Cycling Lands End to John O'Groats - June 2007

Starting out

2007-12-31T13:53:00.001Z

This is a record of my training and cycle ride form Lands End to John O'Groats in 2007. For this kind of journal, a blog is completely backwards as a means to follow the journey. To read from the start, begin here, and choose the "newer post" at the bottom of each post to move to each journal entry in sequence. Thanks for reading.

Looking back at the journey

2007-12-02T16:22:00.000Z

Thanks to everyone who has contacted me about my epic journey in 2007. I've been asked a few times recently whether I would recommend Bike Adventures, and I definitely would recommend the Bike Adventures trip - I would rate it 8/10 overall.

Particularly important was having someone else transporting bags while I was cycling. This saves so much weight that I would otherwise have to carry on the bike. And having an emergency crew to contact was useful for some people on the trip - after a broken chain or similar.

There are two choices for accommodation - camp or hotel. I would recommend taking the hotels option if you can - as it's pretty difficult to get dry in a tent if it's rained on you all day. There were pubs near the hotels most nights, so it was generally easy to find food. Except Sunday night in Clitheroe where not much open except the curry house, but I really didn't fancy that. And of course, the famous night in the only hotel in Ecclefechan - chaos - but we did get fed - eventually. I don't think Bike Adventures were planning to go back there ...

Storing bikes was pretty easy - bikes could be left at the campsite overnight, and Bike Adventures would take you to the hotel, and collect you in the morning. Or there was generally some place to lock bikes at the hotel - garage, shed or store-room. I only once had the bike in the room with me - at a Travelodge. I generally preferred taking the bike to the hotel - then I could get on the road as soon as I wanted to, rather than waiting for a lift.

As for the hills - there's no dodging the challenge - get fit before you start. Because I only decided to do the tour a few weeks before setting out, I didn't have the time to train fully. Another month or two would probably have been better preparation. But I did it !!! I avoided a couple of routes that Bike Adventures proposed, as I was focussed on getting to JoG, not doing it for the finest views and mountains. But some of the more regular cyclists enjoyed the challenge of Dent Station etc. One (70+year old) guy was even repeating the tour, just because he had pushed his bike up Dent Station the previous time, and he wanted to do the whole tour "properly" this time!!! And Bike Adventures choose routes deliberately that are off the main roads. This may make the journey slightly more challenging at times, but it's a lot more enjoyable than fighting with traffic - and safer.

Although they provide detailed directions, I found having a map handy occasionally - especially for finding short cuts. I bought a cheap road atlas, and cut out the pages for each day and marked up the route when they sent through the directions. I now have a phone with Copilot Live and a GPS device - that might have been useful as well - there was an occasional road closed where I needed to find an alternative way and then get back onto the planned route.

So ... choose to do this yourself and you need to carry your bags, create your own route, find places to stay and eat, deal with your own emergencies. Or choose to go with an organised tour who do all this for you ... having done the trip, I would choose Bike Adventures again rather than trying by myself.

And finally

2007-07-05T01:01:00.002+01:00

Just totted up the contributions collected in person and from the JustGiving website and I've reached my second goal for this trip. Over £2500 raised for the Royal Marsden Cancer Campaign. Thank you so much to everyone who contributed.

Adding Snap Shots

I added a nice little tool on this site called Snap Shots that enhances links with visual previews of the destination site, interactive excerpts of Wikipedia articles, Amazon products and lots of other stuff! Sometimes Snap Shots can bring you the information you need without leaving this blog, and other times it lets you "look ahead" before deciding if you want to follow a link or not. If you decide this is not for you, just click the Options icon in the upper right corner of the Snap Shot and opt-out.

In the end these got really irritating, so I've removed them!!!

Heading for home

2007-06-25T23:00:00.000+01:00

Taking the bus to Inverness and then a late flight to Heathrow, I have most of the day to spare at Inverness airport. It's time to contemplate on our achievements with the others at the airport. And then back home to normal life.

Thanks to Sarah, Kevin and Kim at Bike Adventures for all the organisation, and thanks to the two cyclist/mechanic/motivators from Bike Adventures - Ant and Adrian. It was great to meet and cycle with everyone on the trip - thanks for your help, motivation and just sharing a beer in the evenings. Please share your thoughts, photos and cycling plans for the future. Hope to meet up again one day ...

Day 15 - Pushing the Wind - Bettyhill to John O'Groats

2007-06-24T23:00:00.000+01:00

Another grey day to see us through to the end of the tour, but at least it's dried off. A few big hills out of Bettyhill to start the day, and we're off on the final leg ... heading straight into a head wind.

"Why are you going from Lands End", asked ALL my friends before this started, "surely it's down hill the other way?". I patiently answered them all "the prevailing wind in the UK is from the south-west, so most people go from LE to JOG to avoid a head wind for the last few days". That told them ... so how come I'm cycling into a head wind for the last day? And it's coming straight from Siberia, carrying ice and hail with it. Wrapped up in every layer I've got, I keep cycling. Only 50 miles to go ...

In the afternoon, I catch up with the Cambridge brigade and cycle with them for a while. What am I saying ... yes, I actually keep pace with them, slip streaming with the team for miles. This really helps with the continuing head wind. So after 5 weeks of training and 2 weeks of Touring, I can finally keep up with the regular cyclists - fantastic.


Dunnet Head

We take the short detour to Dunnet Head on the way to John O'Groats, to take in the views of the Orkneys, and just to say I've been to the most northerly point. And finally, into John O'Groats, the finish ... there's even a finish line painted before the pub. No tea today - cakes and champagne at the campsite before lots of group photos at the John O'Groats signpost.


The Finish	Job done	Campsite, tea and champagne

The Cambridge crew	Bikes heading for home	Highland cow

Congratulations from complete strangers are welcome and we shout "good luck" to some cyclists starting out in the other direction. They're about to cycle through the worst rain and floods the UK has seen in many years, while we're off to the pub. Dinner with Trevor and Andi and the whole group. Pool and darts until late with Andy and the self-proclaimed "naughty group", and off too bed.

Today's route from Google maps
Tour summary: 59 miles planned, 60 miles actual, 1075 miles in total.

Day 14 - Rain on the Moors - Evanton to Bettyhill

2007-06-23T23:00:00.000+01:00

This was the worst day for me - wet, grey and foggy all day with no views to speak of. Well, there probably are views across the Highlands here, but you couldn't see much further than the edge of the road - fog or rain obscured the rest. A day of just pushing on and on. Stopped briefly at Shin Falls to buy a postcard and dry out, but the helpful shop assistant complained about the number of bikes and we moved on.

Didn't see many people, even fewer cars across the bleak moorland, but at least the rain seems to keep the midges at bay. Or is it the total body cover I have to wear that's working against them. Arrive at Bettyhill late afternoon to find no camp set up - what about our tea and cakes? The vans have been delayed so we retire to the hotel for a beer. Checking in, I find there's no en-suite, so sneak into the only bath before anyone else has noticed. Then time for beer, cakes and plan dinner.

After days of grey on the moors, the views from Bettyhill are wonderful - the beaches , the coast and even some sun occasionally. The whole group are eating together at the Bettyhill Hotel tonight - comrades together almost sad to be ending the tour. So dinner, a few games of pool and late to bed, hoping for sun tomorrow.


