Thorn Cycles Forum
Community => Cycle Tours => Topic started by: Rgill on June 05, 2022, 06:07:10 pm
-
The above was the title of an email I sent to 6 retired colleagues in July 2020. The first line encouraged them to read no further and ignore my suggestions. Almost 2 years later 4 of us with our partners will depart tomorrow morning for Penzance about to ride for 19 days and hopefully get to John O’Groats.
2 years ago mid pandemic, as Downing St partied, I was working in Intensive Care as a consultant. When allowed to exercise and to get away from the horrors of working 13 hour shifts in what looked like “Cheap Plastic Martian suits”, I would get on my road bike and cycle around the New Forest. As the miles racked up and retirement loomed for June 3rd 2022, I thought perhaps I should do LEJOG. My cycling experience was only a few hours per week in the summer months during the previous 10 years around the forest and none of us except Tom had ever undertaken a tour on this nature.
Unsurprisingly that first summer I received no replies and the following summer (2021) I resent the email, anticipating more silence. 2 weeks later whilst bemoaning the lack of any replies and having to do this solo to Kate my partner , she surprised me by saying she would keep me company on her Riese and Muller Charger 3. The very next day 2 colleagues and their partners replied expressing an interest.
I used https://cycle.travel
To plan the trip and decided after much reading to follow a version of their Easy East Coaster https://cycle.travel/route/lejog_east_coast
One couple and Kate are on electric bikes all Riese and Mullers, another on 2 Cannondale Synapses and lastly me on my Thorn Mercury (rohloff and 650b) which arrived last September. Tom the best cyclist of my colleagues offered to be a support driver having ridden Gibraltar to Portsmouth in his month off before returning to work after retiring a few years ago.
So here we are on our evening before departure, all packed, 3 retired Adult and Paediatric Cardiac Anaesthetist’s and their partners, looking forward with some degree of trepidation to what we hope will be a great trip.
I have learned much from this forum over the last year and am grateful for the contribution of others. If not too tired I will attempt to post the occasional update and photos.
-
Best of luck with it, I'm sure it'll be a great trip.
I did it almost 20 years ago, also an Easterly route, though we started in JoG. A little different to the Cycle travel route, we went even further East in England (Over the Humber Bridge) and Loch Ness rather than Aviemore in Scotland, but still with many similarities. I have some great memories, at the time I'd never done anything like it.
Good variety of bikes going, I'd choose the Mercury, though I may be a little biased. Mind you, in Cornwall and Devon there may be times you'll wish you were on one of the E-bikes!
-
First 2 days of easy east coast LEJOG completed. Day one started with 6 mile cycle to land end followed by off to St Agnes. Fair weather to Penzance followed by Cornish mizzle the rest of way. Occasional great views on the north coast but often lost in cloud. St Agnes beach was lovely with great views of those surfing, but must remember not to stay sea level in the future, as day 2 stated in bright sunshine and a 0.5 mile steep hill ride out of St Agnes.
Tough day for all with 4150 ft of climbing and one 20% hill defeating all of us except the e-bike. Perranporth beach was lovely with a strong westerly wind. We detoured to Crantock to see the Poppy fields on the cliffs which were amazing. A coffee and cake break felt well deserved after a big climb into St Columb Major. Unfortunately the weather turned for the worst as torrential rain squalls came in from behind and our side. These disappeared as we got onto the camel trail which was stunning. With 4 miles to go to our accommodation we thought the worst was over until hit by the big climb all the way into Camelford. However all are relaxed and feeling good, following dinner.
Hopefully the worst of the hills until Scotland will be behind us after tomorrows rides!!
-
Written by my partner
Far more entertaining
Day 2 complete St Agnes to Camelford, 46 miles, 4 hours 57 minutes and 4175ft of uphill. The morning started in bright sunshine watching the surfers, children and dogs already playing on the beautiful beach. Alas as we were at sea level and had an immediate climb to 350 feet. Whose idea was it to be by the sea?! Seagulls, hedgerows and pretty villages festooned with bunting left over from the Jubilee and then a 5 mile (!!) detour to see the poppy fields near Crantock. Absolutely beautiful and ( almost) worth the extra miles. Up until this point I still felt enthusiastic- sun, wind behind us. Alas first mizzle then torrential rain dampened this, together with relentless hills. Down then up then down and up again. No flat terrain at all. These felt like mountains to me, but Ravi assured me these are only hills, and the only mountains we will encounter are in Scotland. Whoppee doo! Got those to look forward to. The Camel trail despite being described as easy still felt uphill to me. Just when we thought we were almost there, several particularly nasty hills, including a 20% hill. Apparently Cornwall and Devon are the toughest part. Easy after this!
-
Chapeau to you and the rest of the medical trade for the job that you did during the pandemic.
I am another biased Mercury owner but the Rohloff is ideal for all the sudden steep hills that you are encountering on your ride. A twist of the wrist enables you to drop three or four gears in a second. Try that on a derailleur bike particularly when you are tired at the end of the day!
Consider recording your ride on CycleBlaze and you will have a permanent record to look back on over the tears.
Mike
-
Enjoying reading about your adventure, and heartily endorsing your choice of steed. :D That Day 2 itinerary looks like a hell of a Day 2 for a group without touring experience, even with power assistance. Love the pics! I look forward to the next instalment when you can find the energy. At least it sounds like you are not needing to carry your kit on the bikes. Apologies if I've missed the reference, but are you all camping or staying in hotels and such?
-
Grotty weather is part of the excitement(!?) of such trips and almost always it's possible to comfort yourself with the thought that it could be even worse.
I did a supported 20 day LEJOG https://www.bikeadventures.co.uk/product/lands-end-to-john-ogroats-21-days-2021/ on my Mercury last year. Cornwall and Devon are the most challenging part of the trip, partly because the grind of getting up the hills is followed by cautious descents not knowing what is around the next corner (that route includes trips over the Quantocks and Mendips and the organisers' rule of thumb is that if people can get to Bristol then, barring mishap, they can get to the end). Scottish hills are much less challenging. They may be longer climbs but not so steep and are rewarded by pleasant descents.
If you're set up the gearing on the Mercury appropriately then hills become less of a challenge. My strategy is to have the gearing so that I can get up my worst local hills in 3rd gear so I've got two in reserve for when the legs are tired. As already noted, it's easy to drop several gears on the Rohloff with a quick twist of the wrist. I've just got home from a supported Lowestoft - St Davids trip (with Rohloff but not the Mercury). I was the slowest participant on the flatter first half of the trip but most of those with derailleur gears ran out of gears and ended up walking once when we reached the hills whereas I still had bottom gear in reserve.
-
Thank you all for the supportive comments, Moronic we are B&B/hotels each night. Below is my partner Kate’s musings for day, apologies if they are too graphic but she is doing amazingly in my opinion. A partial knee replacement 3 years ago and now this.
Day 3 finally finished - cycling bit at least. Last night we were so tired we chose not to go into Camelford - a 1 mile walk -and had dinner in the Golf Club where we were staying. It has been quite hard to find B & Bs that will take us for just one night. Back to our room in time for Spring Watch with Tom Major featuring his Aesculapian snakes in North Wales - he is almost our son in law, Maya’s partner, so this was very exciting. During the programme they showed a map of the UK- and for the first time I had a look at where John O’Groats is - right up at the top, a long way away. This has been a bit of a Magical Mystery Tour for me, as I have no idea where I have been or where I am going. The ostrich approach serves me well, as if I had know what I had agreed to one year ago, I would never have done it. I overheard that we are doing 60 miles tomorrow, but again I am promised less hills and good weather. Alas today we went from Cornish Mizzle to Devonshire drizzle, wet all day. As we crossed the River Tamar and left Cornwall behind, we hoped the hills might get easier, but Devon greeted us with an enormous climb. The wind seemed always to be in front of us or at the side, although Ravi in his optimistic way assured me it was behind us part of the way. Wherever it was it was very gusty and blowing hard at times. Today I double chamoised as my sit bones were sore. During ”training” I actually had black and blue bruises on my sitbones, so thought I would try the double chamois- which works well until I had to go for a wild wee. Double lycra chamois act like a physio band around the knees, and that combined with the necessity to find a nice downhill part so as not to get wet sandals and wearing waterproof trousers, as well as not being able to squat as well as I did when I was 16, makes it exceedingly tricksy. As all good athletes know you also have to check how concentrated your wee is, so I ended up looking like I was in some peculiar yoga pose with my head between my knees. Ravi’s blog is full of the route we have taken and the ascents we have done, but for me wild weeing is much more important! 46.8 miles, 4 hours 19 minutes of peddling and 3877 feet ascent from Camelford to Oakhampton. Tomorrow on to Taunton and then Bristol. Unimaginable.
-
The best of luck with the rest of your adventure and let me add my appreciation for your efforts and those of your colleagues during the pandemic. I accompanied a friend on his LEJOG, also to mark his retirement, and I still have fond memories a dozen years later. We took a scenic route of some 1200 miles at a similar schedule to yours, 1200 miles in 20 days. Unfortunately scenic often equates to hilly but with Cornwall done and dusted the toughest hills are undoubtedly behind you. The hills in Scotland, despite its mountainous reputation, are altogether more gentle.
Looking forward to further updates.
-
Day 4 Oakhampton to Taunton the first time my partner has cycled 100K, started with a brutal climb out of oakhampton, but over all the days cycling was easier but longer than the previous 2. Partly the sun shone , wind behind(ish) and the Great Western canal was stinning. Below is Kate’s version of the day. Can recommend the On the Green for great coffee in Crediton and Flying Pickle cafe in Tiverton for lunch
Day 4- Okehampton to Taunton, 63.8 miles, 3833 feet ascent and riding time was 5 hours 31 minutes- however, we left at 8.15am and arrived in Taunton at 5.15pm- 9 hours in total, as a little blip in the middle as Ravi lost his phone and he and Gareth had to retrace our path to find it - Find My Phone came up trumps, and some lovely person had put it on a wall, and not taken the £20 note and credit card!
