Day 10 of the ride, the last day

The final day of an amazing adventure dawned with bright sunshine. I wanted to get out early to make the most of the day, hit the road at 8.15. Went past the Dunroamin Hotel, who stayed open and fed me last night. If you ever go to Bonar Bridge don't go to the Bridge Inn, spend your money at Dunroamin and tell them I sent you. Filled my bottles and pockets at Lairg as there is nothing after this for 30 miles but wilderness, the road is single track with passing places. The bad weather came in as I left, back to cold, wet through, frozen hands and feet with 'ice cream' headache. It stopped as I got near to the Crask Inn, a pub that opens when they feel like it in the wilderness. It was open, just a Belgian couple inside as the owner had gone out for 10 minutes. Took on the traditional coffee & cake. The cake was a German recipe for friendship cake, made with yeast. The idea being that you pass some of the yeast on to friends. Not what you expect to learn in a Scottish wilderness. Caught up with another ender just before getting to Tongue. Tom and I shared some experiences. He was stopping there so we went our own ways. I had reached the north coast and turned east, the road is a rollercoaster for about 25 miles. I was still having the same problems with my right thigh as yesterday but my odd riding style was also causing me an achilles problem. Reaching Thurso was a key moment, 19 miles to go, time for a last coffee & cake infusion. The last 19 miles passed and I turned left 1/4 mile from John'o'Groats. Took off my rain jacket and gilet, it might have been cold and rainy but I wanted to arrive in my Help for Heroes top. Rolled into the car park and up to the post. Guess what, just like Lands End, the sign is private and as it was 5.30 the photographer had taken it home. I had my photo taken with a post minus any fingers. After phoning home I went back up the road to wait for a bus. Waited in a bar with a pot of tea. An Aussie couple chatted about what I had done and I got a final donation from 2 cyclists due to start tomorrow. They and their wives joined me to ask for advice. I told them to take time to enjoy it and meet other people. When the bus came the cyclists paid for my tea. The bus driver had lots of questions for me too, a nice way to round up the trip. The ride was the physical challenge I expected but brought emotional and mental challenges I never expected. Every rider I met lost track of time, days and places. The lesson was about the journey, not places, days or times. I beat the negative thoughts that came through, I didn't let the weather stop me. Today I even growled at it, testosterone running high. Every text, call or message helped me to get through this, everyone who encouraged me, rode with me or took time to wish me well motivated me. I didn't do this on my own, I did it with all of you. Thank you all for helping me to help the real heroes. Biggest thanks to my wife, Gill, she gave me the time and encouragement to do this and I will never forget the adventure she made possible. A final thought, get out there and challenge yourself to do something extraordinary, you will never regret it.

Day 9 of the Ride

Two things broke today. Firstly, the weather which was grey, cold and wet from the moment I woke up. Spent extra time faffing around at the b&b, probably didn't want to go out in it, left at 9am. There were showers all day, you would just start to get warm when the rain would start again, a couple of hail storms were particularly nasty. Peeling frozen fingers off the handle bars is not something you would expect to do in late May. Met up with a group of 10 riders from Essex on a 15 day end to end. Rode with them for half an hour but had to leave them as they were too slow. Visited the commando memorial at Spean Bridge which was very emotional. There is something about this ride that really exposes emotions. Shortly afterwards saw some riders at a cafe with Help for Heroes tops, I pulled in, unzipped my rain cape and said 'snap'. Turned out they were a group of 6 squaddies from the gunners plus a commando all doing the end to end from north to south. Their support driver was an Everton fan. Took a coffee break with them and then continued north. Next stop was sitting on the ground at a petrol station with Dave, a young Edinburgh guy on an old bike, no training, no plan, fuelled on Coca Cola and chocolate, very laid back. You seem to form an immediate bond with other enders, part of a shared emotional experience. What else broke today? After the last 2 days of feeling invincible on the bike, ready to ride all day I developed a problem just over my right knee. Not sure what it is but know I can't put full power through my right leg without causing pain. Had to slow up and take it very easy up the hills, riding up them with one and a half legs. The combination of the weather and my leg made for a difficult day. I expected this to be a physical challenge but it is also mentally and emotionally challenging. Arrived at Bonar Bridge at 7.30pm, cold, wet, tired and sore. By the time I got cleaned up it was about 8.30 so I headed to the Bridge Hotel for a meal and a drink. Turned out I was 10 minutes too late to order and they would not feed me. They said there was nowhere else in the village to eat either. Looked like it was a Ginsters from Spar, turned out that closed at 8. Went back to the b&b to find out where else I could go. She rang around and a hotel at the other end of the village agreed to stay open if I was ok with soup & a sandwich. The place looked nothing special but the couple who ran it were absolutely brilliant. The beef sandwich was local beef slow roasted for 18 hours in their Raeburn. The soup was leek & potato, equally delicious. They saved the day for me. Total today 116miles, 15.0 average, 5160ft climbing, 7hr 42 riding. One day to go, I'm going to be there tomorrow after another 110 to 120 miles.

