I MADE IT!!!!!!!

I DID IT!!!  1,118 miles

Day 16 St Austell to Lands End

69 miles today, total miles 1,128, moving average 9.0 mph, overall average 6.6 mph, total time 10.5 hrs, total climbed 5,493 ft

Left at 7:30. B&B was good and really helpful, just the location that was odd.

Decided to head straight down the A390 to Turo instead of my planned back road (read hilly) route. I figured the traffic that early on a Sunday would be light and it was. Cut about 5 miles off the planned route and helped save my very tired legs.

Made reasonable headway and left the main roads about 10am. Got hillier (what a surprise) but I made steady, but painful progress across Cornwall. In fact the sign 5 miles to Penzance came as a nice surprise and I got so excited that I missed the turn. Doubled back and was soon rolling along the coast road. Stopped for a very enjoyable clotted cream sitting in the sunshine over looking St Michaels Mount. The lady serving me the ice cream asked me where I had cycled from. "John O Groats" I said and she looked at me with wide eyes and took me a while to convince her I was being serious!

Dropped the panniers off at the B&B in Penzance and set off to do the last 10 miles to Lands Ends, which seemed to take forever. Was a great relief to finally arrive at Lands End and I had  the obligatory photo taken with the signpost. Chatted to a few people there and a couple of them congratulated me and shook my hand, which made me feel quite emotional.

Right now it hasn't sunk in and I mainly feel exhausted and relieved. I have a 5 hour train journey back home tomorrow so after a good nights sleep will try to gather my thoughts. Really looking forward to going home and seeing the family. Seems like I've been away forever.

Gavin

It's true - Cornwall is very hilly!!

Day 15 Cheriton Bishop to St Austell

69 miles today, total miles 1,060, moving average 8.5 mph, overall average 6.9 mph, total time 10 hrs, total climbed 5,949 ft

Left at 7:15. B&B really great and laid on an early breakfast just for me. Very cold first thing but soon warmed up after a couple of hills.

Devon was pretty hilly and at Okehamptom struggled to even push the bike up some monster hills. Eventually found the cycle track that ran for 8 miles to Lydford - great route through some fantastic scenery and flat.

Had a good run and clocked up 40 miles by 12:30. However, got a lot tougher the moment I entered Cornwall and the hills for the last 15 miles were relentless - up and down big hill, after big hill. The old legs were getting very heavy and tired and had to push the bike up quite a few. You know it's a big hill when its so steep that you can barely push the bike up it. Even some of the downhills were very hairy and I could hardly keep the bike under control even with the brakes full on (its at moments like that you hope there's plenty of disc pad left!).

Weather sunny most of the day and no rain, although the wind was pretty strong in the afternoon.

Eventually arrived in St Austell, which seems to be built on a mountain side. Couldn't find the B&B and was climbing up and down yet more hills trying to find it. Made it in the end, but will probably meed a winch to get the bike to the top of the road in the morning, its so steep.

So I can't believe it - tomorrow is the last day and I will be at Lands End!!! I truthfully do not know how I have got this far. It just doesn't seem possible or even real.

However I still have at lot more Cornish hills to tackle tomorrow and about 70 miles to cover. Each day my legs become heavier and the tiredness increases. But I have to make it to the end, even if I walk (or crawl) up every hill!

Right time for an early night.

Gavin

In Devon now

Day 14 Cheddar to Cheriton Bishop (nr Exeter)

76 miles today, total miles 991, moving average 10.0mph, overall average 8.0 mph, total time 9.6hrs, total climbed 4,290 ft

Left at 8:00 thanks to the very strange landlady and the chaotic way breakfast was organised. In fact the whole B&B was a bizarre place and I wasn't sorry to leave.

Really flat fenland between Cheddar and Taunton so the morning was pretty good. Steve struggling a bit with hills after such a long day yesterday, but he did well and fought his way 30 miles to Taunton.

Steve headed for Taunton station, his daughters and a well earned rest. I carried on down to Exeter, after some trouble finding my way out of Taunton along the river.

Run to Exeter pretty good and I picked up pace. Exeter seemed very busy when I came through it. The last 7-8 miles from Exeter was a constant climb and I was tiring rapidly.

Weather good all day - no rain, light wind and cloudy.

