LEJOG_2007

People tend to try and do something special to commemorate their 50th year on the planet and Steve was no acceptation. Being a keen cyclist he had always wanted to do the LEJOG and during one of their Saturday afternoon training rides Pete, who had done the LEJOG in 1998 and was a glutton for punishment, volunteered to accompany him.

Respective wives Karen and Marilyn were consulted and agreed to act as backup for the ride.

Steve decided to raise money for the NW Air Ambulance while Pete would ride for Cancer Research.

On the 20^th of May riders and backup drove down to pre booked accommodation at the Trendrennen farmhouse about 5 miles from the start at Lands End. This proved to be perfectly acceptable and after dropping off our bags we had an evening meal in a charming pub about a mile from the farmhouse.

Day 1 – 21st May Lands End to Cullompton

Weather: Strong NW wind, cloudy , about 12 degrees C.

After a good breakfast riders and backup arrived at a deserted Lands End at about 8.45 am. The traditional signpost showing the mileage to John O'Groats was missing so alternative photographs with Lands End in the background were taken and the riders set off down the A30 into a rather chilly wind. After a few miles both decided that they had put on too many cloths and Steve changed to a thinner top and Pete took his leg warmers off to reveal shaven legs. The last time this phenomenon had been seen was about 20 years ago when Pete used to race (more about the legs later). Steve had brought a new bike computer for the ride and was determined to get his moneys worth so suggested we took 10 miles each in setting the pace to be determined by his new toy. It was a pleasant ride until Penzance when the A30 changes into an extremely hilly and busy trunk road with a rough surface and plenty of debris on the left of the road. It was at this point that backup decided some retail therapy was called for and they went shopping. Let me tell you that the only advantage of having lorries pass by with about two feet to spare is the drag you get as they speed past. Bear in mind that the selected route was determined to be the shortest and therefore the fastest. It was after 44 miles and at 10.45 that a stop was made for coffee at a McDonalds where water bottles were topped up by backup who had now caught the riders up. The average speed was 18 mph and the riders agreed this was too fast on such a hilly section and needed to be moderated. The temperature had now gone up to 17degrees C.

At about 1.35 pm and after 72 miles the riders got a call from backup to say that they had found a TESCO in Launceston suitable for lunch. After lunch the riders set off to rejoin the A30 but had to ask for directions to get round the one way system which resulted in a few miles of pleasant minor road before it was back to dodging lorries. At the 100 mile mark backup had parked in lay by with two collapsible chairs were the riders slumped for some minutes munching on muesli bars and bananas. The riders were now sick of the A30 where they had to concentrate all the time due to the heavy traffic and lack of riding room. Backup now forged ahead into Exeter to find the Tourist Information and some accommodation for the night. After getting a brochure for the area and some phone calls later the Lower Forge farm B and B was booked for the night. When the lady host found out we were doing the LEJOG she insisted that she would also do us an evening meal all for a very reasonable price, even though she was hosting a dinner party the same evening. In the meantime the riders were getting through the Exeter rush hour traffic having to ask for directions on several occasions until they were certain they were on the B3181 to Cullompton. After 140 miles and at 6.15 pm a stop was made, bikes were put on top of the car and there was a short drive down very narrow roads to a beautiful farmhouse. Whilst the riders soaked in hot baths backup went in search of beer and wine. Then surprise, surprise. Backup had been taking lessons in leg message hence an insistence that Pete had his legs shaved to match Steves. After message and a hot bath the riders were tired but in good spirits after consuming a huge three course meal with wine and beer.

Stats – 136 miles, 16.3 mph, 8 hours 19 minutes cycling

Day 2 – 22^nd May Cullompton to Wolverhampton

Weather – Warm with wind from the west

After another excellent breakfast and after our lady host had sponsored the riders with £5 each they were taken to where they had finished the previous day and they continued north along the B3181 eventually joining the A38 through Taunton and Bridgewater. Whether it was due to the electrolyte drinks being used or some other reason the riders had to stop a surprising number of times throughout the ride to relieve their bladders much to the amusement of the back up crew. The morning coffee break was taken at the Munch Box near Bridgwater where the owner asked us to donate the money for the drinks to the charities. The temperature was now 19 degrees. Steve was complaining of a sore hip but after a quick rub with some embrocation he was on his way. Backup went ahead to do some shopping at a garden centre where some damson wine was acquired and a couple of ice creams. The riders went by minus ice cream and had to make do with some shouts of encouragement. Bristol was on the horizon with the proposed route going via the Clifton suspension bridge. Backup of course got lost whilst the riders had no problem finding the correct road but had plenty of problems getting up the very steep climb to the bridge. Karen got the girls back on track and north of Bristol a stop was made at a pub for lunch. Legs were now getting a bit heavy and as the riders approached Gloucester a diversion did not help matters. At Tewskesbury (108 miles) another stop was made for coffee and it was decided that the girls should go ahead to try and find some accommodation near Kidderminster. After Worcester the riders headed through heavy traffic towards Wolverhampton. After a couple of hours riding and no word from the backup team Steve rang the girls and was told that there was no rooms available anywhere in the area due to some exhibitions and conferences. The riders pottered on for another 8 miles being picked up by the backup at 8.05 pm just north of Wolverhampton after completing 158 miles. Both were very tired. Still no accommodation so it was back down the road to Wall Heath where Karen managed to persuade an inexperienced receptionist to give us a couple of rooms at the Kingfisher Hotel. It was 9 pm. A late meal which was only just passable and it was straight to bed. Although the hotel was not great the lady on reception did her very best for us and even said she would put us up herself if need be.

