The participation ride - post-ride analysis and comment

This blog receives accolade

Ian Clare of 'The Ultimate Links List of Land's End to John o' Groats Cycle Trips' has described this blog as "Possibly the most detailed account ever".

I have used Ian's list of links and other sources to create a list of shared bookmarks in del.icio.us and this can be accessed here:  http://del.icio.us/endtoend. I have tagged the links to make it easier to home in on rides that you are interested in eg tandem rides, East Penine routes, LEJOG and JOGLE rides and so on.

The most telling statistic

Those of you who have read the account of the ride will know that Day 2 was the toughest (Stages 2 and 3). However, this hasn't come through in the stats published so far. The secret, I have discovered, lies in the total ascent of the day. This seems to be the best indicator of the 'toughness' of the day.

Interestingly, very few of the days were significantly more 'up hill' than others. This means that the fact that you freewheel down the other side of the hill is no compensation in terms of how tired you feel. It just serves to keep your average speed up.

Click on the image to see the stats. The total ascent on Day 2 was 6,460 ft. In comparison, Day 6, which included Shap, was 'only' 4,281ft. I climbed 35,500 feet in total (Mount Everest is 29,035 feet above sea level).

If you sort this data by 'Day Ascent' it puts the days in order of actual difficulty as experienced by me.

Stage 1 - Track and Map - Land's End to St Wenn

This was a very enjoyable ride and easy first day. I did use all the gears but there were no really long, difficult hills. You will see from the map that I decided to go into Bodmin "for old time's sake" and then cycle back on myself to my B&B for the first night. This detour turned out to be a mistake (see the Stage 2 posting). Rule 1: Stick to your route.

Download log file (text format): S00D01a.log (Penzance to Land's End), S01D01p.log (Land's End to St Wenn)
Download track file (Magellan MapSend format): S00D01a.trk (Penzance to Land's End), S01D01p.trk (Land's End to St Wenn)

Only stage today
Distance (miles): 73.21
Saddle time (hh:mm:ss): 5:09:19
Average speed (mph): 14.20
Max speed (mph): 40.8
Cumulative distance (miles): 83.62 (includes Penzance to Land's End)

Notes:
Click on the images above to see them full size.
For details of how vertical profiles were derived from log files and the structure of the log files see this posting.

Stage 2 - Track and Map - St Wenn to Okehampton

This was the toughest stage of the whole trip for several reasons: 1) The length of the stage and the terrain 2) A lack of planning on my part 3) Inexperience with the GPS 4) Over ambition!

Yesterday I went further than I needed to and visited Bodmin. Today, after cycling 28 miles, I went past Bodmin again! Very soul destroying. Just look at the route I took. I just punched in the lunch destination into the GPS and I think it routed me the fastest way by car!

This was always going to be a tough day with a total of 120 miles to cover and two climbs to 1,000 feet in the first stage and I made it worse by not putting enough time into planning. Rule 2: Half a hour's planning can save you hours of cycling.

Download log file (text format): S02D02a.log
Download track file (Magellan MapSend format): S02D02a.trk

First of two stages today
Distance (miles): 67.44
Saddle time (hh:mm:ss): 4:48:18
Average speed (mph): 14.03
Max speed (mph): 38.2
Cumulative distance (miles): 151.06

Notes:
Click on the images above to see them full size.
For details of how vertical profiles were derived from log files and the structure of the log files see this posting.

Stage 3 - Track and Map - Okehampton to Taunton

I was very tired when I finally started this stage at 4pm from the Plymouth Inn, Okehampton. Again my over-reliance on the GPS let me down and a lot of the time I wasn't sure I was cycling in the right direction.

Although the vertcal profile shows a downhill trend, there were some nasty climbs in this stage. Saddle time was about 4.5 hours but I didn't get to my accommodation in Taunton until 10:10pm, 6hrs 10mins after leaving Taunton. This was due the fact that: 1) I had had it! 2) I kept having to stop to check the map and 3) I got my first puncture which I decided to repair in the side of the road (I needed the rest!).

