Day 8 - 30th Sept

First of all I want to thank everyone again for their very generous donations, it is much appreciated and i hope to thank each of you at some point! I have passed the target, so thank you again.
So today it was Farewell Scotland, Hello England! Almost home....Well, 712km down, about 850km left, but at least that's one country done. Hurrah!
Now I don't know what the recommended sights of Carlisle are (I didn't stop), but I can say that the roadsign "The South" was a thing of beauty and celebration! The euphoria lasted only until the first Cumbriam hill shortly after leaving town but these were satisfying moments.
So a recap, surprises, good and bad about Scotland? I was looking forward to the Scottish section the most, seemed to have the most potential for the unknown and adventure.
Good surprises: highland and lochs scenery more impressive than expected, particularly up through Glen Coe; haggis (particularly for breakfast) and road surfaces (nice of the Europeans to fund up north) 
Not so good: windy and exposed Caithness, Scottish bar hours (I am trying to sleep bah humbug), apparent shortage of pasta (only extra creamy cheesy lasagne available just about everywhere), Clydebank in Lycra, quite alot of places did look quite rundown.
Overall a good tour - thank you Scotland.
So Dumfries to Penrith today, 88km, ave 19.9km; knee has improved alot-  ok its still rather large - but it held up well, having successfully employed my new peculiar cycling technique. Now cutting out scenic diversions - straight down the A roads - let's just get there!
PS I've found the easiest job in the world - forecasting Scottish weather. Every single day, no matter where I was, the forecast on my day of travel was "light rain". The rest of the BBC 5 day forecast is probably random (sun, heavy rain, blizzards etc), but when you get there - it'll be light rain. It may rain, mostly it didn't, it'll just be rather grey. But don't get me wrong, I was happy, it could have been alot worse.

Sept 30th morning

Knee improving. Can't wait to get back on the road this morning. Day target to be assessed at lunchtime, England here I come!

Day 7 - 28th Sept

Awoke to find that I could barely walk, any bending of the knee being very painful- I was increaingly worried that I wouldn't make Dumfries, today's reduced target, let alone Lands End. Local pharmacy's recommended XXX painkillers made no difference (poor advice).
However, I found that with the addition of ibuprofen (thanks Claud) plus a new cycling style which I'm sure looks quite ridiculous to the cars passing me, I was able to get to Dumfries in good time. I basically only pedal when standing up and keep the right leg as straight as possible, with maximum free wheeling. Anyway, thanks to a Dumfries GP I now have some stronger anti-inflamatory drugs. He inevitably recommended 48hrs minimum feet up to stop longer recovery being necessary. Bit of a dilema, but given the knee is clearly badly inflamed I've decided to take tomorrow as a cycle rest day and back in the saddle Wednesday when hopefully some cycling normality will return!
Rather frustrating given no fitness or other problems, but after yesterday and the difficult start today I'm relieved I can continue in good time.
Stats: 77km, 19.8km/h ave, ironically the fastest average due i think to standing / higher gears to minimise pedelling!
  

Day 6 - 27th Sept

Made it to Cumnock, south of Glasgow, as planned although quite painful as right knee playing up, hopefully better tomorrow (more drugs!) or may need to rest it a day.
Stopped at Clydebank shopping centre this morning to get some Nurofen gel in Boots and I was clearly an unusual sight in these parts - all were staring, particularly the males - don't think they approved of the lycra... I made a hasty exit, and kept going on to Glasgow (along the Forth & Clyde Canal, with its interesting industrial heritage) and then headed south - decided not to stop for lunch particularly when I saw the signposts for the Gorbals and the looks I was getting generally throughout the city!
Didn't like the look of the planned accommodation, so just kept cycling and found a very nice relaxed hotel down the road instead - being a bit more selective these days!
Stats: 105km, ave 16.4km/h     