So 2 days left to go! The infamous Cornish Hills tomorrow - everyone who has done this trip says this the toughest part. So I plan to set off 7am giving me plenty of time to do the 65 miles and expect to be pushing the bike a lot!

Gavin

Great route today

Day 13 Ross on Wye to Cheddar

69 miles today, total miles 915 moving average 8.7 mph, overall average 6.0 mph, total time 11.5 hrs, total climbed 4,611 ft

Turned into a long day, starting at 8:30am and not finishing until 7:00pm.

Great route, starting with a run through the Wye Valley and Forest of Dean. Hilly but very beautiful and a soaking from the only heavy shower of the day. On to Chepstow, where I used to live 20+ yrs ago (saw my old house) which is very hilly. Then crossed the Severn Bridge, which was a great experience, around the cycle path down through Avonmouth and along the Severn Estuary (nice and flat).

Climbed up and into Somerset and it started to become hilly again and one or two busy roads with cars and trucks hammering past (scary stuff).

We started to flag late afternoon and our pace slowed. Seemed to take forever to reach Cheddar, finishing with the most enormous downhill run into the village.

Steve did amazingly well clocking up 69 miles, nearly twice his previous longest cycle ride!

A well earned pub meal and I am ready for bed now.

3 days to go now!! 80 miles tomorrow to the other side of Exeter, and the following day is the dreaded Cornwall hills!

If you wish you still have time to sponsor me in aid of The British Heart Foundation, a very worth cause. You can do so direct using the following link:

http://original.justgiving.com/gavins_jogle

Thanks
Gavin

Shopshire isn't flat!

Day 12 Shrewsbury to Ross on Wye

74 miles today, total miles 846, moving average 9.8 mph, overall average 8.0 mph, total time 9.5 hrs, total climbed 4,834 ft

Day started badly. Climbed up the Shropshire Hills to 1,100 ft. Feeling very tired, leg muscles aching and getting up even small hills was a big struggled. I guess I am starting to suffer from an accumulation of fatigue.

Made it to Ludlow which is a lovely old market town but was very busy. Enjoyed a well needed lunch and cuppa in Costa.

South of Ludlow met up with Steve to do the remaining 35 miles. Nice to have company, because I had started talking to to the cows and sheep!

I felt stronger in the afternoon and Steve did very well, although he hasn't had chance to much training. Despite a few nasty hills we made it to Ross by 5pm. Weather pretty much perfect with lots of sunshine.

Tomorrow we go down through the Forest of Dean, via Chepstow, over the Severn Bridge and onto Cheddar, total 65 miles. Weather forecast not so good with showers expected.

Only 4 more days to go!

Gavin

An enjoyable day

Day 11 Little Bollington to Shrewsbury

72 miles today, total miles 772 moving average 10.5 mph, overall average 8.5 mph, total time 8.5 hrs, total climbed 3,038 ft

Had a really good day today and is the first time I enjoyed the cycling!

B&B last night was excellent and a shame my stay was so brief. Set off at 7:30am after a great breakfast. The sun was shining, it was dry and only a light breeze! Very confusing and it took me a while to sort out what to wear. No waterproofs and 3 or 4 layers - strange being in a single cycle jersey and exposing my arms to the sun.

The planned route was perfect. Spent the whole day on quiet lanes travelling through beautiful countryside and small villages. Very agricultural and I have never seen so many tractors and farm vehicles.

72 miles to Ross on Wye tomorrow and Steve joins me for the next few days. Weather forecast not quite so good but not too bad.

Gavin

An attrocious day!

Day 10 Ingleton to Old Bollington

88 miles today, total miles 700, moving average 9.8 mph, overall average 7.7 mph, total time 11:30 hrs, total climbed 6,534ft (wow!)

A horrendous day and I'm exhausted so this will be a short report.

Set of at 8:00 into gales and rain.

My planned route was to go up Howgill Fell, which would have meant a climb up to 1,200 ft in atrocious weather (which genius came up with that route?). Changed this to a less severe route, which meant more miles.

Spent 6 hrs climbing up and down hills fighting the full force of the wind and had only covered 30 miles by 1:30pm

Was also not fun later on cycling through the traffic when trying to make my way around Preston, Warrington, Bolton and Wigan.

In end after getting lost trying to find the B&B I did nearly 90 miles and didn't finish until 7pm just as it was getting dark. I'm exhausted!!