I am not sure what I would have done without the GPS at the end of this stage. It took me straight to my accommodation. A farmhouse in the middle of a 'low-cost' housing estate. I would never have found this place in the dark especially given my physical and mental state. Brilliant! With a little more intelligence the GPS was going to be very useful.

As I left Okehampton, I knew I wasn't going to get an evening meal tonight. So I consumed Go-Bars. When I started this stage I liked Go-Bars. By the time I got to Taunton I hated them. This whole situation was worsened by the fact that I feel asleep without quite getting around to cleaning my teeth (yuk!) and the go-Bars were still with me in the morning. My consumption of Go-Bars plumetted during the rest of the trip.

Download log file (text format): S03D02p.log
Download track file (Magellan MapSend format): S03D02p.trk

Second of two stages today
Distance (miles): 54.51
Saddle time (hh:mm:ss): 4:19:45
Average speed (mph): 12.59
Max speed (mph): 36.3
Cumulative distance (miles): 205.57

Notes:
Click on the images above to see them full size.
For details of how vertical profiles were derived from log files and the structure of the log files see this posting.

Stage 4 - Track and Map - Taunton to Whitminster

I was in a fragile state when I started this stage. My confidence had been severely dented yesterday. If my sister-in-law and her lovely new toddler had not been meeting me for lunch in Okehampton, I don't think I would have made it.

Anyway, there were other pressures today: I knew I had to do more planning and I needed to start early as I was being met by my first co-cyclist just north of Bristol. These two pressures were difficult to reconcile. But, despite the late night, I got up at 6am and got the maps out and started putting more waypoints into the GPS. This allowed my to use the 'satnav' capability of the GPS to navigate in bit-sized stages. This was essential for this stage as otherwise the GPS would have taken my on the Motorway! It's amazing that a device aimed at walkers and cyclists cannot be told to avoid motorways!

Anyway, the first couple of this stage were the perfect antidote to the previous day. As the profile shows, I was cycling on level roads. They had also been recently resurfaced and were perfect for cursing in top gear! By 11am all the psychological damage had been repaired. I can do this!!

I was meeting Tricia at Whitminster which Tricia had described as being 'just north' of Bristol. It turned out to be further than I thought. But anyway we met up at about 2pm and I was in good form. Tricia had brought an amazing picnic. Lunch went on for a while! With 2/3rds of today's distance already done this was not too much of a problem and now I had company!

Download log file (text format): S04D03a.log
Download track file (Magellan MapSend format): S04D03a.trk

First of two stages today
Distance (miles): 74.11
Saddle time (hh:mm:ss): 5:10:39
Average speed (mph): 14.31
Max speed (mph): 32.8
Cumulative distance (miles): 279.68

Notes:
Click on the images above to see them full size.
For details of how vertical profiles were derived from log files and the structure of the log files see this posting.

Stage 5 - Track and Map - Whitminster to Bromyard

This stage was always going to be fun as Tricia was going to join me as my first co-rider of the trip.

It started with a fantastic picnic provided by Tricia.

We didn't start cycling until after 3pm but only had around 40 miles to do. I met Tricia in 2002 when we were part of a fantastic group of people who cycled across the Yucatan in aid of Acorns Children's Hospice. This is documented here. We got on really well and many of us have stayed in contact. Another co-rider, Adrian who is to join me on the next stage, is from the same Yucatan group.

You can see from the profile that the stage got more difficult towards the end and 5 miles or so out of Bromyard Tricia's husband, Alan, caught up with us in the car and the temptation was to much for Tricia so I did the last few miles on my own. Tricia and Alan were at my accommodation when I arrived and we went out for a great meal. A great end to a great day and real contrast to yesterday. Thanks guys!

