CTC Lejog 2010
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Day Seventeen
The day was fine which was a good start. It became overcast later, but not badly so.
We cycled up and down and upper and downer and uppest and downest until we approached Thurso. The scenery on this section was lovely with beaches, mountains inland, blue sea, cliffs and so on.
Everybody seemed to stop for coffee and buns in Thurso.
Reflecting on coffee in Thurso!
On behalf of everyone I bought a bottle of whiskey for our Fahrtsfuhrer and a bottle of whisky for Deputy Dave. We proceeded on our route to Castletown and then all opted to do the extra bit out to Dunnett Head which is, it seems, the true most northerly point in Britain. If it is, then that's all that's there!! Some took a stroll to photograph some puffins, but I'd seen enough puffin, not to mind huffin, on this tour! Romina remarked that the stone with Dunnett Head inscribed on it was a coffin. Maybe she meant gravestone.
We then cycled the coastal route to John O'Groats which was flat enough. On the way we saw several large seals basking on a beach, though one of them could've been a former British deputy prime minister...
John O'Groats was reached with general jubilation, just like last year.
Before...
After!
It is inevitable that you will feel a high, having done it. You can think of all sorts of things that can derail your effort, illness, as befell one participant, an accident, an injury, a painful fundament, a broken bike frame, an Exocet missile, an alien invasion, a hurricane, a Spitfire and so on.
We had great fun taking photographs as Marcin, the Polish rogue, had prepared a special banner to celebrate the event, including the memorable line "Where is Greece/Grease?" which Romina said several times to me one night. Eventually the penny dropped, it was "Where is Chris?" He also included the lines "Smiert Spionam" = Smersh, death to spies. Smersh was the nasty organisation pitted against James Bond, and "Wurst fur Alle", "Sausages for the masses", his own slogan. As may be deduced from this nonsense, this was a great tour to be on, or if you're a grammatical pedant and don't like sentences ending in prepositions, this was a great tour on which to be!
The Banner
Romina's wrap...
Sue and Mark.
5th Batallion, Light Mounted Bicycles
The Inseparable Three Musketeers, Peter, David and Tom.
Back to the Hotel, the unprepossessing but excellent Seaview Hotel to change and so on. There was a potential hiccup for a while as Chris, or Grease, noted a gremlin in communication between himself and the bus company who were supposed to collect us on the morrow, and had no way of contacting the head man. Eventually through some wizard wheeze, he managed to do so and all was hunky dory.
We had a nice dinner, everyone in excellent form. I had haggis in both my dishes. I love haggis. We had short speeches, presented the whiskey and the whisky, had a few jorums and off to bed.
The next day the bus which had a bike trailer took us on the seven hour journey to Edinburgh, where it was pouring rain. I stayed in a B&B near the airport, had dinner in the excellent restaurant in the Comfort Hotel (The hotel was full so I couldn't stay there), slept well, got up the next morning and flew to Cork with Aer Arann.
Words of advice to someone who wants to do this particular tour.
Don't if you snore, as they don't want snorers. They wreak havoc in dorms.
Don't if you are too heavy. I was at the practical limit last year, 15st 12lb. I found it a lot harder than this year at 14.08 or so.
Don't do it unless you train a lot. It's far too hard a tour to "ride yourself in"
You will be unbelievably fit having done it. If you want to get really really fit and lose some weight, it is the very business.
The End.
Good Luck!
More pages from this Post: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18
Hi, Garry. Will you be able to keep us up to date almost daily, in the style of Mick F?
Anyway, good luck, sir
July 25th, 2010 at 7:13 am
Wishing all the best Garry, I know what you mean with a lot of kit, when I set off on my C2C I travelled light (enough clothing for 3 days only, and washed kit each night, as I stopped at B&B's). Kit does make the bicycle balance very different. And 42 pounds of kit is a lot, but you are going for a long distance, and have to be prepared for everything.
Will be thinking of you as you go. Keep in touch as much as possible.
I am doing this trip next summer, so will keep my eyes peeled for your reports.
Mary
July 28th, 2010 at 12:58 pm
I've actually done the trip folks. I'm just working on a writeup of each day. I only carried about 8lb or so with me every day!
July 28th, 2010 at 2:41 pm
Aha. Yes, the clue comes in the very first sentence, doesn't it? Oh, well. Congratulations
July 28th, 2010 at 2:56 pm
Hi Garry, I have been waiting your report with baited breath, as I am doing this ride next season. (but with another group). I have never stayed at a youth hostel before, and by the sounds of it, I dont think I have missed much. I like my own space and privacy, its going to be bad enough having to share my space with others let alone sharing my 'sleep' space wiht strangers even if of the same gender.
Although I found B&Bs a bit pricy (I am staying in London shortly with my daughters for less than the price of the B&B's on my C2C trip), but I do prefer good showers and a nicely laid out breakfast arrangement in the mornings. How much does it cost for an over night at a hostel by the way?
