Yes We Are!

We awoke overlooking a dry and sunny Wick harbour. After breakfast we left with the prospect of just 17 miles left to go to reach John O'Groats.

I stopped at the out of town Tesco (they are taking over the world!) to buy a small bottle of Champagne with which to celebrate. Only one small problem - it was 9:10 and you can't buy alcohol until 10:00 (even if it was the smallest bottle ever!) We weren't going to wait.

The miles fairly flew by, helped no end by the fantastic views and a good tailwind, soon we reached the top of heather hill with just 2 miles to go. We coasted down the last 2 miles taking in the breathtaking views, stopping for a few photos by the sign to the village.

We had our picture taken at the sign, in front of the abandoned hotel and headed into the cafe for a celebratory large coffee and an eccles cake! After arriving at 11, We probably spent an hour at John O'Groats, making calls and taking in the experience. The 'village' is as depressing as Lands End is 'tacky' - hopefully the 6 million investment will improve the area and boost the local economy.

There was no crowd, no bunting, no adoring fans but none of that mattered we had cycled from Lands End to John O'Groats and while neither destination is fantastic the journey certainly was.

And it wasn't quite over yet....

We now had to cycle to Thurso which was about 20 miles away but we couldn't go passed Dunnet Head without going up to see the most Northerly Point of Mainland Britain could we. The views were stunning and only tempered by the strong headwind and eight extra miles to cycle! We made it to Thurso about 4:00 and dashed off to the bike shop. Bikes disassembled, packed and carried off to the Post Office for 5:29!

I will do a final summary tomorrow with all the stats etc and final thoughts but thanks again to everyone who has supported and sponsored us - it really did make a difference.

Martin

Me and my shadow...

The end of Britain is in sight

Me, the trusty steed and the sign! 

Yes we are!

Just 50 centimeters to go!

The length of Britain by bicycle - Done!

Day 14 Journey's End.

We woke up to another blue sky day - cold and windy but NO RAIN. From the start the ride felt different - no doubts - I knew that I would now make it to John O Groats. 17 miles a few up ands down. Then the final effort a climb up Heather hill. At the crest we looked down - we could see a glorious downhill ride to John O Groats. We could see for miles across the sea to Stroma - blue skies meeting blue seas on the horizon -  what a day to finish on! We swooped down towards Journey's End, stopping for photos on the way. 11a.m. we were finally there. It's difficult to. believe - We are End to Enders, we are Lejogers. We stopped for photos, phone calls to the support crew (you know who you are) and a coffee - Costa coffee served at the cafe - Happy days. 


Within an hour we were off again - not journey's end. We were headed to Dunnet's Head  to pat hommage - geographically the most northernly point in mainland Britain. A 3 mile each way detour a bit of a climb and headwind on the way down that made you cycle hard to get downhill. Well worth the effort. A 360 degree panoramic view, no signs, no shops, just the sheer beauty and ruggedness of the British coastline - staggering in its beauty.


Back on the road and 10 miles to Thurso. One minute we were cycling the next a manic dismantling and boxing of bikes and a dash to the Post Office before it shut. 


Bikes gone, no kit to wash for tomorrow, no shoes to dry with a hair dryer, no route to study, no early up and out breakfast. 


Was it worth it? Would we do it again? - Yes in a heartbeat.


Thank you all for your donations of money  and of time - friends, relatives, complete strangers. We are truly grateful.


                                                                                                                                       Julia

What a day to finish on :-)

Do I look pleased with myself or what???

Journey's End

Made it to the finish line!

Dunnet/Done it!

Day 13: A miracle.

I kept waking up in the night listening to the rain lashing against the window. I was dreading today. When we left plenty of surface water and clouds but no rain. By mid morning the wind ( headwind yet again) had chased away the clouds and we were left with a hot sunny blue sky day. Thank you.
We followed the now quieter A9 up the coast steadily getting more and more remote. We stopped for lunch in Helmsdale where a complete stranger gave us £10 on hearing of our venture. We don't his name. Thank you.  The afternoon was a bit of a tussle with a few hills the renown Berisdale Brae-  hard work with heavy legs. 73 miles we cycled down  in the warm evening sun (a day of hard cycling with spectacular views) to Wick to the Seaview B & B on the Harbour and another warm welcome. The end is in sight. I'm beginning to think I might actually make it to John O Groats.


                                                                                                                                                 Julia

Woooohooo made it to the top!

Cruising into Wick...

Back on the christmas card list......

