LEJOG Day 15 Inverness to Shrewsbury

So now the long train journey home and some final thoughts

Before we rode off from Lands End I was more than a little nervous about 14 successive days cycling and whether or not I'd done enough training

In the event I needn't have worried, but apparently that slightly nervous feeling is typical for LEJOGgers. My ability to ride each day, and all 14, exceeded my most optimistic expectations

So I had done enough training, and Shropshire hills and flat were absolutely the right training preparation. My legs held up to the end, my bottom was no more sensitive than after a hard day on the organ stool and I cycled all the hills, without feet touching tarmac once

I also had a brilliant bike, the only non-road bike in the group, the only bike pedals without cleats and the only flat bar cycle. This bike was apparently a "revelation" and "the most suited" to the ride of all 13

And I was determined to do it, and fly whenever the roads, gradient and wind let me - and I did!  Do not underestimate the power of positive thinking and determination

The breadth of scenery was astonishingly memorable, from the cornish coast and ferries, to Dartmoor, to the Somerset levels, over the Severn, on to the Marches and lovely Shropshire hills, through Bowland and the Lake District fells and finally into Scotland and the highlands and lochs - and all over just a14 day period. This was sensory overload big time and it really all is a bit of a blur

The weather tried and failed to upset the ride. Yes we were drenched more than once, and got filthy looks turning up to accommodation looking like drowned cats, but we survived and went on into clear and sunny days

Would I do it again? Probably, but there's lots more biking to do, so not immediately (in 10 years time........)

I think this challenge also struck a chord (literally!) as the combination of 1000 cycling miles in 14 days, and 4 organ recitals, was mad enough to spark interest. The organ playing was for me an essential part of the challenge; after all it was all about raising money for the Abbey Organ Fund - which for me is an exceptionally important project

This challenge is over...........or is this a beginning?  I am going to try and keep up this level of fitness and will keep on cycling!!

Thank you for reading my daily blog. It's been a great feeling to know that I have had so much support

Nigel
25 August 2019

LEJOG Day 14 Bettyhill to JOG

50 miles, 2595' ascent, 3 1/2 hrs ride time, cum 1006 miles

We reached John O' Groats at about 1.15 PM today. Wow. 1006 miles in 14 days

Fizzy wine, pics, medals, handshakes and hugs all round. The team of 13 plus guide Paul had made it

And one of our group, Octogenarian Brian now holds the record for the fastest LEJOG ride by someone in their 80s. Deservedly he has had widespread media interest and the complete and affectionate respect of the whole group. It was Brian who led our group pellaton to the finish line, and it was Brian who put in a last day sprint to leave the rest of the group way behind

The last 50 miles started hilly ((typical coast route thought I, with flat sections before plunging down to the next cove, then up again), and suggested it was going to be a tougher ride than expected. But after our morning brew stop at 22m it flattened out, but throughout there was cross wind (southerly)(never trust a cross wind) and road surfaces as bad as we'd seen in recent days

At mile 46 we paused to regroup and form a pellaton (to the annoyance of some impatient drivers) for the final assault

Really chuffed to have made it, without any mishap, with no punctures or mechanical problems, and having cycled up all the hills - no feet on tarmac at all

I'll write more about this tomorrow in a final blog for Day 15. So now it's time for a celebratory curry!

LEJOG Day 13 Invergordon to Bettyhill

78 miles, 3064' ascent, 5 1/2 hours ride, cum 955 miles

I've reached the north coast of Scotland, at Bettyhill. What a great sense of achievement at having got to this coast line, but there's still 50 miles east to JOG!

It was a terrific days cycling and after the slight blues of yesterday, I went really well and my star Sirrus bike again behaved perfectly

The weather too played it's part. Yes, there was the usual westerly cross wind, strong at times, but rarely did it hit us in the face, and the final 30m downhill from the Crask Inn were positively wind assisted

The morning saw us gradually ascend the first hill, then descend to Bonner Bridge. There was then a long gradual ascent to the remote Crask Inn for lunch. By now the landscape was vast, open and moorland bleak, and I did spot a couple of deer in the distance

Crask Inn is pub, shop and church, with soup and sandwiches for the hungry cyclists. I couldn't resist trying out the harmonium with a rendition of "The Wheels of the Bike go round and round"

Then the 30 mile descent - exhilarating!  -  to the coast and the Bettyhill Hotel where a celebratory scone, cream and jam seemed to have been earned

So we've 50 miles to go, easy I'm told, and hopefully another trouble free ride!  Whether we cycle in together remains to be seen, but the adventure overall has been brilliant and I'll be really chuffed to get there safely and in top shape. Fingers and toes crossed!