This is the longest, and fastest paced ride I have ever done, and I am exhausted. 2 miles in after an immediate hill, my inner thighs began to hurt. 2 hours later my anterior shin muscles joined the party. Not sure where they had been for the last few days, as all my other leg muscles have been aching since Tuesday. Cycling for long stretches with no distractions allows for a lot of thinking, as well as enjoying the beautiful countryside. Particularly pondering why I agreed to do this in a moment of weakness. Almost exactly a year ago I had an Atrial Flutter / Fibrillation ablation, a 5 hour operation where, as Ravi so wonderfully puts it, they microwaved my heart to ablate the abnormal areas causing my heart to do tumble turns and flip flops. The whole thing was not a life limiting or shortening experience, but was very surreal, and caused me to reflect that life doesn’t always go on as normal, and that we only have a very limited time. Hence agreeing to cycle over 1000 miles. However, at the top of every hill I am always a little relieved to find my heart beating fast in normal sinus rhythm. I am, however, cycling with 2 Cardiac Anaesthetists and a nurse, so I am sure if anything cardiac happened I would be in good hands!
Devon gave way to Somerset, and the sun came out. Hedgerows were not as high, and we had glorious views. Most of our ride is on small roads and bike paths, and today we cycled along the Great Western Canal for a lovely flat interlude. Swans and cygnets, and people just enjoying the sunshine and the water. The other past time I have as we are cycling along is noticing what else is trying to cross the path - beetles, slugs, snails, and today 2 mice as well as ducks and rabbits. Their journey across the path must be a similar journey to this - but much more dangerous. I do wonder why they decide to try. Today with the sunshining the flies were out in force. After eating 2 flies, which as a long time vegetarian is upsetting, I learnt to keep my mouth shut. However, they still seem to get tangled up in my hair, in my eyes and one up my nose. I did wonder if they count as added protein, as I know I am supposed to increase my protein intake on this trip to make up for damaged muscle tissue.
Beginning to realise the challenge we have taken on. Tomorrow we are off to Bristol and Izzy and Greg’s house, and then a day of rest. Joy!
-
Your reports are very interesting and I commend the excellent progress as the route along the canal may be pleasant but is relatively slow. You are through the worst. :) I recognised the signpost in the 3rd photo as I must have cycled past it (without the brown signs) a couple of thousand times on my way to/from school.
It's a bit late to recommend this book https://www.amazon.co.uk/Bell-Bike-LEJOG-Dave-ebook/dp/B00H3KBTWS as pre-LEJOG reading but I'm sure you would still find it interesting.
-
Day 5 to Bristol, sunshine and very flat cycling to what we have seen in the previous days. Gareth managed to get sunburnt though his helmet, Never seen that before. The canal path to Bridgwater was stunning, at 28 miles I think I must have hit my first low, prehaps the sameness of the Somerset Levies, suddenly I was mentally and then physcially exhausted. Whilst the I am use to the latter the former is very rare for me. Anyway a black coffee, diest coke and Victoria sponge in The Pantry at Winscome revieved me for a great barrelling ride into Bristol.
Below are Kate’s thoughts of the day
Day 5 Taunton to Bristol, 62 miles, 5 hours 42 riding time and 1921 ascent. Arrived at Izzy and Greg’s in Bristol, and greeted by Rusty our dog- slightly confused as to why her mum and dad are in her holiday home! Drinking prosecco celebrating the first leg of our journey. Bristol greeted us with music and life, such a change to the sleepy villages we have been gong through.
Last night I was feeling quite low, and doubting if I am fit enough to carry on, as I was so exhausted. After a good night’s sleep I felt a lot better this morning, and the added incentive of staying in a home with a day off tomorrow, I felt enthusiastic for the day to come. Staying in Bed and Breakfasts every day gets a bit draining, but I have to say is better than camping!
Beautiful day, sunshine all the way, started off by the canal and then along the Strawberry Line cycle path. This morning I can positively say that I was enjoying myself. I have realised that I can combine cycling with my other favourite hobby of looking at houses and peeking into living rooms and front gardens. Going just slow enough to get a good look, and fast enough not to look rude! When Ravi and I are on holiday, we always play a game where we decide which house we would buy - on this trip there is plenty of choice, with cottages with beautiful sounding names, Myrtle Cottage, Strawberry Farm. Not choosing yet, as a castle in Scotland may take my fancy!
During the ride I asked Ravi if I looked like a cyclist. He answered quite predictably ”You’re on a bike Kate”. Yes indeed I am, but I have a slight imposter syndrome as I am on an E Bike, and everyone else are on gravel / hybrid bikes. I am however carrying all the bike tools and very heavy bike locks, and a spare battery. My bike is a Riese and Muller Charger and weighs 25 kgs unladen, so I figure that being in Eco mode is equivalent. The last few days I have had to change to my spare battery, and have been in ECO mode 60 to 70% of the time. Today for me I had a minor achievement and had 25% of my battery left, and was in ECO for 85% of the time, and 15% Tour, the next level up. Definitely feel like I am improving, and I must be doing something right, as I have arrived in Bristol with my knee intact and only slightly swollen.
I love my Ebike and as you might have noticed from the photos it is reddy orange, and I only agreed to do this if I could be colour coordinated- hence the orange helmet, and I have an orange top. Can’t believe I just said that I love my bike - things must be improving- day off tomorrow, and sauna, plunge pool and hot tub! Life is good…
-
Enjoying your reports and photos, hope you're refreshed after the day off, making good progress.
-
Great hi viz shirt and helmet, Kate.
Mike
-
Great project guys! Love the photos and the stories of the West Country. Tough about the spotty weather and the climbs, but they're all part of the je ne sais quoi, eh? ;)
You're doing well, Kate, but don't hesitate to back off a bit if your knee protests too much.
Tailwinds,
John
-
Great report, please keep it coming.
AND...10/10 for getting the whole group up and running for 08:15 starts. My Mrs would need two more hours MINIMUM (seriously) before she would be ready for the off.
-
A couple of quick updates form the last two days, off to Atherstone today through Stratford on Avon
Day 6, rest day! I remembered today one of the reasons I agreed to do this - to lose weight before Izzy and Greg’s wedding in August. On the scales this morning and alas I have put on weight. I would like to think it is all muscle, but I fear the 500 calorie flap jacks and B & B breakfasts, as well as eating out every night might be the cause.
In response to all the comments about E bikes, there have been some as they go past who have accused me of cheating- the road bike gazelles who go past at 100 miles per hour. Usually when they are told that I have had a knee replacement, they acknowledge it might be fair enough.
Groin inspections have continued today, even on a rest day. This is a daily ritual, and after 36 years of being together is both a little weird and hilarious. Any sore spots are treated with sudocrem, which works wonders. I had thought my sudocrem days were behind me (excuse the pun) or indeed in front of me, if I ever have grandchildren (!!).
Today we had a wonderful rest day. This morning we went to a spa morning at Grow Wilder in Bristol- sauna, cold plunge and hot tub. Ravi and I were at least 30 years older than most people there and distinctly over dressed in our swim suits, but it was just what we needed. Legs felt so much better after. After a few rounds of each, and when so many beautiful people arrived to make it too busy, we retreated into the round house to listen to harp and guitar music. Absolute bliss - I almost forgot that we still have 14 more days of riding to go. Ravi spoilt the tranquility by pointing out that by the time we get to York we will be just over half way there. Oh good grief. Tomorrow I have absolutely no idea where we are going, but we will get there. Ravi studies the maps every evening, and looks at the ascents. Honestly, it is best not to know. As John Allison ( brother in law)would say, on on.
-
A beautiful ride today, sunshine not too many slopes and lots of churches, Kate’ view is below
Day 7, Bristol to Pershore, 69.9 miles, 2749 feet altitude and 5 hours 55 minutes, the furthest I have ever cycled. I was slightly tearful as we left Izzy and Rusty, our Goldendoodle. Can’t believe it will be a few weeks before we see them again. Izzy and Greg looked after us so well. I woke up yesterday with a sore throat and blocked nose, and she gave me Echinacea throat spray, Garlic, ginger and lemon to drink (disgusting) and made me gargle salt water. I tested myself last night, and was negative for covid - not sure if I was relieved or disappointed, as a postive result would surely have been a good excuse to head home. I also managed to pull an intercostal muscle getting out of bed - a very dangerous activity! Last week Ravi struggled with a chest infection, and today I was definitely not firing on all cylinders.
We left Bristol and headed for Berkley castle, where Edward 2nd was killed with a red hot poker - I will leave it to your imagination as to how. We had coffee in a lovely tea room, where we met 3 Australian women from Sydney. They were cycling from Redruth in Cornwall to John O’Groats fully laden with all their stuff, taking a month, slightly longer than us. One fellow cyclist there promised that the further north we get, the easier it becomes. I am happy to believe him.
From there on through Avon to Gloucestershire, with undulating hills and beautiful villages. Along several canals, and then the River Severn. Detoured slightly to see Gloucester cathedral, which is magnificent. From there to Tewksbury for another all important detour for an ice cream. Definitely helped improve my mood, as by then I was flagging. On into Worcestershire - 3 counties in one day.
These long days are helped by beautiful views and interesting cottages. It becomes really hard when there are long stretches all the same. Today was very warm - quite glad in retrospect that there was mizzle and drizzle in Cornwall and Devon, as the hills in this heat would have been even harder.
During the difficult times today I tried singing - the choir I am part of at home got together on Sunday, and sent me a recording of my favourite song - Bumbaleyla. I love it, partly as we get to sing the word Bum - my inner child comes out. I love words beginning with B. It also means Never Give Up, which helps enormously when I have found it hard going.
Tomorrow the Magical Mystery Tour continues, with another long day. I think we are going to be level with Birmingham by the end of tomorrow. Mind boggling.
-
Good going, halfway through England!!!
I'm reminded why I like km's, it's not 69 miles it's over a hundred kilometers...
-
The impressive performance continues.
It's difficult to lose weight on this type of expedition unless you are carrying and cooking your food. I know from experience that there's the tendency to over-indulge at dinner whereas the most needed meal is breakfast. Even trying to count the calories doesn't always work: Last week I chose a curry because I expected it to come with rice and everything else had chips. My efferts were defeated as the curry came with chips! No starter and no dessert are easier decisions.
As for the sore bits, I still use the remedy from my childhood which was rubbing with surgical spirit. Sometimes a little painful but it seems to work.
-
If you are cycling near Atherstone stay at the chapel hopuse and eat there a fantastic place best so far. On to Kate’s musings
Day 8, Pershore to Atherstone, 61.8 miles, 5 hours 16 minutes cycling time, 3033 feet of ascent, still in Warwickshire but above Coventry and Birmingham.
