At last, Lands End

Day Fourteen

From Boscastle To Lands End
Distance Travelled: 75 miles
Ave speed: 11.7 mph
Max speed: 34.2 mph
Weather: Sunny spells
Cycling time: 6 hours 22 mins
Total Distance so far: 951 miles

At just after 3.00pm on Saturday we finally made it to Lands End, to a great welcome from our families.

We had left Boscastle that morning at 5.45am. Our progress for the first 40mins was very slow as there is only one way out of Boscastle – up! Once over the top things got better and we enjoyed the first hour down to Wadebridge on relatively quiet roads.

After breakfast though it was a different matter as the holiday traffic began to build up, and when we hit the A30, the road turned into a continuous roller coaster. There is little enjoyment in the downhills, when you know that it only means another uphill.

But we where nearly home, and after lunch in Hayle, we took on the final miles (again these could have been flatter) to our end point. It was a fantastic feeling cycling those last few minutes down to Lands End.

For the statisticians amongst you, the final stats for our whole journey were as follows:
From John o’Groats to Lands End
Total Distance Travelled: 951miles
Ave Speed: 11.9 mph
Total cycling time: 75 hrs 36mins
Punctures: 5 (Rob – 3; Shaun – 2)

We will put down some memories of the past two weeks in a few days, but for now we are just savouring how far we have come, and what a wonderful experience we have had together.

Finally, we would like to pass on our grateful thanks to everyone who has sponsored us; to everyone who has offered support and told us we were made mad; to everyone we have met on the way who took an interest in what we were doing and encouraged us; to everyone who helped us at our overnight accommodation; and finally to our families who were happy for us to take our two week summer holiday in this way
R&S

Cream Teas in Deven

Day Thirteen

From Lynton To Boscastle
Distance Travelled: 68 miles
Ave speed: 11.3 mph
Max speed: 33.4 mph
Weather: Sunny spells and overcast
Cycling time: 6 hours 00 mins
Total Distance so far: 876 miles

Breakfast at 8am. Left at 8.50am. The only way out of Lynton is up! After a tough first hour to Barnstable we picked up a nice flat cycle path (the Tarka Trail) an old railway line which links Barnstaple to Bideford.

On leaving Bideford half way up a big hill Rob stopped to catch his breath. Strangely, it was right outside a pastie shop. Shaun said “fancy lunch?” Rob said “Too right!”. So we stopped for lunch!

After joining the A39, we rode down to Bude, stopping off for a ‘cream tea’ on the way. In the tea shop we got chatting to a couple who were the grand parents of a Ali West. Well could you believe it Shaun only taught him at Imberhorne (East Grinstead) and was even in his tutor group! Anyway we set off for Boscastle, up and down we went like yo yo’s and eventually arrived at the newly refurbished youth hostel (due to the floods of 2004) at 5.15pm.

We had great service from the staff at the tourist information centre, who gave us good advice on how we should get out of Boscastle with as little pain as possible and allowed us to upload our blog.

Tomorrow is our final day. We cannot believe we have come this far. But sitting here in the Cobweb inn in Boscastle, on our final night we feel really tired, proud, thoughtful and really looking forward to getting to Lands end tomorrow.

Big hills in North Devon

Day Twelve

From Cheddar To Lynton
Distance Travelled: 70 miles
Ave speed: 10.6 mph
Max speed: 36.1 mph
Weather: Hot and sunny
Cycling time: 6 hours 33 mins
Total Distance so far: 808 miles

Another fantastic morning, sunny with blue skys. We left the hostel in good spirits soon after 8.30am and had a good ride down to Bridgewater.

As we were passing through Bridgewater, we had a lucky escape. A screw connecting Shaun’s pannier to the frame worked itself loose, which had to be fixed to avoid any damage. Fortunately we were right outside a Focus DIY store. Although they could’nt help, we were pointed in the direction of the nearest Halfords –400m up the road, where we were served by a very helpful technician, who not only fixed the problem, but gave our bikes a quick look over.

