Two days later...

Miles cycled - NONE!!
Hangovers - 2

The euphoria of our arrival in John O'Groats continued into the wee small hours of Sunday morning, with much banter, speeches and whisky - thank goodness I did plenty of drinking training too!  But then everyone's thoughts turned to getting home.  We were bussed to Inverness, where Bob was waiting to bring me and my bike home for a well-earned sleep (once I'd popped in to our local to bask in a bit of glory!).   I'm not feeling too bad now, considering - not too stiff, just tired.

I am still amazed at what I have achieved!  Everyone keeps asking what's next, but I can't top what I've just experienced, and I'm more than happy that whenever I see a map of the UK, I can inwardly smile to think I've pedalled all that way in such a short time.  It was the most physically and emotionally challenging thing I've ever done, yet also the most rewarding.  The stats, if anyone's interested:

Total miles cycled (including the odd wrong turn!) - 1010
Total ascent - 50,300 ft (Everest is 29,000!)
Average speed - 10.6 mph
Total time in the saddle - 94 hrs 53 mins (no wonder my backside is a little tender!!)

I met 24 other cyclists and 3 crew, all of whom were great people I'll remember fondly.  The majority were keen cyclists, and found the going a little easier than I did, but it was our mini-team bringing up the rear each day I'll always be grateful to.  We gelled as a group, helped each other along the way, and definitely saw all the sights at a slower pace than the rest, and it was a real privilege to share this experience with such great characters.

From the left - Aled (looks great in lycra tights!), Johnathan (who carried a yellow plastic duck since Somerset!), me!, Phil (much fitter than us and could have been at the front with the others, but stayed with us to get his value for money!) and John (who celebrated both his 45th wedding anniversary and his 69th birthday on the trip!)

 But the one I'll miss the most is John.  What an incredible achievement for him.  His wonderful sense of humour and unfailing courage and determination I can only aspire to.

Thanks for your company, John!

I'm still collecting for my charity, and will update again in a couple of weeks once the final total is in, so if you've enjoyed reading my blog, please feel free to donate!

www.justgiving.com/JanesBigTrip

Day 14. Altnaharra to John O'Groats

Miles cycled - 75
Total ascent - 3700ft
Terrain - hilly section in the middle, long rolling hills late on
Weather - cold, damp and cloudy but NO WIND!!
Best bit - seeing John get to the finish first
Worst bit - the long run between lunch and the last few miles

We set off early at 8.15, still 7 miles ahead of the rest. We knew they'd catch up but an early start would mean an early finish! The route was lovely, meandering along the lochside and following a river to Bettyhill where a 20 mile section of hills brought us up on the tops above the coastline. Nice views, but the cloud was low and it was a bit misty. 

Our first view of a John O'Groats sign

After lunch, I found things hard going. The hills were not steep, just long, but in my head we were nearly done, and yet we still had 40 miles to go. My legs had had enough, and it was a real grind getting to Mey, 7 miles short of John O'Groats. Here, everyone re-grouped after a cuppa (or a beer in some cases!) and we all cycled the last section together. John was given the honour of leading us down the hill to the signpost - a very fitting end to an amazing challenge.

In the last 2 weeks I have cycled from one end of the country to the other. I have pedalled for almost exactly 1000 miles and climbed more than one-and-a-half times the height of Everest. I think I can be proud of myself now. Mid-life crisis - done!!

Day 13. Inverness to Altnaharra

Miles cycled - 73
Total ascent - 3300ft
Terrain - some long, slow hills
Weather - cold and windy with squally showers. Heavy drizzle late afternoon
Best bit - having a landlady at the b&b who takes away all your wet kit to dry it for you!
Worst bit - the weather

Another tough and long day. We left Inverness in biting cold wind and headed north over the Kessock bridge, mostly following cycle paths to Dingwall then a mixture of main roads and quiet back lanes to Bonar Bridge.  There was quite a climb before lunch, but the gradient wasn't so bad and although it was long, it didn't sap your strength.