Weather forecast for tomorrow is good and I'm really, really hoping for a better day.

Gavin

Very wet & windy

Day 9 Wetheral to Ingleton

66 miles today, total miles 612, moving average 8.7 mph, overall average 7.3 mph, total time 10 hrs, total climbed 5,315 ft

A horrible day because it rained virtually the whole time and was very windy.

Set off at 7:30 (and on a Sunday too!) knowing I'd have a few hills to climb today....which started almost straightaway!

Started on my planned route but soon diverted to the main road to try and make better progress. Went through Penrith (bit of a dump) and onto Shap. Seemed to be climbing forever getting up Shap Fell. Turned off the A6 towards Sedburgh and it became very windy and the rain heavier on the exposed mountain top.

Struggled my way to Ingleton, already soaked to the skin. Was amazed when I looked at the stats on the GPS to find I had climbed over 5,300 ft, more than the toughest day in Scotland!

Nice B&B and all my gear is drying on the radiators. I'm now in the Yorkshire Dales.

Looking back on my preparations for this trip I definitely made a few mistakes:
1. Although I did 2,000 miles of training  it was nowhere enough. In particular I didn't do nearly enough hill climbing practice nor enough back to back training sessions
2. I planned a lot of my route on scenic back roads, but these are nearly always hillier and longer.
This trip is turning out to be a lot tougher than I expect, although I'm still hanging on!

Day 10 tomorrow and 73 miles to do finding my way between Preston, Blackburn, Bolton and Warrington.

Gavin

Halfway

Day 8 St Johns Town of Dalry to Wetheral

75 miles today, total miles 545, moving average 11.6 mph, overall average 9.4 mph, total time 8 hrs, total climbed 2,833 ft

A really good day today, with pretty flat roads on which I could pick up a bit of speed.

Set off at 7:30am and started climbing almost straightaway (why is it always after breakfast!). But that turned out to be the biggest hill of the day.

By 10:30 I was on Dumfries. Lovely historic Scottish town set on a river. Callled  in at a local bike shop for some oil and disc brake cleaner. Had a chat with the blokes there who told me a few stories about cyclists doing this trip who had limped into their shop with all sorts of mechanical problems and broken bikes. Just what I wanted to hear!

Then onto Gretna Green, a popular tourist attraction. Scottish piper playing and saw a couple who had just got married.

Stopped in Annan (I had never heard of this place before) for lunch, which turned to be a busy Market town. 

Then down towards Carlisle and arrived at my hotel by 3:30pm. Big hotel and another wedding function going on! Must be something in the water?

Cycled through green countryside all day with the sea never far from sight. Farmers everywhere busy collecting the bales of cut hay. Weather was good all day - cloud, sunny intervals, light wind and no rain.

So I am now halfway (is that all?) with 8 more days cycling and about 550 miles to go. I'm going to change the route a bit for day 10 to stay on the main roads a bit more and avoid some the hills.

67 miles tomorrow heading down towards Penrith and the Pennines. Rain forecast so time to get the waterproofs out again.

Gavin

An enjoyable day

Day 7 Dalrymple to St Johns Town of Dalry

34 miles today, total miles 470, moving average 9.6 mph, overall average 5.2 mph, total time 6.5 hrs, total climbed 2,625 ft

A much easier day today.

Good nights sleep last night, leisurely start, big cooked breakfast and didn't set off until 9:30am. I could get used to that!

Immediately hit several big hills and was starting to regret having that breakfast. After 5 miles it flattened out and the going improved. Sun was shining nearly all day and although it is still windy, it was really enjoyable.

Although not as dramatic as the Highlands, the countryside is really beautiful. Rolling green hills as far the eye can see, rivers and lakes and virtually no houses. Big agricultural area - wheat, cows and sheep.

Cycled onto Dalmellington where many of my ancestors came from in the hope of learning a bit about where and how they lived. The railway museum I planned to visit closed 3 years ago and the mining museum was closed because its a bank holiday in Scotland! So didn't get to see a lot. The town itself looks really run down. I guess since the mines closed the place is just slowly dying - sad.

So had loads of time and took my time cycling onto my next stop. Even sat in one beautiful spot sunbathing for a while!

