Love is in the air

Day : Seven

From Lockerbie To Sedbergh
Distance Travelled 76 miles
Ave speed 11.1 mph
Max speed 33.1 mph
Weather Wet with a headwind
Cycling time 6 hours 48 mins
Total Distance so far 458 miles

Left Lockerbie just after 9.30. First stop Gretna, to record our arrival back in England.

We took a short cut today, along the A74, (which links the M74 and M6). Cyclists should be banned from this road as its too dangerous! We were pleased to see the sign 'non motorway traffic this way'

Through Carlisle, Penrith and climbed up to Shap where the weather set in for our last 2 hours. Wet and windy is not good news for your moral when you only have 20 miles left in the day.

We climbed and climbed looking for our turn off to Sedbergh. It must have been 20 minutes up this climb when both of us began to think we had missed the turn! We stopped to check the map and luckily Rob spotted our turning must be just ahead as Shaun was up for turning back (which would have been the wrong descision!). The rain was pelting down on the desend towards Sedbergh but we finally arrived at 6.30pm. Another long day in the saddle!


As it was Saturday evening, your boys went out for a couple of beers and a curry at the Taj Mahal!

A very hard day

Day : Six

From Glasgow To Lockerbie
Distance Travelled 77 miles
Ave speed 10.6 mph
Max speed 29.3 mph
Weather Wet and headwind
Cycling time 7 hours 12 mins
Total Distance so far 382 miles


Today has been a very tough day, we have been cycling for over seven hours and both are now feeling very tired - so please excuse us a few moans.

We left the flat at 7.00am, but our planned route very quickly went out the window, as we hadn’t taken into account the one-way systems. It seemed that every road we wanted to go up was one way! However we eventually found our way through to Hamilton, passing Hampden Park on the way.

After breakfast at Asda in Hamilton, where we received a very kind donation from a complete stranger, we headed south. We couldn’t understand why the ‘B’ road we were using, was so busy with lorries – that was until we saw the congestion on the motorway. We had a close encounters with at least a couple of lorries.

Leaving Hamilton and out into the rolling hills of the Lanarkshire countryside the condition of the road was very poor, and at times it felt as if we were off road.

Up until now our navigation has been pretty good, that was until Rob decided to try and take a short cut after a break at the service station! We were looking for the road to Abington (Scotland’s highest village) when Rob said “this way”. Shaun said no that’s the Motorway (M74) but Rob was sure it was not. We cycled up the slip road with the passing cars looking strangely at us. Shaun tried to tell Rob again but he was not having any of it and continued up the slip road. When we looked back and saw a string of trucks and cars flying past at 80 mph we knew we had to turn around!

After lunch we climbed some big hills up to 1000ft, and to make matters worse the weather took a turn for the worse. For most of the afternoon we were riding into a strong headwind and driving rain. Even as we descended from the hills we were peddling hard! It was not much fun. We finally arrived at Lockerbie just after 5.00pm feeling exhausted.

The good news though is having almost conquered Scotland, tomorrow we finally arrive back in England.

A shorter day with a lucky break

Day Five

From Tarbet to Glasgow
Distance Travelled 38 miles
Ave speed:11.8 mph
Max speed: 24.6 mph
Weather: Sunny intervals and light wind.
Cycling time :3 hours 11 mins
Total Distance so far: 305 miles

Having rested well and been well looked after by Jim at the Old Toll House at Tarbet, we left our B&B soon after 9.00am on the road to Glasgow.

We had a very enjoyable thirty minutes cycling along the banks of Loch Lomond, sun shining and feeling that everything was right with the world.

Until yet again we were hit by tyre problems. This time it brought the score to 3-2 as Shaun had his second puncture!

This was now getting quite worrying as it was again the back tyre, and there appeared to be no apparent reason. During the repairs the midges again descended in force and enjoyed a hearty breakfast on us!

Once back on the road we made good progress into the outskirts of Glasgow. It felt to both of us, quite strange to be out of the mountains and back in built up areas.

We picked up the cycle path to Glasgow that followed the Clyde, and were thinking about finding a Halfords to solve Shaun's mystery punctures, when quite by chance we came across a cycle shop - Magic Cycles. The owner kindly looked over the wheel and confirmed what we had thought, that there was no real reason. He said it was more than likely being caused by not enough pressure in the tyre, and a combination of luggage and bumpy roads. A new inner tube and tyres pumped up to the max, saw us on our grateful way.

A further 10 miles along the canal path saw us arrive in Central Glasgow. We quite easily found our destination, which was Rob's friend's flat near the University of Glasgow (thanks very much Dave for the use of your flat - shame you could'nt make the party - only joking we're too tired!)

We have an early start tomorrow, as we try and find our way through Glasgow, during the morning rush hour. And it looks like being wet!

Thanks for your comments - keep them coming its good to know you are following our adventure!

TTFN S&R

Mostly ups... and some downs

Day : Four

From Glen Nevis To Tarbet
Distance Travelled: 73 miles
Ave speed: 12.8 mph
Max speed: 32.6 mph
Weather: Sunny intervals and light wind. Getting warmer
Cycling time: 5 hours 40 mins
Total Distance so far: 267 miles

An early start today, off from the Hostel at 8.00am. Apparently the summer has arrived down south, but it hasn’t in Scotland! It rained constantly all night. The only consolation was that it stopped before we set off and it feels a bit warmer.

