End to End debrief with a cornish pastie

Do not seemed to of lost any weight but the pies have been good

The final day

After sending a couple of messages yesterday while the sun was shinning after reaching Cornwall and seeing the sea since the last time in Scotland it all went down hill apart from the roads!

Soon after my last blog my computer went on the blink so not sure of the days mileage but as I spent 16 hours on the bike and was up to 123 before it broke I think it was over 150 miles for the day(will check google maps and post in a summary blog). It then started to rain which made the last few miles soul destroying watching the mileage signs reducing very slowly or increasing to my final destination for the day in Padstow to stay with Dave and Claire.

Today the rain was persistent from start to finish at times I was cycling up rivers as the cars rushed passed the spray and speed of the trucks was terrifying.

As I travelled down the A30 a sign informed me to leave the road due to road works. When exiting a sign read "cyclist find alternative route" very helpful. As I pondered over my map which was turning to tissue paper as the rain sheeted down vertical I found an alternative route which ran over the highest point in the area and added 5 miles to my day. Despite the gradient I was glad the be off the main road and enjoyed the alternative route to Penzance.

The final climb to the finish out of Penzance was tough and for the first time I thought about getting off and pushing.

As I reached the top of the last hill the sea comes into view and I can see my finish.

After 65 miles today and over 900 miles over 8 days cycling the sense of achievement was huge for a fat man and a bike. Also to any one that thinks its all down hill from the top of Scotland feel free to give it ago.

Now I must sleep for a couple of days but will post summary when I am back on the island

Also many thanks to all that have donated so generously. I am hoping we would of raised in excess of 5k when all counted.

The last one

Finally into Cornwall. Hopefully will see the sea again soon.

2 more Counties to go

Started off at 5 today to make up some miles by 50 miles in and second breakfast at 10am I don't look a pretty sight.

But on the bright side its not raining and a rough estimate I have 160 miles to the end and a cornish pasty

Day 7 - Chester to Bristol

A huge day on the bike after the rain in the morning (nothing new about my journey south in the british summertime) the wind moved from the west to north west with sunshine. What a difference this made to the afternoon.

By the end of the day I was just north of Bristol. As I cycled late into the day it was the first night to sleep out. Again this was not to be as I took out my phone to let every one know the good news unfortunately there was some bad news waiting for me.

My Grandfather has taken ill and was in hospital by twisted luck I am at one of the nearest points on the route to where he is. I plan to take the day off tomorrow and start again on Saturday. I have less than 200 miles left but its not all down hill.

Stats for Day

134 miles
13.4 Average speed
1176 Total ascent

Day 6 - Beetham to Chester

Still on course for a Monday finish. Today the morning was dry for 2 minutes before a shower hit me. For the next hour I remained dry cycling through areas which were wet and feeling smug that I missed the shower. That was stupid as by the time I got to Preston I was the wettest I have been on the trip.

I swapped Beckys ticket on the boat today to come over to Heysham rather than Liverpool by the time she reached me I was just outside Liverpool. When becky arrived she did not even offer to take my bags or drive me down the road a few miles.

To head down the country I crossed over on the mersey ferry, 1 because I have never crossed over on it and it saved heading down to Runcorn.(Hope no one thinks its cheating)

Rant for day - why have a cycle lane that go nowhere. After nearly 600 miles I have found that nearly all cities and large towns have them but just to show they are doing the right thing. Nearly all cycle lanes take you to dead ends or round industrial parks but of no actual use.

Tomorrow I am planning to head towards Gloucester let see where I get

Stats for Day

91 miles
12.8 Average speed
782 Total ascent

Day 4 - Sanqahar to Beetham

Sorry for the rubbish picture of me ruining beautiful landscape of the lake district fells. No other pictures for the day spent to much time on the bike.

Finally crossed the border today and heading down the country tonight I am just north of Lancaster. The ride today has been long but. Easier than the last couple of days. After a couple of hours rain in the morning it cleared up.

Now over half way, no idea where I will be tomorrow night as legs now feeling the constant battering.

If only it was flat to the end

Stats for Day

119 Miles
12.8 Average speed
1364 Total ascent

Nearly Half Way

Day 4 - Tarbet to Sanqahar

After taking some advice from Lenny I switch my route as google maps do not produce best routes for cycling.

The route takes me away from Glasgow and down to Kilmarnock, heading to Dumfries as my planned stopping point. As I climb onto the Southern Uplands the weather worsens. So I cut the day short.

