Day Seventeen – The End

May20
2011 Leave a Comment Written by Spike

Today was not about cycling. It was not about getting to a destination. And it was not about hours in the saddle seeing more fantastic parts of Britain.

It was about celebrating the end of my journey, getting a photo and then legging it double-plus-quick to the station to catch a train.

I nearly got out of bed two hours early accidentally, misreading my watch which was in alarm mode, not time mode! It was still raining outside and I could do little until the man with the John o’ Groats sign turned up so I went back to sleep. Ironic to wake up early the only morning I didn’t want to and the only morning couldn’t make any early headway.

At a more normal reasonable time I rose and packed for the last time. Daylight didn’t improve the poor impression John o’ Groats had given me in the gloom the night before. It is described as a “seedy tourist trap” in the latest Lonely Planet, and on that grey Sunday morning it was a fairly bleak place.

The man with the famous sign was nowhere to be seen. The only other people around were a few other cyclists about to start of on JOGLE (John o’ Groats to Land’s End), and their well-wishers. It was a chilly, blustery morning and I was glad to be at the end of my journey, not the beginning. They were all either riding in small groups with support crew to pander to their every whim, or had girlfriends/family to send them off. I felt quite chuffed to be there on my tod, having made it all the way up there unsupported (not withstanding the big help from people I’ve stayed with along the way).

The backup sign

Eventually I got the number of the man with the sign from the First and Last shop and he came down from his house up the road. He opened up his tiny kiosk and set up the sign with my requested text. The signpost was instigated by the same photography company that runs the one at Land’s End. It is taken down each evening after previous ones were vandalised and stolen.

The final sign - at long last I'd made it

Journey completed

Photo taken, I hopped on my trusty Scarlett and pushed off for the train. I had the option of catching the train from Wick or Thurso but with a strong easterly Thurso was definitely the more desirable option.

I positively hurtled along, spurred on by the tailwind and the elation of completing my journey. After 15 days in saddle I had made it to John o’ Groats via the corners of Britain. Now I rode along like a train, with the entirety of Britain to my left and the Pentland Firth, with some of the strongest tides in the world, to my right. Beyond it sat the Orkneys and then the Shetlands. Beyond that nothing but Arctic Ocean until you reach the North Pole.

I made the 20 mile journey to Thurso in exactly 1 hr 1 min, which I think is a pretty good average speed. :-)))) I polished off a big brunch in the Tesco and then headed to the tiny train station. There is one service a day from Wick and Thurso south on Sundays and the arrival of the train was quite an event, with the small platform packed with both tourists and locals.

Once aboard I slumped into my seat, tried to dry out some of my clothes and grazed on some snacks whilst writing my blog. The journey to Inverness was stunning, over the moor and then beside the coast, passing many of the places I had cycled through the previous day. Some of the stations were request stops and seemed to be little more than a farm house or two in the middle of nowhere.

The North Sea from the train

In Inverness I had a four hour wait for my sleeper train so I caught up with a couple of friend, Pete and Mitch. Pete, great to see you and thank you for the soup. Mitch, good to see you and looking forward to heading to the Arctic with you later in the year.

The sleeper to London is such a civilised way to travel. You share a small but comfortable cabin with one other passenger. You get rocked to sleep in clean, fresh sheets (quite a luxury!) and woken up shortly before arrival with tea or coffee from the attendant. I shared my cabin with a guy called Ian who was great company – he claimed he was a terrible snorer but I was too tired to notice. I slept wonderfully.

Daily Mileage: 20.5 miles

Total to date: 1409 miles

Average speed: 19.6 mph (Yeeeehar!)

Hilliness: ^ (nothing that the tailwind couldn’t carry me up)

Vertical Ascent: 104m

Roadkill factor: _ (Didn’t see anything but maybe because I was going so fast!)

Greatest British Place Names of the day:

If you liked this blog please give what you can to ShelterBox, the charity I raising money for.