Download log file (text format): S05D03p.log
Download track file (Magellan MapSend format): S05D03p.trk

Second of two stages today
Distance (miles): 42.09
Saddle time (hh:mm:ss): 3:50:29
Average speed (mph): 10.95
Max speed (mph): 33.5
Cumulative distance (miles): 321.77

Notes:
Click on the images above to see them full size.
For details of how vertical profiles were derived from log files and the structure of the log files see this posting.

Stage 6 - Track and Map - Bromyard to Whitchurch

After the meal with Tricia and Alan I got really good night's sleep and the route to Church Stretton for lunch was really straight forward and the GPS picked it straight up. Unfortunately I forgot to switch the tracking on so the first 15miles or so went unrecorded.

The Old Cow Shed where I was staying was difficult to find (but again my GPS had taken me straight there the night before) and it took a few phone calls before my next co-rider, Adrian and his wife, found it.

So it was about 8:30 before we were on our way. The two of us met up with Andy who was waiting in Bromyard itself. Poor Andy had to wait a while - sorry Andy. So now we were three. A very pleasant ride along the Welsh border to Church Stretton for lunch.

Here we were guests of the Mayfair Community Centre. This is an amazing centre teaming with voluntary activity. Jackie Mantel who is in charge of the IT activities and ruralnet|uk's contact for the net:gain programme. There was a photo call after lunch for the local press.

Here my work colleague, Simon Marshall, joined us and Andy had to leave for the return trip to Bromyard and his car. So we were still three!

The afternoon started well but included the very busy A49. As we had had an alcohol-free lunch our kidney bells started ringing at around 3pm and just as they did we spotted a sign to the Albright Hussey Manor Hotel (open to non-residents), an unexpected oasis off the hell that is the A49.

There we stopped for an hour or so to soak up the sun and Guiness and banter. In retrospect we stayed a bit too long! We didn't get to 'Ash Hall' outside Whitchurch until 7:30pm and getting a evening meal provided less than straight forward. We were helped by some very generously-minded people and this is documented here.

We said goodbye to Simon at Whitchurch Station where he loaded his bike into his car and was off.

I went back to the station at about 11:30pm, after our meal, to meet my son Luke off the train. He was to join us for the next 250 miles. So we were three again!

Download log file (text format): S06D04.log
Download track file (Magellan MapSend format):
S06D04.trk

Only stage today
Distance (miles): 74.63
Saddle time (hh:mm:ss): 5:34:09
Average speed (mph): 13.40
Max speed (mph): 33.3
Cumulative distance (miles): 396.40

Notes:
Click on the images above to see them full size.
For details of how vertical profiles were derived from log files and the structure of the log files see this posting.

Stage 7 - Track and Map - Whitchurch to Preston

The riders who started this stage were Adrian (his second stage), Luke (his first stage) and me. This was the stage that Chris Boardman was going to join us and for that reason we'd routed the stage via The Wirral >more.

This felt like quite a detour when I planned it but you can see from the map that it wasn't much of a detour at all. Later in the ride I was to meet other cyclists and they described the bit south of Preston as the 'least enjoyable'. Well it certainly wasn't the case for us. This stage was really pleasant and pretty flat as you can see. I'm really pleased we took in The Wirral and the Mersey ferry.

A guy called Ken had seen this website and met us off the ferry in Liverpool. You could tell by his legs that he was a serious cyclist! Anyway he was incredibly hospitable and took us at a leisurely pace and off-road and on cycle paths all the way to Southport via the Crosby beach with Anthony Gormley's iron statues on it (I will put some photos of these in the P-Ride Photo Album shortly). Form here we could see Blackpool Tower across the bay.

Ken really added so much to the afternoon ride with his local knowledge. It made me think that, with sufficient planning time and promotion, this participation ride concept would really work. With local people joining in the different stages and guiding you through 'their' patch.

The lads rounded to day off with a couple of pints and a nice meal in Preston. Adrian was to get the train back home after breakfast in the morning.

