and the miles that have been covered.  It seems to me that having the right mental attitude is therefore just as important as the physical training. I also am trying to apply the wise words of Lao Tz :

The Journey Of A Thousand Miles Begins With A Single Step 
- (Lao Tz    or in my case a spin of the wheel!

Training Plan For This Week

Today has been wet and sea misty in this part of East Devon but at least my water butts are filling up! Training cancelled for today but the forecast for the rest of the week looks cracking. Here is the game plan. Tues 20 hilly miles. Wednesday 35 hilly miles. Thursday 48 hilly miles. Let get serious. Note to self, look out the spray tin of Ralgex.

The Cereal Bar Thief

Today I had to get out onto the road no matter what the weather was like as I needed the miles in my legs. Just two weeks to go and time is running out to get this body of mine "finely tuned". Some people have taken the view that  time had run out  long ago to achieve this! My route today was shorter but very hilly with long climbs and two 15-20% hills to wake my leg muscles up! I had no real problems and will have ago at the same route again on Monday and Tuesday. On my journey I saw a green woodpecker which I startled as I rode over a bridge . Near the old station at Seaton junction closed by Dr Beaching in the 1960's I stopped for a drink and a "munch" on my cereal bar."Bobby" a local retriever had other ideas as he walked along the road with his owners. He tried to steal it before I could get it in my mouth and I could feel his hot breath on my hand. Having fended him off, I told his owners they ought to feed him more, to which they replied "he looks under feed" . His portly figure indicated to me that he probably had eaten lots of cyclist's cereal bars !

Riding with a positive attitude

When I woke up this morning , I had real problems with my right shoulder as it was jolly painful. It was because I moved the compost heap yesterday. On top of this it was very windy and I just did not feel like getting on the road. I sat and had a cup of coffee and read about the apostle Paul when he was in prison, it seemed to me that my shoulder pain and the windy day was nothing in comparison to what he went through. I decided that I would have days like this when I was travelling the LEJOG so this would be good practice for then. Anyhow just imagine what it must have been like in Scotland yesterday for those poor souls who were on the road between B and B's. As it turned out I had a wonderful ride despite the windy day. I forgot about my shoulder after about 30 minutes and the weather and the countryside were wonderful. I was so glad I was out there on the bike, with the "wind in my Wheels"

Mad Dogs and Englishman

Today was my longest training ride 35 miles in the hills following the river Yarty to where  the A30 meets with the A303. It was a perfect day for cycling light breeze and not too hot. The road that follows the river is very narrow and a bit of a "roller coaster" and I did not see many cars or for that matter anybody else. Lots of Damsel flies and Speckled wood butterflies and some Bullfinches as I made my final crossing via a ford of the Yarty and that's where my trouble began. I'm talking dogs, because as I rested at the ford a nasty looking one came after me. I managed to fend him off for a while but he later chased me up a hill, and I just about outrun him. He had a "pal" who was a collie and he was very friendly so I gave him a stroke.Having got my breath back I relaxed too soon and nasty dog number two turned up. He gave me the "old bark and chase treatment" and I shouted at him and escaped up a bumpy farm track and eventually found the long road home. Note to self carry a dog Dazer or large cycle pump!

Buzzards and Nettles

A cloudy start this morning with very little wind. Just as well because I forgot to take my sunglasses with me and hoped I would not have to practice "take the fly out of the eye". Lots of buzzards about this morning and I got very close to one without him taking off. I felt a little put out at the start of my ride when the lane I normally take for training was closed for road works. This did not put me off and I weaved my way around the various bits of pot hole patching and arrived safely at the end of the lane. I have been experimenting with a very small video camera to help share my rides with you. As you will see I have not mastered it yet and in my keenness to share a view with you wandered into the local nettle patch. Also the "heavy breathing is because I have just cycled up hill not because I am a "Dodgie" character Thank goodness for the Dock leaves.

Experiments with Video

Hopefully next week my blogs will contain a more interactive approach to my training for you to share. What do I mean by this? I hear you say. Well I have just purchased a mini video camera about the size of a two pound coin that can record footage of my training and LEJOG ride. Hopefully the small box will arrive tomorrow and I can give it a shot on Monday.  Don't expect too much to start with however as it will be mainly footage of my coat and feet as you see me I trying to pick the thing  up, from dropping it in a muddy Devon lane , mastering my cinematic skills.

