Land's End to John O'Groats

Pictures - Sunday 11 June 2006

2006-12-17T14:32:00.000Z

Sunday 11 June 2006 - 16:24
The last picture. The achievement begins to sink in.

Sunday 11 June 2006 - 16:00
The journey is officially over with the famous John O'Groats signpost in the background. Unlike at Land's End, this one has the arms on it!

Sunday 11 June 2006 - 15:58
John O'Groats. The official photograph noticeboard, just like the one at Land's End.

Sunday 11 June 2006 - 15:51
The end is in sight at last!

Sunday 11 June 2006 - 13:12
In anticipation of successfully completing the trip, Will has persuaded me to enjoy a celebratory lunch, at the carvery - Dunnet Head Hotel.

Sunday 11 June 2006 - 12:15
The coastline at Dunnet Head, northernmost point on mainland Scotland.

Sunday 11 June 2006 - 10:46
After visiting Thurso lifeboat station, Will and I watched the local crew put their boat through its paces.

Sunday 11 June 2006 - 10:23
When the going gets tough, Will has to walk! On the flat and going downhill I struggled at times to keep up with him, but going uphill was a different proposition.

Sunday 11 June 2006 - 10:14
Will Blight, a lesson in aerodynamics!

Sunday 11 June 2006 - 09:37
Dounreay, UK Atomic Energy Authority.

Sunday 11 June 2006 - 09:33
Following Will out onto the open road.

Sunday 11 June 2006 - 09:33
Close up of Will Blight's trailer set up. Union Jack and Scottish flags in evidence.

Pictures - Saturday 10 June 2006

2006-12-17T13:24:00.000Z

Saturday 10 June 2006 - 19:56
Camp site at the Halladale Inn, Melvich.

Saturday 10 June 2006 - 18:57
Will Blight who was cycling round the coast of Britain on a Brompton, raising money for the RNLI, visiting every lifeboat station. See his web site at www.spoke2soon.co.uk

Saturday 10 June 2006 - 17:52
Another sandy beach, on the way to Strathy.

Saturday 10 June 2006 - 15:44
The lovely sandy beach of Farr Bay, almost deserted save for two riders on horseback.

Saturday 10 June 2006 - 15:40
Noticeboard to advertise the village store at Bettyhill. How many days are there in a week?

Saturday 10 June 2006 - 14:10
The rocky coastline of the Kyle of Tongue.

Saturday 10 June 2006 - 14:04
The north coast of Scotland. Looking out at the turquoise-blue sea of Tongue Bay.

Saturday 10 June 2006 - 12:05
Following the shoreline of Loch Loyal.

Saturday 10 June 2006 - 11:07
Looking across to Ben Loyal at a height of 765m.

Saturday 10 June 2006 - 10:28
Another warning to slow drivers, this time courtesy of the police.

Saturday 10 June 2006 - 10:16
Log wall, near to Altnaharra.

Saturday 10 June 2006 - 09:49
Attention! Lambs On The Road. I thought I was in Scotland?

Saturday 10 June 2006 - 09:42
The road is all mine, again!

Saturday 10 June 2006 - 09:35
A house all on its own, Strath Vagastie.

Saturday 10 June 2006 - 08:42
That's more like it!

Saturday 10 June 2006 - 08:34
Warning to slow drivers. Over complicated signpost that you'd have to stop your car to read. Ben Armine Forest.

Pictures - Friday 09 June 2006

2006-12-17T12:43:00.000Z

Friday 09 June 2006 - 19:55
Camp site at Achnairn.

Friday 09 June 2006 - 16:35
The Strath Tirry, one of the rivers that flows into Loch Shin.

Friday 09 June 2006 - 15:19
Looking across Loch Shin to the village of Lairg.

Friday 09 June 2006 - 14:53
River scene, close to the Shin Falls, Invershin.

Friday 09 June 2006 - 14:01
Bridge over the Kyle of Sutherland.

Friday 09 June 2006 - 13:45
War memorial at Bonar Bridge, Dornoch Firth.

Friday 09 June 2006 - 10:15
These two gentlemen, Paul on the left and John on the right, were doing Land's End to John O'Groats on foot. They didn't know each other previously, but had met during their journey. Both had been walking for about 3 months, with Paul having completed the walk once before.

Pictures - Thursday 08 June 2006

2006-12-16T21:26:00.000Z

Thursday 08 June 2006 - 20:12
Ross County Football Club, Dingwall, Ross-shire.

Thursday 08 June 2006 - 19:47
Signpost for Dunmar Beef Farm, Easter Kinkell on the Black Isle.

Thursday 08 June 2006 - 17:34
Looking back over the Kessock Bridge, to Inverness.

Thursday 08 June 2006 - 17:29
The view west from the Kessock Bridge, looking along the Beauly Firth.

Thursday 08 June 2006 - 17:25
Inverness Caledonian Thistle Football Club, beside the Kessock Bridge.

Thursday 08 June 2006 - 17:16
The Kessock Bridge, which spans the Moray Firth between Inverness and the Black Isle.

Thursday 08 June 2006 - 16:55
Dan, Jen and Christina. After cycling 22 miles together, we say our goodbyes at Inverness. It is the end of the journey for my friends.

Thursday 08 June 2006 - 15:15
Monument at the site of the Battle of Culloden. The tablet says: The Battle of Culloden was fought on this moor 16th April 1746. The graves of the gallant highlanders who fought for Scotland and Prince Charlie are marked by the names of their clans.

Thursday 08 June 2006 - 14:15
Standing stones and ancient burial mound at Clava Cains, near Culloden.

Thursday 08 June 2006 - 13:27
Female company at last, with Christina and Jen beside Loch Moy.

Thursday 08 June 2006 - 13:26
Dan Rosenberg and Jen Gervais from Oregon, USA, with Christina Cobbold from Glasgow University, following the Lochs and Glens Cycle Route from Glasgow to Inverness.

Thursday 08 June 2006 - 12:07
The view west along the same river, with the sun giving colour to the water.

Thursday 08 June 2006 - 11:40
Looking east to the rail and road bridges across the River Findhorn, near Tomatin.

Thursday 08 June 2006 -
The modern equivalent displaying a different height, 1328ft (405m) for the Slochd Summit, beside the new A9!

Thursday 08 June 2006 - 11:26
The signpost displaying the height above sea level, 1315ft (401m), on the Slochd Summit, beside the old A9.

Thursday 08 June 2006 - 09:52
Remnants of the old bridge over the River Dulnain at Carrbridge.

Thursday 08 June 2006 - 09:46
Traction engine outside the Landmark Centre, Highland Heritage Park, Carrbridge.

Thursday 08 June 2006 - 06:14
Early in the morning, ready to exit the farm field where I had camped without permission.

Pictures - Wednesday 07 June 2006

2006-12-16T15:37:00.000Z

Wednesday 07 June 2006 - 19:14
Ruthven Barracks in silhouette, taken from the vantage of my tent on a nearby nature reserve.

Wednesday 07 June 2006 - 19:07
The ruins of Ruthven Barracks, Kingussie.

Wednesday 07 June 2006 - 16:45
The top of the Pass of Drumochter. Welcome to the Highlands.

Wednesday 07 June 2006 - 16:14
This sports car didn't make it to the top of the Pass. It was winched onto a breakdown lorry. Maybe he should have bought a bicycle instead.

Wednesday 07 June 2006 - 16:11
Loch Garry flanked by the Sow of Atholl at a height of 803m, part of the Grampian Mountains.

Wednesday 07 June 2006 : 15:54
Three End to Enders, travelling south. Greg Parent from Canada, Peter Johnson from Liverpool and John Hayter from Southampton.

Wednesday 07 June 2006 - 15:39
Near to the top of the Drumochter Pass. They must have built the new road on top of the old A9 at this point, but happily they have left a small cycle track at the side.

Wednesday 07 June 2006 - 15:05
Dalnacardoch Estate, with signpost warning that the cycle route is liable to severe weather changes and drifting snow, October to May. I was glad it was June!

Wednesday 07 June 2006 - 14:27
The old A9 that runs parallel to the modern A9 trunkroad, the start of the Drumochter Pass.

Wednesday 07 June 2006 - 14:10
Suspension bridge in disrepair. No way across for bikes, or anything else for that matter.

Wednesday 07 June 2006 - 12:44
Welcome to Blair Atholl.

Wednesday 07 June 2006 - 10:41
Suspension bridge for foot travellers, the way into Pitlochry.

Wednesday 07 June 2006 - 10:32
Typical Scottish Castle on the way to Pitlochry.

Wednesday 07 June 2006 - 10:01
Old railway bridge over the River Tay, that is now part of the National Cycle Network. The bridge carries a warning: All users do so at their own risk.

Wednesday 07 June 2006 - 09:13
Field of bluebells, Dunkeld Cathedral and Chapter House Musuem.

Wednesday 07 June 2006 - 09:01
Fisherman made of moss in an overgrown boat. In the grounds of Dunkeld Cathedral and Chapter House Museum.

Wednesday 07 June 2006 - 07:13
Signpost on the National Cycle Network, route 77. A Millenium Commision Lottery Project.

Pictures - Tuesday 06 June 2006

2006-12-16T14:28:00.000Z

Tuesday 06 June 2006 - 20:45
Camped in a field at Moneydie Farm, north of Perth.

Saturday 06 June 2006 - 16:10
Field of rape seed in the Kingdom of Fife.

Tuesday 06 June 2006 - 12:00
In the middle of the Forth Road Bridge, at 12 noon on the 6th day of the 6th month of the 6th year in the new millenium!

Tuesday 06 June 2006 - 11:55
Close up of the northern stanchion, one of three that support the railway bridge.

Tuesday 06 June 2006 - 11:46
The railway bridge spanning the Firth of Forth.

Tuesday 06 June 2006 - 11:45
The Forth Road Bridge, Queensferry.

Tuesday 06 June 2006 - 09:58
The old harbour and lighthouse at Leith.

Tuesday 06 June 2006 - 09:50
The Royal Yacht Britannia, moored permanently at the Port of Leith, Edinburgh.

Tuesday 06 June 2006 - 09:44
Cruise ship berthed at the Port of Leith, Edinburgh.

Tuesday 06 June 2006 - 09:05
Impressive statue of a guardsman on horseback, silhouetted against a perfect blue sky. Edinburgh Castle.

Tuesday 06 June 2006 - 09:05
Edinburgh Castle.

Tuesday 06 June 2006 - 08:01
The old railway tunnel adjacent to Arthur's seat and Holyrood Park. Part of Edinburgh's excellent cycle network.

