Here are the headine stats:
1 The ride lasted 11.5 days.
2 100hrs and 14mins were spent in the saddle. An average of 8.72 hours per day.
3 The ride was 1171 miles at an average speed of 11.7 mph. I did an average of 102 miles per day.
4 I managed to do 647 miles on the NCN (55% of the ride)
These figures exclude the distance from Penzance to Land's End. More detail to follow.
. . . well it separates anyway. I'm not sure if I'd have got on the Glasgow to Rugby train with a traditional bike.
Again, I was asked for my bike reservation (which I was unable to book in advance) and there was space for bikes on the train.
Why do the years roll by without this problem being solved? I tried to book my ticket back home many weeks ago on the internet but couldn't book a bike. I called by phone and couldn't book that way either. I had to go to the station in person. In the elapsed time (3 days) the ticket price had gone up by £34. In person I could only book the Thurso-Inverness section.
Adrian couldn't get his bike booked on the train I was booked on because 'there was no space'. It turned out that my bike was the only one on the train all the way to Inverness.
When I got to Inverness I met up with James who had left Thurso with Adrian 2 hours before me. They wouldn't let him on the train because he had no bike reservation. There was space but he didn't have a reservation. He could get on but not with his bike. He could have taken the wheels off and put it in a dustbin bag as 'luggage' but it couldn't go on as 'a bike'. He asked for a reservation on the next train which went in 2 hours but was told that that was not possible because you need to make bike reservations at least 3 hours in advance.
At this point he lost his rag and asked to see the station manager. In the end he did get a reservation on the next train but could not now get through to Cheltenham today. His mum will have to come and collect him from Birmingham New Street (=3 hour round trip).
I benefitted from James' misfortune. We went through the barrier together and James whispered 'folder' in my ear. 'Cycle reservation?' I was asked. 'It's a folder' I said. I am sure the ticket inspector knew I was lying but he let me through. Ours were the only two bikes on the train for the whole journey.
Why are cyclists made to feel so uncomfortable when they try to use the train?
1174 miles in 11.5 days. Not bad for an old bloke, a fat bloke and a young man who hasn't cycled much before.
Ian left immediately by cab and the rest of us are in the pub comparing stories with other end to enders.
Thanks to everyone who helped us get here and at this point I have to highlight Jane and Trish. Without their help we would not have made it. Thanks girls!
We are now having a Guiness and Pizza and hoping for the wind to die down before going off to Duncansby Head and then along the north coast to Thurso.
The official photo with the riders in it will follow . . .
Over the last 5 miles winter has arrived. The wind has turn to tje NW and is blowing hard. 2 miles to go! ETA 11:20.
10 miles to go and this is a view I will not miss - James' butt. If the look closely you can see the sudocrem ouzing from the central seam of his rather classy Bermuda shorts.
15 to go. Say hello!
With the wind tucked in behind us - magic!
God, I really miss my top chain wheel!
. . . . at 8:10 with wind behind us!
It's 6:45 and I can hear voices and smell bacon cooking. We are on target to be on the road by 9 and at JOG by noon.
This is Adrian in his 'I've bought them so I'll wear them' cycling sleeves, just for Nicky.
We have had a good ride today. More than 100 miles covered and we'll be in bed by 10:30. All this mileage was done on the A9. We have climbed and descended all day but, with two noticable exceptions, the ups and downs have been gentle.
The plan tomorrow is to have an early breakfast and get to JOG by midday. There we will say goodbye to Ian as he dashes for a train and the rest of us will meander along the coast to Thurso ready for the train back on Saturday.
The alarm went off at 6:45 and Adrian and I were up. We had our bikes packed by 7:45 and then it was in for breakfast. Today was to be a long day - 130 miles. Ian comes down at 8 and announces that he's going up the A9 direct to JOG. This was a bit of a blow. James was adamant that we should stick together so that's what we are doing. I had to cancel the accommodation in Tongue (but we'll still have to pay unless Mr and Mrs Anderson at Rhian Cottage M Tongue are feeling generous) and there will be no NCN today.
