David and Abe's End to End Cycle

We have been home a week. With the memories of saddle sores fading fast here are a few words about what happend next.

We also have lots of good photos on which will get posted later. The Windsor Express published an article and some photos – see it here.

After the celebrations at John O’Groats its self we headed to the Seaview Hotel just a few hundred meters away. There isn’t much at at JOG but we found it pretty lively with a stag party just leaving the hotel bar and celebrations after (winning)  a highland football league match in full swing. We took some expert advice that evening on which whiskys that we had cycled by we should try – Highland Park, Blair Atoll and Old Pulyney (the closest distillery to JOG) are recommended. We decided against joining the locals heading to a night club in Wick – it may be the end of the riding but we were still tired.

There were a few other JOGers in the hotel but more people seem to head to Wick for the night. I would recommend staying in the hotel. We watched a few LEJOGers starting their ride as we ate breakfast the next day.

Lindsay from www.johnogroatsbiketransport.co.uk picked us up to take us to Inverness in a very comfortable people carrier – our first non human powered transport in 11 days. Lindsay also shipped our bikes home and so we were free to have lunch in Inverness and head for the airport and Easyjet home. If you want an easy and hassle free end to your ride give Lindsay a call!

It was very strange to not cycle. For the first 4 or 5 days I was quite sleepy which I could not understand as I was not cycling for 7 hours in the day so how could I be tired - I guess it is a delayed reaction. I have now caught up with my sleep and need to get out and do some exercise again.

This was a great ride. I am very pleased  to be home with my family but also miss the adventure and being out on the road all day. If you are thinking about doing LEJOG then just pick a mileage that will work for you and DO IT!

Thank you to everyone for supporting us (particularly Eleanor and Anneke for being so tolerant and supportive of their husbands). We really liked the messages of support when we were on route. A big thanks for the charity sponsorship – we have raised over £5,000 which will be matched to give over £10,000 to British Heart Foundation and Sport Relief.

John O'Groats - the end

Still a serious endeavour

Saying goodbye to the bikes in Inverness

Lands End - the start

Arrived in John O’Groats! We got here at 5.30pm after a detour to Dunnet Head (northern-most point of GB). 975 miles from Lands End. Today’s route took us 40 miles up the Helmsdale River through fab remote fishing and stag hunting territory, then to Thurso for lunch. Great views across to the Orkneys now – and the ferry is right here – it’s so tempting to carry on!

Our boys have their object in sight
So they press on with all of their might
A quick detour instead
To Top North:Dunnet Head
And at last  John O’Groats! - hearts delight!!

 CONGRATULATIONS!  – a fantastic achievement!

Two last verses now included!

The Ballad of Abe and Dave

There was plotting and scheming on satnav and net
Training and testing, the routes to be set
The train must be taken the B and Bs ordered
Lands End was checked out, the distance recorded.

Brave Abe and strong Dave rode out from the West
Their gleaming blue steeds were surely the best
In golden and scarlet they flashed by on the road
Over Bude’s cruel hills they were steadfast and bold.

Through Bodmin and Exmoor they wound on their way
Though the mist and the gloom did darken the day
They stopped but for cakes and a nice bit of bun
And to take a night’s rest when the target was won.

Over Severn’s wide waters they happily ride
In gold and in black they reach the Welsh side
Through the wild Marcher country onward they roll
Already a quarter  towards their great goal.

Pausing for Abbeys and Castles en route
At the great Iron Bridge in a fine Marmite suit
They press on to Wellington meeting the sun
Saddle sore and weary with more miles to be done.

Gliding along on the flat Cheshire plains
They edge around Manchester up hot grassy lanes
At four eighty miles they reach The Halfway
And climb up the Pennines, away and away.

Beating the hills to reach Hadrian’s Wall
They’re riding so fast and risking a fall
As fierce and wild natives rush into the road
Oh Good! It’s a sheep, not a Briton in woad.

Scotland is waiting with buns on the table
At least these fine steeds do not need a stable
Through Eskdale and Peebles and Langholm they roar
Soon they’ll be knocking at Fiona’s front door.

They cross the Firth Bridge with the sun and the rain
And it’s Kinross for cakes and then on again
By Loch Leven to Blair Atholl it’s windy and bright
Let’s hope for a warm Scottish lodging tonight.

Perth piper to greet as they go for the Tay
With knees spinning hard by the glen and up brae
The blue hills of Scotland glisten and gleam
And our heros are nearing the end of their dream.

