John O’Groats to Lands End Cycle - 28th June to 7th July
Day 10 - Wednesday 7th July:
Oakhampton to Lands End
The final day! Like old knights we mounted our trusted chargers for the final on-slaught towards
our goal, now we had a steady climb out of Okehampton, stopping to re-group before the A30, with our high-viz
yellow lens fitted (this always makes the day look brighter) and new batteries in my rear light for extra
safety! This road was heading only one way...Lands End here we come!
The first few miles climbed slowly towards Launceston, the pace picked up as the climbs were steady so the high gears made for a fast assault on Launceston. Most of the other knights of the road (lorries) gave us a wide birth which was so kind, if you know the A30 like many main roads it has a white line then a extra 1mt or 3ft on the verge side, which some drivers think is for cyclists, which is fine apart from all the stones, nut and bolts etc, which have been knocked into this void, they also sometimes put extra cats eyes...just to keep you awake! Which on a uphill climb is ok as you have slightly more time to react, but when you’re travelling at 25 to 30mph its safer to be 1ft to the right.
Pulling in for the second re-fuel stop of the day, I phoned Clare to see where they were the reply was still at home, maybe this was due to fact I had forgotten to tell her we would be starting the last day at 6.30am.
So the race was on how far could we get before they caught us! Now for all you mathematical students, if we were travelling @ 15mph and the speed limit on the motorway is 70mph (I am not sure if Clare was aware of this fact), so we set off like scolded cats to take on the Beast of Bodmin (Bodmin Moor) as we climbed the mist turned into light rain, but at the speed we were going there were vapour steams flowing from our bikes like jet fighters. On the next pit stop I called Jemma to see where they’d reached this was Weston-Super-Mare, doing a mental check I knew our lead should get us to our planned lunch stop, as we climbed to the top of the Moor a smell of Bacon suddenly made my mount turn into the lay-by stopping right outside the butty van, whilst talking to Steve the vendor I ordered a hot chocolate, then as Natalie and Roger pulled in I checked to see if they wanted anything... they both said no! So I backed down from ordering a bacon butty, chatting to Steve and Shirley, they asked where we had come from and explained we on our way to Lands End, they said we were at the highest point now so it was downhill for the next 20miles. This was just what we needed to hear, a fast downhill section to keep the chasing duo behind for a few more miles, as we dropped from the clouds towards Bodmin our pace increased.
The major climb was Indian Queens, which tested the legs, pulling over at top, I checked in with Jemma again, they had passed Okehampton our starting point and were closing in fast, still keeping to the speed limit of course (Clare’s limit anyway)!
Heading towards Carling Cross the sight of giant windmills slowed some of the prevailing winds. We navigated the roundabout then pulled in to eat our bacon sandwiches and phone Jemma, they were closing down on us, so we told them we had stopped for them to catch us up. Within a few minutes the KA appeared over the horizon, they pulled over and said how nice we all smelled, must be the linx effect?
Re-fuelled we departed the lay-by with 58miles completed and 40 ahead with Penzance showing on the road signs, the sun decided to show his friendly face, just as some more windmills could been seen in the distance this meant more hills.
With the temperature raising more water was needed so Steve was asked to stop every 5miles which he did, finding each lay-by was a bonus as the cool water tasted like nectar, then came dilemma, the dreaded road works sign saying cyclists please find alternative route, now I said to Natalie I had not seen this sign so if we got stopped by anyone, just say I was following my Dad (this worked in Scotland so we would risk it again!)
Well to say the traffic was happy to see us on one single carriage way was the understatement of the day!
Three miles down the road and only one patrol car later, who was not bothered, we cleared the road works and pushed on towards Penzance, as explained earlier about the downhill sections, some kind man in a Volvo thought it would funny to blast his horn just 3ft away from myself, which at the time I was topping 30mph, in shock and anger with his lack of common sense I did what any red blooded English man would do, sticking up more than one finger and less than three fingers, to which he replied in the same manor...well at least I climbed the next hill with more vigour!
Penzance was looming closer and closer, the first person who saw the sea would get a free pint and I was going to be that man! I Know being 6’3” has some advantages, so standing up in the pedals on a downhill section Hayle Bay was spotted on the right hand side. Downhill into Penzance, taking a right on the roundabout following the A30 with the eye of hawk, then straight on at the next roundabout, up the flyover then just over ten miles to go and as we got closer the roads narrowed the closer we got to the dream.A small shower just to prove mother nature was still in control, the few small climbs felt more like mountains still testing the sprit, with one last water stop before the end we re-grouped and made sure we all finished together with a quick call to Jemma to let her know the ETA, Steve made a dash for the line with the truck...and the camera!!