Pictures - Monday 05 June 2006

2006-12-15T21:47:00.000Z

Monday 05 June 2006 - 19:39
Camp site at Dalkeith, just outside Edinburgh.

Monday 05 June 2006 - 16:02
The Pipers Grave, north of the Moorfoot Hills.

Monday 05 June 2006 - 13:08
Solitary petrol pump, opposite the Gordon Arms Hotel, seemingly in the middle of nowhere.

Monday 05 June 2006 - 09:42
In the grounds of the Tibetan Monastery.

Monday 05 June 2006 - 09:41
Entrance to the Tibetan Monastery (Samye Ling), Eskdalemuir.

Monday 05 June 2006 - 08:00
A tranquil woodland scene on the way to Eskdalemuir.

Monday 05 June 2006 - 07:03
Camp site by the rugby ground at Langholm.

Pictures - Sunday 04 June 2006

2006-12-15T18:47:00.000Z

Sunday 04 June 2006 - 18:27
Welcome to Langholm.

Sunday 04 June 2006 - 17:56
Odd assortment of wheels and stone troughs. Note the flowerpot man sitting on the barrel.

Sunday 04 June 2006 - 16:43
Approaching the Border Country. Strange coloured hay bales.

Sunday 04 June 2006 - 13:04
The Pennine Cycleway crosses the C2C, near Renwick just beneath Hartside. Good memories of last years ride with my brother, Gordon.

Sunday 04 June 2006 - 12:49
Looking towards my home in the Lake District. So near, yet so far.

Sunday 04 June 2006 - 10:42
Pat Stephenson from Brampton. I met Pat just after Dufton and struggled to keep up with her!
She has since become a good friend.

Sunday 04 June 2006 - 10:18
Ian Tyler - local mining historian and author of several books. Also a very good friend with a great sense of humour. A chance meeting in Dufton, Cumbria.

Sunday 04 June 2006 - 09:59
The man with the yellow gear meets the woman in blue. Val James, on her way home to Holmfirth.

Sunday 04 June 2006 - 09:10
Signpost pointing to familiar territory. Dufton and Hilton, in particular, where I have spent many days underground, exploring old mine workings.

Pictures - Saturday 03 June 2006

2006-12-11T22:21:00.000Z

Saturday 03 June 2006 - 20:09
Camp site near Raisbeck, Great Asby Scar in Cumbria.

Saturday 03 June 2006 - 18:40
The underpass that crosses both carriageways of the M6 motorway, near Orton in Cumbria.

Saturday 03 June 2006 - 17:07
Looking westwards towards one of the viaducts on the Carlisle to Settle railway line.

Saturday 03 June 2006 - 16:28
Rendezvous with friends, Roger, Kirsten and Heb. North of Sedbergh.

Saturday 03 June 2006 - 14:15
Vehicles of a bygone era, near Gawthrop.

Saturday 03 June 2006 - 14:02
Dent Post Office.

Saturday 03 June 2006 - 13:43
The steep descent into Dentdale.

Saturday 03 June 2006 - 12:59
View of the bike from a ground position.

Saturday 03 June 2006 - 10:32
A welcome break in the hot weather, just outside Clapham.

Saturday 03 June 2006 - 09:00
War memorial at Langcliffe.

Saturday 03 June 2006 - 08:38
The view over to Pen Y Ghent.

Saturday 03 June 2006 - 08:38
The road is all mine. The descent towards Settle.

Saturday 03 June 2006 - 08:25
Green fields, blue skies - the perfect backdrop.

Saturday 03 June 2006 - 07:52
Looking across to the limestone pavement at the top of Malham Cove.

Saturday 03 June 2006 - 07:36
Dry stone walling in the Dales.

Saturday 03 June 2006 - 07:36
Malham Cove in the heart of the Yorkshire Dales.

Saturday 03 June 2006 - 07:28
Leaving the camp site at Town Head Farm, Malham. 30 years after I first camped there.

Pictures - Friday 02 June 2006

2006-12-10T11:26:00.000Z

Friday 02 June 2006 - 18:55
Barges moored on the Leeds and Liverpool Canal, between Barnoldswick and Gargrave.

Friday 02 June 2006 - 18:54
Lock gates on the Leeds and Liverpool Canal.

Friday 02 June 2006 - 16:38
Another view of Widdop Reservoir.

Friday 02 June 2006 - 16:19
The choppy waters of Widdop Reservoir.

Friday 02 June 2006 - 16:18
Widdop Reservoir, on Widdop Moor.

Friday 02 June 2006 - 15:32
The view south to Stoodley Pike Monument, on the Pennine Way.

Friday 02 June 2006 - 15:26
The road still rises, unremitting. Not the place to live in the winter.

Friday 02 June 2006 - 14:56
The famous cobbled road rising steeply out of Heptonstall. The signpost says 'Unsuitable for Motors'. It's unsuitable for bikes too.

Friday 02 June 2006 - 14:26
Barges on the waterway at Hebden Bridge.

Friday 02 June 2006 - 14:22
Barges moored between the historic mill towns of Sowerby Bridge and Hebden Bridge.

Friday 02 June 2006 - 13:25
The terraces and high rise flats of Sowerby Bridge, Calder Valley.

Friday 02 June 2006 - 12:49
Looking south, having safely negotiated the crossing of the M62.

Friday 02 June 2006 - 12:45
The secret tunnel that passes under the M62 motorway.

Friday 02 June 2006 - 12:38
Scammonden Water, right beside the M62.

Friday 02 June 2006 - 12:33
Approaching the M62, at Scammonden Water.

Friday 02 June 2006 - 10:43
The bike, in close-up.

Friday 02 June 2006 - 10:42
Parked up to purchase food supplies, Morrisons Supermarket, Meltham.

Friday 02 June 2006 - 08:42
Another view of the Winscar Reservoir, Peak District National Park.

Friday 02 June 2006 - 08:32
Winscar Reservoir, Peak District National Park.

Friday 02 June 2006 - 08:14
Crossing the busy A628, dividing Lancashire and Yorkshire. Bleaklow is in the background.

Friday 02 June 2006 - 07:24
Checking the map. No chance of going through the tunnel, though.

Friday 02 June 2006 - 07:22
The strain is beginning to show. I've certainly looked better, that's for sure.

Friday 02 June 2006 - 07:16
Approaching the old platforms in front of the Woodhead Railway Tunnel.

Friday 02 June 2006 - 06:50
Packing up in the morning, close to the Woodhead Reservoir, between Bleaklow and Saddleworth Moor.

Pictures - Thursday 01 June 2006

2006-12-09T16:20:00.000Z

Thursday 01 June 2006 - 18:26
The view east to Kinder Scout in the Peak District.

Thursday 01 June 2006 - 17:11
Safely moored on the Buxworth Canal, near Whaley Bridge.

Thursday 01 June 2006 - 17:09
Difficult turning manoeuvre, the Buxworth Canal Basin.

Thursday 01 June 2006 - 16:07
The worst road on the whole trip, just outside Buxton, part of the Pennine Cycleway (Peak District). I had to push the bike along this stretch.

Thursday 01 June 2006 - 12:55
The old signal box at Hartington on the Tissington Trail.

Thursday 01 June 2006 - 12:15
Impressive high bridge on the Tissington Trail.

Thursday 01 June 2006 - 11:55
The gravel surface of the Tissington Trail, uphill against a fierce headwind.

Thursday 01 June 2006 - 10:02
Inside the tunnel, where sound effects of locomotives follow your passage.

Thursday 01 June 2006 - 09:55
Approaching the old railway tunnel at Ashbourne, the start of the Tissington Trail.

Thursday 01 June 2006 - 07:58
The tree lined entrance to the Tara Buddhist Meditation Centre, Etwall.

Thursday 01 June 2006 - 06:25
The Tara Buddhist Meditation Centre, Etwall.

Thursday 01 June 2006 - 06:23
Camped in the grounds of the Tara Buddhist Meditation Centre, near Etwall in Derbyshire.

Pictures - Wednesday 31 May 2006

2006-12-08T22:03:00.000Z

Wednesday 31 May 2006 - 20:09
Overlooking the quiet Trent & Mersey Canal.

Wednesday 31 May 2006 - 17:13
Colourful flowers on the West Midlands Cycle Route, between Lichfield and Burton on Trent.

Wednesday 31 May 2006 - 17:13
Chasewater, near Burntwood, around which I managed to do a complete circuit.

Wednesday 31 May 2006 - 12:54
Strange structure in the middle of the water, on the Birmingham Canal.

Wednesday 31 May 2006 - 12:54
Isn't he on the wrong side of the canal?

Wednesday 31 May 2006 - 12:53
Solitary barge on the Birmingham Canal.

Wednesday 31 May 2006 - 12:32
The contrast between the 19th & 20th centuries, in harsh reality.

Wednesday 31 May 2006 - 12:32
Barges moored on the Birmingham Canal.

Wednesday 31 May 2006 - 11:34
The Bullring, Birmingham.

Wednesday 31 May 2006 - 11:31
Approaching Birmingham City Centre.

Wednesday 31 May 2006 - 09:51
Longbridge, MG Rover Group.

Wednesday 31 May 2006 - 08:16
The beautiful setting for the Worcester & Birmingham Canal, this time looking to the west.

Wednesday 31 May 2006 - 08:16
Looking east along the Worcester & Birmingham Canal.

Wednesday 31 May 2006 - 07:29
Refreshed and ready for the new day. Picture taken by Peter Tiesen.

Pictures - Tuesday 30 May 2006

2006-12-08T20:42:00.000Z

Tuesday 30 May 2006 - 19:15
Pure luxury! The best camp site ever!

Tuesday 30 May 2006 - 19:15
Camped next to my own private pool, courtesy of Peter & Liz Tiesen.

Tuesday 30 May 2006 - 18:10
No way round except across the ford.

Tuesday 30 May 2006 - 17:42
Looking back at the Malvern Hills.

Tuesday 30 May 2006 - 15:55
Same scene, different exposure.

Tuesday 30 May 2006 - 15:54
Running repairs - adjusting the saddle height.

Tuesday 30 May 2006 - 15:18
Lovely scenery around Pershore in Worcestershire, typical of rural England.

Tuesday 30 May 2006 - 09:40
Welcome to Ross-on-Wye, twinned with Conde-sur-Noireau in France and Betzdorf in Germany.

Pictures - Monday 29 May 2006

2006-12-07T20:00:00.000Z

Monday 29 May 2006 - 17:41
The halfway mark, across the old Severn Bridge.

