Day Twelve

The FINAL day!

We have now got the routine pretty much down pact. Up at 7.30, breakfast at 8.00, aim to leave for 9.00, faff around, faff around a bit more and at very best get away for 9.30. Highlight of breakfast was Iain being admonished by the B&B owner for not wearing his socks and had to go and put some on much to everyone elses' amusement. There was a general consensus that if you are looking for a welcoming place to stay in Tain, this would not be it.

We had great weather for the last day and fantastic scenery. The road followed the coast along for much of the way and we passed castles, derelict crofters cottages, sheep, more sheep, cows and more cows. A good couple of climbs just to ensure our legs still worked on day 12 and to go with them, some great descents (44 mph max speed but don't tell our Mothers). The road was fairly flat and the scenery incredibly desolate for the last 28 miles with one last climb just before the final descent into John O'Groats. Quick stop at the John o'Groats village sign for a photo at which point Iain started boasting about no punctures the whole way... (Iain - thank you Chris for decent wheels & tyres).

We reached the final official end point to victorious cheers and hugs all round, our legs still able to move and under carriages a little bit sore. We had made it!! To prove it we had an official photograph taken by the official sign, a glass of champagne to celebrate and presented with a medal.

Most importantly, our families had arranged balloons which we set off to commemorate our journey and to celebrate and remember the life of Ewan as well as raise money for a great cause, the Surrey Sands 'Forget Me Not' room at Royal Surrey.

Day Eleven

Windy, grey, miserable, cold, grey, cold, windy, cold.

The longest day today - 99.73 miles which took approx. 8.5 hours (Duncan - please note, GPS will verify...). The most memorable aspect of the day was the need to pedal, whilst going down a steep hill, with the strong headwind and driving rain pushing against us.

Apparently, so I am informed, Loch Ness is the most beautiful of all the Lochs. The furthest we could see in front of us today was approximately 10 ft which was just enough to spot and blaspheme at the weekend gypsies soaking us in yet more oily water. So the Nessie spotting will have to wait.

The excess of water meant that there was one good feature to the highlands... water falls and lot of them.

At lunch time (after c. 66 miles)... the prime purpose of the pit stop was to ring out our soggy socks. Mum & Dad passed us food through the back window of their car whilst we shivered inside in a desperate attempt to raise our body temperature by 2 degrees. The back seats of the Ford Focus will never be the same again. We left Mum most disturbed at the sight of James donning his long john type 'leggings' in a futile attempt to warm up.

The competition to be the best support team is now hotting up - with bribery rife. Service by all 3 back up teams has been exceptional to date but we feel its important that complacency does not set in.

We were greeted at the B&B with more chintz than a pensioners living room...

Day Ten

Woke up feeling somewhat tired from the excesses of yesterday, not the fine selection of whiskey, but the pace we sped towards Inveraray. Bruising coming on nicely, 2 pairs of padded shorts were the order of the day.

After more of the usual faffing, this time caused by James buckled wheel which turned out to be a broken spoke we finally left Inveraray and a difficult day in the saddle ensued where every mound felt like a mountain all not helped by a strong head wind and rain all day.

During the trip, James cycling jacket has caused some confusion due to its resemblance to a wet suit. This was re-confirmed at the lunch stop by Loch Linnhe, where he was accosted by some walkers who thought he was a diver just emerging from the deep and thought he was truly mad. Who'd wear a short wet suit in a Scottish summer (in fact come to think of it which mad cyclists would wear a pair of shorts during the Scottish summer)?! Strangely they didn't question his legendary sartorial elegance, modelling the yellow workman's jacket...

Finally arrived wet and cold in time to get the wheel fixed at a local bike shop in Fort William.

The 100 miler day tomorrow. Perhaps 3 pairs of shorts?

Day Nine

After a hearty breakfast, including real Scottish black pudding, James and his Chief Assistant Mechanic a.k.a. Rodney fitted new brake pads on James bike and away we went for the day.

We cruised along the dual carriageway and stopped at Largs for coffee. Beautiful scenery along the coastal road up to the Western ferry at Gourock. Met Mum & Dad (armed with a very substantial packed lunch courtesy of Christine) and took the ferry to Dunoon.

We blasted around the shores of Loch Eck - roads quite flat and very smooth so we achieved an average of 20 mph. Due to swift progress we had time to stop for cream teas at a friendly post office overlooking Loch Fyne. Scenery stunning!! Managed to keep up the pace round to Inveraray where we met up with Mum, Dad, Clare and Marilyn at the George Hotel.

Inveraray is a pretty place and we enjoyed a lovely meal in the pub. Weather and roads were kind to us today - all in all a good day.... and of course the cream teas helped us to top up our energy levels!

