Land's end to John O'Groats

We start our epic journey on Saturday 22nd July and hope to get this page updated regularly while we are travelling

NEW! You can now add your own messages or comments for Dave and Margaret to this journal by using the link at the end of the messages section for each day.

Day 1 - Saturday 22-Jul 2006

 

 

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Notes:

What a shock it was when only a few yards out of Penzance station we had to cycle up a very long steep hill. We were determined (though tempted) not to get off and push because we thought that if we couldn't manage this one we would be defeated for the whole trip. Land's End was very beautiful though very 'touristy'. We felt very excited about the trip though daunted about the thousand or so miles ahead. Had photo taken at Land's End sign post. The B&B was one of the best. Had a meal in the village 10 minutes walk away and heavy rain on the way back from the village.

We stayed the night here:

Messages:

Karen J. wrote:

Never mind! You can always take the 'Love Bug' over the next 25 years!

Colin Darling wrote:

Did not realise before that I can leave messages! Pay attention, Colin! That looks a fair sized pannier set looks like more than I was toting when I did it in the eighties when I was young and fit. Hope you didn't pull a muscule!

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Day 2 - Sunday 23-Jul 2006

 

 

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Notes:

Amazing breakfast at the B&B before setting off on our first full day. The hills were relentless but we managed to cycle up everyone of them with the last hill being 1 mile. Slight problem with the downhills - Dave's cap seems to fall off in the wind - however, we have superglu and velcro, so should be able to work something out. Stopped at St. Michael's mount and tried to cycle over on the causeway but it was too bumpy! The last few miles to the B&B seemed endless- very steep hill. However, the B&B was wonderful - though not too close to any restaurants or pubs. Had to walk into a mile and a half into Wadebridge for a meal. We are worn out (already)!

We stayed the night here:

Messages:

Karen J. wrote:

Naaahhhhh. This is just the first warmup!

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Day 3 - Monday 24-Jul 2006

 

 

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Notes:

We thought day 2 was hard work with the hills. Little did we know how tough today would be. It was even more strenuous than yesterday with many hills. - hence the lower average speed. It was very hot and we must have drunk about 10 litres of water between us. Lots of beautiful bays to cycle down into and back up again! But the hills were far too steep, the worse being 1 in 3. Had to push up quite a few of them, which wasn't a lot easier than cycling because of the heavy load on our bikes. The last few miles were again extremely strenuous, up and down really tiny lanes with poor road surfaces. Supposed to arrive at the B&B at about 6:00 pm ready for a meal at 7:00pm but we didn't arrive until 7:00 pm. Very warm welcome from John and Chris at Sampson Barton who delayed the lovely meal for us and kept supplying us with jugs of ice cold water until we were 're-hydrated'. We were so shattered and quite disillusioned after the really hard day of cycling that we were close to giving up at this point. The encouragement and the great food at Sampson Barton gave us the energy to carry on the following day. We didn't ever feel like giving up again after this hard, but beautiful day.

We stayed the night here:

Messages:

Karen J. wrote:

***We've got the POWER!!!!!!*** Backing /base track: BOMM, BOOM , BOOM BOOM! BOMM, BOOM , BOOM BOOM! BOMM, BOOM , BOOM BOOM!

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Day 4 - Tuesday 25-Jul 2006

 

 

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Notes:

Exmoor was wonderful, and Cheddar Gorge stunning - on the other hand, we are shattered.

We stayed the night here:

Messages:

chrisa wrote:

You are supposed to roll the cheese down the gorge, not your bike! :)

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Day 5 - Wednesday 26-Jul 2006

 

 

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Notes:

Following advice from the Hollomon's at Orchard House, we changed our route to go straight through Bristol rather than miles extra around the outskirts; this turned out to be an excellent route. A day of two bridges. Firstly over Clifton suspension bridge in Bristol and then over the Severn bridge into Wales. Amazing views. Crossed into several counties. Much easier cycling today and quite enjoyable - also a lot less hot which made it easier. Lovely welcome at our friend Judith's house.

We stayed the night here:

Messages:

Karen J. wrote:

Are you sure it wasn't the tale of two cities? OR, even the tail ...... .

Colin Darling wrote:

I was beginning to think the number of chocolate bars consumed each day would increase exponentially . . . .

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Day 6 - Thursday 27-Jul 2006

 

 

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Notes:

It was a pleasant cycle today, enjoyed Ludlow and Much Wenlock. Based on the great success of the shortcut through Bristol yestreday, we decided to go straight up the steep hill on the A4169 rather than go on the ups and downs and longer distance on the yellow roads through Ironbridge. Big mistake on two counts: we couldn't get from the A road onto the yellow road that we wanted to and ended up doing loads of extra miles and also we missed Ironbridge which is apparently really nice and you can still see the original brige there. Oh dear, but we learnt our lesson!