The view fom the top of the climb

We all layered up at lunch, as the morning had been so cold, and the clouds looked threatening. Up to then, we'd only had a few short showers. We headed to Lairg for the last brew stop and then had a 14 mile  long hill to climb to The Crask Hotel. When I say hill, it was just one endless incline - no steep bits, just steadily uphill all the way, with a fierce headwind and persistent heavy drizzle. We were heading up exposed rolling moorland, with absolutely no shelter from the wind, along a single track road which was surprisingly busy. It wasn't a day to look up - just keep your head down and get the miles done in full waterproofs. 

The endless last hill to The Crask

The Crask was the official finish today, but us 'slowies' (me, John and Phil and the 2 Welsh lads) were staying  7 miles further on at Altnaharra, so we had to press on in the rain to our b&b. However, this means we get a 7 mile head start on the others tomorrow, and the plan is for us all to arrive at the finish together. A long day - began cycling at 8.30am and got in at 6.35pm - but not quite so drained as last night, and the end is in sight!!

Day 12. Glencoe to Inverness

Miles cycled - 82
Total ascent - 4400ft
Terrain - pretty hilly with one enormous hill after lunch
Weather - cold and windy with rain all afternoon
Best bit - standing in a hot shower at the end
Worst bit - can't decide - plenty to choose from!

  

www.justgiving.com/JanesBigTrip 

Today has been a struggle. We left Glencoe and headed on the A82 to Fort William against a fierce headwind, and battling the lorries and coaches. Not a lot of fun, and more tiring than I expected.

From Fort William, we made our way up a hilly road which paralleled the Caledonian canal. This would have been scenic if it wasn't such hard work against the persistent wind, but it topped out at the brew stop at Spean Bridge at the commando memorial. Again, the view should have been fantastic of Ben Nevis, but we were all more interested in trying to eat and drink and stay warm, to take it all in.

We then had a long stretch on the A82 to Fort Augustus for lunch, and the weather was beginning to turn wet, with the clouds dropping to very low level. Then came the monstrous climb of the day (see below), up a quiet road to the east of Loch Ness, which eventually led into Inverness.

After lunch, I put on my waterproof jacket and long trousers, deciding to leave my waterproof trousers and overshoes in the van. After all, it was only drizzle... However, towards the end of the big hill (it took me an hour to climb it!) it began to rain stair-rods and the temperature plummeted. I got really hot on the climb, then there was a massive long descent to the brew stop, and I ended up frozen!

Leaving Glencoe

I wasn't the only one, and we all put on extra layers and waterproofs at the van in the rain, before setting off for the 20 mile run into Inverness. By now, I was cold, wet and very tired. The road was undulating, but the hills felt like mountains and my legs were like lead. Inverness was a very welcome sight.

It just goes to show what a difference the weather can make, and just how lucky we've been not to have had to deal with this every day. A VERY early night tonight for me!

Day 11. Balloch to Glencoe

Mile's cycled - 67
Total ascent - 3100ft
Terrain - flat first section then long slow hills
Weather - cooler and cloudy with strong winds after lunch
Best bit - the scenery
Worst bit - the headwind for the last 15 miles

www.justgiving.com/JanesBigTrip

The day started with a lovely cycle path alongside Loch Lomond. The banks are indeed 'bonny' and there was lots of stopping to take pics. The brew stop came all too soon, as from there we had to get onto to the A82, and stay on it for much of the day. This is a busy road, narrow in places, and lots of lorries and coaches, so we were advised to keep in small groups and leave plenty of overtaking gaps.

Beautiful Loch Lomond

This we did, and wended our way through Crianlarich and Tyndrum and into the Highlands.

Here the landscape opened up and we were greeted by views I can only describe as breathtaking. The afternoon brew stop has to be the most spectacular of them all so far, and the run into Glencoe equally stunning. 

But having had a fairly flat run this morning, the long slow climbs this afternoon came as a shock to the system, especially against a headwind. However, the scenery made up for it, and we only have the midges to contend with now at the youth hostel!