LEJOG Day 12 Fort Augustus to Invergordon

61 miles, 3645' ascent, 4 3/4 hours ride, cum 878 miles

Another really good day's cycling and I arrived in Invergordon (on Cromerty Firth) in good shape

It was a shorter day than most others, so easier and after an initial 5 mile climb, and fast downhill to Loch Ness it was undulating (some sharp pulls) or flat. It was quite windy, so the squall on the way up the first climb was very unwelcome, and crossing the Kessock bridge was interesting. There were real waves on Loch Ness and the conditions clearly encouraged an air sea rescue team to practice rough water pick up technique

The final wind-assisted ride along Cromerty was just great and the estuary views terrific in good weather

But dear blog reader, I have two confessions to make

First, every crank of the pedal takes me further north in the UK than I've ever been before!  Previously I'd got as far as Inverness (walking the Great Glen Way) but no further. Now I can see what I've been missing and will return

Second confession is that I had a little mental wobble just after lunch. It was a bit like a marathon wall, only less so. There still seemed a long way to go; my feet were damp and cold from the squally hill top weather; the hills seemed hillier, and the straight roads longer; maybe tiredness and some aches creeping in on day 12

So I gave myself a talking to, dropped to a slightly more easier pootling-along speed, thought about how much has been achieved in 12 days and how little distance relatively there is to JOG, and worked through it

And arrived in great heart here in Invergordon, with only one long ride to go - tomorrow - to get to the north coast

JOG on Saturday!

LEJOG Day 11 Tyndrum to Fort Augustus

81 miles, 2805' ascent, 5 3/4 hours ride, cum 817 miles

Amazing highland scenery!

It was another day of two halves. The weather forecast predicted a front coming across in the middle of the day, and that's what happened

So we had a clear morning for the ride up to Glencoe mountains, and for the long fast descent to Glencoe village and on to Fort William. The scenery was just spectacular, and the drama of these mighty hills was enhanced by clinging wisps of cloud.  I thought the experience of all of this was better than when we walked a similar route on the West Highland Way.

Beyond Fort William the route climbed above the Calendonian Canal with a clear view of cloudless Ben Nevis in all its drama, cloud free ominously a predictor of weather on the way

And so it was. From the Speen Bridge memorial for the final 20 miles it was damp, then wet, then wetter. Bike and rider were soaked before our arrival at the Fort Augustus bed and breakfast

But what a great days scenic cycle ride and we were so lucky to have been able to ride the route and see the immense hills in clear weather

LEJOG Day 10 Larkhall to Tyndrum

78 miles, 2303' ascent, 6 1/4 hrs ride, cum 737 miles

So here we are in Tyndrum, in the Trossachs. Astonishing to think that a week ago we had just arrived in Wells on day 3. A week later and we're up here in Scotland, with Glencoe and Fort William tomorrow

It's been a day of two halves. We began today with urban cycling, through Hamilton and then towards and through the centre of Glasgow. The group cycled together, led by guide Paul, as route finding wasn't easy. The traffic wasnt bad but we were on the lookout for dogs, pedestrians and glass!

Cycleways took over as we left the Distillery brew stop (not tempted) and canals were followed. Eventually we rolled into Balloch for a cafe stop lunch

The afternoon was stunning. Amazing views of Loch Lomond and then Ben Lomond before we ascended up into the Trossachs, temperature dropping

A terrific afternoon, good day and a real sense of getting-there achievement

Not sure how fortunate weather-wise we will be tomorrow. Glencoe in the wet will be atmospheric but much better if dry!

LEJOG Day 9 Gretna to Larkhall

77 miles, 3711' ascent, 6h ride time, cum 658 miles

This was a slog!

Not a difficult day gradient wise, but long straight roads distant views but few points of interest (I thought)

This was Test by Wind and Test by Road Surface

Yesterday, the cross wind helped us on some of the hills. Today's blustery westerly cross wind veered from left front to front and made for hard work. I decided you just can't trust a cross wind

And then there was the road surface. Well I thought Shropshire roads had too many pot holes, but up here the whole road surface is often bobbly, or rough, or just uneven. Hands and bottom were constantly battered and that made for slow going. Even the occasional cycle paths were rarely any better.

So it was a relentless slog, only made better by the views of the hills north west of Moffat, and knowing that tonight's hotel was getting nearer!

But at least the showers held off, mostly!

In the evening it was my fourth and last recital, in Hamilton. There was an enthusiastic and generous group of people and I enjoyed the playing part of the challenge.