This morning I had porridge with marmalade. It is amazing how many new experiences there are post 60! Our morning routine includes a quick 7 minute Yoga Boost with Adriene, a standing yoga which we have managed to do in every B & B room with very little space. We stand with her in the Super hero pose, hands on hips, shoulders back, shouting with her “I will rise to my full potential”. Then onto the guerilla pose, which is wonderful to loosen everything up.
Mornings we get up an hour earlier than breakfast in order to try and repack in some sort of order all the carnage spread all over the room from the evening before, where we have just collapsed into the room. After breakfast is the serious stuff - chamois cream. Absolute nightmare. Ravi splodges his on, but I try and gently rub it in, which is apparently not necessary, as it spreads all over once you sit on it. The cream is applied to both the skin and the chamois, and in doing so seems to go everywhere, and I end up with white spoldges all over everything I am wearing. It feels very cold, and always makes me immediately want to go to the toilet, which of course I have just done pre creaming. I was caught out again this morning. Ravi tells me it is the menthol. Perhaps we should change to a different flavour. During the day the chamois cream has the effect of glueing everything together, and continues to feel cold. I have no idea if it works or not, but somehow don’t want to risk not using it in case it does work. In the evening it is such a relief to wash it all off.
Today was a beautiful day, blue skies with lots of exquisite clouds. I have discovered another joy of cycling - cloud spotting. I like to find patterns in the clouds, as I know a lot of people enjoy as well. Today I kept seeing the Starship Enterprise, possibly hoping it would beam me up. I realised pretty quickly that I have to pay attention to the road, and the other cyclists while doing this - can’t keep looking up.
Another interesting past time is looking at place and road names. There are so many Church Lanes, and Station Roads in lots of towns and villages we have been through. The winners of the day have to be Phil Collins Way (!) and Dirty Lane. We went through so many beautiful villages today, with some gorgeous houses. Lunch was Dorset Flapjack - Ravi had Banofee flavour and I had Raspberry - sitting by the river watching a couple dancing to a busker in Stratford Upon Avon. Magic. After lunch it was more hilly and harder going, but we passed through Meriden, The historic centre of England. This seemed very exciting, as during the day we went over the M42, and were 4 miles from Warwick and near Solihull- all places we have been in the car and thought it was a long way away.
We encountered our first road idiot - cycling on B roads is generally much more enjoyable than the A roads, with cars constantly zooming past. However, some of them of course are quite narrow, but usually there is enough space for us and a car. On one road a car drove straight towards Gareth, and only pulled away at the last second. He honestly thought he was going to be killed. Horrid.
You might suspect that I am beginning to enjoy myself, and have some belief that I can do this - getting this far seems remarkable. My legs have stopped hurting quite so much- last week I could hardly sleep at night as they were aching. The rest day and feeling a little stronger have really helped, as has the sunshine. May this continue!
PS Tom and Celeste joined us for the first few miles on their tandem. They are our invaluable support team.
-
Did you rest awhile on Wayfarer's bench on the green in Meriden?
http://thorncyclesforum.co.uk/index.php?topic=12794.msg95586#msg95586
-
Both off to bed early but after a walk around and into the Minster, stunning. From Kate suffering with a cold
Friends
Day 9, Atherstone to Southwell, North of Nottingham, 55.6 miles, 4 hours and 46 minutes of cycling and 2070 feet of ascent. The others enthusiastically described this as a short day. Before starting this for me it would have been a record breaking day, and every time the last few miles always seem the hardest, even if it is a shorter day. My sat nav on my bike, which is a Nyon, spent the first week telling me to turn round. It felt like it was echoing my mental state and telling me to go home. Ravi turned off the re routeing, but now when I don’t go the way it wants me to, it sulks and gives up completely. Ravi is using a Wahoo with Komoot, and Gareth Komoot on his phone, and this tells them not only the number of miles completed but how many are left to do. I feel like a child constantly asking “Are we there yet” towards the end, wanting to know how many more miles left. My reasoning is whether I need to change my battery - I am carrying a spare from Ravi’s E bike. Distance is a funny thing, a bit like the number of light years to the sun, or Milo explaining how far away the white Dwarf or Black Hole he is studying are - I can’t quite get my head around it. I can’t imagine 55 miles in my head. I have to break it down into manageable portions - I know it takes me just under an hour to cover 10 miles, our circuit at home. When I ask how much further, I find being told that we are just over half way more helpful than we have 30 miles to go, as it seems more do able.
Last night we stayed in the nicest place so far, and had a fabulous meal. We sat outside in the sunshine for a drink and all was fantastic. Alas, during the meal I started to feel unwell again, pyrexial, and went to bed completely bunged up with a sore throat. Again I tested negative for covid - yes we brought some tests with us!
The beautiful chapel we had so admired when we arrived unfortunately chimed on the hour and half hour. I counted 10, 11 and midnight - 1, 2 and 3 am chimes didn’t wake me, but alas 4, 5, 6 and 7 did. It was right outside our window. As a consequence this morning I was definitely not feeling great. If I had been feeling like this before we started, I would not have come, but now I have got this far I am determined to keep going. Ravi uses the expel and flick method, which is very unpleasant if riding behind him. For this reason he is at the back, and also so that he can shepherd us along. He tells me that all proper cyclists do this. Even if I had practiced this at home, I am not sure I would be able to do it, so I am obviously an improper cyclist, as all of my pockets are full of tissues - and lip balm, an essential piece of kit.
Today we left Atherstone and went through some beautiful villages- my favourite so far is Tawny Hollow in Sheepy Magda. What an exquisite address. Other great sounding names were Congostone, and Zouch, as we arrived in Nottinghamshire. Gotham village obviously makes the most of it’s batman connection, with signs all over. After Gotham it was tougher going, on the outskirts of Nottingham, lots of cars, and even along the canal it was built up and hard.
Tomorrow we have an 85 mile ride- unimaginable, but I will take it one bit at a time and hope my cold is better tomorrow. Best not to think about it! You gotta roll with it!
-
The beautiful chapel we had so admired when we arrived unfortunately chimed on the hour and half hour. I counted 10, 11 and midnight - 1, 2 and 3 am chimes didn’t wake me, but alas 4, 5, 6 and 7 did. It was right outside our window. As a consequence this morning I was definitely not feeling great.
Oh, can I relate -- empathy and sympathy all -'round! I had a night very like this in Luxembourg (country, not the city) where the campings was at the foot of the church and...every half-hour the chimes rang, lifting me repeatedly from the slumber I had just regained. It made for a very long night indeed.
Enjoying your accounts. All good wishes and hoping Kate's cold clears soonest!
Best,
Dan.
-
Fingers crossed that the cold is not covid.
-
Hi John definitely not covid tested the last 4 days and she is still negative, long though day today especially for kate, 3 amazing power satiation break up the-flatness of north Nottinghamshire and Lincolnshire. It was hot and what breeze there was was eithe for m the side or behind.
Kate thoughts are
Day 10, cycle ride 9, Southwell to York, 87.1miles, 7 hours and 1 minute in the saddle, average speed 12.4 and ascent 1857 feet. Absolutely plum tuckered. World record for me, and apparently almost half way to John O’Groats. Ravi suggested we carry on for another few miles to get to the 100 mile mark in a day. I don’t think so!
Arrived covered in dust, sweat and sun cream, and surprisingly flies - they seem to get stuck on my skin. I can feel them as I am going along wiggling about- particularly peculiar sensation in my eyebrows. I am also covered in bruises. Heleen Charlton cycles with grace and beauty, and with a confidence of someone who has been cycling their whole life - she was brought up in Holland. She mounts and dismounts beautifully- I am behind her, so have plenty of time to watch and learn. I on the other hand put my right foot on the peddle and sort of hop along with my left foot until I have enough momentum, straddling the bike. I realised after a few days that I am bruising my inner left shin with the peddle by doing this, and have cut myself a few times on it. I now have an even wider stance to try and avoid this, which makes me look even more awkward, but my legs are still covered in bruises. I have made a mental note to practice and improve my mounting and dismounting - at present this involves a sort of shuddering collapse. Definitely feel I have a lot to learn. Heleen is also the only one of us who doesn’t have a mirror on her bike, as she can look over her shoulder without wobbling all over the place.
Today was hard - made more so by my cold, which is affecting both my sinuses and chest. However, I have noticed that there is something almost meditative about cycling, legs going round and round, and the beautiful English countryside rolling along, that apart from the constant nose blowing, it became trance like. Every now and then my trance was broken by an enormous sneeze - sneezing on a bike is quite an art. The world is blue and beautiful and then suddenly black, as of course you have to close your eyes to sneeze. I have to concentrate very hard on keeping the bike going in the right direction as the force of the sneeze makes me wiggle. Realised this could be quite dangerous on a major road. Hazards of cycling with a cold.
Lots to say about where we were last night, but have to go now as we are all going out to dinner to celebrate Richard and Debbie arriving in York. They have got over their Covid, and are due to start cycling with us on the next half of our journey.
I have included a picture of my Bosch Nyon readout as I can’t quite believe it myself that I have cycled 87.1 miles!
Rest day tomorrow in York, time for me to have a Fat Rascal and recuperate. Thank you for all your supportive messages.
-
Another impressive distance. Well done. :)
-
Day 11, rest day in York and hot hot hot! We won the Euro lottery on Tuesday, but Ravi forgot to tell us until yesterday. We started it on our first night, and dreamed that if we won we would buy a helicopter to fly us up to John O’Groats. Alas £2.60 won’t get us very far.
My E bike yesterday had a little temper tantrum and kept turning itself off. At the prospect of having to finish the cycle with no power, I experienced a little psycho somatic knee pain, which quickly resolved once we managed to get it to work aqain. Small panic, and this resulted in a ridiculous conversation between Ravi and I, him offering to organise a train from York home for the two of us, and me saying that if I give up he should still continue, as it was originally his dream. He then said he would not go on without me, so I vowed not to give up either. What a ridiculopathy!
We contacted Bournemouth Cycleworks where we bought the bike and had the Nyon fitted, and they put us in touch with York Cycleworks This morning they checked it all over, and everything is fine. They suggested that it might happen when the battery is taken out before the Nyon is switched off. It is a relief to know that it should get me to Scotland. They also mended the front mudguard stay clip, which Ravi had broken when doing maintenance on it in Bristol. My mudguard had been rattling more than me with all the paracetamol, ibuprofen, antihistamines and antibiotics I am taking. He tried to tighten it up and it broke, and has spent the week being held together with duck tape.
