Saturday, June 15, 2019
Thursday, November 29, 2018
Day 13 - Penrith to Burton in Kendal
Took a shortcut satnav went wrong and cut out so from Orton onwards is the right route but has been fudged to show up on the map.
Day 5 - Tomatin to Blair Atoll
Tomatin - Avimore - Kingussie - Dalwhinnie - Dromochter Summit - Blair Athol - Route 7
Following parallel to the A9 the route gently climbs for the next 30 miles or so. Just before Avimore it goes off road for the first time in the trip. It started off being quite a rough track but then joined a new dedicated cycle and walking route. After Avimore it's back on some B roads to Ruthven Barrack and then with the A9 again to the Drumochter summit. I was told this was a heavy climb but realise now that i was reading lots of Lands end to John O'graots blogs and the other way around would have been quite steep. I'd arrived at the top before i knew it. There is the Balsporren hotel at the top and I was debating whether to stay there for the night. It was only 4 O'clock though. My next place of call would have been Pitlocry which was another 27 miles.
I decided to head on. It was down hill all the way and like much of the route, followed the A9 on what was the old A9 but is now a cycle route. You can see the old road markings and cats eyes still in the road. It was like having my own personal ghost road. At one point I came across a large group of deer that had no other option but to run down the hill with me. I caught them up and was riding with them until they headed into the open fields.
I got to a place called Blair Atoll and saw a camping sign so decided to stay the night there - River Tilt Park. A bit posh for my liking with a small space for tents but mainly static caravans.
Following parallel to the A9 the route gently climbs for the next 30 miles or so. Just before Avimore it goes off road for the first time in the trip. It started off being quite a rough track but then joined a new dedicated cycle and walking route. After Avimore it's back on some B roads to Ruthven Barrack and then with the A9 again to the Drumochter summit. I was told this was a heavy climb but realise now that i was reading lots of Lands end to John O'graots blogs and the other way around would have been quite steep. I'd arrived at the top before i knew it. There is the Balsporren hotel at the top and I was debating whether to stay there for the night. It was only 4 O'clock though. My next place of call would have been Pitlocry which was another 27 miles.
I decided to head on. It was down hill all the way and like much of the route, followed the A9 on what was the old A9 but is now a cycle route. You can see the old road markings and cats eyes still in the road. It was like having my own personal ghost road. At one point I came across a large group of deer that had no other option but to run down the hill with me. I caught them up and was riding with them until they headed into the open fields.
I got to a place called Blair Atoll and saw a camping sign so decided to stay the night there - River Tilt Park. A bit posh for my liking with a small space for tents but mainly static caravans.
Offroad before Avimore
Ruthven Barracks
Drumochter Summit
Old A9
Day 4 - Bonar Bridge to Tomatin
Bonar Bridge - Dingwall - Inverness - Tomatin - Cycle Route 1 and Route 7
Not a bad nights sleep at Bonar Bridge. Continued on wards along Route 1 up Struie hill.
Was super windy coming over the river to Inverness. I'd been on holiday to Inverness before so it was nice see somewhere familiar. Stopped for a late lunch there and looked for some accommodation along the upcoming route. Places seemed scarce but managed to get a room at the Glenan Lodge in Tomatin. Just outside Inverness is where Cycle Route 1 changes to Cycle route 7.
Not a bad nights sleep at Bonar Bridge. Continued on wards along Route 1 up Struie hill.
Was super windy coming over the river to Inverness. I'd been on holiday to Inverness before so it was nice see somewhere familiar. Stopped for a late lunch there and looked for some accommodation along the upcoming route. Places seemed scarce but managed to get a room at the Glenan Lodge in Tomatin. Just outside Inverness is where Cycle Route 1 changes to Cycle route 7.
Stopped briefly at the Clava cairns. Was raining so nobody was around and the site was quite eerie.
The route ran back towards the A9 and ran parallel until Tomatin. Glenan Lodge was a great place. I just caught it on the edge of the season and was the only guest. Great to visit the Tomatin Brewery.