Day 8 of the ride

The day dawned bright & sunny again but still a cold northerly headwind to ride into all day. Anyone riding from north to south has had an advantage on me so far. Saw the Firth of Clyde for the first time as I rode north to the Gourock Ferry. Time for the first coffe & cake infusion while I waited for the 11.20 sailing. On board met a Scot now living in Canada, here with his wife for a bereavement. Pierre, unusual name for a Scot but he had a French father. He had lived in Ayreshire so I showed him my route. He picked out a place called Stair where I stopped at the pub for a coffee yesterday. He described the pub perfectly. He has cousins living in Maghull, which is where I am from because an uncle moved to Liverpool. He has taken my details to make a donation lovely couple. The scenery changed after the ferry, water, mountains and forest everywhere with huge skies. Made a stop in Inverary which looked magnificent as I approached. Continued to head north, magnificent views everywhere and quiet roads. Planned to stop at Connel for tje final break, filled up on cake and some fudge. Crossing the bridge on leaving was dodgy as the wind was blowing me sideways. 28 miles still to but the force was with me, I called for more power and it was there, covered the final miles in 1hr 45, man on a mission to get to the pub! Longest planned day of the trip, 137miles, average 16.1mph, 4800ft climbing, 8hr 30, 7600kcal. Fuel consumption - tea, juice, fruit, porridge, honey, toast, marmalade for breakfast, two coffees and three cakes on route, 4 1/2 litres energy drink, 7 carbohydrate gel sachets, fruesli bar, 3 squares of fudge, 1 pint protein milk shake, evening meal casserole, dumplings, potatoes, veg, sticky toffee pudding, cream, 2 pints Magners! Two days to go, crossing my fingers the dry weather holds.

Day 7 of the ride

Yesterday was the toughest day of the ride.Feeling a lot more positive again today.Rode with my first other end to enders before and after Dumfries and shared a cafe stop with them. Made another cafe stop 2 hours later on my own, got my 1st donation of the day and set off up the road.20 mins later stopped at the side of the road for a minute, noticed a car reverse back up toward me. When driver got out realised it was the guy from the last cafe. He produced my maps that I had left lying on the cafe table.Stopped 2 hours later at the pub for a coffee. Headed on to Stevenston for tonights stop. Another 115 miles, 7hrs 11 min, ave 16, 4500ft of climbing. Back on form today.Struggling with technology and can't send my photo's at the moment. Starting to get excited about reaching the end.( New shorts allowed sun through and I,ve now got sunburn stripes on my rear!)

Day 6 of the ride

Met up at the shop in Ormskirk at 9am, very pleased with the turnout. Alex and the Pirate were there yo wish me well. The General. Pete M , and Ian H all rode North with me. It had been a strange feeling leaving home again but the guys at the shop raised my moral.Pete ant the General only had an hour or so free so we went to a cafe at Brepherton for an early cuppa before they had to turn around. Ian and I carried on to the cafe at Scorton for the first cake of the day. It was a good ride out and the temperature picked up. After the stop I headed north and Ian went home.I hope I have convinced more people to have a go at the end to end. I planned to stop in Kendal but decided to carry on when I got there. The next stop was Penrith but only after climbing Shap Fell. A big old climb with at least one summit which fooled me into thinking I was over it, but I wasn't it descended and climbed again. The run to Penrith felt like a long one, should have taken on coffee and cake at Kendal. When I got there everything was shut apart from Morrisons. The store was being rebuilt so was housed in a temporary marquee. The best I could find was carrot cake, soreen and water. All consumed on a bench outside. The sat nav stopped giving me directions after Penrith and part of the route disappeared. Hope its ok tommorrow. Big day today, big days now all the way to the end. 120miles, 15.5 average, 7hrs 45, 4900ft of climbing. Of to Scotland in the morning.