Highlands river	The final hill into Bettyhill	View form Bettyhill Hotel

Today's route from Google maps
Tour summary: 77 miles planned, 79 miles actual, 1015 miles total so far.

Day 13 - Passing Loch Ness - Fort William to Evanton

2007-06-22T23:05:00.000+01:00

From Fort William there's a choice of routes, through the country tracks or the road to Invergarry. With increasing confidence, and after a day on the roads yesterday, I opt for the tougher country tracks. These prove challenging on a road bike, with ruts and holes more designed for a mountain bike. And the weather doesn't help ... but great views cycling along the shores of Loch Lochy and onto the Caledonian Canal.

Meet up with several others at Fort Augustus at the head of Loch Ness. There are a series of locks here stepped together into Neptune's Staircase to climb up to the higher Loch Awe, matched by the descent at Fort William. Lunch with other cyclists in the sun, and a shop by the lock - it almost feels like a normal holiday for a while.


Weir between River Oich and Caledonian Canal	Neptune's Staircase at Fort Augustus	Head of Loch Ness

Lunch at Fort Augustus - Len, Abi, Carl, Ian and Louise	Neptunes Staircase	Lock

Cycling by Loch Ness in the afternoon is quite disappointing. Nowhere near as beautiful as the lochs and glens in the Lowlands - Loch Ness is too big to have that same feeling about it. Feels more like cycling beside the sea. Reach the campsite in time for tea and cakes after a very long day.

Route from Google maps
Tour summary: 80 miles planned, 82 miles actual, 936 miles total so far.

Day 12 - Into the Highlands - Inverarary to Fort William

2007-06-21T23:00:00.000+01:00

Loch Fyne at Inverarary

I survived broken glass of Glasgow without a puncture, but checking my bike shows a 2 inch strip of rubber has been removed from one of the tyres. As usual, I'm in a mad hurry to leave early as I'm slower than most of the other cyclists. But I listen to my own advice from the previous two days, and take time to get it changed. The tyre was dangerous and could have blown on one of the steep descents. So I'm last leaving ... probably an hour after most people.

Beautiful sunny morning cycling by the lochs and glens out to the coast. But the skies grey and rain sets in for the afternoon, a proper Highlands storm with rain and wind, thunder and lighting. On the news I see that flash floods are starting in parts of the country we have left. We may need canoes by the end of the week.

Gradually catch up with other groups, so that there is a long line of us (probably over 20 cyclists) all heading into Fort William together. Great for us, but a pain in for the rest of the traffic on the narrow roads.

Found dinner at a traditional pub in the centre of Fort William, then a walk round the small town in the brilliant evening sunlight. Local bagpipe band is playing in the high Street, attracting crowds of proud parents and tourists.


Castle ruins	River	Heading into The Highlands

Castle Stalker, Loch Laich	Bagpipes in Fort William	Loch Linnhe from Fort William

Route map from Google maps
Tour summary: 75 miles planned, 72 miles actual, 854 miles in total so far.

Day 11 - Cities and Lochs - Motherwell to Inverarary

2007-06-20T23:15:00.000+01:00

With another long day's cycling planned, I want to get on the road early. But the weather is appalling and others are planning to wait. Wanting to travel in groups through Glasgow, I’m torn about what to do, but remember my comments about people rushing off early yesterday. I wait with Gareth and Enos, Mike and Dave. And they’re right – the weather eases off just before 10, and we get through Glasgow in the dry.

There are cycle tracks right the way through Glasgow out to Clydebank, part of the Sustrans initiative. This is a great idea, but there is broken glass everywhere. We are constantly running into other groups from the trip, all stopped to fix punctures. And then they overtake us as we pick up a few of our own. Instead of locking up the drunks and delinquents to add to the prison crisis, couldn’t the government send them round the countries cycle tracks with a broom??!

The urban regeneration of Glasgow has lead to some fabulous new buildings along the Clyde, and the city is certainly changing. But there are parts we hurry through, and dark cycle tracks where the morning’s drinking has already started. Following the canal tracks through this urban landscape, we suddenly arrive at the beauty of the Firth of Clyde and then Loch Lomond.


Regeneration along the Clyde	History on the Clyde	Forth and Clyde Canal

Canal out into the Firth of Clyde	Meeting at Loch Lomond	Loch Lomond

The afternoon is a mostly solo cycle for me, with groups leaving me behind after Loch Lomond. A long grind up to the "Rest and Be Thankful Pass" sees me actually overtaking someone, up a hill! This must be a first. Spectacular views from the top of this pass make the climb worthwhile, and then heading on for Inverarary for a very late finish after a long day. Fortunately the pubs serve food much later up her, and I get dinner with Elaine, Louise and Gareth in Inverarary.


Gare Loch near Garelochhead	Loch long at Arrochar	Climbing up to Rest and Be Thankful Pass

View from top of Rest and Be Thankful Pass	Coming down the other side	Inverarary

Route maps from Google maps
Tour summary: 82 miles planed, 82 miles actual, 782 miles total so far.

Day 10 - Shortcuts through the Lowlands - Ecclefechan to Motherwell

2007-06-19T23:05:00.000+01:00

Breakfast turned out to be as random as dinner at the hotel, so we were on waiting duties again to help out with the toast and coffee. A long day planned for today (85 miles), so most people were in a rush to get started and missed the morning briefing. Pity, as there was a shorter route available. I opted for the shorter, flatter route. Instead of taking the tourist route towards Edinburgh and turning back towards Glasgow, I headed along the B-roads beside the motorway.

Dull and grey day, but the rain mostly holds off. Not seeing much scenery on the route I take, but I finish the day with a couple of hours to spare, so go to visit a stately home just outside Hamilton - Chateauherault. Contrasting views from the garden with this country mansion on one side and the high rise blocks of Glasgow on the opposite side.


Church near Lockerbie	Chateauherault	Hamilton from Chateauherault

Back to the campsite for afternoon tea and cakes before finding the hotel. Staying in another pub/hotel chain, which encourages us to keep our bikes in the room for safe keeping. Dinner with Ian And Gerry.


Kevin's day off, with Elaine and Gareth	Tim, after the long route	Trevor, Andi and Dave

Dawn and Dawn	Down tools for tea break

Tour map from Google maps.
Tour summary: 85 miles planned, 73 miles actual, 700 miles total so far.

Day 9 - Into Scotland - Kirkby Stephen to Ecclefechan

2007-06-18T23:15:00.000+01:00

Great Selkeld

A beautiful day's riding through the remainder of Cumbria heading into Scotland. Appleby-in-Westmoreland and Great Selkeld stand out as towns I am passing through, but the countryside remains more fixed in my mind. The hills are getting to my knees again, so a friendly pharmacist in Longtown provides help with support bandages topped up with ibuprofen to get through the day.

Although the knees are aching, my overall strength and stamina are certainly increasing. At Longtown, I have some time to spare, so I'm tempted by a trip to Gretna, but decide to stay focused on the trip ... getting to John O'Groats is the only goal.

