Final reflections on a great trip

I was very lucky with the weather. Only one cold wet windy morning out of 11 and a half days. That was going over Glencoe which was still amazing despite some difficulty. Even the Japanese tourists took their photos from the warmth of their coach. Some even photo'd me probably for the section marked "mad englishman" in their albums. Accommodation was variable, some of the Scottish youth hostels were in brilliant locations and this helped. Mechanically I did quite well a broken pedal which gave up near a bike shop and a broken spoke which I was able to replace. No punctures! No issues with car drivers. I think the big man parted the traffic for me on a particularly ferocious junction of the M5 and A38 near Taunton and got me through safely! Lasting good memories of the Norman Castle in St Briavels, Loch Ness, Tarbet, Shap and the first sighting of the sea at the top of Scotland. Met loads of great people along the way.  One awful bnb, one iffy but manageable, and the rest were fine. Some good food, some good beer and some good conversation. Hard work... Yes but a good worthwhile experience. Bye!

First celebration

John o'Groats is an underwhelming experience. Rubbish. A man in a kiosk stopped me taking a photo of the finish post saying it was copyright and he would take one for ten quid again a plastic sign! There is a free one further north on the ferry landing so thats what Ive posted here. Have now pedalled down to Wick to catch the 4pm to Inverness and begin the long journey home. Lots of highs from the trip and a couple of low points. Will gather my thoughts and make a highlights note from the train. Picture is of my celebratory drink in Wetherspoons Wick.

Photo opportunity. Its done!

Roy Orbison time!

Its over.. Its over ... Its over... Done, finished... Just off to speak with the press and photographers.
More later

The last stretch

And so onto the last part of what has been an epic journey for me. Around 34 miles from here in Reay to John O'Groats. I have had a very comfortable bnb, my hosts even took me by car to the nearest pub about 5 miles west. Today is sunny and looks wind free although I'm having a late start and haven't been out yet. I've been warned to stop at Thurso to buy food as there is nothing at John O'Groats and i will be cooking my own dinner in the yh there. Will try and re-book a train for today instead of tomorrow to start the long journey home. I'll be back on the blog when the job's done. Thanks for all your support throughout.

Day 11 finishes early.

It was so fantastic to see the northern coast of Scotland today and to follow it along towards Reay where I'm staying tonight. Earliest finish of the tour at 3pm after 62 miles so just sat and had a cuppa with my hosts and going out for a walkalong the beach shortly. With hindsight I could have finished day 10 at Altnaharra (there is one hotel) and left 75 to do today to the finish line at JO'G. So 11 days is probably the optimum time for me. But I have been lucky so far and left this gap at the end to deal with any issues along the way. So tomorrow it should be done by lunch time as its about 32 miles from here. Assuming I do it tomorrow, would love to see some of you out on Thursday or Friday when I'm home so I can thank you for keeping me going with all your messages.

Top of Scotland!

Just arrived for a lunch break in Bettyhill at the very top of Scotland! To see the sea for the first time was a moment to cherish! They have a sense of humour here - see sign on arrival!

Day 11 Lairg to Reay

Running total using the decimal points on the sat nav is 860.34 it should be another 90 from here which I am splitting over two days. Weather grey start but mild. Met a chap staying here who is going the other way. Todays route takes me through the coldest place in Britain last winter... Altnaharra then on to Bettyhill on the North coast.

Day 10 complete

When I planned my route for lejog i decided to give myself an easier closing quarter for the twelve day trip. This was to allow for any contingencies that might crop up. To give a buffer for any catching up. Having been averaging around 90 miles per day I have left 160 for the final three split of 70 then 60 and then 30 for the final day. So it was a pleasure to be all finished for the day shortly after 4pm today. 70 miles only today. Sounds pitiful! A hot shower a cup of tea and I'm recharged and ready for a pint and dinner. I am staying tonight in Lairg about 40 miles from the north coast of Scotland. I am close now but cant take anything for granted yet. there's still work to be done and some remote areas to be covered. Thanks Marty for your inspiring message! Time for eats now. Weather looks grey for tomorrow- as long as its not north easterly winds!