Next onto Minehead – 20 miles of very busy rolling roads, doing our best to enjoy the stunning scenery. But it is difficult on narrow busy roads due to concentration! We decided to treat ourselves to some chips on Minehead seafront for lunch as we new what was coming in the afternoon. Shear pain!

As we got ready to head for Porlock Hill (which is a 1:4 long drag) you could tell both of us went quiet trying to prepare ourselves for the task ahead. But as we reached Porlock Hill we spotted a toll road which goes over the Hill but not 1:4. So we decided to take the toll road! It went up and up and up for 4.2 miles ...ouch! The scenery was again was fantastic looking back across Porlock Weir and the Bristol channel.

We then headed for Lynmouth and Lynton across the rolling countryside of Devon. What goes up must come down and it certainly did down to Lynmouth. Brakes on for most of the way, we could smell the burning rubber of our brakes and that of the cars. When in Lynmouth we then had to decide whether to climb the half a mile up the 25% gradient hill to Lynton or take the scenic route around. ..We took the scenic route which after 65 miles seemed a long way and was very painful! But we have now hit the 800 mile mark.

The youth hostel was at the end of an long uphill drag which as you can imagin we really enjoyed! We ate at The Bridge Inn and both went to bed by 9am exhausted. 2 days to go!

Meeting a fellow Jogler

Day Eleven

From Slimbridge To Cheddar
Distance Travelled: 48 miles
Ave speed: 12.3 mph
Max speed: 38.1 mph (officially confirmed as a new land speed world record for Shaun)
Weather: Hot and sunny
Cycling time: 3 hours 52 mins
Total Distance so far: 738 miles

Not a particularly good nights sleep was had by either, and nothing to do with the previous evenings visit to the Tudor Arms. Our room had a sink which made some very strange gurgling noises throughout the night, and one stage we thought it was about to explode!

After a late breakfast (8.00am) we were soon on our way to Bristol. It was by far the best morning we have had so far weather wise. But unfortunately the A38 into and out of Bristol is a narrow road, and busy with lorries, that don’t seem to recognise the effect they have on cyclists. We will now both be more considerate to cyclists given our experience, and hope you will also think about this!!!

After making it through Bristol, (and for any Bristol City fans, we also passed by Ashton Gate), we had lunch at Sainsburys, before continuing on our way. A short while into our ride we were caught by another cyclist, called Kev, who was also on his way to LE. And it just so happened he had left JoG on the same day as us! Although his route had taken him down the east coast of Scotland. Kev told us he had met the man walking and drumming all the way from JoG to LE (we had heard the story in Scotland but weren’t sure we believed it until now). Kev headed South as we turned off for Cheddar, not knowing his next destination. Maybe we will see him again at LE.

As we waited to check in to our hostel, Shaun received an urgent message to contact a reporter who wanted to interview him for his local newspaper – The News (a local pompey paper). Apparently he has been nominated as ‘Hero of the week’, and they wanted to get an interview on our progress.

We dined in the garden of the Gardeners Arms in Cheddar (which unlike yesterday’s pub, has not received any awards).

The last two days have been good fun, mainly because we haven’t had to cycle great distances. Our thoughts have now begun to think about getting to the end which we are really excited about and the prospect of seeing our families again. But we know the next two days are going to be very hard because of the hills.

What a beautiful day

Day Ten

From Ludlow To Slimbridge
Distance Travelled: 57 miles
Ave speed: 13.6 mph
Max speed: 33.7 mph
Weather: Overcast
Cycling time: 4 hours 09 mins
Total Distance so far: 690 miles

After a well-deserved lie in (until 8.00am), we enjoyed a Little Chef Breakfast before setting off on our way. Despite being slightly jaded, we made good progress. We came across possibly the longest set of road works so far, and as we went on we came to realise traffic was only flowing in one direction, fortunately ours! At the end of the cones stood the foreboding figure of PC Neil James, put in place (on double time!) to prevent lorries from travelling through the works and sending back any LEJOG cyclists (which he had done). Fortunately we were going in the opposite direction, so he allowed us on our way!

