ExeterJogle2009
From lkjh.biz
[edit] End to End - Roy Russell
I'm cycling from John O Groats to Lands End (JOGLE) following a route of about 1,600km (1,000 miles), with sponsorship in aid of Shelterbox.
[edit] Fri 19 June - Exeter to Aberdeen by train
Luckily had a seat reservation, as the train was crowded most of the way. 7 hours to Edinburgh and another 3 to Aberdeen; Scotlands a big country. Saw Durham Cathedral and Berwick on Tweed. Crossed Newcastle and Forth bridges; Impressive bridge, but they're still painting it.
[edit] Sat 20 June - Aberdeen to Orkney by ferry
Went shopping in Aberdeen and then followed Deeside Way out to the west to visit Crathes gardens. Under-estimated time to get back and had to sprint to catch ferry to Orkney. Only just made it in time. Distance today 60 miles.
Ferry arrived Kirkwall 11pm and they let the cycles off first, chased by 20 cars. Fortunately it's so far north that it doesn't get completely dark at this time of year.
[edit] Sun 21 June - Orkney to John O Groats - 20 miles
Cycled south across Orkney around Scapa Flow. Then caught ferry to John O'Groats. Had my photo taken at the signpost and met a couple of cyclists who were just finishing the End to End. Then cycled to Duncansby Head which is the most northeasterly point on the British mainland. Only 45 miles today. 6 people staying at the hostel tonight, 2 of them from Totnes.
[edit] Mon 22 June - John O Groats to Tongue - 63 miles
Following Sustrans route NCN 1 today, west along the north coast of Scotland. Weather damp with a headwind from the west: not a promising start. Landscape is very open rolling country that gets more mountainous as the day goes on. Traffic is very light, which is just as well as the main road is only single track with passing places. Visit a museum about the higland clearances 200 years ago with a nice cafe next door: very tasty Victoria Sponge. 67 miles today.
[edit] Tue 23 June - Tongue to Carbisdale Castle - 54 miles
Complete change in the weather to warm sunshine and a light breeze. Following NCN1 south over the Highlands along a mostly single track A road, with passing places. Unfortunately its so remote that there are no cafe stops until 3pm at the Falls of Shin where I had coffee and cake at the restaurant owned by Harrods, with prices to suit. Saw 3 cyclists and had Dinner tonight with someone doing the End to End in the opposite direction. 58 miles today. I think I may have caught the sun. More cream tomorrow.
[edit] Wed 24 June - Carbisdale Castle to Aviemore - 88 miles
Following NCN 1 and 7 down the east coast. Long way to go, so not much time for coffee stops. Did stop for lunch in Cromerty (the village not the shipping area). Used the Nigg Ferry just before it stopped due to Fog. Away from the coast it's been hot and sunny so I'm turning pink. 110 miles with lots of hills, including a summit of 400m, so I'm ready for bed.
[edit] Thu 25 June - Aviemore to Pitlochry - 55 miles
Following NCN7 through the Cairngorms. Much of today's route runs parallel to the modern A9, using the old road to create a 5m wide cycle path. Seen a lot of distillerys and highland museums. Strong headwind all day, especially over the 480m Dalnacardoch pass. 60 miles.
[edit] Fri 26 June - Pitlochry to Stirling - 73 miles
Chased a Red Squirrel and stopped for a Pine Martin to cross the road. Following NCN 7 along Loch Tay, Glen Ogle to Callendar. Some magnificent lengths of old railway interspersed with a lot of steep climbs and descents. Reached Stirling which is the end of the Highlands. Lowlands tomorrow. 85 miles.
[edit] Sat 27 June - Stirling to Lockerbie - 85 miles
Heading south from Stirling towards the Borders. Stopped for tea at the Falkirk Millenium Wheel and lunch at New Lanark Heritage Centre. Low cloud and misty, but dry. Strong wind, sometimes behind and sometimes in my face. Lots of hills this morning but then joined the old road next to the M74 which was easier: 40miles downhill. 110miles today, but I'm planning on shorter days in England.
[edit] Sun 28 June - Lockerbie to Kirby Stephen - 67 miles
Visited Gretna Green but had no use of the blacksmith's service. Then headed south across the border into England. Hilly route up the Eden valley. Stopped at the Brief Encounter café at Langwathby Station, but there was no mysterious woman in the waiting room, so made do with some carrot cake. The café is familiar as we stopped here while cycling the west to east, coast to coast 4 years ago. Weather dry with a strong wind often in my face. 78 miles. There are lots of people in the hostel tonight walking the coast to coast.