Edging closer

When you are travelling home from anywhere south you know when you see the signs for Scotch Corner that you are almost home. This morning two things made me consider I was edging closer. Firstly the names of Wick and Thurso - Scotlands two most Northern towns -started appearing on roadsigns from Dingwall onwards. Secondly I am onto the last sheet of my photocopy maps! Today was a beautiful start with hills of course from Loch Ness past Urquhart Castle through Beauly past Muir of Ord and onwards to Dingwall from where it became a battle into Nw winds fairly strong at times. Ive crammed in 57 before a break at Bonar Bridge. I am going to take a full hour off the saddle find a cup of tea before doing the last 15 of todays miles to Lairg. Thanks to sister Diane, golfer John, Ron and Therese for messages of support. I appreciate them greatly out here.

Sunrise over Loch Ness

Its a beautiful morning here and this is heaven. My room faces directly out onto the Loch and the sun is picking out the ripples. The sound is only of the birds and the waters gently breaking onto the shore. I wish i could capture this moment and bring it home to the Bay! Today I have around 70 miles to do to Lairg. Will try to update later.

Day 9 pm report

The weather improved during the afternoon and the scenery was quite stunning. It is hard to imagine a more relaxing place. I should have stopped to remove my waterproofs but just cracked on. I was able to replace my reading glasses which had snapped in Fort William and also stocked up on more anti inflammatory tablets for my knee. It has been pretty good again so maybe its on the mend through sheer hard graft! Tonight I am miles from anywhere overlooking Loch Ness. No pub within reach so bought some corned beef, tomato soup and pasta at the yh shop and its all in one bowl now! Its just about edible - as dogfood goes. Well more washing to do then enjoy the serenity of Loch Ness. Nessie isnt here tonight- shes guesting for the Kittiwake Ladies Darts team.

Scotland bites back

I knew Scotland wouldnt take an English cycling invader gently and she certainly served up some weather to test my resolve. Starting with a climb out of Crianlarich in mist but by Bridge of Orchy it was streaming down and windy. The temperature dropped my fingers and toes went numb and the ascent up to Glencoe was arduous. However things improved as the sun shone briefly for an hour into Ballachulish. An hour later and a break for a soup lunch in Fort William. Its raining again! 51 miles cycled this morning should be 41 this afternoon.

Crianlarich to Glenmoriston (on Loch Ness)

After eight mainly hot days, today has started grey and misty and rain has fallen. Its mild outside so wondering whether to put the full waterproof gear on. Todays route should be 92 miles without so much map reading as yesterday. Just seen my first midgey of the tour perhaps a sign of things to come.

Off course, of course!

Imagine you open a tin of spaghetti and after warming it up you pour all of it on your biggest plate. Then to amuse yourself you try to get from one side of your plate to the other following one of the strands without touching others with your knife. It is exactly like that crossing Glasgow from south to north. Plus I cycled for five miles from East Kilbride towards Paisley on some A road where cycling was banned. Didnt know until everyone was tooting at me. Then to crown things I missed the Loch Lomond road and ended up in Helensburgh. However the route I took from there was inspiring! It was meant to be. So 9 hours in the saddle and 98 miles covered. Just having fish and chips in the Rod and Reel at Crianlarich. Knee ok today. Odd twinge but no real problems. Must go - food getting cold!

Good Friday

Happy Easter everyone. Yesterday was 83 miles for those checking their guestimates on facebook. Good nights sleep, nice day again today. Heading through Glasgow then along Loch Lomond to Crianlarich. Sat Nav is saying 78 miles today. Met a lovely couple last night who did this ride last year in memory of thier son Kyle Adams who died in Afghanistan. They had some great stories of their ride. May update at lunch.

