Index to the LEJOG

Miles For Year 6910
In 431 hrs burning 234364 Kcal Climbing 263463ft

I am aware a number of people are coming to this site to have a look at my blog of my LeJog, and blogs being blogs, it is in reverse order and not too easy to find your way around so I thought I would do a index to the ride, then we can all move on!

The bee came about as it is the mascot of the Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance. I decided to take one with me and take his picture in part prove I had been to places, and to spur me on when I needed it. I named him LE Bee as our family member who was killed in a road accident was called Elliot. I should say that I intended to do this ride anyway, it just happened to be right to raise money for the Air Ambulance.

I rode for 16 days, 13 full days and 3 half days. It was 1353 miles in total. I planned the route by drawing straight lines between the points, taking into account crossing points of rivers etc, and then planned a route of B and back roads. A route map can be found via a link on each day, and here following each day in the list.

Mr L E Bee's adventure Click here

Which way is it? Click here

Packed and ready for the off Click here

The Trip:

Land's End - Lizard Click here Route Map http://bit.ly/fbwhlf

Lizard - Okehampton Click here Route Map http://bit.ly/dVnsrT

Okehampton - Bruton Click here Route Map http://bit.ly/gUklUC

Bruton - Princes Risborough Click here Route Map bit.ly/ihsAln

Lowestoft Click here

Princes Risborough - Lawshall Click here

Lawshall - Lowestoft - Wymondham Click here

Wymondham - King's Lynn Click here

King's Lynn - Sandtoft Click here

Sandtoft - Hawes Click here

Scotland Click here

Hawes - Moffat Click here

Moffat - Dunoon Click here

Dunnon - Oban Click here

Ardnamurchan Click here

Oban - Ardnamurchan - Fort William Click here

Fort William - Fort Augustas Click here

Fort Augustas - Brora Click here

Brora - Dunnet Head - John O’Groats Click here
Epilogue Click here

If you would be happy to give advice or answer any questions you may have about my ride, or if I can help you with your plans and would like to contact me please leave a comment below or message me via twitter Mr_1470

Thanks for reading.

Greg

Epilogue

Miles For Year 6039
In 378 hrs burning 203548 Kcal Climbing 236463ft

Hello and Welcome, or Welcome back, to my blog for my ride from Land’s End to John O’Groats via the four extremities of the British Mainland.

If you haven’t been here before a brief explanation of the Bee in the pictures. Whilst this was my holiday and I intended to do this ride for myself, it also seemed appropriate to see if I could raise some money for a local charity. For personal reasons I choose the Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance. The Bee is the mascot for the Air Ambulance, and one or two came with me. See here

I have had a few questions since I got back, so here are answers to commonly asked questions.

Recovered yet? Well yes and no. I feel fine, never really felt bad overall. Yes some days I dug deep, and was tired, but I recovered much better than I thought I would. I did become fatigued, and that runs deeper than being tired. I have been out on my bike since I finished and my heart rates have now, after two weeks recovered back to normality.



Relaxing on the way home

How’s your bum? Well that’s fine, thanks. The nappy rash cream did help a great deal after the first three days of soaking. I did have to remember to ease my position for both my sit bones and soles of my feet on the flatter days. My knees were sore for a bit towards the end, but I had pushed on one day, and they weren’t keen. The only injury seems to be what Denise reckons was sun burn to the top of my ears, I am not certain about this, but they did blister.

How’s the bee? Well he’s fine. He’s decided he likes cycling, but only on sunny days, otherwise he prefers to watch it.

Any punctures? No. Michelin Krylion 23mm. Amazing really given the rain and grit on the road/cycle path/tow path. I was pleased as the tyres are tight on the rim, and I really wasn’t looking forward to fighting them to get them off in the wet by the road. The bike stood up well to the abuse. All I did to it was lubricate the chain after each wet day. The noises and creaks from it changed on a daily basis, as it dried out, and I did have to replace one set of brake pads.