Stopping at the top of the hill with half a mile to go, we rolled down to find Clare, Jemma and Steve all with cameras poised we crossed the finish line just before 4pm. The highlights will follow!
Day 9 - Tuesday 6th July:
Webbington to Oakhampton
The Great Western hotel at Webbington lived up to its name with great room, food plus a good sleep,
well apart from Natalie’s snoring!
Down for breakfast at 7 am cereals, full English plus cakes fuelling us for the day ahead.
Turn right from the hotel, downhill and over the M5 on a small country roads, with the birds singing in the bright morning sunshine, then left heading towards A38 and Highbridge onwards to Bridgewater the miles were flowing bye with ease as the Somerset levels being very kind the legs, reaching Taunton, we called into Tesco’s just around from the SAC college (starting point of the Taunton half marathon) stock up on the essentials chocolate, cakes, sandwich and drinks, before setting off towards Wellington, still on the A38, before dropping down to junction 27 over the M5, then uphill on the A361 North Devon link road, which was the best tarmac, we have been on during the whole journey staying in top gear most the way to Tiverton, turning off and heading down the A396 towards Bickleigh. Stopping for lunch in a lay-by, with just a short trip before turning right onto the A3072 popping over the bridge, we arrived at a warning sign quoting a 15% climb, well much to our delight this in old money this is tough at 53 miles into the days ride, helped more by the fact the bacon sandwich was only part way down, we stopped at the top of the hill to re-group, this was going to be like this for the next 15 miles with more climbs testing the will power and the leg’s.
Waiting at the crest of a hill I spoke to a end 2 ender heading North on his second day, we wished each other a safe journey, the speeded off down the next section at high speed with Natalie just behind and Roger following at a more sedate state, Crediton was the next on the list before turning right on to the A377 heading for Barnstaple with a uphill section, before turning on to the A3072 again for the final few miles to Oakhampton with one last hill just for good measures, finding our B&B for the night we secured the bike washed changed and headed down the white hart to re-fuel and of course a well earned pint with 79½ miles complete today, with a early start on last day “yes day Ten” with a 103mile run down the A30 to lands end.
On arriving at the guest house, we sat on the wall outside and drank our recovery drinks, a lone cyclist pulled up, I asked if he was stopping the night, “depends if they have a spare room”, on ringing the bell Mark, the owner opened the door, he looked rather puzzled when he asked for just one room. I said we were pre-booked and just cooling down, and when were ready, we would take our trusted bikes around to the rear courtyard for safe keeping.
This is where Mark’s wife, Lesley greeted us with offers of food and drink, we all had a cool blackcurrant and I said sorry about smelling like skunks, to which she replied no problem, then running through the protocol for the rooms and breakfast arrangements, we asked if we could have a sandwiches instead, as we had planned an early start 6:30am (much to the eagerness of my companions) to help us complete our journey, before the sign photographer finished. Bacon sandwiches would be waiting in the fridge on our departure, then up to our room for a shower, now wanting to save water, I sprayed half a can of deodorant into my clothes and hung them by the open window ...I know this sounds lazy-but it keeps the flies off!...and it was due to rain the next day anyway!
Sometimes going into the first pub is not always the right thing, when asking the bar man, was it ok to order some food, he replied of course! So being the only one to want a starter, I ordered sweet corn soup, then four mains, plus some drinks...bet you can’t guess what I had to drink!
This is when the waitress said there was a 45 minute wait and was this ok...yes as long as my soup was on its way! Which arrived and was very nice, the main meals followed later and were eaten with eagerness. Then onto ordering puddings which was easy, after waiting for a short time my phone rang it was Clare, so I went outside to talk, after all the Updates, I said there was a pudding waiting inside, with my name on it and bid farewell. To my shock and horror still no puddings, so I walked up to the bar and asked what was going on, his reply was “it would be 2 minutes”. I said it better be or I would cause a riot... after 750 miles, poor service is not top of my list, he said sorry and would sort it now!
Heading back up the hill to the B&B, we took in the sights of Oakhampton, before turning in and writing up the daily report, which I emailed off to John Gibson “Bourton Roadrunners webmaster” only to find on speaking on the phone the next day I had to forgotten to add the attachment! I said sorry, John as always very understanding, trying to write up a report each night that makes sense is harder than the bike ride!