Chalk and Cheese
Cat and Dog
Tottenham and Ars*nel
Yesterday and Today......

Blue sky, blue sea and the Beridale Braes was the order of the day and yes Scotland delivered. We enjoyed fabulous views of the north sea, local landmarks and some monster hills.

We left the Old School House with some trepidation after yesterdays A9 encounter but needn't have worried as the road was much quieter and dryer! We made our way through Tain, Golspie, Brora and stopped for lunch in a cafe at Helmsdale. We were talking to a couple about what we were doing and a few minutes later they came back in and gave us a £10 donation - to whoever you were Thank You both :-)

The road followed the contours of the coast with relatively gentle ups and downs until we left the lunch time break stop. 1 long tough climb in two stages was followed by the start of the infamous Beridale Braes which averaged out at 13% but sections were much steeper - proper alpine style hairpins and climbing...

After that the route was undulating all the way into Wick and we rolled into town after another long day at 7:00 pm and 73 more miles chalked off.

Just a short ride left to John O'Groats tomorrow, followed by the ride to Dunnets Head and onto Thurso.

Anyone reading this who hasn't yet donated please do - we know who you all are and to avoid our 3 hour photo show when we get back home donate now - you have been warned ;-)

Martin

Mmmmm blue sea and sky

Much happier bunny today :-)

Now thats a view worth cycling 800 miles for!

The warm up hill - the photo doesn't do it justice!

Que sera sera, whatever will be will be, were going to Kildary.......

What a day. To say it rained would be a massive understatement! We left Aviemore just after 8.45 and it was raining and it never even eased up never mind stopped.

We were laughing and joking about it for the first 30 miles or so, even doing bad poems* to pass the wet miles. but after lunch at Inverness Costa the rain and the traffic got worse.

Our route took us through Inverness and out over the two bridges. With the strong wind, lorry's and pouring rain it was not the most pleasant experience, in fact I would admit now it was scary! We took 1 detour off the route to avoid the worst over the Black Isle which added a couple of miles but rejoined for the second bridge crossing. This one was worse with a small pavement and spray coming over the wall as well as traffic thundering by. Another 1/2 mile on the A9 and we had had enough - time to find a different route! We took to the hillier back roads but didn't mind the climbing if it meant we stayed alive.

After 70.3 very wet miles we dripped our way into the Old School House at Kildary. Scotland you have definitely blotted your copy book!

*
There was a young laddie from Inverness
Whose technique lacked a certain finesse
He was all cockeyed
He lent on one side
but he'll cycle to John O Groats none the less

No pictures from today - tooooooooooooooooo wettttttttttt :-(

Martin

Day 12: I hate Rain.

Today tried to break me, I didn't let it but it was a close call. Torrential rain from 8.45a.m. when we started from Aviemore to 7p.m. when we finally arrived at The Old Schoolhouse Kildary.  At first we were snug and warm in our gortex. I'd bought new winter waterproof gloves when we heard the storm was coming in. We were quite cheery. Martin thought up an acrostic poem for I hate rain whilst I wrote a Jaanese Haiku ( 5,7,5 syllables)


Rain rain rain rain rain
rain rain rain rain rain rain rain
rain rain rain rain rain


Think Blackadder goes forth - Baldricks Boom Boom poem


Lunch a quick drying out break at Costa Inverness kept the spirits up. There ended the pleasent part of the day. The bridge crossings to the Black Isle were scary - windy, traffic lorry spray - did I say scary The A9 across the Black Isle was so busy - we decided that for safety to go via the lanes extra time and miles in the rain. We crossed the bridge off the Black Isle and followed the A9 for about half a mile. To busy and rainy and unsafe we turned off up a lane - where I fell off my bike for a second time. Eventually in the pouring rain we arrived to a warm welcome at the Old School house, Kildary - the owners insisted bein g the taxi service to the local pub for diiner. Such kindness on a day when given the choice I would have sat on the side of the road and quit. What kept me going the support and donations and kindness of friends , relatives and complete strangers - and off course I had no real choice I had to keep going what ever.