Did you really eat that much cake? Well cake covers a big spectrum. I ate a lot of iced buns, and some cakes. I also ate a lot of Frusli bars and had a couple of energy gels a day. Both drinks bottles had quite strong concentrations of PSP in them.

So would I advise you to do it? Yes, Yes and Yes. Ask yourself “Are you a real cyclist unless you have broken your collar bone and done the End to End?”. Clearly one is more elective than the other, but if you have the time then go. I know I didn’t do it properly as some would have it (ie carrying my clothes, tent, kitchen sink etc) but I did that when I was 18, and I am now 44 you know! I would say it isn’t easy, it is a mind and body thing. The body will do it, but you mind has to be there leading and in support of your body. Break it down into days, and parts of days, don’t over face yourself with the whole trip, and congratulate yourself on your daily/hourly success, for climbing that climb, for getting to that town/turning. You will do it, I know you will. Even if you can’t contemplate something of this length, just fix yourself a target, whatever it is, and go do it. I’m up for it, let me know, and I’ll see that you do it. Ok?

How much money did you raise? That remains a moving (upward) target. So far I have collected and have promised a total of £1470. This truly amazes me, especially given my Twitter name. I thought a couple of hundred, maybe £500 with a following wind. Just before I left I dared to believe £700 would be nice at 50p a mile. So I am very happy, grateful, and somewhat in shock at the nice things people have said. In truth I did have a new target of £1353, ie a pound a mile, but totalling it this morning shows I have exceeded even that! Goodness me (to be polite)

I have very much enjoyed doing the blog, and I hope you have enjoyed reading it, even just a little bit. I don’t think it will finish here, but I promise to stop prodding most of you to read it. Just pop by when you have a spare moment and see what this man, a bike and a bee have been up to.

DaveGorman @Mr_1470 Missed the fact that you'd finished. Well done. Seriously good effort. Hope you enjoyed it.







Brora - Dunnet Head - John O’Groats

Miles today 86.9
In 6hrs 06 mins burning 2581 Kcal climbing 4140ft

Miles total 1353

In 91hrs 54mins burning 41841 Kcal climbing 60713ft

Most miles in a day : 106.2

Miles For Year 5917

In 371 hrs burning 199395 Kcal Climbing 233123ft

Sorry for the delay in this last post which was due to lack of internet access. This blog relates to last Sunday.

Last day today. It was a dull, cool start as I came out onto the A9 and headed North East. Just a few yards up the road I get flashed and beeped at by an oncoming car. They wave, they know where I am heading and what I am doing. It is touching.

Twenty six years ago I had ridden Land’s End - John O’Groats, and had gone straight up the A9, so this time would be different and I would take the A897 from Helmsdale to Melvich. So just over 3 miles in I turned left up a single track road to cut the corner off and started a 7 mile 1200ft climb up Glen Loth. It felt immensely remote.

Joining the A897, I turned north and with a south easterly tailwind made good time on a long slow ascent beside the railway line. It was single track with passing places all the way, and there were maybe 8 cars on the whole road. I slowly climbed out of the farmed and lightly treed area, up onto the heather moor. It stretches as far as you can see. Over the watershed and running on back towards the north coast. The railway turns east to divide for both Wick and Thurso.



This is an A Road



I can see the sea! There is nothing north of here for thousands of miles. Turn east. Then commences a 44 mile ride into a cross headwind that grew in intensity. I knew as I rode it that it was up and down, but the profile shows how much so. I was tired and hungry. Denise kept feeding me every 10miles or so. I can see the Orkney, and finally Dunnet Head comes into view. It is rather high, and I am going to have to go up there.



Dunnet Head

Through Thurso, and 1300miles into the ride, and I get the one last idiot, and indeed only one, who decides to blast his horn beside me, and swerve the car from side to side as he passes. I salute him in the customary way.