With ear plugs, do you worry, you might miss a fire alarm? I wouldnt use them just because of this fear, but I do not know how much sound they block out.
What did you do for food and what/where did you eat?
Your group picture was taken on a brilliant morning by the looks of things and I do love your picture of St Michaels Mount, my parents retired near the Bretton version of this castle in Normandy, Mont St Michel, equally stunning, a twin version of St Michaels Mount.
Looking forward to the next episode.
August 3rd, 2010 at 8:54 am
I think they cost about 15 pounds or so. We ate in all of them and the food is good. Don't know how much dinner costs as our trip was all pre-paid and we only had to buy about 3 dinners. The breakfasts in the hostels are fine. It's just that many of them have restricted space which makes bringing a lot of kit (as we did as we had support) a mistake. Ear plugs would not block out an alarm as an alarm has a painful volume. I won't be able to continue this account for about 10 days as I'm off cycling to Co.Mayo with Mary. Will continue when I return.
My advice if staying in a hostel. Don't have too much kit!
August 3rd, 2010 at 9:19 am
Hi Garry!
Lostwithiel eh? Not far west from here. I've sat on that bench a few times!
Great report. I look forward to Day 2.
No doubt you're off via Minnions and Upton Cross, then perhaps Rilla Mill?
Regards, and good luck,
Mick.
August 4th, 2010 at 9:18 am
Garry's completed his ride Mick, and doing the writeups bit by bit. He's now away for 10 days somewhere else. This is probably clearer now that the different days are spliced together. I agree... a very good read. It's a pity Land's End and John O'Groats are such a faff to get to and from, but I suppose that is the nature of the beast. If I was doing it – and I'm still planning to – I'd avoid most hostels. Like Mary, I'd want my own room. Travelodge is ideal in my experience, if you can find them in the right locations and with a Little Chef next door.
August 4th, 2010 at 1:18 pm
Hi Garry,
Irish whiskey: on our exit from Dublin I picked up a bottle of 12 year old Red Hen – lovely, lovely stuff. It almost got confiscated at our last connection in Toronto (Toronto has a nasty reputation for relieving passengers of their duty-free goods – I wonder where it all goes). I'm with you on American and Canadian whiskeys; they are bad news and are best avoided.
It sounds like you had a good crew on your tour. Group riding is a bit like group dining – one bad apple can ruin the whole experience. We've ridden with a group only once and soon dropped off to let the others go their merry way, to our mutual relief. So far your comrades are hanging in ... but maybe the fireworks and friction are yet to come! We'll keep following.
August 20th, 2010 at 2:40 am
I too wondered about the group dynamic thing, and I agree, they look a good crew. At least when you're out on a bicycle ride you can go ahead, fall back, swap companions, etc, as you would with a party on a walk. Comparative fitnesses comes into it as well. Not so easy to strike out on your own with group dining (not that I'm experienced in either myself).
The photos really help tell the story.
August 20th, 2010 at 2:21 pm
It was a great group. There was VERY little friction. The previous year there was some and a particular clique formed early on which stuck to themselves. You can be lucky or lucky in this respect, but also, sometimes you have to boot someone out who does not play by the rules. We got rid of a longtime touring companion who was utterly selfish, would turn up with little training and expect people to wait for him and was always looking for a route to avoid paying when it was his turn. He no longer comes and will not be tolerated. The fact that people like that have no insight is no reason to put up with them! The number one criterion in a cycletouring companion (after being fit) is a flexible attitude. Another no-no is the consistently negative person. I must be a good touring companion myself as people are always trying to get me to come touring!
August 20th, 2010 at 3:07 pm
Really been enjoying your write ups Garry.
When you set off with a group such as you did with the CTC, are you given a map, which has the route on, or do you all cycle wheel to wheel along the route with one leader?
Do you manage to get the route downloaded into the Garmin, or again are you using it as a bicycle computer and following paper maps? I am doing this ride next year, but with Saddle Skaddaddle and am wondering how long you get with the route.
Loved the picture of the castle.
I am having my first 'go' at camping in October!
Something Ive never done before, and hoping it will mean i can afford longer cycle tours. (Have to bring wagon loads of batteries thou' for the GPS).
August 26th, 2010 at 9:36 pm
Well done Mary. I've camped most years since I was a teenager. I come from a camping family. My parents camped well into their seventies and one of my brothers even camped at University rather than stay in halls of residence. The key to it, I think, is good campsites and good equipment – especially tent and sleeping bag. The main issue for me nowadays is my susceptibility to cold, and noise at night. France is the place to go camping if you get the chance. Warm, and they normally lock the gates at 10.30 pm, which cuts down the risk of noise (except on the 14th of July). Noisey campers is what's put me off it in the UK, but you can get round this if you stick to well-run sites.
The castle photo on page 12 is a good one, but so is the photo after it.