Crossing the River Sark, I am in Scotland - only the second time I've been here. Meet up with several groups of other Tourists here for many photos and afternoon break. Then on to Ecclefechan to find the campsite for afternoon tea. I find out that there's slight confusion over my booking at the hotel, and I'm in an outbuilding rather than the main hotel. At least I've got somewhere to sleep ... and it's not a tent. The guys camping are getting more damp and cold as the days go by.


Cumbria	River Eske	Welcome to Scotland

Hmmm, but the hotel is like Fawlty Towers - you have to laugh - it's the only way. They don't generally serve food on a Monday, but with so many of us staying from the Tour, they have agreed if we book meals in advance. And the chaos ensues ... a couple of starters, then some main courses, then a few more starters, then another tables main courses, then some more starters and some puddings ... and so on for two hours. The waitress is very friendly, embarrassed about the service and trying to help. We end up helping ourselves - one of us behind the bar serving drinks, one searching for wine, one finding the bread rolls. So we get through dinner, before retiring to serve ourselves in the bar. The owner occasionally shows his head to take the money ...

Tour map from Google maps
Tour summary: 73 miles planned, 74 miles actual, 627 miles total so far

Day 8 - Yorkshire Dales - Clitheroe to Kirkby Stephen

2007-06-17T23:15:00.000+01:00

After breakfast I have to choose between following the directions provided or making my own way to avoid the huge climb at Dent. With a roadmap of the area, and suspecting others are taking a similar avoidance route, I head off on my own along the country roads to Settle. I’m clear that my goal is to get to John O’Groats next week, not climb every big hill in between.

I meet up with some others from the group – this is the self-proclaimed “naughty group – they have given up following the directions and are setting out on their own route each day. We compare plans, but they seem to be heading back to Dent Station after avoiding the early morning hills – madness! I continue on my own.

After Settle, I cycle to Hawse through the Yorkshire Dales National Park. Although I’ve been to the Lake District several times, I’ve not been through this part of the world before. The scenery is stunning – I’m quite taken with the valleys, streams and waterfalls. Even the sun comes out – this is definitely a part of the country I will come back to.


Yorkshire Dales

Given the shortcut and lack of significant hills on my chosen route, I find I’ve got time to spare at Hawse, and spend an hour being an ordinary tourist. Browsing the shops and buying postcards seems an abnormal experience at the moment – even people being around seems odd after so much time cycling alone. Even with this delaying tactic, I still arrive at the campsite at Kirkby Stephen before most people and before the van arrives. A new experience, I’m waiting for the tea and cakes to arrive rather than turning up hours after everyone.


Cumbria

Tour map from Google maps
Tour summary: 56 miles planned through Dent, 61 miles actual with my alternative route, 553 miles in total so far.

Day 7 - Shortcuts with Dave - Acton Bridge to Clitheroe

2007-06-16T23:10:00.000+01:00

Dave “the Train” met up with me today for cycling from Acton Bridge. Dave is a keen cyclist and rode Lejog a few years ago, but he’s aware how slow I am, and is happy to ride with me. Cycled through some quaint villages in the morning, from Little Leigh to High Leigh where we crossed the M56 – haven’t seen a motorway in days, and now we are crossing 5 in one day to get to Clitheroe. Then across the Manchester Ship Canal at Warburton, avoiding the tupenny toll for motorists.

Pleasington

Stop for lunch in the village hall at Rivington and meet up with other Tourists. Lunch with Joerg and Caroline, two doctors from London. After lunch Dave finds an alternative route bypassing many of the hills on the afternoon’s journey. Instead of going through Blackburn we cycle the long ridge to Whalley to see the remains of the monastery, great views across the valley and the viaduct at the end.


Manchester Ship Canal	Whalley Abbey gatehouse	Dave

With this shortcut, we’re back at camp in great time for tea and cakes, well before many others. This is the first time I’ve been back with time to spare, so I’m grateful for Dave’s map-reading, shortcut and hill avoidance. Some of the others are now interested in this, as the afternoon hills proved quite challenging for some. It’s becoming apparent that the Bike Adventures chosen route isn’t exactly flat or straight – they’ve chosen an ”interesting” route, to keep more experienced cyclists happy with some challenging climbs. This is confirmed when Dave asks about the next day’s route – “he’s not really taking you through Dent Valley and Dent Station – I wouldn’t do that” commented my experienced cycling friend. I listened!

Staying at a hidden, unsigned B&B proves an initial challenge in Clitheroe, but nothing compared to trying to find dinner. A “choice in town” proclaimed the directions, but pubs stopped serving food at 6, an Italian claimed not to be open to the public, and I didn’t want to risk the dodgy Indian. Back to the B&B with Tesco’s sandwiches and beer had to suffice for this evening.

Tour map from Google maps
Tour summary: 66 miles planned, 74 miles actual, 492 miles total so far.

Day 6 - Sad loss - Wentnor to Acton Bridge

2007-06-15T23:08:00.000+01:00

How to describe today? There was the cycling and the weather and the usual challenges that I have been describing. But to start with such parts would be trite. There is no way of avoiding this subject. Today we experienced a tragedy in our journey, which puts all other thoughts in perspective.

As I cycled down the first major hill of the day, I came across bikes scattered across the road and people dealing with an emergency from the side of the track. As well as cyclist from our group, people from a local cottage had come to help. Arriving late on this scene, it was initially difficult to grasp the true picture and I was reassured to discover that amongst our group there were two doctors, a paramedic and a nurse involved in helping Stuart.

With medical help on-hand, there was little I could add except to clear the road of bikes and obstacles, to help ensure there was no further problems from oncoming traffic. We left and carried on cycling, stopping to watch an ambulance find its way through the country lanes and watch an air ambulance arriving.

Not sure of what we should do next, we just kept cycling, all with our own thoughts. I wasn’t even sure what had caused the problem, and not many others could add any information. We all had our own ideas, goals and drives to take up the 1000 miles challenge, and we all seemed to know that the journey goes on, just more subdued than previously.

When we reached the campsite that afternoon, we found that Stuart had died from a massive heart attack. He had been air-lifted to hospital but pronounced dead on arrival. I hadn’t known Stuart long, nor had much interaction with him on the journey, but being part of this group, no … this team, leaves an impact on everyone. I found the Daily Record later in the week and it described Stuart as someone who was regularly involved in raising money for charity. He was sponsored on Lejog to raise money for the Scottish children’s hospice charity (CHAS). He died doing what he loved best – helping other people less fortunate than himself. What finer epitaph is there.

Day 5 - Criss-crossing the border - Monmouth to Wentnor

2007-06-14T23:00:00.000+01:00

Through the quiet lanes of Hereford and Shropshire, you never quite know when you're in Wales or in England. On the major routes, there are huge signs welcoming you to one country or another. On these smaller roads, the change is only signalled by an occasional Araf painted below the Slow signs.

After the deluge in Bristol yesterday, it seemed that we had seen the worst of the weather, and leaving Monmouth was unseasonably sunny ... for this geography. So the initial country lanes were a pleasant start to the day. Free from the major hills of yesterday afternoon, my knees seem to be recovering from the aches. But by mid-way the weather is threatening, and warm wet gear becomes the new order of the day.

After crossing the Wye, the day becomes a real test in motivation - my first fight to continue as I am getting more wet and miserable. In he afternoon, I meet up with another group of cyclists which is great for motivation. In this terrible rain, even they are slow and I can keep up with them to the campsite. Arriving wet and cold, we are enormously grateful for those simple English comforts - hot tea and cakes.