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<a href="http://www.mapmyride.com/routes/view/34805834">LEJOG Plus – Day 17</a> <a href="http://www.mapmyride.com/routes/?location=Highland, United Kingdom">Find more Cycling Routes / Bike Rides in Highland, United Kingdom</a>

Posted in Cycling - Tagged inverness, jogle, john o' groats, LEJOG, tailwind, thurso, Wind

Day Sixteen – Tain to John o’ Groats

May15
2011 Leave a Comment Written by Spike

I woke up in my mosquito infested swamp. Between my tent inner and the fly I could spy many of the blighters waiting to bite me as soon as I got out. My porridge breakfast was cooked, like dinner the night before, at arm’s length through a little gap in the door.

Afterwards I quickly packed my tent and kit up before heading off. I had many miles to make up the coast towards my final goal. The wind was strong and it made the going tough. My legs were feeling the toll of the previous fortnight on the bike and making progress was tough.

Bright yellow gorse along the coast

The route up the A9 got increasingly hilly, hugging the coast mostly parallel to the railway. Every mile seemed to take a lot of effort. As I rode through Golspie and Brora clouds threatened a downpour but luckily nothing transpired other than more wind. At Helmsdale I stopped into La Mirage, which was mostly full of a crowd of Welsh cyclists. They were cycling from John o’ Groats to Land’s End (JoGLE) supported and had set off that morning. Most of them were eating a monster Special Fish Supper which I also ordered. It hit the spot and I hit the road, refreshed and refuelled. I had been warned that there were some big hills ahead and the Welshmen weren’t wrong.

The wind added to the substantial hills and I eventually defeated them all, despite a small mechanical issue atop one of them – nothing I couldn’t fix with my Leatherman and some superglue.

At Latheronwheel I cut inland towards Thurso. For the first time I had the wind behind me and once the plateau had been attained I zipped along, reaching speeds I hadn’t all day. The moorland was incredibly flat and featureless, like a steamrollered Dartmoor without the tors.

I’d happily forgot all about the wind until I changed direction towards Weydale and felt the full force of the easterly again. I’m sure it had strengthened. After battling the wind for some time I eventually reached Dunnet Head, Britain’s most northerly point. It is 594miles (956km) north of Lizard Point which I had reached on day one.

It was dusk and nearly deserted, save for a man who’d just been fixing something at the lighthouse. The cliffs to the west fell away steeply and if I had the time I could’ve watched many seabirds wheeling away from the nests off to fish in the Pentland Firth, where the waters of Atlantic and the North Sea meet. It felt like a good end to my ride. Although I still had to reach John o’ Groats, it was only a village which wasn’t even the most north-easterly point (that’s Duncansby Head 2 miles on). JoG is touristy and cleverly branded but not a proper end to my journey. Dunnet Head however was geographically significant and a more personal place to symbolically finish my trip.

The sun was setting away over the ocean and the weather was worsing, so after few photos I pushed off to find a place to pitch my tent. The rain started, slowly at first, then it came down more relentlessly.

I considered tucking into the nearest forest but when I came across a sign saying 12 miles to John o’ Groats I decided to push on to my final destination.

After a long, wet ride the light was failing I arrived at the village I had been heading towards for so long. I rode the last road down to the hotel and the pier where Jan de Groot, aka John o’ Groats, used to run his ferry from. The hotel was empty and boarded up, the sign which I had been cycling towards for 16 days was nowhere to be seen. The photographer who runs a business around it takes it down each night for safe keeping – just a lonely post remained.

The Hotel at John o' Groats

The final signpost

I pitched my tent in the near-deserted John o’ Groats campsite and managed to cook a basic dinner. I’d made it all the way to the end – I was soaking, tired and cold – but I’d made it.

Coming soon: The last day blog, the kit I used on the trip, vital statistics from the journey and 10 things I did to occupy myself on long days on the road.

Daily Mileage: 104.0 miles

Total to date: 1387 miles

Average speed: 13.5 mph (fairly slow – I must be getting tired!)

Hilliness: ^ ^ ^ (Oh there were some beasts on this route)

Vertical Ascent: 977m

Roadkill factor: _ _ (not much – notable spots include a big bird of prey, hard to distinguish exactly what it was.)