August 26th, 2010 at 10:37 pm
This year those of us who had our own Garmins were supplied with the routes, the others had Garmins supplied with routes. We had backup maps as well, but I certainly didn't need mine and had little or no trouble navigating apart from getting out of Exeter and one or two other spots. I camped a small bit as a young man but never cyclecamped, but I'm going to do it next year as I intend to do some long tours, now that I'm retired. Maps are fine for simple routes but most of the CTC route is very complex. Would be problematical to follow on a map, as was illustrated last year. This CTC Lejog tour is a fairly new tour. It's hard and last year it knocked 12 lb off me and left me fit, but I've lost another 6lb this year and am the fittest I've been for about 14 years. I would only recommend it to someone who was willing to suffer a bit!! Most of the tours I do are relatively MUCH easier than it.
August 26th, 2010 at 11:16 pm
Your route looks lovely. I've fancied doing this for sometime & now you've got me really wanting to do it!
I'll second Patrick's comments about a good tent and sleeping bag, you need to know that if the weather should turn unexpectedly foul in the middle of the night your equipment will cope. I love lying all snug in my sleeping bag listening to the rain hammering on my tent!
August 27th, 2010 at 9:26 am
"Every syllable was carved and gently wrapped in heather ..." – fabulous phrase ...
August 30th, 2010 at 4:33 pm
Yes, I remember it. Page 13. Overall, the best account I've read of a Land's End to John O'Groats. Tells a very good story indeed, and good photos. Well done Garry.
August 30th, 2010 at 5:17 pm
Thanks Patrick. I learnt how to do it as I went along. The most fun I got out of writing it was that it made me remember details of the route that I wouldn't have otherwise. It has cemented the tour in my brainbox!
August 30th, 2010 at 10:17 pm
Great stuff, Garry. Finally had the time to sit down and read your account all on the same day. Great photographs – page 14 is a particular favourite. (I wish I'd taken a camera on my latest ride. I must make some notes and grab Steve's photographs to help me before I forget things.)
Well done, sir
September 1st, 2010 at 1:11 am
A great read that's got me itching to do the same myself.
September 1st, 2010 at 10:00 am
A great write up coupled with excellent photograpghs. I did it in 2003 and a similar route. This brought back lots of good memories. Thanks.
September 3rd, 2010 at 4:19 pm
I enjoyed your End to End account and the dynamics of the group. I have done quite a few long distance cycle tours, the end to end being one. All have been self supported sole tours, it may be that I am just anti social, or that I got great enjoyment was being self reliant and enjoying the encouragement, friendliness and generosity of the people I met though out my tours.
It may be the wrong impression but I like the solitude and sounds of the countryside you silently pass through at a speed that you can enjoy you environment. I am not convinced that would be the case if I were in a group where I would feel obliged to socialise though out the day and evening.
One pedantic comment on your account, there is only one lake in Scotland the others are lochs, bit like Ireland.
September 15th, 2010 at 3:13 pm
I've toured by myself a bit too, and enjoy it. It's different. I cycled quite a bit of the tour by myself, as I like to take photographs.
Loch = lake in Gaelic and Irish. To us they would be exactly the same thing!
September 15th, 2010 at 4:32 pm
Day One of Le Jog 2010. I marshalled on test 4 at Pencalenick this morning. The course closing car arrived with a competitor (red Lotus) immediately behind him. He admitted having seen him turning into the approach road to the test, but would not let him run, saying he was too late. All the marshals on the test were experienced marshals, and ALL were absolutely appalled at the decision, the manner and demeanour of the official. It is not good enough if you want to continue running the event and encourage more entrants. If there is not a reasonable reply to this letter, I for one will not turn out to marshal on this event in the future, and will actively discourage others.
December 4th, 2010 at 9:54 pm
Eh? Pardon? Is that a LeJog with (shudder) cars?
December 5th, 2010 at 2:49 am
Yes, I think he's referring to the 2010 HERO Land's End to John O'Groats Reliability Trial and Classic Car Tour (4th to 7th December) – open to cars built before 1984: "rallying as it used to be." Entry fee: £2,250.
December 5th, 2010 at 8:28 am
An understandable mistake!
December 5th, 2010 at 8:55 am
Thanks for the excellent site, could you provide a link to the gpx file or google map route that was used, it seems slightly different to the current c2c yha route.
March 9th, 2011 at 4:28 am
Kieron, I think Garry said the CTC's GPS route files are copyright. That's why we didn't include them here, just the map. They probably change things a little each year as well. Thanks for the thumbs up.
March 9th, 2011 at 8:31 pm
Yep Ive joined CTC , do you know if this route is uploaded – it would be cool to provide a members only link to this ? At the moment I am having probs matching this route with the current YHA and BB routes.
If not could anyone who has their gpx route(s) still knocking about upload them to CTC, Im sure together with this site they would be much appreciated by newbies.
Thanks again !
March 10th, 2011 at 1:02 am
The route is copyright, unfortunately and this was made clear to us. That's why it's not available other than to participants in the tour. It was devised by the famous English Audax cyclist, Sheila Simpson.
March 10th, 2011 at 6:44 am