St Johns Town of Dalry is a lovely little village on top of a hill and which basically consists of one street and a beautiful church. Soon as I arrived and was looking for the hotel someone asked if I needed help. Got chatting and he told me he was planning to JOGLE next year. The hotel owner also did it last year!

Tomorrow 71 miles to do, down to Dumfries, across the border into England and staying at a small village near Carlisle. The route is suppose to be a lot flatter, so I'm looking forward to that!

Gavin

A good day today

Day 6 Lochgilphead to Dalrymple

94 miles today (about 15 by ferry), total miles 437, moving average 9.9 mph, overall average 7.8 mph, total time 12.3 hrs, total climbed 3,218 ft

Legs were tired after all the climbing yesterday. Left 6:30am this morning because it was critical I catch the ferry onto the Isle of Aaron. I set off just as the sun was rising over the sea and the coastal scenery down to the ferry was simply stunning. Had a good 25 mile run and got there just as the earlier ferry left. Wouldn't have helped though if I caught that one.

Great experience going across to Aaron on the small ferry (only 3 cars and me) and had a good cycle round to Broddick on the other side. Two cyclists I met who were doing LEJOG total me there was a very big hill on Aaron, but although it was tough it wasn't as bad as several I had already climbed - they are in for shock when reach Fort Augustus! 

Aaron was very beautiful and nearly all morning I cycled along stunning coastline with the constant smell of the sea. There seemed to be sea birds everywhere. The whole peninsula from Lochgilphead down to Mull of Kintyre (as in the Rod Stewart song!) seems stunning and a part of Scotland I never knew about.

Had lunch and 2 pots of tea in a cafe in Broddick whilst waiting to catch the ferry - nice change to be off the bike. The ferry from Broddick to Ardrossan is an enormous ship and I watched it swallow dozens of trucks, vans and cars (cyclists boarded last of course). An hour sailing gave me chance for a rest so found a comfortable seat and had a doze. The rather attractive Scotch lady sitting opposite must of thought I was a tramp - smelly cycling gear and unshaven!

35 miles from the ferry terminal at Saltcoats to the B&B. Total change of scenery and in the Lowlands now  - mountains and lochs replaced by rolling green hills and easier cycling. Really pleasant run and I think the nap helped.

A few light showers today but mainly sunshine and clouds. Wind still battering me at times though.

Half day rest day tomorrow and only 30 miles to do. Did some research into my fathers family history a few years back. A lot of my ancestors were coal or iron miners around Dalmellington in the 1700s and 1800s. So going to visit the area and the mining museum. Although the village where most of ancestors lived no longer exists might try to find where it was. Either way should be interesting.

Then onto St Johns Town of Dalry (there's a place name for you!) where the guy who owns the hotel has done JOGLE and offered me the use of his tools to check my bike over and to buy me a beer - can't ask for more than that!

Lie in tomorrow and time for a leisurely breakfast. Bliss.

Gavin

A hilly day

Day 5 Glencoe to Lochgilphead (I can't pronounce it either)

Miles today 73 miles, total miles 341, moving average 9.9 mph, overall average 7.0 mph, total time 10.5 hrs, total climbed 4,950 ft

Is it really only day 5 - feels like I've been doing this for weeks.

B&B really excellent and run by a great couple who was so helpful. Also really great meal in the pub opposite.

So another hard day but not for the reasons I expected.

Didn't sleep too well last night listening to the gale blowing outside. 30 mph winds forecast for today, had to cycle the first 30 miles totally exposed along the coast road to Oban and wasn't even sure I'd even be able to stay on the bike, let alone make 70+ miles!

Set off at 8am and although it was pretty windy the cycling was good. Pretty flat road, not much traffic and the coast road was just stunning. Even though I was tired I was flying along and clocked up 40 miles by midday. Was going to be a good day........

.....then I turned off onto a quiet scenic route that had been recommended.

It was indeed an amazing route with mountain streams, waterfalls, pine forests and fantastic views over the beautiful Loch Awe.

But it was also incredibly hilly. No monster hills just 300-700 ft hills one after another for 20 miles. It was relentless....finished climbing one, short downhill and immediately another hill. Every bend I turned there was another one! I don't think there was a flat stretch anywhere on that road. For 4 hours I climbed hills, my pace dropped to less than 5 mph and I was becoming more and more exhausted. I had to push the fully loaded bike up loads of them. By 3:30 I still had 20 miles to go and was running out of energy. Luckily a few miles further on the road changes, flatten out and was able to pick up speed and was very glad to get to the B&B at 5:30.