Greatest British Place Names of the day: Worth a mention are Rearquhar, Embo, Dornoch, Murkle, Scrabster, Spittal and Tongue (not to be confused with Spital Tongues from Day 11 in Newcastle). But the prize goes to John o’ Groats. This village, one of the most famous in Britain, is named after a Dutchman called ‘Jan’ who used to run a ferry. He charged a groat. Jan de Groot, or John o’ Groats. Naming genius!

If you liked this blog please give what you can to ShelterBox, the charity I raising money for.

My JustGiving page

<a href=”http://www.mapmyride.com/routes/view/33799852″ _mce_href=”http://www.mapmyride.com/routes/view/33799852″>LEJOG Plus – Day 16</a> <a href=”http://www.mapmyride.com/routes/?location=Highland, United Kingdom” _mce_href=”http://www.mapmyride.com/routes/?location=Highland, United Kingdom”>Find more Cycling Routes / Bike Rides in Highland, United Kingdom</a>

Posted in Cycling - Tagged cycling, john o' groats, LEJOG, tain, thurso, wick

Day Fifteen – Kilmalieu to Tain

May10
2011 1 Comment Written by Spike

Once again I overslept a little in the comfy bed in the cottage. Regular readers will see a trend here but after so many hours in the saddle each day I found I was really needing the sleep. I listened to the election results coming in on the radio and realised that Scotland had taken its biggest step towards independence in many a year.

Farewell to Fisherman's Cottage at Kilmalieu

Getting back on the bike it felt good to be making progress towards my goal once more, after my previous day of feeling like I hadn’t made any distance towards final destination.

The normally quiet road down to the cottage was probably busier than it has ever been. Previously I’d seen one car on it but on the 3miles to the junction with the main road I must’ve passed over 50 vehicles, mostly bikes. At first I thought it was a pygmy motorbike race, but I soon realised that it was a trials bike race. For the road section between off-road legs the riders would sit down low on their seat-less bikes, making them appear particularly short. Turns out they weren’t pygmies at all.

Trials bike racing

From the ferry back across the Corran Narrows I was treated to a terrific view up the Great Glen and was excited about heading through it.

They don't call it the Great Glen for nothing

At Fort William I turned off the main A82 to take a peek at Neptune’s Staircase, the series of 8 locks that marks the entrance to the Caledonian Canal. It’s the longest staircase lock series in Britain and takes a whopping 90 minutes to get through it. Impressive, but not as cool as the Falkirk Wheel.

Neptune's Staircase

A quiet route took me beside the canal up to Loch Lochy and the Commando Memorial overlooking Ben Nevis. It has a very touching personal feel, with each plaque having individual touches. The setting couldn’t have been more striking, overlooking Britain’s highest mountain.

Commando Memorial with Ben Nevis in the distance

From the monument I rejoined the A82 and headed up the Great Glen, passing some other end-to-enders on a tandem. We compared notes and I was reminded of a story I was told of a couple who completed LEJOG on a tandem. The man didn’t want to do all the work so he strapped a heart-rate monitor to his girlfriend so he could see from his cycle computer if she was peddling. Genius!

I cycled beside Loch Lochy, Loch Oich and then Loch Ness, keeping an eagle eye out for the nation’s favourite mythical beast. I didn’t see him/her/it unfortunately.

No sign of Nessie :-(

A steep climb took me out of the Great Glen – one of the steepest I’ve come across on the trip. From the top it was a great ride down to Beauly. I planned to cycle up to catch the tiny Cromarty Ferry, either getting the last one of the day or the first one of following morning. Very luckily I checked the ferry times on my iPhone and discovered that the ferry only runs from June to October. It would’ve added about 40 miles onto the following day if I had cycled all the way to Cromarty before realising. Phew!

Panorama of the bridge over the Cromarty Firth:

I changed my route and cycled up the north side of the Cromarty Firth. At the eastern end were a collection of oil rigs, making use of the fantastic natural harbour. Beyond the rigs was the North Sea. I’d made it all the way across Britain in a day. I was over the moon to have done my first coast-to-coast in a day.