A quick mention of Southwell Cathedral - an absolute gem. We had a magical walk around the cathedral, enjoying the organ recital from inside. Next to it are the ruins of the Archbishop’s Palace. We thought of Frances O'Connor and all the beautiful photos she might take - I did my best!
Yesterday’s ride took us past signposts to Sheffield, Doncaster, Pontefract and Leeds - all places we normally drive through. The landscape was flat - although I think Ravi’s definition of not hilly is subjective. Fields of barley and wheat, and big skies. 3 enormous power stations contrasted with the elegance and beauty of wind turbines. Lots of houses here have solar panels, and it certainly felt like there was a lot of sunshine. When we were on the A19 for a brief few minutes, I saw a sign for York, 21 miles. We quickly turned off and in fact had 35 miles to go. We seem to zigzag our way across county, along B roads, canals, old train lines and paths, sometimes overgrown with stinging nettles which catch at bare arms and legs. We are obviously taking the long route, but more scenic - and more pot holes! We eventually got onto the Pennine trail cycle way, and I had a momentary panic, before I realised the Pennines were in the other direction.
Today we have had a fabulous day - sorted my bike out, walked the York walls - and saw a red squirrel - and a quick tour around York Minster, then had lunch and a Fat Rascal in Betty’s tea rooms (thank you Jo Helas!). Ravi treated himself to a glass of champagne in celebration of the almost halfway mark, as well as a new Liberty tie from one of the many gorgeous shops in York - definitely a place to visit again.
Tomorrow we start our ascent towards Scotland via Newcastle, Alnwick Castle where Harry Potter was filmed, Lindisfarne and Bamburgh Castle in the Northeast. Beginning to get excited, but taking it one day at a time..…
-
Excellent planning to have a rest day coinciding with a brief heatwave. ;D
-
Great journal.
I've sorted some good weather for you up here in Sctolandshire. Roasting today here in Abderdeenshire.
Taking the usual mid/West side up? If chancing the East side - let me know so I can join you for a few miles.
North from Abdereen is the Formartine Way. Disused railway track. Very flat.
Chin chin
Matt
-
Cheers Matt
We are going up the middle, Pitlochry, Aviemore, Tain, Tongue and the end. Might be forgiven by Kate then
Ravi
-
Cheers Matt
We are going up the middle, Pitlochry, Aviemore, Tain, Tongue and the end. Might be forgiven by Kate then
Ravi
Excellent.
Consider the A873 from Altnaharra to Bettyhill.
Some say, the finest road in Scotland. I've not yet cycled them all but when I traveled on it 7 years ago during my North to South Scottish end 2 end trip, it certainly impressed me.
Best
Matt
-
You continue to make good progress, amazing isn't it how you can be half way already!
You've passed through some of my frequently ridden areas, that route up through Notts is/was known as Megawatt Valley. The combination of the Notts/Yorkshire coalfields and the volume of water carried by the Trent, along with easy distribution to the industrial midlands made it ideal.
I was in Southwell Cathedral a few weeks ago, it's not only a fantastic building, there always seems to be something going on.
Keep it up, Scotland soon!
-
Consider the A873 from Altnaharra to Bettyhill.
Some say, the finest road in Scotland. I've not yet cycled them all but when I traveled on it 7 years ago during my North to South Scottish end 2 end trip, it certainly impressed me.
It's actually the B873 / B871. My supported LEJOG took me that way last year and I confirm that it's a very pleasant route (weather permitting). The A836 north of Lairg is also pleasant with a very gentle climb (and subsequent descent) but hope the wind isn't in the wrong direction as it's very exposed and be aware that although it's an A road it's single track with passing places. The Crask Inn is the one stopping place on that section of the journey.
-
Consider the A873 from Altnaharra to Bettyhill.
It's actually the B873 / B871.
There's a choice from Altnaharra, follow the Naver on the B road, or through Tongue on the A road, they're both excellent. This party can't do both and I expect their route is already decided.
-
Thanks for the correction.
B873 indeed.
I recall meeting a chap on that stretch who was walking LEJOG. His wife was in support with a van.
It's that kind of road; always something new/ unusual to see.
Best
Matt
-
Evening all from Yarm,lovely days cycle and thank you all for the route comments, support team are geared up for coffee support on route in Scotland though I think a drink at the Crast inn will be had.
Kate is looking for some saddle advice see below hope you enjoy her musings,
Day 12, York to Yarm, 55.5 miles, 4hours 35 minutes and 1800 feet of ascent. The first night in York after our 87 mile ride, I dreamt that I was cycling, and I couldn’t get my feet off the pedals because they were glued on. I had to wake myself up to stop my dream me cycling. Intruding on my subconscious now as well.
Today was the first day of cycling with 6 of us, as Richard and Debbie have joined for the last leg up to John O’Groats. We set off from York knowing that we will come back for a longer stay, as it is absolutely beautiful, with lots of gorgeous shops and pubs. We went along the River Ouse for a short while and then on cycle paths through lots of lovely villages in North Yorkshire, Helperby Brafferton the most unusual name.
Sting’s Fields of Gold came to mind as we cycled through fields of golden barley - the North East is full of them.
We stopped off for coffee in Tollerton and met Alfie the 6 month old Barn Owl - absolutely beautiful. If we had been driving we would never have noticed the tea house - there are so many more places to see when cycling than speeding by in a car.
I noticed that Debbie can sit on her saddle with her feet on the ground. She explained it is because she has long legs. With my feet on the ground my saddle sticks into my back, so I spent the next few minutes pondering whether I have in fact after 60 years got short legs. I have never thought of them as short, and decided that it probably has more to do with bike proportions than body proportions, and I don’t need another bodily hang up.
We celebrated passing the half way mark - (only half way!!!!) with a stop in North Allerton at Betty’s. We didn’t realise it was the same Betty’s as York, and felt very underdressed in our cycling kit, as well as causing a bit of carnage on the pavement outside with 6 bikes and all our gear. Another opportunity to have a Yorkshire Fat Rascal -at 850kcal Ravi and I shared one, and also shared a Yorkshire Curd Tart at 522kcal. Richard calculated that we must have used 1000 kcal in the morning’s ride, although I have yet to be convinced it is enough of an excuse!
My obstetrician in my first pregnancy informed me that you could get a double decker bus up my pelvic outlet. I think he meant this as a reassuring compliment, but Ravi and I were both alarmed for different reasons. I wondered why I would want to get a bus UP my pelvic outlet, and more importantly if I was going to have a baby as big as a double decker bus. Izzy was, and still is, petite and beautiful. You may wonder what this has to do with bikes - when we first bought the E bikes they came with very large padded saddles. Great I thought, my enormous pelvis will be very comfy on this. Alas not, as I kept slipping forward onto my peroneal nerve and getting a completely numb perineum, which would slowly come back to life when the pressure was taken off, a very peculiar sensation. I was not going to be able to ride any great distance like this, so I had a bike fit, and was introduced to the science of sit bone measurements. They changed my saddle to a smaller, narrower female saddle with a hole in the middle. This was great, and kept my sit bones in the correct position and took all the pressure off my perineum, but on my birthday (yes my birthday) Ravi took me for a 50 mile bike ride, and I ended up with bruises on my sit bones. We then researched and bought an SQ lab Ergolux 6.02 Active saddle, 16 inch. In Bristol we changed this for a 15 inch and added a gel seat cover, as Gareth and Heleen have used these and are very comfortable. However, I am still slipping forward and seem to be unable to keep myself in the correct position. When my sit bones are back I can drive harder through my legs, and then I slip forward. I seem to be constantly wriggling about. You would have thought that after 1 year’s preparation we would have sorted this out. Ravi spent 700 miles riding a leather Brooke’s saddle, which eventually wore him in, so he gave up and got the same saddle as me. I am not sure if my problem with the saddle is solvable, but we have moved the nose up a little for tomorrow. I suspect it might have more to do with core muscles, which were not very popular when we were young, and which I only heard about when the kids went sailing. I only found mine a few years ago when I started Pilates. If anyone has any saddle advice, this would be gratefully received!
Today’s ride was described as short - which is amazing, as before we started this would have seemed huge! Must be getting stronger. My cold is getting better - I only got through one pack of tissues and no dangerous sneezing. Tomorrow north of Newcastle to Whitley Bay. Very exciting.
-
For saddle height see this guidance https://wheel-easy.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/bike-set-up-2017a.pdf (PH posted this link recently). I wonder if the saddle is too high. What does the test on the 5th page reveal? I haven't tried that test myself as my own criterion for saddle height is that I can put the front of my left foot on the ground when seated in the saddle for convenience when starting and stopping. Small adjustments to the angle and distance from saddle to handlebars can make significant differences to the comfort. Change one thing at a time and then, after an hour or more of riding, consider if it feels better or worse than before.
-
Hi John
Have gone through that article in the past, Kate’s knee replacement limits her a little which why the seat is a bit higher than usual otherwise it becomes very difficult to pedal. Have nosed up a fraction last night and next step will be as you suggest to move forward a fraction if still not quite right.
Off to Whitley bay today through Sunderland, Newcastle and Teeside, have my swimmers with me but not sure I am brave enough to to try the North Sea
-
Day 13 Yarm to Whitley Bay, north of Newcastle, 46.8 miles, 4 hours 37 minutes and 2048 feet of ascent.Set out from the pretty town of Yarm and almost immediately found National Cycling Network path 1, which apparently goes all the way from the North East to Kent. Another adventure awaits! The path was narrow, wide, smooth and bumpy in parts, but no cars - only dogs to look out for and people. Most dog owners are brilliant with their dogs when they see bikes coming, and so far we have only had one dog related incident where one came out right in front of Gareth. We are now extremely cautious.
My E bike again turned itself off. This time I felt a wave of disappointment - to have got so far and not be able to continue would be awful. We did manage to get it working again, and we think that it is a loose connection when I go over very rough ground. The York bike shop said it is a common problem, as jotting around seems to loosen the battery, particularly in a very well known make of E bike. We remedied it by turning off the Nyon and taking it off, and then taking the battery out, replacing it and then putting the Nyon back on. Power back on and ride continued.
Saddle update - Ravi moved the nose of my saddle up slightly, and it is a bit better. Basically I just have to get on with it!
We passed signs for Durham, and then had tantalising glimpses of the sea on route, arriving in the centre of Sunderland, desperate for coffee, as we had found no where all morning to enjoy our morning fix. In fact we all had to resort to a wild wee along the side of the path, as there were no pubs open and none of the other usual places we have found en route - garden centres have been good options.