On the plus side, this knocks about 40 miles off the route. We'll get to JOG earlier tomorrow which means that I can still cycle across the north coast which is something I really want to do.
The picture is of Terry and Shan Dudleston of Craigellachie House in Carrbridge who looked after us very well and held the chef at the Bistro for us. If you are in Carrbridge stay at Craigellachie House.
This is the map that got us to our accommodation at the end of day 1! It was drawn in the dark by a vwry helpful man and his young son in a narrow lane in Cornwall when evryone else had gone to bed. Thank you whoever you were.
We arrived, eventually, at 10:45.
It's 9:45pm and we are all sat down in non-cycling gear drinking Guiness and waiting for our Sirloin Steaks to arrive.
We cycled in a 1:3 formation today with Ian taking the A roads by himself and the rest of us taking a mixture of roads and the NCN.
We all climbed to this summit which meant that from here the 35 miles into Carrbridge were virtually all downhill.
Today it was Adrian's turn for the puncture. We would have been an hour earlier if it hadn't been for that.
The only other news is that we have have all lost the only thing that distinguishes the human being from the chimpanze - the opposing thumb. I've already mentioned the problem pouring tea in the morning, now drinking Guiness is a two-handed operation. Handlebar vibration is a terrible thing.
God I look old! 40 miles done only 60 to go and it's only lunch time. It's been a great ride of two halves: the first along Loch Tay the second along the River Tay.
We are not going get on the road today until 9:15. Not good.
3 stages today and no A-road shortcuts available. The NCN seems to follow the A roads. They are probably one and the same.
Once we get started we are going to have to keep going.
It's dry again but very windy but the wind seems to be coming from the west which is good.
PS The picture is from Ayrshire. We should go through some stunning scenary today.
It's 9pm we've cycled 100 miles and we are 20miles from our B&B in Killin. It's raining and we have just ridden up the west side of Loch Lomond.
We've stopped at the famous Drovers Inn (est 1705) to eat as everything will be shut by the time we get in.
Today's a very long day but there have been no significant climbs.
We have had a fantastic day. The run out of Ayr to Glasgow on the NCN was virtually all traffic free. We struggled a bit through Glasgow but then had a traffic-free run to Alexandria. Then James' punctures started. He had three in half an hour!
At Alexandria the NCN was closed. They were digging a trench across it. So we decided to leave it at this point as we needed to make up some time.
Today was Adrian's first day with us. It's great to have him with us all the way to JOG.
. . . busy at work as Sustrans rangers on one of the best stretches of the NCN so far between Irvine and Glasgow.
It's now 3pm and we have 72 miles to cycle to get to the B & B - eekk!
After the euphoria (and associated celebration) of crossing the border into Scotland we started out late (again) yesterday. We didn't start pedalling until 9:20! And guess what? We didn't get into Ayr until after dark. That's one difficulty of doing this as a group, We can't seem to get going in the morning.
We started out after a hearty breakfast at Tara and Dave's (gluten-free sausages for me!) with the intention of sticking together for another hybrid day - a mix of A roads and NCN. We made good progess on the A roads to New Galloway for lunch but we then split.
Ian and James were put off the NCN by two things: a) by the lady in the tea shop saying it didn't exist and b) the lady in the Post Office saying that she knew someone who'd done it on a mountain bike and had to carry it a lot of the way!
Anyway, I felt I needed to at least try.
It turns out that the first 4.5 miles were tarmac and the rest was forest road, a bit rough in places but you could easily pick a way through with a road bike. The Moulton clawed its way up the slopes like a goat!
Once through to Glentrool village the terrain changed and consisted of very long inclines followed by long descents. I measured one of these. At one point I didn't pedal for 2.5 miles. Mind you, I'd earnt the pleasure.
There was a stiff northerly wind in the afternoon which was cold. Fingerless gloves were not enough! I think Ian and James felt it more on the A roads than I did in the forest.
There was futher evidence of the 'I'm totally exhausted so I will behave oddly' syndrome (low blood sugar) when James decided to start walking, but forgot to get off his bike first! He fell off. However (for his mother, Jane's sake) I am pleased to report no damage to body or bike. He is also behaving quite normally now (well, normally for James).