Oil Rigs in the Cromarty Firth

I camped near Tain in a mosquito-infested ~~forest~~ swamp. By the time I discovered this it was starting to get dark and I was too tired to find another camping spot. I pitched my tent quickly and cooked dinner with one arm out of a tiny gap in the tent door.

Mosquitos inside the tent (no, they're definitely not midges!)

Daily Mileage: 119.4 miles (my second longest ride to date)

Total to date: 1282 miles

Average speed: 15.7 mph (my fastest by far – get in!)

Hilliness: ^ ^ ^ (surprisingly undulating for a route that mostly follows the Glen Glen, and there was also a beast of a climb out of Milton – 200m ascent over 3.5km – it was one of the toughest of the trip)

Vertical Ascent: 1,046m

Roadkill factor: _ _ (not a great deal up this way)

Greatest British Place Names of the day: I like the Muir of Ord, but it was beaten by the wonderfully titled ‘Loch Lochy’. I think they ran out of names for their lochs when they came up with this one.

If you liked this blog please give what you can to ShelterBox, the charity I raising money for. My JustGiving page

All across Scotland they have these wonderful old stone bridges. This one is in Invermoriston beside Loch Ness.

<a href="http://www.mapmyrun.com/routes/view/33814208">LEJOG Plus – Day 15</a> <a href="http://www.mapmyrun.com/routes/?location=Highland, United Kingdom">Find more Runs in Highland, United Kingdom</a>

Posted in Cycling - Tagged Ardnamurchan, coast to coast, Cromarty, cycle touring, cycling, great Glen, LEJOG, Loch Ness

Day Fourteen – Ardnamurchan Point and back from Kilmalieu

May08
2011 Leave a Comment Written by Spike

The Ardnamurchan Peninsular is a very special place. Nearly the whole day I was cycling it drizzled on me, the wind at times was very tough to cycle into. The road surface along the way was fairly poor and there were multiple little hills along the way which impeded my progress considerably. But despite all this – or maybe because of it – I fell in love with the place. It has a desolate beauty to it. Maybe I’m attracted to that because I spent so much time on Dartmoor in my youth.

I overslept a bit, the warm dry bed being more attractive than the blustery heathland outside.

I rode steadily westwards along the windy, winding road which mostly followed the shore of the loch. Each town was progressively smaller than the next, a bit more bleak, and the road heading out got ever smaller and bumpier.

Eventually, after nearly four hours of cycling there was no land left and I had reached Ardnamurchan Point with its splendid lighthouse. There’s a little visitor centre and I joined a short informative tour to the top of the lighthouse.

However Ardnamurchan Point is not quite the most westerly in Britain. Corrachadh Mòr, literally ‘field that goes down to the sea’, is the true cardinal point. After a few photos at the ‘cardinal point for the tourists’ I set off for the real one about a kilometre to the south. I was forced to leave my beloved Scarlett behind as her tyres were built for covering the miles on road, not offroading over heathland even without the panniers which I’d left in the cottage.

It turns out my cycling shoes also weren’t built for this kind of stuff and I didn’t have masses of grip on the rocky parts of the route.

But before long I’d made it the headland and Britain’s most unsung cardinal point. There was no lighthouse, no massive plaque and no-one else. Just a simple cairn and a few surprised sheep. To the north lay the islands of Canna, Rùm, Muck and Eigg, and Ardnamurchan Point, and to the south were the islands of Mull, Coll and Tiree. A long way further south, and 20-odd miles to the east, is Land’s End, oft thought to be the most westerly point (including by myself initially). To the west was nothing but the mighty Atlantic Ocean. The next landfall is the Labrador coast in Canada.

Windy video from the headland coming soon…

From here I had the long cycle back exactly the way I’d come. This made the day tougher – knowing at the end of it I would be no closer to my final destination. But Scarlett was nippier without the panniers and I headed back across this beautiful, barren peninsular.

The drizzle soon joined the wind in attempting to impede my progress but I powered on, shovelling food into me at every stop and occasionally on the move.

