Campervan Randomness

My summer journeys are usually lengthy excursions with a single narrative. This year will be different. This summer's pilgrimage to the island of my birth will, hopefully, be a variety of tales from my tour around Great Britain in that quintessential 21st-century charabanc, the Campervan. Along the way, I will try to provide snapshots of my journey... ;-)

End to End - The End!

981.66 miles.
2 punctures.
£5040 raised.
Job done!

Day Twelve

The final push...

(After another late start and another hearty breakfast!)

Altnaharra to John o'Groats

Distance: 74.33 miles
Time: 7 hours 3 minutes
Ave Speed: 13.8 mph
Max Speed: 39.1 mph


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The day started with a lovely road along Loch Naver and then followed the course of the River Naver to Betty Hill. Once there, we took a right and followed the coast which will take us all the way to John o'Groats...

There was a remarkable symmetry with this part of the trip and the first day - big ups and big downs :)

After a spot of lunch at the Strathay Inn, we cycled over the last rise and onto the flatter terrain. We covered the last few miles at a fair old speed - sailing past places like Castle Mey and Thurso, before arriving at the road junction in John o'Groats.

We took a left and crossed the finish line outside the derelict looking Groats In. We then phoned Peter to arrange the obligatory cheesy tourist photo and had a few celebratory drinks before Paul came to collect us.

As we were loading our bikes into Paul's car, I discovered that my back tyre had gone flat... Ah well! Perfect timing :)

For the first time on the whole journey, we then headed South...

Day Eleven

After such a long day yesterday, we had a late start and a big breakfast :)

Inverness to Altnaharra

Distance: 69.27 miles
Time: 7 hours 4 minutes
Ave Speed: 12.0 mph
Max Speed: 35.8 mph


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We managed to avoid much of the slog along the A9 by following a lovely cycle route and after crossing the Cromathy Firth, Dave noticed a strange shaped rock - it's a seal!


We then took a left turn and headed off into the hills...

We made good time getting to Lairg, where we "Nipped Inn" for some food and a short break.

Shortly after leaving Lairg the A-road turned into a single track for the rest of the way to Altnaharra. The section of road from the Crask Inn is the best road I have ever cycled on. I covered 9 miles in 14 minutes! These were the roads that I had been hoping for - Scotland hasn't failed to deliver :)

We came skidding to a halt outside the Altnaharra B&B, where we were looked after very well!

Day Ten

With the wind still in our faces, we pick up the route where we left off...

Spittal of Glenshee to Inverness

Distance: 100.37 miles
Time: 12 hours 20 minutes
Ave Speed: 10.9 mph
Max Speed: 35.4 mph


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We cycled uphill to the "highest mountain pass in Britain" (according to Alistair's leaflet). As we cycled through the col, we passed the Glenshee Ski Centre.

The long descent to Balmoral Castle took us along the River Dee - the scenery was simply stunning :)

We took a left to begin the second major climb of the day. En route we passed another ski centre (Lecht) where people were skiing on what appeared to be mud!? We then began another long descent to Grantown-on-Spey.

Here we stopped for our second lunch :) and then began the final climb of the day over to Nairn. On the way we had a pleasant surprise - Stuart (a friendly munro bagger from the last night) was parked up and cheering us on!

The final descent to Inverness was a long time coming, but as we rolled in it was time to make my daydreams of haggis, neeps and tatties a reality :)

Day Nine

After a hearty breakfast and Will's freshly baked bread, we continued North...

Edinburgh to Spittal of Glenshee

Distance: 81.01 miles
Time: 9 hours 58 minutes
Ave Speed: 10.9 mph
Max Speed: 32.5 mph


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Billy Connolly once said that

"If you don't like the weather in Scotland, wait half an hour and it will change."

This kind of summed up today :)

Trying to find the route to the Forth Road Bridge was a bit of a nightmare, but thanks to our guide (Mark) we made it to the bridge. After sampling the views of THE Forth Bridge, we headed to a bike shop for some repairs.

The route to Perth was fairly flat, but the wind was making the going tough and after a spot of lunch we began the climb to the Spittal of Glenshee.

The climb was tough enough and the strong headwind made it doubly so. At one point Dave had to pedal to go downhill!!?

Eventually we reached the small plateau and the Spittal of Glenshee Hotel.

Day Eight

Shortly after the rain stopped, Dave and I headed North, whilst Alistair stayed in bed (he's catching the train today).

Carlisle to Edinburgh

Distance: 91.70 miles
Time: 8 hours 57 minutes
Ave Speed: 12.7 mph
Max Speed: 37.9 mph


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We thundered along the A7 towards Langholme, then took a left into B-road territory...

Beautiful weather, short steep uphills and long sweeping downhills - today is another good day :)

At the end of the valley we stopped at Innerliethen for some food. In the cafe we got chatting to Lynda and Myra who generously donated to the charity!

We ended the day by slogging along more A-roads to meet Will in Edinburgh.

Day Seven

Despite having an hours less sleep last night, spirits were high. Before we set off, Tom and Dick sorted us out - tinkering with our bikes and re-packing :)

Lancaster to Carlisle

Distance: 92.43 miles
Time: 9 hours 40 minutes
Ave Speed: 12.0 mph
Max Speed: 40.3 mph


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We flew out of Lancaster along cycle paths, canals and roads in the wake of Tom and Dick.