We cycled down to the sea front and found a bike cafe opposite the beach where Milo and the Lasers launched through the harbour at the Laser Qualifiers. Ravi reminisced about towing trailers up to Sunderland, sharing towing with Grant Ford when George and Milo were sailing. I hadn’t realised Sunderland was so pretty, lots of trees and beautiful beaches - couldn’t see anyone swimming in the sea however, far too cold.
From Sunderland we peddled on through South Shields, and took the foot passenger ferry across the River Tyne to North Shields. Graham Wallis had challenged us to sing Fog on the River Tyne by Lindisfarne, so we practiced last night, but all we could manage was the chorus, as there were far too many words and notes in the verses. At the ferry terminal we met a lady who asked where we were going. We proudly told her to Whitley Bay and then on to John O’Groats. She then told us she had walked from John O’Groats to Lands End in 64 days, and was currently walking from Dover to Cape Wrath, carrying a small backpack. Wow! The second put down of the day came from our Guest house hostess. She asked how far we had ridden - just under 50 miles, and told us that is nothing, as she had a group of cyclists yesterday who left at dawn to cycle to Ayr by sunset. This was her greeting to us, which was marginally better than last night’s host who saw my E bike and called me a cheat. I showed him my scar on my knee, and he showed me his!
We have just got back from having a wonderful curry, and are all slightly worried about the effect this may have on our cycling tomorrow. Let’s hope there are some more toilets along the way!
-
Day 14, Whitley Bay to Bamburgh, 61.5 miles, 5 hours 21 minutes and 2641 feet of ascent. Ravi kept telling us we were going to Battenberg, which left us all slightly bemused. I think he was trying in his dyslexic way to say BEBBANBURG, from Uhtred and the Bernard Cornwall series, The Last Kingdom instead of a cake.
We left Whitley Bay and our very eccentric guest house owner and Co Co the dog at 8am and set out on the beautiful coastal cycle paths all along. A lot of the paths we have cycled on have been funded by the EU both here and in Cornwall, ironic indeed.
After a little way we stopped to compare how far each of our sat Nav’s had said we had cycled. Mine always seems to read a little more than everyone else’s.
About a year ago, Ravi accused me of grinding. I was surprised to say the least, having been married for 30 years, and thinking it meant something else (coffee beans of course). I used to cycle a bike with only 3 gears, and have been used to having a high gear, and pushing hard on the peddles, ie grinding. He told me that I should be lowering my gear and increasing my cadence to stop my knees hurting. I of course completely ignored him, as why take advice for free when you can pay for it. At the aforementioned bike fit they explained that for every revolution of my peddles, the wheels of the bike go round and round. The faster I can peddle, ie the higher my cadence, the less force goes through my knees. They advised to increase my cadence to 70. At my next follow up bike fit the ex professional cyclist told me I should be aiming for 90.
As a result, my legs seem to go round faster than everyone else’s, and I wondered if this was why I always seem to go slightly further. However, I quickly dismissed this as of course there must be some mathematical formula with takes Revolutions per minute and force to make distance, so I have just more revs than the others and they have more force, so our distance should be the same. I decided I must wiggle a bit more, and anyway, it always feels like I do more than the others.
I digress - the stunning coast line is absolutely beautiful, and this is an area we will definitely come back to. We stopped at Creswell beach for a coffee and cake - incredible little beach with hardly anyone on it. Another gem we wouldn’t have seen from a car.
On along the England Coastal Path to Alnwick - pronounced Alick, and lunch at Barter Books - incredible second hand bookshop, that yes Jo Helas, Grampa Chris would have loved! Quick ice cream and then on, to get a glimpse of Alnwick castle - where the first two Harry Potter books were filmed - with a considerable amount of CGI. Ravi also tried to tell us that Downton Abbey was filmed here, but we remained unconvinced, particularly as we were not going to pay the £19 entry fee to go and have a closer look. We will have to come back again- next time by car.
We still had 18 miles to go, so carried on along the most beautiful coastal paths and then onto roads. At this point the pedal bikes had an advantage over the E bikes - on relatively flat smooth roads they were going at 19 mph with the wind behind. The E bikes don’t give power after about 15/16mph, so we were struggling to keep up. Just wait for the hills of Scotland!
We eventually caught glimpses of Bamburgh castle - an incredibly impressive castle, which doesn’t look anything like Uhtred’s, but is amazing. There is a cricket pitch in the shadow of the castle, right by the beach.
After dinner we wondered down to the beach, looking up at the castle, and met a lady who must have been in her early 80s who said that she went cycle camping with her children in the Hebrides every year. Outdone again! This is my favourite place so far - we will come here again. The skies are enormous, and luckily for us we have had an absolutely beautiful sunny day. So much so that my thumbs and fingers are burnt - another over 60 first!
-
Day 15, Bamburgh to Dunbar, SCOTLAND! 58.1 miles, 5 hours 17 minutes and 3901 feet of ascent. Today was a very tough day. For Richard and Debbie it was their 4th day of cycling, which for us back in Cornwall was really hard. This was also a longer distance, with more climbing, a real test for them post covid. We set off full of enthusiasm, as the expected rain had not arrived, under brooding clouds. We were on a coastal path 1 for just over 2 hours, and the amazing Bamburgh castle could be seen for miles- at 22 miles we could still see it. Some of the path was really rough and definitely off road - I have, however, now remembered to turn my front suspension on- at last. Ravi had a slight injury trying to avoid Richard, who had got stuck in some sand - probably best not to be too close to the bike in front in this situation. At one point we came across a padlocked gate across our path, and had to lift the bikes over the fence - easy with the normal bikes, and needing several people for the E bikes.
Unfortunately the tides were wrong for us to go to Lindisfarne, so we just watched some cars trying to get along the causeway almost underwater.
We carried on through beautiful villages, with impressive stone built farms, very neat and tidy, and after what seemed like an eternity reached Berwick - upon - Tweed, the most northerly town in England. We were still not half way, but this was going to be our only chance to get a coffee, before Richard and Debbie started to get withdrawal headaches.
We were recommended a coffee place in Berwick, owned by Dan who roasts his own coffee beans. Best coffee we have had yet, and more importantly, a toilet.
Off we went after lunch and after a few kilometres saw a sign for Scotland - this was not the way we were meant to go, but headed towards it for a photo shoot, very excited. From there on the day got tougher, with long hill after long hill, as well as midgies - in the mouth, up the nose, everywhere. We knew we were in Scotland.
In the mornings when I am full of enthusiasm and porridge, I can keep up and feel like this is the best thing I have ever done. By 4 hours on the bike I want to give up, and I feel like I am starting to drop back, and struggle to keep up with the others. If this was a game show I would be the weakest link, and be eliminated - thankfully it is not, and we all wait for each other if anyone drops behind.
At these times I start to sing to myself - started with Jerusalem, but gave up as I didn’t know the words. All things Bright and Beautiful - but they weren’t, so that was no good. Tried a few, as Milo Gill-Taylor would call them, choral bangers, but settled on ”My paddles Clean and Bright“ which we used to sing when canoeing in Canada (or as Izzy says, Green and White). When going up really difficult hills I chant to myself ”Dig deep, dig deep” or another of my favourites is “Buttocks Buttocks” - another of those delicious B words and actually helps direct my attention to the area of my body that most requires it. I think my joy of B words comes from Blackadder and Bob.
As we were coming over the hills we saw an enormous building - a Nuclear Power Station, followed by landfill site and concrete making plant. We did wonder where Ravi was taking us, but Dunbar turned out to be a very pretty little village on the Firth of Forth.
By the time we arrived it felt like my helmet had shrunk, or my head had swollen, and my neck was aching. Everyone else was feeling the same, and we realised it must be because we are all over 60 and most of today’s ride was off road, and very rough. All the jolting and shuddering really takes a toll, and we were all exhausted.
Tomorrow we are leaving early as the wind will be picking up and will be against us. Through Edinburgh to Kinross- another long day but Ravi promises me less hills. Do I believe him?
-
Fabulous landscape photos!
Songs to cycle by, eh? "Jerusalem" was my mum's favourite, and I can't sing that on the bike -- I get all choked up and teary-eyed, and endanger myself & others. Paddling in Canada is a different bizness altogether -- "Lloyd George knew my father" always worked well, tho' it used to exasperate my daughter. If I was feeling a bit poetic, Stan Rogers' "The Northwest Passage" has suitably broad horizons for any kind of transport, but esp waterborne. Theresa Brewer's "Paddle Your Own Canoe" is spot-on thematically, but far beyond my limited range ;)
And hey! There is now a bikepacking trail in Eastern Ontario & W Québec, named after "The Log-Driver's Waltz". The McGarrigle Sisters' lovely version of that song adorns the NFB animated film by the same name.
Here you go: https://www.nfb.ca/film/log_drivers_waltz/ (https://www.nfb.ca/film/log_drivers_waltz/)
-
I'm continuing to follow this adventure in awe of the progress being made. It seems that all the other challenges have pushed the saddle issues to the background.
-
Day 16, Dunbar to Kinross, 64.7 miles, 6 hours 10 minutes and 4135 feet of climbing. Very hard, beautiful but emotional day.
It‘s Richard’s 64 birthday today - what a way to celebrate! We left at 830am this morning from a slightly chilly Dunbar and arrived in Kinross at 5.30pm- so actually took us 9 hours with stops. The morning started well along the Scottish coastal path, the Saltaire Trail, with the wind in our faces. Solidly built houses and beautiful beaches. We passed through a village and passed a bike shop - managed to get a long fingered thin pair of gloves to cover my burnt fingers - better than wearing the silk liners I had been wearing under my fingerless gloves, and they are red! The bike shop man said he had never heard of burnt fingers before.
Ravi started pain free after his injury yesterday, but after 18 miles, his leg started to hurt like a red hot poker, so at midday we found a pub to stop at to assess our options. Ravi decided that the best thing to do would for him to stop cycling, as he didn’t think he could go on. Tom and Celeste came to our rescue in their van, and Ravi’s bike was put on the trailer. It felt agonising that Ravi should be the one to use the support vehicle - I had always thought that I would be the one to be rescued at some point. This was Ravi’s dream, and he has spent the last few years pouring over books and maps, and planning the route, and booking our accommodation. We felt very emotional saying goodbye as he got into the van, but he asked me to continue for him. I had a little cry in the toilets.
I had to pull myself together pretty quickly, as crying with an already blocked nose is not a good idea - my cold is still with me, ears blocked, but feeling better. Only getting through 2 packs of tissues now rather than 3.