Have an established my little routine each evening when I arrive. First wash the cycle clothes in travel wash, wrap it in a towel and twist until as dry as possible. Hang it up (getting used to sleeping in a room full of damp clothes!) and it is usually dry by the morning. Then shower, check & oil the bike and go looking for dinner. Early to bed.

Some cyclists do this trip travelling what's called "credit style" doing everything possible to keep the weight they carry down to the absolute minimum. This includes cutting the handle of their toothbrush and weighing every single item. Used to think this was being obsessive, but since starting this little trip I am beginning to think the same way. Each night I take great delight in tearing out the completed pages from my printed maps (backup in case the GPS fails) - that's a few more milligrams I don't have to carry anymore! And when the batteries need replacing in the GPS last night - deep joy that I could bin the incredibly heavy old batteries!! Pretty sad ay?

Crossing the Isle of Aaron tomorrow. Got two ferries to catch one onto to Aaron, cycle round Aaron and then ferry of again to the mainland. Tight schedule and 73 miles to cycle, although weather forecast is improving.

Right it's past my bedtime.

Gavin

Nearly didn't make it today

Day 4 Foyers to Glencoe

66 miles today, 268 miles so far, moving average 8.7 mph, overall average 6.5 mph, total time 10.5 hrs, total 4,654ft

Knew it was going to a tough day with the route and weather forecast so left the B&B at 7am. Meant I missed the full English breakfast and just had a dried sandwich the grumpy landlady begrudging made me the night before.

Had a terrible start. Climbing big hills up to a massive 1,300 ft, fighting against very strong winds and the rain. Took me two and half hrs to cover 10 miles and I was exhausted. With another 55 miles to go I wasn't going to make it. Decided to carry on to St Augustus a further 3 miles and then try and catch a bus to Fort William.

Got to St Augustus. Really great place with the Calendonian canal and surrounded by mountains. Had a cup of tea and something to eat and started to feel a bit better. Decided to try and carry on and see if I could get a bit further. Gradually things got better  and I got stronger and stronger. Climbing up and up on the A82 to Fort William seemed to go on for miles and all day long spent fighting a headwind and constant pouring rain. 

Was absolutely soaked by the time I reached Glencoe but very happy I made it and that my stamina seems to be improving. Also Glencoe is an amazing place and arguably the most dramatic valley in Britain. Has a special significance because it was my father's favourite place and he himself cycled through it 65 yrs ago as a young man.

71 miles to Lochgilphead tomorrow and same 20+ mph winds and rain forecast. Groan.....

Gavin

No sign of Nessie

Day 3 Tongue to Foyers (Loch Ness)

34 miles today, 202 miles so far, moving average 8 mph, overall average 5.7 mph, cycle time 4:38 hrs, total time 6 hrs, total ascent 2,855 ft

So an easier day today with less miles. 
Was very pleased that the forecast torrential rain fell in the night and I had a dry but cloudy start. Took my time heading towards Inverness. Plodding my way up a long climb when I suddenly notice I'm not on the GPS track anymore. Missed my turn and I wasn't going to backtrack 3 miles. Looked at the backup paper map - no problem, carry along this road to the A9 and then a cycle track alongside the A9 brings me back where I should be......or so I thought!

Turn along the cycle track okay but after a while it comes to and end and a little blue sign points me to the A9. Okay I cycle on the footpath beside the A9 when that also disappears. I should explain that the A9 is the main road into Inverness and a dual carriageway which cars and trucks are hammering along at over 70 mph. A cyclists worst nightmare!

I can see where I need to be which is the cycle track on the other side. My choices are cycle along the A9 and dice with certain death or get across to the other side. I am working out how I can dash between the screaming traffic, haul my bike over the crash barrier and then dash between the traffic on the other carriageway, when I notice a tiny little blue sign almost totally overgrown. It's a cycle track saying Inverness 4 miles but pointing in the wrong direction? Eventually I find a tiny overgrown path which leads down and under the A9 to the other side and I live to cycle on!

Then a few miles further another surprise. I've been following a blog for someone called Ruth who is doing the same as me only south to north and who left LE 2 weeks ago. I'm going along the cycle path on the Kessock Bridge into Inverness when she comes the other way! What are the chances of that?! Told me she was getting stronger each day now so there's hope for me yet!