Monday 29 May 2006 - 17:36
The start of the crossing, headroom and width 2.3m for cyclists and walkers!

Monday 29 May 2006 - 17:27
The old Severn Bridge, suspended over the Severn Estuary, carrying the M48 into Wales. The dramatic weather conditions seem to have captured the bridge in monochrome.

Monday 29 May 2006 - 17:08
The old Severn Bridge, getting closer.

Monday 29 May 2006 - 17:02
The new Severn Bridge, carrying the M4 motorway between England and Wales.

Monday 29 May 2006 - 17:01
The old Severn Bridge, set against a dramatic cloudscape.

Monday 29 May 2006 - 14:57
The River Avon, with the tide gone out. The Clifton Suspension Bridge still dominates the skyline.

Monday 29 May 2006 - 14:51
Looking back along the A4 at the west pier of the Clifton Suspension Bridge.

Monday 29 May 2006 - 14:19
The Clifton Suspension Bridge, spanning the deep gorge of the River Avon.

Monday 29 May 2006 - 13:56
Ashton Court, Bristol.

Monday 29 May 2006 - 13:49
The entrance to Ashton Court Estate, Bristol.

Monday 29 May 2006 - 11:22
Chew Valley. This road is definitely not suitable for bikes.

Monday 29 May 2006 - 08:35
Wookey Hole, near Wells. The signpost on the right says 'This Road Is Not Suitable For Charabangs'. It's suitable for bikes, though!

Monday 29 May 2006 - 06:51
The view from the tent. A last look at Glastonbury Tor.

Pictures - Sunday 28 May 2006

2006-12-05T18:31:00.000Z

Sunday 28 May 2006 - 21:20
Camped in a field of silage at Brindham Farm, a lovely comfortable bed of grass.

Sunday 28 May 2006 - 20:22
The National Trust noticeboard depicting the history of Glastonbury Tor.

Sunday 28 May 2006 - 20:18
Glastonbury Tor, 159m.

Sunday 28 May 2006 - 19:34
T junction on the road to Glastonbury. Do I go left or right?

Sunday 28 May 2006 - 16:35
Opening the gates manually, in time honoured fashion.

Sunday 28 May 2006 - 16:34
The Dorian Gray, one of many ornate barges on the Bridgwater and Taunton Canal.

Sunday 28 May 2006 - 16:15
The process is complete.

Sunday 28 May 2006 - 16:12
Nearly there as the lock fills up with water.

Sunday 28 May 2006 - 16:12
The lock system and how it all works.

Sunday 28 May 2006 - 15:50
Lock gates on the Bridgwater and Taunton Canal.

Sunday 28 May 2006 - 15:27
The West Country Way follows alongside the canal for several miles.

Sunday 28 May 2006 - 15:21
Life on a barge, the Bridgwater and Taunton Canal.

Sunday 28 May 2006 - 14:56
Stile hurdle approaching the underpass of the Taunton ringroad.

Sunday 28 May 2006 - 11:29
Stagnant mooring on the Great Western Canal, between Tiverton and the Somerset border.

Sunday 28 May 2006 - 09:10
Knightshayes Court, Tiverton. National Trust property.

Sunday 28 May 2006 - 07:24
Hayne Farm Cottage, near Morebath, where I had camped on Saturday night.

Pictures - Saturday 27 May 2006

2006-12-02T15:06:00.000Z

Saturday 27 May 2006 - 13:53
A new road bridge under construction across the River Taw at Barnstaple.

Saturday 27 May 2006 - 12:31
Old railway tunnel on the Tarka Trail.

Saturday 27 May 2006 - 11:49
Meeting the rest of the family.

Saturday 27 May 2006 - 11:39
When you have been without a woman for a while, anything in a skirt will do.

Saturday 27 May 2006 - 10:42
Taking a rest courtesy of three stone owls beside the Tarka Trail.

Saturday 27 May 2006 - 10:20

A wet and muddy Tarka Trail which runs all the way to Barnstaple
using disused railway lines.

Pictures - Friday 26 May 2006

2006-12-01T20:04:00.000Z

Friday 26 May 2006 - 19:11
Welcome to Devon.

Friday 26 May 2006 - 16:38
Old airfield on the flanks of Bodmin Moor, an eerie place in the mist.

Friday 26 May 2006 - 13:37
Poley Bridge. Pictured with me and a big fish is Mick Stretton, fellow cyclist who retired to the West Country after moving down from Wembley.

Friday 26 May 2006 - 11:33
Halfway along the Camel Trail, the 17 mile recreational route that follows the old railway track from Bodmin Moor to the Atlantic Ocean.

Friday 26 May 2006 - 10:30
Noticeboard for the Camel Trail at Wadebridge.

Friday 26 May 2006 - 09:38
Padstow Cycle Hire. No customers today.

Friday 26 May 2006 - 09:36
The Camel Estuary, Padstow.

Friday 26 May 2006 - 08:02
Ministry of Defence Establishment, St Mawgan Airfield.

Friday 26 May 2006 - 07:14
All packed and ready to go. Trencreek Holiday Park, Newquay.

Pictures - Thursday 25 May 2006

2006-12-01T15:38:00.000Z

Thursday 25 May 2006 - 11:33
Approaching Hayle. Tailor's dummy, advertising underwater gear for a Marine suppliers.

Thursday 25 May 2006 - 10:58
Bike rack at St Erth. A chance to dry out after the rain has stopped.

Thursday 25 May 2006 - 10:07
Fire Brigade helicopter, shortly after take off just outside Penzance.

Thursday 25 May 2006 - 08:32
Diversion to Lamorna Cove for my first glimpse of the sea. Actually I took the wrong turning by mistake on the way to Mousehole.

Thursday 25 May 2006 - 07:30
Leaving the Land's End complex in mist and rain.

Thursday 25 May 2006 - 07:18
Self portrait with the famous Land's End signpost in the background, minus the arms. How far is it to John O'Groats?

Thursday 25 May 2006 - 07:17
Land's End. Outside the deserted photograph enclosure.

Thursday 25 May 2006 - 17:17
Land's End. The official photograph noticeboard.

Thursday 25 May 2006 - 06:40
Camped in a field, half a mile from the start. Ready to pack up after first night's sleep, having survived the Land's End fog horn.

Update

2006-08-24T21:01:00.000Z

I am now in the process of writing a full diary of my cycle ride and I will start to publish the dialogue shortly. I will also publish over 300 photographs of the trip.

Thanks to Mick Stretton for your message. I will include the picture that was taken of us in due course. Thanks also to Will Blight, who I saw last week, continuing his journey around the coast of Britain, visiting every lifeboat station in the UK to raise money for the RNLI.

I have finally completed my own fund raising for the Great North Air Ambulance Service, having raised £3,250! Thanks to everyone who sponsored me, with special thanks to my brother, Trevor, who raised a fantastic £1,000 with his friends and colleagues in Essex.

Epilogue

2006-06-13T07:39:00.000Z

Sorry for the delay in keeping you up to date! Today was manic from start to finish, so I didn’t get the chance to write this morning. Martin is now home, as you can see from the pictures he had a welcoming party at Carlisle station, much to his surprise and delight. Apart from his family, there were some of his good friends from his mine exploring days, and Marjorie Robertson who is our fundraising contact with the Air Ambulance people – she is the wonderful lady pictured with Martin (just in case you thought it was his wife!).

The weather during Martin’s penultimate night was extremely wet and windy – “hammering it down” on the tent, waking him at 2 in the morning when he ventured outside to tighten up and repair guy ropes. The final day of Martin’s journey seemed never ending, knowing that he was almost there, but still a few miles to go. He was accompanied by Will (not Bill as I said yesterday) to John O’Groats – the reason Will was cycling east whilst travelling anticlockwise was because the road systems did not always make it straightforward getting to all the lifeboat stations and he sometimes had to back track. Will had to get off and walk up all the hills because of the weight of his trailer, but Martin said he positively flew down hills, pushed along by a couple of hundredweight! They shared the special moment of reaching J O’G together which was appreciated by both. They then went for a celebratory pub meal. He was very good company, and Martin was truly sorry to have to say goodbye to him, wishing him luck for his next 3,000 miles.

Reaching the end of his journey appeared to be something of an anticlimax, J O’G being almost identical to Land’s End (actually the whole ‘photo by the landmark post’ thing is run by members of the same family) with nothing really there. Martin’s cycle to Wick station saw him full of energy again, psychologically there was no pressure. We decided after investigation that the train was the better option than the boat.

He set up camp one mile from Wick station in readiness for an early start and a quick dash to catch the 6.22am train. There were mixed emotions during the evening; pleased to have conquered the journey with all its challenges, both physically and mentally, sad that it was all over, pleased to be coming home to his family on the funny farm. Also pleased that he didn’t have to pay for the campsite, as it was not officially open yet! Nothing changes. He woke at three in the morning, and decided that he couldn’t risk going back to sleep and missing his alarm, so opted to stay awake.

Martin was told at the station in the morning that he’d have to send his bike to Inverness on a shuttle van, so waved goodbye to his baby wondering if he’d ever see it again. He had just 15 minutes at Inverness to find the whereabouts of his cycle and get on the train to Carlisle. He had to argue (quite vehemently) with the station guard to get the bike on without prior reservation, which must be done at least 24 hours before boarding. Lovely lovely red tape. He was told that if at any further station someone had a bike reservation and boarded their cycle, Martin would be booted off. He had to argue (each time quite forcibly – he was determined to get home!) with every guard and ticket inspector that he met, and we were not sure right up until he was at Lockerbie, that he would materialise at Carlisle. Troops were immediately scrambled, and Marjorie, Heb, Kirsten, Roger, Rudy, Robb, Nikki, Jodie, Phoebe, myself and a nice lady from the newspaper, plus a few balloons, saw him safely off the train.

Well, that’s it from me, now it’s over to Martin to continue his story. I feel as though I’ve done my bit for charity whilst he’s been gone; looking after four kids (including one very stroppy teenager who came so close to being auctioned on ebay she’ll never know), three horses, two dogs and a partridge in a pear tree. Oh, and an on-the-run psychiatric patient, who had stopped taking the medication, turning up at the end of my hotel shift at 11pm when I was the only member of staff on duty, finally being escorted off the premises by the boys in blue three hours later. Mad!

Day 18 - John O'Groats

2006-06-11T21:59:00.000Z

The eagle has landed! Martin cycled the last 39.61 miles to reach John O’Groats at four o’clock this afternoon.

