End to End

Day Thirteen


Today 60.51 miles 6 hours 16 minutes

Cumulative 97 hours 09 minutes, 899.2 miles


Got up early again to finish the last day on time, Ann then had a problem with her brakes and the only bike shop in Wadebridge was shut for stocktaking all day. Fortunately a bike hire shop temporarily fixed her bike so we could continue. Eventually set off about 930, and hour and half later than we wanted. Lots of hills to begin with, then onto the A30 all the way to Penzance. Not a pleasant road to cycle on, with lorries and cars speeding inches from you. Arrived at Penzance at 230pm, for our first break, a quick cup of tea and lunch, before the last 10 miles to Lands End. However we decided to follow a cycle path, big mistake. This took us the long way round and the hilliest, we eventually got to Lands End at 5pm. Kirsty and Ann’s parents met us there, and kindly drove us back to Devon, don’t think we could have coped with cycling back to Penzance after that. And that is that, John O’Groats to Lands End in 13 days, a once in a life time experience, because after you do it once, you won’t want to do it again.

Thanks for the encouragement, emails and text messages on the way, this was much appreciated, and if you felt generous towards the fundraising we were doing, thank you for that too.

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/29351247

Day Twelve


Today 75 miles 9 hours 19 minutes

Cumulative 90 hours 53 minutes, 838.69 miles


In the morning I awake,my arms my legs my body aches, the sky outside is wet and grey,so begins another weary day.

Not our best day today, we were behind from yesterday so had to try and catch up as much as possible. Left Bickleigh at 8am an hour earlier than normal, and had a very large hill to climb straight away till we got to Crediton. Bought 3 more inner tubes to last the day and the next, should be plenty. Stopped for our first Cornish Pasty in Okehampton. Then headed to the A30 towards Bodmin. After 10 minutes on the A30 I had a puncture, fixed it, and within 2 minutes, the other wheel had a puncture, fixed that and within 5 minutes had another puncture. We had to get of the A30, and found a back route towards Launceston. Another big climb into the town centre, where we found a great bike shop, very friendly and helpful, checked the pressures on our tyres, and made us teas. Gave us a new route towards Lands End that was not as hilly as the one we planned. The one we planned though must have been very hilly, because the new route certainly wasn’t easy. The bike shop was Launceston Cycles, and they have a book where End to Enders sign, we were the second this year, the first to do it from John O’Groats. Called my father 20 miles out of Wadebridge to ask him to find us accommodation, and carried on in the pouring rain, fortunately there were few hills and it took us about 90 minutes to get to Wadebridge. Once there we found a good restaurant where the owner donated some money towards our fundraising, and another couple at the table next to us also did the same.

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/29351260

Day Eleven


Today 57.85 miles 6 hours 14 minutes

Cumulative 81 hours 34 minutes, 763.69 miles

Bridge over Troubled Water

Possibly the worst dinner we have had on our holiday so far, last night, at the Holiday Inn. Only recompense was that we were served by an actor from Skins. Pretty straightforward day today not many hills, but a strong wind against us. Had one puncture. Was sold the wrong type of inner tube in a bike shop at Shrewsbury. The shop was closing down, now i know why. A big fat tattooed guy with a fag behind his ear was serving, probably never been on a bike before, told me there were no hills between Shrewsbury and Hereford, that was a blatant lie. His only experience of hills is probably rolling down them. Cut our journey short today and booked in at Bickleigh. I used to run a pub here when I was at Venners, but it was full. We therefore booked into the Fisherman’s Cott, where apparently Paul Simon wrote Bridge over Troubled Water, which Elvis Presley covered. Had dinner with Ann’s parents, and my beautiful daughter, Kirsty, who was absolutely thrilled to see me. She’s only human after all.

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/29351276

Day 10


Go West

Miles 64.7 miles 7 hours 8 minutes

Cumulative 715.84 miles; 75.2 hours



Lovely ride through the Wye Valley this morning then over the Severn Bridge towards Bristol. Ended up at the Holiday Inn Bristol Airport. My brakes finally failed this morning, I was having a drink on a downhill stretch, and suddenly realised that whilst holding the drink in my right hand, the brake on my left hand was not working, had to throw the drink to the ground to stop. Then spent 20 minutes changing the brakes.

My daughter Kirsty has complained to me that this journal is always about me and her mother, and what we have achieved on our journey. However we have failed to mention that Kirsty achieved more in her science test than her friend Grace, and she has managed to get out of bed and dressed everyday of this Easter Holiday so far. Kirsty I am so proud.

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/28971674

Miles today 75.59 time 7 hours 27 minutes

Cumulative 68 hours 12 minutes; 651.14 miles

From Whitchurch to Hereford today. Lots of hills and hard cycling. Had a puncture after lunch, changed it in a driveway as road was very busy. However the owner of the house returned, and he was very upset, kept hooting at us, so we moved the bikes, still kept hooting so we moved the bags, still kept hooting so we moved the tools, still kept hooting, there was nothing left to move, what is his problem? Then we realised we had left a tyre lever on his drive. Moved everything away from his property, although technically we were never on his property as we were on the pavement. Decided it was safer to fix the bike on a busy a road with lorries whizzing past us within a couple of inches, than upset a country person, as we know they all carry shotguns, and shoot trespassers before asking questions. They also keep wild dogs. Spent the night in the Merton Hotel, Hereford, hotel in poor condition but service and attitude excellent. Went into town for dinner.

Miles today 64.55, time 7 hours

Cumulative 575.55 miles and 60 hours 45 minutes

Good breakfast at Dan’s and Nicky’s, thank you both of you. A long arduous journey today, plenty of long slow climbing hills, and not many descents. Tried not to stop too much, but couldn’t help it at lunch, as we had to wait forever for our food to arrive, but it was worth the wait and the rest helped my knee recover a bit. We were looking to end the day at Shrewsbury, but we were too knackered by 6pm, so settled down in Whitchurch instead. Found a decent hotel , where there are some other end to enders staying. Their families were booking them in when we arrived, they are due to be here later. They are doing the easy way, from Lands End up, and with their families carrying their luggage. Lightweights! We have only seen 2 lots of end to enders so far, one on our second day, they looked like they would finish that day, and some yesterday outside Preston.

Miles today 71.22, time 7 hours 16 minutes

Cumulative 511 miles and 53 hours 45 minutes

Good breakfast, best b&b to date, the landlady makes the bread, jam and marmalade herself. Set off on the A6 towards Preston. Had my second puncture of the trip within 20 minutes of leaving. Went through the Lake District, stunning views, but a long, long climb. Plenty of snow on the ground, a bright sunny day but very cold. Stopped off at Kendal for a cup of tea in a very nice tea shop. Then headed to Lancaster. Short stop at Lancaster for a sandwich lunch at 4pm in a petrol station, and then to Preston. We left our bikes at the station and Dan picked us up and took us back to his. Met his new wife Nicky and a had a great evening and our best dinner of the holiday. If anyone is worried that Dan might have a problem with drinking, we would like to assure you that when we went to bed I made sure that there was no alcohol left in house, as I finished it all.