Day 5 - 26th Sept

Last of the Highlands and lochs so great scenery and the advantage of being more downhill than up! Stayed in Balloch after cycling across Rannoch Moor and through the Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park.
After 5 days it's going to plan so far and spirits remain high.
Bike holding up well, so my mechanical skills not yet tested thankfully.
Biggest challenges currently are my knees which generally complain in the afternoon so I try to keep the gears low and evening ice packs seem to help (thanks Lou), and Joint Aid and arnica too probably (thanks Duncan, Betty!). Also I have a habit of finding noisy accommodation - I managed to pick "band night" last night in this town pub (it's bank holiday weekend so town is full) but tiredness and ear plugs saw me through this time (and always ask for the quietest room!)..
Favourite amusing moment of the day: at breakfast American lady asks for cafe creme for her tea; elderly waitress response "ooh noo ye canna do that, it'll be undrinkable!" and proceeded to share this "unprecedented" request with the rest of the restaurant - er, customer always right? Not in the middle of Rannoch Moor!
Stats: 95km, 18.5km/h. Glasgow next, my first visit.

Day 4 - 25th Sept

Good day's ride from Fort Augustus down through the Great Glen (lochs) then down and across from Fort William to the Kings House Hotel (a basic hikers lodge) just over the top of Glen Coe - fantastic setting and scenery on the way up. Missed Ben Nevis (raining) but I was told that I did pass Jimmy Savile's place(!). The big climb was eastward, which meant I had my first tailwind - much appreciated!
The day didn't actually start that well, or rather yesterday end that well. I had found the Richmond House Hotel on the Internet and thought ah yes, "boutique hotel". After escaping the friendly but very annoying Canadian my "hotel" turned out, these days, to be the locals rowdy pub - seemed to be rave night, with the last of the revellers ejected at 2am. Vowed to dble check future accommodation!
In the morning, I was ready for the "did you sleep well" question. I suggested to a (the) fellow guest (suspected protagonist) that it had been a big night in the bar.. Now I don't know whether the hotel proprieter overheard but when I tried to pay she very kindly donated the whole B&B bill to my charity. I like to think the two are not connected!
Stats: 98km, 8am to 5pm today, all about the same now, though I do tend to stop for quite a few photos and the all important snack breaks, lunch etc. 

Day 3 - 24th

Very pleasant day. Pressure off today as only 68km planned, with lunch with Dad and Betty on shores of Loch Ness. Great scenery over a bit of, well, highland I suppose, after Beauly and down along Loch Ness (waves looked better for surfing than boating, but I decided to push on).
Real signs of civilisation now, with pleasant villages, nice Latte at Drummadrochit, less dead sheep on the roadside and I can now understand the hotel proprieters (albeit all have been very friendly to be fair).   
Found a very nice pub for dinner this eve here in damp Fort Augustus, unfortunately had to leave after an hour (which proved the day's trickiest task) to escape the Canadians and Americans (here to spot Nessie I assume)- I want to plan tomorrow's route, not become an expert on anchors on Royal Navy frigates!!!  The unexpected hazards of being a lone traveller I suppose.
The body is holding up. The knees have been protesting for the last two days but better today - I am assuming therefore that they will make it!
100km day tomorrow into Ben Nevis and Glencoe NP - I don't have contours on my AA road atlas, but I suspect that Wimbledon Hill training could be called upon...
Good luck to Claudia on the Study drinks evening, you'll be great.

Day 2 - 23rd

Made it to Dingwell, just north west of Inverness - on track! Still a strong headwind but certainly not yesterday's constant battle to stay upright thankfully. It's actually quite mild and no real rain, which is great - even took in the Coastal scenery.
Nice thing about the trip is cyclists' camaraderie, be it passing on the road or at lunch/evening stops - for example last night within a minute of me entering the hotel two LEJOG cyclists had a pint in my hand - I clearly looked in need!
Latest update: didn't keel over after my pint tonight - encouraging sign of improved fitness surely!
Looking forward to heading down Loch Ness tomorrow en route to the western coast.
Anorak stats: 95km, ave. 16km/h (well, it's better than yesterday's 14km/h!), 5:53hrs saddle time.