Cycled along Loch Ness with the wind picking up and the rain getting heavier and, although I looked, no sign of the monster.

Staying at Foyers on Loch Ness very close to the famous waterfalls. 

Bit worried about tomorrow. 68 miles to  do, starting with a big climb up to Fort Augustus, onto Fort William and then to Glencoe. 20 mph headwinds forecast so could be a very long day.

Gavin

A hard second day

Day 2 Tongue to Duncanstan

78 miles today, total 165 miles, moving average 10.1 mph, overall 7.8 mph, cycle time 7:36 hrs, total time 10 hrs.

A really hard day today and I didn't think I was going to make it! When I opened the curtains in the hotel this morning - pouring with rain. Oh dear! By the time I got up and had breakfast it had stopped - a good omen.

Lung bursting climb out of Tongue and then hill after hill for miles. By 10am I had only done 13 miles and was exhausted and feeling sick. Struggled on for 25 miles of this getting slower and slower, knowing there was no way I would make the 75 miles to the next B&B like this. Then suddenly the road changed completely. Long straight road with a slight downward incline through fields and forest. Absolutely flew along this for the next 15 miles to Largs, where I had lunch. Feeling a lot better and more confident.

Next 10 miles to Bonar Bridge was also good, generally downhill with a few steady inclines. Stopped for a break by the suspension bridge in Bonar Bridge thinking it's going to be fine.

But I didn't bargain on the nasty sting in the tail that is the B9169 to Alness!! As soon as I turned onto this road it started to climb.....and climb......and climb.....and climb. Not the sharp vicious Highland hills I had been struggling up so far. A gentler slope that I could grind my way up at a slow but steady pace. But it just went on without any let up for 800 ft wearing me down.

For the final 15 miles I struggled badly again becoming more tired and having to keep stopping for a rest. Onto the dreaded A9 and across the Cromarty Bridge, which wasn't too busy.

The final slap in the face was the steep 3 mile climb after the bridge to the B&B. But I made it at 18:30 after 10 hrs through sheer willpower.

Despite the hard day the scenery was just breathtaking and so amazingly varied. I have been to Scotland many times before but never seen if from a bike so close up and personal. When the sun shines it has to be one of the most beautiful unspoilt countries in the world. When it rains here......it really rains!

Great B&B and I am looking forward to long sleep. Semi rest day tomorrow with only 30 miles to do through Inverness and along Loch Ness to Foyers and the famous waterfalls. Looking forward to that, although the forecast is for pouring rain all day!

Time for bed.
Gavin

Day 1 John O Groats to Tongue

Miles 64, moving average 9.9 mph, overall average 7.2 hrs, cycle time 6:30 hrs total time 8:21 hrs

Set off from JOG at 8:30am clear blue skies and confidence was high. 20 enjoyable miles to Thurso with a few gentle rolling hills to warm up the muscles. Other side of Thurso the clouds came over and it started to rain. And then it carried on raining most of the day! Very hilly and a hard day. Not especially big hills just constantly climbing up, going down, up, down, all day long in the continual rain. Stopped in a tea shop in Bettyhill and they felt so sorry for me they lent me a towel!

But I made it!

And the route and scenery is just amazing! Golden empty beaches, the beautiful rugged coast line, spectacular mountains, amazing lochs and everything so green and unspoilt. Travelling along roads just wide enough for one car, where you see maybe 10 cars an hour. Watch out for though for the sheep sitting in the middle of the road!

Then the rain stopped and the sun came out, my mood lifted and speed picked up. Could also start to dry out a little. Mind you all my gear is hanging up in the B&B hoping it will be dry by the morning.

75 miles to do tomorrow, hoping for better weather and that I can make it. Then the day after is a semi rest day with only 30 miles.

More news later.