Why John O'Groats to Land's End?
Having just been made redundant from work, it seemed like an ideal opportunity to cycle from John O'Groats to Land's End. An ambition I've wanted to pursue for a few years but never had the time to complete as it always seemed a bit unfair on the family if I took 3 weeks off, instead of spending my limited holiday time with them.
I love cycle touring and camping. Possibly a tour of Europe may have been more appropriate given the time of year but End to End has always appealed to me. I live in Plymouth, not massively far from Land's End so it seems like the natural end point. And it's down hill isn't it? Unfortunately not.
I love cycle touring and camping. Possibly a tour of Europe may have been more appropriate given the time of year but End to End has always appealed to me. I live in Plymouth, not massively far from Land's End so it seems like the natural end point. And it's down hill isn't it? Unfortunately not.
A few people have asked if I'm doing it for charity. Seems strange that people would want to sponsor me for going on holiday for 3 weeks but have decided to raise money for st Luke's.
1140 miles
Day 3 - Tongue to Bonar Bridge
The wind had died down today. Headed up the steep hill out of Tongue and across the stunning moorland past loch Loyal stopping at the Crask inn for lunch. The rain had started back up again and I was pretty wet but managed to dry out a little by the fire at the Crask. Lairg was the plan originally but carried on to Bonar Bridge where I camped for the night. There is a spot on the other side of the bridge to the town where you can camp. It's not an official campsite but there are toilets there.
Monday, November 26, 2018
Day 2 - Thurso to Tounge
As the news reported, 50 mile an hour winds with gusts of 70 mph! Great! It's only the second day! Sod it I thought, I'm gonna go for it. My original plan was to go from Thurso to the Crask Inn. Not happening in this wind. When the wind was blowing from side on it was a constant struggle to stay on the road. At certain points down really steep hills, I had to pedal hard. Up hill was walking. Nothing better to do with my day so headed on. Some stunning scenery and the ocean was raging. I stopped at the Halladale Inn and the even the locals were remarking on the terrible weather.
Finally made it to Tounge which is a beautiful place. The wind was starting to die down and I found a place in a B&B overlooking the lake.
Day 1 - john O'Groats to Thurso
It was about 2 pm when arrived in Wick and was just starting to rain. I cycled the 16 miles or so to John O'Groats. It's very bleak there and there wasn't really anyone around for a while. Someone ventured out of their car for a few minutes so I asked them to take a few photo's. After milling around a bit, I thought I'd better get on with it. Just before leaving I bumped into another chap who was staying in the area and doing the North Coast 500. He wished mu luck and I was off.
Monday, October 1, 2018
Getting there
I booked the trains well in advance so to get a good price. About £87 altogether although I changed the journey so I could visit my son Josh in Guildford, adding another £13 to the cost. Plymouth - reading - Guildford. Stayed at Guildford overnight with Josh. Great to see him. Next day train to Waterloo then cycled to Euston road. Cycling in London isn't much fun. Also found that I have lost a screw from my cleats. The cleat was swaying around so couldn't twist my foot out easily.
Next was the night train to Inverness. 9pm -8:20am. £50. Was a bit noisy and the temperature would fluctuate from boiling hot when accelerating to freezing cold when decelerating. Managed to get some sleep. The train to wick was at 10:41am which gave me time to go to Halfords. I was looking at the cleats when the chap suggested I use some old disc screws which are the same size which he gave me for free. Nice. Then on the train to wick which leads to the first actual bit of cycling.
Next was the night train to Inverness. 9pm -8:20am. £50. Was a bit noisy and the temperature would fluctuate from boiling hot when accelerating to freezing cold when decelerating. Managed to get some sleep. The train to wick was at 10:41am which gave me time to go to Halfords. I was looking at the cleats when the chap suggested I use some old disc screws which are the same size which he gave me for free. Nice. Then on the train to wick which leads to the first actual bit of cycling.
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