                                                                                                                                            Julia

Day 11: Drumochter Pass

We left the lovely Craigatin House Hotel fortified by Scottish porridge with whiskey and cream - highly recommended. A cold cloudy day with patches of sun but no rain. The route 56 miles - roughly 28 miles climb to Drumochter Summit and 28 miles descent to Aviemore.We followed the old A9 through Killiecrankie and Blair Atholl. The climb steady easier than I thought. The old A9 is mostly an excellent cycle path lower than the fast dual carriageway.  We followed the river passing a spectacular waterfall finally reaching Drumochter Summit. Here the road-works widening the New A9 closed the cycle-path for 1 mile and we had to brave the A9 contra-flow. (a week ago I would have been really scared.) Then began the glorious descent. We stopped at Dalwhinnie for a snack then continue the down-hill ride. The down-hill not steep but constant continued and we clocked up the miles. I kept expecting the downhill to run out but on it continued. We decided that we had earned this - the climb of this morning and long days logged of hard rides. Eventually we arrived In Aviemore at an unbelievable 4.30p.m. - unheard of in our journey so far. We even had time to poke about the bike shop opposite the B&B. Usually shops are shut when we roll into town. We put the time to good use buying Martin new waterproof trousers - his cheap Tesco ones have proved to be not at all waterproof - The weather forcast 3 days of rain. We are hoping that buying new waterproofs = sunny days. Not all convinced

Hmmm the Highlands - clues in the name!

Loch Insh

Citius, Altius, Fortius - how apt!

                                                                                                                                    Julia

Top Gun Dreaming....

We stayed at Pitlochry last night and a nice town it was too. So after a lovely breakfast we extracted the bikes from the Craigatin's Shed and set off on what should be an easier day!?! The route profile was a pyramid shape so a tough first 25 miles and a easy last 31?

We soon passed Blair Athol and its castle and were pleased to be making good progress. I had read lots of stories about the old A9/cycle path and some swear by them, while others swear at them! Things started well and the path was quite good (you could still see the white line/cats eyes in places). We paused to take in the beautiful falls and then set off again up the drag. A couple of minutes later, while going up a tree lined path I saw a fighter jet and then heard the roar of it just a fraction later - I thought about cheering loudly just like in Top Gun, but then I remembered that I am 36 (so I just allowed myself a small whoop and grinned like an idiot for the next 10 minutes).

The path continued on and eventually we arrived at Drumochter summit. After the now obligatory photo we set off down the other side. The path was rougher on the way down so we weren't making up the lost time. Suddenly the path was blocked and the sign said to call for assistance if you were on a bike. After cycling this far we weren't putting the bikes in a van to be driven. We ignored the sign and went for 300m or so on the very rough path avoiding the road materials etc... that had been dumped there. Then the path was gone - dug up completely. There was nothing for it but to brave the A9 in the roadworks - Gulp. We spotted a gap and went for it - there was a speed limit of 20 in force but we broke it to get through the mile of works that were left. We rejoined the path and let our heart rates drop!

Lunch was at a little van at Dalwhinnie and then it was on past the distillery through Newtonmore, Kingussie and Kincraig. The pilot of the fighter jet came back the other way, but Julia was too close - so I just grinned some more. A lovely view over Loch Alvie before reaching the edge of Aviemore and our guesthouse The Old Minsters House. 4:30 our earliest finish yet and most surprisingly an easy day that was easy.

Martin

Monument by the road

Not a sign you want to see!

Or this one!

Falls by the cycle path or the A9?

Smile you've made it!

A new hill for the elite endurance group to use -
might need to be at the club a bit earlier!

Day 10 - A Winnie the Pooh sort of Blustery Day

No rain - hurrah. Instead a very blustery headwind - Boo Hiss! Well you can't have it both ways. Apart from the headwind -pedalling hard to go downhill, pedalling on the spot uphill the day started OK - a bit cold. A nice route undulating through Kelty and Kinross past Loch Leven. - Then a 12% descent into the flat Tay valley - very english looking leafy lanes and farmland. We pedalled on stopping for lunch sitting in the sun! in Perth - a rare treat. The afternoon saw both the weather and the countryside change - the wind settled down and we had alternative hard rain and sun. We climbed through Dunkeld then up high above the A9 - yet more beautiful scenery. Finally we arrived in Pitlochry a little later than we'd planned but with enough time to visit the hydro electric dam and Salmon ladder - well worth a visit. -Thanks for the tip Malcolm and Pam. Aviemore tomorrow. 


                                                                                                                                        Julia

Alfresco dining - Scotland style!

Lazy Heron at Pitlochry's fish ladder.

Do you know the way to Pit-loc-hry? du du dur du, dur du du du.....

Firstly thank you to whoever sorted out the return of the bright burning ball of yellow in the sky today, much appreciated. 