We carried on towards Edinburgh, and went through the city on a series of bike paths- through a beautiful park full of life and people enjoying the bright sunshine. The next excitement was the Firth of Forth bridge - we crossed over on the middle bridge, the old train bridge to our right and the new Queensferry crossing carrying all the traffic. It was incredible cycling over the almost deserted bridge right up to the middle, where we were at 172 feet with the wind almost blowing us off.
After the bridge we started climbing steadily, and realised that we had had no lunch - the only place we could find in the nearest village was a Gregs, so Richard ate his birthday sausage roll standing outside on the pavement.
Passed the outskirts of Dunfermline, and then out into the country and more climbing - almost straight up to 950 feet, but with forests on one side and incredible views of the mountains in the distance on the other - tough but worth it, and had to dig very deep. 12 miles from Kinross we could see the town tucked away in the valley, tantalisingly close, but still up and down hills to get there.
Richard managed the entire ride in Eco, and Debbie only used a bit of Tour (Eco/Tour/Sport/Turbo are the levels of support on an E bike). They have said that they want to feel like they could have done this on an ordinary bike. I tried for a few days last week to use as little power as possible, but have now become more generous with it, as occasionally my knee twinges. We don’t need both of us hitching a ride in the support vehicle.
Surprisingly, this was the first day my sat nav actually got me to our destination - every other day it has given up quite early in the day. I think it knew that I needed looking after as Ravi wasn’t there, just in case I got lost - no chance of that as my fellow riders kept me firmly in the middle.
I missed Ravi all afternoon, and realised what an incredible support he is to me, sharing his snack bars, encouraging me on the way, cycling up to me and checking that I am okay, telling me that I can do this.
We have 5 more days of cycling, a few tough days to come but the end is now in sight. Tomorrow is a shorter day, thank goodness.
-
Sympathies to Ravi, but the right thing to do rather than try and continue and making it worse.
-
Sad to see the Mercury on the sag wagon - hope it's temporary. What's been especially fun is experiencing the rising tone of the reports as the trip has progressed - from 'This is torture' to 'Whee what fun!' Brings back memories of trips I've done where I had planned days of vastly excessive length. I've learned my lesson and these days aim for about five hours of cycling daily, which leaves lots of time for lolling about the camp and a long lunch.
On the topic of saddles, the only saddles I've ever got on with have been Brooks leather, but hen I find them more comfortable than alternatives even when they're new. I find that a saddle gets more comfortable as you zero in on the optimal saddle height in relation to the pedal, along the lines proposed in the article linked by John a page or so back. The other measurement I've seen is that the distance from pedal top to saddle top should be 109 per cent of your inside led measurement with cycling shoes on, and I've had that work for me in the past (I think it arose from efficiency tests performed by athletes at a range of saddle heights). However these days I start with the heel-on-pedal method and refine it with a bit of testing.
I've been very surprised by how much difference a height adjustment of only 2-3mm can make, and therefore pay a lot of attention to getting it just right. Of course you have to know what you're looking for. As for the proposition that the long-legged are better placed for getting their toes on the ground - clearly that's not consistent with either method of setting saddle height for efficiency. In contrast, having very big feet might help. What also helps is learning to mount and dismount from out of the saddle - which makes it irrelevant even how long your feet are. ;)
Thanks for the daily write-ups - I'm amazed you have the energy given the distances you are covering daily. Great to read too of the mutually supportive spirit among the riders. That's never guaranteed, and when its there it makes all the difference. :D
-
I'm hoping that Ravi has got some magic potion for fixing the pain so that he can be back on the saddle for the last few days.
-
Back in the saddle today, fairly sure its a minor left medial quad strain, RICE yesterday seemed to have helped. Today was a bit sore at times but the scenery , voltarol , tape (a bite bit at times ) and most importantly kate and my cycling companions got me through. Will see how it feels tomorrow.
Kate views below
Day 17, 15 of cycling, Kinross to Pitlochry, 47.1 miles, 4 hours 23 minutes and 2598 feet of ascent. Ravi Rides Again!
After an afternoon of rest, icing his leg, anti inflammatories and massage, Ravi felt he could cycle today slowly, tentatively trying it out for the first few miles while our support crew were on hand if needed. Bright sunshine from the start, but a very inadequate breakfast - in our rooms with a choice of fruit yoghurt and cornflakes. The only coffee was a sachet of Nescafé, and as I have boycotted this for 34 years (Baby Milk Action) decided now was not the time to have one. Richard and Debbie of course had cafetiere coffee in their room as they packed light and brought their own coffee.
We cycled through Perth city centre, through beautiful parks and impressive buildings. We stopped to have a well needed coffee, and Ravi bought some strapping tape and bound up his leg to try and support it. We must add that to the packing list next time (?!!). Perth is also on my list of must return to places - beautiful, especially in the sunshine.
A few miles after Perth we needed to stop for Ravi to readjust his strapping, only to find a man covered in blood having tripped over the pavement. Debbie the District Nurse came into her own, and brought out all sorts of things from one of her panniers - she seems to be carrying an entire medical kit. Medical care and advice was delivered, and one of the other ladies helping - Gareth would describe her as a little old lady - asked what we are doing. We really should stop telling people, as of course her son had tried to do LeJOG in 4 days, 200 miles per day, but had to stop as he tore a muscle avoiding a pothole. The direct route is in fact 800 miles on the main roads. The lady herself had done it on a tandem in 12 days - she must have had Chris Hoy on the back.
A few evenings ago Debbie had said that she thinks about what she would take to a desert island as she is cycling along. Her book of choice would be The Shipping News, and her music would be an opera by Puccini. Her luxury item would be a horse. I asked if I would be allowed a series of books, so my choice would be the Boudicca series by Manda Scott - I love them, and on an island I would have a chance to work out who everyone is. I have been pondering the music, and definitely would not want an opera. My parents took me to an opera when I was quite young, and I couldn’t see anything and understood nothing. My initial response was something by Kate Bush, as I love her, but I think if that was all I was listening to she might drive me bonkers. I might ask if I am allowed a mixed tape. My luxury item the other evening was very unimaginatively Lip Balm - my lips are sore from the wind and sun. However, I have since decided to ask for a fully equipped motorhome with a comfy bed, toilet and shower, and a bike rack. Preferably when I am chugging up a very long hill.
From there we carried on through incredible scenery and several houses I could easily choose as my dream house. We came over a bridge over the River Tay with beautiful views with the village of Dunkeld nestled on it’s banks. We stopped to have a drink and ice cream watching the water rush past, and the birds crying and swooping over the river. Absolutely idyllic.
We had 15 miles to go, most of which was along the river, all on National Cycle network paths, and onto Pitlochry via some very nasty hills. One hill was immediately after a right hand turn, so a standing start, and was so steep that even in Turbo my cadence went down to 35. I thought I wasn’t going to make it, which when clipped in is very tricky. I have only once before on this journey thought I wasn’t going to make it up a hill in Cornwall, and eyed up a nice soft bank of grass I might have to fall onto - when going up a hill, to unclip loses momentum. The grass turned to nettles, so I dug deep and carried on. Today I had no choice as no soft landings, so again drove hard to get up - knees hurting a little as a consequence, but they only have 4 more days to go. Almost there!!
Highlight of the day was watching 4 baby swallows sitting on a telephone wire, being fed by their parents, who were swooping over the fields of rippling grass. Magic.
-
Day 18, 16 of cycling, Pitlochry to Aviemore, 59.1 miles, 4 hours 41 mins, 2762 feet of ascent.
I woke myself up snoring last night, and listened to the pouring rain - glad that we were not cycling. I had to lie on my back last night, as it was the only comfortable position for my aching legs and knees. I don’t normally snore, I think!
Porridge for breakfast at last - not quite the Scottish experience I was hoping for, and not as good as John Allison’s porridge, but at last we have had porridge in Scotland. At breakfast Gareth was telling us about the “little old lady” in the room next door to them. Her son has cycled 6000 miles across Canada. We always seem to be outdone. Now that must be hard.
Quick mention of Butt creams - we have now changed flavour and no longer have menthol, which is a vast improvement, as I no longer feel as if I need to go to the toilet for the first half an hour after putting it on.I would recommend checking yours if you have some. Ravi had told me that my sit bones would toughen up. There is still no sign of that happening, so I am wearing a double chamois for a bit more padding, as if I need that, I hear you say. Slightly more comfortable.
I have also found another use for sudocrem - my nose. Richard and I have both had colds, and the combination of constant blowing and lots of wind and sun has rendered us both looking a bit like Rudolph. I had thought today might be slightly less sunny, but the sun beat down on us all day - we have been incredibly lucky with the weather so far.
We set off and for the first time immediately saw a sign for where we were headed - Aviemore, 60 miles. I found the first part really tough - uphill on roads, my back and legs aching and lacking in motivation. Ravi is still taking it easy, his leg strapped up, and so I tucked in behind him and started my usual Buttocks up the hill, which became shortened to Butts - really does help to concentrate the mind. This became Big Butts, and Ravi then invited me to follow his Big Black Butt - he was wearing black cycling shorts (he also has a purple one which I much prefer, but Big Purple Butt wouldn’t have been so satisfying), so the chant became Big Black Butt, which quickly changed to Blig Black Blutts until we got to the top of the hill.
Thankfully we went off the road onto the old A9, which is now a cycle path which follows the River Garry - absolutely gorgeous. The incredible views and the noise of the river lifted our mood, as well as getting away from the traffic on the road. We steadily climbed up to 1500 feet, with the train line beside us. This was the train that Richard and Ravi had taken after dropping off the cars, but they had seen none of the views we were treated to on the cycle path. At the top we met a couple on a tandem cycling down from John O’Groats to Lands End, towing a trailer with their camping gear. Must be hard.
From there is was sort of downhill - it is never completely downhill, always up and down, down and up. We stopped for lunch at Dalwhinnie, which I believe is famous for whisky.
As we approach Inverness both Ravi and Richard relax a little. The cars are slumbering in a long stay car park. Ravi has resisted the urge to check on his Tesla to see if it is still there, as he doesn’t want to wake it up. We had thought that if his leg gets any worse, he would collect the Tesla and follow us playing loud drum and bass to keep us going. Hopefully this won’t be necessary, as if we go at a reasonable pace, his leg seems to be okay. It is my turn to constantly check on him, although he still feeds me bits of his flapjacks.