Arriving at Glencoe

Day 10. Moffat to Balloch

Miles cycled - 81
Total ascent - 2900ft
Terrain - hilly morning, flat afternoon
Weather - beautiful morning, cooler and cloudy afternoon
Best bit - the afternoon cycle paths
Worst bit - coming across some public toilets when I was desperate for a pee, only to find they were locked!!

www.justgiving.com/JanesBigTrip

There was a long slow climb out of Moffat, but the scenery was so beautiful, it took your mind off your legs! Too hazy to take pics, so I just plodded on, enjoying the view. Then we travelled along the road that parallels the M74. If I thought yesterdays road surfaces were bad - these were dreadful! Not potholes, just really rough, and it plays havoc with your backside and wrists. 

Hard to believe we were right next to the M74!

Lunch was at Chatelherault - a stunning hunting lodge with amazing views over Glasgow. Then we picked our way through the traffic in the suburbs before joint a lovely cycle path along the banks of the Clyde all the way through to the heart of Glasgow. It was brilliant - great surface, very quiet, and very FLAT!! The cycleway then followed a canal and joined another river where it took us all the way to Balloch at the end of Loch Lomond. It has been great to be away from traffic all afternoon, and although the mileage was high, it's not been too tiring at all. Another great day.

The Glasgow cycle path - a really nice way to travel through the city

Day 9. Keswick to Moffat

Miles cycled - 74
Total ascent - 4000ft
Terrain - very hilly morning, then a flatter bit with a slow climb at the end
Weather - beautiful till we crossed into Scotland, where it rained!
Best bit - my welcoming committee
Worst bit - the long slow slog to Moffat

 www.justgiving.com/JanesBigTrip

 

 

Another exciting day for me. David was again cycling the whole route, so good to have a pal around. The route climbs from Keswick to the top of the Caldbeck fells and it's a really nasty series of hills along the dreaded Orthwaite road. As we were nearing the end, we spotted a sign which I later discovered was planted by a friend - the first of a series of similar encouraging notices!

Me with Debbie, Ian, David and hubbie, Bob, at Gretna

At the very welcome brew stop I could see a few extra silhouettes and was chuffed to see a few friends waiting, waving flags and cheering! I was then also joined by Ian and Debbie who cycled with me through to lunch at Gretna. It's great to have such good support and to know so many are following my progress. Bob had also followed us along, and this is where I had to say goodbye for another week.

Really?

 After lunch, we crossed the border into the rain, but it didn't last long and we were soon heading directly north along some of the worst road surfaces I've encountered yet. The Welsh lads have christened it 'Potland'! There were quite a few folk fell victim to punctures - I just lost a brand new back light on a really bad bump.  Then began the slog. It looked quite level, but the road was on a slight but strength-sapping incline which carried on forever. A tiring day, but we're apparently meeting for supper tonight in the narrowest hotel in the world!!

Day 8. Garstang to Keswick

Miles cycled - 65
Total ascent - 4000ft
Terrain - a good few hills in the afternoon but mostly undulating!
Weather - beautiful
Best bit - being home!
Worst bit - can't think of one!

www.justgiving.com/JanesBigTrip

At our morning briefing, my friend and training partner David was waiting for me - he's cycling end-to-end soon, so was using today as a training run.  Really good to see a familiar face!  We cycled through some lovely 'northern' countryside to the first brew stop, where Bob and my mum and dad were waiting too - they'd come to cheer me on and meet some of the folks I've been talking about.

The best view of the day - my welcoming committee at the brew stop!

We then headed directly north to Kendal for lunch, followed by a mixture of lovely back roads and a bit of A road through Windermere, Ambleside and Grasmere.  Ordinarily, these would be places folk would stop to take pictures, but for me they're on the doorstep, so I just pressed on, eager to get home.  There was a big climb out of Grasmere to Thirlmere, but even that didn't seem so bad today - I think the incentive of getting home made my legs feel invincible!  Bob met us again at Thirlmere, and cycled that last bit with us towards Keswick, where we packed up my bike and headed straight home - I've passed half-way now!  A VERY good day!!!

We passed through some parts of the Lakes even I've never seen!