James also got his fist puncture . . . of his life... in the afternoon. Ian showed him what he had to do.
... temporarily. Apologies for anyone looking for the Google maps, the links have broken following a server change at work. They will be mended when I get back to the office. We are now tending to vary the route from that planned on most days anyway ... any potential 'joiners' can leave a message on the blog.
I have uploaded the photos so far to the P-Ride Album. If there is a boy named William reading this, Ian (Dad) says can you find the 'Millie Snack' in the photos.
. . . at New Galloway Post Office which is allegedly run by a relation of Ian's and is closed! It's 1:15. They are about to get a surprise.
That's 40 miles of today's total done.
Hopefully we can pick up the NCN aka the Red Kite Trail from here.
We've decided to stick together again today but modify the route to make it achievable! We are not not doing stages 31 & 32 but instead doing a 40 mile dash up the A75 and A712 to New Galloway. From there we will link back onto the NCN through the forest and up to Ayr. Really looking forward to that bit. We should meet Adrian at this point who will be cycling down from Ayr to meet us. He will then be part of the crew that, hopefully, makes it to JOG.
We are all feeling pretty good but our hands have 'gone': none of us could pick up the tea pot single-handed at breakfast this morning.
Today started with a bit of a tiff (more on that later!) but with air cleared we stepped out into the pure Yorkshire rain and started pedalling through the Dales. You haven't lived until you've had Yorkshire rain driven up your nose and into the back of yor throat. A bit like nasal colonic irrigation I imagine! Anyway the ride to Sedbergh and beyond was amazing. Even Luke who was pedalling mostly on his heals by this point really enjoyed it.
We were led most of the way to Penrith by Jo - what an inspiration that woman is! We were supported until Penrith by Jane, who joined us at Stone after an emergency call out from The Team. Thanks for giving up your weekend Jane to do things you don't enjoy doing ie drive a car around places you don't know - your help was much appreciated.
Left to right in the picture above: Luke, Simon, James, Ian, and Jane
We are now in Scotland and feeling good.
PS: But I am still down to two chain rings . . . .
Here's Luke at our picnic table, set up just off the town centre in Penrith, contemplating the state of his Achilles tendons (not good). He very sensibly decided to preserve them for another day and hitch a lift home with Jane. The first hour out of Penrith was fast but solemn without Luke. And the first topic when we stopped was Luke. How will we manage with our on-road mechanic and wit? Take care Luke. We miss you.
This is Dave Wild, a fellow Moulton TSR 30 owner. Dave joined me at Slaithwaite on Saturday and cycled with me through the Peak Park to Hebden Bridge. Things did not go smoothly (see Chain of events) so it was brilliant to have someone with me. Lots of good cycling conversation was had. Dave, you must email the name of the oil you mentioned. Thanks for joining in.
The hour in the kitchen at midnight last night is paying off. The bent washer is compensating for the bent bracket on the frame and I have the use of the bottom two chain rings. :-) Thanks to all at the lovely B and B at New Butts Farm, High Bentham, for looking after us (and the bikes) so well.
Picnic Brunch stop at the town centre car park in Sedbergh,where the cooked sausages given to us by New Butts Farm B and B disappeared very quickly... L to R James, getting into dry clothes, Jane with a french sausage, Ian with his Big Shorts, Jo and Luke. We started in the rain but had a brilliant run through the Dales. Cousin Jo has joined us as chief navigator!
So many stories, no time to blog! Yesterday (Sat) I started off on the NCN looking forward to meeting Dave at Slaithwaite. But had to give up on the NCN after a very slow 6 miles. On all the slopes the surface had been washed away (see picture).
I took to the road guided by the GPS which took me over Holme Summit (high). I arrived late in Slaithwaite - Dave was very patient.
The next stage to Hebden Bridge was a 'chain' section. First of all Dave had problems with his front changer. We fiddled and got the middle and lower rings to work.