I have been almost constantly on the telephone since then – everyone I know, and some I don’t know, has called to find out how Martin is doing. So there is no time left tonight to write the blog and get the children to bed. I will make a proper entry in the morning.

Briefly though, he hopes to be able to board the 6.22am train from Wick to end up in Carlisle at around 4.12pm. But it all hangs on whether he can get his bike on the train without prior reservation (and continue to board the bike at the stations where he has to change trains). He will call me in the morning to let me know what he is doing.

Day 17 - Melvich

2006-06-11T06:43:00.000Z

We have had a baking hot day here in Cumbria, and the weather has been the same right to the tip of Scotland. Martin says tonight that he has had the best day’s cycling ever! The scenery has surpassed all superlatives; he has taken a few pictures but says that none of them will do justice to what he has seen. It is a fantastic end to his journey – words cannot describe how completely awestruck he is! The lochs and the sea reflected the sky in shades of turquoise and royal blue. The coast has revealed miles of stunning yellow beaches with not a soul on them, as if everyone is asleep; he said they look like something out of a pacific holiday brochure. He saw only two people on horseback, galloping along a stretch of beach. I’m there already! Following the road alongside Loch Loyal was absolutely amazing, he said. Scotland has had some fabulous cycling country.

He camps tonight after cycling 66.93 miles, at the Halladale Inn, Melvich, slightly left of Thurso. He is on the north coast, with only 38 miles to cycle tomorrow, to John O’Groats. All the tents on the site belong to cyclists, apparently. One of them is Bill Blight, who is cycling round the coast of Great Britain, raising money for the RNLI, visiting every lifeboat station along the way. He has a website – www.spoke2soon.co.uk and is making the 5,000 mile anticlockwise journey on a Brompton bike (a fold up version that can be fitted into a suitcase) and a makeshift trailer, on top of which is a large cardboard cut out of a lifeboat. Very Heath Robinson. It has a trailer chassis and a car roof box on top, in which Martin says the chap is carrying tonnes of stuff – more belongings than Martin actually owns. Bill, who lives near Corfe Castle in Dorset, has two different pedals on his bike – one metal and the other plastic. He has taken 6 months unpaid holiday from work to complete the trip, cycling 30 miles a day, hoping to raise £15,000. Martin said he has a brilliant sense of humour, and was itching to get off to the Inn for a drink with him.

Martin said that he has also had the windiest day (and I am talking about the weather); as soon as he hit Tongue on the north coast in the afternoon, even cycling downhill for the next 27 miles was a struggle. Vehicles overtaking him became a problem; as he was leaning into the wind, when he was passed by a car (or more commonly a campervan) the pressure dropped suddenly, and he almost fell over sideways. He says his legs are screaming! That’ll be ‘cyclist’s leg’ then.

There may be a change of plan with the journey home. He was told by two seasoned cyclists this morning that he could save about £100 by taking a ferry from the mainland to the Shetland Isles, then another to Aberdeen, to meet a train there. Ever one to save where he can, this would be preferable, although there is a smallish problem – he gets terribly sea-sick!!!

If you’d like to send Martin any messages for his return home, you may email them to martinthecyclist@aol.com I know this blog has been followed by many people, some of which have given very encouraging positive feedback, from next door, to Workington, to Kent, Essex, Cornwall, and even Belgium and Australia! As I said yesterday, all sponsor money is going to the Pride of Cumbria helicopter, and there is still room on the sponsor forms for more donations. If you think Martin’s journey is worth rewarding, please contact me at the above email address, and I’ll gladly get in touch with you. Or send cheques made payable to 'Pride of Cumbria' to Marjorie Robertson (fundraiser), 14 West Lane, Flimby, Maryport, Cumbria. CA15 8RL, and include your name, address and importanly postcode, so that an extra 28% can be claimed back. I know those lovely lads at Carleton Hall (where the chopper is based) will be grateful for the extra funding to keep the ‘copter in the air, saving lives.

Day 16 - Achnairn, Lairg

2006-06-10T05:55:00.000Z

So close yet so far. Martin is almost there, approximately 100 miles to go, yet the two days left to cycle are two hard days. The terrain will be similar to that of Cornwall – rivers on high ground draining into the sea, creating steep drops and inclines on the coast.

He set off later today, at 7.20am, as he didn’t get such a good sleep last night after a late finish. It was hard to get going and Martin had a heavy head all day. So the distance covered today is 57.47 miles, ending at 4.30pm at Wood End Camp Site, Achnairn, a little north of Lairg in the county of Sutherland.

The mist rolled in off the sea this morning, but as Martin left the coast, the afternoon was incredibly hot. The scenery has been unspectacular, although he found a quiet road that led to some waterfalls, which was pretty. He could see hills in the far off distance, but the surrounding countryside was pastoral and Forestry Commission. Martin had quite a lonely day again, although he met two ‘end to end’ walkers – John and Paul. For one it was his second Land’s End to John O’Groats. He had also walked the Pennine Way seven times. One of them had been walking for 8 weeks!

Good news for the journey home – Martin has washed and dried all his clothes, except the ones he was standing in! He says he has ‘cyclist’s nose’, i.e. one that drips all the time. That’s a new one. It was also a feature of his many backpacking walks, apparently. He is not looking forward to the train journey home, as it will take about 10 hours. I suggested cycling home – in fact my neighbour offered to double his donation if Martin did just that, but he declined for the lame reason that he has sent all his maps home (to reduce his load) and wouldn’t know the way.

Day 15 - Dingwall

2006-06-08T23:26:00.000Z

Martin says tonight that he has had one of the best days of the whole journey. In between setting off this morning at 6.30am and putting up his tent around 8.30pm, he has travelled 74.62 miles to arrive at a campsite at Dingwall, not far from Ross County Football Club (sorry about the F word). He started to talk about Ray Stewart being the manager for the club (maybe not the current manager), but I told him to concentrate on journey details to save his battery.

He had a really nice ride to Aviemore this morning, which was a little further than he has estimated last night. Incidentally, last night he mentioned that there was a castle on a hill nearby, in the grounds of which he would have set up camp had it not still been so light, because of passers-by seeing him. Later on when it was dark, he looked out of his tent and the whole castle was lit up with floodlights to be seen for miles around!

This morning at 5am, as he popped his head outside the tent to go for a tiddle, expecting to be the only person about, he was greeted with a ‘good morning’ from a birdwatcher a few feet away! The chap from Derby was en route to the Shetland Isles, sleeping in his car overnight in the car park of the adjacent RSPB nature reserve.
The midges homed in on Martin as soon as he surfaced, giving him ‘huge’ bites on his face. He took his tent down in record time, and set off at such a pace that he said he managed to out cycle them.

He met three cyclists whilst travelling towards Tomatin; Dan and his wife Jen from Oregon USA and Christina from Glasgow. They were very welcoming and friendly, good company up to Inverness. They all stopped by Loch Moy for lunch, Martin being fed by them as they had plenty of food. Once a scrounger… This afternoon they passed Clava Cairns – an ancient burial mound, and the site of the Battle of Culloden. The field was covered in mounds – graves of the 1,200 Jacobite clansmen who were killed in one hour by Bonnie Prince Charlie’s troops.

Inverness was a busy city. Route finding is always more challenging in the cities, but Martin appreciated the company of his fellow cyclists, sharing the challenge and being more of a force to be acknowledged. He felt quite lonely after they had gone their separate ways. Immediately after Inverness he crossed the Moray Firth on the Kessock suspension bridge, which was as impressive as the Queen Elizabeth II Bridge over the Thames. Then on across the Black Isle, where he met Bill Kinsey doing his gardening, and another bridge over the Cromarty Firth. He said that the A9 was as busy as the M25! Funny that – I thought there would be nobody about that far up, just sheep.

Martin has worn the same shirt and same socks for over two weeks now. He says they don’t smell, but even if the temperature is below freezing on Monday I think the car windows will be open. His Gaz cylinder is almost empty, hoping to find another tomorrow. His friend Roger had a spare at Orton (day 10), but Martin thought his would last. He has been sleeping well, feels fit powering up the hills, has a tan (although he can tan by candlelight in December) and a beard – that’s coming off on Monday night, and is enjoying being on a bike. Maybe if he is enjoying it so much he could cycle home, by which time the World Cup might be over.

For those who have joined the blog along the way, I thought it would be good to remind everyone that Martin is raising much needed money for the Pride of Cumbria Air Ambulance. You can view info about this brilliant, voluntarily funded service at www.greatnorthairambulance.co.uk If you’ve enjoyed reading about Martin’s progress and would like to make a small donation, please make cheques payable to “Pride of Cumbria” and send to either ℅ T. Carter, 12 Milligans Chase, Galleywood, Chelmsford, Essex. CM2 8QD (Martin’s brother who will forward them), or hang on until he returns home and I’ll post our address. If you care to include your name, address and postcode, the charity can claim 28% more for your donation. Cheers!

Day 14 - Kingussie

2006-06-08T08:18:00.000Z

A “Welcome to the Highlands” sign awaited Martin as he reached the summit of the Drumochter Pass today, crossing the border into the Highlands of Scotland. I know he’s getting close to the end now because there are only a few pages left in the road atlas. He himself feels the end is in sight, although he is anything but blasé about it, taking each day as it comes – “it’s not in the bag until I’m past Inverness.”

Martin has pedalled another 73.58 miles, ending the day camping in a farm field 1 mile east of Kingussie, 7 – 8 miles SW of Aviemore. It has been another hot day, but he is in good spirits and his knee is perfectly OK, although he can feel the saddle giving him new sores. Mental note to self: must remember to put a cushion in car when collecting him from Carlisle.

He says that everything has been different since he hit Scotland. It has everything going for it. It was a pleasant ride to Pitlochry, with fantastic scenery. The Drumochter Pass gave him spectacular views of the Grampian Mountains, being one of the highest and most remote passes in Scotland, and was a gentle ascent and descent along its 18 miles.

He met three cyclists doing the ‘end to end’ journey from north to south; Greg Parent from Canada, Peter Johnson from Liverpool and John Hayter from Southampton. Two of them had previously cycled across Canada.

The only downside for Martin now seems to be the daily grind of setting up home at the end of each day, and laboriously packing it all away again into the panniers a few hours later. Not for much longer though; he thinks he will reach John O’Groats on Saturday night or Sunday morning, travelling back to Carlisle on Monday. I’d better start searching for train timetables.

PS Remember the campsite just outside Dalkeith, where Martin arrived after the shop had closed, and he would have to pay at 9am when it opened? He packed up super-quick, and cycled off at 6.40am!