Download log file (text format): S07D05.log
Download track file (Magellan MapSend format): S07D05.log

Only stage today
Distance (miles): 90.61
Saddle time (hh:mm:ss): 6:39:30
Average speed (mph): 13.61
Max speed (mph): 31.3
Cumulative distance (miles): 487.01

Notes:
Click on the images above to see them full size.
For details of how vertical profiles were derived from log files and the structure of the log files see this posting.

Stage 8 - Track and Map - Preston to Shap

During the meal last night we were contemplating today's challenge: 130 miles incorporating Shap! Adrian suggested we made an early start! This was a really good idea and Luke and I left around 7am, before breakfast.

We stopped at Lancaster's Sainsbury's for breakfast with a good 20 miles under our belt. The stretch from Lancaster to Shap was a feast of scenary and hills! It was in this stretch that I saw the first person in the whole trip working in the fields - a shepherd.

We ran out of water about one hour out of Shap but made it OK to the Greyhound Inn where Daniel Heery was waiting with a baked potato lunch purchased in Penrith! Cheers Daniel. This was a psycologically crucial point of the ride. Last night the stats had told us we were about half way. Now it felt like we were! I was moved to say a few words to video!

Download log file (text format): S08D06a.log
Download track file (Magellan MapSend format): S08D06a.trk

First of two stages today
Distance (miles): 69.04
Saddle time (hh:mm:ss): 5:20:17
Average speed (mph): 12.93
Max speed (mph): 40.2
Cumulative distance (miles): 556.05

Notes:
Click on the images above to see them full size.
For details of how vertical profiles were derived from log files and the structure of the log files see this posting.

Stage 9 - Track and Map - Shap to Lockerbie

Daniel Heery met us at the Greyhound Inn in Shap for  lunch and accommpanied us to Penrith at which point to peeled off and cycled back to Shap.

It was then down to Luke and I to find our way to Lockerbie. This stage was punctuated with the crossing of the Scottish border. This was a long, long day (130 miles) full of the sense of achievement. It was particularly hard for Luke who was only into his second day.

We rounded off the day with an Indian meal in the old cinema in Lockerbie where we were served by a chap who looked just like Yasser Arafat!

Download log file (text format): S09D06p.log
Download track file (Magellan MapSend format): S09D06p.trk

Second of two stages today
Distance (miles): 59.92
Saddle time (hh:mm:ss): 4:22:36
Average speed (mph): 13.69
Max speed (mph): 31.9
Cumulative distance (miles): 615.97

Notes:
Click on the images above to see them full size.
For details of how vertical profiles were derived from log files and the structure of the log files see this posting.

Stage 10 - Track and Map - Lockerbie to Hamilton

This was Luke's last stage. The original plan was to cycle to Glasgow station for the 2:50pm train. This is the last train that would connect with others to get Luke back to work in Norwich.

A combination of tiredness from the ride the day before and extremely hospitable hosts meant we left a bit later than we had intended. The route was uninspiring (along the A74 right next to the M74 - this played hell with the GPS routing!). It was also pretty windy and in our faces for alot of the time. This is captured in this video clip.

Anyway half way into this stage we realised that we were not going to get to Glasgow in time so we hatched Plan B. We decided to try for an earlier train from Hamilton which would connect with the Glasgow train. This stage now turned into a race a against time over the worse roads so far encountered. At one point I hit the most enormous pothole at speed and lost my GPS - it survived with a few dings and scratches.

We ran into Hamilton station with seconds to spare. I dumped my bike on one platform and ran with Luke across the bridge as his train was coming in. He dived on bike and all and he was gone . . . . emotionally very difficult for me! I was now on my own having had co-riders all the way from Bristol. Luke's departure is captured here.