Day Eight

Rainy day today. Fantastic road to Carsphairn so we made good progress. Stopped for lunch in local tearoom. Next part of the journey was hard work cycling through bleak landscape and the odd grey village....all made greyer with the miserable weather. The road surface was terrible & the speed bumps were smoother than the road itself! Eventually arrived in Prestwick to a warm reception at Christine and Rodneys house where many family members had gathered (Mum & Dad, Nancy, Isobel and Andrew). Clare and Marilyn handed over their support team duties before heading up to Inveraray for a couple of days. We were offered beer, warm baths, laundry services, food and a bed for the night (thanks to Andrew & Fiona for giving up their rooms!). The most difficult decision of the evening was choosing between Glenmorangie and Highland Park! James was presented with a flurescent yellow waistcoat to warn the oncoming traffic of his presence. Thanks again to Christine and Rodney for their hospitality!

Day Seven

A particulary challenging start to the day a.k.a. the Kirkstone Pass (1500 feet). Great scenery, shame its all vertically up hill.

Then descent into Ullswater. Sick of the athletes choice (gel bars), we have now resorted to the fat boys choice of mars bars.

Made it over the border into Scotland late in the day, virgin territory for the English/Canadian contingent. In honour of the occasion James had Haggis for dinner in a local hostelry in Dumfries. B&B very good and very tarten (Rivendell).......no deep fried mars bars encountered yet. Just off to bed but not before James dons his newly acquired nasal strips in an effort to minimise sleep loss for all concerned due to excessive snoring.

Day Six

We waved Toby off after breakfast, it was great that he could join us for the last 2 days. We packed up to leave and sorted out our washing where upon Clare made the fatal and foolish mistake of inhaling whilst squeezing the air of the plastic bag. She recovered after 5 mins with her head out of the hotel window.

Made good progress from Warrington to Preston slipstreaming on a particularly smooth piece of road at 30 mph. We stopped off for coffee, cake and washing at the mother-in-laws, leaving slightly heavier due to consumption of delicious home made flapjack. One mile later BANG! James tyre completely split. After asking passers-by we quickly established that one of the biggest cycle shops in the north west, Ribble Cycles, was around the corner. After making use of a full range of their tools to do a quick service of our bikes, we were on our way.

Had a good run up the A6. Weather had been good all day but we had heavy rain for the last hour as we started to climb the hills of the Lake District. Katie met us for dinner at the Eagle & Child in Staveley where we were staying. We had a few pints of 'wicked jimmy, had a token effort at the pub quiz before collapsing for an early night. Katie, Clare and Marilyn polished off their red wine which only improved their pub quiz prowess.

Day Five

After a quick lube up (James very kindly lent Toby his "Anti Chafe" under the strict condition of no double dipping) we were off on day number five. 20 metres out of the B&B we met a landrover coming in the other direction, Iain stopped and performed the cycling classic 'failing to unclip his shoes from pedals routine' and fell horizontally sideways onto his side much to James and Toby's entertainment. Having dusted down himself down we had a good start to the day.. 15 miles up after an hour with power house Toby leading the way.

Having turned off too early in order to take the scenic route to Shrewsbury we went up a 2 mile steep ascent and down the corresponding 2 mile descent after James had followed some dubious directions on the route cards, but failed to notice it bore no resemblance to the map he was also reading. One all. Only answer was to do the same again in the opposite direction. Lovely road though...

Having got back on track we rode into Shrewsbury making good time only to get lost in the one way system. We asked PC Plod for directions who after much procrastination turned out to be as much use as a chocolate tea pot. After finally finding our way Toby was struggling a bit. After a quick Mars bar, power gel and power bar (approx the same calories as a good size meal) he had more 'energy' than Ben Johnson in Seoul 1988!

Finally made it to Marbury for a very belated lunch to meet up with Clare for the back up crew handover and said goodbye to James' parents after their sterling efforts (in putting up with us). Also James's Uncle Ben & Aunty Sue kindly came out to cheer us on. Due to technical difficulties with Toby's digestive system he was sidelined to back up crew duties in Clare's car for the remainder of the afternoon.

We blasted along the A49 which was a great piece of road - v. smooth tarmac, drafting all the 30 miles into Warrington for 6pm. 97 miles today!! We had a quick turnaround and then out for dinner with cousin Nancy and husband Derek and young Matthew, Clare's sister Jill and a various assortment of the northern contingent (i.e. Donna & Ian, Rich Heath & Rich Haskey) - it was good to see everyone.

Day Four

A good start, over the Clifton suspension bridge....twice. The route cards did not match the map and after a prolonged rigorous debate where going south bound was the inevitable end point, we agreed that James was right. I took it quite well, as I think James' black eye demonstrates.

