Another sunny day as I tried to extricate myself from a very squeaky top bunk without waking my fellow room mates. Success. Got packing to a fine art so up and out. Met a number of fellow cyclists many who have been quite pessimistic of my A9 plans, busy, steep climbs etc
All did not start well. The first bridge out of Inverness on the main A9 was closed north bound and working as a contra flow. I had to ride it causing the traffic to back up. To the guy in the Citroen who felt that sounding his horn at me all the way over would magically make the cycle lane open I say "learn some patience". Probably not my brightest moment but it was the only way other than a long detour.
After that it was the A9 slog!! Beautiful scenery but constantly needing to listen to the traffic. Detoured off the A9 to see Alness and Dornoch (cheers Harold) which is really pretty.
Crossing Dornoch bridge met a couple walking JOGLE. Left 1st May and coming up to there 100 mile mark.
After Dornoch the wind was head on and quite strong. Find this the most demoralising. Head down I sailed right past the B&B down the hill into Helmsdale! Damn. Turn round back up and eventually found this lovely place. Net with tea and cake and staying in a very plush room. No signal but good wifi.
Early start. Breakfast at 6 leave at 640. 3 big climbs and 56 miles to go then 20 to Thurso. Don't want to miss my 1629 train!!
Got to go breakfast calling.
Thursday 9 May 2013
Wednesday 8 May 2013
Day 12: Pitlochry to Inverness
Last long day. More than 3000 feet of climbing and about 90 miles through the Cairngorms. Beautiful morning. Alistair the warden had breakfast ready early so got away bang on 8.
The route follows the A9 but not actually on it. It uses the old A9 and a mixture of cycle paths and B roads. Pretty easy really except the headwind approaching Aviemore. Find headwinds totally draining.
Leaving Aviemore wind moved behind me. Ooo errr missus!! So made good time. Now sitting by a very full river ness having found 3G at last!!
Looking forward to the end now. 2 more days which look quite Devon esque. Ie roller coaster terrain.
Not expecting any network so will probably fall off the grid again.
This trip has lived up to the Lifecycle in a previous blog. The excitement became the norm which is going to change again now the destination is in sight!
I have been really lucky. No rain. Couple of damp days but no drownings. Lets hope it lasts two more days.
Today's learning point is Sustrans routes may be safe but normally add miles. 86 became 97 today. Justifies another pint me thinks!!
The route follows the A9 but not actually on it. It uses the old A9 and a mixture of cycle paths and B roads. Pretty easy really except the headwind approaching Aviemore. Find headwinds totally draining.
Leaving Aviemore wind moved behind me. Ooo errr missus!! So made good time. Now sitting by a very full river ness having found 3G at last!!
Looking forward to the end now. 2 more days which look quite Devon esque. Ie roller coaster terrain.
Not expecting any network so will probably fall off the grid again.
This trip has lived up to the Lifecycle in a previous blog. The excitement became the norm which is going to change again now the destination is in sight!
I have been really lucky. No rain. Couple of damp days but no drownings. Lets hope it lasts two more days.
Today's learning point is Sustrans routes may be safe but normally add miles. 86 became 97 today. Justifies another pint me thinks!!
Day11: Doune to Pitlochry
Well the weathermen said it would be nice but today has got to have been the best day for cycling ever!! Left Doune on time and many thanks to the Scott clan. A fantastic afternoon and evening.
Anyway, into Dunblane and lots of memories. Not changed much. Back onto the old rides I used to do. Up to Braco the Auchterarder and beyond. Met a fellow cyclist out on a training ride and had a good chat about the LEJOG and why I'm doing it. Been very interesting seeing people's reaction and recognition that as a society we really don't engage much with strangers. An interesting comment has been about why in early morning when its quieter people seem to say hi but later a village can change. It may be numbers but also may be people types. Early birds by there nature are probably of a disposition to say hello. It's kind of a early bird club. Dog walkers pretty much acknowledge each other. So there's something about having something in common. Question is how to reenergise someone worn out from trying?
Anyway. Got to Pitlochry at 1400. Yet again those nice Sustrans people put a steep hill right at the end - joy.
Found a great real ale pub / micro brewery. Moulin Inn. Recommended.
Shared the dorm with a lovely guy called Harold. 81 and a half. Still hosteling and writing a novel about sustainable living. Once he got his hearing aids back in we had a great chat!!
Pitlochry both friendly, sunny and pretty. Good day. As some one said the end is nigh for my LEJOG.