Day 5 of the ride

The day dawned bright and early in Church Stretton ready for day 5, the half way point in time when I get home tonight. Top breakfast at the B&B and got my first donation after breakfast, before we had even left.
The tandem was looking resplendent with various essential items taped to the frame, sun cream, after sun, puncture repair foam, spare zip ties, etc. The pole for the pirate flag was not long enough so the first stop was at Dobbies Garden World outside Shrewsbury, see the photo.
Headed for Wem but is was shut, a bit of a ghost town on a Sunday, carried on towards Whitchurch and found a cafe, petrol station, bar, farm shop, coffee lounge, petting zoo and barbers all combined (made the last 2 up, but this place had something for everyone).
Thought we would attract all the attention as we arrived, it's not every day you see an end to end rider accompanied by a tandem flying the skull and crossbones but it wasn't to be. There parked outside was a gleaming tandem trike.....the proud owners sitting outside taking coffee and cake.
Heard from Steve and Kev, who are tackling the end to end from 10th June who had ridden south to meet us and we met up a bit later at Tarporley. We made quite a group. Two end to enders on a tandem. Me, an end to, well the middle and two would be end to enders from 10th June.
Made another cake stop at a nice garden centre somewhere in rural Cheshire, very nice, very expensive, very polite but everything kept arriving in the wrong order, too many staff involved, various things duplicated. But in true end to end spirit, it really doesn't matter.
Headed back through Warrington and I was starting to feel excited about getting home. Hit some familiar roads from Newton and lost my outriders at Long Lane as we went our separate ways. Thanks to all the guys for riding with me today, very surreal group, great fun, another smiley day.
Made home 15 minutes later, very exciting to be back although i am sure it will feel odd tomorrow leaving for another 5 days riding.
Todays totals,93m, 16.9average, 2800ft of climbing (flattest day so far), 5hr 35 riding. Another top day and apparently it gets better from the lakes into Scotland!

Day 4 of the Ride

Great roads today, no traffic, quiet, peaceful and great weather. Seemed to be day for roadsigns. Standish is close to home and loved the one that said 'Fools speed ahead'. Could be my motto for this week. Stopped at some roadworks in Gloucester and a guy crossed the road to shake my hand. Ice cream stop for the first time today at Gloucester docks. First coffee and cake taken on board in Newent. Everyone claims to have the best coffee in the village. I need a sign 'the only end to ender in the village.' Came across a town crier competition in Bromyard so stopped to take a look. They were all sheltering from the sun, not dressed appropriately for the weather. More coffee & cake taken on in Tenbury Wells, still being given donations whenever stop. Eating more cake = collecting more money. The road into Tenbury was melting so I really know what riding through tar feels like. Ended up with pebble dashed tyres. Got to Church Stretton minutes before El Pirata [Steve Hodge, Marco Pantani body double]. Knightrider [not sure why aka Colin Jones] arrived later by train. Good to have some company, great meal in local pub. Then an end to end coincidence, Julliette who left the company I work for about 3 1/2 years ago came in the pub on a hen party. James, if you are reading this she said you are into cycling, then you have got to do the end to end! Todays scores 94m, 4600ft climbed, average 15.4mph, 6hrs riding.

Day 3 of the Ride

Into the unknown, first time I have ridden more than 2 days on the run. Felt pretty good this morning, could feel the miles in my legs during the day but went well. Sat-nav had me on a busy dual carriageway so broke out the map and ended up at RNAS Yeovilton. Next to it was the Fleet Air Arm Museum so sat outside in the sun with the days first coffee and cake. The guy in the picture got chatting, Al who has been in the servoce 30 years, helicopter pilot & instructor. His daughter was visiting the museum and he was due to start work. He was todays first sponsor too, a pleasure to meet him. Had another stop in Frome, apparently pronounced Froome. I am definitely in the right pace for this ride now. The main reason for todays route was to visit Wootton Bassett. I ended up going past RAF Lyneham so I guess I followed the same route into Wootton Bassett as the repatriated servicemen. Definitely made me think. Visited the war memorial in the town and found it very emotional, sat down nearby to have a quiet moment. Glad I made the visit to pay my respects. Headed off to tonights stop at a cottage on a farm near Malmesbury. Too far to walk to the pub though but the owners were going for Chinese takeaway so got me one. Another good day on the road. Todays numbers 93m, 5hr 55min, 15.8 av mph, 3667ft.