Finally a rest from the wind as I turn north onto Dunnet Head. This single track road is remarkably busy, as people drive up to the lighthouse. I arrive, Denise runs over and hugs me with a big bee. People look bemused, much as I feel. I am not there yet.



Dunnet Head



Pictures and hugs over and it is back down the hill, dodging the tourists, and back onto the main road. I continue into the wind. 14mph is my friend it seems. I notice the sat nav says 7 miles to go, and it occurs it is the last 7 miles. It seems that this ride is not going to give itself up to me easily, the wind increases, the sky spits water at me, I grind on. I am not stopping. They will have to take me away in an ambulance for me not to finish. I'll carry the bike from here if it breaks down.



Duncansby Head Lighthouse



John O’Groats, but this is not the real finish. A lot of official finishes are in the car park, by the visitor centre, but the furthest point is the lighthouse at Duncansby Head, another 2 miles on and up another hill.



I arrive to bee laden hugs. No big fanfare, just the knowledge that I did it, I did it all, 16 consecutive, windy, wet, cool days, no walking, no tucking in behind others, no one to talk to when it got hard on the road. Just me, my bike and a bee.





Fort Augustas - Brora

Miles today 98.9
In 6hrs 36 mins burning 2795 Kcal climbing 4280ft

Miles total 1266
In 85hrs 48mins burning 39260 Kcal climbing 56573ft
Most miles in a day : 106.2

The View

Another day, another spot of rain. 4 hours of it this time, and colder.

Fort Augustus is at the south west end of Loch Ness, and there are roads up the south and north side of the Loch, both ending up in Inverness. There is also a cycle path on the north side of the Loch, but it is forestry trails, so this was out as an option for me. The north side is the A82 trunk road, the south side single track road. I went south. I left the B&B at 9 and started the 1200 ft climb out of Fort Augustas. The rain became heavier, then reduced to a light drizzle at the top. There is a view point from here, weather permitting.

The descent was not good. I can’t see out of my glasses, and rain into the eyes at 30mph+ is not great. I refuse to use my brakes on descents, especially dead straight ones like this, so it was stinging face for me. Ultimately the road joined the bank of the Loch, and there is a slight climb into Inverness. I was cold and when Denise caught up with me, after about 35 miles, I put a heavier jacket on under my raincoat. The irony was that as I came down, there was some sort of cycle event going on coming towards me. There were men in cotton T shirts and shorts. They are hard up here.

Inverness is a lovely compact city, but there was a football match on, and the traffic had seized. This is fine on a bike and I followed the cycle route through and onto Kessock Bridge, where the path keeps you safe from the cars. The Tourist Information said to call in for details of the Cromarty Ferry, so I did, just in case. This turned out to be a good call, as despite the web site saying it would be running from August, it was not. So which way now, Denise was on her way to the Ferry which is at the north end of the Black Isle, and there was no point in me going there to have a lift all the way round. Sustrans route 1 ran beside the A9, and the Tourist Office told me which way it went, as far as Dingwall. I rang Denise and set of to Tores & Dingwall. It was a great route even in the rain, and was largely on separate path or traffic free routes. In Dingwall I lost the route, but a lady told me where the back road was and I was soon back on the cycle route.

Denise and I meet just outside Alness, and a quick look at the map confirmed that going to Tain was best. The sustrans route was going to Tain, but I had no idea which way. So the adventure continued. It was a good route through narrow, but direct traffic free roads. It was now, after 4 hours, I took my raincoat off.

In Tain I had a quick bit to eat and was off again, north on the A9. We arranged to meet again in Golspie, but we pulled up at different places. A quick phone call, and a slight back track from me, heavy jacket off as I was now too warm and off to the B&B.

I have noticed that my body is starting to come out of its fatigue. I have more power on the climbs, I need less to eat and am less tired. I can push 16/18mph on the flat which is not fast, and I don’t climb as fast as I can, but I have done a few miles in the last two weeks.