Gavin

Made it to JOG

Well I've made it to John O Groats. Was a long journey just to get to the start point!
Slept a bit better on the sleeper train than I expect but was pretty tired this morning. Was amazing to board the train in crowded, gloomy London and open the blind in the sleeper cabin to see the beautiful highland scenery.
Train journey from Inverness to Thurso seemed to take forever. Stopped at every tiny Highland station. Was really funny to see what are called "request stop stations" where the train slows down and if someone wants to catch it they flag it down like a bus!
Then cycled 20 miles from Thurso to JOG (after getting temporarily lost in Thurso - and it's not a big place!). Very strong side winds gave me a few anxious wobbly moments, but was fantastic cycling along the dramatic coastal scenery.
JOG as a place is nothing special but had my photo taken at the signpost - rip off at £10 but it's traditional for this crazy challenge. Met 2 girls who had just finished LEJOG (doing it the other way) so that encouraged me!
Dinner, early to bed and then I'll be ready to start the challenge tomorrow. 63 miles tomorrow and no really big hills until the final part. Route goes along the northern coast to Bettyhill and Tongue so promises to be amazing, although being exposed to the full force of the wind maybe the price I have to pay.
More news later.
Gavin

On my way!

Made it to Euston in plenty of time thanks to Colin.
Train has left London so no turning back now!
The sleeper cabin (shoe box more like) is going to be an interesting experience. Lucky I'm not tall because I only just fit in the bed.
Train surprisingly crowded. All sorts from backpacking Aussies to business men to families.
Just hope I can manage a few hours sleep so I have enough energy to cycle from Thurso to JOG.
More news when I get to The start.

What it is all about?

I will be cycling 1,100 miles (nearly 1,800km) from John O’Groats (JOG) to Lands End (LE) in September.

For those who don't know, JOG is the most northerly point of the UK and LE is the most southernly point. This famous challenge is done by 100s and probably 1,000s of people each year by foot, bike, car and using all sorts of other wierd and wonderful modes of transport.

I start my JOGLE attempt on 11th September and plan to finish 26th. However, making my way to John O Groats (not the most accessible place in the world!) takes me a day, so the journey begins with catching the sleeper train evening of 9th September to Inverness, another train from Inverness to Thurso and a warm up 30 mile cycle ride from Thurso to JOG. The challenge itself begins Saturday 11th September as I cycle back through Thurso, turn south and onto the remote wild beauty of Scotland.

I will average 70 miles a day (longest day is 79 miles - unless I get lost along the way, then it could be a lot longer!). I will do this unsupported, which means I will carry everything I need with me and I have only myself to rely on if anything goes wrong (gulp). However, I will be staying in B&Bs each night. Camping was a step too far at my tender age and I need a proper bed and a shower after putting in so many miles. Downside of this is I have to reach my scheduled next stop each day or the whole plan starts to fall apart. Therefore any mechnical probems or other delays along the way will have to be sorted out quickly or I could be cycling in the dark!

Why am I doing such a crazy thing?!

Several reasons:

• It’s a personal challenge and an ambition that I had for some time and which has taken months of planning and training.
• Maybe hard to believe, but it’s also a holiday and an experience that I am looking forward to. The vast majority of the route is planned on quiet back roads and goes through some of the most remote and beautiful areas of the UK.
• To get fitter!
• In memory of my father who cycled all over Scotland and Ireland in his youth and used to take me on cycling holidays.
• And last but not least to try and raise money for a worthwhile charity.

Sponsorship

I will donate all funds raised to The British Heart Foundation. All the costs of the trip will be paid for by me.

Therefore, I would really appreciate it if you would sponsor me (£1 a mile would be fine!) to help me raise as much money as possible for this worthwhile cause. I have registered with the British Heart Foundation and you can make a donation directly using the following link:



Training & Preparation
This mad idea was born on a family holiday to Lands End last October. Since then I have been progressively planning, preparing and training. Planning the whole route, finding and booking B&Bs, buying the bike and equipment, setting up the bike and learning how to maintain it and last but not least the training has been a massive undertaking and seems to have taken over my life.

I will have done just over 2,000 miles of training mainly over the last 4-5 months. Not having cycled for over 20 years this has been tough. I remember the first few rides I did during the very cold winter we had and having to go to bed to recover after a 10 mile ride! Now I have built up to the point where I have cycled over 100 miles in a day and am doing over 250 miles a week. Even the hills have got easier and I can still breath when I reach the top of most of them. I still have to walk up the real monster ones.


Progress Reports
Once I start the trip I plan to update this blog each evening using my mobile, if I have the strength to press the keys that is! So if you are interested I hope you will look in from time to time to see how it's going and maybe post a few words of encouragement.

Gavin