Day 8 - Monday 5th July:
Leominster to Webbington
After a good night sleep in the youth hostel, but with no cooked breakfast included, we had invested in
some crunchy nut cornflakes and full fat milk from the local Spar, which we consumed with eagerness,
before loading up by 7:30am and moving off down the A49 heading towards Hereford, with a cool nip, but
bright sunshine & best of all just a light breeze, with a flat start, we soon got in to a flow.
The five mile mark was the first major decision of the day when a road sign said A417 to Gloucester 35 miles turn left, well luck would have it that on the other side was a little chef and the smell of bacon tickled the taste buds enough to distracted from the thought of home, even the train driver was happy as he sounded his horn as we waved, then we arrived at the first climb of the day well maybe, we should have had crunchy nuts every morning because the legs powered up the climb with ease, even more fun was the run down the outer side where the 30 mph restriction was Broken with ease, before the flat run into Hereford, just a small bump uphill before meeting the morning traffic coming into Hereford, coming in past the race course, then Hereford united football ground, straight round the ring road over the river Wye, with some rowers out water.
Still heading on the A49 out of Hereford you could see the Black mountains on the right hand side, then branching on the A466 towards Monmouth, this was a great road, until around 27miles into the days trip when a major climb arrived, now with only hand washing our clothes, we have found some new smells, which is less alarming than you can imagine, stopping at the top for a drink, you could see the tree landmark of May hill to the left hand side so close, mind back into gear, we set off again dropping into Monmouth on to the main A40 for just a ½ mile, turning back down the A466 heading for Chepstow following the river Wye down to the sea.
The ride under the tree keep the warming sunshine off, then it was one of those Mmm moments, finding a shop at Tintern Abbey, sat on the wall an enjoyed a cooling ice cream, before heading to the next uphill section, re-fuelled the climb went well, stopping at the top for some cooling water my phone sprang into life with a message for my niece Christy saying she hoped to see us on the Severn Bridge, so I rang her back with an eta of the bridge crossing, now if you remember, we have had problems with bridges early in our trip, but as we dropped down past Chepstow race course, then downhill the Severn Bridges, following the rules this time we crossed over the cycle way, stopping in the middle to take some pictures only to find it hard work due to the lorry’s vibrating the walkway as they passed by, then a quick dash back into England, turning left into the service station we were greeted with a warm welcome by Christy and her four Daughters, who had been given a special leave to come & see us, not to miss a food stop, we ordered a burger king & a Diet coke, we have to look after our figures!
Waving goodbye after the quick stop we head toward Avonmouth via the A403 into dockland before joining the A4 into Bristol under the Clifton Bridge then on to the A38 towards Bristol airport with an uphill section, before sitting under the flight path of the incoming planes.
Leaving the airport behind we headed off towards Webbington our next overnight stop, with some great downhill section hitting just over 40mph, with just a couple of climbs left we turned right off the A38 down a small side road to find our hotel overlook the M5 motorway, we put the bikes to bed had a quick shower, then down to the restaurant for a well earned meal & of course a pint of cider completing the 86mile section in just over 7 hours of riding.
Day 7 - Sunday 4th July:
Weaverham to Leominster
After a great night’s sleep at Mrs Schofields Farm B&B, we enjoyed a slap-up breakfast-with real cow’s milk
fresh from the tank, bidding our fond farewells we headed off on the bikes at 8am back on the A49 heading
towards Whitchurch.
The wind had picked up once again hitting us full force in the face (surprise-surprise) with no respite along the way. With a new tactic of stopping every 15 miles to re-fuel this means we earn an extra two chocolate bars each day! Whitchurch came and went then heading on towards Shrewsbury we found a trusty McDonalds...having had no junk food all week and feeling we deserved it...it was Big-Macs all round. Feeling suitably replenished, we climbed onboard once more and headed back out on the A49 which undulated as we headed towards Church Stretton. The next section towards Craven Arms and Ludlow offered us more protection from the wind with hedge lined roadsides and we were able to pick up the pace.
A sudden shower of rain dampened the tarmac coming into the final pit-stop; I underestimated my speed and the newly created curb in the awaiting Lay-by resulted in my front wheel sliding for ten feet before the fateful realisation that this was going to hurt. The sun-cream lasted for two feet before the tarmac started to remove the various layers of skin on my legs. After coming to a complete stop I checked that my Garmin was still in one piece and at this point I swore like a trooper. To which the two ladies enjoying a cup of tea on the nearby bench asked if “I was ok”, to which I replied “yes thank you” and picked myself up to check my injuries which was more my pride than any physical damage. Asking Steve did he catch that on camera - I could earn £200 on you’ve been framed! Unfortunately he replied “his camera was still sitting on the passenger seat in his cab”. Telling him to warn Roger and Nat’s of the curb, they duly arrived with more style and grace than my previous entrance.
