robbiep
Über Member
- Location
- Bournemouth
Hi all
Finally rolled into JOG 4pm last Thursday after one of the best days riding I've ever had, hot sunshine all the way from Tain and the A9 was very quiet indeed, amazing views all the way up.
Just a few things, you definately improve your fitness as you progress, I felt really strong as the days went on, the quads required constant massage (just did myself) in the evenings to keep them in good order.
There are no hills that should worry most riders, shap is nothing to be concerned with, we didn't realise we had gone over it until we had reached Penrith, we were still waiting for it.............
Be careful after the Forth Rd Bridge, we got lost which added 11 miles to the 111 we had planned for that day, 122 in total and it rained for 6 - 7 hours solid, it was aweful!! Fortunately this was the only day of rain we had, for September the weather was perfect and mostly sunny, very lucky indeed
The B & B's we stayed in were pretty much excellent, all were able to secure our bikes, below is the full itinery:
Okehampton - Meadowlea Guest House - 01837 53200 probably at the bottom of the list but still perfectly suitable. 3 out of 5. Ok breakfast
Bristol - stayed at mates house - best breakfast out the lot!!
Ludlow - The Mount Guest House - 01584 874084 our favourite, loverly town and house. Ray the owner is a legend, he washed all our kit and gave us a donation for our charity, really nice place, great bfast too. Had my best evening meal here too, at the Wheatsheath pub in the town. 5 out of 5
Chorley - Parr Hill Farm - 01257 451917 excellent standard of accom and again had all our kit washed. Full breakfast not offered which we found strange, boiled eggs or porridge???. Real nice hosts and in a nice town. 4 out of 5 because of breakfast
Carlisle - Travelodge Central - not great but cheap - £10 each for the night, bikes stored in room no problem.
Edinburgh - Travelodge Learmonth - much better and only a little more expensive. Great place to stay as on the main road out towards Forth Rd Bridge.
Newtonmore - Glenavon House - 01540 673701 - all kit washed again and with a cracking breakfast. Great hosts 4 out of 5
Tain - Dunbius Guest House - 01862 894902 - spotless house, really nice. Very good breakfast again, definately one of the best. 5 out of 5
Thurso - The Station Hotel - The only thing missing was Manuel!! Avoid!
The overall standard was really good and people were only too happy to help with washing etc. All were easy to find and none were off the beaten track.
We did 881 miles in the 9 days, fairly direct but all roads we ok, the A30 was the worst but this was really due to the crap in the verge where we wanted to ride, loads of debris and the little red reflectors - a right pain in the arse!
User3143 gave the best advice - 'keep your head together through Cornwall and Devon and you'll certainly finish', the riding gets ALOT easier after these 2 days and you can make real fast progress. The climb into Bristol after 88 miles was the hardest part of the whole ride.
Hope this helps anybody planning their route,accom - really an amazing experience and worth all the expense and time spent training.
Thanks
Robbiep
Finally rolled into JOG 4pm last Thursday after one of the best days riding I've ever had, hot sunshine all the way from Tain and the A9 was very quiet indeed, amazing views all the way up.
Just a few things, you definately improve your fitness as you progress, I felt really strong as the days went on, the quads required constant massage (just did myself) in the evenings to keep them in good order.
There are no hills that should worry most riders, shap is nothing to be concerned with, we didn't realise we had gone over it until we had reached Penrith, we were still waiting for it.............
Be careful after the Forth Rd Bridge, we got lost which added 11 miles to the 111 we had planned for that day, 122 in total and it rained for 6 - 7 hours solid, it was aweful!! Fortunately this was the only day of rain we had, for September the weather was perfect and mostly sunny, very lucky indeed
The B & B's we stayed in were pretty much excellent, all were able to secure our bikes, below is the full itinery:
Okehampton - Meadowlea Guest House - 01837 53200 probably at the bottom of the list but still perfectly suitable. 3 out of 5. Ok breakfast
Bristol - stayed at mates house - best breakfast out the lot!!
Ludlow - The Mount Guest House - 01584 874084 our favourite, loverly town and house. Ray the owner is a legend, he washed all our kit and gave us a donation for our charity, really nice place, great bfast too. Had my best evening meal here too, at the Wheatsheath pub in the town. 5 out of 5
Chorley - Parr Hill Farm - 01257 451917 excellent standard of accom and again had all our kit washed. Full breakfast not offered which we found strange, boiled eggs or porridge???. Real nice hosts and in a nice town. 4 out of 5 because of breakfast
Carlisle - Travelodge Central - not great but cheap - £10 each for the night, bikes stored in room no problem.
Edinburgh - Travelodge Learmonth - much better and only a little more expensive. Great place to stay as on the main road out towards Forth Rd Bridge.
Newtonmore - Glenavon House - 01540 673701 - all kit washed again and with a cracking breakfast. Great hosts 4 out of 5
Tain - Dunbius Guest House - 01862 894902 - spotless house, really nice. Very good breakfast again, definately one of the best. 5 out of 5
Thurso - The Station Hotel - The only thing missing was Manuel!! Avoid!
The overall standard was really good and people were only too happy to help with washing etc. All were easy to find and none were off the beaten track.
We did 881 miles in the 9 days, fairly direct but all roads we ok, the A30 was the worst but this was really due to the crap in the verge where we wanted to ride, loads of debris and the little red reflectors - a right pain in the arse!
User3143 gave the best advice - 'keep your head together through Cornwall and Devon and you'll certainly finish', the riding gets ALOT easier after these 2 days and you can make real fast progress. The climb into Bristol after 88 miles was the hardest part of the whole ride.
Hope this helps anybody planning their route,accom - really an amazing experience and worth all the expense and time spent training.
Thanks
Robbiep
, it was the A38, just remembered.