One more day. I am not certain what I am going to do on Monday. I am enjoying it.

Fort William - Fort Augustas

Miles 33 today
In 2hrs 55 mins burning 812 Kcal climbing 880ft

Miles total 1167
In 79hrs 13mins burning 36464 Kcal climbing 52293ft
Most miles in a day : 106.2


Loch Ness

This is the second ‘rest’ day. The plan was not to stop entirely, just tick over on a half day. A ride up the cycle track of the Great Glen Way, keeping off the main road seemed just right.

It was a nice ride out of Fort William, by the Caledonian Canal. I was able to ride at 15mph on the gravelish tow path. Onto single track road and then forest track. This was slow, but the lack of traffic was worth it. In places there were half fist size stones across the track to fill an area where the road had been worn away.

Back onto a road and across the canal over a lock gate. The going changed to a horrid track through a wood, up and down mtb style single track on stones and mud. I cut off this back onto the road.



Forest Track

By Lock Oich the path, according to the map, seemed to follow a disused cycle track. This it did for half a mile, then it dropped onto the shore and over a quarter of a mile of tree routes. I decided to give it one more section and I would turn back, if there was no improvement. The roots did stop, and it turned into a muddy track. Past a disused house and the track improved a little, but on a road bike with 23mm tyres with no tread, it was hard going. 



Eventually I crossed the trunk road again and finished with a final sprint down the tow path. The B&B was right next to the path. 

If I’d known what I know now, I would’ve taken the tow path and the A road. The forest track was ok. Otherwise, the track is not somewhere to be with the wrong sort of bike, or if unused to the rough stuff as the CTC used to call it.

I sat around and ate for the afternoon. Two days to go.

Finished!

Just a short note to say that I reached John O'Groats yesterday afternoon. Full blog updates will follow subject to internet connection. Thank you for continued support. Sent from Yahoo! Mail on Android

Oban - Ardnamurchan - Fort William

Miles 77 today

In 5hrs 32 mins burning 2293 Kcal climbing 3300ft

Miles total 1134

In 76hrs 18mins burning 35653 Kcal climbing 51412ft

Most miles in a day : 106.2

This morning was a late start. We were all due to get on the 9.50 ferry from Oban to Mull, but it was full to cars. We agreed that Denise would travel the mainland (80m), and I would cycle the shorter route (26m), via Mull.

The ferry trip was 45 mins. I walked onto the ferry, through the vehicle door in the bow along with the cars, coaches and lorries. The bike was tied to raling and off upstairs. The passage is beautiful. It seems that looking at the island is a better view than on it. I had to ride the 20 miles to Tobermory (aka Balamory) in two hours to get the next ferry. It was again a fresh wind. I ground it out and got there in just under an hour and a half. I had my fisrt taste of single track road. Great on your own, but with no predictable car behaviour. Some push past, either way, some wait, others are difficult to get to go past even when you slow right down and wait for them to pass. Genreally it seemed to be the visitors (cars full of bags, roof boxes, etc) who were more polite than the locals (4x4s, trailers, local registrations).

Tobermory is lovely, and the ferry runs from the end of the main street. I stocked up in the bakers, and sat in the bus shelter at the top of the ramp. The ferry came round from the harbour where it had been moored and one car, one bike, seven people and a bee set off back to the mainland. It was very windy, and a bit rough. I’ve been on rougher bus rides though. It took about 10mins longer than scheduled. It didn’t stay, as soon as two people and two dogs were on for the return jouney, it was off. No Denise. I rang, no reply. There was 6 miles to go to Ardnamurchan point, so I left north west and into a gale.

I fought my way forward. At least this time it would become a tail wind, but it didn’t make it any easier, the road went up and down and was anything but straight, but always into the wind. Denise caught me with 3 miles to go. I rode right up to the lighthouse, no short measures allowed.