World heritage centre New Lanark is tonight's bed!

Publish Post

Tired and hungry!

An exhaustingly hot day has just ended at 6.15pm from an 8.30am start. The second half from Moffat was quite challenging and I was dealing with some fairly strong headwinds at times. Having made my bed at the yh I now need to go and wash two days clothes. The end to end solo is certainly a big challenge and I must get through these next five days. I am staying in a World Heritage centre tonight photo to follow. Love to all...

Lunch stop report. TC the mechanic!

Today started strangely lethargically as it felt I was cycling with my brakes on. Three miles from Lockerbie I discovered I had been as I'd broken a spoke and the wheel rim was hitting the pads. Nearest bike shop Dumfries but wrong direction. So I cycled for a while with the back brake released and took a look in Lockerbie. The break was on the back but not on the cassette side so I was able to twist and tug a new spoke through. Sorted!  Anyone who knows how useless I am at anything diy-ish will not believe I fixed it but I did feel thrilled to achieve that. My knee problem is quite a worry. Started playing up quite soon and this mornings 42 miles to Moffat have been quite sore. Thanks Marty and Ron for your suggestions and I will tweak my seat as you suggest. Hopefully can get another 35 done before resting it again. Moffat is lovely. Its red hot again.

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Hello Scotland!

Thanks...

To Jane Richard and sister Maureen for nice messages of support last night. Appreciated!

Day 7 Carlisle to New Lanark

Looks like its going to be another hot day. Early cloud just lifting. Todays route goes through Gretna then Lockerbie then probably quite hilly onwards in the general direction of Glasgow.

Carlisle United...!

....is just four doors down the street. Good job there's no home game tonight or their 250 fans would be keeping me awake. This has been the best day so far comparable with Cornwall and Devon for views. The whole day was on one road so no map reading needed. The A6 is quiet as it runs parallel with the M6. Lovely villages all the way including Carnforth Lancaster and Kendal. Slowest speed today 4.7 mph going up Shap, a ten mile climb but fair in that it gives you a chance to recover by including a few flats during the climb, until the last mile which just climbs and climbs!  Needed a banana and some water at the top! Fastest speed 36.8 with the brakes on from the top. As Blue Peter legend John Noakes would say "Get down Shap!".   Total miles today 89, I've not looked at running total yet but must half way to paradise! Medical report is no aches for first 55 miles then serious pain from 75 miles on. The diclefenac will kick in soon. Would like to thank my right knee for taking on the extra work over the last 15 to help out his friend on the other side! Time for a shower and then food and beer.

Day 6 morning blog

Well after the problems of the past two days today has been a pleasure. Good sleep followed by some cereals for breakfast and a leisurely 43 miles along a fairly quiet A6 to Kendal. Plan was to stop here for lunch but essential that I get up Shap without loads of bulk inside so just stopping for a pint of orange then lunch at the top of Shap. Two quick stops today firstly to send back stuff that I've carried for 5 days and never used eg woolly hat, leg ins, ipod and charger, back sack, radio, book and two pairs of headphones! I can at last get my jacket off and into the bags which helps keep me cooler. 2nd stop was at a pharmacy for some diclophenic for the knee which is fine at the moment. Scenery much better today - beats scary tattooed men in vests with pitbulls and cans of beer in the streets of Warrington and Wigan. Maybe I'm getting a softy! Thank you Ron, Diane, Rhonda, Holly and Alison for your messages of support. It really helps when you're out here on your own! Now for Shap!

Preston to Carlisle over Shap

Good morning. Had a nice steak again in an Italian near to my digs in  Preston. Couldn't get the match anywhere so thanks to son Mike for text updates. Good result! Near to 26 degrees later today oh no! The heat is not welcome when you are carrying so much kit. Knee not as bad today so I'll test it gently to start with. I am hoping I can find quiet roads alongside A6 if possible. Will try and update this at lunch hopefully from Kendal.