We consumed one last refreshment before setting off for our final destination of the day at Leominster Youth Hostel where Clare and Jemma were meeting us for our evening meal after not seeing them for a week. After showering and settling in, we headed off to find yet another Wetherspoons in nearby Hereford town centre. After asking a few locals and circulating the town streets a couple of times we passed a large group of heckling merry policemen/ladies before reaching the Litter Tree pub for another great meal and refreshing Bulmers happy that another 86 miles has been completed.
Day 6 - Saturday 3rd July:
Kendal to Weaverham
I know it may come as a big surprise to find that Kendal youth hostel had been hit by an earthquake, which had
caused every floor widow doorway to be at very strange angles, and only having had one pint at the pub! This
made us walk, like we had had quite a few more!
Even more strange, was being on the top bunk, and very alarming, when with each movement of the other cyclist in the bottom bunk, it shook the bed with force 3 on the Richter scale.
More alarming was the state some of the older generation were behaving, with one having to be collected by ambulance on Friday night, after sliding down a banister, forgetting about the next flight of steps, and hitting everyone of them before coming to rest at the bottom. It was confirmed in the morning, that he had a broken both his ankle and wrist which were now in plaster.
Not to be out done one of his younger female cycle companions thought the breakfast room was too hot and she would pass out, which would not been so bad, if she had hit the stack of unwashed bed cloths rather than the solid wooden chair taking the full force of her fall. She hit her head and Cut her face. The next ambulance was duly called and arrived very quickly; it must be one of their local call outs.
After the morning events, we saddled up and headed south on A6, which we followed down with ease and we made goodtime.
The Lancashire roads were even better, good road signs and smooth tarmac, the northeast coast towns passed quickly, Preston was next, which went up market today and stopped at Sainsbury’s for lunch.
Then turning we headed down the A49 towards Weaverham to our next overnight stop completing the 85miles in just over 7 hours in bright sunshine and a LIGHT breeze for a change, which in turn has left us with some very strange colour coding, we will have to be very careful if we use the self scan till at Tesco’s!
Even more impressive is we have completed over 500miles in 6 days, so after a well earned shower, we went off to the pub for our meal and of course a pint of cider.
Day 5 - Friday 2nd July:
Moffat to Kendal
Well shall we say stopping at the Black Bull in Moffat was an experience not to be forgotten, but you will have to
wait to find out more about that!
Back to main event, with the previous nights down pour, still hanging in the air, we left Moffat on the A701, then on the B7076 heading towards Lockerbie, when we finally caught up with the Young farmer girls and their Tractors, which we had heard about all the way from John O’Groats, which we see sawed with most of the morning, the thought of the English boarder approaching fast we pulled into Gretna green and took some pictures of the old black smith shop, looping through Gretna we missed Springfield doo!!! Stopping on the boarder for a quick picture opportunity, now onwards Carlisle on the A7, quick stop then on to the A6 towards Penrith and the sun came out and the wind blowing harder the effort went up two notches we zigzagged the M6 as we headed south towards the best part of the day climbing onwards and upwards top the top of Shap summit at 1400ft which was a Great experience to say the wind was blowing hard was an understatement! But luckily we spoke to a man on a scooter who explained about the vortex effect of the winds on the downhill section towards Kendal which helped with the decent, then quick blast into the town arriving at 5.45pm after 92miles in the saddle.
A quick shower then off to Wetherspoons for a well earned mixed grill and a pint, who says you can’t live life to full.
Day 4 - Thursday 1st July:
Perth to Moffat
It was an early start to the day ahead as lots of miles to cover. In true fashion the Scottish mist turned to rain,
with the first gentle climb at 7miles for 3 miles to the top of Glenfarg village heading towards Kinross taking
smaller, B roads today. Making our way to the A90 forth road bridge and on to Edinburgh. Finding the cycle way
closed we decided to brave it over the bridge only to be greeted at the other side by a traffic control officer,
to be told we shouldn’t even had be cycling on the main carriage way. I said we were very sorry, luckily he was
a very nice man; he even said it would better if we took the cycle way into town centre, or we may have an overnight
stay for free if they caught us on the A90 again.
Edinburgh was not the height of the day, as arrived during the lunch time rush hour, finding the ring road heading south, then the A702 towards the ski slope! Yes it was uphill the sun showed its face just on queue.