The afternoon was beautiful -long stretches of views of the mountains, which I hope we are going between and not over. We stopped following the cycle path to Aviemore and went on the road, as the cycle path adds an extra few thousand feet of climbing, which we didn’t fancy.
We arrived at our guest house in good time, to be told that last night they had someone who had taken 12 days from Lands End to get here and looked broken, and is doing the rest in just 2 days.
There has been a lot of talk over dinners about how tough the next few days are going to be. I prefer not to think any further than tomorrow - but now only 3 days to go. Gareth thinks this has gone very quickly, for me it feels like we have doing this forever. It’s a bit like Groundhog Day - but the end is in sight.
-
Well done, if I remember rightly there's a fair climb out of Aviemore, but nothing like the climbing you've done today. Then that's it, the hardest parts of Scotland are behind you, enjoy the remaining days.
-
Day 19, Aviemore to Tain, 70.7 miles, 5 hours 50 minutes, 4006 feet of ascent. Pumpernickled.
We set off as early as a cordon blue breakfast would allow, and almost immediately had to leave the Komoot path, as it took us on a trail which was not suitable for our bikes, and was full of dog walkers.
We diverted onto roads and of course immediately started to go up hill. Passed through the village of Carr Bridge where the World Porridge Championships are held - who would have thought it!
My sat nav on my Nexus spent the morning telling me to Save Energy to arrive at my destination with support. It obviously thought I was going to run out of power, and was not reassured by me that I had a spare battery. Eventually it gave up complaining. Richard and Debbie have range anxiety, which drivers of electric cars will also be aware of. Theirs is such that they don’t use anything other than ECO for the whole journey, too afraid that their heavy bikes will run our of power. Richard cycled his first 100 miles at the age of 12, so seems to cope with this very well.
Up and down hills, and down one tree lined hill we suddenly glimpsed the Moray Firth in the distance - absolutely magical. After 35 miles we skirted the industrial side of Inverness, avoiding the city centre, and found a very large bike shop with a cafe upstairs for refuellling. While there, we had a phone call from Milo Gill-Taylor - his results for his Masters degree - double first with distinction in Astro Physics at Cambridge - well done Milo!
Ravi and Richard avoided the impulse to bail out and get there cars.
Off we went again, proud parents, and crossed the Moray Firth Bridge, buffeted by the wind. The wind today had been very gusty, and mostly from behind, and again bright sunshine. Ravi cycled behind me most of today, and spotted that my handlebar mirror was reflecting the sun onto my nose - hence my Rudolph impersonation.
Several steep hills followed by we think the longest hill we have had so far - seemed endless. I had to resort to Turbo for a few boosts. Ravi has the biggest gear ratio, and just spins his legs on his Granny ring. Sometimes he goes so slowly that his Wahoo thinks he has stopped and goes into Auto Pause.
We were cycling against time, as we had to get to the Cromarty Nigg ferry in time, which cuts off a corner. We timed it perfectly, and had an exciting ferry trip looking at oil rigs and boats. From there 12 miles into Tain, which is an unexpectedly beautiful little town, with gothic architecture and being Saturday a lively nightlife.
One of my enduring memories of this landscape will be the wind rippling across the wheat fields. I am sure there are wordsmiths who would describe this better than me, but it looked like rippling silk in the sunshine. So unforgettable.
I have to go now as Ravi is massaging my legs - painful, but I think helps. He did this last night with the massage ball, and my legs were better today.
2 days to go!
-
One day to go
Day 20, Tain to Tongue, 65.1 miles, 5 hours 2 minutes, 3451 feet of ascent.
Last night after the leg massage we tucked down, and then Ravi said he had to check something. He had booked tonight’s accommodation for tomorrow night. This did not surprise me as he frequently gets times and dates mixed up. What has surprised me is that he waited until the last night to do this. After a mild panic and being unable to contact the Guest House owner, we started to look for alternative accommodation. We managed to book 3 rooms in a hotel after several phone calls, and then took a while to get to sleep as both of us were wide awake. In the morning the Guest House had picked up our email, and all was fine, and we managed to cancel the hotel rooms without any payments. Phew.
Breakfast was early and a help yourself affair. These have varied between places, with some offering a whole menu with Full English / Scottish Breakfasts and all sorts. In Southall the lovely slightly dotty lady insisted on cooking us scrambled eggs, which we enjoyed, and asked her what her secret is - double cream in the eggs as they finish cooking. No wonder we are not loosing weight!
As we came out of Tain we discovered why is it such a bustling little town - the Glenmorangie distillery is just outside. Good job we didn’t discover that last night. We were mainly on roads today, following the National Cycle Path 1 again, which follows a beautiful river, which we went over on the Bonar Bridge. The road ran alongside a beautiful river, which we could hear and get glimpses of as we were going along, so we stopped and scrambled down the bank. Someone had put a bench there and a sign, Paradise, which it certainly was.
Our next surprise was to come across a car park at the Falls of Shin with lots of tourists - in cars. Impressive waterfall. Tom and Celeste, our wonderful support team, met us at Lairg for a coffee and cake (more cake) - the first time we have managed to meet up with them, and their last day as they are heading back to Southampton tomorrow as they are completing on their new house.
After that we started to climb in to the mountains on a single track road with passing places. Stunning views all round, and I realised we were in the middle of the mountains - wherever we looked there were hills, and spectacular views. It was wide open with large skies. Yesterday one of the hazards we faced were pine cones on the paths - tricksy little things to miss and to ride over. Today there were signs to avoid Lambs on the road. We did see some, but they are obviously so used to bikes they just looked bored and ignored us. Lots of bikes passed us going the other way, some fully laden and others out for a day ride. Also lots of motorbikes, as it is obviously a very popular motor biking route.
We stopped at the Crask Inn for a quick toilet break - lots of cyclists there. In the toilets in this pub in the middle of absolutely nowhere, they had a wonderful mural on the inside of the toilet door. A real delight. Some of the houses out here are miles from anywhere.
We had the wind with us for some of the way, but then it seemed to buffet us from all sides. I found it quite scary when it slammed into my side, and it felt like it was going to knock me over. Ravi assured me it would not, as I am too solid. Thank you Ravi.
The views all round were breathtaking, and we made good time, arriving in Tongue at 3.30pm - could have gone further!!
Looking back at this trip I can’t quite believe that this time tomorrow it will be over. I never believed that I could get this far. Even getting to Bristol seemed incredible, and from there to York.
Our mother always saw the glass as being half empty, and I have battled my whole life with trying to be the opposite. The last few weeks have been a struggle in so many ways, and I have had to try and consciously remain positive. Ravi’s eternal energy and optimism, and support have helped me through this. I have been irritable with him at times when he has tried to give me advice - I am not good at taking advice, especially from Ravi - but he has encouraged me and always been there for me, and fed me chocolate when I have needed it. Heleen and Gareth have been amazing, always enthusiastic and out in front, leading the way. Today we passed the 1000 mile mark. We have seen some amazing sights, and been through so many places, and diverse countryside. Lots of cows, sheep, llamas and dogs - I have only managed to almost run over one sausage dog. Glorious hedgerows, and verges full of wild flowers where they are allowed to grow. Birds, and today I saw a snake at the side of the road -alas couldn’t stop to take a photo.
The two main things that have struck me is how all across the country people care and look after their homes and gardens, so beautiful and well kept. People are also very friendly - nearly always returning a smile or a greeting.
Tomorrow we are getting up early to leave by 6am so that we can get to John O’Groats in time for the taxi to take us back to Inverness. Will I miss groin inspections and chamois cream - absolutely not. I am not a cyclist, but I have enjoyed cycling - it is a wonderful way to see the country. I would recommend it.
-
Love the pic of the two conquerers. :D
-
Mad Cyclists LEJOG’s The Last Day
Tongue to John O’Groats, 65.3 miles, 5 hours 31 minutes, 4455 feet of ascent.
Our evening in Tongue surprised us all. We had dinner in the only place in Tongue – a hotel with a bar, which was friendly and full of local life. Tongue is beautiful, nestled on the banks of Loch Loyal and the sea Loch at Tongue. Up here at this time of year there is hardly any night time, and when we got up at 0430am for our last day on Monday everything was bathed in an exquisite morning light, and the birds were already busy about their day. We set off at 6am and the day started well, cycling along the sea front. I glimpsed an isolated beach with solitary footprints – someone had already been out for their morning walk. I saw a sign”To The Unknown” halfway up a hill.
The day started with a steady climb, and soon it was hill after hill. Betty Hill was just like my Aunty Betty, an absolute b- - - -, and after that every hill was getting steeper and longer. Ravi had gear failure on one of them – his Rohloff gear hub which normally has 14 gears gave him none, and after a bit of fiddling we got most of them back.
I had range anxiety, as my power was going down using Tour and sometimes Turbo on the hills, and so on the flats with my limited gear range I was struggling to keep up and getting behind. Once behind it is hard to catch up. Ravi dropped back to be with me, but after hill after hill and 3 hours in, I had a serious willpower failure. My knee had been grumbling a little on and off for the last few days, and with all the hills started to seriously complain. It started clicking, which means there is swelling in the joint, and my left knee, where I was putting most of the strain, had started to ache. 1000 miles on a knee replacement turns out to be the limit. The wind was quite strong, and sometimes it was behind, then in front and worse slamming from the side. I think I must have been gripping my handlebars, as my back, neck and head started to ache and I just felt I couldn’t go on, very close to tears. So close, and yet it felt like so far.
We stopped, and it’s amazing what a bit of paracetamol, water and encouragement can do, and a quick stretch and of course some flapjack. We were also in the middle of nowhere with our support team on their way to Southampton. Back on the bike and determination revived, we carried on. Ravi had said at the beginning that he felt sure I would finish no matter what, as he described me as like a rat down a sewer when I do something. I think again he meant this as a compliment, and that I have perseverance, but I wasn’t very happy being compared to a rat.
In the first 40 miles we did over 4000 feet of climbing, similar to a whole day in Cornwall, but with 25 miles still to go. Thank goodness this was the last day, and the only thing that kept me going was reminding myself, chanting “Last day, Last day” up the never ending hills. We had followed the North-coast 500 route in land, and the landscape was not as dramatic as the previous day, and not as beautiful as expected in parts. We stopped for coffee and for Ravi to ice his leg, as it was getting quite painful. No ice, so he had to use a bag of frozen parsnips, which worked surprisingly well.
