Day 11 LEJOG – Fort Augustust to Invershin

After a great nights sleep and making our own breakfasts, we got off to a flying start

(Thanks again to Neil for the photo)

We were going so well in fact, the Scottish highways had to send out a convey escort for us

We had a much better day today with 76 miles while sampling a few of the highlands hills. In truth the hill out of Dromendorick was probably the steepest we have encountered.

We certainly know we are in the highlands as the midgies are starting to bite, which means we cycle faster to avoid them!

We arrived at the Invershin hotel and were greeted with a lovely welcome of tea and biscuits and freshly cooked haddock and chips for tea!

Tomorrow is the penultimate day with a 20 miles of climbing to start!

Day 8 LEJOG – Ayr to Lochranza

We had another sharp start to cycle up the coast to Ardrossan to catch the 9.45am ferry across to the Isle of Arran.

Today we have been blessed with beautiful sunshine with only a few clouds in the sky! The weather gods could have not picked a more perfect day for us to cycle around Arran.

Cycling around Arran is like a cyclist paradise with the coast and the mountains! On a day like today it would beat anywhere around the world.

When we set off to cycle around the island it was odd the first time in 8 days that we were heading South! Since today was the perfect day we decided we couldn’t miss cycling over the central string road and then head up the opposite coast to Lochranza. Cycling a total of 77 miles with a fair bit of climbing!

On climbing to the top of the Island, David announced he really likes the long steep climbs. I think the sun has got to him today!

We carried on up the beautiful coast watching the waves lap the shores, deer in the fields and buzzards overhead. Arran is out of this world and we are so glad we have taken a slight detour to see it in all it’s glory!

We are having a few problems getting some photos off the gopro, so will hopefully share some of the photos tomorrow!

Tomorrow is the first time that we will ‘try’ to have a lie in, due to the ferrys not running early on Sundays! From Arran we head back onto the mainland and up to Oban.

Day 5 All Stretton to Preston

After another early rise, we left the hostel at 6.50am in the rain with dark clouds all around. The weather today was lovely for ducks and did not let off all day.

The plan was to cycle 10 miles into Shrewsbury and get some breakfast, but we ploughed on 35 miles into Whitchurch and devoured a big breakfast.

We always knew that today was going to be the worst day trying to get through the busy towns of the North West. This was challenging dodging buses and the spray of the big wagons, so we were heads down all day and pushing the big miles.

The Garmins came into their own allowing us to follow the route through Wigan and Warrington, when the last thing you want to do is get lost in the pouring rain!

A big thank you to Jonty Norris for making the effort to join us from Wigan up to Preston. Especially when he was in London in the morning. Was a great catch up and another member to the Williams steam train as we head up the country.

There was nothing really scenic to report today due to the rain but on arriving at Preston we had clocked up 97 miles, so a quick scenic tour quickly got us up to 100 miles and we were certainly ready to stop and rest the legs.

http://www.strava.com/activities/146609915

We found a pub close to our Premier inn which did a special offer of 2 meals for a reduced rate. The waitress struggled to understand that we wanted a main meal for starter and the other main to follow and we made her laugh by asking where the nearest kebab shop was at the end!

Time for an early night to tackle the hills of the lakes to hopefully get up to Carlisle.

Stats the date
Miles: 406
Height climbed : 18,468ft
Calories burnt : 14,377

Day 4 – Portishead to All Stretton

Long tough day today! A hilly 92 miles up the Wye valley and border of Wales.

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/508254836

We were lucky again with the weather and just managed to avoid the heavy downpours.

The day started navigating through Avonmouth docks in rush hour, over the old Severn bridge and into Wales!

As soon as we crossed the border we hit the undulating hills, but the stunning views of the Wye valley distracted us from the tired legs!

The spare parts that we are carrying came into use when David’s pannier rack bolt sheared. Quick running repair sorted it out on the roadside.

We have found our new favourite cycling snack of Sainsburys granola squares!

We finally made it to our destination, which is a little remote bunk house up out of town!

Another testing day tomorrow with 95 miles through the built up areas of the North West…. Don’t tell the legs that!

Shout out to Neil Robinson for the best photo laugh last night. Feel free to make up your own captions!

The journey begins!

Long drive down over night and arrived at 3.30am. Couple of hours sleep and off we go.

Wet and cold start to the day!
Let’s do this!

Final route has been sorted

Click on the ‘The Route’ tab at the top of the page to see the final route!
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Sunny Saturday

Well this was my last ride before LEJOG and time to rest next week as I am sure I will be getting enough exercise over the coming few weeks. Stats today was 62.6 miles with 4307 ft of climbing, so hilly in this heat. The Northumberland scenery was lovely today and I am sure it will take some beating as we travel through the counties on our way North! Good luck to David as he is doing the Chester half marathon tomorrow which I am sure will help his fitness even more.

Training to date

Well all the training is almost done now with David cycling just over 1000 miles this year and i have managed to squeeze in 1600! Hope it is enough!

Check out the strava pages

http://www.strava.com/athletes/1137751 (David)

http://www.strava.com/athletes/279385 (Geoff)

Training ride out after work

Well only 8 days left before we set of on our LEJOG ride and I am starting to get apprehensive wondering if the training rides we have done will stand us in good stead for each days route.

Out tonight on a nice warm and sunny
night made me appreciate the countryside and fingers crossed that we will have some similar days over our two week holiday.

It has also given me a chance to work out how to update this blog on our travels!!

Last big ride together before it all starts

Training ride over the Northumberland hills in preparation for the Cornish section!
Monster 84 miles of climbing