Scotland is amazing - and not just because we've managed to find two nights of internet in three days!
We've had some amazing riding over the last few days, the highlight being a long freewheeling drop into what looked like a very atmospheric abyss heading into Glencoe yesterday. Having never been to the Highlands before I can truly say they live up to everything I'd heard before.

Everyone's feeling a little drained at the moment and the next few days could be testing, although we're all still confident of making it for Saturday. And a bit of midge relief would be appreciated - why does Scotland have so many?

Photos of the ride (and there are thousands to bore you all with) will be loaded onto a Flickr page for everyone to browse at their leisure - see me for prices of prints of my legs post-ride.

The donations are coming in from folks on the street as well - we've had some from a couple we met on the Scottish border at Gretna Green, and some more today from some guys breakfasting next to us in a great cafe on the High Street.

I still can't believe we've cycled this far in such a short space of time and that I'm still racing up the hills! More to come very soon...

Rich, and everyone else

Found Some Internet!

Hi All,

And thanks for checking back when we obviously haven't updated since the first day!
That was in Padstow and we're now overlooking the shores of Loch Lomond only 10 days later! This is also the first time we've had any access to the internet since then, so a quick chance for me to say that the main story and plenty of photos will be up after we've finished.

No major incidents so far, a couple of punctures and a broken back wheel between the four of us is not too bad. But this is when the going gets tough and the roads get rocky; in the Scottish Highlands. Mostly flat running today but the hills in the distance look beautiful but ominous.

We've had some long days, on the road for 12 hours. Distances varied between approx 55 and 85 miles a day, and I know my legs are tired - but still comfortable to do the rest. Over 700 miles done in total, just 300 to go!

Should be finished on Saturday, and back at work on Monday! Photos, stories, messages to follow.

Cheers,

Richard

Hills, hills, hills

Day 1!
63 miles of constant up then down then up then down, a road roller coaster. Imagine cycling up Snowdon, or some other big hill, to go straight back down, then back up, then back down and back up again and you might have an idea of what we put ourselves through today!

It was nearly all over me me only one mile in for me, when I got pulled over by the bill on Clapham Common for speeding and dangerous driving! Supposedly there's a 5 mile an hour speed limit and no overtaking on the Common, both of which I breached overtaking the plump bloke in front whose low trousers where giving me a good view of the whole of the moon.

Anyway. tonight (Saturday) we're in what is easily the best place Youth Hostel in the country - overlooking Treyarnon Bay, with some good, good surf - I took a long dip in a very cold sea earlier. This is hard work, honestly, but I don't believe it yet. We're knackered after a day of constant hill climbing but it's well worth it to get here.

There's a load of photos to show, but no chance of loading them tonight, so you'll have to wait. Tomorrow night is Oakhampton, another 70 miles away... Whoop whoop

Everyone's good, and hope you are... and cheers for logging on! Email with any suggestions of places we should go, photos we should take or things we should wear along the trip to landsendjohnogroats@gmail.com

Until very soon and hopefully tomorrow,

Richard (and the others)

Ten minutes till I start, the bike's packed and I'm ready to go

Tried to keep the packing down to a minimum, only 2 bags on my bike

Keep watching to find out how much stuff I've forgotten

Rich

The Daddy's final training run

One day to go, and in Le Tour style, that one has to be a rest day. Well, I say rest. Hair shearing, buy last essentials, pick up hire car, pack up car and a few other little jobs besides.

Today went on a ride on a point and go basis. Went a very circuitous route which ended up going around York via Lotherton Hall and Tadcaster, then back via Wetherby. Clocked just over 60 which feels good given that the last 25 miles were again into strong westerly winds. Nice route really as rode a mixture of A & B roads, cycle paths and the really delightful NCN Route 65 into York. Feeding habits have improved a lot. Porridge before the off and then three cake stops with just drinks and small snacks. Seems to do the trick. Mighty hungry on return!

Also tested new piece of kit - bar end mirror. Haven't had one of these since I was a kid, but most impressed. As a result have spent significant amount of time admiring my right knee (see photo). Could this rank with Katisha's left elbow as a tourist attraction, I wonder? I wonder if there is anyone out there as sad as me who will know where that comes from? Answers on a post card please.....

Amazed at recent donations Your generosity will keep us motivated. Many thanks to you all.

Oh, and I must just comment on little ol' Thunderous Thighs Gladman. Titanium is what you will have, as my old pal Malcolm used to say.

The Daddy

It's been a while!

Well, I thought it a good idea to post a very quick one on this blog, seen it's been seeing a lot of recent activity!

My lack of input over the past few weeks is because I've had a lack of activity - no training for a couple of weeks as I've had no time to fit it in - the last major run was to Brighton. Yes I did make it up the virtually vertical Ditchling Beacon in one tortuous attaempt, which filled me with confidence. That confidence which has now disappeared!