The Long Mynd	Swans on the Wye	Pembridge

After a long day's riding, there's little time to get to the B&B, change and get top the pub for dinner. A lift is hastily arranged, and gratefully accepted, so that I can get food before the pub stops serving - this becomes a common problem when we are staying in more remote parts. As I'm heading for the B&B, the last stragglers are heading to camp, literally getting an occasional push along from the support team!

Dinner at the Inn on the Green in Wentnor with the whole of the tour party - 45 cyclists and the support team from Bike Adventures. Dinner with Len, Ian & Louise, and not forgetting the two Dawns. Full of pasta and beer, another lift is arranged to get us back to the B&B and I'm ready for bed. But the hosts at Shuttocks Wood have other ideas, and I while away a couple of hours with Howard over a beer or two putting the world to rights. A fine end to a wet and weary day.



Dinner at the Inn on the Green

Map from Google maps
Tour summary: 70 miles planned, 71 miles actual, 348 miles total so far.

Day 4 - Cheddar Gorge & Wales - Bridgwater to Monmouth

2007-06-13T21:45:00.000+01:00

From Bridgwater, the day seemed set to be fine and the Somerset Levels lull you into a false sense of security, but soon Cheddar looms on the horizon. I have been through the Cheddar Gorge many times before, but the speed on a bike really helps with appreciating the view. Not being enclosed in a metal box, the real sense of towering cliffs hits you cycling from the valley. A fabulous morning's cycling.

The Cheddar Gorge

Passing by Bristol, I am tempted to add a few miles to take in the Suspension Bridge, but decide to focus on the job in hand - a great decision. Within half an hour, the sky has changed shape and I am cycling through a swimming pool. After a change of clothes, it's still pouring, my distance computer has malfunctioned and I've lost the route. As I grew up in these parts, I'm pretty sure I can find my way to the Severn bridge and pick up the route from there.

And so I set off along the marked cycle routes, and end up ... at the wrong Severn Bridge!!! Nearly an hour of backtracking later and I'm on my way to Wales, having recently passed a "Welcome to England" sign going the wrong way. Continuing through Severn Beach and I reach the right bridge to cross the huge Severn estuary. And on the other side, avoiding the main routes towards Monmouth means taking the hills through the valleys, so I finally stumble into the campsite tired and cold after 9 hours cycling with no significant breaks. 80 miles in a day - and to think I was struggling with 40 a few weeks ago.


Chew Magna reservoir	Pill, near Bristol	Monmouth

Some people have commented to Olivia on how well I am doing having only trained for 5 weeks. I guess a lot of it is down to personal attitude and belief in what you are doing and being focused. All good material for the goal-setting book I am planning.

Route planner from Google maps
Tour summary: 75 miles planned, 80 miles actual, 277 miles total so far

Day 3 - Reaching the Somerset Levels - Okehampton to Bridgwater

2007-06-12T21:00:00.000+01:00

Morning traffic jam

With lots of cloud cover to start the day, the weather was slow to get started - just like my legs. I just couldn't get going until after the first 20 miles. This has slowed my progress significantly - I can't seem to keep up with any of the other groups in the morning. But I feel more energy in the afternoon, especially once I've crossed the half way point for the day.

Another long climb today, up the Quantock Hills, but managed to do all the hills without walking. And I got to the campsite late afternoon in time for cake - I need the energy, burning so many calories up those hills.


Tiverton	Bishops Liskeard	Entrance to Cothelstone Manor

Into the Somerset Levels, I am staying at a lovely B&B just outside Bridgwater (Appleview B&B at Temple Farm). We had dinner organised at a local pub, with nearly all the group. So spent dinner with some fellow tourists sharing our thoughts about the day, the organisation, the hills and last night's Little chef!

Had dinner with Enos, who is 69 and cycling Land's End to John O'Groats for the third time. Last time, he walked up one of the hills and has been cursing his decision ever since. So he's set out to cycle all the hills this time. It's also part of his training for the Great North Run. After being told he would never walk the hills, let alone run again, many years ago, he continues to set himself challenges including the Great North Run this year, just because his children have done it.

A route from Google maps
Tour summary: 61 miles planned, 64 miles actual, 197 total so far

Day 2 - Into Devon and Dartmoor - Newquay to Whiddon Down (nr Okehampton)

2007-06-11T23:39:00.000+01:00

With an early breakfast, I tried to keep with a few other people as the groups begin to form. But nearly everyone has been training for some time longer than me, and so are quicker on the road - many people are part of regular cycling groups. So it was great to meet up with several others after Bodmin moor. At midday as we crossed the Tamar near Horsebridge, on the old road out of Cornwall, the bridge and setting is beautiful, so I stopped for several pictures - and the others found me there.

Crossing the Tamar

Great weather in the morning, which really lifts the spirits while travelling this sort of distance. But this turned misty and wet as the hills of Dartmoor approached, much as I would have expected. With a long grind up to the top of Dartmoor, it was great to again meet up with other cyclists at the car park and view point at the top. More photos, and on down to Chagford and Whiddon Down for end of the day. Another slight detour to see a stately mansion left me slightly confused about the directions, so I missed the campsite and tea and cakes.


Welcome to devon	Tavistock	Dartmoor National Park

Staying a the Travelodge at Whiddon Down, I was too tired and hungry to walk to the local pub, so risked eating at the Little Chef next door. The lovely lady there was very interested in the tour, even sponsored me to increase my chances of meeting the £2000 target. But the food was terrible - how can anyone get lasagne that bad, when it's just come out of a freezer into a microwave!? Breakfast the next day was much better - clearly, that's what Little Chef knows best.

Today's route from Google maps
Tour summary: 66 miles planned, 71 actual, 134 total

Day 1 - The Cornwall Coast - Lands End to Newquay

2007-06-10T23:38:00.000+01:00

The Start

With fine weather to start the day, we left the Lands end Hotel and the obligatory team photo by the famous signpost. Unfortunately, the official photographer doesn't do early starts on a Sunday, so we had to settle for the sea view behind us rather than the "John O'Groats 9xx miles" sign. Officially 878 miles on the sign, but over 1,000 the wiggly way we are going.

Cycled the north Cornwall coast from Lands End past beautiful fishing villages and now mostly holiday resorts. Passing Porthtowan reminded me of school camps - sneaking in to The Victory at the top of the hill. What used to be a tiny holiday resort now has houses built all the way up the hill-side, but still the locals can't afford to buy.

Porthtowan

Steep hills were the order of the day. Friends had warned me that the first three days of the tour are the worst - past Bristol, and I have cracked it.

The hills were sharp and sometimes frequent, but I managed to cycle all of them. Thanks to the Surrey Downs training, I was prepared for the hills, but not for the distance. Turning in from the coast road, the afternoon became a long grind home. No more seaviews, just me and the hedgerows for company. Got slightly lost at the end close to St Columb, but made it to the camp site in time for tea and cakes. Much needed after my first 60 miles in a day.