A typical Lake District view - Rydal Water

Day 7. Runcorn to Garstang

Miles cycled - 65
Total ascent - 3300ft
Terrain - hilly in the middle but flat morning and late afternoon
Weather - beautiful
Best bit - the afternoon brew stop
Worst bit - choosing a black T-shirt on such a sunny day!

www.justgiving.com/JanesBigTrip

Today wasn't quite as picturesque as we've become used to! The morning was largely on main roads and through busy urban areas so we split into small groups to make navigation easier. I teamed up with my usual partners in crime, Phil and John and the Welsh boys, and we picked our way through the towns together. You have to concentrate a lot more when you're in traffic and navigating through unfamiliar towns, so the miles fly by without you realising. Just before lunch we climbed up onto the moors which was gorgeous, before dropping down to skirt round Bolton and Blackburn and on to Garstang.

Up on the moors

It's been really hot today, and stupidly I chose to wear a black T-shirt. The stretch between lunch and the afternoon break was long and hot, and the brew van was a very welcome sight!

'Team Heat Absorption'

Poor Jenn had her gears seize just after lunch, and the tour guide, Niv, almost managed to sort it at the roadside. As they were less than a mile from a bike shop, it was safer to have the job finished there.

The team trying to repair Jenn's gears at the roadside

Lexi is still performing well!

Seven days done, seven to go!!

Day 6. Clun to Runcorn

Miles cycled - 79
Total ascent - 2400ft
Terrain - pretty flat
Weather - beautiful
Best bit - seeing the sign for the hotel at the end of the day!
Worst bit - poor road surfaces

www.justgiving.com/JanesBigTrip 

 

As appears to be traditional, the day started with a few hills, but soon turned into what even I would describe as 'undulating'! We cycled through quaint little villages and open countryside to Shrewsbury and then pretty much directly north to Runcorn. Our longest mileage so far, but the flatter terrain has meant the miles clocked up quickly.

The Severn at Shrewsbury

John and the Amazing Cycling Sandals

I took up my usual place at the back of the pack early on with Phil and John, and we were soon joined by the 2 Welsh lads Aled and Johnathan.  John had a problem with his foot, so he stopped to buy an amazing pair of cycling sandals!

I pressed on with the Welsh contingent and the 3 of us spent most of the day together until the other 2 caught us up at the last brew stop. It feels like we're really making progress now - we've been passing through places I know well, and we're very much "up north".

St Paul's at Helsby where our kids were christened

For the last 2 days, a lot of the road surfaces have been quite poor and the constant vibration and buffeting doesn't do your bum any favours! Still, I'm feeling better than I expected to at this stage - 411 miles covered so far!!

Day 5. Monmouth to Clun

 Miles cycled - 58
Total ascent - 3300ft
Terrain - hilly
Weather - beautiful morning, cloudy afternoon
Best bit - lunch!
Worst bit - the muddy footpath at the end

 www.justgiving.com/JanesBigTrip

Challenge or holiday?

Today started with a monster of a hill out of Monmouth, then the route was described as 'undulating'. Not how I'd phrase it, as it felt a lot more hilly than that! Out of Monmouth, we passed through some amazing countryside, picturesque villages and rural views before passing through Hereford on a lovely cycle path.

Spaced out lunch

 From there it was lunch at an old fashioned tea room in Pembridge where we had the most delicious fresh sandwiches and salad, followed by homemade cakes in their garden - the best lunch so far! 

Nice curves  -  and the hedge...

 After lunch we sailed along enjoying the views until we got 4 miles from Clun, our destination.

ho hum

The road into Clun was closed, and we had been assured the workmen weren't letting bikes through. The options were a 40 mile detour, or a 3 mile track through some woods. Not really much of a choice.

We set off through the woods, but it was far too muddy and steep to pedal on road bikes, so we pushed for the first mile, which wasn't any fun at all. As the path dried out a little, we pedalled and pushed for the last stretch, but by now we were muddy and our bikes were worse. Poor John took a tumble, and hero Aled pushed his bike for a while, but by the end of the track, I was beginning to throw my toys out of the cot.


This was not Peak Tours fault, and unavoidable, but it was not what I had signed up for. As we reached Clun, I'm not sure why, my bottom lip started to go! I'd promised myself I wouldn't do a Davina and spend the trip blubbering about how hard things get, but for some reason, it happened!

Ugh!

Niv ( one of the tour guides) took me under his wing and cleaned my bike, arranged a cup of tea, and gave me a big hug - feeling much better now!

A rough end to what had been a lovely day.