Durness to Dover - 17th June to 25th June

[Flying Dodo]

Day 5 – Wednesday 22[sup]nd[/sup] - Hexham to Thirsk – 80 miles, 4635 ft of climbing

Whilst sat in the B&B in Hexham, we saw heavy rain and blue sky, so we knew we were in for a wet day. Setting off in a south-easterly direction, we had a bit of a cross wind, with a series of sharp climbs and descents on quiet back roads. The tops of my thighs still ached a bit from yesterday, and I could tell I wasn't as fast up the hills as I would normally have been. We joined the A68 again near Allensford, and there was a lovely 12% descent, where we didn't have any vehicles behind us, so we could make a swooping turn down to the river at 40 mph. Unfortunately there's a 12% slope back up again!

Once we'd struggled to the top, we had a break just before Castleside, looking out across a lovely vista of rolling green hills. Once we'd had a quick snack, I realised that the sheep were now bleating at us, in quite an aggressive manner. I've taken a photo, which I'll have to upload when I get back, and it's as though the sheep were having a go at us. Clearly, they breed them to be tough up here!

The A68 carried on its rolling up and down. I can't say I like it much due to the quality of the coating making for a jarring ride. Fortunately, we turned off after Tow Law, and climbed up past a wind farm, which made an impressive sight. As we approached Bishop Auckland, it started to rain heavily, so we made a hasty spin up the High Street and found a cafe to have lunch, at which point the rain stopped. Impressively, we managed to find the cafe served an almost taste-free lasagne. However, it had calories, which was the main thing. Of course, as we set off again, it started to rain again, even more heavily, so that the roads were running with streams of water.

We headed due south, and gradually the hills grew more gentle and our rolling speed increased, and the rain died away. The final 50 miles went very rapidly. I was surprised to see “Welcome to Richmondshire” signs rather than North Yorks, but I guess everyone wants independence these days. As we headed towards Thirsk, the rain started up again, and just before our night stop south of Thirsk, Mike's video camera decided to make a bid for freedom as well, as a mount snapped, no doubt due to the condition of the A68.

Unlike the previous day, I felt quite good at the end, and not particularly tired, although Mike's knees were playing up a bit.

 

[Flying Dodo]

Good going Adam and Mike - I can just about imagine how some of the bony, jointy bits are feeling. Remember, nothing lasts forever - not even your troubles!
Thirsk I always remember as browny stone house land - nice nevertheless, with beautiful scenery. Davy is thinking of riding shotgun on part of your journey (Have you got a portaloo? - it would save time ) is there a meet up point for your last leg?
Continued good luck both.

At the moment, I'm aiming to be at Dartford Bridge for 11.30 on Saturday if anyone wants to join us. Once I get back home on Friday, I'll advise if that's likely to alter.

 

[Aperitif]

Don't forget a portion of fish and chips done in beef dripping + mushy peas, Adam! Bonne continuation...

 

[Aperitif]

Armed Forces Day (weekend) too.
http://www.armedforcesday.org.uk/Details.aspx?Id=8055661 Frontline Dover.

 

[Flying Dodo]

Thursday23rd June – Thirsk to Grantham – 126 miles – 1,558 ft of climbing

The weather forecasts seemed to show sunshine and showers, and that's what we got. We had a bit of a later start than planned, so headed off on wet but quiet roads. After a brief stop-over in York to see relatives, we headed off down the York-Selby cycle path, which for the first part, is one of Sustrans' better creations, having smooth tarmac. As we sped along helped by a tailwind, I noticed the verges had been cut and there were workman clearing the edges! By the time we turned off to head towards Stillingfleet, the rain was falling heavily, so we put on our jackets.

We had a quick break in Selby where I raided a bakers for cakes and pies (have you spotted a trend here) and the rain was easing off again. For this leg, I was trying as far as possible to avoid the A roads, as around here, they tend to be poor quality for cyclists due to the large bits embedded in the tar. Our route was roughly south - south-east, although our progress was hampered by the lack of bridges over rivers, meaning a zig-zag motion was needed.