We continued to make good progress with a tailwind and a favourable landscape, passing through a number of small villages before heading into the city of Gloucester. We understand your need for these blog updates, and recent technical problems (ie lack of internet connection in TL's) and our general fatigue have prevented us from keeping you up to date over past days. So we went in search of an internet connection. We had heard that Wetherspoon pubs have internet connections, so we went there first for lunch. Being on duty we only had soft drinks! We came across Doris and Ken who must have been drinking all afternoon and were 2 sheets to the wind. We politely answered their questions and moved on as the connection wasnt working.

Next it was to Starbucks, who were able to offer us the answer to our prayers and we quickly uploaded the last 4 days events. Unfortunately due to the recent floods the locals are still struggling with a limited water supply, all water has to be boiled first, and drinks can only be served in plastic glasses! Anyway we completed our task and set off for Slimbridge.

We arrived in Slimbridge in good time and came across the slim-bridge! We found our nights accommodation - the Youth Hostel, which just so happened to be right next door to the Gloucestershire pub of the year – the Tudor Inn (Excellent food). Rob sunk a few pints of Pigs Ear and went happily on his way to bed. A good day had by us both.

TTFN S&R

A costly mistake

Day : Nine

From Warrington To Ludlow
Distance Travelled: 94 miles!!!
Ave speed: 12.5 mph
Max speed: 34.9 mph
Weather: Sunny with a late heavy shower
Cycling time: 7 hours 29 mins
Total Distance so far: 633 miles

After breakfast at Asda, we were on the road by 8.45am. After a steady morning we made a mistake. The result was that our long day in the saddle was lengthened even further, as we took (for the first time) the wrong route, which in all, probably cost us a hour and an additional 10 miles. It was Shauns fault! No it was Robs Fault! No it was Shauns fault! No it was Robs fault! Actually we both missed the turning!

We were soon back on the right road, passing through Whitchuch, Wem (our lunch stop), Shrewsbury and Church Stretton and hitting the 600 mile mark. Fortunately the final 20 miles to Ludlow were downhill and we were able to make quick progress. Beacuse we were so tired we were unable to fully appreciate the beautiful town of Ludlow and we would definately like to go back to visit

For the second night we were in a travel lodge. We were joined at dinner by Alex Thompson from Rob’s work. Seeing Alex, again brought home how far we have actually come.

(PS..Looks like those german snipers have also got to this blog. Should be Ok now)

Lost in Warrington

Day : Eight

From Sedbergh To Warrington
Distance Travelled 81 miles
Ave speed 12.2 mph
Max speed 29.3 mph
Weather Warm and sunny
Cycling time 6 hours 39 mins
Total Distance so far 539 miles

After a great night out at the local curry house we set off for Warrington. The first 2 hours took us through some beautiful country side on a sunny morning. It must have been the North of Englands annual motor bike convention as 100s of hells angels kept speeding past us. Rob was really chuffed when he tried to keep up with one bike, (which he did successfully!) but I told him that was only a 5 year old boy out on his bike with his dad.

We continued our way down the country through Lancaster, Garstang, Preston and Wigan. Finally reaching Warrington just after a big Rugby League derby against Wigan in which Warrington won. Trying to find your accommodation in the middle of town when all the pubs are full with Rugby boys and spilling on to the roads with broken glass everwhere is not easy. We got sent in all directions trying to find the travel lodge until we came across a drunk Man City fan who when asked if he knew where the TL was replied. Yes its just there! He must have had 15 pints but gave us better directions than the three sober people we had asked.

It was Sunday night so we dined in style sitting outside the TL over looking Warrington Law Courts eating Pizza and drinking a couple of Buds. Apart from the first couple of hours it was not the most scenic of journeys today apologies to anyone who is from the North West.