View from Devil's cafe	Portreath	Tin mine

Stayed at the Smugglers Inn near Newquay Airport. The hotel had been renamed, so I couldn't find it at first. A few miles from the campsite - those extra miles really tested tired legs. Dinner on my own with a quiet pint and a huge bowl of pasta to regain energy.

Map of Lands End to St Columb Major from Google maps.
Tour summary: 58 miles planned turned out to be 63 miles with a couple of detours for the scenery!

Travelling to Lands End

2007-06-09T23:33:00.000+01:00

This morning Olivia and "Bump" dropped me at the station, to set out for my initial journey to Penzance. Settled down to read, but the call of the countryside called too loud after Reading. The call of the west Country was striking me louder and louder as we headed through Somerset, Dorset and Devon. The most magnificent views along the coastal railway from Exeter down to Plymouth, and then the hills of Cornwall --- a warning for tomorrow!

Arrived in Lands End, with time to take photos of the sunset, and fog rolling across Lands End ...

Lands End at sunset

Staying at the lands End hotel, which is packed with a wedding party, so no food available! Headed to the far superior "First and Last" pub up the road for dinner, and then time to take in the scene with sunset over the First and Last house. With no-one about, this is beautiful, serene and peaceful. A truly grounded moment - I didn't want this to finish or to leave. Gradually the fog rose and rolled across the bay, so I headed for the bar to meet some more Tourists.


Meeting other cyclists	First and last House	Fog rolling in from the east

And finally (Training day 34)

2007-06-08T23:27:00.000+01:00

The last day of training, and the last day of employment with my current organisation. Need to return my company car, so no cycling to or from work. Final training session in the evening.

When I look back on the training, I really peaked around weeks 3 and 4, managing 150 and 200 miles in those weeks. This final week has been more of a struggle, with lots of logistics challenges - time needed to sort out other stuff around leaving work. But also, a severe challenge has been going back to the mountain bike. It just feels sluggish getting on that to do road work after the joy of my new road bike. So I haven't made the final goal, of 55 miles in a day this week. But I'm quietly confident that the performance in weeks 3 and 4 has prepared me for the grand tour.

Final total for training will be just over 650 miles, so I haven't quite reached the 700 miles that Simon Berry put in as training last year. That was my benchmark when I started training, but I feel that I'm close enough with 650 miles in 5 weeks. Now off to the tour - 1,000 miles in two weeks!

Training summary: 15 miles today, 660 miles total

Tea and cakes (Training day 33)

2007-06-07T23:26:00.000+01:00

So the farewells begin - tea and cakes laid on by the department for two of us leaving this week. The redundancy leavers are spread across the spring and summer, to allow projects to be completed. Lots of peolle popped in to say thanks for help, keep in touch, and to remind me how far the cycle ride is! One more day of training to go and then I'm off.

Cycled to work, and the long way home. Only about 15 miles today - but it's go to be worth double that distance on the mountain bike.

Training summary: 15 miles today, 645 miles total

Close to the End (Training day 32)

2007-06-06T23:25:00.000+01:00

Visit to mobile phone shop this morning, as I lose my company mobile at the end of the week. Given the 33000+ choices there were on moneysupermartket, it was impossible to choose without going into one of the shops. I loved the look of the Blackberyy Pearl, but I eventually settled for a new SmartPhone from MDA. Now I can keep up to date with email while I'm on the road ... in theory. It also claims to have sat nav included, which might come in useful in case of fog, fire or just getting lost.

Just a short ride to Betchworth and back. It's really hard work being back on the mountain bike. The road bike seems so much easier - not sure how much of that is an illusion, just because I can't ride it at the moment.

Training summary: 10 miles today, 630 miles total

Back on the Mountain Bike (Training day 31)

2007-06-05T01:15:00.000+01:00

Back on the mountain bike for an early, but short cycle to work. Just getting used to the different shape of bike, heavier weight, lack of cleats etc. Same way home, for 15 miles in total.

Submitted my blog for inclusion in The Ultimate Links List of Land's End to John o'Groats Cycle Trips, maintained by Ian claire. Lots of great descriptions, helpful tips and useful (and conflicting) advice from the huge array of people who've written about doing this before. Around 4,000 people manage the LEJOG ride each year, generally taking 10-15 days.

The sponsorship crept over £1500 yesterday. I've requested matching contribution from the organisation before I leave, which has helped move towards the target of £2000. There are still a few outstanding pledges that haven't been recorded yet, but it's looking like I might need to rattle a collecting tin in pubs along the way to make the final target!

Training summary: 15 miles today, 620 miles total

Non training (day 30)

2007-06-04T23:00:00.000+01:00

Today is the first day of training that I have missed out on training ... if that makes sense. Packaged my new bike up and delivered it to Evans cycles this morning for servicing and delivery to Lands end. After a full day at work , Icouldn't face taking my old bike out for training this evening. The old mountain bike, that was my pride and joy three weeks ago, now seems old and heavy. Time for a good night's sleep, and tackle this problem in the morning. I've still got 4 days training to go before the tour starts, and I want to get up to 55 miles in day before starting.

I also had the rather starnge experience of emptying my office today. With redundancy on Friday, and plans to cycle to work for the rest of the week, I emptied out all my files, folders and documents. All the work that I saved as important for the last six years ... now in the recycling bin. Strange old world isn't it?

Sunday Night (Training day 29)

2007-06-03T23:00:00.000+01:00

Home at 9.30 after a weekend away, and jumped on the bike for a quick run round Dorking and surrounding areas. I feel that I was missing my bike over the weekend, perhaps too close a relatonship is developing. Should talk to my pertner about this ... maybe not until after the tour is over. After only 11 miles, it was really too dark to continue. But this was enough to take my total training log to 600 miles.

Had to pack the bike up tonight, as I'm leaving it back at Evans Cycles for servicing and collection tomorrow. Bike Adventures have arranged for a courier to collect and deliver the bike to LAnds End for me ... saving me the hassle of arranging bikes on trains and planes.

And finally the blogsite is fully up to date. I'm now writing in real time rather than transcribing words from other sources relating to training over the last few weeks. One week to go before the big start, I plan to leave the site in capable hands for updating while I'm on tour.

Training summary: 11 miles today, 605 miles total

Saturday morning (Training day 28)

2007-06-02T23:10:00.001+01:00

With more family duties this weekend, I can't quite fit in another 40+ mile ride, but I get out early on saturday morning and out 30 miles under my legs before heading off with the family. Needed an extra lap round Dorking at the end to bring the total up to 30 miles, which is great as this brings thios week's total to 200 miles - 40+ on three days and 30 today. This is now starting to sound like the serious mileage of the tour ... well maybe half of it.

Found Simon Berry's diary blog from his LEJOG last year. This is great, as he seems to have set out to do the tour in 10 days, with no more training than I have done with 15 days tocomplete - he needed to target 90+ miles a day on the tour, while I have a much easier 65 miles a day on average. On the other hand, his blog highlights some of the hills I will meet in the first couple of days - he has mentioned 40% ... considerably more than the 20% mentioned in Bike Adventures information sheets.

Training summary: 30 miles today, 594 miles total (200 in week 4)

Short day (Training day 27)

2007-06-01T23:15:00.000+01:00

Another reduced training day as parental duties come first. 15 miles added to the training log with just over a week to go before the tour proper. 15 miles now flashes by in just over an hour, and feels like the warm-up that it now is. At the start of training, this felt like a tour all by itself!