Having gone 8 miles out of our way we were keen to progress quickly. Our legs were still suffering the after effects of the first 2 days so the combination of this and ominous black clouds was causing some concern whether we'd reach Ludlow before midnight. However, the Severn Bridge crossing was quick with the wind on our backs and onto the Wye Valley. The route through to Monmouth was superb, mostly down hill for 20 miles though we were more cautious due to the wet roads and mud slides, so only a maximum speed of 41.5 mph today.

The road onto Hereford and Leominister was very quick with James, Toby & I taking it in turns to draft and save energy. Once we got 5 miles out of Ludlow the weather changed for the worse. Rain came down like stair rods turning the road to rivers and us very wet. Found the B&B (Mill House) in Ludlow eventually who kindly took us in offering us tea and free washing facilities.

Day Three

Have managed to jump onto an unsecured WiFi connection to update the blogs for the past few days (Thank you Jon Kathie for your high network security). However, feeling tired, too tired to write a long entry today having reached Bristol (Westbury Park Guest House). Met up with Nicky (thanks for helping us with the calorie intake, I'm sure chocloate cheesecake is the food of the trained athlete).

Day Two

6.5 mph average! The day started off on a continuing theme. Hills and a world beating collection of them at that. After 20 miles of constant climbing and no way to make good use of the downhills due to blind bends and muddy roads we were behind schedule. In order to make time was changed tact and moved onto the less scenic, but much quicker A30 between Launceston to Okehampton.

As arranged we met Martin & Hilary, John, Rachael & James for a pub lunch.


Continuing on, Devon came only second to Cornwall in steep hill collections. We rolled into Tiverton (Angel Guest House) having completed 66 miles (that's £6.60 thanks Patrick). James treated us to something that Canada apparently does not come up to par with, a good curry.

Day One

The original plan was to do the 10 miles between Lands End and Penzance on the Friday night to start Day One going forwards rather than backwards from the accomodation to Lands End. Unfortunately it didn't work that way. The great British weather, A303 and a legion of weekend Gypsies conspired against us. This meant that rather than a relaxing last meal it was a quick Subway for four - James' Mother was strangely excitied about the concept, but a jet lagged James was rather disappointed having travelled 3000 miles to get the same food which he could easily indulge in everyday, albeit for half the price.

Rising early on Saturday morning we travelled down in the trusty 306 Estate to Lands End where after much faffing, taking of the obligatory photos we set off at 8am in beautiful weather... back to B&B (Beach Wood) in Penzance for good old traditional english greasy breakfast, fried bread included.

Setting off again the journey was largely uneventful, other than torrential rain from Truro (English Truro not the Canadian one) to St Austell and meeting a fellow cyclist who had just been knocked off his bike by a car full of pensioners. The journey onto St. Neot was much more scenic and hilly, a taster of things to come. We arrived at Dye Cottage in St. Neot at 430pm and took immediate use of its facilities, a bath to ease the aching muscles. A few beers in the local pub (London Inn) were even manageable.

The last supper

Well, it's come round all too quickly. Or perhaps not, any longer and training in torrential rain would have tested my robust willingness to squeeze in any more training. Any earlier and my special Delhi weightloss regime would have meant a few more re-fueling stops. The long car journey down there will give plenty of time to reflect on those all too gleeful comments of the fantastic cycling weather, rubber rings and embrocation required...

Lands End to John O'Groats

Thank you for visiting the Ride For Ewan blog site. If you wish to track progress of our trip from Lands End to John O'Groats please read on. For more information on the purpose of this sponsered bike ride please visit http://www.justgiving.com/surreysands-rideforewan.

Today, Thursday 4th, James will be leaving the land of maple syrup, ice hockey, beavers and Céline Dion and boarding a flight bound for decent music, warm beer, dodgy B&B's and severe weather warnings. With his bike.

The route will start here...

and end here...


Day 1 Sat 6th Sept St. Neot
Day 2 Sun 7th Sept Tiverton

Day 3 Mon 8th Sept Bristol

Day 4 Tue 9th Sept Ludlow

Day 5 Wed 10th Sept Warrington

Day 6 Thu 11th Sept Kendal

Day 7 Fri 12th Sept Dumfries

Day 8 Sat 13th Sept Prestwick

Day 9 Sun 14th Sept Inveraray

Day 10 Mon 15th Sept Fort William

Day 11 Tue 16th Sept Dornoch/Tain

Day 12 Wed 17th Sept John o'Groats

Thank you to everyone who has generously donated Surrey Sands, Clare and I are very grateful. A special thank you to whose who have helped so far with route info, training, bike & clothing accessories, organisation, accomodation, and support.