I'm still feeling OK and looking forward to it - although I feel that 2 weeks off work could be better spent on a beach somewhere; maybe I'll have time in Padstow for a quick half an hour on Saturday!

Please keep supporting through your comments and donations - they'll really help me and the other guys keep going throughout the challenge.

And seen as I'm the only one who doesn't yet have a picture on here I've posted this - I've had a few questions about the Royal Mail top below and my sudden beard growth! That is not me - I am this specimen on the right soon to have thunderous thighs...

Rich

In praise of Mrs Doubtfire

Now. if you are following us on here there's just an outside chance that you are also reading the Lands End John O Groats message board on the CTC site. If so, you may have seen Mrs Doubtfire giving thanks to all on that message board for the sound advice etc, etc that they have been offering. And very true it is too.

It's true that Mrs D would just love to be doing this with us, and it's true that we would just love to have Mrs D alongside us too, so I thought it only right that we acknowledge here the support and encouragement that Mrs D has given us through this.

Let's look forwards to the reunion tour in 2009!

Almost there!

Days to go! Most arrangements made. Panniers packed. Bike back. Weather improving!

Not that much by way of training. Went to Otley for short spin on Thursday using MTB. Was going well until I was turned back by the Police coming out of Otley because there had been an accident somewhere up the Chevin road. Weighing up the options I decided that the Old Leeds Road was probably the best bet, even if a tad on the steep side (it's got chevrons on the road map). To put that into a context, I have only once before touched this road on a bike. That time I was descending. Once the computer touched 50 (yes, that's fifty) I thought I had better start braking for the T junction at the bottom. I will never do that again, but the speed of descent tells you that it was a bit of a struggle to get up it, but I did it. Ok, I stopped twice. Once to mop my brow and the other time to answer the 'phone. Chuffed to bits!

After that, got Dawes back Friday. Must just say Cycle Sense at Tadcaster were brilliant. Not only did they fit me in at short notice but the service the bike got has left it running better than ever. So got out yesterday with John for a 50 miler around Knaresborough and Wetherby. This time I was carrying full panniers as they are ready to go. John had his panniers on for the first time. I was amazed at the weight - it felt like I was working for Eddie Stobart! Photo above to demonstrate! We both got round despite some fairly blustery head winds and we both felt we had plenty left in the tank. Both of us had slight aches to legs this morning, so it must have been a good workout.

Weather has improved over the week, and the ten day forecast is good for Cornwall next weekend. Need to try and get a couple of runs out in before Thursday, although lots of other things to do so that might prove hard. Just itching to get out there and do it!!

6 Days and Counting!

Get in!!! Finally worked out how to use this blog this and upload a picture as well, no small achievement as this isn't my natural habitat. Well, the clock is ticking and the excitement is starting to build. After approximately 23 attempts the bike is finally packed with everything I could possibly need, plus several items which I'm sure will be a complete waste of space. I didn't quite realise quite how much the thing would weigh, not far off the Honda 125 I used to ride. However I'm sure the secondhand Carrera mountain bike kindly donated by my brother a couple of years ago will be well up to the task. After a few modications, ie carbon forks, road tyres, pannier rack, touring saddle extra bottle cage and bags galore, it's ready to roll.

I have to say that although the bike is as good as I can get it on a limited budget, the training schedule hasn't been quite as successful. That said I'm probably fitter on the bike now than I ever have been, so hopefully I'll be OK. I've also had a bit of experience having done a couple of coast to coasts last year and the year before, so that should come in handy too.

Anyway, this time next friday we should be holed up in our dorm near Lands end wondering why the hell we didn't book a fortnight in Spain instead..........

Two Weeks To Go!!!

It is now starting to get scary. There are maps to copy, routes to work through, and hardest of all, what to wear! Well, not so much wear as carry. Should I be prepared for everything or just go as light as possible? How much can I fit into two panniers and a bar bag?

Getting the bike serviced has proved another major obstacle. Local bike shops in Leeds have not been helpful so my trusty Dawes is now in Tadcaster being fettled.

The weather is a continuing concern. This weekend has been mostly torrential rain. Which is good in one respect that at least it is keeping me in and getting me to get some of the other work up to date. Not sure what happened to being retired.

On the other hand, I managed a couple of runs out last week, getting a 60 mile day in on Thursday, which was good. Diet has improved, waistline has shrunk and legs are getting stronger. Couple of photo's are attached showing the rich diet of a grand Yorkshire view of the riverside at Knaresborough together with picture of cycling friendly food (Beans on Toast!!). Why cycling friendly? 'Cos you are always guaranteed a following wind!!!

Above all I continue to be amazed at just how generous people are in giving donations. Many thanks to all who have donated so far. You are fantastic people.