Training summary: 15 miles today, 564 miles total

Milestone 45 (Training day 26)

2007-05-31T23:05:00.000+01:00

Significant goal today, achieving 45 miles in the day - the target for this week. I hadn't been sure about this goal, just because of time available for training this week. But got up early today, and managed 17 miles before work. After many meetings, managed to leave early and fit in 28 miles on the way home. So the nest target is 55 miles in a day next week ...

The first day of the tour proper is 56 miles. At least by then I won't have the distractions of work to get in the way of training. It's the end of my penultimate week before redundancy, and I can't wait. The cycling training, collecting information for the goal setting book, and preparing for my future life are all way more motivating than the drawn-out end to the current work. Just got to hang on to the end to collect that final pay cheque!

Training summary: 45 miles today, 549 miles total

Half term interrruptions (Training days 24 & 25)

2007-05-30T23:05:00.000+01:00

My girls are staying for half term, so I'm on parental duties with limited time available for training. Found a short route around Brockham and Reigate Heath that gets 15 miles under my legs in just over an hour. Not many serious hills in this, but a few miles to keep up the pace.

At least the sun is shining again - with the bank holiday over, the weather gods have turned off the stop-cock and allowed spring to return. Beautiful days for cycling - wish I had more time to be out on the bike. If the weather for the tour is like this ...

Continuing to raise sponsorshop money on the justgiving website. Currently, the total stands at over £1000. Initially, this felt like a good target to reach, but with the outstanding generosity I've seen from some friends, I am now aiming for £2000. How I can make this total by the end of the summer - the just giving site will remain in place until early August.

Training summary:
day 24: 15 miles today, 489 miles total
day 25: 15 miles today, 504 miles total

More swimming (Training day 23)

2007-05-28T23:15:00.001+01:00

If anything, today is even wetter than yesterday - the river Mole has been re-diverted to fall from the sky instead of through the Surrey Downs. At least i have my new over-shoes, so I'm fully prepared for the worst the weather can throw at me. So, after two hours today, my feet are ... just as wet as yesterday. Protective shoes appear to be as much use as ... the original shoes I was wearing anyway. Hmmm, back to the drawing board on that one. Start praying a lot harder for truely dry weather in June.

The Ipod is surviving the weather better than my feet! After fixing this last week (see day 5), the device has been playing well through the rain, sweat and dropping abuse. I've been listening to an eclectic collection of podcasts - mixture of business education, philosophy, science and coaching. One of the most interesting has been the weekly podcast from New Scientist - sadly I discovered today that this is being discontinued. Oh well, I'll need to search out some other interesting sites before the tour proper.

Another 40 miles in the saddle again today - same route as yesterday, so keeping up the hill training as well as the mileage.

Training summary: 40 miles today, 474 miles total

Heavy rain (Training day 22)

2007-05-27T23:05:00.000+01:00

Up again at 6.30 for today's training session. Off into the wettest weather I have yet trained in. This isn't just rain, it's a swimming pool being emptied from the sky - constantly. After two hours, the waterproof is still doing a great job at keeping my top half dry, but my feet could just have easily been diving all morning rather than cycling. Press on and on, for my longest journey by far (so far), including some good steep hills in this - Zig Zag road up to Boxhill, Ranmore and Leith Hill. 40 miles according to Google maps.

Cheered myself up at the end of the ride with a few new purchases from Dorking's latest bike shop - Head for the Hills. Lots of interesting new gear that I could have bought, but I limited myslef to a few tools and some over-shoes. Hopefully the next time the heavens open for emptying, I'll be able to keep my feet a bit drier.

On a positive note, if i can keep going for 40 miles in that sort of deluge, I have great confidence that it will be much easier in the sun (hopefully) during the tour. With the beautiful (?) June weather, it must be easier than today ...

Training summary: 40 miles today, 434 miles total

Saturday morning (Training day 21)

2007-05-26T23:00:00.001+01:00

Early start again - alarm set for 6.20 - at the weekend. Aim to get through today's training before my children arrive at lunchtime. Head out to my (now) favourite hill (the Zig Zag road at Boxhill) and head for Westhumble, Wotton and Ranmore. The descent from Ranmore Common down into Gomshall is scarey at times, but peaceful on a quiet Saturday morning. From Abinger, instead of going straight home, I take a righ down to Leith Hill and Coldharbour. Finally get home to meet the girls for lunch and a rest.

This was 32 miles according to Google maps, my longest single journey for some years. Probably my longest trip since the London-Brighton event (20-ish years ago). This was a good long trip, but I didn't quite make 40 miles, which was the target for this week. So a bit of work to do tomorrow. At the end of this (third) week of training, I have totalled 147 miles, which brings my overall total to 395 miles.

With my girls staying for the week, I know that training is going to be difficult at times this week, so I won't get up to 50 miles in a day, but I want to get to 45 miles by the end of week 4. That leaves my final week of training to hit 55 miles in preparation for the (average) 65 miles a day on the tour.

Training summary: 32 miles today, 394 miles total (147 in week 3)

Kicking off (Training day 20)

2007-05-25T23:05:00.002+01:00

So, nearly the end of week 3 - will I make it to the goals I've set for this week? There seem to have been so many interruptions and distractions. But, whatever these are, I must work through these - it isn't going to get any easier. Next week is half term, so my children will be staying with me - even more distractions to a carefully planned and orchestrated training regime! (?)

Set off the long way to work - 17 miles through Wotton and Ranmore Common. Ranmore Hill is the most difficult part of this - an 18% gradient which is great practice for the tour. The worst of the hills one the tour will only be very slightly worse than this aty 20% - that's a one-in-five for all you pre-metrication readers out there.

Even with my new road bike, this is quite a start to the day, but my legs feel less like jelly by the top of the hill compared to last week. And the sponsorship site is continuing to drive my motivation to complete - with the money pledged online and offline, there is now over £1000 raised for the Royal Marsden Cancer Campaign.

Head for home in bright sunny weather and take the long scenic path. Through Ranmore, Gomshall and Wotton, this 22 miles is the longest single ride for couple of weeks, and leaves me with energy to spare. And that takes the total for the day to 39 miles - close enough to feel confident about my goal of 40 miles for a day this week.

Training summary: 39 miles today, 361 miles total

Getting Serious Again (Training day 19)

2007-05-24T23:10:00.001+01:00

Finally time to start the day with a training session. Having not done this for a week, I take the mid-route to work - 11 miles up Ranmore Hill and through Westhumble before attacking the Zig Zag road. This puts two significant hills under my belt before the day has even really started. Chocolate milk on the corn flakes seems to help this, mentally and physically!

The sponsorship site is going from strength to strength - £660 in the first two days it was up. I am amazed by the generous contributions from many of my friends, family and colleagues. I followed up with some more emails to continue the success.

Although I'm in a rush to get home, I use the same mid-route as getting to work. With my new bike, it's no problem to get through the 11 miles nearly as quickly as the direct route used to take me. In the evening, passing round a form at my evening class (wine-tasting if you're interested) generates more sponsorship.