Anyway, into Dunblane and lots of memories. Not changed much. Back onto the old rides I used to do. Up to Braco the Auchterarder and beyond. Met a fellow cyclist out on a training ride and had a good chat about the LEJOG and why I'm doing it. Been very interesting seeing people's reaction and recognition that as a society we really don't engage much with strangers. An interesting comment has been about why in early morning when its quieter people seem to say hi but later a village can change. It may be numbers but also may be people types. Early birds by there nature are probably of a disposition to say hello. It's kind of a early bird club. Dog walkers pretty much acknowledge each other. So there's something about having something in common. Question is how to reenergise someone worn out from trying?
Anyway. Got to Pitlochry at 1400. Yet again those nice Sustrans people put a steep hill right at the end - joy.
Found a great real ale pub / micro brewery. Moulin Inn. Recommended.
Shared the dorm with a lovely guy called Harold. 81 and a half. Still hosteling and writing a novel about sustainable living. Once he got his hearing aids back in we had a great chat!!
Pitlochry both friendly, sunny and pretty. Good day. As some one said the end is nigh for my LEJOG.
Monday 6 May 2013
Day 10: Short hop to Doune
Good day today. 50 miles in 3.5 hours. Nothing much to report except the surprised looks of my hosts thinking I had arrived a day early!! Big family gathering which I was honoured to attend and loads of fuel!! Oops food.
Planned next legs up through the mountains. Going to be tough but beautiful I hope.
Everything working fine!
620 miles done. Only 270 to go!!
60 to Pitlochry
90 to Inverness
60 to Helmsdale
60 to John o'groats
Weds in the Cairngorms could be fun!
Watch this space
Planned next legs up through the mountains. Going to be tough but beautiful I hope.
Everything working fine!
620 miles done. Only 270 to go!!
60 to Pitlochry
90 to Inverness
60 to Helmsdale
60 to John o'groats
Weds in the Cairngorms could be fun!
Watch this space
Sunday 5 May 2013
The Loneliness Lifecycle
Nine days in and riding along some long wet roads I wondered if there was a Lifecycle to loneliness.
Step 1: planning to do something
Planning this trip was okay. On my own I was never sure it would work but no time to reflect to closely.
Step 2: the start. All adrenaline and learning. Buoyed by good luck messages off into the distance.
Step 3: normality.
Just another day. Initial euphoria now replaced by day to day planning. Successes climbing hills but no one to really share the experiences with.
Step 4: just me and the road
Reality that u are alone in this. Great support from family but each day is down to you to make the effort to connect
Step 5: ??
This is where it could go either way
Step 6: back to step 1
So many people plan there way out of something. Often the result is planning the next step up the ladder or starting again if unfortunate to have slid down a snake. (Not a euphemism)
For me I am enjoying this greatly. It's making me think about loneliness how I felt in South Africa.
I have family and friends supporting me but if this support network wasn't there how would it pan out.
I do honestly believe its very easy for people to become invisible in the UK. there are so few who seem inquisitive about others and will just pass them by or ignore them.
Only one person has proactively and unsolicited approached me and asked about what I'm doing. I've met lots of people through my making a connection!
Makes you think!! I hope.
Step 1: planning to do something
Planning this trip was okay. On my own I was never sure it would work but no time to reflect to closely.
Step 2: the start. All adrenaline and learning. Buoyed by good luck messages off into the distance.
Step 3: normality.
Just another day. Initial euphoria now replaced by day to day planning. Successes climbing hills but no one to really share the experiences with.
Step 4: just me and the road
Reality that u are alone in this. Great support from family but each day is down to you to make the effort to connect
Step 5: ??
This is where it could go either way
Step 6: back to step 1
So many people plan there way out of something. Often the result is planning the next step up the ladder or starting again if unfortunate to have slid down a snake. (Not a euphemism)
For me I am enjoying this greatly. It's making me think about loneliness how I felt in South Africa.
I have family and friends supporting me but if this support network wasn't there how would it pan out.
I do honestly believe its very easy for people to become invisible in the UK. there are so few who seem inquisitive about others and will just pass them by or ignore them.
Only one person has proactively and unsolicited approached me and asked about what I'm doing. I've met lots of people through my making a connection!
Makes you think!! I hope.
Day 9: the border crossing!!
Well crossed the border today. No passport needed, well not until devolution. Long endless roads up through Gretna, ecclefechen and then into Lockerbie. Lots of time to reflect on loneliness and how I feel at the moment. Today has been hard. I made no real connection in Carlisle. It seemed a very insular place where a tall guy in fluorescent jacket was more a source of drunken derision than intrigue This got me thinking. Are we losing our inquisitiveness to want to find out about others. Are we so wrapped up in work, tv and the Internet that taking time to inquire when something seems different or just to say hi to a stranger is no longer interesting. Personally I love getting talking to new people, if they'll let me.