Later on my chain started to jump. And later it broke. I had a spare link so it took 10mins to fix BUT when the chain broke it got caught in the front changer and bent it down behind the chain rings. Disaster!
The changer itself seems OK but the bracket that fixes it to the bike has bent. This not fixable on the road.
Anyway, Dave and I spent an hour trying to get some gears back.
After Jane's road-side picnic in Mytholmroyd, I left Hebden Bridge with the bottom two chain rings working-ish. Up over the A6033 and on to the A65 to Ingleton. By the end of the day only the middle one was working.
We fiddled again last night and it looks like I've got the bottom two working again. We'll see how we go but this could be a show stopper.
We rode in separate groups today, to meet up with different people and it was a day of missing each other: Jane missed Ian and James in Halifax, but accidentally met Simon and Dave out of Stallybridge. Jane missed most people with the lunch stop; Ian and James were trailing on the A65 when everyone assumed they were out in front, and then pitched up at the pub five minutes after we left - another chain of events.....
We've just got in to Glossop absolutely exhausted. 115 miles with the last 25 through the Peaks. We entered the Park and the weather changed immediately. The last 3 hours have been through high winds (side on fortunately), mist and rain. Ian had chain problems and a close encounter with a four-wheeled monster in the mist to contend with. However, we have now caught up with ourselves: the plan was to be in Glossop at the end of day 5 and here we are! Those that stayed awake long enough had a picnic in the B and B lounge as it was too late for all the pubs....
Sorry, I've got a bit behind with these but loads of people have supported us beyond the call of duty. Here are a few of them:
CAROL, DUNCAN and LIZ of Swallet Farm. Their hospitality was tremendous. Carol drove down to collect me from Wells and did all our laundry. And then Luke left without paying! We'll catch up later!
I didn't get to the farm until late but the pub _gave_ Trish a rump steak which she cooked on my arrival.
Martin met us in Whitchurch and guided us through Bristol and up to Severn Beach. Cheers Martin!
And Sarah and Martin for putting us up at Badsey at short notice, the Wheatsheaf for re-opening the main menu after hours and Jane (James' mum) for joining us and paying. Thanks Jane.
You know about Trish already. She is currently dragging us through the West Midlands on an unplanned route.
Then there is Jane (my wife, Luke's mum) who has been coordinating things back at base and has agreed to drive up to Stone and support us with a vehicle from this afternoon, to drag us up through Yorkshire, and as far as Penrith. Thanks everybody.
Above in the pic we have L to R: Carol, Ian, Duncan, James, Trish and Luke...
When Trish said she'd join us as a support vehicle for a couple of days I thought 'Oh that will be nice, we'll be able to catch on the news and the food will be good!'. Little did I realise that we just wouldn't have been able to get this far without her.
Yesterday (day 3) we got up before the others at 6 and she drove me back to Wells so that I could complete the section from there to Swalley Farm before breakfast.
Before the ride she also spotted that we'd booked accommodation in the wrong Whitchurch! It would have been a disaster if we'd not corrected that be fore the ride.
Thanks Trish. We'll have to cath up with news some other time!
It's 5 in the morning on day 4 and I can't get back to sleep. We are in Evesham and we should be in Bromsgrove. We are 70 km behind schedule. We had meeting last night to decide what to do.
We can't extend the ride because Ian needs to get back for his wife's birthday bash. We want to stay toggether. So this is the plan: We are going to take A roads today and start pedalling at 7:30. We are going to ty and make up lost time and get to Glossop which is 120 miles away. This quite a challenge. Let's see how we get on.
Although I can post stuff to the blog, it is difficult to respond to comments but my wife Jane is monitoring them so please keep them coming in. Thanks.
I've got as far as here and will have to call it a day (night). I feel fine but my lights are not good enough to cope with unlit canal paths and the like. I will have to come back here tomorrow to start.
We've have Trish in support today which has been marvellous. She went to a bike shop that Jane had found first thing and got a pair of Continental tyres and I fitted these at Bampton they have run really well. Let's see if they get me to JOG.
