One man wolf pack: Lands End to John O'Groats via

Lands end

The final day, began with another late start, 12 again but my decision this time. I set out for the a30, which turned out to be a big mistake. It was horrendously busy and when it narrowed not much fun. There were a few steep climbs that I had flattened out in my memories of driving along the road before, but I finally made it to chiverton roundabout near Truro. My first stage had been difficult, but I was feeling pretty good physically and bouyed by the fact that it was my last day. I pulled off the a30 and headed towards blackwater and Redruth, stopping to meet my mum near a roundabout for some lunch. From Here things just got better, I felt able to relax into the ride towards Camborne, hayle and finally Penzance. I made good time and whilst not pushing massively hard, I felt in the zone and was moving quickly and with purpose. The stretch between Redruth and hayle took me through a lot of my old turf. It was strange to go through barripper, carnhell green. Places that I had spent much of my formative years. They hadn’t changed much. From hayle I set off on the cycle route to lands end, I had cycled it before with my mate tim, which had been an immensely enjoyable ride. So in effect it felt like I had a travel companion for the first time in my journey. The territory was familiar which I really enjoyed. I passed through Penzance and out to lamorna quickly, before things started to get hilly again. What did amaze me, and was truly the first time that I could check it, was that the hills just fell away beneath me. Areas that I had struggled on in one of my final training rides had seemed almost like nothing. I was a bit surprised by how much fitter I had become. I slipped into lands end about 6:30, as always my 6 o’clock estimation was out, it seemed I was back on Cornish time. I floated into the carpark expecting to see people around the start/finish line. But the place was deserted? I circled the line for a bit, hoping that Kim or my family were waiting at their cars, no joy. On another pass, a couple on a tandem excitedly came into view, they were finishing too, after a short conversation, we crossed the line together. Stopping to share tales and get photos. I still eyed my surroundings for anyone I knew, but no joy. Finally I got a phone call suggesting I head into the park and the first and last house. Shortly after my friend alex appeared on the horizon, I was somewhat confused (but no more than usual) since he had said he wouldn’t be able to make it. He had been waiting at sennon to ride in with me, but missed me because of the route I’d taken. It was a true surprise and fantastic to see him. We mounted our steeds for the last time, myself with a fresh cigarette in hand and nonchalantly rolled into the park, the weather had been perfect a mirror of my first day 3 weeks ago in John O’groats. We followed the line of the coast through the kitch nightmare of lands end, far more touristy than John o’groats. At the furthest point of the country were my friends and family, I hadn’t expected a mass turnout like this and was genuinely surprised and really touched that everyone had come to meet me come in. I had made it, something completely out of my normal field of expertise and I had done it. I was a bit surprised. But I had cycled solo from John o’groats to lands end, via Ireland and Wales. Up massive mountains and little hills, through rain and some sun. With my everything I needed to survive mounted on my bike. I was the one man wolf pack.

Today’s stats: Total distance 1039 miles Days total 56 Avg 10.3 Calories 1806

St Stephens

All I can say is what a day. I’m ruined. I think its safe to say that it has been the hardest/toughest ride of my life. 63 miles of hills, hills and hills. Completely draining, rewarding in some stupid way, I’m sure in 6 months time I’ll think it was great. But not right now. The ride from Okehampton started hilly, but nothing too bad at first fun around Dartmoor, i went through Lydford gorge, stunning countryside and oh yeah steep hills. Some how I managed to overshoot some place i can’t recall and wound up in Tavistock. 10 miles down the road. At this point I was feeling pretty fresh, but by the time I got to Cullumpton, I was really feeling the burn. I did however have lots of opportunity to mull over my journey, in between cursing who ever thought it would be fun to make Devon and Cornwall so hilly. Anyway, its nearly over, I have some how hauled myself and a heavily loaded bike (soon to be) 1000 miles. It’s pretty mental, a month ago I had serious doubts about being able to complete something of this nature, and those of you that know me well would probably agree. I can appreciate any scepticism from people, but hey look at me now. Cycling Tim. I finally got to Gunnislake and CORNWALL, KERNOW, and so forth! A very happy moment, I’ve travelled the country and I’m nearly home. Having said that I moved round the corner, post celebratory cigarette looked up oh and there’s a massive bloody hill. You can guess the rest, I got up to the top of the hill feeling rather shaky and feeble, made a B-line for the first petrol station, ate a whole Jamaican Ginger cake, 2 oat bar things and then moved on, this was the start of a low. More hills, a feeling of being ill, drained and a bit shifty. I plodded on to Liskeard and slowed as I crawled to St Austell, I stooped to busting out the energy drink for emergencies. Which may well of been my saving grace, helping me through to St Stephens and freedom (nearly). One more day and its over. Today’s total Total 982.8 Day 61 Avg 9.4 Cal 2232.7 