Stats 158 miles , 16.6 mph

Day 3 – 23 May Wolverhampton to Kendal

Weather – Warm with wind form the South West

A quick drive from the rather suspect hotel meant the riders were on there way by about 8.45 and on the road to Stafford and Newcastle under Lyme. Backup was soon in Stone having coffee and doing some shopping. After Newcastle the riders were rather worried about the lack communication from the backup team and a call was made. They were on there way. North of Newcastle the riders started seeing signs for Warrington – home territory. The ladies eventually caught the riders prior to Homes Chapel where they carried on up the road to arrange a coffee stop. After coffee and biscuits in a hotel which elected to give to the charities rather than take payment for the refreshments the riders carried on and came across Lennie Collins emerging from some bushes at the side of the road. What he was doing there we dare not ask. Lennie is a fellow member of Southport Cycling club and had kindly agreed to take the day off to pace Steve and Pete north. It was soon eyeballs out with Lennie living up to his reputation as an ace half wheeler. During the day he did cover 140 miles which was a good ride for him as well as us. It was then a matter of sprinting away from traffic lights and finding a way through plenty of traffic. After Warrington the road led o Wigan and at Bryn lunch was taken in the sunshine at the Park Pub. Home territory was now very near and on passing through Bamber Bridge it was decided that we would use the cycle path via Avenham Park to avoid the traffic in Preston. Riders were now on the A6 and a stop had been agreed with the backup crew that a coffee stop would be taken at the Barton Grange Garden centre. On arriving it was noted that the backup crew were accompanied by a policeman but he had seen the signs on top of the backup car saying "Lands End to John o'Groats Charity Ride" and was curious to know what was going on. Also there was Pete's cousin Kathleen, together with her husband Allan, who had come to wish them well. Lennie led the relentless charge up the A6 and eventually headed back to Southport on reaching Garstang. Steve and Pete carried on through Lancaster to Carnforth where they took the wrong road to the motorway junction. Turning back and going further north they left the A6 for the A6070 heading towards Burton in Kendal. In the meantime the girls had returned home to start some washing. The plan was to spend the night at home. He riders were only about 10 miles from Kendal when the backup caught them up and transported the riders home. Families had rallied round to prepare an evening meal for all concerned.

Stats : - 140 miles, 16.8 mph , 8 hours 20 minutes cycling

Day 4 – 24^th May Endmoor to Edinburgh

Weather – Cool, strong westerly wind, some rain.

With some tired legs the riders set off for Scotland. Kendal was not far away after which Shap fell was on the agenda. On the lower slopes of Shap it started to drizzle getting worse the higher the riders climbed. Eventually mist and rain meant visibility was but a few yards but the increasing gradient gave the riders a clue they were reaching the summit. Over the top and the mist and rain stopped. At Penrith a coffee stop was taken. Backup had found a delightful coffee shop not far from Stavely where they were aiming to look round a bike shop?!?!?!?. Karen also had a yearning to go the M&S in Kendal. Running low on water Steve rang the girls to see where they were and they eventually caught the riders between Penrith and Carlisle. The riders had decided not to take the very very busy A74 north of Carlisle, instead opting to take the A7 for a few miles and then go due west to Gretna Green. Pete gave Steve a 5 mile lead out for the Scotland sign. At Gretna it was time for Lunch. The girls had already spent 40 minutes looking at the shops. It was 1 pm and 62 miles had been covered. The riders found the B7076, that runs parallel with the A74, a soul destroying stretch of road and by the time they breached Moffat they were not in the best of spirits. In a café, over coffee and apple pie, doubts started to emerge about the wisdom of trying to do the ride in 6 days. It was agreed they would tackle the climb of the Devils Beef Tub very slowly and see how their legs stood up to it. It was raining at the top of the climb and they had to take wet weather gear from the car. A long descent with a tail wind meant good progress was being made and maybe Edinburgh was a possibility after all. Eventually they reached the outskirts of Edinburgh were they rejoined the support crew. In spite of spending a long time in the Moffat tourist information the girls had not secured any accommodation for the night. Pete suggested they went to Corstophine Road where he knew there were B and B's. Riders and backup took completely different routes through Edinburgh to reach the agreed venue and arrived almost simultaneously. The grandly named Western Manor House Hotel was chosen for the night and it proved to be an OK abode. A quick shower with an excellent Italian meal to follow.