We stayed the night here:

Messages:

chrisa wrote:

Which way is north Dave? ;)

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Day 7 - Friday 28-Jul 2006

 

 

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Notes:

Easy cycle today but a long and fairly boring route including the suburbs of Manchester. First insult shouted at us by a passing driver 'Get yourself a car'!. Surprisingly helpful receptionist at the Ramada Jarvis – they even allowed us to bring our bikes inside and put them in a meeting room! Also, one of the best hotel meals we’ve had (didn’t fancy our chances at the only nearby pub called the ‘oyal Oak’)

We stayed the night here:

Messages:

chrisa wrote:

You're not knocking the Mancurians are you? http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=Mancurian

Karen J. wrote:

No, they just kept circling the two cities and thought they were travelling in the suburbs.

Colin Darling wrote:

Blimey - you made good progress.

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Day 8 - Saturday 29-Jul 2006

 

 

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Notes:

Best day so far for scenery although rained for 2 hours. Most of the day was cycling along tiny roads - some with the 'Quiet Lane' signs where we just saw horses and one or two tractors. One of the lanes that we went down was so narrow we couldn't see how cars could ever go down there. Stopped in Whalley to buy some lunch at an amazing bakery (lovely rolls plus some rather large and very nice flapjacks) that we ate by the roadside later. Lovely views from the B&B, which is just outside Sedbergh – an amazing and beautiful house. Barbara Manwaring kindly drove us into town for a meal as we were too worn out to cycle back (thought we’d booked a meal at the B&B but there was some miscommunication). Had a good night’s sleep in spite of the noisy cows just outside our bedroom window.

We stayed the night here:

Messages:

There are currently no messages for this day.

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Day 9 - Sunday 30-Jul 2006

 

 

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Notes:

Struggling to keep going; beautiful scenery again but many steep hills and sheep on the road. Seemed to cycle for miles and miles before reaching Scotland, thinking that it would be just around the next bend. Huge sense of achievent to cross the border. Had a wonderful meal at a pub just up the road from the B&B. Jenny at the B&B was very welcoming and friendly and explained in detail about the Langholm Common Riding that had just finished a few days before.

We stayed the night here:

Messages:

Karen J. wrote:

Hey Margaret, go easy on those chocolate bars! Hey David, what are you saving those bananas for? Extremely well done! Don't lose the rhythm now ... !

Colin Darling wrote:

Scotland already!?

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Day 10 - Monday 31-Jul 2006

 

 

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Notes:

For the first hour there was a thunderstorm, then it rained on and off all day. Rode through forests with tiny lanes and plenty of sheep. Determined to keep on but shattered. We were amazed how rural it still was as we got nearer and nearer to Edinburgh. The GPS went totally crazy on the way into Edinburgh and we had to reset it. Went along lots of cycle routes in the city until we arrived at the TravelLodge, where, amazingly, they also allowed us to bring our bikes in. Spent a while looking for a rather special ‘Chocolate shop’ that we’d been recommended, but it appears to have shut down.

We stayed the night here:

Messages:

Carsten wrote:

Maybe you can get some energy drink from Floyd Landis

chrisa wrote:

Although it may have unwanted side effects for Margaret. :)

Karen J. wrote:

So that's why David is conserving on those bananas ....... !?! Keep smiling!

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Day 11 - Tuesday 01-Aug 2006

 

 

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Notes:

Sightseeing and washing in Edinburgh today. Still looking for that chocolate shop. Dave found a cycle shop because his bike was playing up a bit. Went to see the castle, walked along the Royal mile to the stunning Parliament buildings. Short cycle ride across the Forth bridge to Dunfermline. The weather forecast for tomorrow not looking good. B&B was very disappointing, although we got a good meal there.

We stayed the night here:

Messages:

chrisa wrote:

Looks like pretty much a rest day today - now there musn't be any cheating by catching the train further north! Big Brother is tracking your mobile phone location...

Karen J. wrote:

Come on, you part-timers - get a move on!

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Day 12 - Wednesday 02-Aug 2006

 

 

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Notes:

Horrendous weather today with torrential rain and gale force wind from the north all day. It was very cold and we've never been happier to reach a nice dry and warm BnB. Christine was very welcoming in spite of us arriving looking like drowned rats. Excellent restaurant just yards from the B&B

We stayed the night here:

Messages:

chrisa wrote:

Ah, sounds like perfect English summer weather to me!

Colin Darling wrote:

Don't let the Scots read that message about the weather . . . :-(

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Day 13 - Thursday 03-Aug 2006

 

 

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Notes:

A beautiful day with fantastic views over the Cairngorms. Cycled 2100ft before pushing the bikes up the last 200ft. In spite of the rather steep hill, this was one of our best days because of the amazing scenery and because we had time to stop and really enjoy it. Loads of sheep and the heather on the hills was really pretty. Unfortunately the wind was from the north and we had to pedal hard to go down the hill as well! Braemar is very pretty and we had fish 'n chips for dinner. The B&B was excellent - better than the best hotels we have ever stayed in.