Tomorrow we pass through Glasgow heading ever further north

LEJOG Day 8 Kendal to Gretna

72 miles, 4295' ascent, 5hrs 50 riding, cum 581 miles

A better day, ending with us crossing over into Scotland

The scenery was stunning.  Passing through Lake District fells and lakes - familiar to me as a Wainwright bagger, but unfamiliar from the saddle - then over the Cauldbeck Fells with no-one in sight and some fast downhill runs to the delight of our 81 fellow adventurer, Brian. Finally we crossed over into Scotland with the inevitable photo shoot

But it was another day of Test by Weather. We expected showers, but in the Lake District (the wettest part of England so what did we expect!) showers can often mean proper continual and even torrential rain, of the very wet variety!  So we arrived to our lunch near Bassenthwaite drenched and so cold that my hands wouldn't hold the coffee cup - which was supposed to be the essential part of warming up

But it did partially clear up and it was proper showers and some sun as we headed over to Carlisle and on to Gretna. Gloves dried out then got soaked again!

So a really good day overall and tomorrow we head along the line of the M74 towards Glasgow and my 4th and final recital in Hamilton

LEJOG Day 7 Leigh to Kendal

79 miles, 6870' ascent, 6 3/4 hrs riding

Now in Kendal. Gateway to the southern Lake District fells and lakes, and where Wainwright worked, but finding the time to write his astonishingly detailed guides to the fells

We were promised a hard day, and that's what we had. Yesterday was test by weather; today was test by hill. I think it was probably the hardest day so far. There were hills, undulating routes, a sharp westerly cross wind and lumpy road surfaces

One hill - Cross of Greet - is in the official list of 100 cycle climbs. Long and steady but actually less hard than the Burway.

As this was an evening recital day, I also had that as a time pressure, knowing I needed to get to the hotel in time to change, shower and go to the Parish Church

But the scenery and views!  Just stunning and lovely to draw near again to the high ground of the Lake District

Evening recital at Kendal Parish Church went well, with a good local audience, and some great feedback. A tough mainly French programme to round off a tough day!

LEJOG Day 6 Shrewsbury to Leigh

72 miles, 1667' ascent, 5 3/4 hrs riding

Well we were promised a 'day off' as this was billed as a relatively flat, easy day

And so it was, until lunch!  It was a day of two halves and two seasons

Tailwind assisted it was a great morning's ride heading north from Shrewsbury, on quiet good surface roads.  We thought we were cheating the weather although rain was ominously starting as we got near to lunch east of Chester

But the next 30 miles were character building: continuous, often heavy rain, busy roads, a canal towpath needing pedalos not road bikes, and creeping cold!  Others in the group had an even tougher time with multiple punctures and problems route finding

Hopefully all today's experiences will be forgotten as we head up to the southern lakes and, yes, more hills!

LEJOG Day 5 Hereford to Shrewsbury

68 miles, 3940' ascent, 5 hrs 20 ride

Tour organiser Darren said that this was to be a rest day!!  By that he meant it was a much easier day than the first four

Then he said that on day 5 legs often start to ache a bit, as his clients often haven't cycled five consecutive days

Well I can say that it wasn't as hard as the first four days, but easy - no.  Fantastic Marches scenery - yes. Aching legs - yes, but not too bad although the long pull up to Shelve from Bishops Castle was tough on tiring limbs

For me the cycling highlight was gradually picking out Shropshire Hills and increasingly familiar landscape, and being able to share the fabulous views eith fellow adventurers, on a great sunny day

The route was basically north from Hereford, through the black and white villages and up and over to the Clun valley, then north to Pontesbury and, for me a diversion to take me home

And tonight it was my second recital, on the very familiar organ in the Abbey, with an enthusiastic and supportive audience!

So lots of highs on a lovely Marches day, but tomorrow looks to be wet wet wet!!

LEJOG day 4 Wookey Hole to Hereford

78 miles, 3714' ascent, 6 hrs 20m ride

Today the ride was long but less challenging than yesterday. The weather was today's challenge!

Now I'm not quite a fair weather walker - if there's no choice ok, otherwise prefer not!  I don't go along with "There's no such think as bad weather.......just the wrong kit".  The same goes for cycling, and I can confirm that once you're wet, you can't get wetter, just colder!!