As we rolled into Sedbergh, we reached the 500 mile marker for the journey - over half way :)

We continued North towards Kirby Stephen and on to Appleby-in-Westmorland. We then wiggled left, right, up and down the country lanes towards Carlisle. Today has been the best day by far. A huge improvement on the A-road drudgery that has tainted the last three days.

Day Six

Dave found it a struggle to leave his home comforts this morning, so Alistair and I set off without him... He'll catch up!

Northwich to Lancaster

Distance: 71.80 miles
Time: 8 hours 53 minutes
Ave Speed: 13.4 mph
Max Speed: 29.3 mph


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With the sun in the sky and the wind at our backs, we blasted north along the A-roads. By lunchtime we had 40 miles under our belts, so we stopped for an all-you-can-eat carvery for £3.50. I have never seen Alistair so pleased - he loves a bargain :)

The sky was getting more grey, the further north we travelled and by the time we reached Garstang the heaven's opened and we got drenched!

We soon cheered up though as we were greeted in Lancaster by a few friendly faces.

Day Five

Worcester to Northwich

Distance: 85.54 miles
Time: 9 hours 51 minutes
Ave Speed: 12.0 mph
Max Speed: 33.2 mph


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Rain and A-roads are the words to sum up today. A-roads are not my favourite part of the journey, but a necessary evil.

A few miles into the journey Dave got the first puncture of the trip, but some slick teamwork got us back on the road in no time.

I really struggled this morning - my bottom is SO sore! So when we got to Wolverhampton I called into a cycle shop and asked for the "comfiest saddle you sell". The shopkeeper came up trumps! A spring-loaded gel saddle - my bum has been saved :)

After lunch and another comedy Dave fall, we headed to Dave's work (!?) and then slogged along his training route to home sweet home...

Day Four

I woke up this morning and the following things were hurting:

• Left butt cheek
• Right butt cheek
• Gooch
• Left knee
• Right shoulder

Glastonbury to Worcester

Distance: 114.96 miles
Time: 11 hours 27 minutes
Ave Speed: 12.1 mph
Max Speed: 32.2 mph


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Ooops! We started today by cycling 12 miles in the wrong direcxtions. It could have been worse though... We could have gone South!

Bristol was a nightmare to navigate around and as a result more miles were added to the day. We did, however, make up some time by slogging along the A38 to Gloucester.

The light was fading fast as we headed towards Worcester and as the last drop of sunshine vanished from the sky, we rolled up to the B&B.

Day Three

Heading East...

Bude to Glastonbury

Distance: 100.68 miles
Time: 10 hours 47 minutes
Ave Speed: 11.7 mph
Max Speed: 39.0 mph


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With Glen's words of encouragement (!?) still floating around my head, we headed up the hill and out of Bude. Before we reached the top of the hill, we passed a significant milestone - 100 miles covered since the start of the trip!

No time to celebrate though - we have to get to Glastonbury...

The terrain picked up from where yesterday left off - hills, hills and more hills! After Tiverton though, the roads were a lot flatter and as a result our average speed increased.

At Taunton, Alistair left us to get a train to Bristol. Where he has a date with the passport agency after he 'accidentally' washed his passport - some people will do anything to get out of cycling :)

With the sun setting to our left and the wind behind us, we rolled all the way to Glastonbury.

Day Two

After some tweaking of the bikes our first full day began...

Penzance to Bude

Distance: 83.98 miles
Time: 10 hours 20 minutes
Ave Speed: 12.0 mph
Max Speed: 39.6 mph


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There was plenty of variety during this morning's cycle - busy A-roads, quieter B-roads and quaint little country lanes. Most of which were pointing steeply uphill!! I had no idea this part of the country would be so hilly.

The trip was also having it's entertaining moments, such as Dave's slo-mo comedy fall and Lee getting chased by a small yappy dog :)

After luch, we joined the A39 for the long slog to Bude.

When we eventually reached Bude, Glen at Dylan's Guest House was the perfect host. He even washed our smelly clothes in preparation for tomorrow...

Day One

The journey down from Manchester to Penzance took only four and a half hours in the hire car, the same distance will take us four and a half days on our bikes!

After meeting Alistair at Penzance train station, we cycled to Land's End - the starting point of our journey...

Land's End to Penzance

Distance: 15.51 miles
Time: 1 hour 37 minutes
Ave Speed: 11.6 mph
Max Speed: 39.6 mph


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After the obligatory cheesy tourist photo, we headed to Penzance. Soon after we were confronted with our first route dilema... The coast road or back along the A30?

Alistair really wanted to go along the coast road so we could visit the Minack Theatre. We climbed the huge hill only to find that it was closed! Alistair won't be making any more decisions :)

As the sun set over the sea, we cycled along the undulating road and into Penzance.

Assembly

Today I visited John Buchan School to talk to the pupils about our adventure. The staff and pupils have kindly raised a whopping 400 euros for our charity.

Thank you very much!

Injury free!

Training will resume this evening... :)

Injured

Training has been put on hold for a while until my leg stops hurting... :(

All for charity...

We have finally chosen a charity to raise funds for. Click here to see who we have chosen. Oh and whilst you're there dig deep and sponsor us :)

Thank you!

Let the punishment begin...

Today my training started properly with an hour on my turbo trainer!

Tomorrow a 50 mile bike ride...

Looking Good?

This morning our cycling clobber arrived in the post. What do you think?

We ordered it from here.