|
Day
1:
|
Destination:
Newlyn East (South of Newquay) Distance travelled: 50miles
/ 80km
Text
Message:Short day but fairly tough - lots of hills and gusty
headwind. But sun was shining & scenery stunning. Lands end
is a bit weird...
Hard
day tomorrow.
Chafe
factor: 0
|
|
Day
2:
|
Destination:
Between Newquay and Gloucester
Distance travelled: 100miles / 160km
Text
Message:Tough day. Constant hills for 160km. In the saddle for
over seven hours. Hot and sunny again so farmers tan coming along
nicely. Heading from Gloucester tomorrow
Chafe
factor: 1
|
|
Day
3:
|
Destination:
Gloucester
Distance travelled: 103miles / 164.8km
Text
Message: Got to Gloucester by end of today. Mixed day - faster
on first 100km but a couple of big hills and rolling country lanes
slowed me down after Bath. Chafing situation deteriorating fast.
Doesn't bode well! Still, over 250 miles down, 'only' 700 to go...
Chafe
factor: 4/5
|
|
Day
4:
|
Destination:
Ellesmere
Distance travelled: 92.63miles / 148.2km
Text
Message: Gloucester to Ellesmere. Slow start to day - legs felt
heavy. Took new approach to the route ie balls to country lanes,
get on major road as much as possible. Busy, yes, but fast. Might
have a go on the motorway tomorrow. I reckon I could be a contender...
Chafing stable at new approach to that too - won't go into details.
Chafe
factor: 4/5
|
|
Day
5:
|
Destination:
Garstang
Distance travelled: 98.2miles / 157.1km
Text
Message:Half way! Officially up north now and officially grim
so far. Had to pass through Runcorn, Widness and Skelmersdale (orrible)
on a hair raising dual carriageway. Then it started raining, then
pouring. Did I mention its freezing too? And that we got lost a
lot today? Tomorrow is the big climb in the lakes. Oh yeah, forecast
is more rain.
Chafe factor: Chafing now under control, a steady 2
|
|
Day
6:
|
Destination:
Annan (Nr. Dumfries)
Distance travelled: 102.9miles / 164.6km
Text
Message: Pouring rain all morning. Into Lake District and a
tough climb up the Kirkstone Pass. So worth it though - rewarded
with stunning views down to lake Windermere and then a fast descent
to Ullswater and a beautiful ride along its shore. The best bit
of the ride so far. Swept through Carlisle (yet another crap town)
and pushed on to get to Scotland. Hooray! Weather is set to get
worse but at least the bloody wind is changing to southerly (allegedly).
Chafe
factor: Unknown ... you decide ...
|
|
Day
7:
|
Destination:
Luss (By Loch Lomond)
Distance
travelled: 130miles / 208km
Text
Message: Had Neil the Ironman with me today (I think I'm more
of a Tinman) and along with a tail wind (at last!) we managed a
huge 208km - Annan to Luss. Weather still very wet. The ride almost
ended after my bike fell off the car roof as we drove to the B&B.
Luckily only minor damage to seat and bars... Neil's last day tomorrow
so hope to make more good progress if legs can take it.
Chafe
factor: 1/2
|
|
Day
8:
|
Destination:
Fort Augustus
Distance travelled: 101.2miles / 162km
Text
Message: Wet again and cold as we went over Rainach Moor to
Glencoe, but through some absolutely stunning scenery. At this rate
we should be in John O' Groats by Saturday lunchtime. Sadly the
Ironman leaves us tomorrow so will be cycling alone again (sniff).
But feels good that end is in sight so will keep pushing. Am loving
the Haggis. Not loving being eaten alive by the midges.
Chafe
factor: who cares...I'm almost there?! (its fine in case you're
wondering)
|
|
Day
9:
|
Destination:Helmsdale
Distance travelled: 175km
Text
Message:First day in five that it didn't rain. Loch Ness was
like a mill pond. No monsters. Killer hill at Drumnadrochit almost
finished me off. Legs getting really tired on the hills now. Saw
first sign for John O Groats. Yes! Finished day with 55 miles to
go. Can't quite believe that we're almost there
Chafe
factor: Who's even interested in chafing anymore?!
|
|
Day
10:
|
Destination:
John O'Groats!!!!!!!!!!!
Distance travelled: 49miles / 78km
Text
Message: a
leisurely 78km. Helmsdale to John O Groats. Last few miles of the
trip, up the increasingly stark NE coast towards Wick and then to
the end.. Fairly tough hill out of Berriedale was last real test
on the legs. Was no match for this trooper though. Finally saw a
proper hairy angus cow (these are the kinds of thing that amuse
the long distance cyclist, or this one at least). Freewheeling into
John O Groats felt a little weird, but great knowing that I'd finally
made it! Couldn't believe it though - there was another guy in a
little hut charging for photos by the sign post! Must be a mate
of the guy at Land's End... Now just a 700 mile drive to get home...
Chafe
factor: No
lingering chafe concerns
|