So today it was full wet weather gear, including a first outing (successful!) for my new over shoes. Everyone was drenched by the time we got to the pre-Bristol brew stop, and it was a quick stop. By the time we got to lunch at Tintern, it was still very wet. However it did then brighten up and by the time we rolled into the hotel at Hereford, it was almost summery!  But we survived, and spirits were high. All good practice for the next drenching in a couple of days time

Today's highlights included Clifton, crossing on the Severn Bridge ("interesting" in the cross wind) and the Wye Valley. And the final quick descent to the hotel was terrific

Better weather for tomorrows easier ride, back to familiar territory

LEJOG Day 3 Moretonhampstead to Wookey Hole

83 miles, 4908' ascent, 6 1/4 hours cycling

A long ride - the furthest I've ever gone in a day - hilly, but not as hard a test as yesterday

I was Billy no Mates today. I needed to get to the end by about 4.30 in order to eat and turn round for the first of the four recitals

But breakfast was clearly going to overrun so I decided to set off well before everyone else, and have shorter breaks. And it worked because I rolled into the hotel at 4.00. Although all my training rides have been just me, it was a strange feeling and I'm not sure whether or not I made better progress riding alone. Certainly there was no team encouragement, or slip streaming or banter, all of which do help pass the miles!

Lovely section today up and along the Blackdown Hill. Showery early on then turned into a lovely day. Passing through Wells was interesting and full of meandering tourists

And then it was back down the road to Wells St Cuthberts for the first of four recitals. Great to get some enthusiastic support and cash in the jar. Fingers were fine but legs a bit more reluctant to play accurately than usual!!

Hereford tomorrow and some really wet conditions, so a testing day again

LEJOG 2 St Austell to Moretonhampstead

69 miles, 6563' ascent and 6 1/4 riding hours

So a tough day. Some say it's the toughest of all 14 days. But what a feeling to have dropped down to the village, having enjoyed (yes! Enjoyed!) such a challenging day. What a great feeling it was to come to the northern edge of Dartmoor and see Moretonhampstead in the near distance, in sunshine and downhill. I decided I just had to remember that feeling of elation for future challenging days

It was a day of two halves. First, heading east across the Cornish cost with great seascape views and a very undulating route to the Tamar and ferry across to Devon. Lunch was overlooking the estuary below The Hoo with fab sunny views. At that point we'd cycled 37 hilly miles. Then it was a complicated exit from Plymouth, up the Plyn (?) valley and finally up Dartmoor. After a brew stop there was the roller coaster traverse of the Moor - lots of sharp ups and downs, before the final descent and well deserved shower!

A great day, in great weather. I hope theres enough energy in the tank to get me the 80 miles to Wookey Hole tomorrow, and the first of my four short recitals.

LEJOG 1 Lands End to St Austell

60 miles, 5000' ascent and just under 5 hrs riding

Well it's such a great feeling to have ridden to St Austell - finally to have started LEJOG after all the preparation and training, finally to have decided what to wear and carry on the bike, to have managed not to wear gear inside out (breakfast observation pointed out that error!) and yes!, to confirm I can do it!  And all those training rides around the Shropshire lanes and hills seem to be paying off.

After the obligatory mass photoshoot at Lands End, we cycled (wind assisted) back to Penzance and snacks with views of St Michael's Mount. Then undulating roads to what we're told is the best lunch stop of the tour - the tastiest egg sandwiches ever - down to the ferry, across to the Roseland peninsula and off towards St Austell. Even a downpour just before/after afternoon brew didnt dampen spirits and we eventually ascended to our overnight stop just before 4.00

Spent much of the day behind/alongside/in front of the 81 cycling inspiration so I'm not the oldest by a long chalk. A lovely, supportive group of 13 adventurers bodes well for the next 13 days!!

Tomorrow Dartmoor!!

LEJOG day 0

All of a sudden, and months after booking up for this challenge, I'm on the way.  This is a 5 1/2 hours train ride from Birmingham to Penzance where the group of 13 challengees meet for the first time, and get briefed by Pedal Britain. Tomorrow morning we are transferred to Lands End, about face and then pedal to St Austell and the far tip of Scotland

How do I feel? A bit excited (yes, despite that calm exterior!!), very much looking forward to the next 14 days, but a bit nervous too. Each day's ride is now well within my post-training competence, but 14 successive days is the challenge - legs and posterior beware! - plus the added challenge of a different sort of pedalling on days 3, 5,  7 and 9. But it's a great cause, with long overdue Organ renovation next year, and hopefully that thought will spur me on!!

One week to go

In 7 days time I will be at Lands End, with bike Sirrus and 15 other adventurers, about to set off on my 14 day cycling challenge to John O'Groats

Yes, this is a big personal challenge and I don't know how well I will cope with long successive days of pedalling. On the way there will be highs and lows, lots of ups and downs, sun and rain, café stops and organ playing. 

Through this blog (daily hopefully) I will tell the story of the two weeks and share the experience. Through this challenge I hope to raise the profile of Shrewsbury Abbey's potentially magnificent organ and raise much needed money to go towards it's long overdue renovation and completion