We stayed the night here:

Messages:

carol wrote:

I think you are to be commended for cycling in such dire conditions - keep up the good work love carol

Richard J wrote:

I'm very concerned about the chocolate bar/ banana ratio! Is it because you can’t buy bananas from corner shops? We will have to schedule a visit to the dentists when you get back. Good luck on the last few days!

Richard J wrote:

I was just looking at the accent and decent numbers and and I'm quite worried. By my in Excel calculations you will be 1300 feet under the sea when you arrive at John O'Groats. Is this due to the curvature of the earth? up - down = 76860 - 78187 = -1327 Just to be safe I suggest stopping at the last big hill rather than cycling into the sea.

Karen J. wrote:

Hey David! you're eating some of the chocolate bars as well as all of the bananas, aren't you? After all that you have achieved to-date, you've earned the right to push the bikes over the last few hundred feet. Relax and Enjoy the scenery!

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Day 14 - Friday 04-Aug 2006

 

 

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Notes:

Fantastic breakfast at the B&B - bagpipes playing in the background and Mr. Sharp dressed in Tartan trousers, served us! Waved to the Queen as we passed Balmoral. Very steep climb to Lecht ski centre where we were passed by 6 (much younger) guys also doing lejog; however, they didn't have any luggage so... Fantastic views all day. Reached the B&B where we saw highland cattle for the first time. Margaret will never forgive David for insisting on a walk to Culloden battle field in the evening (it was less than a mile away)

We stayed the night here:

Messages:

chrisa wrote:

¡Viva la república! :)

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Day 15 - Saturday 05-Aug 2006

 

 

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Notes:

Had to replace a wheel on Dave's bike in Inverness. Crossed Moray Firth on the bridge and went on the Nigg Ferry where dolphins were seen swimming nearby (OK, we have to come clean here. We heard this 'oooh' and 'ahhh' from all the other passengers, but by the time we looked they had gone). Just before arriving at the ferry we found our faces, hair and bodies covered by thousands of disgusting midges - arrgh!! Went past the poshest yout hostel in the whole of the UK (Carbisdale Castle) and then crossed the river on a footpath just under the railway line. We went on the same railway bridge on our return journey by train. There were very few other guests at the amazing hotel and we were the only ones in the dining room for dinner. Fantastic views and very friendly staff. Tried going for a short walk in the grounds after dinner in but rushed inside pretty quickly because of the midges.

We stayed the night here:

Messages:

chrisa wrote:

Not long to go now - keep up the good work!

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Day 16 - Sunday 06-Aug 2006

 

 

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Notes:

Today we saw salmon jumping up the waterfall at Shin and beautiful lochs along the way. We also ate some wild raspberries. We cycled along the A836, which was a single track road with passing places and not very busy. Finally we have reached the north coast. Only 40 miles left! Plagued by midges again in the evening when we tried to go for a short walk along the beach.

We stayed the night here:

Messages:

chrisa wrote:

Don't eat too many of those wild berries - otherwise you may end up making many more unscheduled stops than planned. :)

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Day 17 - Monday 07-Aug 2006

 

 

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Notes:

Had the wind behind us nearly all the way to John O'Groats. Did a detour to Dunnet Head (the most northerly part of mainland Britain) because we didn't think we'd done enough miles! Could see Orkney quite clearly until the heavens opened. John O'Groats was very touristy. Had our photos taken at the official signpost. Fortunately it does seem that John O'Groats is above sea level, but thanks for the warning Richard. Met a 13 year old boy and his Dad who had done the same ride. Another detour to Duncansby head which felt more like the end of Scotland. Battled against the wind all the way to Wick. Catching the 6:22 train tomorrow... we hope. The trip was a wonderful experience and we are very glad we did it despite the sweat and slog. We've seen so many beautiful places and feel very in tune with nature. It will be a shock to come back to London.

Messages:

chrisa wrote:

(15:09) They have just arrived at John O'Groats - congratulations David and Margaret!

Karen J. wrote:

FANTASTICALLY WELL DONE!!! Now that you've travelled more or less west of England, you can cycle back to Lands End going east! See you in 17 days ...... or so .

JohnC. wrote:

I think this says it all: Come thro' the heather, around him gather, Ye're a' the welcomer early; Around him cling wi' a' your kin; For what'll be king but Charlie? Come thro' the heather, around him gather, Come Ronald, come Donald, come a' thegither, And crown your richtfu' lawfu' king! For wha'll be king but Charlie?

Karen J. wrote:

Ye Olde Nitty Gritty!!!

Colin Darling wrote:

Coast to Coast is much easier from west to East than South to North . . . fantastic - well done - brill. er how many chocolate bars was that? I lost count at Grantown . . .

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Totals

Number of chocolate bars	111
Number of bananas	7
Actual distance	1110.5 miles; 1776.8 km
Total hours cycling	104.6
Average speed	10.62 mph; 16.99 km/h

Show days not yet cycled

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