Download log file (text format): S10D07a.log
Download track file (Magellan MapSend format): S10D07a.trk

First of two stages today
Distance (miles): 59.32
Saddle time (hh:mm:ss): 4:17:26
Average speed (mph): 13.82
Max speed (mph): 29.00
Cumulative distance (miles): 675.29

Notes:
Click on the images above to see them full size.
For details of how vertical profiles were derived from log files and the structure of the log files see this posting.

Stage 11 - Track and Map - Hamilton to Arrochar

The drabness of today's first stage was compensated for by this one. This stage was where the amazing scenary of Scotland started but I had to get through Glasgow first.

I decided to head for Glasgow on the main roads and then turn left as soon as I could after crossing the River Clyde. This took me through parks and onto the National Cycle Network that goes to Loch Lomond. This was superb except that it took me through a poor part of Glasgow where the path was strewn with broken glass. It was here that I picked up my third puncture and wrote off a tyre in the process.

I left the cycle path after about 10 miles due to lack of signs and took the main road the rest of the way to Loch Lomond. Once I hit the Loch the sceneary was fantastic all the way to Arrochar. I didn't get there until 9pm but I'd phoned ahead and my landlord and ladylady to be had ordered me a meal before last orders at the Village Inn. Arrochar is a beautiful place and my accommodation looked straight out over Loch Long.

A day of two halves: the rush through non-descript scenary to Hamilton followed by the beauty and slower pace of the Lochs.

Download log file (text format): S11D07p.log
Download track file (Magellan MapSend format): S11D07p.trk

Second of two stages today
Distance (miles): 51.24
Saddle time (hh:mm:ss): 4:01:57
Average speed (mph): 12.70
Max speed (mph): 26.3
Cumulative distance (miles): 726.53

Notes:
Click on the images above to see them full size.
For details of how vertical profiles were derived from log files and the structure of the log files see this posting.

Stage 12 - Track and Map - Arrochar to Bridge of Orchy

This stage started gently and then climbed into Glen Coe. Again a fantastic ride will amazing scenary. But this impression may have been coloured by the fact that this was my shortest stage of the ride. A mere 30 miles! I ended up sitting down for lunch at around lunchtime!

Download log file (text format): S12D08a.log
Download track file (Magellan MapSend format): S12D08a.trk

First of two stages today
Distance (miles): 29.43
Saddle time (hh:mm:ss): 2:13:22
Average speed (mph): 13.24
Max speed (mph): 26.5
Cumulative distance (miles): 755.96

Notes:
Click on the images above to see them full size.
For details of how vertical profiles were derived from log files and the structure of the log files see this posting.

Stage 13 - Track and Map - Bridge of Orchy to Fort William

The problem with this stage and others through Scotland is that there is a picture that needs to be taken at least every 5 miles and it is difficult to be disciplined and keep cycling.

Some of the mountains still have a hint of snow on top of them.

This was an easy day with a total of only 70 miles covered. This set me up nicely for the 120miles planned for tomorrow (my birthday).

Download log file (text format): S13D08p.log
Download track file (Magellan MapSend format): S13D08p.trk

Second of two stages today
Distance (miles): 40.34
Saddle time (hh:mm:ss): 2:54:11
Average speed (mph): 40.34
Max speed (mph): 13.90
Cumulative distance (miles): 796.30

Notes:
Click on the images above to see them full size.
For details of how vertical profiles were derived from log files and the structure of the log files see this posting.

Stage 14 - Track and Map - Fort William to Drumnadrochit

It hadn't occurred to me until I got to Arrochar (Stage 12) that the lochs are virtually at sea level. It's obvious when you think about it as there are not mini Niagra falls at each end where they meet the sea. This is shown by this vertical profile. I get to know when a hill was on its way because the road tended to bend away from the loch side.

Today was my 50th birthday! And what a way to spend it cycling from one side of the lochs to the other up the Great Glen. It was feeling good - and this was reflected in the highest average speed for the whole trip.