In Lockerbie I met an HR Director who agreed that people managers are a dying breed. It's all process and book a meeting. Interesting. Good chat Keith, thanks. Then arrived a bunch of roadies on their regular boys ride out. Couldn't get a grunt of an hello from them - nice!!
Anyway on to Beattock summit. All pretty straight forward in the rain! Thought I'd arrived in Toulouse at one point!! See Facebook.
Arrived New Lanark about 1630. Guess what - it's at the bottom of a hill. Oh joy for tomoz.
Brill hostel in a fantastic location - apart from the hill.
In Lockerbie I met an HR Director who agreed that people managers are a dying breed. It's all process and book a meeting. Interesting. Good chat Keith, thanks. Then arrived a bunch of roadies on their regular boys ride out. Couldn't get a grunt of an hello from them - nice!!
Anyway on to Beattock summit. All pretty straight forward in the rain! Thought I'd arrived in Toulouse at one point!! See Facebook.
Arrived New Lanark about 1630. Guess what - it's at the bottom of a hill. Oh joy for tomoz.
Brill hostel in a fantastic location - apart from the hill.
Day 8: Halfway point crossed!!
Started day with some trepidation. I knew what the climb out of Slaidburn was like and it didn't disappoint. 7 miles of constant climbing under heavy skies and strong westerlies. Made it!!
Flew down into High Bentham but as always where there's a down there's an up! Steep climbs into Bentham and then Burton in Lonsdale - but what a jewel. In Burton getting my breath back outside the village shop I noticed it had a cafe. Burton has a nice vibe probably set by the beautiful and prominent church. Anyway the cafe had the same friendly vibe and then I found out why. It's a community shop owned and run by the community for the community and you could tell. Everyone seemed involved. Bacon butty was the best to date. Also note
THIS WAS THE HALFWAY MARK!!!
So having had sustenance both physically and mentally I set off for Shap!!
Note to self. When satnav suggests a quiet country lane where you can see the 1:4 ignore it and use A roads.
The route to Shap was beautiful but really really hilly. Lots of steep climbs - exhausting.
Once there though and refuelled the blast into Carlisle was long but hassle free. Strong westerlies were difficult but at least not head on.
Thanks to the wardens at Slaidburn and the guys at the community shop for their kind donations to the cause.
Flew down into High Bentham but as always where there's a down there's an up! Steep climbs into Bentham and then Burton in Lonsdale - but what a jewel. In Burton getting my breath back outside the village shop I noticed it had a cafe. Burton has a nice vibe probably set by the beautiful and prominent church. Anyway the cafe had the same friendly vibe and then I found out why. It's a community shop owned and run by the community for the community and you could tell. Everyone seemed involved. Bacon butty was the best to date. Also note
THIS WAS THE HALFWAY MARK!!!
So having had sustenance both physically and mentally I set off for Shap!!
Note to self. When satnav suggests a quiet country lane where you can see the 1:4 ignore it and use A roads.
The route to Shap was beautiful but really really hilly. Lots of steep climbs - exhausting.
Once there though and refuelled the blast into Carlisle was long but hassle free. Strong westerlies were difficult but at least not head on.
Thanks to the wardens at Slaidburn and the guys at the community shop for their kind donations to the cause.
Saturday 4 May 2013
Day 7: Back in the Saddle
Overcast and cool day. Ready to roll at 8 and my neighbour 'speedy' Ciaron was joining me for a bit. Really nice easy ride. Wind behind and nice to have some company for a few hours.
Stopped for a brill breakfast and again a couple engaged about the tour and it made the whole trip come alive.
Back on my own up through Preston, Longridge and then the hard climbing to Slaidburn. Legs knew they had had a day off.
Raining in Slaidburn and hostel not open for 2 hours!!! PUB called.
A good evening - people in hostel v friendly and a couple in the pub where finally willing to break their social clique and say hello which was really appreciated. Happy by the fire reading my book but always nice to chat!!
Big day tomorrow up over the moors and Shap
Reflections: simple acts are all it takes. A simple hello or acknowledgement can change a persons day
Stopped for a brill breakfast and again a couple engaged about the tour and it made the whole trip come alive.
Back on my own up through Preston, Longridge and then the hard climbing to Slaidburn. Legs knew they had had a day off.
Raining in Slaidburn and hostel not open for 2 hours!!! PUB called.
