UK

My book, a presentation and Gok

| Zapfly

What a month it has been! So much has been happening since the end of February. My principle focus has been on completing my first book. I am so close now that I can smell the ink drying on the first draft. My book is all about my cycle ride last year from Lands End to John O’Groats. I will be utilising the Blurb platform to publish it. It is a mixture of journal and landscape photography. Watch this space.

Other news includes all the preparation for this year’s cycle adventure, London to Nordkapp. I aim to be off within the first half of June. I have decided to cycle along the North Sea Route for part of the way. This will take me through England, over the channel to Belgium, then on through The Netherlands, Germany, Denmark, Sweden, Finland and eventually, Norway.

En route to John O'Groats

I gave a presentation to the good people of the Child’s I Foundation last week as I shall be supporting their cause for this cycle adventure. I hope to have a few bloggers filling in for me whilst I am away. Relaying information from the various corners of northern Europe should be an interesting challenge but something to relish rather than fear!

I will start to post more information about the route in the next week, along with preparations and training. Ending on an exciting note, I did a shoot last week for the Gok Fashion Fix show website that will appear on the Channel 4 platform. Hyperlinks will be available from this Tuesday / Wednesday.

Day 11: Hasket Newmarket to Kendour YHA

| Zapfly

Total mileage: 88
Terrain: Hills – Very challenging and long day

We had not intended to make today such a long day but things conspired against us and we ended up cycling for 13 hours again.  We did pass a big landmark today, as the image shows below, we made it to Scotland.  I also set a new top speed record for the trip, beating Pete by hitting 45.5mph – bloody scary on a fully loaded bike!

Hasket Newmarket was lovely and the cycle ride up to Dalston for breakfast was very pleasant.  We had cereal and fruit for a change, leaving the full English aside.  From Dalston, we went via Carlisle, a super- grim town after the beauty of the Lakes.  Things got a little tricky thereafter, as we cycled on B roads that run parallel to the M6 motorway.  Our plans came undone when the road ran out, with only the motorway as an option.  There was a lot of construction going on, so we decided to cycle through the road works, along the M6.  Things went well until we were stopped by the Foreman.  He gave us an earful about the safety aspect and that we should go back and around (a 12 mile detour).  He fortunately relented and allowed us through, over the border and into Scotland.

As soon as we crossed the border, the weather turned foul and started to drizzle.  We had to join the A75, a dual carriageway from Gretna to Dumfries.  Fortunately, Mary had an alternative plan and we hopped onto a minor road, which was far more pleasant.  We were about 5 miles outside Dumfries when the skies opened and we were all completely soaked.  As we rolled into Dumfries, we were unsure whether to press on or stop and dry off.

Our decision was made for us by the fact that there was nowhere safe for us to leave the bikes, so we bought some food and headed to the tourist office.  Here, we bought a map of Scotland and talked to the guys there about where we should head to.  They recommended a place called St Johns.

Unfortunately, this meant getting back on the dual carriageway and cycling in the rain.  All of us were cold, tired and fed up of the busy roads.  All of this changed once we got off the A roads.  We were fortunate enough to cycle a wet but gorgeous road, another top 5 road for the trip for me.

The biggest blow of the day came when we got to St Johns.  All of the hostels, hotels and B&Bs were booked out, including some rancid Scottish woman who lied through her teeth saying one moment that she had room and suddenly changing her mind the next.  What really galled us was that she said there was a YHA hostel 10 miles up the road, in the middle of nowhere.  We were cold, tired and hungry and really not in the mood for this crap.

Our early impressions of Scotland were somewhat saved from complete damnation when we eventually arrived at the hostel.  We were greeted by some really friendly people, given great rooms with incredible views and then food by the other people present.  Overall, a very long day indeed that ended really rather well.

Back in the UK and time to train!

| Zapfly

My trusty steed - A Specialized Allez Elite road bike

So, after a fantastic week in Mallorca, learning how to sail a catamaran, I am back in the UK. I have headed down to Sussex for a few days to start my cycle training. The South Downs offers plenty of hills to the discerning cyclist and the weather is a balmy 20°C with an abundance of sunshine.

I think I will start with a modest ride today as I have not been on the bike for a couple of weeks, perhaps 20 miles or so. Tomorrow, I aim to knock out a longer 2-3 hour ride, so perhaps 40-50 miles. The one thing I will need to make sure of is that I do not get too used to cycling on my lightweight road bike as my touring bike is a darn sight more sturdy, being made of steel instead of aluminium.

On that point, I ordered my Thorn Raven last week via Pete. I cannot wait to receive it! I did a tally of all the various items I would like to take touring with me and I will have to trim down the list as otherwise I’ll never move under the oppressive weight of so much stuff!

I have also bought a mini-tripod set up for my handle bars, so I will be able to see how the camera will sit on my bike. Hopefully, I will have some test images from the next few days that I will upload to Flickr and to this blog.