The icing on the cake came when I was flagged down by Jean and Rob. I didn't know them but they are fellow Moultoneers and had been following the blog. As they were in the area they thought they'd try and intecept me. This was such a nice surprise. They bought me an ice cream and coffee in Drumnadrochit and sent me on my way. Thanks guys. >more

As things were going well I decided not to stop for lunch at Drumnadrochit. Instead I started the next stage and stopped for lunch in Beauly.

Download log file (text format): S14D09a.log
Download track file (Magellan MapSend format): S14D09a.trk

First of two stages today
Distance (miles): 50.59
Saddle time (hh:mm:ss): 3:23:07
Average speed (mph): 14.94
Max speed (mph): 28.9
Cumulative distance (miles): 846.89

Notes:
Click on the images above to see them full size.
For details of how vertical profiles were derived from log files and the structure of the log files see this posting.

Stage 15 - Track and Map - Drumnadrochit to Brora

The climb out of Drumnadrochit was tough. I'm glad I hadn't just eaten lunch! I passed Graham and Stephen, fellow cyclists, whom I'd met in Drumnadrochit and we agreed to meet up for lunch in Beauly. I then pressed on to Brora. The wind was serious and not with me. the scenary was undramatic except for the long bridges across the Firths.

I arrived in Brora in good time and had a fantastic 'birthday dinner' in the hotel across the harbour from where I was staying. Best Sirloin Steak I have ever had.

Download log file (text format): S15D09p.log
Download track file (Magellan MapSend format): S15D09p.trk

Second of two stages today
Distance (miles): 69.05
Saddle time (hh:mm:ss): 4:57:29
Average speed (mph): 13.92
Max speed (mph): 43.4
Cumulative distance (miles): 915.94

Notes:
Click on the images above to see them full size.
For details of how vertical profiles were derived from log files and the structure of the log files see this posting.

Stage 16 - Track and Map - Brora to John o' Groats

The last stage! 65 miles to go! I couldn't rush off this morning as I had to wait for the Post Office to open so that I could pick up a spare tyre that Pashleys had organised for me.

I arrived at the Post Office at 8:50 and my heart sank. there was a queue of about 15 people outside it. But I needn't have worried, they were all waiting for the bus to Inverness which arrived at about 8:55. So I was first in the Post Office when it opened and was greeted by the grumpiest Post Master you have ever met - hopefully he warmed up as the day went on.

I strapped on the tyre with good old 'zip-ties', disposed of the packaging and was on my way. It was overcast but still dry. I'd only encountered a few spots on rain once in the whole trip. This was just south of Hamilton and was so insignificant that we didn't even stop to put jackets on. It was over in 10 minutes.

Shortly into the ride, really angry storm clouds appeared inland. They looked so bad that I was convinced that the illuminated screen ahead was a severe weather warning. But it wasn't. I passed the clouds to the west with feeling any rain. The light was amazing and there were lots of photos to be had. Like this one >more.

I didn't have to get to John o' Groats until 4pm when my colleague, David was going to meet me so I took lots of photos and sent them into the blog as I went (see the posts dated 7/6/06).

Anyway, I finally free-wheeled into John o' Groats at about 3:15pm feeling quite pleased when a voice said "Hello Simon". It was my Dad! A fantastic surprise. So we freewheeled the last bit together. Him on his Brompton and me on the Moulton. When we got to their camper van Mum had a duck egg omelette on the go. The perfect end to a fantastic 10 days.

Would I do it again? Yes! When I can have a webcam connected to my cycle helmet transmitting pictures and sound live to a blog!

Download log file (text format): S16D10.log
Download track file (Magellan MapSend format): S16D10.trk

Only stage today
Distance (miles): 63.74
Saddle time (hh:mm:ss): 5:06:15
Average speed (mph): 12.48
Max speed (mph): 46.4 (highes of the whole trip)
Cumulative distance (miles): 979.68

Notes:
Click on the images above to see them full size.
For details of how vertical profiles were derived from log files and the structure of the log files see this posting.