A good evening - people in hostel v friendly and a couple in the pub where finally willing to break their social clique and say hello which was really appreciated. Happy by the fire reading my book but always nice to chat!!
Big day tomorrow up over the moors and Shap
Reflections: simple acts are all it takes. A simple hello or acknowledgement can change a persons day
Day 6: Rest Day
Good to have a day off. Legs need it but also time to reflect that is once I've done the outstanding chores!! Garden, kitchen, post etc
Been giving loneliness a lot of thought and will capture this in another post. The trip so far shows me that a lot is both being done and with some coordination things could be much improved. The basic fact though is that people showing genuine interest in others is both what is increasingly missing yet increasingly needed.
My hero of the day is Mike from MJ cycles. When I did eventually get my bike on the stand the front head bearings were clicking. Not knowing how terminal this might be Mike stepped in sorted things out and gave me a pristine bike back.
Thanks Mike
Nice day off - Slaidburn next
Been giving loneliness a lot of thought and will capture this in another post. The trip so far shows me that a lot is both being done and with some coordination things could be much improved. The basic fact though is that people showing genuine interest in others is both what is increasingly missing yet increasingly needed.
My hero of the day is Mike from MJ cycles. When I did eventually get my bike on the stand the front head bearings were clicking. Not knowing how terminal this might be Mike stepped in sorted things out and gave me a pristine bike back.
Thanks Mike
Nice day off - Slaidburn next
Thursday 2 May 2013
Day 5: Heading Home
This was an easier day so left a bit later - 9:00am. What fantastic weather. Descending the hill into Shrewsbury was spectacular - a lovely morning light and the bike was running really well.
Into Shrewsbury - along the river and then past the old Flax Mill which is being restored.
The route was familiar as I had done it in training so just enjoyed and pushed on. Stopped to refuel at a small Farm Shop / Cafe as you come into Whitchurch. Lovely place used increasingly as a social hub by Jelly who aim to get loan home workers to meet up and work together. Also a club for OAPs was going on. Brill
Met Judy and Eric (93!!) who kindly donated - many thanks and had a lovely chat
Also met Barbara Reinford from Jelly who again was passionate about Jelly and getting people together.
Anyway pushed home and back in good time.
Now some chores and have a day off
Its flown and now I need to rush to start Day 7
Day 6 Blog will need to wait - it wasn't as relaxing as I had hoped!!
Day 4: The Wye Rollercoaster
This was my longest mileage day - 94 miles up the Wye valley and the profile looked - shall we say challenging.
So up early - ready for 8 and I'm off - to be met - yup you've guessed it a total swine of a hill to get out of Bristol!! Good choice again.
So 93 miles to go and I am panting, sweating and wondering if I am going to make it!!
Eventually the top is reached - there's always a top you know!
Scoosh down and eventually in the distance the Severn Bridges appeared in the sunlight - What a view.
Not a nice approach on busy roads with trucks etc and then a persistent caller who wouldn't take my DECLINE as an answer - who was it - Greater Mcr Police Road Safety about my cycling course - oh the irony
Severn Bridge was spectacular - took my time as I knew what was coming.
Then the Rollercoaster - beautiful but hard work and pretty windy on the tops.
Lots of questioning whether I would make the day so just started picking off the next stop: Monmouth, Hereford, Ludlow - stopped at everyone to refuel
Leaving Ludlow at 16:50 with 20miles to go then knew I would make it - so off I went knowing I had 2 hills to climb.
Eventually descended into Church Stretton thinking big climbs done - well I remembered 2 - into All Stretton all looked okay and then THE HILL!!
Charmingly called Plush Hill its a 10% (child without a farther) that goes on and on - about half way up I felt I had left my lungs behind BUT I made it!! CHUFFED (as in the pleased version - believe it means something a bit ruder in some places)
The Shropshire hills were beautiful in the evening light so just took my time to Pulverbatch arriving about 19:30. All down hill tomorrow so felt good
Reflections: When going gets tough just focus on the next step no matter how small - On Plush hill my focus was about 2 meters in front of my wheel!!
Thanks Jim for my sponsorship money and thanks Juliet and family for putting me up and feeding me.
So up early - ready for 8 and I'm off - to be met - yup you've guessed it a total swine of a hill to get out of Bristol!! Good choice again.
So 93 miles to go and I am panting, sweating and wondering if I am going to make it!!
Eventually the top is reached - there's always a top you know!
Scoosh down and eventually in the distance the Severn Bridges appeared in the sunlight - What a view.
