Land's End to John O'Groats

Carol and Richard got off to a late start, with high winds and rain approaching.  There were strong head winds all day.  They reached Bridges Youth Hostel in the Long Mynd at around 9 pm having covered about 62 miles, finishing in torrential rain.  They have traveled 359.1 miles so far.

A long day today, again plagued by rain. They’ve now reached Peterhead in Hereford, having cycled 72.8 miles and passing through Wales on the way.  They have done 297.1 miles so far.

Thanks to Paul Hale for the following photos of Carol and Richard on the Severn Bridge, taken today.

Carol and Richard covered 60.3 miles today in pretty much constant rain and have reached Congresbury, south of Bristol. The tent was still wet from the previous night when they put it up.

Total distance so far is 224.3 miles.

Today they started at Broadwoodwiger and had a problem with Richard’s panniers.  Both screws were missing, but luckily they had some spares.  They reached Sampford Peverell near Taunton, after 57.8 miles.  Total mileage 164.

Rained all night in the tent. Managed to reach Devon after 62 miles of constant steep hills. Total 106 miles so far.

Reached st agnes. Rain rain and hills all day. 44.2 miles.

The dastardly duo set off this morning in typically British drizzle. The hardest part so far was getting the Land’s End car park machine to accept our midlander pound coins.

Sadly, the landmark sign post has been removed because of continual thefts, so here are Carol and Richard next to another sign

And the journey begins

Good luck Carol and Richard!

SOUTH WEST

Lands End (of course!), taking the coastal roads to St Ives, St Anges, Mawgan Porth, Padstow, Wadebridge, Camelford, Davidstowe, Launceston, Oakhampton, Crediton, Cullompton, Wellington, Taunton, Westhay, Cheddar, Clevedon, Bristol then over Severn Bridge.

WELSH MARSHES

Monmouth, Abbey Dore, Eardisley, Bucknall, Ratlinghope, Melverley, Ellesmere, Beeston, Frodsham, Merseyside, Hatchmere, Warrington, Runcorn, Widnes, Warrington.

NORTH COUNTRY

Newton-le-Willows, Apply Bridge, Preston, Garstang, Lancaster, Carnforth, Lancaster, Levens Bridge, Hawkeshead, Thirlmere, Hesket Newmarket, Carlisle, Longtown.

SCOTLAND

Ruthwell, Dumfries, Drumlannig, Kirkconnell, Stair/Drongan, Irvine, Ardrossan, Island of Arran, Lochranza, Kilmartin, Connel, Loch Linnhe

HIGHLANDS

Fort William, Fort Augustus, Beauly Firth/Inverness, Dunbeath, John O Groats.

Get the flags out…

11 August

Richard just got his new bike and ready for the pending adventure. This is our second day of training and we did 20 miles (11 August). Richard hit something in the road and literally flew off his bike (without wings!)…I have never seen such lack of skin on knees and elbows ever before – what a mess. So my normal duties were nurse-maid and cook. I am so glad I am multi-talented. Will we survive this? Must keep strong………..

14 August

3rd day of training. Rich and I cycled 28 miles and got back well after dark. We unfortunately had to cycle through Bandit Country and for no apparent reason got verbally asaulted by some chav who uttered “Yo Shizzle mah nizzle i iz gunna pop a cap in yo ass! Me an me homies are gunna gun yo down on our 50cc scootaz yea!” which was highly amusing as he could not catch us on his rusty Fisher Price BMX bike. Before he realised it we were already on the horizon. Remind me to stick to motorways as much safer!

15 August

Today was supposed to be the big training day.  Richard comes down stairs early with his knee turning septic.  Went to docs – closed…went to chemist…they said go to Bandit Country as there is an Walk in Surgery (24 hour).  We got on our bikes and Rich got a puncture half way..and guess who forgot to carry all the puncture repair gear!  So we managed to walk to bike shop…an hour later we had dismantled the bike and removed the offending inner tube.  An hour later Richard was just getting the tyre back on and we could hear a hissing noise (just what you dont want to hear when you have spend time in fixing a puncture).  To cut a long story short we had to purchase a new inner tube.   Eventually after being given the incorrect directions by every man and his dog to the Walk In Surgery – we almost almost ended up back where we started – but Rich managed to get his knee dressed eventually.

We got back home after 18 miles then did another 12 fully loaded up with full gear – so all in all not a very successful training day…what next??

16 August

We decided to have a day off today to start to get all the gear sorted out properly.  We are only allowed one or two luxury items.  I have decided that waterproof socks and my large cup are a must.  We also have a lightweight kettle…well you have to live a little dont you!  With all the gear loaded on the bikes its almost impossible to lift the back end up.  I keep opening up my bike paniers and thinking…do I really need this item..can I live 3 weeks without this…I have just removed my backpacking pillow.   (I wonder if Richard would notice anything extra in his paniers?) If you know of any sherpas that can ride a bike let me know by return..

17 August

We are beginning to think “do we really need to train up for this event?” why have the misery before hand, when we can have a job lot over three weeks?.  (We must go out tomorrow…….)

18 August

Cant believe we managed 18.5 miles tonight with all the gear, totally unscathed, no injuries, no technical hitches – this is no good as  now I have nothing to say….but watch this space!

Hi, to you people who obviously have nothing better to do but to read this post….well I am def going to keep it short and sweet.  You may wonder why my son Richard of 18 and I are going to participate in such a gruelling experience i.e. to cycle from Lands End to John O Groats, fully laden with tent, sleeping bags and survival gear.  We wish to raise money for Air Ambulance, the second reason is because we need a break from the gruelling backpacking trips around the alps, whereby quite often Rich has woken up in the morning with a sigh of relief and uttered ‘ mum we’ve survived another day”, or ‘we are still alive’! after suffering rock falls, being chased by wild animals, hanging on knife edge mountain ridges with extremely large backpacks, sitting on rucksacks to survive electrical storms, sitting out blizzards in a survival shelter etc etc.  So I though a change would be refreshing…and of course the main reason is to keep those ambulances flying – as people like us…really need them!   Who needs holidays anyway!! I would appreciate very much that when I get back to work…..I am not asked any difficult work related questions…when I have been out in the sticks for a bit I can sometimes find it difficult to even write my name…so give me a few days to acclimatise.   Anyway wish us luck and hopefully we can keep you posted where we have reached each day…you guys def need a life….!

We intend to commence this ride on 23 August.  The journey will be 1000 miles and we will be aiming to do 50 miles per day, fully laden with camping gear.  I will be texting my oldest son our whereabouts each day, so if you are really bored with nothing better to do you can check where we have reached.  We also wish to point out that if anyone wishes to make a donation on here through the Paypal option it is definitely safe and secure to do so.

Any way feel free to leave a comment and wish us luck.  Carol and Richard