Day 1 – John O Groats to Tongue
Drizzly start to our journey and the group acted a bit haphazardly which meant that not all cyclists had a good day.
Day 2 – Tongue to Carbisdale Castle
After a debriefing on day 1‘s poor communication within the team, the day started well with a fairly long steep climb with some fantastic moorland scenery and a welcome lunch stop provided by Ian at the top of the hill . We spent the night in a Castle with several naked statues in the entrance hall and a short yoga session in the library. There was a coach load of Canadian students also staying, who some team members met up with in the pub along with a Scottish bag pipe player.
Day 3 – Carbisdale to Loch Ness
Proved quite challenging with 2 huge hills to climb – 600 feet each. However, we all made it even with a stop or two. Some cyclists report these as impossible but with our Cornish training all completed reasonably comfortably as longer but less steep than some at home. Arrived at Loch Ness hostel, Nick was the only one brave enough to gat in for a swim, Pleasant evening spent having cooked our own supper followed by whisky sampling and Colin leading us all in Cornish ballads. But teaching Colin Euchre proved more difficult. Ian and Andy were presented with Scottish head gear – complete with horns of which we‘ve got some great photos.
Day 4 – Loch Ness to Oban... 85 miles
On the road by 8am - nice ride ride along Loch Ness to Caledonian canal. At times traffic was difficult along narrow roads by the loch. Cycling down into Oban harbour was like a return to civilisation and a little like Cornish harbour sides. Fantastic views from the Youth hostel down the Sound of Kerrera with ferries going in and out in evening sunshine. Good pub meal.
Day 5 – Oban to Arran... 76 miles
Several steep hills to contend with and a dead line to catch the 4.20 ferry across to Arran – in the end as everyone was steaming along we were there in time to catch the 3 .00 ferry in glorious sunshine to Lochranza . The only downside was the 3 mile hill on the other side before reaching Brodick. We would all recommend a visit to Arran – very friendly guest house at Dunvegan House and beautiful green scenery and harbour views.
Day 6 – Arran to Dumfries... 89 miles and 1 ferry crossing
Early start after big fried breakfast to catch ferry at 08.20. A few people had to run along quayside with bags – be warned Scottish ferries are very prompt in departing!
Emma and Nick met up with relatives briefly on disembarkation before saddling up again
This proved for some a tough day with sore legs and bottoms. Had a welcome tea stop near St Johns town of Dalry provided for free after the landlord from Launceston realised where we were from. At the Moreig Hotel Dumfries, Fred ended up setting up a workshop in the car park. The supper was good but the football was disappointing.
Day 7 – Dumfries to Kendal... 82 miles
Had coffee and cakes in Gretna, courtesy of Brian and Susan Currie then crossed the border back into England after travelling the length of Scotland – some 400 miles. Had lunch at fire Station in Penrith before persistent ascent culminating in Shap summit – total 3130 feet . Descend into Kendal and once we found our way around the one way system to the Youth hostel all very pleased to put our feet up.
Supper in local pub and as we were all wearing our charity T shirts and carrying bucket which encouraged donations. Rather giggly trip on the back of the van to return to the Youth Hostel. Keith was on chauffeuring duties and kept control of the rabble.
Day 8 – Kendal to Todmorden... 65 miles (3920ft to climb)
Steep hill (back past the pub) to start with. Despite being a Sunday there was a lot of traffic along the A65 and less picturesque on the outskirts of Burnley before heading back out into the edge of the Pennines and a fairly basic Youth hostel with views across the Pennines. Andy and Keith had a walk up to the summit behind the hostel – Stoodley Pike. Staying at Youth Hostels has proved that men can make beds – but sharing a room with 4- 8 other team mates doesn’t make for a quiet night . Had lovely walk to Pub in twilight and again landlord generously donated £50 to our cause.
Day 9 – Todmorden to Gradbach Mill... 51 miles (4568ft to climb)
Pretty tough day for most of us – with 6 big hills to deal with. We now know why it’s called the Peak District. Andy‘s support in guiding us today proved invaluable.
Tom managed to accumulate 25 returned “Good Mornings“ from locals by 10.45 – a record so far.
Youth hostel is tucked away in a quiet valley – beer on site! And again we have the luxury of being able to spread ourselves around the Farmhouse.
Day 10 – Gradbach Mill to Clun Mill… 93 miles (3866ft to ascend)
Unfortunately we all took a wrong turn heading out of the youth hostel and so had to navigate via maps and main road for a bit of the morning . Skirted around Stoke –on –Trent via A roads ,which were manageable but undulating. Flatter terrain in the afternoon but the toll of 11 days in the saddle was affecting a lot of the group’s legs and bottoms.
The temptation of sitting in the shade and awaiting a passing bus was almost too much at times. However, all got through with some very un-tuneful singing and support of each other up yet more hills. Lovely evening at this small youth hostel, where Ian rustled up some delicious cordon -bleu chicken and roast potatoes, from a miniscule kitchen. A few people were in tents on the lawn as the accommodation was fairly over stretched inside.