The birdlife was superb. It seemed that every bird I came across was a different species. I only wish I knew more about ornithology so I could have further appreciated them all.

Eventually I reached the village of Strontian once more. I stopped into the Strontian Hotel for dinner, not really having the energy to cook for myself, and all the shops were now shut so I couldn’t buy any. Three courses with extra rice on the side were swiftly demolished overlooking the bay which was now wonderfully calm.

It was then back on the bike for the final 10 miles back to the cottage in the last of the daylight. As I came through Glen Tarbert I happened upon six stags at the side of the road. They watched in silence as I rode on passed. It was a wonderful end to a great day. Thank you Ardnamurchan, thank you Scotland, and thank you Britain.

Daily Mileage: 93.9

Total mileage: 1163

Average Speed: 13.2mph

Hilliness: ^ ^ ^ (lots of little hills all along the way)

Roadkill factor: _ (just one hedgehog, who was very unlucky considering the traffic volume.)

Greatest British Place Names of the Day: Strontrian deserves a mention as this tiny village gave its name to the element Strontium. However the best names have to be the islands north of Ardnamurchan: Rùm, Muck and Eigg.

Posted in Cycling - Tagged Ardnamurchan, cycle touring, cycling, highlands, Scotland

Update

May07
2011 Leave a Comment Written by Spike

These last three days I’ve been riding hard – 90miles+ over some hilly ground. I’m afraid once I’ve finished riding and eating lots I haven’t had the energy to do the blog justice. I’ve lost count of the number of times I’ve fallen asleep in my tent mid-blog. But tomorrow I’ll finish the trip and will be able to write some blogs on the train home. Sorry for the delay.

Posted in Cycling

Day Thirteen – Crianlaich to Kilmalieu

May06
2011 1 Comment Written by Spike

My tent was cold went I woke up making it all the harder to get up and get underway. There was a frost outside and eventually I got packed up and underway. I cycled along the fairly quiet A-road up towards Fort William.

The scenery was terrific. The valley sides rose up to majestic bens on either side. The road wiggled its way between rivers, lakes and the railway line. The route was hilly and eventually topped out on Rannochmoor. This is a big flat barren expanse, littered with lochs and bogs. It was one of the highest points I’ll reach on my trip. I was treated to some flybys to celebrate this moment, first by a low-flying fighter jet, then by a pair of spitfire-type aircraft.

Panorama from the route

I lost count of the number of times I rounded a corner or cycled over a rise and said “wow!”. The weather was good, the road smooth and I’m not sure if there’s a more beautiful part of Britain.

I cycled past Glencoe Ski Centre which is the first time I’ve cycled past a resort. There was still snow atop some of the bens but not nearly enough for skiing unfortunately.

From Glencoe the road descends rapidly through a deep U-shaped valley. The ride was superb – one of the best of my life.

At Ballachulish I crossed Loch Leven by bridge and then at Corran I crossed Loch Linnhe by ferry. The ferry was very quick and had wonky ramps.

A quick stop for food and refreshments at the inn on the far shore then it was on to a cottage that belongs to the family of Kirsty Burns, a friend of mine. Kirsty and the family had kindly agreed for me to stay there.

It was a truly iddilic setting on the outskirts of a hamlet called Kilmalieu and only a few miles off my route. The cottage is on it’s own, right on the beach. It looks out across Loch Leven and to the bens beyond.

I had a quick skinny dip in the sea on arrival followed by a hot shower and a big steak dinner. I then slept very well indeed.

I’d like to say a massive thank you to the Burns family for letting me stay in their family cottage. It was hugely appreciated.

If you’ve enjoyed reading, please sponsor me – My Just Giving site

Daily Mileage: 55miles

Total mileage: 1069miles

Average Speed: 14.6mph

Hilliness: ^ ^ ^ (surrounded by mountains but the climbs weren’t too bad)

Roadkill factor: _ (very little indeed)

Greatest British Place Names of the Day: Ballachulish is pretty good but the best has to be the name of this little stream above the cottage:

The view from the road to the cottage looking back towards Ben Nevis

Posted in Cycling - Tagged cycling, Glencoe, highlands, LEJOG, Scotland

Day Twelve – Edinburgh to Crianlarich

May04
2011 Leave a Comment Written by Spike

I had a lazy morning at Flat 4 with Emily and her friends. Eventually around 11ish I hopped on my bike and headed out towards the Highlands, planning on fitting in a bit of tourism on route.