A Day of Hills and Horses

I thought I would start off early for a ride this morning to miss the regular thunderstorm and heavy rain we seem to be getting, which brews up nicely about 2pm ish. I set myself a challenge of going to Umbourne and Watchcombe which are hamlets in a particular hilly part of East Devon. The road out of Umbourne heads up 450 feet in about a mile and has a nice 15% hill near the top. As I wound my way up the hill I eventually arrived at the steepest point and wondered if my heart would hold out till I reached the top. Fortunately for me it did and I sheltered in the wood at the top and munched gratefully on my cereal bar. The place was like the" wild wood" in wind in the willows and the roots of the trees looked like they could stretch out at any minute and grab you! I met my regular "Nemesis" this morning "the horse who hates bicycles". Its all very embarrassing, as on the narrow lane, I stop and he will not pass me! The rider then has a battle of wills with him as he wants to head back home rather than pass me. Eventually he edges past me and we go our separate ways. I know that our paths will cross again when I'm out again on Friday!

The journey back was uneventful but windy although I saw a Jay and a dead Badger  . One of the good things about cycling is you re-live many childhood experiences, as I am now eating lots of Jelly Babies for that quick energy burst!

St Mark's flies and Red Campions

Today was the perfect training ride,a light southerly breeze, quiet roads, and the feeling after 28 miles that you could just keep rolling on. The St Mark's flies that buzz up and down the hedge near Beer seemed to have "moved on" as less kept hitting me on the head as I descended Stovar lane! Lots of gnats on my journey, one of which got stuck in my mouth till I spat him out. The road side verges are full of Red Campions and Cow Parsley and are a wonderful sight. I passed a farm today that was selling up. Unfortunately for me it was on a narrow lane which led up a long steep hill (15%) with very little room for my bike never mind the three 4x4's that tried to pass me going to the sale. My clip less pedals lock my feet into the pedals and removing them requires a sharp twist of the ankle.Easy to do on the flat but not uphill when you have pressure on the pedal. Every time a vehicle tried to pass me I had to fall into the hedge to get my foot out of the pedals. Care was needed to avoid the large patches of stinging nettles but I eventually mastered the technique! All in all a successful day!
http://www.nhm.ac.uk/nature-online/species-of-the-day/scientific-advances/industry/bibio-marci/index.html





Training on a windy day!

I now know how Winnie the Pooh must have felt as I set out on my 27 mile training run this morning. He was blown about on a windy day and so was I. Everything seemed hard work, the hills, the flat, going downhill! Each way I went the wind would follow and blow in my face and the only relief came when the high banks and hedge rows gave me shelter. When I stopped for a drink at the top of a hill even a ladies dog  hassled me. Some days are meant for character building, this one served that purpose!

Training on a Royal wedding day

I started my ride today in cloudy gloom and Merk in contrast to the joyful atmosphere of Royal events. Getting going on a ride is always slow and hard work in contrast to the high spirits as the ride progresses. Hills are conquered and the coast comes back into view again. Part of the fun of training is meeting people and animals. Horses ands Llamas today who knows what on Monday. In most villages I travelled through, wedding celebrations were taking place, I felt a sense of celebration as I climbed the last hill to home.

Journey contd

Day 11 Hawkeshead to Longtown
Day 12 Longtown to Kirkconnel   (612 miles covered)
Day 13 kirkconnel to Ardrossan    (659 miles covered)
Day 14 Ardrossan to Inverary
Day 15 Inverary to Ballachulish     (787 miles covered)
Day 16 Ballachulish to Fort Augustus 
Day 17 Fort Augustus to Inverness  (850 miles covered)
Day 18 Inverness to Helmsdale
Day 19 Helmsdale to John o Groats (966 miles covered)

The Route I have chosen for the Journey

This will take 19 days and cover about 976 miles of mostly minor roads. I have chosen this to avoid the traffic and see some interesting places that i have never been to before. The route follows the west side of England before crossing the Severn bridge to Wales heading through Shropshire and Lancashire then into the Lake District. From there it crosses into Scotland and heads up through western Scotland before joining the Great Glen at Fort William and then onto Inverness. It then follows the east coast up to John O Groats. I have never been north of Edinburgh before so a journey in the loneness of the Highlands is exciting. My ancestors fought the English there so it will be good to see what the place looks like. I set out during the longest days of June and hopefully before the "midges" hatch out in Scotland.My route is set out below:
Day 1 Lands End to St Newlyn East
Day2 St Newlyn East to Launceston    (102 miles covered )
Day3 Launceston to Cullompton
Day 4 Cullompton to Chedder              (204 miles covered)
Day 5 Chedder to Grosmont
Day 6 Grosmont to Bucknell                 (311 miles covered)
Day 7 Bucknell to Ellesmere
Day 8 Ellesmere to Eccleston                (376 miles covered)
Day 9 Eccleston to Lancaster 
Day 10 Lancaster to Hawkeshead       (502 miles covered)

Preparation for Lands End to John O Groats

This week I am training over a 25 mile course in hilly Devon. So far so good, as I go out three times a week and am gradually getting fitter and am beginning to enjoy the rides exploring country roads and hamlets. This blog will allow you to follow my journey from Lands End to Caithness which starts on the 10th June 2011.