Training summary: 22 miles today, 322 miles total

Too many Meetings (Training day 18)

2007-05-23T23:58:00.000+01:00

Hmmm, this working business is really getting in the way of my training. Even with redundancy looming in a few weeks, there still seems to be too many days when I have to be in the office at unfortunate times. Had a full day of meetings today, starting at 8.30, so no time to train before work … and change, shower etc before meetings.

Perhaps I should have taken a couple of weeks between redundancy and starting the tour, to complete the training when more time is available. But then, it seems with any goal, that the time that is available to prepare … that is exactly how long it takes to prepare. So just setting the deadline is probably more important than the actual time available.

Rushed home to train in the evening, but even that was disrupted today, so only managed 7 miles to Brockham and back. Interesting to note that this was the same route I used for my first training session on day 1. But now, with two weeks of training and a new road bike, this took less than 30 minutes and felt like a warm-up rather than training.

Training summary: 7 miles today, 300 miles total

Back to Training (Day 17)

2007-05-22T23:42:00.000+01:00

After my (sort of)days off, I finally get to use my new road bike properly. But no time for a long ride into work, take the direct route - just 7 miles. The miles fly by with the new suspension-free design. I'm quite nervous of the new shoes and cleats - always have been since an experience many years ago when I couldn't get feet out of pedals at traffic lights. So I've loosened off the springs on these pedals, so it seems quite simple to pull feet of the bike quickly. And I keep practising at every potential junction.

I've now received sponsorship forms and help from the Royal Marsden Cancer Campaign, and one of their people helps me with setting up a justgiving site. Mail out the link to friends, family and colleagues, and there is already an amazing £410 committed by the end of the day.

The first big test of the new bike comes at the end of the day - an extended ride home. I fly through the journey, as far as Gomshall and Abinger Hammer before returning home - 21 miles according to Google maps. So, after the brief interlude, I'm already back up to nearly 30 miles a day.

Training summary: 28 miles today, 294 miles total

Days off? (Training days 13-16)

2007-05-21T23:18:00.000+01:00

The advice you can find on the Internet is generally third hand, conflicting and difficult to find. Depending on how I want to approach training, there is generally some website I can find that confirms my views. So should I be training every day, or every other day? I can't really tell - some sites have suggested the critical thing is to get on the bike every day but others advise that the stamina really develops during the rest days. And other people and sites have suggested cross-training in some other exercise instead of rest days,

So I have a conundrum for these few days - I have no access to either of my bikes - so do I train or take the time off? I settle for a short training session in the morning, and resting for the remainder of the day. With no access to my bikes, I am forced to use a gym. How I hate these places. It's many years since I used a gym, and I had forgotten the tedium of cycling without moving. I manage ten miles a day of interval training of the cycle machine - even with TV to watch while I am exercising, this is all I can manage before the boredom finishes me off. I add a 1km row to strengthen arm muscles and leave at that.

At the end of day 14, I have completed 137 miles in the second week of training - that's 245 in total since I started. I have accomplished 30 miles in a day twice this week, and now aim for 40 miles in a day by the end of the third week. With the new road bike almost untouched so far, I feel this step forward is readily achievable.

Training summary:
day 13: 10 miles today, 236 miles total
day 14: 10 miles today, 246 miles total (137 miles in week 2)
day 15: 10 miles today, 256 miles total
day 16: 10 miles today, 266 miles total

A Day in London (Training day 12)

2007-05-17T22:36:00.000+01:00

Frustratingly, I have meetings all day today in central London. I don't have time to train before leaving ... on the train (sorry). So my beautiful new bicycle stays in the shed, and I drive.

Glad to get home in the evening and get out on the bike. Only manage 9 miles to the top of the Zig Zag road and back, but in a record time that makes me feel confident the training is continuing in the right direction.

Meet up with a friend in the evening to plan my sponsorship for the trip. He is closely associated with The Royal Marsden Cancer Campaign, and can help with contacts, sponsors, giving website. All will be set up next week.

Training summary: 9 miles today, 226 miles total

My New Bike (Training day 11)

2007-05-16T22:20:00.001+01:00

Up at crack of dawn again for another 17 mile cycle to work. It really is a struggle to get up and do this, but this is the last day on the mountain bike, so hoping that all will become easier from tomorrow.

I started talking to some colleagues about my plans for a book today. The intro to my blog mentions goal-setting as I plan to produce a book on goal setting, using some of my experiences from this training and the actual ride as background material. The plans for the book were developing before I set out on the epic venture, but the two have now become merged. This now all links up with my busines plans after the redundancy.

Hurried home the short way - I haven't taken this short way home for over a week and it now feels slightly strange. How different from day 5 when I was struggling to get over Ranmore Common. Collect the new bike but no time to use it tonight.

Training summary: 24 miles today, 217 miles total

Perseverance (Training day 10)

2007-05-15T22:08:00.000+01:00

Alarm set for 6.20 again, and managed to drag mysef out of bed for the 17 mile cycle to work. More of a struggle today than yesterday, as I've proved to myself hat I can do it ... but I've got to keep doing this day after day to build up the stamina.

Talked to some other keen cyclists at work today, who have forwarded me blogs and newsletters about long distance cycling. The most useful thing I've found so far ... is the joy of chocolate milk! I hate chocolate ... well quite dislike it if not quite hate. But chocolate milk is just great as an energy buzz when the legs are feeling like jelly. With loads of sugar, fat and protein, it gets the legs going again in minutes. Strawberry milk tastes better, but doesn't seem as effective.

Rush home to get to the bike shop before it shuts. Try out several bikes before settling on a road bike hybrid - another Specialized like my mountain bike. It's half the weight of my other bike, and feels like double the power with no suspension and proper shoes and cleats. It needs adjustment and servicing, so I arrange collection for tomorrow.

Training summary: 34 miles today, 193 miles total

Breaking into the 30's (Training day 9)

2007-05-14T21:34:00.000+01:00

Serious training started yesterday, and today I broke through 30 miles in a day. Up early (setting the alarm clock for 6.20), cycled the long way to work (17 miles) and the same way home. This is a great start to the day - currently listening to Tony Robbins on the Ipod for energy and motivation.

Contacted Evans Cycles again today, to book a time for measuring me. If I'm going to be on the same bike for 15 days solid cycling, it had better fit me. They can't fit me in until the week after next ... oh well. I need the road bike this week, so i'll just have to get the best fit I can. The mountain bike is great for training, as it's such hard work. but i need a new bike for several weeks before the tour starts to get used to it. Plan to buy one tomorrow.

Training summary: 34 miles today, 165 miles total

Serious training starts (Training day 8)

2007-05-13T20:46:00.000+01:00

Set out for 20 mile ride today - over the Zig Zag hill, Ranmore Hill and Wotton. This is 22 miles according to Google Maps. This is the furthest I have cycled in one go for many years, so quite I'm relieved that there's still plenty of energy in my legs at the end. And I'm still on the mountain bike ... I feel it's going to get much easier when I manage to sort out a road bike.

Training summary: 22 miles today, 131 miles total

Finding a new Bike (Training day 7)

2007-05-12T19:06:00.000+01:00

So far I've been training on my old mountain bike - a beautiful Specialized, but more designed for off-road ruts and tracks than road-work. I've noticed that people on road-bikes seem to fly past me, especially up the steep hills on the Surrey Downs. The front suspension on the mountain bike absorbs so much power, I've decided I really need a new bike for the journey.