It was then time to turn around with 52 miles to go and it was getting on for 3pm. Down to coast, back up, view of the Cullin on Skye north, back down to the south coast on a rolling +/- 150 feet, no flat or straight road. It was hard and I endured more local driving on the single track road. It may be a long cul de sac, but is very busy and loads of building. There always seemed a house in view.

The landscape became softer with more trees, the views to the south were stunning. Finally the road opened out and was straight. The tail wind really kicked in and I was doing 17 to 20. Denise came up along side and Joan asked if I wanted food. No, I’m fine. I felt like a real pro with a team car. She drove on ahead. A climb starts I am not giving up, the speed drops to 14 and I hold it there. I am rewarded with a 30mph plus drop down to the sea loch south of Fort William. Which way will the wind turn as I turn north.

We meet again at the Ferry. It is an hour before sunset but darkening. Up onto the A82 and 8 miles to go. I hold 18mph, on the trunk road, there is not much traffic and what there is, is kind. Red rear light flashing, I watch as the distance comes down. Denise is in the car park by the Loch, it’s bike on the roof and we’re off to the B&B just after 7pm.

It was a hard long day. The start was late, the ferries took time, but saved time. I didn’t want to go on anymore. Every 10 miles was faster than the last. It was mad.

Message from Fort William General Post Office

Fort William General post office sends message that a man, a bike & a bee were seen at Ardnamurchan lighthouse lunch time today. They were also seen on three ferries, and it is believed they were seen again late in the day in Fort William. More to follow in a couple of days. Sent from Yahoo! Mail on Android

Message from Fort William General Post Office

Fort William General post office sends message that a man, a bike & a bee were seen at Ardnamurchan lighthouse lunch time today. They were also seen on three ferries, and it is believed they were seen again late in the day in Fort William. More to follow in a couple of days. Sent from Yahoo! Mail on Android

Dunoon - Oban

Miles 77 today

In 5hrs 32 mins burning 2293 Kcal climbing 3300ft

Miles total 1046

In 70hrs 00mins burning 32874 Kcal climbing 46333ft

Most miles in a day : 106.2

Go to the end of the drive and turn left and were off into …… correct. The same wind as yesterday. I slogged into it for the first few miles, and though yet another ‘Road Closed’ which wasn’t to cyclists.

Fortunately, I soon got in amongst trees, and shelter from the wind. Now I have gone on about the wind and it has been a major feature of the past few days. Today though was quite odd. In theory it was a strong westerly, and the white horses on the waves on Lock Eke proved this. The mountains and valleys then played with the wind. As I rode up the lochs I changed direction from north west to north east, around the end of Loch Fyne, and back south west to Inverary. The wind though did not stay in the west, moving from side, to front to rear. I was bemused but didn’t care, at least it wasn’t staying in front.

Into Inverary, Denise had only just got there. I had been 35 miles ahead. One close incident with a car passing way to close. I suspect he was spending too much time looking at the view. I made it clear that I wasn’t happy, and he seemed chastened when I caught up with him at the only set of traffic lights for miles on the approach to the village and sat behind him. He gave me loads of room when he passed 20 miles later.

An Eccles cake and off again. Climbing over to Loch Awe, a loop around the end and join the main road. This was in poor condition, bouncing around in the subsiding edge of the road, and dodging the remarkably light traffic.

I still turned off at Taynuilt and onto the side road. 10 miles of single track road, 3 cars, one of which was Denise. 3 miles short of the destination it rained. I hid under a tree and was joined by a sheep. An uneasy truce broke out. It was either me or rain and the sheep decided I was unusual but safe. Just before I had stopped next to a Highland Cow (He-land Coo) and took its picture. It scratched its back with its horn and was clearly eyeing me up for how fast I might be and could I outrun it?

I dropped down into Oban and onto the Ferry Terminal. We go onto Mull tomorrow, so it is bound to rain.

It was a short ride today, I was only just getting into it and it was over.