Day 8 (Inverness to John O'Groats)

It was the last day today. Big push from Inverness to JOG. A total of 119 miles with a head wind all the way. Totally bushed tonight but happy to have completed in 8 days, 2 days ahead of schedule. Tomorrow I start my journey south again. Hopefully in a car and then a train or if that fails a cycle back to Wick.
A couple of massive climbs after Helmsdale. Would bring tears to even the toughest cyclist. Two 13% gradient hills after 69 miles is not a pleasant site. Looking forward to not getting back on the saddle, my arse is killing me. I was very impressed with my bike and my Gatorskin tyres. After spending most of the 8 days on the hard shoulder and going over all sorts of crap, not one puncture. What a brilliant product. No issues with my trusty steed (Mum's bike), after two mechanics said I needed to change the hubs, front & rear cassette and chain. Well this bike has been from Aylesbury to Brussels, Calais to Nice and LEJOG and still going strong. Good advert for a Scott sub 20 hybrid.

What a bleak place Wick and John O'Groats must be in the winter. The wind blows all the time and dead boring landscape. Why would you live here?

Thanks very much to everyone who supported me. Your donations will make a huge difference to PACE.
A very big thank you to my family and friends who kept me going when the times got tough, and oh my goodness did they get tough.
My mate Paul who I met on the first day plans to complete in 2 more days. Good luck mate.
One accident (which is good for me) and one lost toothbrush. Not bad.
What would I do differently-
- One less cycling shirt.
- No heavy books.
- Have a sim card that works everywhere.
- Listen to music
Today was 120 miles, 9.45 hrs ride time and a total time 11hrs. Average speed was 12.4mph.

Total stats for the entire trip were:
Total miles - 854
Total ride time- 64.53 hrs
Ave speed- 13.23 mph
Total calories burnt- 43 840
No punctures and no breakdown.
An awesome trip.
Regards

Day 7 (Crainlarich to Inverness)

Today was the hardest day so far. It was very wet with a head wind all the way and lots of climbing. The heavy rain made me cold all day.
The A82 is a narrow and very busy road and poorly maintained in parts. I lost concentration for second about 20 miles south of Inverness and my front wheel came off the road which caused me to crash. A very lucky escape as bike and rider were ok. Just a dented ego.
The scenery was stunning when it stopped raining for short periods. Skirted round Ben Nevis but could not see the top as it was covered in cloud and then all the way up Loch Ness to Inverness. Have met a few cyclists on their way too and from John O' Groats.
Today was a total of 10.30 hrs with a ride time of 9.11 hrs. Total distance was 118 miles. Ave was 12.9 mph
Tomorrow sees me off to Wick.

Day 6 (Moffat to Crianlarich)

Another big day today with great scenery once you get to Loch Lomand. I was surprised to see how run down Glasgow and the surrounding areas were. There seems to be very little in Glasgow to spend on building, however I did see some new buildings going up. Road conditions were poor again with some improved patches.
I now know where Malawi's capital got it' name, Blantyre. Mostly now council estates. I think Livingstone was from Glasgow.
Sun was out when I started in Moffat as I climbed out of the valley back over to the A74 (M), but the sun did not last. Overcast all day and some rain at the end. Head wind made it a bit tough though. Arrived in Crianlarich and straight to Best Western hotel as I had no phone reception. Very friendly staff. Bike is next to the stairs. I hope it's still there in the morning.
Hotel is popular with the oldies.
Heavy rain predicted tomorrow. Spoke to a local who said that's everyday.
She, her husband and eleven year old son did LEJOG over Easter in 16 days. That's impressive.
Got a pic of Rangers football club in Glasgow for all the Rangers fans. The Loch Lomand National Park is a beautiful place. Need to come back again with the family.
Total time was 10hrs, Ride time was 8.27hrs. Total distance was 109 miles,
Ave speed was 12.9mph.