Day 13 - Perth

2006-06-07T06:58:00.000Z

Martin called at midday, to tell me that he was standing in the middle of the Forth Road Bridge. He was very enthusiastic about the experience, saying that the view was spectacular and that every time a lorry thundered past, the bridge bounced and swayed. That was probably the biggest highlight of today, although he really enjoyed visiting Edinburgh.

He progressed a further 79.47 miles northwards, camping at 7.45pm in a field belonging to Money Die Farm, 6 – 7 miles north of Perth. He said this evening that he feels he may finish at least a couple of days sooner than anticipated.

Martin has had a good day; with tarmac melting again the weather has been very hot – a little too hot for cycling, but preferable to that horrible stuff they had in the south. It has been tiring, but after a couple of days with a little extra sleep, and concentrating on achieving more mileage during the earlier part of the day, he is feeling less tired. I wish I could say the same! The knee is OK, and the bruising elsewhere is gradually going. The tops of his arms are sunburnt, and I nagged him yet again to buy some sunscreen! He seems to have gained an almost pregnancy-like craving for Rich Tea biscuits. Strange when he was trying to cut down on biscuits before he left, although I found I still had to hide the chocolate ones.

Martin stopped for an early rest in a park in Edinburgh, watching people walking to work which he found quite amusing. I guess that’s what happens when you’ve had only yourself for company for nearly two weeks. A young lady stopped to ask him “Where have you come from?” and stopped to chat for a while. He saw Edinburgh Castle and the Royal Yacht Britannia. He said it was ‘vibrant’ city with a friendly feel to it. The signposting for cyclists is excellent; many routes in an around the city, but all posted so that you ‘can’t go wrong.’ If Scotland can be so geared up for cyclists, why can’t England?

He has followed four maps today – the Coast and Castles route, the Edinburgh to Aberdeen Cycle Way to Kinross, his own route to Perth, and the Salmon Run beyond that. He is now in the Kingdom of Fyfe, whose scenery is one of plush meadows, fields of rape and other farmland. Very picturesque and fairly flat.

Day 12 - Dalkeith

2006-06-06T08:47:00.000Z

Today Martin was following the B709, from Langholm to Innerleithen. He’s in good spirits, reporting how magnificent and fantastic the scenery has been. Although he has had another lonely day, seeing no cyclists and approximately 1 car every half an hour, he says the weather has been really good, no wind, warm but not too hot and generally clear. Today he has cycled 73.43 miles, and is staying on a campsite just outside of Dalkeith, which is 10 miles from Edinburgh town centre.
He arrived at the campsite at about 6.30pm, and learned that the shop there closed at six, so he would therefore not be able to pay for his stay this evening. From what the campsite owner told him, he sussed that if he got off to an early start in the morning, he might be able to get away with not having to pay at all, which would be great! Apparently, you pay at the shop, or when they come round to see you, so he’s hoping to avoid that situation!
He reports he’s experienced a good day, with his saddle soreness and knee problem slowly decreasing. However, he has developed a slight groin injury from pulled muscles, but says “It’s nothing serious, and it hasn’t affected me too much”, which is good. He feels he has done very well today, and is in good spirits, mainly because of the beautiful scenery.
Tomorrow, he will be cycling through Edinburgh city centre, hopefully seeing the castle and he says he will probably go down to the docks there as well. He will also see the Forth Road Bridge, which is another reason he is looking forward to tomorrow.
His lack of sleep and tiredness is catching up with Martin, as he has stopped and had a 5 minute nap by the roadside on a few occasions today. Tomorrow, he is hoping to see the Tibetan monastery, which he is also looking forward to. But for tonight, he has had a shower and some tea, and is aiming for an early night.

Day 11 - Langholm

2006-06-04T22:48:00.000Z

I’ve discovered today why Martin is so tired. He’s cycling backwards. He must be. He called from a payphone at Melmerby at midday to ask me to top up the credit on his phone, and I asked him if he’d seen anything unexpected along the route. Nothing. How could he have missed it? We drove back to retrieve the sign this afternoon, and in daylight it was visible from a full quarter of a mile before reaching it. So he must either have been cycling backwards, or with his eyes closed.
A campsite at Langholm is the finish point today, after clocking up another 72.61 miles. Backwards. Martin says his legs feel that he should be at John O’Groats by now.
Martin had had a good day today, albeit one of mixed emotions. Telling him he’d missed the sign didn’t help, but being so close to home and able to see the Lakeland fells (which was the highlight of today), including Hopegill Head, which is right on our doorstep; crossing the C2C and Reivers routes which he cycled with his brother last year, and knowing that he was leaving it all behind, was hard. Crossing the border into Scotland was another landmark point, though, and the knowledge that Peter Hargreaves now owes him the full £15 (£5 for each country) spurred him on!
This morning he met Val James cycling home to Holmfirth, who had camped at Dufton, and spoke of a geology weekend based there, which included a talk and a guided walk on the fell. This rang a bell, as Martin’s friend Ian Tyler, who owns Keswick Mining Museum with his good wife Jean, does these talks and walks. Coincidentally, it was he whom she had been listening to the night before. Small world. Even smaller, Martin happened to bump into him just along the road! Both were as surprised as each other, but Martin said it was really good to see him.
Beyond Dufton he met Pat Stephenson, who cycled with Martin to Melmerby, where she stopped for a cuppa. She met up with him again at Renwick, and they cycled together until Hethersgill, above Brampton. He said it was great to have the company of another human being, taking his mind off the negative things, and it made the miles fly by. Pat kindly sent me the above picture.
His knee is painful every now and then, but he’s applying ‘Mint-ease’ roll-on, which was given to him by Peter Teisen, and says it’s good stuff. His ‘system’ has settled down in the last 2 or 3 days – he now thinks it could have been due to the water in a certain area of the country. Contrary to his projected thoughts, he is not getting fitter as he is going along, maybe due to the cumulative effects of the short sleeps, distances covered and the weight he is carrying. His friend Heb pushed the bike for a bit yesterday and was amazed how heavy it was. (And he’s a strong lad!)

Day 10 - Raisbeck nr Orton

2006-06-04T12:51:00.000Z

Apologies for the late publishing of this blog; after Martin called in the evening we went out to erect this message and bottle of sunscreen along his route so that he would see it on day 11, and we didn't get home until midnight.
He camped at New House Farm Raisbeck, approx. 10 miles from Appleby, after cycling 52.76 miles. The shorter mileage was because he lost an hour's cycling time whilst sorting out his saddle when he met up with his good friends Heb, Roger and Kirsten near Sedburgh. He said it gave him a real buzz seeing them, quite a tonic. It had been hard after they had gone, but it was worth the boost. The saddle he chose (from a selection of 5) cushioned the sore spots instantly, but he said only a week out of the saddle will heal the bruising properly. He jettisoned some items no longer required with one of his friends, who later told me that Martin looks a bit like a zebra - his arms are deeply tanned but his wrists, shoulders and top of his face are white, though he has badly sunburnt ears. He also looks a bit 'wild' with his whiskers! (Picture kindly sent by Heb.)
He met a cyclist on Malham Moor, Peter, who was supporting friends walking the Pennine Way. During another lonely day, it was good to see Peter, who works for Transport London, setting up cycleways in London.
The Scenery has been the highlight of his journey; today's being on a par superlative wise with yesterday's. He compared it to being a drug. There was a steep climb out of Malham, coupled with a fierce headwind this morning, and a hard incline out of Ingleton. The temperature was 'boiling'- so much so that the tar was melting on the roads. Half way through the day he found a seat by the roadside and stopped for a 5 minute nap. Stunning blue skies all day, lush green fields, limestone walls and little enclosures; he said you'd never see the Yorkshire Dales looking more beautiful. He stopped earlier to set up camp, to give himself more of a rest this evening, which would pay dividends tomorrow, the cumulative effects of the weather, mileage and short sleeps having caught up with him.

Day 9 - Malham

2006-06-02T23:22:00.000Z

Martin began the call this evening by apologising for not being here on my birthday, but he was with me in spirit – or at least his credit card was, when I took the kids out for dinner! He began his day at a very low ebb, purely because he was so totally exhausted, mainly mentally. After breakfast and de-camping he set off to find that with a bit of ibuprofen gel in the right place (the Sudocreme has been ditched), the bruising from the saddle was slightly better, and that raised his spirits considerably.
At 9.30pm he set up his tent at Malham campsite, happy to be amongst people, after the hottest day so far. He camped at the very same site 30 years ago with his father when they walked the Pennine Way together, and has been on his own a few times since; the site owners are still the same people.
He has willed himself through another 69.41 miles today over hill and dale – literally. He said it’s been a tough day, then acknowledged that every day has been a tough day. He lost his way twice, once because of the map (“I’ll never follow another Sustrans map!”) and once because he was enjoying the view and wasn’t paying attention to the signs. At Sowerby Bridge he met a female cyclist, whom he found very friendly. He chatted about his route with Claire, and she showed him a much better route than the mapped one, to Hebden Bridge where she lived, which followed a canal. So he was very pleased to have met her.
His lasting impression of today has to be the fantastic countryside and views, the familiar stone walls, the blue skies reflecting in the reservoirs which were ‘spectacular.’ He enjoyed passing through the Derbyshire countryside (his Mum’s favourite area) and Lancashire towns. Also the many reminders of his Pennine Way walks.
I reckon he has completed 642.25 miles to date, with approximately 685.75 to go, so tomorrow should be the half way point. He is averaging 71.36 miles per day. (Well, what else would I be doing at 01:23 am at the end of a blog?). He hopes to get to Dufton tomorrow evening, and three of his friends plan to meet up with him.

Day 8 - Bleaklow Hill

2006-06-01T22:39:00.000Z

The major topic of conversation tonight was saddle soreness! Joking apart, it is causing Martin such discomfort that it is severely eating into his mental and physical reserves. He has asked me to seek out some spare saddles from the loft, which his mining friends can hopefully pass on when they meet up with him in a couple of days. If he hadn’t raised his saddle to alleviate strain on the knee it wouldn’t be a problem. The saddle is made of tough leather, which had shaped itself to his form. Raising it meant that pressure points were in different places, and what he is experiencing is bruising rather than chaffing. By the evening it has become somewhat numb, so he races on through the miles a little easier.
Still, he has made good progress, clocking up 67.70 miles today. He set off at 8am, a little later than planned due to being tired and sluggish. In order to complete the desired mileage per day he is finishing well into the evening, and after setting up camp and eating etc., he is not getting the necessary amount of sleep (his alarm is set for 5am). Tonight he is settled on the flanks of Bleaklow Hill on the Howden Moors, approximately 11 miles south of Holmfirth, on the opposite side of Woodhead Reservoir to Crowden.
Today has again been hard; he has lost his way a few times, and has seen hardly anyone so it has been quite lonely. He has enjoyed the Tissington Trail, although a fierce north wind made it seem like he was doing twice the mileage. He sailed through Ashbourne and Buxton, but found the very steep climb out of New Mills towards Glossop added to his soreness. However, even though he is struggling a little now, both mentally and physically, he is still able to enthuse about the fantastic scenery, and what a brilliant opportunity it is to be able to do this trip. He enjoyed listening to the messages you have been sending – I even passed on the one mentioning the World Cup. How dutiful am I? I’m off now to wash my mouth out with soap.