Day 2 of the Ride

Been riding with a smile on my face all day, although it may have become slightly twisted up some of the steeper climbs! I have to say hello to Charlotte and Sam, the children who live at last nights b&b. The only problem is that I travel all that way to find out Sam is a Liverpool fan! Charlotte gave me a present at breakfast, a Match Attax collector card of Phil Jagielka. Thank you Charlotte, Phil will come with me all the way to John'o'Groats as my good luck charm. Went over Dartmoor today which was awesome, lots of ponies with foals and sheep with lambs. The wind was against me but you can't do anything about that. I have really got into the pace for the next 10 days today. I only have to get from A to B, how long I take and how often I stop doesn't matter. I am just enjoying passing through, even taking it easy up the hills, why slog up them, get a really low gear and you can still enjoy the scenery. Todays photo is typically Devon countryside, overcast but clear and warm. Two great coffee and cake stops today, Moretonhampstead and a special mention for Boston Tea Party in Honiton. Fantastic apple and blueberry flapjack with yoghurt topping. While I was in there I was also given £16 for the charity by a group of ladies. Another moment to lift the spirits was the passer by in Exeter who called out 'well done.' I assume that was for supporting the charity rather than exposing my milky white legs for the first time this year. Made tonights stop, Chard just as the sun broke through. The high street looks great. Writing this in Weatherspoons, it's curry night, £4.99 with a pint. Todays totals 80.5m, 5hr 27, 7500ft of climbing. Average speed today 14.8mph, a combination of lots of hills and adopting the right attitude to the trip. Riding with a smile might slow you down but it feels good.

Day 1 of the Ride

Stayed in Sennen Cove before the first day, woke early, hearty breakfast, strolled to the harbour, drizzly day but who cares I am off riding my bike. Spoke to everyone at home then decided it was time to get kitted up. After spending Saturday morning laying all my kit, spares, food, toiletries, etc I spread it all out ready to dress and pack. Then that sinking heart feeling! What, no shorts! Can't understand how I managed it. Quick call to the guy who drove me down and off to Penzance to become 90 pounds lighter at the bike shop. Who privatised Lands End, the only way to get to the iconic fingerpost is to pay to have your photo taken. The Cameron/Clegg government need to put these iconic monuments back into public ownership, never mind proportional representation. Spent the entire day in a grey, drizzly mist, never actually saw anything beyond the hedgerow. Stopped at a shop near tonights b&b and a little old lady stopped to tell me she had passed me on the hill, and yes, she was in a car not on her bike. She gave me £3 for the charity which made my day. The couple at the b&b offered to feed me as I was riding for charity which was really kind and a great meal. Finished off with home made fruit crumble & custard, then cake. My mum had a visit from a nurse today who saw printed copies of my blog there and donated £10 to support me. Three acts of kindness, a good day out. Todays totals 80 miles, 4hr44, 17average.

Day 10, the final day, Bonar Bridge to John'o'Groats!

110 miles, 5741ft of ascent.

Day 9 Ballachulish to Bonar Bridge

115 miles, 5777ft of ascent.

Day 8 Stevenston to Ballaculish

135 miles, 5665ft of ascent.

Day 7 Carlisle to Stevenston

114 miles, 3965ft of ascent.

Day 6 Home to Carlisle

116 miles, 4633ft of ascent.

Day 5 Church Stretton to home

88 miles, 2706ft of ascent.

Day 4 Malmesbury to Church Stretton

93 miles, 4366ft of ascent.

Day 3 Chard to Malmesbury

90 miles, 3374ft of ascent.

Day 2 Liskeard to Chard

79 miles, 6886ft ascent.

My route for the 10 days

Spent this morning sorting the bike, putting the rack on, giving it a last clean. Then packed all of my clothes, toiletries, spares, etc, into the pack to make sure everything fitted, it did! Sent the first of my 'food parcels' off in the mail today to the first 4 B&B's as well. That's all the last minute stuff done, might go out Sunday morning for a gentle social ride with the club, if the weather is OK.