Day 5 done but ...

This was the most gruelling and uninteresting of landscapes. Already feeling tired from no sleep, the route took me out of the Welsh countryside and into urban sprawl of Warrington Wigan and Preston. Roads were very busy and it was just a hang in there day. I have developed a very painful left knee so am trying to protect it by using more push on the right. The problem seems to be across the top and also to the left side of the knee cap. Gets worse when I stop cycling! Any diagnoses please? I am sure this blog will cheer up a bit when we get back to nice views! 83 miles today so 427 in total.

Laterooms have let me down

When you put a trip of this magnitude together you have to hope that all the stop overs give you the chance to rest up and be comfortable. Sadly laterooms have let me down badly when I booked a pub bnb for day 4. The room was quite disgusting and the shower facility a danger to health. I washed up as best I could after 100 miles cycling then walked the village to see if there was anything else but no joy. I couldn't have slept in the bed so lay on top desperate for sleep. However within two hours I suffered an allergic reaction. My eyes became swollen and I was asthmatic something I haven't had for at least 20 years. I had to get out of that room but there were no night staff and everything was locked up. My night from 2am has therefore been spent sitting on a kitchen chair in the breakfast room. I wont be offering to pay for this awful night and only hope I can manage 80 odd miles to Preston on no sleep.

Day 4 over!

I was expecting a hard day and it didn't disappoint. A beautiful morning got the day off well as i set off before breakfast at 7.15 and got a quick 27 miles under the belt to Hereford via Monmouth and the back roads. Some climbs but manageable. But the next 30 were hard as I seemed to hit the wall. No energy at all. The miles to Shrewsbury via Ludlow seemed never ending. And the A49 was not bike friendly. A problem developed with my pedals and these had to be replaced. Good to find a helpful bike shop. Thanks go to Brian Ben and Jacquie for re-fuelling me at their excellent village deli in Shrewsbury. They wouldn't let me pay so when I get back I will make a donation on their behalf. Todays mileage tipped over 100 miles owing to some poor roadsigns in the city centre (or my bad navigational skills!) .... Running total since Friday is 344

Day 4

Its a beautiful morning in the Forest of Dean and an early start for me. Should be around 94 miles today to Ellesmere, 20 miles north of Shrewsbury. Burnt my legs yesterday without feeling it.  Could be a tough day.

Tonight's lodgings, honest!

Hello Wales

Met a great couple last night Andy and Maureen from Taunton who asked me to join them for dinner as they could see I was Billy No Mates. Fantastic couple and I sold them on the North East so maybe they'll come to Alnwick Gardens for Sunday lunch in the treehouse! Nice to have met you both. Last nights food was great and my room comfortable. Out like a light by 9.15pm. Later start today as breakfast had been prepaid and was served at 9. Todays trip was 78 miles from Trull to St Briavels uneventful but too hot and too much traffic on the A38. Some hills ...err think theyre the Mendips!   Staying in a fabulous Norman Castle used by King John as a hunting lodge. Ive been allocated a spot in the Guards Hanging Room so any trouble wil be dealt with. The local brew here is Bishops Tipple and is very nice. Full Sunday dinner is on the menu tonight. Thanks to Richard and Keith for their support today.

Sorted!

One piping hot bath later and a beer - no problem. Just ordered a steak - time to put something back in the tank for tomorrow. It cant get any harder than this day can it? Thanks Jan for the remote map reading by mobile.

Devon hills part 2

My last blog ended abruptly when my chubby fingers hit enter instead of full stop! The point I was trying to get across was where can I possibly find another 50 miles from after a gruelling morning 42. Why did I book so far away on day 2. I cannot answer that. Anyway I am a bit more settled into the afternoon and have just reached 75 miles for the day and 149 for the trip so far. About 17 miles from my hot bath! Thanks to Julie and Alison for their messages of support. I cant do facebook on this mobile, security settings are wrong so I cant log in.
Steak could be good tonight with loads of chips or a buttery bakey! Cant wait to get this lycra off haha!