First stop was Morrisons (where else?) to stock up on our provisions. We have found a routine that works for us and it involves making sure we stop to eat every hour. So we have been carrying lots of food. Shaun is eating a lot of fruit, oat bars and biscuits, and Rob favours malt loaf and apricots!

The first 15 miles were fairly flat down to Ballachulish, which included us breaking through the 200 mile barrier for the trip. We stopped at Glencoe village before facing the mountains of Glen Coe. We were both prowling around the car park like two boxers ready to do battle.

The first climb took us up to 1300ft. We were encouraged on our way by the tourists in their campervans. It felt to us like a mountain stage of le tour. Everything seemed to be going well, and it shows how quickly things can change because BANG – another puncture – guess who? No this time it was Shaun’s back wheel. He couldn’t have picked a worse spot. In the middle of nowhere, and a prime target for hungry midges! A quick repair meant we were on our way again pretty quickly.

After two more big climbs, we were treated to almost 15 miles downhill - fantastic, which saw both Rob and Shaun attempt our own land speed record, (which currently stands at 34mph). Unfortunately, the state of the road and the headwind prevented us improving on this mark, but it will be broken we are sure.

Today was a great ride. It was the furthest that either of us have cycled and over the most testing of routes. We have also now covered a quarter of our journey and we are feeling more confident every day.

Searching for Nessie

Day Three

From Inverness to Glen Nevis
Distance travelled: 70 miles
Ave Speed: 11.2mph
Max speed: 32.4mph
Weather: Sunny intervals for most of the day, rain at end. Headwind all the way
Cycling time: 6 hours 10 mins
Total distance so far: 194 miles

Nice big beakfast at Morrisons to start the day and then onto Halfords to stock up on inner tubes. (Thanks Richard for your comment). Got away at 9.20 heading for Loch Ness. Soon came to realise that today was going to be tough as we were cycling into a headwind, which was pretty much continuous throughout.

The ride along Loch Ness was fantastic and sitting by Uruquhart Castle having our mid morning snack we had another fly past by the jet planes. At one stage Shaun thought he found Nessie, but I wasnt so sure....you will have to make your own minds up!

Following lunch at Fort Augustus, we rode down past Loch Oich and Loch Lochy. As we arrived in Fort William the rain began to come down (as forecast to be fair). We had tea in a local hotel before having to get wet again by heading 2 miles up the road towards Ben Nevis to find our hostel.

We both came to realise today when riding into the windhow much effort could be saved by riding closely behind the one in front (without telling each other!) During this time we made up a little poem, and it went something like this....

Click, Click, Click go our gears
Round, Round, Round go our wheels
Riding to our destination
Heads down, into the wind with determination

All the Best from Shaun and Rob

(Dont forget to add your comments of support / abuse !)

A Day of two halves...

Day Two

From Hemlsdale to Inverness
Distance travelled : 70 miles
Ave Speed: 12.7mph
Max speed: 28.6
Weather: Sunny intervals, breezy
Cycling time: 5 hours 31 minutes
Total distance so far: 124 miles

We planned on getting going by 9am and by 9.15am we were on the road heading out of Helsmdale and onto Inverness. We kept an eye out for those snipers how have been shooting at Rob's front tyre, but luckily we managed to avoid them and make it through to Inverness without any further problems.

The first 35 miles took us along the A9 passing through the towns of Brora and Golspie. Generally this a fairly flat trip which had some spectacular views and scenary. We passed over Dornoch Firth and thank you to the people who organised the fly past by the jet planes.

We stopped for lunch in Tain, a beautiful market town. After lunch we followed the busy A9 down to Black Isle, which included breaking through the first 100 mile barrier. Our test for the day was a long steady climb of approximately 2 miles before picking up the cycle path into Inverness.

This was the first time we had ridden over 60 miles and yes we now have sore bits! A friendly local has directed us to the nearest halfords for those damn inner tubes, which will be our first stop of tomorrow morning. Tonight we definitely need our sleep

We're off

Day : One

From John O’Groats To Helmsdale
Weather: Showery, and strong side wind
Distance Travelled :54 miles
Ave Speed: 12.3 mph
Max speed: 34.6mph
Total Distance so far: 54 miles

Set off from the hostel for John O'Groats in good spirits, only for Rob to announce that he had another puncture. We came across two other guys who were about to do the trip, one of the guys Roy, was very helpful and kindly gave us a new inner tube. We later learnt that he had been diagnosed with cancer for a second time, and was completing the journey for cancer research.

After the photo shoot, we finally set off on our cycle adventure at 11.40am, only to get one mile up the road and guess what happened next….? Yes that’s right Rob’s front tyre blew! We were now worried as he had no inner tubes left, and the rate he was going through them we wouldn’t even make the end of the first day. Rob was beginning to get paranoid about even riding his bike, and even blamed Shaun for deliberately sabotaging his ride!

Anyway we made it to Wick, some 18 miles away with a fair wind. Tesco Wick unfortunately did not have the necessary inner tubes, so the only option was to try and repair it. In an effort to fix the valve, we had to harass the Sunday Tesco shoppers for a pair of pliers. Shaun then occupied a corner of the canteen and repaired the damaged tube.

From Wick it was onwards to Helmsdale, some 35 miles along the road. We perhaps underestimated the length this would take and the severity of a couple of the climbs. We have come to realise we need to eat more and at regular intervals. Still it was a particularly scenic ride along the north east Scottish coast line.

We eventually arrived at the hostel just before 7.00pm and dined at the Bannockburn inn. Still worried about the inner tube situation, but fingers crossed we make it to Inverness tomorrow, to enable us to stock up!