Onwards and upwards on the A701 towards Penicuik, we stopped for a sandwich to help with still 50 miles to go, then we turn the corner to find the full force of the south wind in our faces.
Heading towards Moffat the mile signs started counting down, with 35miles to go the light rain started, and then it turned into a force 7 Gail, making even the downhill section hard work, the only saving grace was the last 4miles were great downhill off the top of the devil’s beef tub into Moffat arriving at 6.30pm, with 327mile covered in the first four days.
Day 3 - Wednesday 30th June:
Aviemore to Perth
We Left Aviemore hostel at 8:30am, Heading back down the A9 with a bright sunny start and a cool breeze in our face,
the last of the snow on top of the mountain fading away, the first few miles rolled along well stopping at 15 miles
for the chocolate and drink break (a lot easier than running) with more traffic, as we work our way down towards
Pitlochry for a sandwich with some great downhill sections to help the tiring legs.
The midday sun has showed its face with some stunning views over the mountain ranges and burns, with each sign informing us we were getting closer to our third rest stop at Perth, we arrived in good time coming to a rest in the Lovat hotel car park at 3:30, booked in to the room and washed the dust and grim off and even washed our cloths in the bath, so should smell sweeter tomorrow.
Then we walked down into town and found a wetherspoons and enjoyed a great meal, also a quick pint to help with the re-hydration, then off for an early night as a long day ahead down to Moffat via Edinburgh.
Day 2 - Tuesday 29th June:
Helmsdale to Aviemore
After a good night’s sleep we left the youth hostel at 7:45am. With a slight uphill start after leaving Helmsdale the
ride and the road was a lot kinder arriving in Bora, the next main village along the coast, in good time; our average
speed returning to the usual pace. As we moved along the A9 coastal road the traffic was quite light and very friendly,
and as the miles rolled on Steve Woodley would pop-up every ten miles and encourage us to eat more chocolate and keep
us topped up with fluids.
Having a good ride for the first 50 miles then over the Cromarty Firth Bridge at just over a mile long, then the first climb of the day which lasted for just over 2miles. Then gently up and down the A9 towards Inverness and the main climb of the day, which at 65 miles into the journey, tested the legs and the heart, with 3 miles of uphill before levelling off and the full force of the Scottish traffic sand blasting us at each opportunity. The miles rolled on, with the last Slochd summit at 1328 feet, then the well earned downhill ride back into Aviemore, arriving at 4:45pm completing the day’s ride in just under 7 hours. A quick shower then off to the chip shop to refuel.
Day 1 - Monday 28th June:
John O Grote’s to Helmsdale (51.79 miles)
After rebuilding the bikes & having pictures taken under the sign, we started our epic journey at 1pm, back down south in
bright sunshine. However, as Bern & Owen said, the prevailing wind is from the south and today was no exception. With a
head-wind all the way back as we wound our way along the coastal road, stopping at Tesco in Wick to refuel. Back on the
road again taking longer than expected (just under 5 hours riding), we arrived in Helmsdale at 7pm, a quick shower, then
off down to the pub for tea.
click on picture for a larger version.
We have chosen to raise money for two charities close to our hearts, Cancer Research & the British Heart Foundation there are sponsorship links to the right, which allow you to donate directly to the JustGiving websites (Please note these are separate charity sites therefore you need to pick which to add your donation to and please remember to fill in the gift aid if you’re a tax payer, this costs you nothing but raises a further 28 pence for every pound sponsored!! ) or if you prefer you can contact Eddie or Natalie and we will add your donation on to a sponsor form to be split 50/50 between the two charities.
We are aiming to raise a minimum of £1000 per charity and every little helps no matter how big or small the donation, it will all help us to achieve and hopefully beat our target.
Updates on our day to day progress throughout the trip will be posted to this page.
A huge thank you to all our sponsors-On behalf of Eddie, Natalie & Roger
Progress
We have arrived in Lands End. Read how we got here and what we encountered - starting on Monday 28th of June 2010 from John O’Groats and winding our way down the country over 10 days finishing in Lands End on Wednesday 7th of July. We have completed a staggering 900 muscle pounding miles along the way.
Registered Charity Nos. 4325234 and 225971
To sponsor them for Cancer Research UK: www.justgiving.com/Edward-Rozier-CR-UK
click on picture for a larger version.
To sponsor them for the British Heart Fundation: www.justgiving.com/Edward-Rozier-B-H-F
click on picture for a larger version.