Nyk, one of my colleagues, pointed out that Evans Cycles have a special offer on this week - an extra 20% off already reduced sale bikes. Of course this means the shop is completely jammed with people searching for a bargain. After a fruitless attempt to get recognised as a potential customer, I give up and head out for some more training to keep up the muscle building.

Struggled with the first few miles (to Ranmore hill), then got in the flow and finally cracked Ranmore Common – home through Wotton and Westcott. Just 13 miles, but I felt great at the end, and could have cycled another 5 miles easily. I know I couldn’t have done this last weekend, so I’m seeing and feeling the benefits of training already, and managed more than 100 miles in the first week. Plan 25 miles tomorrow, then I’m still ahead of schedule.

Training summary: 13 miles today, 109 miles total (total for first week)

Booking the Tour (Training day 6)

2007-05-11T23:08:00.000+01:00

Prevarication over! Today I booked the tour - 15 days cycling starting on June 10th. I have been telling everyone (including myself) that it's 850 miles, but that's probably the shortest route you would take, with some form of internal combustion engine propelling your journey. Given the hills that need to be climbed or circumvented, the actual bike ride will be 1,000 miles - nearly an extra 20% on the journey. But hey, in for a penny, in for a pound.

And talking of pounds, Olivia (my partner) is trying to persuade me to raise sponsorship for some charity. Given that I am spending this amount of time and effort to undertake the trip, I guess it makes sense to raise money on the way. I have chosen a charity, one that I have been supporting for about a year in other ways - The Royal Marsden Cancer Campaign.

I also reached another goal today - 20 miles cycling in a day - 2 days ahead of schedule. I cycled 11 miles to work and 11 miles home again. The new target for next week is 30 miles by the end of the week.

Met up with some old friends this evening - Roger Waters concert at Earls Court. I boldly told them about my planned epic adventure, and was pleased to get lots of positive responses. One guy (DDST) has cycled LEJOG before, and wants to meet up for a day on the ride. Should be passing near his place in Cheshire.

Training summary: 22 miles today, 96 miles total

Fixing an Ipod (Training day 5)

2007-05-10T23:00:00.000+01:00

So I decided to contact Bike Adventures today, having worked through the doubts from yesterday. They have one place available on the tour, as someone has just cancelled. It's staying in B&B's which is more expensive than I had planned, but probably a better idea. Stand some chance of drying out clothes if it rains - I guess there's a strong chance of that even in June.

Another advantage of taking the supported tour and staying in B&B's is that I can take my laptop with me. I want to write about the experience, and capturing thoughts in the evening straight after a day's riding is more likely to record my direct experiences than if I need to recall everything weeks later. And it means I can re-charge (and refresh) my Ipod regularly.

I realised today how important the Ipod is going to be ... as it wasn't working. The 11 miles home suddenly become a long, slow, boring ride without interesting podcasts to keep me going. Anyway, I survived the experience and managed to fix the Ipod. Found a wonderful site (and another) that described dismantling and repairing Ipods, which gave me all the information I needed.

And I had my final consultation meeting with my current boss - agreed my final end date for redundancy. Agreed on the 8th June, so that I can start my epic adventure. I noticed that I started caling the tour "epic" today instead of "mad". Progress ...

Training summary: 19 miles today, 74 miles total

Finding the Right Tour (Training day 4)

2007-05-09T23:00:00.000+01:00

Spoke to Ian (my neighbour) about my mad venture, and he suggested a company that runs organised tours. What a great idea - I hadn't thought of that. Someon else can carry my bags, tent and gear. That reduces most of the load on the bike during the day, and there's probably help on hand in case of emergency. Ian suggested a couple of companies, but the ride seemed to be compressed into a very short time - too quick for my available training period. Eventually I found Bike Adventures, who were running a supported tour starting on the 9th June ... the day after my planned redundancy. Now that seemed too perfect to be just coincidence.

Checking out their tour, there are camping places available, so I pan to cycle withthem. But I don't quite get around to calling them, and I recognise some doubts still in my mind about being able to complete this journey. Although I am still telling people that I am going on this mad journey, part of me is delaying committing to the final decision. At least recognising this behaviour is part way to being able to to deal with it ...

Cycled to work (7 miles) and back home through Ranmore (11 miles) to take my total to over 50 miles so far. Wanted to go over Ranmore Common to Abinger and home, to add an extra 5 miles or so, but it was too cold. I was prepared for spring weather, not the sudden return of winter.

Training summary: 18 miles today, 55 miles total

Back to work (Training day 3)

2007-05-08T23:08:00.000+01:00

First day back at work after my huge decision. I get up early and cycle up the Zig Zag road to work - 7 miles to start the day. Home the long way through Ranmore to make 18 miles in total for the day - that's 36 miles since starting training. Feels like I'm on the right road (!)

Most importantly, I start to tell colleagues about my plan. i getall the reactions you can imagine - some think I'm mad, others just smile, and some are really supportive. Suggestions for websites to look at and people to contact start to come in regularly.

Part of my thinking is that the more people I tell, the more committed I am to going through with this. Setting the goal in my head was the start, creating a vision of doing it came next, and telling others to build committment is the current step. And I han't realised before now, that I have a clear vision that is helping to drive this on - a picture of me cycling over the final hill towards John O'Groats. That picture of completion is the key driver to keeping going.

Training summary: 18 miles today, 36 miles total

Bank Holiday (Training day 2)

2007-05-07T23:05:00.002+01:00

My partner (Olivia) thinks I'm mad. She knows I haven't cycled more than 10 miles in a month this year, so getting up to 850 miles in 2-3 weeks is going to be a steep training curve. I'm still building up the confidence - I used to cycle a lot before I moved to Surrey. I still cycle to work (very) ccasionally, so I'm sure I can build up the training in the next few weeks.

I prove this to myself by cycling up the Zig Zag road at Boxhill, then continue over Ranmore hill and home. That's 11 miles today, nearly double yesterday's ... at that rate, I could easily be doing 50 miles by next week. We'll see ...

Still searching on the web for routes and campsites, I contact CTC for route and advice. They don't laugh about my little time for preparation - quite a relief!

Training summary: 11 miles today, 18 miles total

Starting out (Training day 1)

2007-05-06T23:00:00.000+01:00

I'm playing catch-up on this blog ... so I'm going to cover some history.

I decided to cycle from Lands End to John O'Groats a few weeks ago (on May 6th). I've wanted to do this for some years, but there's never really the time ... work, family, holidays and so on. But I'm getting made redundant on June 8th, so I had the sudden realisation that I could use all of June to cycle. Compulsively, I jumped on my (seldom used) mountain bike and began training. Seven miles to Brockham and back, a few minor hills on the way, I got started.

So is it possible to train for Lands End to John O'Groats in five weeks? Looked on Google and my initial searches suggested not - websites were recommending 6-7 months training minimum. This was a bit of a blow to the confidence until I found others suggesting more like six weeks training. Eventually i found a training schedule someone had been recommended for 20 weeks - starting with just 15 minutes cycling at a time. I guessed I could dive into this at week 15, so the serious planning started ...

Training summary: 7 miles