Hi everyone, just a quick post at the moment to let you all know that I have just returned from completing my John O Groats to Lands End challenge. 1170 miles in 3 weeks and 2 days, so averaging around 50 miles a day. I had a fabulous time with a few difficult moments but overall an amazing experience. I have met some exceptional people along the way who have gone out of their way to help in one way or another, and it looks like I will have raised almost £1,300 for Air Ambulance.
Feeling absolutely great with no aches or pains whatsoever, not even any saddle sores. If I had the time I would have ridden home from Lands End, but as it was friends of mine were in Newquay for the week and they were coming home yesterday. I arrived at Lands Ends at exactly the same time as they arrived to pick me up so brilliant. Very emotional at the end, couldn't believe I had done it.
The Sherpa was as brilliant as I knew it would be and coped with whatever I threw at it and NOT 1 PUNCTURE!!! Did lots of off road especially around the Fort William area and many canal paths and the bike was perfect for this type of riding. Weather wise it was a very mixed bag. Most of Scotland was not bad, with some heavy showers but nothing that spoilt the trip. One night of heavy rain overnight, but again nothing to spoil things. However, Hurricane Bertha hit as I arrived in the Lake District and caused all sorts of problems including flooding me out of my tent overnight and me having to sleep in my sleeping bag in an old armchair in a campers kitchen area (thank god the site had one). Arriving at the top of Kirkstone Pass to gusts of up to 70mph winds was quite exciting too!!
Midges only really caused problems on a couple of nights and were better than expected, mainly I think because there was nearly always a breeze.
Met a young lad on the Strawberry Line near Yatton doing Lands End to John O Groats on a Thorn Nomad and also 2 girls riding from Bristol to Lands End, 1 of whom was riding a Thorn Sherpa, red like mine but an older model and we camped next to each other. Camped most of the time, but had 1 night B & B when a camp site was not to be found, and 1 night in a Hostel. Have eaten loads, especially enjoying the local village bakeries goods, cornish pasties, and many variations on my morning porridge, but still managed to lose weight.
I will try and load some pictures and do a bit more of a report soon, but at the moment I have come home and the lead for my camera has vanished. My son has done loads of tidying up for me but doesn't remember moving the cable, but can't think where else I would have put it apart from by the computer. I'm sure it will turn up though.