The tailwind carried us through Snaith, Moorends (where we got more food), Thorne and then south of the M180, there's a lovely straight minor road cutting across all the irrigation channels. We were doing 20 mph without having to really push ourselves and the road must have gone on for 10 miles. Going to the east of Retford, we then cut across minor roads basically running parallel to the A1 before reaching our night stop at the Grantham Services.

Today was the fastest leg, as our average moving speed was 14.8 mph which considering the distance and the extra weight we're carrying, was fairly good.

 

[Aperitif]

Good on you Adam. It is raining persistently in NW London now, having been placid and sunny most of the day. The good news is, I witnessed the arrival of the 'Fridays' shirt consignment! You will need a bigger size, after having eaten all the pies but hey! - One body, one life!

 

[Davywalnuts]

Really loving the write up Adam, just great to re-live your ride in words.

Good luck on the final stint, but contary to previous suggestion, I wont now be meeting you on your final leg, I am sorry.

It would just be pushing my legs too much, given what that have recently been through and that the final section, am sure, will not be flat, this being an AAA ride after all!.

So hope it all goes well, I await your last two write ups!

 

[Flying Dodo]

Friday 24[sup]th[/sup] June – Grantham to Luton – 101 miles – 1,558 ft of climbing

I knew today would be the easiest leg, as for the last half, it would be on familiar roads. However we had to start with what was probably the worst breakfast I'ver had to endure, courtesy of the EDC firm at Grantham Services, as it just tasted bland and plasticy, and I think my body tried to reject it.

Setting off, there was a gentle cross wind, and a glorious blue sky. Of course, we started off with a climb up to Grantham. Sadly, we didn't have time for a photo opportunity at the birth place of Margaret Roberts, so we headed off south. Again, the route consisted of a series of zig-zags south-east, then west, then south-east again, if there wasn't a southerly road. The westerly wind was picking up a bit, but we were travelling through glorious countryside, and as far as possible, I was avoiding A-roads. Crossing into Rutland, the county sign was clearly an old one, and I wondered if it had been one kept by a resident from when it was last a county. Going around Rutland Water, I stopped to photograph a field of lavender which made a nice contrast with the colour of the water.

Just before 12, we got to Oundle, our lunch stop, and I raided another baker's for a variety of rolls and cakes, and we sat in the square and watched the residents of Oundle. It was interesting to see that as soon as a car moved out of a space, another one popped in, within 30 seconds. Setting off again, Mike realised his front tyre was getting flat, probably due to a thorn, so that was quickly changed, and then it was back to the rolling countryside.

One thing I've noticed is that the further south we go, the more aggressive the drivers become, with bolshie BMW's and angry Audi's, and I'm definitely missing the wide open and car-less roads of the Scottish Highlands.

Finally, we came across a 10 miles to Bedford sign, meaning we were into our last county for the day. We'd arranged a rendevous with Mike's wife near to the M1 to take our panniers, meaning the final 10 miles flew by. The bike felt really odd, and initially I was leaning over as I was compensating for the non-existent weight on the side. We got home at 5.30, after around 7½ hours in the saddle and an average speed of 13.8 mph. Mike was suffering from pain in his achilles tendons which he'd had to strap up, but apart from the backs of my legs feeling rather tight and being a bit tired overall, I'm surprised I'm holding up as well as I am!


Last day tomorrow, and it'll be weird to get back to a non cycling routine. One thing I won't miss is having to force myself to eat so much food. I think we end up having to take on 4-5,000 calories a day.


If anyone fancies joining us on the run down to Dover, we'll be aiming to be at Dartford Bridge at around 11.30 which would make a convenient joining point. Our route is shown here.

 

[topcat1]

they did it



and it wasn't all downhill

 

[Mice]

they did it



and it wasn't all downhill

Congratulations Mike and FD

That's absolutely brilliant!

M

 

[User10571]

Superb!

Congrats!

Well done both!

 

[Aperitif]

Good on you, both. Another bimble under the belt. Don't be late this morning

 

[Flying Dodo]

Finally finished.......