First stop was the Forth road and rail bridges. These are two bloody impressive feats of engineering. It was awe-inspiring to stand below them. The Forth Rail Bridge was being painted (as per usual) but apparently they’ve developed a paint that will last longer so this time when they’ve finished there’ll actually be a period when they are not painting it – possibly putting at end to the famous saying. I tried to capture the grandeur of the bridge with this: Panoramic view of the bridges
From the bridges it was onwards to the Falkirk Wheel which I think is the coolest thing to happen in the world of canals since the Panama one was built. It was constructed in 2002 to link two canals when 11 locks had fallen into disrepair. It is the world’s first and only rotating boat lift and only uses the power of eight kettles to rotate it. I visited before but it was empty for maintenance so slightly less impressive. Lunch was enjoyed whilst watching barges and tripper boats go up and down.
If you’re passing through Falkirk and have a spare half hour I can highly recommend popping in.

The Scottish roads are exceptionally bad. In and around Edinburgh I think the roads were more pothole than they were normal road surface. I’m carrying quite a bit of kit so my back wheel has become buckled a few times. If got it retrued professionally a few times but this time I just did it myself before heading off towards the Highlands.

I made some good miles up into stunning scenery – deep wooded valleys, tranquil locks and soarings munroes above me. From Callander I followed the A84 into the ‘Loch Lommond and the Trossachs’ National Park, which must be the park that sounds most like a sixties band.
As I climbed into the mountains I passed my 1,000mile mark which I was very chuffed to have reached. My bike Scarlett is holding up well (apart from the aforementioned back wheel) and she is a joy to ride.

Around 9ish I turned off the road and found a quiet spot to set up camp beside the river, just short of Crianlarich. It was a wonderful campsite and after eating lots I fell into a deep sleep.

Daily Mileage: 85.4miles

Total to date: 1005miles

Average speed: 14.0mph

Hilliness: ^ ^ (my route had no serious climbs but I can see some big peaks ahead)

Vertical Ascent: TBC when I’m back at a computer

Roadkill factor: _ _ (a fox flattened like a cartoon character and a few others but generally very little)

Greatest British Place Names of the day: Alloa in Clackmannanshire, Carpse of Lecropt and Balquhidder.

If you liked this blog please give what you can to ShelterBox, the charity I raising money for.
My JustGiving page

Posted in Cycling - Tagged cycling, Edinburgh, LEJOG, Scotland, touring, trossacks

Day Eleven – Newcastle to Edinburgh

May02
2011 3 Comments Written by Spike

I cycled through Newcastle filled with nostalgia. I’d spent six great years in the city and it really is a wonderful place. I rode past my old uni buildings and the OTC building. The sky was wonderfully clear and for the first time on the trip I had a good tailwind, whisking me along. It felt superb. And such a refreshing change from the headwinds of East Anglia.

The road was nearly empty and it was terrifically smooth. My legs felt strong after the rest day (no doubt boosted by the tailwind) and my bum wasn’t sore!

Perfect riding

A friendly sign at Otterburn Camp reminded me in no uncertain terms what might happen if I strayed off the road and picked something up.

Touch stuff and it'll probably blow up in your face. How pleasant!

The biggest climb of the day was up to the Scottish border. I powered up it, feeling stronger climbing than I have done to date. The hill was soon history and I stood proudly by the sign at the top amongst the bikers and tourists who’d arrived by bus – cheats!

Chuffed to get to the top and into Scotland

There were flags, a burger van and a piper to welcome me to Scotland. Even if it was a bit touristy I didn’t care, I felt great!

Welcome to Scotland

I blasted down the other side, flying through Jedburg and on to the picturesque town of Melrose for a big lunch consisting of more pasta. From Galashiels I followed the A7 all the way into Edinburgh, the Historic Borders route into the capital. The remains of the the old railway (which used to carry the excellent wool from Galashiels to market) were never far away – it was just a shame that it wasn’t a cycle path.