We left Dunfermline Travelodge at just gone 9:00 and headed straight uphill. After just a mile and a half we stopped to get some breakfast (which took an age!) in Kingseat. I also went into the Post Office which resembled something from a thirties drama and bought the only bottle of water they had!

On through Kelty, alongside Loch Leven and into Kinross.We shadowed the A9 using quiet b-roads and just after Moncreiffe Hill I set about getting a new max mph for this trip - I recorded 38.8 mph but couldn't get any quicker because of the nasty headwind we had met, really for the first time on our journey. The headwind turned today into a much harder ride than it should have been and at times I was in easy gears on the flat and downhill still going slowly!

Following the cycle path towards Perth I suddenly saw some glass in front of me, SMASH, too late. I ran straight over the sharp edge of a large broken bottle. My tyres are Fantastic. No Punct*re - thank you Punct*re Fairy - I now definately believe. We stopped for lunch in the beautiful city of Perth and eventualy dragged ourselves away an hour later! 

The wind continued to blow against us as we followed a scenic path away from Perth before turning north again through Bankfoot and Waterloo. We followed the old A9 - which has just been left to go wild for several miles until it disappeared just 5 miles from Pitlochry. We did several loops of Ballinluig - getting increasingly frustrated at our efforts to find the path (this was the section I had struggled to map and now I could see why) eventually we climbed - never a good thing when your tired and fed up, through Dalcapon before dropping back down to join the mysterious disappearing path and the final couple of miles through Pitlochry. The Craigatin House Hotel came as a very welcome sight after a tougher than expected day.

Martin

Bikes parked up in front of the church and opposite the lunch stop.

Just before we found the broken glass................

A welcome return ....

Errr yes just one more little lump to go over.......

Missing……. Last seen in England

A big yellow fireball has gone missing from the sky. It was last seen three days ago but has not been seen since! If seen there is a huge reward being offered by two very wet cyclists…..

Well it was raining when we went to sleep and it was still raining when we woke up. The owners of the Tushielaw Inn where we stayed last night had tried to dry our kit but things like shoes just weren’t dry. We delayed leaving by chatting to the very friendly owners but we both knew at some point we would have to leave L

It rained lightly while we climbed and dropped twice up/down the long hills, somehow the downhill’s never equal out the time or effort expended going up?

We stopped in Innerleithen for a hot drink and then started to climb again into the Moorfoot Hills. Again the hills just seemed to drag on and on. Of course it continued to rain. We got so high at one point we were above the huge wind turbines on the next hills. After a long time we dropped out of the hills and into Midlothian. We headed towards Edinburgh and were rewarded with a great view of Arthurs Seat.

A quick warming coffee stop on the edge of the city before joining the cycle path which led us away from the Sunday Tourists buying inappropriate kilts and tartan rugs, and out towards the Forth Road Bridge.

On arriving at the bridge the cycle lane on the East Side was shut so we had to get both bikes down the steps, under the road and up the steps the other side - just what you want to be doing when your bike weighs 30kg+ and it’s raining.

We came through Inverkeithing and one last climb brought us to tonight’s Dunfermline Travelodge (the last one on the tour - so no more bikes in the room J

Martin

We followed the path of lots of streams like thi

View across to the Forth Bridgess

Day 9: Always look on the bright side of life….

The heavy rain continued most of today. Oh well it could have been worse:
The second day of heavy rain is never as bad as the first because you’ve been through it already.
The thirty miles of climbing was in the first half of the day,
At least when it’s raining the midges can’t get you.

We left The Tuishilaw Inn and continue to climb through the borders. - Spectacular scenery - rivers, crofts, pine forests, grouse, we think a couple of eagles. We dropped into the village of Innerleithen - it was only one street but it seemed really busy after the solitude of the borders. We continue up into the Moorfoot Hills eventually dropping and returning to civilisation and the A7 at Gorebridge.

Eventually we reached the outskirts of Edinburgh. As we were cycling along I looked up and realised we were riding past Edinburgh’s famous Arthur’s Seat. We took Amy, Jon, Chris and Laura up to Edinburgh to watch the World Cross-country championships there in 2008. It was a long journey in the car and we had cycled there not just from home but from Cornwall. - I shed a few more tears!

Still raining we stopped for a quick coffee to warm up before joining sustrans cycle path 1 - what an excellent cycle path. The roads of Edinburgh are in a terrible condition - patches, potholes. - the cycle path was lovely smooth well -kept tamac. We followed the path for 7/8 miles through the city, council estates, the expensive housing with pony paddocks and golf courses towards South Queensferry.