Day 7 - Etwall, Derby

2006-05-31T22:58:00.000Z

This is Martin as he left Peter and Liz Teisen this morning – thanks to them for sending me this pic. The whiskers have started to sprout! Peter has highlighted the fact that I used to fall asleep in geography, by pointing out that the Malvern Hills had already been cycled, not as I wrote yesterday, that Martin was looking forward to them. It is sometimes difficult making sense of the hurried notes from Martin’s phone calls, when I eventually shove the kids off the computer in the wee small hours!!!
78.85 miles is today’s total, with Martin finishing the day on target at Etwall near Derby. He has navigated his way through Birmingham, West Bromwich and Walsall. It has been a tough day; mainly due to inadequate signposting on the West Midlands Cycleway and through Birmingham. He said that he felt very conspicuous cycling in the city with all his bright yellow gear and panniers, sticking out like a sore thumb. When he stopped in the rougher areas to read the map, he was subject to intimidation by groups of youths who gathered round the bike. In Walsall there were a lot of yobbish youths out on the streets and shouting obscenities out of speeding cars (which he had also experienced in Bristol). So he is very pleased to have got today over with!!!
He is camped tonight at Tara Buddhist Centre, in the grounds of the Temple (mansion), by kind permission of the people there, where there is hot water, toilets and a shower. So once again he has landed on his feet! He called quite late – about 10.30pm and had only just put up his tent. This was because he was determined to power on through the miles ‘dementedly’, as he put it, to get as far beyond the cities as possible.
His stomach is better, although the drink compound continues to affect his, um…, ‘system!’ The knee is hurting a bit today and he has lowered the saddle again. The seating department has not responded to the Sudocreme yet!
He eats his meal tonight, looking forward to tomorrow. The promise of Derbyshire, the Peak District and Yorkshire Dales on the Pennine Cycleway is one that he relishes and is familiar with. Although today has been arduous, it is another view of the country to put in the jigsaw – the coast, hills, dales rivers & canals, town and city centres, housing estates and leafy lanes; all part of the varied landscape of England.
P.S. Again, if you have anything to comment on, ask about or just want to pass on your wishes to Martin, you can email me at martinthecyclist@aol.com

Day 6 - Feckenham

2006-05-30T22:14:00.000Z

Good news: Martin is feeling much better today; much more positive. He is still saddle sore, owing to the raising of his saddle to alleviate strain on his knee. Having worked out the cause, he can now decide how to sort out the problem. He purchased some Sudocreme to ease the discomfort – used to work wonders on nappy rash! The knee is still O.K. He still has a slightly upset stomach and is putting it down to the drink compound, as he hasn’t eaten bananas for two days.
He has progressed a further 67.18 miles, finishing the day at Feckenham (east of Worcester, just below Redditch). The weather today has been bright and sunny but still with that northerly breeze.
He was nearing the end of today’s mileage without a place to camp, when he met a cyclist coming in the opposite direction. Martin stopped him to ask if he knew of anywhere, and after a brief explanation of what he was doing, was offered the use of the cyclist’s garden (and swimming pool) nearby. Peter and Liz Teisen furnished Martin with a delicious meal, and offered the use of their shower in the morning. He has asked me to explain how indebted he is to people like Peter and Liz, Chris House, England & Bluitt and Charlotte & Warwick Jones for their generous hospitality and friendliness, and how grateful he is.
He is not looking forward to tomorrow’s journey – through Birmingham, West Bromwich and Walsall. It will be a bit of a slog, but the promise of the Malvern Hills should spur him on. Hopefully he will be able to buy some new brake blocks, which took a severe hammering in the first couple of days, with all those hills in Cornwall.

Day 5 - Coleford

2006-05-29T22:21:00.000Z

Martin has really struggled today, both physically and psychologically. He still has an upset stomach, which doesn’t help, and is now a little saddle sore. The main cause for despondency this evening is borne out of frustration at the inadequacy of the maps. I know you may be thinking ‘it could be him not the maps,’ but those of you who really know Martin will know that he can find his way anywhere, given a compass and an accurate map. His fell-walking was mostly done by his own routes, devised and followed so as not to be ‘one of the herd’ on the allotted footpaths. He says that what is drawn on the maps is not what is actually on the ground, especially through towns. Before he threw the Avon Cycleway map into the nearest bin, he actually did a complete circle at one point!
The Clifton Suspension Bridge was the highlight of the day, followed by the new Severn Suspension Bridge. This took him briefly into Wales, along the west side of the River Wye, so Peter Hargreaves now owes him £10 - £5 each for two countries!
Tonight he has camped at a camping and caravan park at Sling near Coleford in the Forest of Dean – roughly midway between Chepstow and Ross–on-Wye. He has been able to hang wet clothes to dry in a boiler room, the weather being a mixture of heavy showers, hot sun and a very cold north wind in his face.
He has managed a respectable 69.53 miles today – though not all in the right direction! Pedalling begins at 7am and this evening is typical in ending at 8.30pm, but of course there are breaks during the day. The end of the day was a killer – the 7 mile continuous climb to St Briavels made his little legs ache just a bit.

Day 4 - Glastonbury

2006-05-28T22:09:00.000Z

79.07 miles cycled today, in “ideal cycling weather” – dry and bright. Martin is camping tonight in another farm field, courtesy of Chris House – the friendly farmer of Bryndham Farm just past Glastonbury Tor. Martin says he is in his element, doing what he does best; just him against the elements with steely determination! He seems to have a dip in energy levels in the afternoons, but regains tempo towards the evening when he piles on the miles. This is helped by the ‘high 5’ drink compound, after which he says he could cycle up Everest. Don't even think about it, hubby!
He has enjoyed cycling along the canals today, eating the contents of Naomi’s goodie bag beside the Great Western Canal; and inspecting the various long boats and locks. He ‘meandered from the map route’ shall we say, in Bridgewater and Taunton, but reiterated that the maps are not very helpful through towns.
He is appreciative of the wishes and emails I have passed on, and is boosted by everyone’s support. By way of reply, he says yes he is looking after his knee.
He is looking forward to seeing the Clifton suspension bridge tomorrow, then on to Bristol.

Day 3 - Tiverton

2006-05-27T20:27:00.000Z

Guess how the weather has been today? The worst so far. Martin was absolutely drenched when I spoke to him this evening. He had set up his tent on a farm, and was en route to the farmhouse kitchen where a friendly family and a steaming lasagne awaited him! So the conversation was brief; but he has cycled 76.59 miles today, landing approximately 8 miles north of Tiverton.

Apres dinner update: I received another call just as I was drifting off to sleep at 11pm. At the kind invitation of Charlotte and Warwick Jones, Martin had pitched his tent in a horse field belonging to Hayne Farm Cottage, near the village of Morebath. These most welcoming of folk not only supplied him with said Lasagne; rhubarb crumble followed, and the use of their shower. They dried his soaked clothing and charged his mobile phone. Their lodger Naomi gave him a bag of goodies for consumption tomorrow.
This morning he had pedalled 21 miles along the Tarka Trail, which he said was a "brilliant ride." The only downside, apart from the weather, was that he had experienced an upset stomach all day - possibly the result of eating too many not-quite-ripe bananas?

Day 2 - Holsworthy, east of Bude

2006-05-26T21:19:00.000Z

The weather has been constantly misty today, so Martin has not seen anything of Cornwall's beauty, which has been a disappointment to him. The terrain has been tiring, with many steep hills and ravines one after another. Even so, he has cycled 68.42 miles today, ending the day in Devon at Derriton - a stone's throw from the town of Holsworthy which is east of Bude. He called from the garden of a very friendly lady he met this afternoon, which is where he had pitched his tent. I'm sure he said her name was England and her husband was Bluitt, though her son will hopefully email me if that's wrong. She was delivering pasties when she stopped to ask if he needed any help mapreading. After chatting for a while, she offered her garden as a campsite, and the use of her hosepipe to wash off all the accumulated mud and grit from the bike and its gears. The roads have been awash apparently. Because of the constant drizzle, Martin cannot wear his glasses and therefore mapreading is very laboured. He says the maps are not of much help at all anyway.
The Camel Trail was a good route to follow; at the end of the trail he met Mick Stretton who had moved down from Wembley (and that is positively the only reference to anything football-related in our house while he is away!) who posed for a photo with Martin beside a big metal fish.
He is finding the nutrition side of things to be working well, including 4 bananas today, and is feeling fit and strong, and in good spirits. He said he can feel his knee niggling, but it is not causing him any real pain or discomfort.

Day 1 - Land's End to Newquay

2006-05-25T21:19:00.000Z

Packing away the tent and setting off at 7am, Martin has cycled 65.5 miles today, camping just outside Newquay at 6.30pm this evening. After a disturbed night - the Land's End fogwarning siren going off every 30 seconds close by, he got up to find that the weather was just as awful as the night before. He began by cycling to Land's End (the mileage yesterday was from the station at Penzance to where he camped) to begin the ride proper. Unfortunately there was no view of the sea because of the mist, and at 7am there was no-one about, so no fanfare to get him going. Route finding was very difficult through Cambourne, Redruth and Truro, even with the Sustrans map, and extra mileage has been clocked up already. Something rude was shouted at him by a youth in Redruth, and he could only reply silently as he was pedalling slowly uphill at the time! The terrain has been hard today - many hills coming very close together. The mist cleared during the day, though it was still overcast, but drizzle returned in the evening. A very nice shopkeeper in Newlyn wouldn't charge him for the three bananas he had selected, after Martin told him what he was doing and what it was raising money for. Cheeky monkey. Oh, and he also talked the campsite owner down from £14 to £6.80 this evening. That's my boy!
NB If you would like to ask any questions or send messages that I can pass on, please email them to martinthecyclist@aol.com

He's off !