Not a nice approach on busy roads with trucks etc and then a persistent caller who wouldn't take my DECLINE as an answer - who was it - Greater Mcr Police Road Safety about my cycling course - oh the irony
Severn Bridge was spectacular - took my time as I knew what was coming.
Then the Rollercoaster - beautiful but hard work and pretty windy on the tops.
Lots of questioning whether I would make the day so just started picking off the next stop: Monmouth, Hereford, Ludlow - stopped at everyone to refuel
Leaving Ludlow at 16:50 with 20miles to go then knew I would make it - so off I went knowing I had 2 hills to climb.
Eventually descended into Church Stretton thinking big climbs done - well I remembered 2 - into All Stretton all looked okay and then THE HILL!!
Charmingly called Plush Hill its a 10% (child without a farther) that goes on and on - about half way up I felt I had left my lungs behind BUT I made it!! CHUFFED (as in the pleased version - believe it means something a bit ruder in some places)
The Shropshire hills were beautiful in the evening light so just took my time to Pulverbatch arriving about 19:30. All down hill tomorrow so felt good
Reflections: When going gets tough just focus on the next step no matter how small - On Plush hill my focus was about 2 meters in front of my wheel!!
Thanks Jim for my sponsorship money and thanks Juliet and family for putting me up and feeding me.
Day 3: Exford to Bristol
Well what a day! Blue sky and winds from the west and for once, this was the same way I was going. As I seemed to have managed every day my start involved a steep climb out of Exford how have I managed this - Boscastle now Exford - derrr
The ride to Bridgewater was great fun - long slow climbs and fast descents - spring had definitely sprung in the Quantocks.
I found myself singing Meat Loaf descending to Dunster - no idea why but got the odd funny look.
One near miss thanks to an impatient Co-Op Truck driver trying to pass me on double whites at the top of a hill!
Bridgewater was a bit disappointing but then headed for Bristol - ooops heading North and now the wind was from the side - anyway soon heading for Cheddar.
So - you've just felt on top of the world - feeling really fit and pushing along at a fair old lick when you are passed by someone who makes you look like your standing still - Oh Well - keep going!!
Met up with some fellow Jo'G ers on a cycle path over the Mendips - 3 Women riding as part of a group and for differing charities - good company and funnily travelling the same dates so possibly rendevous in Jo'G on the 10th
We parted company and I set off - yes in the wrong direction!!! Only 10 mins lost and then the hilly approach into Bristol.
Bristol YHA is great - right in the centre and I was sharing with 4 other guys - there was only a top bunk left so had to pull the mattress off and onto the floor - no probs
Great night firstly with a friend and then with a fellow cyclist from Germany. He was taking time out and exploring the UK - we will stay in touch - nice bloke - good luck Chris.
Reflections: When things are going well it feels good but you still need to pace yourself as you don't know whats around the corner - I found the approach to Bristol hard.
Day 4: The Long One - Bristol to Pulverbatch on the Wye Rollercoaster via Severn Bridge
Update will need to follow as now running late for Day 7 - Home to Slaidburn
Sorry I'm behind with my blogs!
The ride to Bridgewater was great fun - long slow climbs and fast descents - spring had definitely sprung in the Quantocks.
I found myself singing Meat Loaf descending to Dunster - no idea why but got the odd funny look.
One near miss thanks to an impatient Co-Op Truck driver trying to pass me on double whites at the top of a hill!
Bridgewater was a bit disappointing but then headed for Bristol - ooops heading North and now the wind was from the side - anyway soon heading for Cheddar.
So - you've just felt on top of the world - feeling really fit and pushing along at a fair old lick when you are passed by someone who makes you look like your standing still - Oh Well - keep going!!
Met up with some fellow Jo'G ers on a cycle path over the Mendips - 3 Women riding as part of a group and for differing charities - good company and funnily travelling the same dates so possibly rendevous in Jo'G on the 10th
We parted company and I set off - yes in the wrong direction!!! Only 10 mins lost and then the hilly approach into Bristol.
Bristol YHA is great - right in the centre and I was sharing with 4 other guys - there was only a top bunk left so had to pull the mattress off and onto the floor - no probs
Great night firstly with a friend and then with a fellow cyclist from Germany. He was taking time out and exploring the UK - we will stay in touch - nice bloke - good luck Chris.
Reflections: When things are going well it feels good but you still need to pace yourself as you don't know whats around the corner - I found the approach to Bristol hard.
Day 4: The Long One - Bristol to Pulverbatch on the Wye Rollercoaster via Severn Bridge
Update will need to follow as now running late for Day 7 - Home to Slaidburn
Sorry I'm behind with my blogs!
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