Day 4 in the saddle certain parts are now in some pain (thank you to the makers of DZ Nuts - Anti chaffing cream).

The romance of the idea of cycling place to place and sleeping under the stars is but a distant dream in offering the three things we crave most in life - happiness, freedom and peace of mind, but by raising money for sands it goes some way in achieving the above.

Tomorrow I should be leaving Scotland and heading down the A6

Stats for Day

94 Miles
11.2 Average speed
1176 Total ascent

Where am I ?

Lost on the outskirts of Glasgow but better than nearly getting run over on the A82

Day 3 - Invermoriston to Tarbet (Loch Lomond)

After waking up and hearing the rain on the window I really was not up for going anywhere but I had to go some time!

The first four hours were hard with a strong head wind and rain(same as usual - I will leave out tomorrow if the same - but you get the picture). After discovering a crater sized pothole it produces my first puncture half hour in the pouring rain (where's my support car as in the tour de france who change my wheels for me).

I make Glenco for lunch and start the climb up to Rannoch moor. At this point I don't know how he found me as I was unsure where I was. Lenny a friend from work and his wife Jackie were at the side of the road with gifts of drinks and sweets. My thanks are to you both as it spurred me on for the rest of the day.

After stopping for coffee with Lenny it was down in to Loch Lomond. As I reach the Loch I start to get eaten alive so no camping out again!

Enjoyed my second pie of the week a lovely home made venison pie . Roll on cornish pasty as I know I will be near the end!

My time scale has slightly changed with the current circumstances (fat man + head wind + rain + gravity =slow), I plan to cycle 100 miles each day rather than the ambitious 120 + to coincide with Becky being able to meet me at the finish. This may change again! Watch this space.

Stats for Day

107 Miles
12.4 Average speed
1398 Total ascent

Day 2 - Helmsdale to Invermoriston

As I left Helmsdale with no wind and sunshine cycling along the coast was such a pleasure. It felt like a holiday. This feeling did not last long.

By lunch time the wind had picked up and was heading straight for me - seems to be the same when ever you want you go sailing some where. Added with the rain the final 45 miles were not enjoyable at all.

One exception was when I arrived at Loch Ness despite the rain it always looks impressive. I stopped briefly for a photo above Urquhart Castle. The final few miles were tough so I decided to stop 6 miles short of my final destination Fort Augustus.

Tomorrow is going to be a tough day with the big climbs out of Glencoe.

Stats for day

96 miles
11.4 average speed
1311. Total ascent

The start

After finally arriving I check out the bakery for a scotch pie before leaving Thurso for the 20 mile cycle to the start.

1 mile outside Thurso I make my first wrong turn adding 2 miles to my journey before I start.

Getting to John O'Groats keen to get going as every one there is finishing by all means possible. So a quick picture and I am off.

To try and make the challenge easier I have tried to break the journey down into chunks I am use to - today 2 and a half trips to work. This did not work each mile dragged especially the ones up hill.

The scenery is awesome taking my mind off the job in hand.

As I reach my intended destination Helmsdale it clouds over looking like it is going to rain. At this point I see a sign for a £20 room - so here I am. Day one and still 800 plus miles to go.

Stats for today

75 miles
12.2 average speed
1240. Total ascent

Still on the train

Nearly a day after I left the Isle of Man and I am still on the train. Hopefully will be in Thurso for around midday. Finally time to get on the bike. I am aiming to be at the start by 2 and plan to start today as the forecast for tomorrow does not look great.

For now I am enjoying the beautiful scenery from the train.

The time is here

Finally the time is here. First leg on the Ben My Chree is over and waiting for the train to Lancaster. Many thanks to all the crew on board the ship for their donations and support. Even Alan D offered me his radio, after weighting my bike last night I even took out the cards in my wallet I am not going to need. So no space for a radio.

Only One Week To Go!!!

With less than a week to go I know have all the parts back for my bike which means despite the lack of training over the past 4 weeks I am ready to go in maybe another of coupe of months.

I mounted all the stuff on to my bike today and then started to remove any unwanted items. I feel sorry for anyone who meets (smells) me on the way.

Looking at the weather daily in hope that the southerly winds ease to may my journey easier, lets wait and see.

Training

Enjoying some lunch on a short training ride around the north of the Isle of Man where it is flat! Today I had a very enjoyable day on the bike stopping for some great lunch in the Orchid fields