The Route

START: Land's End

Day 1 (24/6/2006) Land's End to Bodmin - 60 miles

Drove down to Land's End from Bodmin, unloaded the bikes, took the mandatory photographs and registered the ride in the office. Departed Land's End at about 11:20. After about half a mile Steve's chain jammed on his rear sprocket and had to be released. He also needed a new tyre, so we decided to go into Penzance and find a bike shop. Steve was pleasantly surprised and pleased that he was able to get a 27 inch tyre. Riding along the A30 is not a pleasant experience, but at least

we had a tailwind. Pete had a slow puncture, but managed to pump the tyre up and get to our destination where he changed the inner tube. We covered a distance of 60 miles today and arrived at our destination back in Bodmin at 17:05. Not bad after travelling down last night and only getting 3 hours sleep.

Day 2 (25/6/2006) Bodmin - Cullompton - 79 miles

Got up out of bed at about 05:00 hearing Graham and Pete talking - these two are supposed to be professional caravanners, and trying there best to wake up the whole site. Departed Bodmin at 06:40 after a good nights sleep. Got a quarter mile down the road and Steve realised that he didn't have his gloves so went back for them. The sun was shining when we left, but it soon turned to a mist which didn't clear until we got to Launceston. During the ascent to Okehampton Steve thought that the hill seemed steeper than it should be, so we pulled into a service area for a cup of tea while he sorted his problem out. It turned out that his brake blocks on his rear wheel had moved so he was cycling with his brakes on. There aren't many flat stretches on the A30 out of Bodmin. Wayne makes use of the downhill stretches by getting his head down and his bottom up and passing everybody - making use of his skills as a former competitive off-road cyclist. We stopped at Crediton where we ate the sandwiches that Pete had made the night before.

As we passed through Crediton we passed a cycle shop where we all made an emergency stop as Steve decided that his water bottle wasn't big enough, so he bought another one - and they filled it for him. Since Pete bought his new bike, he is determined to use tham all. Shortly after leaving Bickleigh we were approaching a steep hill and I was following Pete when he saw the hill

and immediately dropped down to an extremely low gear causing me to make an emergency stop and great difficulty in getting my feet out of the peadals, and somehow my chain dropped off the small chain ring. As we go nearer to our destination there was a shortage of direction signs in general.

We stopped at a road junction looking for a sign for Cullompton. There were signs on a signpost for everywhere except for where we wanted to go. Steve said "What's the problem, Cullompton is this way". Sure enough, as we turned round we saw a sign on a wall. As we got nearer to our destination, my bike started making rattling noises which I immediately recognised as being loose spokes - will have to see to this later in the day. We arrived at the site at about 16:10. Graham was already there and immediately brewed us a drink - most welcome. Graham later barbecued some meat for our evening meal - lovely.

Day 3 (26/6/2006) Cullompton - Monmouth - 105 miles

Departed the site near Cullompton at 07:45 - we all slept in. Not been a good day. It started raining last night at about 21:00 and has rained all day throughout the ride. Not much fun packing tents away in the rain. Arrived at our overnight stop in Monmouth at 19:15. We covered a distance of 105 miles today.

Day 4 (27/6/2006) Monmouth - Wem - 92 miles

Rose earlier today, so on the road at 06:50. Shoes and gloves still wet from the day before. About 25 miles into the ride my front gear cable broke. Steve had a spare one, so replaced it. Wayne had a problem with his gears, so we found a cycle repair workshop near Ludlow who carried out a repair. While we were there I bought a handlebar bag - I was struggling to carry all that I needed in my saddle bag. We had deliberately deviated from the A19 by this time in favour of a more leisurely, scenic route. The weather has been on the cool side but alright for cycling until it started raining heavily as we approached Kenley, about 25 miles from our nights stopover. We covered 92 miles today arriving at Wem at 19:00.