Day 1 - evening

Made it to Helmesdale! Well, that was harder than expected - the wind (gusting to 50mph apparently) made it feel like cycling 90km up a steep hill. Pretty tired, looking forward to a calmer day tomorrow - please!

Day 1 - morning posting

Arrived safely in Wick yesterday, as did the gear, met up with Dad and managed to successfully re-assemble the bike, to much relief.  No sign of threatened rain, but wind picking up ominously. As usual Dad claimed I had just missed (Scotland's elusive) the "t-shirt and shorts" weather.
Martin - survived lunch in Wick!
John O'Groats has had better days, they don't even leave the "Lands End x miles" sign up anymore as it keeps getting nicked.  Met a couple of LE to JOG victorious cycle parties, who weren't groaning too much but no sign of anyone going the other way yet...

Day 1 22nd
Woke early - not sure whether due to eager anticipation, or the howling wind outside. Blowing straight up the road - and I'm going down it!
However, couldn't wait to get started and am able to update blog as I pass through Wick again on the way south. Wind is making it a bit of a battle - haven't had to do much peddling downhill before, but am in very good spirits!

Day 0

On my way to Gatwick! Bike nicely packed up in a box in several pieces, hopefully BA and Loganair have room (no guarantees from Loganair helpfully) and the bike makes it to Wick too!

Current itinerary

I have had requests for the itinerary in case people are able to join me for sections. Very happy to discuss, there is some flexibility here etc. Please see below the planned destinations each day and approx. km - rather draft at this stage...

September
21st John O'Groats
22nd Helmsdale 82
23rd Dingwall 105
24th Fort Augustus 66
25th Kings House Hotel (in the Glen Coe / Ben Nevis national park) 98
26th Balloch / Loch Lomond 92
27th Cumnock 110
28th Gretna 117
29th Garsdale Head (edge of Yorkshire Dales) 110
30th Addingham (the Wards'!) 93

October
1st Warrington 106
2nd Telford 99
3rd Cheltenham 112
4th Bath 72
5th Taunton 83
6th Mortenhampstead 82
7th Widegates (Mum!) 69
8th Portleven 96
9th Lands End 69 Widegates

Training update

Weather yesterday was a more likely example of what to expect - wet. A good chance to test out how waterproof the kit is. Fortunately I had mud guards added in the morning, as my sticky tape idea was clearly of no use whatsoever.
But once it started bucketing down I'd only made it from one side of Wimbledon to the other before I realised that wearing shorts in continuous chilly rain is going to get pretty unpleasant, pretty quickly. So a further bike shop later and I was fully kitted out - waterproof trousers, new gore tex hi vis jacket, shoe covers and gloves. Now ready for anything! A further hour (via Fulham - most bike shops not yet stocked for winter) and a half in pouring rain confirmed it all pretty much worked, panniers dry too.
Then, just to finish off the day as I was heading home having had quite enough of the rain I got my first puncture, in Richmond Park (I have never seen it so empty, other than the rivers of water), - just typical. Much to my relief, a successful tube change, but it does pay to know where your tools and parts are when it's aining!
Managed 60km today, felt fine. Should have time for a couple of hours weds and thurs and then it's bike assembly practice time and the all important pre-trip rest period, not long now...
Hope this is readable, it's a test from the iPhone.

Weather forecast - could be better...

Monday means the eagerly awaited BBC long range weather forecast is updated, and the first view of the weather for the first week in Scotland next week - all very exciting. For the last two weeks Scotland has had better weather than the summer – a rare period of calm - can it hold? Er, no.

Quote: “Monday 21 September 2009 to Sunday 27 September 2009. Atlantic weather back as pressure drops a long way. In short, a fairly typical set-up for the UK with strong winds, rain and near normal temperatures in the north” and pleasant in the south east, etc etc etc. Great!

It’s going to be fun.

