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!

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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.