Devon hills

I didn't post on my lunch stop because I felt children might be reading this and I might offend! 42 miles to North Tawton of sheer lung busting hills. I think I have fairly strong legs but this was something else. When I sat down in the village deli looking at more hillsides I could have wept.....

Day 2

Well after a short start of 74 miles yesterday I enjoyed a lovely meal of sea bass and prawns in ginger with spring onions, new potatoes and salad. It hit the mark. I tried two local brews Harbour bitter and Tribute from local Tintagel brewery. Excellent. Today is a very early start at 7 am - my sat nav is saying 92 miles to Trull in Somerset and hills all the way. Bliss!

Day 1 over!

Enjoyed today. The long morning jaunt of 57 miles meant  I only had 17 to do in the afternoon but very hard climbs before the most amazing decent into Boscastle. This is an incredible place carved into a sink in the hillside. Well worth a visit except no phone signal. You have to walk up a very steep hill to get anything. Off now for some eats and a pint!

Day 1 lunch break

Set off from Lands End at 8.45am and it was earily quiet. No one to take my photo in front of the plastic sign! No expense spared there. Maybe its because people steal the metal ones! Just stopped for lunch break at Wadebridge, done 57 miles so far. A lasagna pub lunch. About 20 to do to evening stop from here. Couple of mechanical issues but Andy will fix them over the phone for me I'm sure!

Day 1

Good morning. Well I made it in total darkness to the yh about 4 miles from Lands End. Bought some pasta on the way so cooked up tuna pasta for tea and enjoyed the company of my room mate also called Tony from Notts. He had tea bags but no milk and I had milk but no tea!   Perfect teamwork! Off shortly to Lands End starting point for my trip. Heading for Boscastle today as I am curious about the Cornish village that dramatically flooded in 2004.

On my way!

The train has just pulled out on my 10 hour journey to Penzance. No issues on the ride to the station. Feeling very nervous for some reason. Like the time shortly before an exam. Good sign usually. No turning back now!

One more day to prepare!

With a little over 24 hours before I need to pedal to Newcastle and catch an all day train to Cornwall, I must admit to a few nerves.  I secured my pannier bags to my rear wheel and filled it with my four changes of kit, some clothes washing gel, usual bathroom kit, some waterproofs and a warm fleece in case of snow in Scotland!!  Unfortunately, it weighed in at a full stone, and I couldn't pick my bike up off the ground.  I went for a test run and decided it was a little too heavy, so I've rejected two sets of kit and a few other luxuries (shaving foam, after shave, towel, pocket radio etc) and I'm now travelling with only 7 pounds on the back wheel.  It probably means I'll be washing clothes every night or else I'll be buying throw away stuff all the way up!  Thanks to Andy Dixon for popping over on Monday night and checking my brakes, gears, cogs and stuff and showing me how to change a brake cable.  Pity you weren't coming with me Andy....... Thanks also to my Australian cousins and aunt who have sent their best wishes from down under, how thoughtful !

Next update from the train, assuming there's a wifi signal.  I'll also be using a tiny qwerty keyboard on my mobile phone so please don't expect a spell checker or any punctuation until I reach an internet PC again whenever that might be!  Messages may therefore be short...!

Good morning... my first attempt at a blog!

A good friend suggested that I should run a blog on my forthcoming planned Lands End to John O'Groats cycle ride (LEJOG) in April 2011.  I've never written anything on a blog before so I thought I should try it out before setting off on my cycle ride on April 15th.   I was going to simply update my wall on Facebook each evening, subject to wifi being available in remote locations, so that may still be the fall back position if I can't connect to this website "on the road".