2006-05-24T22:09:00.000Z

After arriving at Carlisle station early, Martin's eager anticipation began to give way to something a little more nervous as the departure time drew near. An inspection of the concourse facilities filled in some time, then we said our goodbyes before the train pulled in a few minutes late. The last time I saw Martin was as he loaded the bike into the appropriate wagon, but it took more time than he had expected to secure, and I was instructed by the platform guard to deposit the panniers in the seating coach, leaving Martin to meet up with them (hopefully) after he had walked through three carriages. The whistle blew for the train to leave and I jumped off as the doors were closing, narrowly missing a trip to Land's End myself!

Martin Phoned at 10.30pm, to say that he was sitting in his tent, in a farm field half a mile from Land's End, cooking his dinner. The weather was blowing a gale, thick mist and driving rain. Looking out of the train window at the weather approximately an hour before arriving at Penzance, he had become very despondent. Then he remembered that he still had a banana left from his lunch, and it seemed to cheer him up. He was in good spirits, having stopped at a camp site near the start point only to decide that he didn't want to pay £10 for the night's pitch; but then got them to fill up his water bottles and pedalled off to find a field for free! Yep, that's my husband! He has so far cycled 11.18 miles, and said he can't wait to get going tomorrow. Look out Cornwall.

Final Preparations

2006-05-23T22:43:00.000Z

After months of planning, the journey is about to begin. Tomorrow morning I will be making my way to Carlisle and boarding the train to Penzance.

I’m feeling a mixture of excitement and apprehension, eager to put all the training into practice. I’m worried because I injured my knee two weeks ago and I know that it could scupper all my plans and bring about a premature end to the whole journey.

I’ve ignored all advice to postpone the trip, as I’m determined to succeed against all the odds. I’m trying to convince myself that I can overcome the pain and I remain positive that I can do that, but in the back of my mind there is a nagging doubt that is perpetuated by the very fact that the knee is not right.

I feel responsible for all the people who have sponsored me and I don’t want to let anyone down. I’ve received about £2000 in pledges and I can’t just give up. The Great North Air Ambulance Service relies on people donating money and they need as much support as they can get.

Apart from the knee injury, which seems to have been the result of an over zealous training ride, I’m feeling strong in all other respects. I have finally settled on a comprehensive list of equipment that I will be taking. The choice has been a compromise over what I need to take, what I want to take, what is absolutely necessary and what is merely useful to make the journey more comfortable.

I was hoping to update the web site with a detailed list of every item, but I have been so busy preparing that I just didn’t have the time. I will, however, compile a full list of all the gear and how it performed once I have finished.

In the meantime, everything is packed and the panniers are full with all my worldly goods. I’m prepared for just about anything. The weather has been awful, but I’ve not been overly concerned as it can only get better. Even if it doesn’t fair up, I’m confident of some warmer weather to come as I’m always the eternal optimist.

I’m not looking forward to spending 9 hours on a train, but I’ve got a good book to read which I’m planning to throw away when I get to Penzance, so as not to have to carry it on the bike! I won’t have time to do any reading once the journey starts. It will be just a case of turning those pedals and focussing on the job at hand.

I’m excited about the places that I will be seeing. Lands End to begin with, which I haven’t visited since I was a small boy on holiday with my parents. I’m looking forward to riding along the Camel Trail starting at Padstow, also crossing the Severn Road Bridge and cycling through the Forest of Dean. Then there is the Malvern Hills, the Peak District and following the Tissington Trail.

It will be great to follow the Pennine Cycleway and re-acquaint myself with some of the villages that I first visited when I walked the Pennine Way. I’m particularly looking forward to cycling through the Yorkshire Dales and then travelling through the Border Region to Edinburgh, crossing the Forth Road Bridge as a springboard to Perth and Pitlochry. Then it’s up through the Highlands to Inverness before the last leg to John O’Groats.

I can’t wait!

Profile

2006-04-13T16:17:00.000Z

My name is Martin Carter. In May/June 2006, I’m planning to cycle from Land’s End to John O’Groats in aid of the Great North Air Ambulance Service (GNAAS).

I’m 47 years old and I’m married with 4 children. I live and work in Cumbria. I started cycle touring a year ago, having been involved in endurance sports for all of my adult life. I have pursued long distance swimming, long distance walking and I have spent the last 15 years exploring old mine workings, wielding a pick and shovel to clear roof collapses deep underground.

Sponsorship

2006-04-13T16:15:00.000Z

Great North Air Ambulance Service

There are many worthy causes which rely on charitable contributions and one of those is the Great North Air Ambulance Service (GNAAS).
It is my aim to cycle from Land’s End to John O’Groats to try and raise funds for this very important service, to help keep the aircraft operational and to help raise the profile of the ambulance service which exists to ensure the majority of the population of the North East, North Yorkshire and Cumbria are within ten minutes of air ambulance cover.

Please log onto the Great North Air Ambulance Service at:

www.greatnorthairambulance.co.uk

The web-site covers the history of the service, together with the benefits to the public and life saving service that is provided, information about the helicopters that are used and the highly trained Trauma Team that run the service.

In the Beginning

2006-04-13T16:13:00.000Z

The challenge of travelling from Land’s End to John O’Groats has been nagging away at me for a long time now. When I was younger I wanted to do it on foot, having walked many of the official long distance footpaths like the Pennine Way, Offas Dyke and Wainwright’s Coast to Coast. The idea was there, but for one reason or another, the timing was never right and eventually it was put on the back burner when I moved to the Lake District in 1989. Thereafter, I simply indulged myself in climbing the fells and exploring the mines and I never really thought about it any further.

The turning point for me was suffering a severe ankle injury whilst walking in the Lake District in 1998, the only time that I’ve been taken off the fell on a stretcher. Although I recovered to resume my outdoor activities, the ankle has never been the same and a fell walk now is always a compromise between the pleasure of being out and the pain that I suffer along the way.

In 2001, when Foot and Mouth closed the countryside, I took up cycling as the only way to explore the Lakes under my own steam and I realised immediately that on the bike I suffered no pain at all from my ankle. I suppose it must be the constant flexing of the ankle-joint that matches the movements that I did during physiotherapy, as each turn of the pedal stretches the ligaments to good effect.

The next few years saw a gradual shift, from walking to cycling. It wasn’t immediate but the trend was there. Eventually, the penny dropped and the bike became all important. I suddenly realised that I could explore the Lake District from a different perspective.

I also started to think about travelling further a field and wondered about replicating my backpacking days by cycle touring instead. The obvious challenge had been staring out at me all along as the C2C route passes right in front of my house. Over the years I have seen hundreds of people cycling past.

In 2005, I decided to follow them. My younger brother came up from Bedfordshire and together we did the C2C and the Reivers Route. We started at my house, cycled east to Sunderland, along the coast to Tynemouth, before completing the return journey via the Reivers Route to Whitehaven. We then cycled the remaining part of the C2C back home again. We did about 350 miles in 7 days, a self supported camping trip.

So here I am, a year later, planning to cycle from Land’s End to John O’Groats. I’m wiser now, a bit more experienced and I’ve got a good idea what cycling is all about. I’m on my own this time, however, but I’m confident all the same. It will be another camping trip as it wouldn’t be in my nature to do it any other way.

The Route

2006-04-13T16:05:00.000Z

It didn’t take me long to figure out a route for myself. I’d read a couple of books and looked at the routes suggested by the Cycle Touring Club, but none of them satisfied my own style. I wanted to avoid as many cars and roads as I could and the obvious way to do this was to look at the official cycle routes that criss-cross the country and see if I could link them up together. The focal point of my route was to try and incorporate the Pennine Cycleway into the plans, as on a personal note it will be 30 years since I first did the walking equivalent, the Pennine Way, which I did with my father in 1976.

I used the Sustrans web-site to gather most of the information that I needed and purchased a set of maps that cover the dedicated cycle routes that I would be following. The result is a superb trip in prospect, longer and hillier than most people would choose, but perfect for me!

Here is a list of the cycle routes that I have linked together with approximate mileages:

The Cornish Way. Land’s End to Padstow. 76 miles.
The West Country Way. Padstow to Chew Stoke. 229 miles.
The Avon Cycleway. Chew Stoke to the Severn Road Bridge, via the Clifton Suspension Bridge. 38 miles.
Link from Severn Bridge to Bromsgrove via back roads. 100 miles.
West Midlands Cycle Route. Bromsgrove to Etwall. 70 miles.
Pennine Cycleway (Peak District). Etwall to Holmfirth. 73 miles.
Pennine Cycleway (South Pennines & the Dales). Holmfirth to Appleby. 124 miles.
Pennine Cycleway (North). Appleby to Renwick. 25 miles.
Link from Renwick to Innerleithen via back roads. 100 miles.
Coast & Castles Cycle Route. Innerleithen to Edinburgh. 138 miles.
Edinburgh to Aberdeen Cycle Route. Edinburgh to Kinross (B916). 33 miles.
Link from Kinross (B916) to Perth via back roads. 20 miles.
The Salmon Run. Perth to Pitlochry. 32 miles.
Lochs & Glens Cycle Route (North). Pitlochry to Inverness. 100 miles.
Aberdeen to John O’Groats Cycle Way. Inverness to John O’Groats. 170 miles.

The total approximate distance is 1328 miles, which I am hoping to complete within 3 weeks. Obviously, this is a very challenging route and I am mindful that there are many ups and downs in terms of the terrain involved, especially with a fully laden bike with all the camping gear.

Nutrition

2006-04-13T14:45:00.000Z

I have been experimenting with all sorts of different meals and snacks, trying to target foods that are high in carbohydrates, particularly those that are starchy, rather than sugar based, for sustained energy.

I have read that endurance cyclists need to be consuming up to 700g of carbohydrates on a daily basis, in order to replenish the glycogen stores that are converted into energy. This is a phenomenal amount of food and when taking into consideration the fact that the cyclist is always on the move, it becomes a real problem in finding the time to eat.

There are other practical issues at stake, insofar that I have chosen to camp which involves having to carry a lot of my food to last for several days. The food has to be transportable and it needs to be fresh. It also has to be relatively easy to prepare.

