Well that was fun!
I had a week off my parenting duties last week so decided to use the time to increase my milage a bit.
The end to end ride has always appealed so i thought i would give it a go. I was offered a lift back from cornwall so went from north to south, light touring and staying at youth hostels on the way.
One taxi-plane-taxi-train-20 mile bike later and i arrived at JOG and a good nights sleep.
Day 1 was a windy (head/side) damp but pain free day to Aviemore.
Day 2 head wind in the morning then fog and rain and lost youth hostel in new lanark meant a late finish and knees and hands starting to 'twinge'
Day 3 was a mixture of heavy rain or light rain, gloves like sponges, knees now shot and a fun last 10 over the moor in Bowland forest in the driving rain and dark. Still i was in England.
Day 4 was a good day! Nurophened up into light rain but calm i set off toward the midlands. I met 2 lads who advised me that the A49 was a good way through the north. How right they were, the miles melted away and as i live in worcestershire i was home in enough time for a pint at my local. Shame about the last 50 miles of torrential rain, still once you are wet through you are wet through!
Day 5 lots of pain in my Knees, back, wrists and hands not to mention that i am by now wearing 2 pairs of cycling shorts! More nurofen. Steady ride down the A38 to bristol then a blustery head wind into Exeter.
Day 6 Still had the pain in my Knees, back, wrists and hands but now shocking pain in my right shin making hills very hard. Thank god i was in Cornwall!!!! Up down up down steep up steep down. The last 10 miles were good tho adrenaline pushing me to the end and a glorious sunset.
So 933 miles in a touch ( 11 min ) over 5 1/2 days. Would love to do it a bit slower, less busy roads and more touring and sightseeing. Maybe next time!!
I had a week off my parenting duties last week so decided to use the time to increase my milage a bit.
The end to end ride has always appealed so i thought i would give it a go. I was offered a lift back from cornwall so went from north to south, light touring and staying at youth hostels on the way.
One taxi-plane-taxi-train-20 mile bike later and i arrived at JOG and a good nights sleep.
Day 1 was a windy (head/side) damp but pain free day to Aviemore.
Day 2 head wind in the morning then fog and rain and lost youth hostel in new lanark meant a late finish and knees and hands starting to 'twinge'
Day 3 was a mixture of heavy rain or light rain, gloves like sponges, knees now shot and a fun last 10 over the moor in Bowland forest in the driving rain and dark. Still i was in England.
Day 4 was a good day! Nurophened up into light rain but calm i set off toward the midlands. I met 2 lads who advised me that the A49 was a good way through the north. How right they were, the miles melted away and as i live in worcestershire i was home in enough time for a pint at my local. Shame about the last 50 miles of torrential rain, still once you are wet through you are wet through!
Day 5 lots of pain in my Knees, back, wrists and hands not to mention that i am by now wearing 2 pairs of cycling shorts! More nurofen. Steady ride down the A38 to bristol then a blustery head wind into Exeter.
Day 6 Still had the pain in my Knees, back, wrists and hands but now shocking pain in my right shin making hills very hard. Thank god i was in Cornwall!!!! Up down up down steep up steep down. The last 10 miles were good tho adrenaline pushing me to the end and a glorious sunset.
So 933 miles in a touch ( 11 min ) over 5 1/2 days. Would love to do it a bit slower, less busy roads and more touring and sightseeing. Maybe next time!!