Latest from the handlebars

News from the road as Rob (the webmaster) & Jon ride LEJOG

Train from Birmingham, via Bristol, to Penzance and cycle to Land's End on Sunday 6 June 2010 : on the road from Monday 7 June 2010 - arrived at John O'Groats on Saturday 19 June 2010

The messages below were all transmitted during the trip - e-mailed direct to the website.

 

This time (subject to audit of the GPS files) we rode 917 miles as against 935 in 2005 - must have taken a short cut.
I realised this morning I was handicapped as I carried the trip's "kitty fund purse" AND the biscuits for the whole ride .. no wonder some of the hills were a struggle!

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From Rob's handlebars

At Inverness waiting for train.
GPS audit by Jon with revised distance of 924 - I KNEW it was more, it felt like it.

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From Rob's handlebars

Final reflections

Sometimes not being able to tell which county we were in - gentle,
green, rolling countryside; patience of drivers especially the logging
lorries; genorosity of the public.
Knowing that I had cycled 924.7 miles with 16lbs of luggage and never
used the inner chain ring!

Sent from the Mercian's handlebars by Jon

Transit overnight stop in Edinburgh with a pleasant couple of hours (and beers) with my cousin Andrew M before an 'end of tour' dinner sitting outside in the sunshine.
Just a 4 hour train journey to Brum and then the final leg to Stratford-upon-Avon.
AND - I did use my inner chainring, but not much.
Should have pictures posted here by Tuesday night.
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From Rob's handlebars

Wind strength unbelievable - had to pedal down hill and was still below 10mph!
Just had a huge descent at over 44mph followed by a huge climb at 5mph.
Waiting for Rob in the first bus shelter I've seen. Had to put on waterproof trousers to try to keep warm. Had to remind myself a few times why I'm doing this and that the bowel cancer patients will endure much more.

Sent from the Mercian's handlebars by Jon

Dunbeath after about 16 miles into the wind :-(
Hopefully some shelter as we continue north.

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From Rob's handlebars

Wind is relentless. Two cakes and a coffee later I'm in another bus shelter. Now half way for the day a few miles short of Wick where it's going to be an early lunch.

Sent from the Mercian's handlebars by Jon

Now having lunch after a VERY, VERY windy ride from the last stop.
900 miles up ... Just the 16.8 miles to go.

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From Rob's handlebars