Bodmin to Lands End

The day has finally dawned, we have just 60 miles left and as I rashly said on FaceBook I'll walk on my hands and knees to get there. We ate breakfast in silence, smiling, knowing that at the end of today it would be over one way or another. The A30 was rolling slowly to the end of the country, first we would be freewheeling next minute we would be pedaling like mad to get up the other side. After about an hour of this entertainment Colin was trying to tell me his tyre had blown again, and again we would have to fix it. This time Gwyneth wasn't close by and after some inginuity we were back on the road, although we could not get it fully inflated. Gwyn met us further along the road, the tyre was pumped up fully and we were off at full pelt. Eventually we reached Penzance and was met with the news that it was all up hill to Lands End. How could this be possible? Wasn't it at sea level?  The answer to these two last questions are, yes it is possible and it's on top of a cliff. It seems that in Cornwall everything of interest is put on top of a hill and the road to it always starts at the bottom.

And before we knew it we were there, 874 miles, John O'Groats to Lands End.

The final set of stats are here

I will tidy this blog within the next week or two meanwhile,

I have been told many times that we should have done it the other way on, I don't know which way is best but I couldn't help feeling sorry for all those fresh cyclists just setting off, Good luck.

Tiverton to Bodmin

When we left the hotel this morning I think it would be fair to say that we were both tired, this was not through any failing of the proprietors who had served us well. It was the accumulation of the last eleven days cycling an average of 70 miles a day. Three miles of relatively flat (for Devon) A roads rapidly turned into a 15% hill, I have never been sure what 15% relates to as I grew up with the "1 in something" way of showing steepness. My hill walking experience kicked in straight away and as soon as I saw it I climbed off the bike and started to push it uphill. I was mad with myself for not been able to cycle up this hill and turned to apologise to Colin to find him walking as well, this made me feel a little better.
There was several small hills and another savage one coming out of Okehampton, but we were on the A30 now, the road that would lead us to Lands End. It seemed that there was nothing going to stop us now, (spoke to soon) Colin's call could only mean trouble. I stopped, looked back, he was already pushing the bike along the shoulder of the duel carriageway. Fortunatly Gwyneth wasn't far away and the puncture was soon fixed and we were on our way again. A mandatory stop at Jamaca Inn on top of Bodmin Moor was the only further stop to Bodmin town.
Most of the stats are here upto the Jamaca Inn stop, there is a gap near Okehampton which was my fault for not starting the tracker again.
The stats for the part from Jamaca Inn to Bodmin will appear here when I get them From Colin.

Portishead to Tiverton

Torrential rain blited the first 3 hours of today's ride, it was no understatement to say it was dangerous, visibility was down and the spray was hopeless. By 12 O'Clock the sun had started to shine and our new problem was the head on wind, if you don't know a quite moderate head on wind can slow you to a crawl and did so today. We battled through having regular stops and arrived at Tiverton at about 4.30, Colin had to make a quick trip to the local hospital for some anti-biotics for a swollen tongue after this we ate and drunk and now are resting in the Lodgehill Hotel.
All todays details can be found here again the first 7 mile are missing from the log because of operator malfunction.

Craven Arms to Portishead

Today we traveled from Shropshire through Herefordshire into Gloucestershire and on to Avon and Summerset. We dodged in an out of Wales on our way to the old Severn Bridge and the countryside got lusher and lusher. The weather was kind to us today and we only had to push the bikes up one hill that beat us, a well deserved rest at the top gave us opportunity to savour the views which were magnificent. We then navigated the Wye valley towards Chepstow through Tintern with it's abbey and picturesque setting.
All the details can be found here the last mile is missing from the log due to the battery loosing power near the end.

Northwich to Craven Arms

The weather today had forecast showers but in the event it stayed dry, more importantly there was a slight head on wind so not much free wheeling.
67 miles was today's total and after yesterday's long day we were both feeling the effects but we had reached our destination by 3.30 . The countryside has changed from yesterday's industrial backdrop to lush green Shropshire fields and hills. Church Stretton and the Long Mynd were bathed in sunshine.
You can find all the details here

Witherslack to Northwich

Today was a really good day, the roads were perfect, enough up hill to be interesting and enough downhill to give us a rest. We covered nearly 85 miles today and bombed through Lancashire, the height gain was in the region of 4400 feet but was not oppressive. This was the first day I've finished the ride and felt good, Colin seemed to enjoy it as much and now the long day is done we can only look forward to the rest of the trip.
We still need as much sponsorship as we can get so here is a run down of how to donate.
easy peasy Text GRAC63 to 70070 with either £1, £2, £3, £5 or £10 if your flush.
You can click the justgiving link at the side of this post.
You can come to Whitby and enjoy a pint in the Station Inn and hand it over the bar.
Look at the stats for the day by clicking here