Lands End 2 John O'Groats

I just noticed that I hadn't covered the major trip I did in 2007 from Lands End to John O'Groats. I completed this mamoth trip on my current daily stead - Sirrus Comp, which is testament to the toughness of this machine.

Not a single puncture or mechanical issue and it's probably on it's 3,000 mile or so now in 3 years.

Well that trip which took 8 days and 4 hours and covered 905 miles is fully documented on a seperate website if you're interested on the following website and Blog

http://www.arewethereyet2007.co.uk/ - lots of pictures, county by county etc.

as well as full day by day blog at

http://teamarewethereyet2007.spaces.live.com/

Read the blog if you've got the time as it'll take you through the pain and the ups and the downs all in one go.

LeJOG 2007 update

We're getting closer to finalizing a date barring a few personal and work calendar clashes so it'll be mid July sometime with a bit of luck.

After a meeting with my buddy we've decided to ditch the campercan idea and opt for the B&B route instead. This way we can take a car which makes it an easier proposition for a driver and will add some fun back into the tour with a Beer at the end of each day with a beer at the end of each day.

We may have a third cyclist coming onboard but still to be confirmed.

I've also set up a separate website covering the news and progress towards this marathon goal which can be found at http://www.end2end.thecheshirecarriagecompany.co.uk hosted by one of our sponsors.

More sponsors and support required though so don't be shy to come forward.
If you have any gear you'd like us to carry - cycling related - and review on this site then please get in touch via a post on this blog or through the main site and link above.

I will also look to embed this Blog into the site so that I can update and edit while on the move. Just got to figure out the best way to acheive.

End to End next!

Met with Paul last night and we decided to give the Lands End to John O'Groats a go in the summer of 2007.

It's around 800 miles and will take around 10 days I think.
We're planning to ride for a charity and have a few ideas already.

We're also planning to hire a campervan so anyone who wants to drive it could well find themselves a job! May 2007. More soon.

Coast to Coast on a Pedal Bike?

Well I'm just back from Cycling across the whole of the UK in 3 days with my pal Paul.
The C2C trip is a signed route of tracks, roads and off road sections and covers 150 miles. We started in Whitehaven and ended in Sunderland with ceremonial wheel dipping at both the Irish and North Sea - quite a trip.

I'll post a few pictures once I've got them from Paul but for now I though I'd post a few tips for anyone considering doing the same to give you a head start:




Questions and Answers

1. Can anyone do it? Yes but only if you're fairly fit and and can climb hills on a Bike, it's a fair ride and 3 days makes it comfortable. Only try it in a shorter time if you are exceptionally fit and keen. I cycle 3/4 times a week with distances of up to 27 miles and I found it fairly easy and didn't need to walk an inch. Take 4 days if you're not fit and take it easy and walk up the hills.

1. What sort of Bike should I take? A Hybrid Road Bike is best in my opinion. I did it on a Specialized Sirrus Sport. i.e. one with some tread on the tyres but not a mountain bike or out and out racer. Unless you want to go up and down the mountain trails, which we avoided, then a mountain bike would be a drag due to the extra weight and energy lost through suspension (although some may argue it'd make a comfier ride) None of the journey is really severe enough to require a mountain bike though, other than the optional off road sections.

1. How did you get your luggage across? We used the services of The Sherpa Van project which picked up and dropped our bags at each of the guesthouses then ran us and our bikes back from Sunderland to Whitehaven in around 3 hours. An excellent fuss free service.
2. Where did you stay and were they any good? Night one we stayed at Motherby House then one night at The Rookhope Inn which both did great breakfasts and offered a friendly place to sleep.

1. Memorable moments? Glass on the track at Whitehaven, getting to the top of Hartside and Black Hill which are both 2,000 feet above sea level. Kids with airrifles shooting into the river on the way into Sunderland - needless to say we sped up and got out of range quickly, whizzing along at up to 40 mph on some empty tracks, the waskerley way, beer and lunchtimes, completing the journey in Sunderland.

1. Punctures? No not me as my tyres are resistant, Nimbus Flak Jacket, but my pal Paul suffered 4 on his thinner racing tyres. Lesson from this is to take spare innertubes with you and some basic tyre levers and tools to allow for quick changes - latex gloves help keep the oil off too! I stuffed two spare tubes in an underseat bag but didn't need them I have read of one chap having 7 on the 1st day so better safe than sorry.

1. Food and Drink on the Bike? Take plenty of Energy or Fruit and Fibre Bars or Cake Slices or Bananas although eat them quickly as the Bananas get bruised on the bike. Take water with powdered energy additive to keep you going on the hill sections.

1. Would you do it again? Yes - although getting good weather is the key, it would be miserable in the Rain. Great views, tranquility excercise, Beer and Food and a great little break from the realities of daily life and a sense of real achivement!

1. Other tips? Go early or late season as mixing it with lots of other cyclists and walkers could be a drag. Go mid week rather than weekend. Buy the Definitive C2C Guide from Amazon and the Sustrans C2C map. Watch out for Glass on the tracks and Kids. Stop for an Indian meal on the way home in Penrith rather than do Motorway food.

Useful C2C resources

• http://www.c2c-guide.co.uk - great guide site
• http://www.sherpavan.com - transport of bags bikes and people
• http://www.motherbyhouse.co.uk - guesthouse night one
• http://www.rookhope.com - pub b&b night two