Off we went again for the final 25 miles, which thank fully were not as hilly – at least they were more gentle. Still in blazing sunshine we watched the clouds gathering, and followed our route onto our old friend, National Cycle Pathway 1 again. Rain – our first since Cornwall and Devon – started gently at first and then drove us to take shelter under some trees. The midgies took this opportunity to have a little nibble, but thankfully it has been so windy while in Scotland apart from when we crossed the border, they have not been a problem. After a little deliberation we all started to put on our wet weather gear, which took so long that by time we resumed cycling the rain had stopped.
As we neared our destination we tried to see where we were aiming for. Gareth and Heleen beckoned Ravi forward to lead us for the last mile and a half. I tucked in behind with a lump in my throat, and we followed signs for John O’Groats to arrive all together. It was surreal to say the least, as just as we were about to cross the roundabout up to the sign, and we presumed the end point, a coach arrived and crossed our path. Loads of tourists were having their photos taken at the sign, as we hugged and congratulated each other, waiting for our turn at standing in front of the sign. It felt very odd, us in our cycling gear and after over 1000 miles, we somehow felt we should have priority as we had earned the right over someone arriving on a coach trip. At LandsEnd there had been a start and finish line, and a photographer, and I think we had been expecting something similar here, but were disappointed to find tourists instead.
Once we had taken a few photos – we asked a tourist to take some and they managed to video instead – we drank champagne and had loaded chips at the café – we felt we deserved them! Our taxi to Inverness loaded up our bikes, as well as 3 bikes from another group who were taking the train home to Norfolk and having their bikes shipped from Inverness. They had come up the west coast via the Lake District, so had done a similar number of miles to us over the same number of days, but a lot more climbing.
The taxi driver had never known of anyone who had left their cars in Inverness, but E bikes cannot as yet be shipped, and they are tricky on trains as so heavy and big. The taxi driver was interesting – he had been a triathlete and done all sorts of long distance bike tours, until a few years ago when he got mowed down by a camper van who went straight through him at 50 mph. He spent 5 weeks in intensive care, and was told he would never walk again and would have brain damage. He has worked hard at his rehab and watching him clamber all over his van loading the bikes onto the roof, you wouldn’t believe he had rods in his back. We counted ourselves very lucky to have had only a few minor problems along the way with no accidents.
Our taxi ride to Inverness which had taken us just under 3 days to cycle took 3 hours in a complete haze. Our feelings were mostly relief and disbelief – for me. Most people when they have their month off after retirement (in the NHS there has to be a full month off between retirement and return to work on a different contract) go to Costa Rica, or Australia, and have a nice relaxing holiday. We just felt exhausted.
Yesterday we drove back to Cambridge, initially along the way we had cycled, spotting our cycle path beside the A9. The weather couldn’t have been different- rain and mist hanging over the mountains. We had been so lucky with the weather, it would have been a very different experience in the rain. It took us under 10 hours to pass York, which had taken us 10 days of cycling. I kept spotting National Cycle Network signs everywhere, having never noticed them before.
For me the most exciting part of the ride, apart from finishing, was arriving in Bristol – somewhere familiar with so much life and energy after sleepy Cornwall and Devon. Arriving in York after our mega 87 mile ride was a relief with a terrible cold, and Betty’s tearooms and Fat Rascals are imprinted on my memory. Bamburgh and Northumberland were beautiful, and of course the Highlands of Scotland. The rest of it is a blur and it will take some time to sort it all out when we get time to look back at it.
Thank you to everyone who has given us support and encouragement, through comments and messages. It has been great reading them after a long days ride, and has kept us going.
Our son, Tarra, had said that at our age it is good to have a challenge (!!) and indeed it was that! I learnt a lot – mostly that after every downhill there is an uphill, or trying to look at it in a more positive half full way, for every uphill there is a downhill- I am sure this is a metaphor for life.
We have started planning our next adventure. When we go cycle touring again it will be for a much shorter time, with days of no more than 50 miles – after 4 to 5 hours it starts to get very uncomfortable. Or maybe a walking challenge? I know someone who has walked from LandsEnd to John O’Groats staying with friends and family. It took them 7 weeks. If Ravi asks me to do this, I will say NO. Well, maybe….
-
Huge congratulations, it is a massive achievement for any cyclist. Something that will be with you forever, I did it twenty years ago and frequently remember parts of it, good and bad.
And thanks for the daily updates, it's been a real pleasure to follow your progress. Good luck with the next one!
-
Bravo! Hugely enjoyed your daily reports. Your good humour in managing your repaired knee is a story in itself.
What a thing to do for your first tour! It seemed to me that you were having good weather: We had been so lucky with the weather, it would have been a very different experience in the rain.
I thought maybe you'd borrowed rualexander's camera, certified and recommended by the Scottish Tourist Board, taking only photos of sunny skies. But no -- 'twas the Real Thing. Impeccable judgement, which I can only envy. In 2008, I managed mostly good weather on a much shorter hike along the West Highland Way, but the rest of our three-week holiday in the Ancestral Homeland was an object lesson in "let's emigrate to Canada, shall we?" (Then again, as I remarked to my wife on the ferry to Iona, as the cold mid-June rain came in horizontally, "Y'know, love, there's a reason why Nova Scotia is named "New Scotland".)
Cheers, John
-
Congratulations on completing the trip in spite of problems with bikes and legs and I've enjoyed following the progress. The human brain has a remarkable (undesirable?) ability to remember the highlights and forget the bad bits which explains why people embark on subsequent adventures. The climb up to Bettyhill was the final challenge on the penultimate day of my LEJOG last year. Fortunately I had enough steam remaining in the boiler to complete the ascent which provided the benefit of starting the final day from the top of the hill.
I'm a little intrigued as to how a Rohloff hub lost its gears. Had the Ex-box worked loose so twisting the shifter had no effect?
-
A great ride report. Very well done to you all.
-
Hi John
Correct, loose ex-box, re tightened and only had 7 gears so then had to re index. This shows how exhausting a long ride can be, every evening I would quiclky check the bikes over after we arrived somewhere, looking back this just stopped with about 5 days to go as all I wanted to do was have some tea, shower, eat and sleep by then.
It has been a great a ride and adventure and I am glad you have enjoyed Kate’s wiritings they have been a sensation on facebook. Now after a few days of rest , my reflections are
1. It’s a long ride for a first time tour, but I feeel a great sense of achievement at completing something I started thinking about 3 years ago
2. Having a supportive partner when I suggest doing foolish things is amazing, how she has put up with me over the years with the stupid hours of work I have no idea
3. Dong this with collegues(close friends )who you have worked with, through good and bad times for 28+ years is a good thing. As we all know how each other react when stressed and how to support and help each other get throuugh the tough bits.
4. We are going to to do more of this as now I have more time but it will be shorter tours, less miles and time in the saddle .
The forum has been a been a great place for me to learn from over the last couple of years while planning, so thank you all
Ravi
-
Great to read you were all able to stay with the journey and celebrate together at the end.
You would not be the first group to overestimate your appetite for distance on your first big tour. I'd be shocked if that wasn't the norm.
The other classic misstep is packing too much. I recall interviewing a tourist from Japan who had decided he would come to Australia and cycle the perimeter of the continent, self supported. He began in Perth, and spent a few days riding about 120 miles south to the coastal city of Bunbury. Having got there, he realised he had packed too much stuff. Among the things he shed at that point, he told me, were his diving mask, snorkel and flippers, and "all my books". ;D
You guys were smarter and organised a support vehicle. :D
I think the urge to do too much comes from seeing the journey on a car-like scale. A modern motor vehicle idles along at 60mph. The bicycle is much slower, especially when climbing, and it is as though we assume there is a loss in that. "Surely in a day on a bicycle we could cover at least 60 miles."
The funny thing is, we wouldn't necessarily approach a road trip in a car that way. "Well we should be able to average 50mph, so if we set off at eight and drive till six with an hour for lunch that"s nine hours so we should plan 450-mile days." Unless you're merely driving to reach a destination, that's not a fun way to travel. It's more enjoyable to linger over meals and take time absorbing the sights. The driving part is not the tour; it's the means to the tour.
The bicycle also can be the means to the tour. I hope you have some more fabulous trips in your future.
-
Correct, loose ex-box, re tightened and only had 7 gears so then had to re index.
I do periodic checks but don't recall mine getting loose. There's also a thin layer of grease between the two parts of the ex-box (the result of being generously greased) which tends to hold it together. For shifting emergencies I have one of these https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B0001P0WUM in my toolbag. It will adequately fit onto the end of one of the Allen keys as an improvised spanner for turning the nut.
Now after a few days of rest, my reflections are
1. It’s a long ride for a first time tour, but I feeel a great sense of achievement at completing something I started thinking about 3 years ago
2. Having a supportive partner when I suggest doing foolish things is amazing, how she has put up with me over the years with the stupid hours of work I have no idea
3. Dong this with collegues(close friends )who you have worked with, through good and bad times for 28+ years is a good thing. As we all know how each other react when stressed and how to support and help each other get throuugh the tough bits.
4. We are going to to do more of this as now I have more time but it will be shorter tours, less miles and time in the saddle .
I took the easy option and signed up for a supported group LEJOG with Bike Adventures. After considering both the 15 day and 21 day options I chose the latter on the grounds that while I reckoned I could handle 80 miles in a day in fair weather, it would be very challenging if the weather wasn't cooperative. So I did the 21 day version. Some days were easy and on some were very tiring. Apart from the hills, the wind strength and direction can be the difference between a pleasant and unpleasant day.
Overall, I must have enjoyed myself as I've since done two other supported rides. These were both 8 days which I found a bit short. On the first we had barely got to know each other before the end arrived but the 2nd was easier because some folk were from my LEJOG group. I can strongly recommend this type of trip because someone else is paid to look after the logistics and you only need to carry what you need on each day. I suspect that the organisers have a solution to the e-bike transport problem as there was one on my 2nd ride.
I'm hoping to do another ride next year provided I can get permission from my wife. London - Edinburgh is said to be an easy route while I'd love to do the North Coast 500 before I get too decrepit. I've driven it a couple of times but a bike will make it much easier to enjoy the scenery (weather permitting).
-
Correct, loose ex-box, re tightened and only had 7 gears so then had to re index.
I do periodic checks but don't recall mine getting loose.
Happened to me once, I've no idea why, the wheel hadn't recently been out, so must have happened over time. I do now periodically check it, usually while I'm doing something else - Oiling chain, checking for pad wear - and it hasn't been even slightly lose since.