Well it's nine o'clock and I'm as far as Glastonbury, with 30 miles to go - but that's only the same as 6 times round Draycott Water (favourite training circuit). A late start for me fixing the saddle and putting on two new tyres (thanks Jane and Trish), so the other 3 have gone ahead, and taken a few short cuts on the main roads too. Should be in Whitchurch at the farm B and B by 11.... hope they've saved some dinner!
We made good progress today when we were in the saddle. The trouble is we were forced to stop too often due to problems with my lovely Moulton.
I ended the day on a very dodgy front tyre which needs to be replaced asap and with no saddle!
12 miles out the saddle bolt sheared and so riding out of the saddle was the only option. Luke took my luggage on to his bike. This was hard work and I was really worried that I'd get blisters on the balls of my feet which would have been a show stopper. So after 8 miles Luke gave me his saddle and he stood up for the last 4 miles with all the luggage.
My feet are a bit tender this morning but I think they will be fine.
If the saddle had broken earlier in the day we would have been snookered.
Today our start will be delayed while we visit the local bike shop. At least there is one. Hopefully, I'll also be able to get a couple of new tyres.
Luke and I had a hard but good run from the B&B, along the Camel Trail and up (and up) over Bodmin Moor. At the first sign of civilisation we stopped for a baked potato at the Wilsey Down pub. We were too early for lunch but Chris and Louise (following a request from Jan) opened the kichen especially and we ate well. Thanks guys. And thanks for the donation too!
The experience of day 1 made us all acutely aware of the challenge ahead of us and what can go wrong if you don't keep pedalling. Breaks are fine but you have to keep a keen eye on the time. For the second day we decided to split with Ian and James taking the main road route to Bude and then Barnstaple and Luke and I (Simon) sticking to the NCN.
This seemed to work really well. We were able overlap our lunch stops in Bude and Ian was able to get to Barnstaple in time to have a meal with his wife and son. Luke and I arrived too late for that - see 'What a day'.
The GPS is working really well.
I have just had my second puncture caused by a split in the side of the tyre. See picture. I am going to get through tyres pretty quickly at this rate. I am going to need a Moulton supplier! Help! FYI I am on Alexrims DA16. I have checked the rims for burrs - there are none. But the tyre wall is worn where it hits the rim but only on one side???
I thought it was extravagant bringing two spare tyres but half way through day 2 the second one has gone sausage shaped.
On day 1 we were too relaxed and ran behind schedule all day and didn't get to our accommodation until 10:45pm. On the bright side, this meant we stopped at a place called Vogue for lunch instead of Bissoe. Here we met Rachael who was behind the bar at The Star. And what a star she was! It was officially too late for food but she dragged the chef back with some sort of bribe and we ate well! We even left with ice in our water bottles!
To Penzance 5
To Hayle 24.97
To Bissoe via Vogue 18.09
To Truro 7.17
To Ruthern Bridge (near Bodmin) 30.38
TOTAL for day 85.61
The GPS did exactly what it said on the tin. It displayed the routes brilliantly. You could not do what we are doing on the National Cycle Network without the routes in a GPS. Signs are few and far between.
We ran late all day and still had 50 miles to do at 5pm. At that point we were in Truro and the GPS ran out of battery. So with no GPS and an impossible number of miles to do we had to abandon the NCN and get to our accommodation via St Austell on the main roads. A bit of a disappointment but the only option we had. As it was we didn't get to our B&B until 10:45pm. Again the lack of the GPS to guide us was a real problem.
I will try to make sure we keep better timing tomorrow. We are having breakfast at 7:30.
PS: I have found the spare battery now.
The day started well with a clean run down to Land's End as we arrived someone said 'Hello Simon'. It was Julia Pound and she was there with husband Barry. I worked with Barry in the Dominican Republic more than 25 years ago. They now live in Cornwall and had come to see us off. Julia recalled helping Jane breast feed Luke! Anyway she obviously did a good job as he has grown up to be a very nice young man.
There was not to be an official photo as the photographer had not turned up but Barry took a couple of shots in front of the 'headless' Land's End sign.
It's 5:30 and we've 50 miles to go after we've fixed this puncture. More later . . .
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