Day 11 – Clun Mill to Monmouth... 55 miles (3340ft ascent)
Several steep short hills at the beginning of the day before a flattish ride subsequently . However, several team members had now resorted to a combination of K-Y jelly , sudocream , and double pairs of cycling shorts to ease tender areas of their anatomy.
Andy was keen to make the 3p.m kick –off for the third England game in the World Cup, so Ian was on back up duties after lunch. Getting through Monmouth was slightly tricky with different routes followed using maps and the Garman. On this occasion the Garman led half of the group to base but we were all very relieved to track down the Travel lodge eventually. Colin had to be retrieved from the opposite side of the dual carriageway some time later !
Day 12 – Monmouth to Somerton... 75 miles
Morning trip down the Wye Valley past Tintern Abbey and across the old Severn Bridge on dedicated cycle lane. Rather tortuous route circuiting Bristol to avoid heavy traffic before heading south past Glastonbury (festival in full swing) to Somerton. Afternoon heat again meant that a lot of us were flagging by 4pm. Pretty village and comfortable night for those with beds at 2 separate B&Bs and nice meal in local pub .
Day 13 – Somerton to Barnstable... 69 miles (4566ft ascent)
A few had restless nights in tents under the stars, especially Andy, who had hurt his back maneuvering luggage the previous evening. But our Bed and Breakfast hostess provided a superb breakfast, before we headed off for the Devon hills. We had a good warm up of 20 miles on Somerset Flats before negotiating the Taunton ring road system. However, with Fred in front and Andy in the van protecting the group from traffic behind, we were relieved to make it through unscathed and were even happier to find Susan Currie and a very civilized mid morning snack on a village green 2 miles later .
Quite a few challenging long steep hills skirting the bottom of Ex-moor before lunch stop in Bampton. The temptation of the local fish and chip shop was too much for some. Colin had a ten minute interview with Radio Cornwall to advertise our return at 2.30p.m. Then the longest climb of the trip – at least 3 miles, before rejoining the main Barnstaple road – rather nasty 5-10 miles alongside weekend traffic to Barnstaple and Travel Lodge.
Day 14 – Barnstaple to Padstow... 71 miles (4300ft ascent)
Slow start to the day with some of the group deciding to follow the Atlantic highway and others using the Tarka trail to Bideford (beautiful flat tarmac and estuary views ) . We were then advised of a fairly direct inland route via Goldsworthy by a local cyclist and met up for a lunch time rendezvous with Ian and pasties. The sunshine that afternoon and a few tough hills drained quite a few of us but buoyed by visits of family en route. Again a variety of routes to Trevaryon |Youth hostel were adopted : some going via Camel trail others using St Izzy road or cross county options . However, hills were encountered on all 3!!
Trevaryon Bay was a special place to have our last evening – overlooking beach with lovely sunset and a few beers on tables outside. All tempted to return some time soon!
Day 15 – Padstow to Land’s End via Probus... 65 miles
All a bit subdued this morning as thoughts turn to ending the trip, coordinating with meeting well wishers and cyclists en route to Land’s End. Ultra early start – aiming to be packed and on bikes by 07.30am. Had a quick ride over to Winnards Perch and Fraddon, only hiccup being Andy having a puncture en route.
It was really uplifting to see Mary Round and a welcome home banner at Trewithen Roundabout and then a crowd of friends and family clapping us into the surgery car park. Several emotional reunions and the sudden realization that we hadn’t just been out for a Sunday morning ride but had actually cycled the length of Scotland and England!!!
Coffee and cakes and squash were readily consumed (thanks to Carol Paramor , Howard Ball and Mary Round for provisions). A cheque for one thousand pounds presented to the group on behalf of the Surgery by Dr Ball and Dr Round thanked the Currie family for being the instigators, superb organizers, chefs and drivers as well as two of the cyclists on behalf on the cycling team. The generous use of Dr Rounds “blue van“ which was so welcome when spied on top of a hill with the promise of tea and lunch and the loan of additional support van by Hawkins Motors, professionally driven by Andy Newton were both major building blocks in ensuring the feasibility and success of the trip.
We left Probus at about 10.30am picking up various friends on bikes who escorted us some or all of the way down to Lands End. Last lunch stop at Conner Downs before final leg through Penzance. We ended up walking through a holiday crowd and funfair at Newlyn festival before facing our last few hills.
The sun had come out to greet us as well as yet more friends and family at Lands End. Cycling down the hill in convoy and seeing a crowd of people cheering and waving brought a tear or two to most of us , I’m sure .
Sarah Newton from Cornwall Hospice Care gave her thanks on behalf of Cornwall Hospice Care and Shelter-box for the donations that have been raised and presented a bouquet to Kathy as a small token of the groups appreciation. Friends and family then reclaimed the team after farewells in the beautiful afternoon sunshine overlooking the sea and Long-ships Lighthouse.