Day 5 (Lancaster to Moffat)

Started at 7am felt in good spirits. Legs were a little tired. It started raining as I left and arrived in Penrith for tea freezing cold and wet after a serious 6 mile climb to the top of Shap Fell. Not much to see at the summit as it was covered in clouds. Great views on the way up. Stuck to the A49 and then the A6. Decided to crack on to Scotland and get to Moffat as Mike Yorwerth said that this was a hard, boring part of the ride. He was right. Seemed to take forever from Gretna to Moffat, especially the last 17 miles from Lockerbie. A big day today and a number of milestones achieved:
- It's day 5, so countdown now.
- I have crossed into Scotland.
- 112 miles today, longest day yet.
- more than half the mileage completed.

Don't the Scottish invest in their B roads! What a rubbish road and did not help that my arse is killing me at the moment. Is there not a saddle out there that is more comfortable?
I am currently sitting in the Black Bull Hotel in Moffat having a well deserved pint and for the first time chicken stuffed with Haggis. Very nice. This pub was frequented by Robert Burns.
Total time today was 10hrs with ride time 8.47 hrs. Total distance was 112 miles today with ave at 12.7 mph. Total miles so far is 510.
Tomorrow off to Glasgow and beyond.

Day 4 (Shrewsbury to Lancaster)

Managed to get away at 7am in glorious sunshine and dry shoes, the first time in 3 days. Luckily I had bought some bits for breakfast last night. Today was sun all the way and no rain. Called in at Tesco Extra in Wigan for lunch after saying goodbye to Paul who was off to Slaidburn. Managed to get more powders for the next 2 days. That reminds me, I need to find a bike shop for some CO2 cartridges in case of punctures. Loads of motorbikes on the A49 and a lot of classic cars. There was a classic car show at Oulton Park race circuit which is known as the 'Goodwood' of the north & 8 miles from Winsford. The A49 is a great road on a motorbike.
Ride time 7.29hrs Total time 9hrs and completed 102 miles. Ave 13.9mph. Total distance is 398 miles in 4 days
Staying in the Travelodge in the centre of Lancaster that has a Tesco express downstairs. Rain forecast for tomorrow.

Day 3 (Bristol to Shrewsbury)

Today saw a dry start but did not last long. By the time we got to the Severn bridge it was cat and dogs again with a northerly wind. Awesome crossing the Severn bridge on a bike. You don't realise what a fantastic feat of engineering it is. Then it was up the Wye valley to Monmouth and on to Hereford. Today I had the two Paul's with me which was nice company, although not much chatting once we got onto the A38 after the Wye valley. Another big climb today 10 miles from Ludlow and another puncture for Paul not long after the climb. "You need Gatorskins mate." Arrived in Shrewsbury late this afternoon to find all B&Bs full. Finally the old faithful Travelodge was available, but it was back the way I came, on the outskirts of town. Arrived to find room flooded and had to cycle back into town again to the Lion hotel. 4 star- flip flops not going down well but has a heated towel rail to dry shoes (first time in 3 days) and kit.
Total time today was 9.2hrs. Cycle time was 7.14 hrs, total miles 100 & ave was 12.9mph
292 miles completed so far. The weather looks good for tomorrow. Finally.

Day 2 (Okehampton to Bristol)

It's been a much harder day today. Yesterday felt easy because the rain distracted me. Today we had rain when we started and than a mixture of sunshine and heavy showers. I was not sure if I should remove my waterproof jacket or keep it one. One minute I was shivering cold and 15min later boiling hot. Today was a much more lumpy as we stuck to the A38 to Bristol. Paul had a puncture half way though that saw us having to change his tyre in the rain, not fun. Covered the classic Clifton suspension bridge today (pic) and had two massive climbs into Bristol. Cycled through the counties Devon, Somerset and Avon. Tomorrow we head to Hereford, but tonight I am out on the town with Paul, Neil, Claire and Scott. Should be a good night. Hopefully not too much of a hungover tomorrow. Today I had lovely sunshine in Bristol which makes a change from the rain. Weather forecast is looking better tomorrow and the support from Paul and Paul & Neil will be a welcome change.
Total distance was 95 miles. Overall time 8.5 hrs, cycle time 7.29 hrs. Ave 12.6 mph