Stats : 150.8 miles , 16.5 mph.

Day 5 – 25^th May Edinburgh to Inverness

Weather – bright ,cool, some showers, west wind

At around 8.45 am the riders set off towards the Forth Bridge through the Edinburgh suburbs. All was going well until a sign appeared saying cyclists could not go down the A90. We believe this is a temporary restriction due to roadworks. After getting lost a couple of time the boys eventually followed a sustrans route towards the bridge that meandered through housing estates and pathways. As if by magic they eventually emerged at the south end of the bridge and were soon across and on the road to Kinross. Backup were already in Kinross having coffee. By the time the riders reached Kinross the ladies had gone further north so they decided to stop anyway at the nearest cafe for coffee and cake. The team eventually got together at the Bein Inn on the road to Perth. Backup were given instructions to go to Perth and get Pete some new track mitts. North of Perth the riders hit the A9 and Steve was dismayed to find we would be on this busy trunk road for 80 miles until Inverness. After a few miles another rider sporting a GB top went past us at a great rate of knots. Who was he? The A9 is full of artics and caravans and long long drags but not many places to eat. Lunch was taken in a rather nice café that was part of a craft shop. It was here that the decision was made to reach the summit of the Sloch climb before calling it a day. From the top of the Sloch it was nearly all down hill into Inverness. As well as getting Pete some track mitts the girls had also bought the guys a couple of Gerolsteiner racing caps. So they were also now riding for a German water company. The road climbed passed Pitlochry and Blair Atoll and started to turn into the wind on the climb of the Drumochter Pass. Over the top and the road veered to the west and the wind became favourable. Past Aviemore and the climb of the Sloch started. One more stop at the Ralia Café. It was getting cold and it was wet and by the top of the Sloch the riders were getting very cold and at 8.05 pm and at lay bye 160A they called it a day.

Accommodation for the night was a very nice hotel by the side of the River Ness.

Stats : 147.7 miles, 15.5 mph , 9 hours 29 minutes cycling

Day 6 Inverness to John o'Groats

Weather – warm sun, rain, hail, wind from the west.

On returning to lay bye 160A a pair of Pete's brand new underpants were found that had escaped from the car the previous evening. After a few miles there was a swift descent into Inverness and it was across the bridge that straddles the Moray Firth. Gradually the road turned to the north east and the wind pushed the riders along. Backup had stopped at tourist information to book some rooms for the night but had problems due to many events in the area. Eventually they booked rooms in Tain which is 80 miles from John O'Groats. The riders were under pressure to get a move on. A stop was made for a drink where Steve complained of sore eyes due to dust behind his contact lenses. By this time both rider were constantly shifting in the saddle due to tender posteriors. We were not far from Tain so the girls took a detour to look at the accommodation they had booked for the evening. On the bridge across the Dornoch Firth strong cross winds had the riders struggling to stay on the road. At Golspie a stop was made for lunch and as the food arrived the heavens opened. Wet roads were the order of the day after lunch. Helmsdale and Berriedale were the main obstacle before Wick. At Helmsdale the sun had come out so the riders stopped to shed some clothes and take on water. At this point two riders went past. They were caught before the top of the climb and short conversation revealed they were also doing LEJOG but in ten days. Not long after Helmsdale came the short but steep climb of Berriedale were Pete unshipped his chain as he tried to put it on his granny ring. Steve thought the use of Pete's inner ring was unfair whilst Pete explained he was only using this because he had to wait for Steve due to his slow descending. The road to Wick was pretty much up and down all the way as it hugged the coast. At Wick the final stop was made and as the town was closed the riders sat by a bus stop having a bite and a cold drink. Only 17 miles to go from here and the sun was shining and after a few final hills it was 2 mile of down hill to a deserted John O'Groats.

After a number of photographs and some champagne there was an 80 mile drive back to Tain where we stopped in the Mansfield House Hotel which proved to be excellent. The evening meal consisted of a curry which was equally excellent.

Stats : 133.5 miles, 16.2 mph

Total for Lands End to John 0' Groats = 865.5 miles

Conclusion

Both riders have raised over £1500 for there respective charities. I big thank you to those who made donations. We were blessed with pretty good weather and are grateful for that. No punctures or mechanical problems. Pretty enjoyable, we were very tired at times. The A30 up to Exeter and A9 from Perth to Inverness are not recommended but we were aiming for the shortest route.