I have been eating different foods as part of my training regime, trying to gauge the relative benefits, both during and after exercise. After much deliberation, I have finalised the following list of food and drink that I will be using:

Scott’s Porage Oats (Old Fashioned)
Marvel Dried Skimmed Milk
Drytech Real Expedition Meals
Quaker Oat Bars (Original)
Bananas
High5 Energy Source (4:1)
SIS Rego Recovery
Horlicks Light Malt
Water
Other

The list can be detailed as follows:

Scott’s Porage Oats (Old Fashioned)
Breakfast was a choice of either porridge or muesli. I used to eat muesli in my backpacking days and it is certainly easier to prepare in a tent as there is no cooking involved. But porridge is an excellent staple diet and is better for sustained energy. It will provide me with a very good start to the day and there is the option of eating further portions after that. The cycling day will be spread over 12 hours, so there is always the need for more porridge.

Nutritional values: 11% protein, 60% carbohydrate (of which sugars 1.1%) and only 8% fat.

Quantities: 1kg (Scott’s Porridge is sold more or less everywhere, so supplies can be readily replenished).

Marvel Dried Skimmed Milk
Dried skimmed milk is used solely for mixing with the porridge. I will mix it all in before I set off from home and will have to purchase more when I’m due to replenish the porridge.

Nutritional values: 36.1% protein, 52.9% carbohydrate and less than 1% fat.

Quantities: 200g (I will need to purchase a small tin when I replenish the porridge).

Drytech Real Expedition Meals
I discovered these expedition meals last year, sold at George Fishers mountaineering shop in Keswick. I used them for last years ride and I cannot fault them in any way. They provide a wholesome evening meal and have the important benefit of being freeze dried and therefore are light to carry. They are very easy to prepare, as you simply add boiling water to the bag. There is a choice of several different menus, but my favourite is pasta vegetarian.

Nutritional values: 11% protein, 65% carbohydrate and only 2% fat.

Quantities: Each bag weighs 100g, so I will start with a maximum supply of 14 meals. I am hoping that another outdoor shop will sell them en route, so that I can bolster my supply. If not, I will have to see what else is on offer!

Quaker Oat Bars (Original)
These are my favourite cereal bars, as they contain less sugar than most other bars and are therefore better for sustained energy. I will be looking to eat these quite regularly and will be a slave to finding retail outlets that sell them.

Nutritional values: 7.2% protein, 64.4% carbohydrate (of which sugars 16.7%) and only 9.4% fat.

Quantities: I will aim to set off with about 3 boxes (15 bars), but they will be consumed rapidly).

Bananas
Bananas are the best choice of regular snacks between meals. They are the superman of all exercise foods as they provide a great boost of energy and are naturally very healthy too.

Nutritional values: Bananas are made up primarily of water and about 23% carbohydrate, with absolutely no fat.

Quantities: Bananas do not travel well, unfortunately. So it will be a case of buying ripe ones at every opportunity, consuming them more or less immediately.

High5 Energy Source (4:1)
Energy Source 4:1 is a specialist sports drink made in powdered form, to which you simply add water. It is an advanced fuel for use during exercise and contains 4 parts carbohydrate to 1 part protein. This will be vital for keeping up my energy reserves, as it is quickly absorbed by the body and will help to stave off the effects of dehydration.

Nutritional values: 20% protein, 77% carbohydrate (of which sugars 10%) and no fat.

Quantities: 1.3kg. It is recommended to use 75g (750ml) per hour during intense activity, but in reality I’m sure that I will use much less. Most food shops tend not to sell specialist sports drinks of this nature, so I will be reliant on outdoor shops for replenishment. If I cannot restock, then I will buy Lucozade Sport drinks that are an adequate alternative, although I would have to drink these more or less immediately due to the weight.

SIS Rego Recovery
Like Energy Source, Rego Recovery is a specialist sports drink made in powdered form, but is designed for use after exercise. It provides rapidly absorbed protein and carbohydrate, together with vitamins and minerals, to help rebuild and repair muscles.

Nutritional values: 26% protein, 59% carbohydrate (of which sugars 14%) and only 1.3% fat.

Quantities: 500g. It is recommended to use 100g (1ltr), which I will aim to drink immediately before camp. Obviously with only 5 days supply, I will need to be on the lookout to replenish supplies, but if that is not possible then I will just have to do without.

Horlicks Light Malt
Horlicks is my only chance of a hot beverage as I do not drink tea or coffee. It has excellent nutritional values and will help to induce a restful sleep, which is not guaranteed when camping. The Light version is simple to make, as you simply add hot water.

Nutritional values: 14.8% protein, 70.3% carbohydrate (of which sugars 41.2%) and only 3.8% fat.

Quantities: 500g. I will aim to use less than the recommended serving of 32g per cup, drinking only 1 cup per day and would hope to make this last for the whole trip.

Water
Water is the one thing that I cannot do without. It is vital. It is the one ingredient that I will need to replenish on a constant basis, which will mean having to be extremely resourceful. I will be looking to buy it in bottle form, or will need to beg for it at houses, farms etc. The need to keep hydrated cannot be underestimated. I will also need water to add to my sports drinks, Horlicks and for adding to my evening meal and porridge in the mornings.

Quantities: I will be carrying 3 x 700ml bottles that attach to the frame of the bike and will be looking to top up at every opportunity. I will also be carrying a further 1 x 750ml bottle to use for the sports drinks only. Each powdered drink will be made up and consumed immediately and the empty bottle stowed away in the panniers.

Other
There will be times when I cannot find the right shops to replenish my supplies, or that I will choose to vary my diet. Quick-cook pasta would be a good alternative to the Drytech meals, perhaps adding dried onions and primula cheese. Wholemeal bread rolls are rich in carbohydrates, as too are oat and rice cakes. Brazil nuts and dates are also a good choice, although nuts are best left until the end of the day - the high fat content will slow digestion during exercise. A small carton of orange juice is an instant source of carbohydrates and dried fruit has all the sustained energy benefits of fruit without carrying the extra weight of the water content. Lastly, I have read that rice pudding is an excellent end of day food, with plenty of carbohydrates as well as protein to help with muscle repair for the next day.

I certainly won't be relying on chocolate bars, which serve only to provide a surge of energy, followed by a state of exhaustion caused by the depletion of glycogen in the muscles.

Training

2006-04-13T14:39:00.000Z

When I started training for the C2C and Reivers Route, last year, I was recovering from a severe bout of influenza. I was laid up for about three weeks in February, which left me only two months to prepare physically for the ride. In hindsight, I should have delayed the journey until later in the summer, as it wasn’t until July that I had fully recovered.

My training for this year has been much easier, as I my fitness levels have increased steadily over the past twelve months. I have become a better and more committed cyclist, utilizing my free time to ride and also commuting to work.

I enjoyed some really good rides through the Lake District up until the end of October, racking up the miles with relative ease. During the winter months, I pedalled on the bike-to-nowhere at the local gym with the emphasis on building stamina and conditioning the legs for turning the pedals. After years of hill walking and working underground wielding a sledgehammer and pickaxe, I ignored all the other weight training equipment and just sat on the bike and concentrated hard on working through programmes such as rolling hills, cross country and aerobic training. It doesn’t equate to riding on the bike proper, but it has kept my fitness levels high throughout the winter and I would say that by March I was already 75% fit enough to start Land’s End to John O’Groats.

I’ve now finished at the gym. All my training now is on the bike. The weather hasn’t been very good, but for training purposes there is no better preparation than to brave the elements and contend with the rain and the wind however miserable it might be. When I plan to go for a ride, I do so the night before and therefore I am committed to the task and I take the weather as it comes.

My aim is to start at Land’s End knowing that I have already trained in torrential rain, blustery winds and freezing temperatures and will therefore be prepared for anything. Obviously, it’s nice when the sun comes out, but I’d rather it rained now than in May, when I start the ride.

I’ve read a lot about training methods, from professional riders through to rank amateurs. Some people seem to start at Land’s End without having done any training whatsoever, whilst others take it much more seriously. I want to be fit enough to be able to enjoy the ride and to be physically prepared in order to give myself a fighting chance. At 47 years old, carrying up to 20kg in equipment, cycling over very undulating terrain at around 70 miles a day for 3 weeks, I need to be at my very best, fitness wise.

There is a great need to rest between training rides. It isn’t about going out on the bike every single day. It’s about measuring the approach, gradually building up the muscles and the stamina, resting between exertions, sleeping well and eating the right foods. This isn’t always easy, not when trying cope with all the usual stresses of going to work and helping to bring up a family.

I’ve been cycling to work as part of my preparations. I use the bike every other day. It’s a 30 mile round trip if I take the same route, longer if I decide to come home a different way. Those 30 miles are what I call real miles, as again there are no easy routes anywhere in Cumbria. It’s always an undulating journey, whichever direction. I keep reading about the steep hills in Devon and Cornwall, where all routes seem to follow a switchback course, plunging into steep valleys and climbing out the other side. I’m trying to replicate that in my training rides, conditioning myself to cope with the same type of terrain, so that nothing will come as a complete surprise.

I’ve been varying my routes to make training a pleasure instead of a chore. I’ve explored the back roads around Bassenthwaite, cycled to Caldbeck via the big hill out of Uldale and returned through Ireby and Cockermouth. I’ve been down to the far end of Thirlmere, riding along the superb lane that follows the length of the reservoir, returning via St John’s in the Vale and Castlerigg Stone Circle. I’ve been over the Whinlatter Pass many times and have also struggled over Newlands and Honister.

Each training ride is like a trip down memory lane, as I cast my mind back to the days when I swam the length of lakes such as Coniston and Derwentwater. The scenery is full of memories of all the fells that I have climbed, many of which I have camped out on at various times in my life. Then there are the mines. I usually stop the bike and rest on the handlebars, looking up at the old lead and copper mines where I have spent so many fantastic days underground. Every part of Lakeland has such a special place in my heart and now I’m adding to it all by seeing it from a new perspective.

It’s now mid April and there is less than 6 weeks to go before the start. I’m able to cycle about 50 miles in a day without feeling too tired or too stiff the next day. I’m carrying about half the weight that I’ll be starting with. I’m riding with all 4 panniers and a bar-bag to replicate the real thing, getting used to the load and the handling of the bike. Barring injury or illness, I’m on course to peak at just the right time. Then and only then, will I know what I am able to achieve.

Equipment

2006-03-22T22:15:00.000Z

The equipment that I will be using for the cycle trip can be categorised in two parts, firstly the bike and all the cycling gear and secondly the camping equipment.

I intend to list every item of equipment in due course, so as to report on the function of each individual item and how each one is deemed vital to the success of the journey.

I am still making preparations and I am working hard to get everything finalised. I’m analysing my equipment right down to the last detail. Everything has been individually weighed as I have tried to think of all the things that I need and perhaps more importantly all the things that I can do without. Saving weight is critical, as each hill that I try to climb will be affected by the drag of the weight that I will have to carry.