Okehampton

I’m feeling a bit better today, I woke up in the cider farm come campsite after a good nights sleep it was very humid lastnight, I was exhausted and had a kip when I got to the campsite. I woke with some doubt about what lay ahead and if I could reach my target. I set off earlier than I had expected with little food and a positive buzz. My first target was Tiverton for lunch and supplies, the road to Tiverton was fairly direct, once more I struggled with my bearings somewhat but soon got back on task. I eased through the morning, geed up by the crossing into devon, another step closer to home. I’m beginning to realise that the end is neigh, I’m not sure if I’m sad about this or not but I will miss the nomadic lifestyle I have fostered. I found a great cafe in Tiverton for some lunch, it was the sort of place that would sit well in Falmouth, slightly bistro and a bit deli. The food was brilliant and fairly priced. I would be sample more delights later in the day. Definetly the best food since Ireland. Once I’d refueled I hit the road again. Getting my bearings took time aswell. I headed out of town on b roads and it was very hilly and a bit reminiscent of Cornwall. Constant up and down with sharp steep climbs. The b roads took their toll and are a premonition of what’s to come. Reminding me of how tough it can be, I stopped regularly for food as I felt lulls in energy. But felt very sapped by the whole event. Hopefully I can shift into this new style of cycling quickly. I got to near crediton and the roads turned back to a roads, very quiet but much better to ride on, a couple of long hills later and a short encounter with a cyclist who was surprised by my load and I was finally fatigued but in okehampton. I decided to stay in a b&b mainly for the electricity, but I’m glad as the food in the fountain hotel has been excellent and very good value too. I look forward to crossing into Cornwall tomorrow but not the continuing undulating terrain, people say that devon and Cornwall are the hardest bit of the end to end and I’m inclined to believe them.

Today’s stats: Total 921.5 miles Day 54.47 Avg 9.5 Calories 1889 (I think it must be more I ate like a machine all day)

Taunton

I woke up this morning feeling a bit shaky, I had a good nights sleep. But any sense of time and place is leaving me. I think I’m coming down with something, which isn’t a good start to the day. Breakfast was alright, another fry up. Strangely I’m going off them. I set out early again today a reversal on yesterday which did throw me and my usual reutine. The going from portishead was good and I did find that I could keep moving at a sensible pace, but the wind and hills did make the going tough. I found a funny little campsite outside Taunton on a cider farm, I set up my pitch in the middle of an orchard. Slightly odd but fun all the same, I’m beginning to long for Cornwall and some notion of normalcy.

Today’s stats: Total 867 Day 47.9 Avg 11 Cal 1474

Cardiff-newport-portishead

Cardiff to newport was a breeze. I keep managing to get a bit lost, the map isn’t as detailed as I would like but I’ve had no major issues. I had a great time in Cardiff seeing the gang and catching up with Kim. Newport has changed a lot but I found the riverfront easily to meet Matt and janire. I had a chilled evening with the gang and it was really good to see them and what they’ve been up to. I was keen to get an early start but that went out the window from the start. I finally hit the road about 12, by far my latest start. After a small bit of confusion about getting on the a48, I began making good progress. The weather was pretty poor and gradually got wetter as I neared the Severn bridge. Once over and having battled some strong cross winds I headed south. This is when things took a turn for the worse both in terms of weather and my bike. Not to mention getting lost again and having to back track. At a set of lights I was rocking on the front of the bike thinking that it seemed very soft I didn’t twig at first but finally I realised I had a slow puncture. I limped on with it for a while until I got on the Avon bridge and it went completely. So I had to change my first inner tube on the bridge in the shitty weather. A good test though and so far the tyre is fine. I ended up stopping short of my target cheddar in portishead, the urge to get dry and warm had got too much. But as frustrating a day as it has been it’s been great to see that I can replace a tube if needed. Hopefully that’ll be the only one.

Today’s stats Total 819 Day 52.9 Avg 11.2 Cal 1702

Cardiff

The campsite in Brecon last night was a real change from what I was used to. It had lots of families on holiday, and was very touristy. A shock to the system. I’m getting progressively more tired and while I love the freedom involved in the process, I miss “normal” existence. I have fully embraced the spirit of journey and have been surprised in my lack of interest in wanting to visually record the whole journey, but rather capture the spectacular, what excites my eye.

Today started really well, I climbed the 1440 feet hill over Brecon in one take. I was pleased and this continued through the morning, I was seemingly flying along and covered over 30 miles in 2 and a half hours. This energy faded as I neared Cardiff so I made a b-line to “refuel” this didn’t go to plan and I ended up getting lost. When I finally got my bearings I headed towards Cardiff over another steep climb over mountain road, an apt name. I continued slowly onto Cardiff, having done 10 miles more than expected.

Stats Total Day 49.6 Avg 11.0 Cals 1741