Day 8 - Luton to Dover - 120 miles - 5,731 ft of climbing

It was hard work getting up in the morning, having to set off from home for the final leg. On the plus side, a number of the villagers had gathered to see us off at 7.30, which was nice. The roads were wet with the rain only having stopped a little earlier, but we decided to do without jackets in view of the approaching heat wave. I'd decided to switch bikes and take the Planet X, on the basis that a few less kg would help. I'd not taken into account the fact that its saddle is a bit harder than the one on the Sequoia, so it felt a bit unfortable to start with

We set a fast pace down through St Albans, Potters Bar and then Enfield, where Steve, a friend of Mike's, joined us until Barking. I could tell we were back in the (un)friendly south, after shouting "phone" to an Addison Lee mini-bus driver who was chatting away on his phone whilst driving along Enfield Chase, who then had to jam his brakes on, and open his door to tell me to "**** off", which must have surprised someone walking along at the same time. I'm hoping Mike's camera has recorded his registration number.............

We dropped down through Chigwell and made our way across towards the Dartford Bridge. We were a bit behind schedule, unfortunately made even worse by the Highways Agency not bothering to turn up for 50 minutes to take us across, despite reminders. This meant Dave (Top Cat), who was joining us south of the river, had endured a long wait, as it wasn't until nearly 1.30 that we set off again. To keep things simple, I just followed the Whitstable FNRttC route (including User10571's Sittingourne A2 diversion) as far as Faversham, before heading south-east onto the Downs.

When climbing hills, I really was starting to feel wiped out. Not tired after a normal day ride, just general fatigue. However, I wanted to press on, and get the day finished, so we kept up a fairly high pace. Mike's achilles tendons were playing up, as he'd got both of them wrapped up in bandages today, and had to stop every 10 -15 miles or so, to stretch them. After the long slog up the hill from Bridge, towards the A2, there's a lovely swooping downhill. However, with the wind shifting form west to south-west, it meant we had to keep pedalling to keep up the momentum. The route then climbed up from Barham, and then some more ups and downs through Womenswold, Shepherdswell and Whitfield, before a rapid descent to Dover, making 119 miles in total, in 8 hours 23 minutes, so a moving average of 14.1 mph.

Whilst doing the final photoshoot on the beach, a stoned local came across to congatulate us, which made for a surreal moment.

The photos for the whole trip are shown here.




A few random thoughts.


Would I do this sort of trip again? Don't know! Physically, the last couple of days were very tiring.

The UK has a stunning variety of countryside. The Highlands with the lochs and Munroes were truely beautiful. The worst driving I encountered was a Dutch coach driver somewhere south of Pitlochry who overtook me with only a couple of spare inches, despite there being nothing coming the other way, and him being seated on my side of the road, and so being perfectly able to see me. On the whole, drivers are more courteous the further north you go.

Don't attempt this sort of trip in new kit. I hadn't worn one of the pairs of shorts before (Endura FS360) and my butt suffered on that day as a result, as they're not properly contoured.

Many thanks for the good wishes, messages and sponsorship.

It's going to be weird to not force myself to eat, and also not to have to read labels to find the items with the most calories.

 

[topcat1]

did Adam mention how lucky they we're with the weather, if like me you were watching the weather reports each night and watching the storms heading north each day and wondering if the gods had it in for them

well when they finaly turned up at dartford they we're sporting sun tans and big smiles

http://www.flickr.com/photos/62382682@N07/sets/72157627054272440/

 

[Flying Dodo]

I think overall for the 8 days, we had about 5-6 hours of drizzle or rain, so we were very lucky with the weather, unlike the south of England. My shoes only got wet through on the run into Thirsk, as there was heavy rain in the final hour or so.

Most of the time, it's been sunshine and clouds. For several days we had a tailwind, so at times, we were rolling along quiet lanes at 18-20 mph for 10 mile stretches. The wind in our face was only an issue for part of 2 days I think, with either light wind or a cross wind the rest of the time.

We definitely did the trip in the right direction, as we saw other cycle tourists really suffering the other way into the wind.

Heading out of Dingwall, whilst we were in our usual shorts & jerseys, there was a couple going the other way completely covered up - him in a cape, whilst she had a thick coat butoned up covering most of her face. It was very odd, as there'd been no rain at all and none was expected. They must have been boiling.