[edit] Mon 29 June - Kirby Stephen to Mankinholes - 69 miles
Yorkshire Dales. Left Eden Valley and visited Wensleydale and Wharfedale and the moors in between. Tried walking for the first time this trip; after climbing steeply for 3 miles it finished with 100 m of 1 in 5 which was too much for me. A day of contrasts with moorland, valleys, rolling farmland, canal towpath (flat!) and Colne town centre in the rush hour. Finished with a climb to the youth hostel on the Pennine Way. Weather warm, windy and dry. 80 miles.
[edit] Tue 30 June - Mankinholes to Buxton - 40 miles
Peak District. I expected hills, so planned a low mileage today. However Sustrans still stretched this to 63 miles. They also named it the Pennine Cycleway to reflect the way it goes up and down the Pennines. High point of the day was Holme Moss at 520m. Had lunch by the entrance to Stanedge Tunnel; the highest, longest and deepest canal tunnel in Britain. Tonight I'm taking the waters in Buxton.
[edit] Wed 1 July - Buxton to Ironbridge - 66 miles
Left the Peak District on the Tissington Trail, which has easy gradients but covered my bike in dust. Then set off across the Midlands between Brum and Stoke. The roads are very busy particularly across Cannock Chase, so resorted to some quieter back lanes. Hills now much smaller and no walking today. 85 miles
[edit] Thu 2 July - Rest day
Rest day. Visited various museums around Ironbridge including Coalport China and a re-creation of a victorian town. No cycling.
[edit] Fri 3 July - Ironbridge to Welsh Bicknor - 68 miles
Had some light rain to start, but it soon dried out and is now cooler. Passed through Bridgnorth and had lunch by the river in Tenbury Wells. Following minor roads I've bypassed Leominster and then stopped off in Hereford. There is a marked contrast between the bustling shopping centre and the bucolic countryside. After a brief skirmish with the A40 made it safely to the hostel on the banks of the Wye. 77 miles. No walking.
[edit] Sat 4 July - Welsh Bicknor to Cheddar - 60 miles
Down through the Forest of Dean, across the Severn, through Bristol and over the Mendips. Briefly entered Wales at Chepstow but quickly left as the town was full of Morris Men beating each other with sticks. Today was a trip down memory lane, visiting many places I hadn't seen since I worked in Bristol 15 years ago - it's amazing how much bigger the trees are. Had lunch in Queen Square, the largest in Europe, much improved since the dual carriageway was grassed over. 72 miles.
[edit] Sun 5 July - Cheddar to Exeter - 60 miles
Headed out across the Somerset Levels into a strong headwind. Then climbed onto the Blackdowns and met Sarah for lunch at Dunkerswell Airfield. Torrential downpour while we were in the restaurant so put on my overshoes for the first time this trip - I must be entering the West Country. 68 miles. I'm sleeping at home tonight, so hope I can lever myself out of bed in the morning. Watching the weather forecast for warnings of thunder over Boscastle.
[edit] Mon 6 July - Exeter to Boscastle - 60 miles
Visited the office for a photocall before setting off to the west up the old A30. Apple cake at Woodleigh Coach house, lunch on the Granite Way and afternoon tea in Launceston. Heavy showers and a strong headwind all day. Wearing long trousers for the first time since Day 1. Arrive in Boscastle to find the coastguard practising and overcast sky. I've checked escape routes from youth hostel and hoping the earlier thunderstorm warning has expired. 78 miles.
[edit] Tue 7 July - Boscastle to Treyarnon Bay - 26 miles
Shortest day of the trip with only 55 miles. Easily climbed out of Boscastle with a strong tailwind, although this became the more normal headwind for the rest of the day. After 5 miles hit an invisible brick in the road & burst an inner tube - first puncture of the trip. Then followed NCN3 across the edge of Bodmin Moor into Bodmin. Jumbo steak pasty for lunch. Followed the very busy Camel Trail to the even busier Padstow. Arrived at the hostel at 5pm, looking out at some big surf.
[edit] Wed 8 July - Treyarnon Bay to Lands End YH - 58 miles
Pippa and Lexi joined me last night after a marathon ride from Exeter via Okehampton and Plymouth. Today we're riding most of the way down to Lands End, mainly following NCN 3 and 32. This takes us through Redruth, Cambourne, Hayle and Penzance. 75 miles. My mapcase has finally fallen apart - the end is nigh.
[edit] Thu 9 July - Lands End YH to Lands End - 10 miles
Short ride of only 7 miles to the Lands End signpost for the final photo. The shortest route from John O'Groats is 874 miles, but I've stretched this to 1,230 miles. Time for a celebratory pot of tea and words of encouragement to other cyclists about to set off in the other direction. We then followed the NCN route back to Penzance, stopping for lunch at Lamorna Cove and my first Cream Tea of the year in Penzance. Back home by train in time for Tea. Thank you to all my supporters and sponsors.
I'm off to bed.
