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Land’s End to John O’Groats – A Report
   

End 2 End

15 Days, 1026 miles!

On July 22nd at 5:15pm John O’Groats saw Dad and I dismount from the tandem for the last time, jubilant, amazed, thankful, weary and elated. In simple terms we had DONE IT! We had fulfilled that goal of cycling from one end of the country to the other, the challenge that we had planned for and looked forward to for over a year was complete! We had succeeded; defying the pain in our legs and the doubts we had had on those first training rides of even making Bristol!

 
For 15 consecutive days we had pedalled from 9am to 5pm covering between 95 miles and 60 miles a day. Together with Ian Minty our support driver, motivator, entertainer and administrator we stayed in 12 youth hostels, 1 B&B and 2 campsites en route. The youth hostels ranged from a Swiss style chalet to a restored watermill and even a Scottish castle. All were excellent in facilities and cleanliness not to mention full of many different and interesting people all with a story to tell. Many people were on tour and instantly put us to shame with their exploits and adventures including tours of the Alps and even thousands of miles across Europe!

The journey took in 3 different countries, 12 different counties, the highest village in Scotland, some of the lowest ground in the UK, mountain passes reaching 16% and 12 miles in length, disused lanes and crowded A roads! In the first 10 days temperatures didn’t drop below 30°C, which made cycling difficult and drinking very necessary. However, the weather was fairly sympathetic towards us, offering a prevailing southwesterly wind pushing us along, and no rain until days 13 and 14. At this point our good fortune ended and we were soaked to the skin in a thunderstorm complete with sheet lightning near the Kyle of Tongue! Very Dramatic!

Thanks must go to Rob and Rachel Buckingham who loaned us their tandem and made it all possible and to all 200 sponsors who together have raised approximately £2200 + gift aid for Marie Curie Cancer Care and The Bulgarian Partners Trust. Not only will the money be of great benefit to the two charities but also each sponsor gave that much more purpose to the whole trip, increasing our desire to reach John O’Groats and encourage us up each and every hill. Raising money gave the cycle ride a whole new dimension. It changed from a personal goal focussed on ourselves and our ambitions to a much more powerful, interesting and useful event, which we used to raise money for two very worthwhile causes. So in doing something that we enjoy we were able to help other people.

Lasting memories will include the breaking of the gears on the 1st day and the feeling of failure and disbelief that went with it, the top of every climb because of the sense of achievement, peoples support and encouragement, the comfort of a chair each evening after a day in the saddle, the amount we ate, the feeling of freedom and adrenaline on long descents, the potholes in Glasgow, crossing the Scottish border, the ctc’s estimated mileages which were always too short, the laughs shared with Ian in the youth hostels, the bike shed keys, the midges, the heat, waking up to the fire alarm at Chester youth hostel, the breath taking scenery … … … … … …

Many Thanks

Tim and Phil Catt


Last Updated on 01/09/03
By Phil and Tim Catt