Great Plaque in Galashiels - first time I've seen the word 'pathetic' inscribed and seemingly celebrated

Daily mileage: 109.6 miles

Total to date: 927.5 miles

Average speed: 15.5 mph (loving the boost from the tailwind)

Hilliness Factor: ^ ^ ^ (some good climbs, especially the one to the border, but nothing really challenging.)

Vertical Ascent: 1130m

Roadkill factor: _ _ (2/5 – only two badgers and a pheasant – no red squirrels thank god, but there was this sign that made me happy!)

Look out for our little friends!

Greatest British Place Names of the Day: Oh such choice! There are multiple winners today. Ogle, Spital Tongues, Kirkwhelpington, Gowkshill and a stream called Hart Burn. A great day for names!

Posted in Cycling, Uncategorized

Day Ten – A day of rest

May02
2011 2 Comments Written by Spike

I did no cycling today.

I let my body recover from the hammering I have given since Good Friday.

I got a few things repaired on my bike.

I ate lots including a very good brunch at the Butterfly Cabinet

I chilled out with Dave and Sarah.

Oh, I caught up on my blogs. Off to Edinburgh tomorrow.

Brunch at the Butterfly Cabinet (formerly the Belle and Herbs)

Posted in Uncategorized

Day Nine – York to Newcastle

May02
2011 Leave a Comment Written by Spike

Today I was riding to Newcastle, the city I had lived in for six years whilst studying at Northumbria Uni and whilst undertaking a sabbatical as President of the Students’ Union. I was excited about the destination and the prospect of a rest day the following day.

Nigel and Jed, two friends who I used to work with at the University, had travelled down to York ridiculously early to accompany me up. After an excellent bacon sandwich to start the day (thank you Martyn) I met them at York station and we headed northwards. Nigel had planned a route over the North York Moors which I was a bit daunted about – I was a worried I might have forgotten how to cycle up hills after so long in the flatlands!

My cycling partners for the leg up to Newcastle

We rode up to the beautifully picturesque town of Helmsley on quiet roads, often riding a couple abreast and chatting away. From there we cycled up through beautiful Bilsdale. The climbs weren’t too tough and the scenery was stunning. A fast descent brought us down to Stokesley where we enjoyed a big lunch in a cyclist-filled cafe.

: Riding through the North York Moors

Nigel and Jed

From there we wiggled our way up towards Newcastle, briefly pausing at Nigel’s auntie-in-law for tea and cake – thank you Auntie Liz. Slowly but surely the Toon got closer and closer, and the places along the way became more and more familiar.

When the Angel of the North, that famous symbol of arriving in NewcastleGateshead, appeared on the horizon I was overjoyed. A quick photo shoot at the base of this mighty sculpture followed, where a lovely family donated £10 to the ShelterBox cause – if you’re reading this, thank you very much. (Please give what you can at my JustGiving page.)

Nigel has blogged about the same journey, as part of his preparation for his own LEJOG in August. You can read more here – last entry on the page.

Me at the Angel

The striking Angel of the North

Jed and Nigel peeled off at Gateshead and I continued over the elegant Gateshead Millennium Bridge into Newcastle on my own. I headed up to stay with Dave, my good friend who was also President of the Students’ Union, and Sarah, another good friend and former fellow officer at the Students’ Union.

Jed and Nigel, many thanks for the company on the ride into Newcastle (and lunch). It was great to catch up with you both.

Daily Mileage: 99 miles

Total Mileage to date: 818 miles

Average Speed: 13.7 mph

Hilliness Factor: ^^^^ (4/4 there were some good ones today)

Vertical Climb: 828m according to my routing on MapMyRide.com, a massive 2039m according to Nigel’s GPS log of the day.

Roadkill factor: _ _ _ (3/5 nothing out of the ordinary)

Greatest British Place Name of the Day: A few good candidates to choose from today: Egglescliffe and Pity Me are my two favourites.