Day 5 (28/6/2006) Wem - Morecambe - 106 miles

Left Wem at 06.30. Shoes and gloves wet for a second day running. Graham told the site owners what we are doing and they waived the site fees. Overcast during the first part of the ride, but not cold. For the second day running we stopped for a breakfast. We looked in vain for a cafe in Whitchurch, but found a transport cafe later on the A49. We remained on the A49 through to Preston where we picked up the A6. As we approached Preston the heavens opened, but thankfully it stopped raining so we dried out. We took a fantastic cycle route from Lancaster to Morecambe. We covered 106 miles today arriving at the campsite at 18.00. When we arrived at the campsite Graham had put the tents up to dry them out.

Day 6 (29/6/2006) Morecambe - Langholm - 100 miles

Departed Heysham at 06:25. Quite an uneventful day where the weather conditions were ideal for cycling. Stopped in Kendall for our breakfast before tackling Shap. The climb to Shap summit wasn't as hard as I expected - steep in places but more of a long drag.

Arrived at the campsite at Langholm at 18:00. The distance covered was exactly 100 miles. At Langholm we got our first taste of the notorious Scottish midges. Graham went into Langholme to get some insect repellant, and returned with a bottle of moisteriser which a lady gave him from here home. It worked - and we all smelled nice as well.

Day 7 (30/6/2006) Langholm - Edinburgh - 67 miles

Departed at 06:40 leaving the insects behind - they don't bother you when you are moving.. After two long ascents after Hawick we were ready for the bacon sandwich in Selkirk. Took a detour from Selkirk before rejoining the A7 at Bowland. The rain came down as we approached Edinburgh. We thought we'd lost Wayne when he suddenly sprinted off down the road at a point where we left the main road. Peter sprinted after him and brought him back. Being a short stage at 67 miles, we arrived at our overnight stop at 14:10. Midges not too bad this evening.

Day 8 (1/7/2006) Edinburgh - Aberfeldy - 85 miles

Midges biting again this morning. Departed at 06.35. Fairly quiet at this time in Edinburgh on a Saturday morning.We stopped for photos at the Forth bridge.

Steve, fine fellow, spotted a sandwich bar in Crossgates so we stopped off for an egg & bacon sandwich. Carried on to Perth where we had lunch in a park. Arrived at Aberfeldy at 17:15. Distance ridden today was 85 miles. I've been a bit lethargic today - Peter suggested that it was due to the chicken curry I had last night.

Day 9 (2/7/2006) Aberfeldy - Inverness - 111 miles

Departed Aberfeldy at 06:40. We had to retrace our steps for 10 miles to get back to the A9. Just north of Pitlochry we left the A9 and joined the National Cycle Route 7. Stopped off for an egg and bacon roll at Blair Atholl. It was about 9am and apparently didn't normally open until 10am on a Sunday, but they opened for us anyway - nice people. The cycle route uses a combination of roads and cycle paths, but keeps you off the A9. Had a rain shower as we rode over Slochd summit (1315 feet). Stopped for an ice cream in Carrbridge. Covered 111 miles today arriving at Bunchrew near Inverness at 19:15.

Day 10 (3/7/2006) Inverness - Brora - 76 miles

Departed the campsite at Bunchrew, Inverness on the penultimate stage at 06.55. Chilly and damp this morning. Went to the west of Beauly Firth, so avoiding the A9 at Inverness. Stopped for a fry-up at Alness. We then took the scenic route to Brora via Bonar Bridge, adding about 15 miles - but it did take us off the A9 again.. As we approached Brora, Steve's chain broke. This was repaired at the side of the road. distance covered today was 76 miles, arriving at the campsite at 16:50

Day 11 (4/7/2006) Brora - John O'Groats - 65 miles END:

Last day. Cold morning, had to wear jackets. Departed at 06:30. Had to get to Wick before we found a cafe for an egg and bacon sandwich. But at least it's only 18 miles from here to the end. There are a few hills between Brora and Wick which warmed us up, but is fairly level the rest of the way. Arrived at John o'Groats at 14:00. Covered 65 miles.

Total distance: 946 miles.