Attached are my routes for the 10 days of the journey so you will have some idea where I am each day. Day 1 is the start from Lands End on Wednesday 19th May.
84 miles, 6490ft of ascent.

Final week's training

Well, that's the last full week of training completed! Went out both days over the weekend, put in plenty of climbing on Saturday, I really should have counted how many times I have been over Winter Hill so far this year. This is the hill in all it's glory.

Also ended up with the club ride on Sunday back over Winter Hill again!

Since committing to do the ride back in January I have clocked up 3,000 miles in training and too many hours to count. Physically, I am as ready as I ever will be. Excited and nervous about what it will be like to ride for 10 consecutive days for some where between 1,000 to 1,100 miles. Still sorting the last details, booking B&B's, getting the bike serviced, checking the kit, etc. The target for this week is to rest up, a few steady miles to keep the legs ticking over and eat a lot of carbs, and I mean a lot of carbs.

Center Parc weekend

With 3 weeks to go everything us still looking good. Highpoint of the week was a trip to Center Parcs just outside Penrith for a long weekend with the family. Travelled up on Friday and I set out on Saturday, with a creaky bike, to cover some of the northern lakeland mountain passes. The first place to get me thinking was Greystoke, made me think about Tarzan. Somewhere in the Tarzan legend was Greystoke, or was it Greystokes? I'm still not sure but it gave me something to think about.

The weather was beautiful and the scenery looked fantastic, the lake is Buttermere which looked amazing.

The creaky bike was a bit of a worry as it had just come out of the shop but it seems to be one of those intermittent faults that mechanics must
love. Whenever you put your car or bike, in for a check the noise never
happens, but the minute you get it back, there it is. Still, it got me through the day, creaks and all.

I did cover quite a few of the northern mountain passes as I had wondered about covering the route of a very well known sportif ride in the Lakes called the Fred Whitton Ride. This covers about 112 miles and takes in all of the best known mountain passes. This means it includes over 12,000ft of climbing, a real tough ride. As I was in the wrong place to start, Penrith and my bike was creaking I decided to give it a miss. I did come across a sign for the ride, advising motorists that on Sunday 9th May there would be 1,000 cyclists on the road taking part in the ride.

The photo I took of the sign was at the bottom of the Honister Pass, which as you looked up the valley zigged and zagged up into the distance and
disappeared at what looked like a cafe. It was a cafe, the Sky High, when I got there but it wasn't quite at the top which was a bit demoralizing when I realized there was still a bit further to climb.

Sat and had a coffee and a muffin in Keswick market square, still basking in the sunshine before setting off for the second half of the ride. This would take me over the Kirkstone Pass. The weather broke just before the pass, torrential rain, dark, grey and very wet! Terrible conditions for the climb but no option but to carry on. The rain lasted about half an hour then it took the same time again to get warm, not the best hour of the weekend. Still, that was all the major climbing done for the day. Covered 101 miles and climbed 7,300ft, a tough day out but apart from the storm over the Kirkstone Pass, a good one.

Saturday night at Center Parcs we entered a pub quiz and won on a tie break about how far a mole can tunnel in a day. First prize was £30 which paid for the night out. We even beat a team that had someone who looked just like Jesus in it. He came over to ask me what our answer was for the mole question, you would have thought he would have known that. The answer was 80 yds, we put 90 and the Jesus look-a-like went for 40.

Had to leave on Monday to come home, so of course I decided to ride home. Lovely weather, even though the wind was cold it did stay behind me for a good part of the day. Stopped in Scorton at a well known cycling cafe for a coffee and cake. (Still eating plenty of cake). Just inside the door was a collection of bike locks on a rail. When I asked, the waitress pointed out they were all combination locks and that they were left by regulars so they could lock there bikes up when they got there. Had another good days training, even putting in a time trail effort from Hutton back to home, managed the first 10 miles in just under half an hour and the full 19 miles home in 1 hr 21 seconds. I was pleased with the effort as I had covered 82 miles at Hutton. Got in another 101 miles and 5,200ft of climbing.

Just 2 weeks to go, that's 1 more week training and the last week, easing up on the miles, resting and eating lots of carbohydrates.