In hail and sleet through the Highlands they go
Up Drumochter Pass to the Cairngorm plateau
Fighting fatigue and the cold and rain
And it’s only the sheep for company again

But… the north is awaiting the sea cliffs are still
And it’s one final push up the last weary hill
They stand at the finish by the strand and the wave
Were ever there heroes like our Abe and Dave?

To Helmsdale on a rainy day
Our boys select the coastal way
Friendly seals
Smile at their wheels
And sheep hear what they have to say

After a good breakfast for us and new brake pads and a squirt of oil for the bikes, we left Inverness at 9:30 (a late one!) taking the A9 over the Moray Firth. Then over the Cromarty Firth and heading up over the moor on minor roads before decending to cross the Dornoch Firth and on to Dornoch for lunch (only one lunch today!)

A few minor roads took us to Loch Fleet with its seals and oystercatchers, overlooked by the ruins of Skelbo Castle. We rejoined the A9 for the last 25 miles along the coast to Helmsdale. Good Youth Hostel and even better hotel bar with a warm fire, good beer and more whisky than we have seen before (it’s fun spotting the ones from places we’ve passed on the way).

We made good use of our wet weather gear on a cool rainy day. I am getting worried that I was really enjoying cycling in the rain – I also talk to the sheep as I pass – perhaps it is time to come back to the world where you don’t have to get up every day and cycle!

75 miles overall. Arrived at 5pm with time (for once) to look around and relax before food.

With hail and sleet at Aviemore
Fast streams and waterfalls galore
The stones were sodden
From Slochd to Culloden
Primeval hills with cairns of yore

Hi D’Abe

you are staying at:

Helmsdale Hostel
Stafford Street
Helmsdale
Sutherland KW8 6JR
Tel: 01431 821636

I told Marie you would be arriving about 7 – there’s a nearby pub for food & secure for bikes.

I’m afraid the rain look set for tomorrow – you can dream of that Cheshire heat.

Good cycling – only 2 days to go!!!!

Took on a big load of bananas at Blair to last us on our ascent into the Highlands. We rode up route 7 to Drumochter Pass, at 462m the highest we’ll go on this trip. Occasional hail-storms swept over us to make the mountain scenery even more atmospheric! Then on through the moors, dotted with small lochs and rivers everywhere, and with good views of the snowy Cairngorm plateau. Baked potatoes with haggis and cheese for lunch. Then down to Inverness via the Slobhd Summit, some 3000-yr old burial cairns (no skeletons inside – we checked!) and the battlefield at Culloden. 95 miles ridden today (830 since Land’s End)

From Christine with love and two more verses to come!

The Ballad of Abe and Dave

There was plotting and scheming on satnav and net
Training and testing, the routes to be set
The train must be taken the B and Bs ordered
Lands End was checked out, the distance recorded.

Brave Abe and strong Dave rode out from the West
Their gleaming blue steeds were surely the best
In golden and scarlet they flashed by on the road
Over Bude’s cruel hills they were steadfast and bold.

Through Bodmin and Exmoor they wound on their way
Though the mist and the gloom did darken the day
They stopped but for cakes and a nice bit of bun
And to take a night’s rest when the target was won.

Over Severn’s wide waters they happily ride
In gold and in black they reach the Welsh side
Through the wild Marcher country onward they roll
Already a quarter  towards their great goal.

Pausing for Abbeys and Castles en route
At the great Iron Bridge in a fine Marmite suit
They press on to Wellington meeting the sun
Saddle sore and weary with more miles to be done.

Gliding along on the flat Cheshire plains
They edge around Manchester up hot grassy lanes
At four eighty miles they reach The Halfway
And climb up the Pennines, away and away.

Beating the hills to reach Hadrian’s Wall
They’re riding so fast and risking a fall
As fierce and wild natives rush into the road
Oh Good! It’s a sheep, not a Briton in woad.

Scotland is waiting with buns on the table
At least these fine steeds do not need a stable
Through Eskdale and Peebles and Langholm they roar
Soon they’ll be knocking at Fiona’s front door.

They cross the Firth Bridge with the sun and the rain
And it’s Kinross for cakes and then on again
By Loch Leven to Blair Atholl it’s windy and bright
Let’s hope for a warm Scottish lodging tonight.

Perth piper to greet as they go for the Tay
With knees spinning hard by the glen and up brae
The blue hills of Scotland glisten and gleam
And our heros are nearing the end of their dream.