We crossed the Forth Road Bridge - amazing views of the Firth Estaury finishing off with the last 6 miles climbing up into Dunfermline. 66 miles wet, tired and hungry.

Julia 

Spot the cyclist competition

Forth road bridge

Day 8 Welcome to Scotland - I’ll come back when it’s Summer.

Funny how a day that feels bad turns out ok - like yesterday and a day that looks promising goes pear shaped then back again - today.
We set off from Penrith up the A6 to Carlisle - 40 minutes in - a spot of rain. So we stopped to put the waterproofs on just in case. By the time we had got the jackets and trousers out - it was hailing. It wasn’t warm rain like the other day. It was hammering down cold rain, - which continued unabating for the rest of the day after 67 miles! We stopped in Carlisle after 20 miles to get a snack and a coffee to warm up, We were still laughing about the rain at that point - full waterproofs, over shoes etc.. We continued up the A7 and into Scotland. I found it quite emotional. I know we won’t finish until next Friday but I have cycled all the way to Scotland - me! Who’d have thought it. We carried on towards Langholm with the prospect of a coffee and a sit down to warm us up. - Saturday - Langholm was shut! We got some snacks and an energy drink from a shop and sheltered for warmth. That was a real low point today. Still over 30 miles to go. At this point I should say thank you to my lovely husband Martin for keeping me going. I cried twice today - once for joy on reaching Scotland and once standing in the rain in Langholm at the prospect of another 37 miles in the cold pouring rain. We set off and within 10 minutes we were in another world - the rain was the same but the scenery - wow. Off the A7 and the traffic and onto the B709 to Eskdalemuir and into the Scottish Borders. The road continuously climbed - gradually higher and higher - pine forests, hills , crofts , rivers, even in the pouring rain - spectacular. The miles clocked up, the rain poured down - the road became more remote and then we came across Samye Ling Tibeten Centre! 12 miles to go, still raining, cold beyond wet. The last 8 miles all downhill following the river - getting wider and faster. We both agreed this route would be spectacular on a nice day. We were glad of the downhill but only to get to the end quicker - too cold and wet to really appreciate the view. We arrived bedraggled and tired to the welcoming sight of the Tushielaw Inn a remote spot no mobile signal but a warm bed and dinner. Typing this in bed tonight watching the tv - the weather forcast for tomorrow is severe weather warning 100mm of rain. Hmm! We are heading towards Edinburgh surely it can’t be as bad as today.

Julia

No need for the factor 50 today!

Is that it - all you get for cycling to Scotland?

Hmmmm over or around?

Tibetan Monastery - what else?

Why does it always rain on me? by Travis and Me

Today it Rained. It started 30 minutes after we left Penrith and never stopped! We got wet, cold and wet and then wet some more!

We were about 7 miles in on the quiet A6  when I noticed the dark clouds looming over my shoulder. We pulled in to put on our jackets on, 30 seconds later it was raining lightly, by the time I had put my trousers on it was raining heavily and 30 seconds after that it was hailing! Only in the British Summer!

We cycled on to Carlisle and up the main street. We sheltered for a while and then went to get a coffee to try and warm up, meanwhile a Brass band had started up in the bandstand and were belting out the tunes - Only in the British summertime could you see this while it was hammering it down with rain!

Onto the A7 for Longtown which again was reasonably quiet we were greeted with a sign which we thought was the border, so camera out in the rain and a quick picture. 15 minutes down the road we were greeted with the proper sign - much more impressive! We were also met with an electronic sign warning us of “Heavy Rain and Flooding Forecast Drive With Care” - thanks hadn’t noticed that!

We promised ourselves a hot coffee and something to eat when we got to Langholm - unfortunately Langholm was shut at 2.30 on a Saturday afternoon!!! We sheltered in a doorway and ate flapjacks and chocolate from the Londis Shop - see you thought it was a glamerous existenceof us LEJOGers!

It was still raining!

We carried on with 27 miles to go. The road climbed and fell but much steadier than Cornwall and Devon as it tended to go around the hills rather than straight over the top.

It continued to rain!

We came to the area of Eskdalemuir and came around the corner and found the Samye Ling Tibetan Monastry.  What else would you expect to see in the middle of knowhere, in Scotland while it was raining!

We began to climb up into the forest and finally reached the top with 9 miles to go. Looking at the Satmap it looked like the road generally followed the river - good a downhill finish - despite the rain!