I guess I should start by saying a few things about myself and why I'm doing LEJOG.  I'm 55, perhaps a stone (and more!) heavier than I should be, have a desk job, and have recently exchanged golf as a sport for cycling, and I love it.  I have always enjoying cycling but hadn't done more than occasional rides to town, football matches and occasionally to work, but after entering a longer distance charity ride (55 miles Great North Bike Ride)  I found it such an enjoyable experience seeing wonderful Northumbrian coastline at a pace you could enjoy the sights, that I got the bug.

I have two bikes, a Scott Mountain bike (MTB) and a Ridgeback Hybrid.  I'll be using the hybrid for LEJOG, for those not "in the know", this is because it has smoother narrower tyres which gives less road friction than the MTB's chunkier tyres.

Having completed a few longer rides, Coast to Coast "C2C" (Whitehaven to Tynemouth), Coast and Castles "C&C" (Edinburgh to Whitley Bay) and one day rides such as Whitley Bay to Scarborough (115 miles) and rides home from Wooler and from Haltwhistle, I felt I was ready to step up to the challenge of a 12 day back to back ride covering about 80 to 90 miles a day.  The planning has been constant, looking at routes, tinkering with some great maps on Cycle Streets and Bike Hike's sites (great sites for planning rides) and finding accommodation.  When I did C2C I did not book any accommodation but just cycled until I was tired and stopped to ask for a room.  I ended up in a caravan the first night and a country pub the second night.  It was superb, but both places advised that I was lucky to find a bed, as it was such a popular route (60,000 attempt it each year) they book up fast.  So for LEJOG I've booked each nights stay in advance but the disadvantage is that whatever the weather (gales and rain in your face?) I have to reach my destination with no stop off option if I've worn out!  I guess its risk -v- certainty and I've gone for the safe option, so I hope I get reasonable weather so that I can complete each days planned ride.

LEJOG appeals to me for several reasons..... I don't feel I know this country that I live in, when you are driving anywhere you cannot admire the scenery if you are staring at red brake lights in front of you on a motorway and I've never been further north than Dundee nor have I been to Devon and Cornwall.  I'm hoping this 12 to 15 mph pedal will help me get a feel for areas I've never visited before.   Plus the challenge of riding from one end to the other is something I would like to achieve before I'm too old....is 55 too old already?  I guess I'll find out next month!  Added to those two reasons, I hope by drinking lots of water along the way and a diet of bananas and other fruit, I'll drop some weight off!  After all I'll not be within 8 feet of a fridge 24/7 !!  Finally, I would like to raise money for Arthritis Research.  My father had this debilitating illness for the last 30 years of his life and he suffered badly.  I guess its not as popular with the public as those charities for children or animals but I have done several rides for Children's charities in the past and will do more in the future.

A friend asked how much it had cost to book b&bs, youth hostels and trains to get to the start and back from the finish and I guess its somewhere between £400/£450 plus meals on top.  He asked how much I'd raised so far which is £320 (*now £540 as at 12/4 - thank you all!) so he said why didn't I just give the costs of the journey to the charity and skip the trip!  I think he's missed the point (at least I hope he has!).

I do have a little trepidation, as I near my departure for Penzance by train on April 14th..... I have no colleagues doing it with me, and I have no support vehicle which you would get on an organised Charity ride.  I can fix a puncture but that's about it.  So if I have a mechanical problem, I would have to walk to the nearest town/bike shop and hope I can get repairs and get back on schedule to reach my night's stop.    There is no "set in stone" route for LEJOG unlike other long distance rides such as C2C and C&C where everything is excellently signposted with the NCR blue signs so you meet lots of other cyclists on the way and you're never far away from a cyclist if you need help.    Doing LEJOG on your own selected route, I guess I may never come across another cyclist because our routes may differ considerably.

Well thanks for reading this far (if you have!)  and if this website works on my mobile phone, I'll hope to update my progress starting with the train journey on April 14th.  Thanks to everyone who has donated on www.justgiving.com/Tony-Crosby