Bad Hair Day

Cannot believe I agreed to a "number 3" haircut at the Wilmer-Miles salon to boost their donation. Amy and Thomas a little shocked after the deed was done Sunday afternoon: "Will it grow back?" - I certainly hope so, and fast! Claudia thought very amusing but "It is rather short isn't it?". All for a good cause, though I might need a beanie hat for the cycle now. I'll post a photo later...

First posting...some background

Background to the trip

I thought I’d start with a little background on the cycle trip – apologies to those that have already heard this. It all started when I was asked, quite some years ago, whether I had any interest in running a marathon. The answer was simple – alas no, unfortunately my knees are not up to it (phew!).

That was of course a rather pathetic answer on its own, and it was all too easy to add that, instead of a marathon, I do fancy cycling Lands End to John O’Groats one day, which I thought sounded more impressive….

Fast forward to today and I now have time for such a trip, for the first time in 15 years. I thought “it's now or never”, and given I might not be up to it in 15 years time, “now” it is! As Scottish weather tends to deteriorate quite rapidly once summer is over, I thought I had better get on with it. Claudia has kindly said that I should go for it, her mum Jutta is coming over to help with the kids for a week, and the flight to Wick got booked for the 21st September.

I am also undertaking the challenge for a very worthy cause, Street Child Africa, which is the leading UK charity devoted to helping street children across Africa. If you haven’t already done so, please visit my Just Giving web site www.justgiving.com/chrismichaelbrooks .Your donations will keep me going I’m sure.

Dates and routes

I fly up to Wick on 21st September and thanks to Dad will get a lift up to John O’Groats where we’ll stay. Then it's off from the “start line” on the 22nd September.

The plan is to get to Lands End in about two and a half weeks (or perhaps more accurately, this is the minimum!). The distance is expected to be just over 1,000 miles (1,600 km), averaging 60 miles/95 km a day, with some shortish days (meaning also some longish ones!) to allow for a good lunch here and there with family and friends along the way.

I have a route planned and booked accommodation for about a week ahead, but some flexibility will inevitably be needed given the potential for some rather unpleasant weather and my somewhat untested limbs and joints over such a distance! No rest days in the itinerary to try and fit it all in, but that may need to change. The beauty of the iphone/internet these days is that you don’t have to go around knocking on doors looking for accommodation any more – that’s the theory anyway.

The route is a fairly standard one with a couple of detours where I know the area. I started with a published LE to JOG guide (I seem to be in the minority going the other way – fingers crossed I don’t regret that – no nasty south westerly winds please!). The route tracks down the east coast of Scotland to Inverness, then across to the west coast along Lochs Ness, Lochy and Linnhe then through the Ben Nevis and Glen Coe and then Loch Lomond national park down to Glasgow. Then its south, taking the route to the west of the Pennines, skirting the Lake District and Yorkshire Dales (hopefully to stop off with Jess in Addingham) and along the border with Wales.

My friend Duncan will hopefully join me around Telford cycling south for the weekend before meeting our families for lunch near Bath. Then it’s through some old haunts in Somerset before Devon and Cornwall, with step-dad Louis joining me from around St.Austell for the final push. That’s the plan – let’s see what happens!

It’s a solo, "unsupported" trip, so I'll carry everything with me on the bike, but no, I will not take a tent – camping is a step too far! Although I’m not planning on taking too much stuff the bike is surprisingly heavy once the panniers, locks, water have all been added.

The training

Hmmm. My LEJOG guide suggest a 7 month training program. Now I had been doing the odd Wimbledon to City commute to work – it’s a start - and believe it or not Clapham is on a hill – but I suspect the commute is not particularly reflective of anticipated terrain.

The decision to go ahead with the trip was made in late July which gave me nearer 7 weeks excluding the last “warm down” week. Unfortunately the first 3 weeks consisted of our summer holiday in France and Italy (does “bulking up” on bread, cheese and red wine help)?

So that’s left about 4 weeks, and I’m not too sure where that’s gone, but I have managed 180 kms over the last 4 days, so I just need to double that, add in some hills, extra weight and probably bad weather and keep that going for 18 days – how hard can it be? The knees and back are holding up so far, thankfully.

More updates next week.