We raced down the hill and pulled up outside the Tushielaw Inn. It was still raining! We commentated that we would like to see the route again when it was Summer and hoped they could let us know what day it would be!

Martin

Dark clouds are looming!

Would you trust this cyclist???

Band in full Swing - Groove on in Carlisle!

Welcome to Wet Scotland!

Welcome to Scotland!!!

Just what you expect to see in the Scottish Borders!

Day 7 : Shaptastic

Sitting eating breakfast in Preston this morning - the day seemed to stretch before me. No more friends and family to meet us, we were on our own from now on. I was already having a panic about the ascent of Shap. We set off - it started to rain - we gortexed up - the sun came out! The sun stayed out and turned into a glorious sunny day. Garstang, Lancaster, Kendal the miles clocked up. No avoiding Shap any longer. We stopped for flapjack fuel at the petrol station - the bloke in the shop didn't help by cackling you'll need that where you are going. Off we set. Now I've read a few Lejog blog's where they've written  that they were so cycle fit by Shap that they didn't notice going over it. Lies all lies. You notice Shap. Having said that after the relentless hills of Cornwall Shap is a long gradual Drag ( 5 miles plus) with levelling out and dips at the base, a false summit then a hard graft of about a mile. We met a scottish chap at the bottom, started the same day as us, met up with the group of 8 we started with and stopped overnight in Stoke. He was walking. We passed him. Then the game of cat and mouse started. Martin was up ahead game over. but he would pedal madly past me, stop walk then start cycling again when I got close. Normally I'd give up but not today. I selected granny gear and slowly reeled him in finally catching him 200m from the summit. We stopped to chat with him on the descent from Shap - I didn't mention the kicking of butt - I didn't need to. We rolled into Penrith at  6.45p.m. 72 miles over halfway done. Scotland tomorrow!

Oh Goody, SHAP!

The view after the false summit!

Done and dusted - Downhill all the way!

                                                                                                                                        Julia 

As John Noakes might have said “Get Down Shap!”

After yesterday’s long day we were faced with a little jaunt mainly along the A6 through such illustrious places as Garstang, Lancaster, Bolton Le Sands (now there's exotic), Carnforth, Kendal (missed out on the infamous mint cake), Shap and into Penrith.

We left Preston just after 9am and fairly scooted along. I had decided to leave Preston wearing the waterproof overshoes I hadn’t worn when it rained yesterday. I put the rest of my wet weather stuff on when we first stopped at Garstang Sainsburys for some mid morning refreshments, as it was very grey and had started to rain. HA I wasn’t going to get caught out again. Needless to say 10 minutes later the sun came out and faced with stopping or continuing to ride along looking like Bibendium I chose to carry on and quietly melt due to stubbornness!

The next 10 miles saw us go through Lancaster which was a surprisingly attractive looking town - the view of the University from the M6 really doesn’t do it justice. Bolton Le Sands came and went with a glimpse of some sand over to our left and next stop was a late morning snack from the Tescos at Carnforth (See as the BBC says ‘Other supermarkets are available’).

A 5 minute stretch on the A591 Dual Carriageway saw us retreat to the quiet side roads before we dropped down and into Kendal. A sit down and a Pint of coke later we went through Kendal before attempting the infamous SHAP. (Shap is infamous to those other idiots doing LEJOG’s or JOGLE’s because it’s one BIG climb in the Middle of virtually everyone’s route and it climbs up to 1400 ft and lasts about 5 miles!)

We had seen a few others today doing LEJOG’s or JOGLE’s and we were passed by a Scottish bloke on a road bike with a little rack bag going hell for leather at the start of the climb. He got round the corner and got off! We tootled past him with a cheery wave and found out he had set off the same day as us. Then it became a game of cat and mouse or rather tortoise and hare! The Tortoise’s won! We reached the summit and then enjoyed the well deserved downhill through Shap and onto Penrith.

First Half Summary

34515 ft of Ascent climbed

8451 ft Max Ascent climbed in one day

485.8 Miles Cycled in 7 days

47 Hours 58 Minutes Moving Time cycling

37.2 MPH Top Speed Reached before I chickened out

9 Relatives or friends met on route

5 Bottles of Lucozade drunk

4 Bags of Harribo’s Eaten

1 Scottish Cyclist overtaken ;-) 

Martin

Bendy Bridge in Lancaster

Not all the route today was on the A6!

Dutch Courage before Shap?

1 Scottish cyclist - defeated!

This Fell climbings Easy Peasy!

Where do I claim my Green Queen of the Mountains Jersey???