The End or The Last Post !

So that's it - it's over,  complete,  done 

People have been asking "what's next? what are you going to do for another challenge?"


The answer is I don't know, it took along time to get round to sorting this out and taking 2 weeks out of a hectic family life isn't something that could have been done without the support from my wife and children (although it gave them the opportunity to add Maisie to the family whilst I was away - if I went somewhere again I might end up with another pup joining the household!) 


I've been trying to reflect on the past two weeks that have gone by in a blur - At the first briefing the ever patient Steve told us that we would retreat into a bubble - the outside world would become a distraction from the day to day focus of packing / unpacking / eating / looking at the weather forecast / cycling / getting lost / finding the route again / cursing the hills / cursing the wind and cursing the weather. 


Although I didn't believe him at the time he was right, despite the access to wireless internet, tweets, blogs, texts and mobile phones everyone who made the journey really did end up focussing on the end goal of reaching JOG. Days became blurred - was that 68 miles or was it 86 ? Where did we stay in that town or village? What was the name of the B&B? At some points we were questioning what day it was ! 


So what was it like ? 


Enjoyable - absolutely, despite the rotten weather it was an enormously enjoyable experience for the whole 2 weeks. Credit to Steve and Nick for keeping the group together, sorting out problems daily and still keeping calm throughout despite everyone's attempts to try their patience


Challenging - yes 14 days on the saddle when the most training was restricted to one or two days consecutive riding. A challenge in getting through the 1000 mile barrier, legs and knees holding up and managing the trip without injury. 


Rewarding - immensely satisfying to finish something that I had wanted to do for a very long time. Satisfaction in completing the physical aspects of the trip and also satisfaction with my bike and puncture repair skills :-). Rewarding in being able to meet and compare experiences with people from a wide variety of backgrounds who had done lots of interesting things - topped Kilimanjaro, been to Everest Base Camp and even walked LeJog !!! 


Inspiring - seeing others who had overcome illness to participate in the tour and also seeing 3 elder LeJoggers who had sorted out their own trip (and walked up Ben Nevis) swing into JOG with a cheery wave in our direction as we toasted their arrival. Seeing people who were doing a self supported ride with panniers front and back loaded to the gunwales pedalling away with a nod of the head to us lightweights with only a rack bag required to keep our kit in.


Top recommendations - the list of suggested kit from Peak Tours was pretty good although more warm cloths were needed because of the severe weather conditions but our suggestions are


Nick 
GPS - Garmin 800 with the route files was excellent for getting us through towns quickly without constant reference to the comprehensive route notes - also good for showing you how slowly you cycled up hill !
Buff- kept my neck warm in horrible conditions


Gareth 
Arm Warmers - essential for those who haven't lived in the UK for a while and have forgotten that it's colder than Texas
Chamois Cream  - essential !


Both - good waterproofs spare brake blocks and a decent saddle! 


Best day's riding - the magnificent ride from Glencoe to Inverness including General Wade's Military Road. Closely followed by the ride through the Shropshire and Cheshire countryside - most of the other days were affected by rain 


Most challenging day's riding - Moffat to Loch Lomond - not because of the terrain more because of the weather, the nature of the route and the constant mechanical problems / punctures 


Toughest Hill - possibly General Wades Military road although the climb outside Broadhembury on Day 3 on fresher legs runs this close 


Best B&B - Buchan Guest House in Moffat - fantastic welcome - washing done and great hosts 


Best Pint - sat outside my local (Rising Sun) in Tarporley having cycled the 72 miles from Clun to work up a thirst

So that's it, would I do it again - yes perhaps a JogLe but not just yet -  a bit more time required for the legs to recover - I'd also need to see what Gareth was doing - it certainly made things easier to have someone you knew to cycle with and he was a great companion throughout the trip although I'm not sure he could be persuaded back to face the UK weather for some time.


Would highly recommend doing it to anyone who has considered LeJog in the past, it's a great experience. Peak Tours were good hosts and although Dumb and Dumber didn't have to call on Steve too often we were confident that he would be there to sort out any issues if they had arisen


Cheers

Day 14 Crask to John O'Groats

We knew this was going to be a tough day listening to the howling wind from the "comfort" of the Crask Inn Cottage and that was just the noise from the 5 guys in the bunk room below our penthouse suite!

Outside it was even worse and we donned as many layers of clothing as possible to try and keep warm and actually be able to pedal. Kitted out like a pair of Michelin men we waddled to the outbuildings to retrieve our bikes and start the 83 miles to JO'G.

The forecast rain and headwinds were in evidence for the first hour of the ride giving us a taste of things to come although we were pleasantly surprised when the rain stopped and some weak rays of sunshine broke through the clouds.

We managed to enjoy some more Scottish Loch, river and moorland scenery narrowly avoiding being knocked over by some deer springing across the road in front of us . 

The rain held off and we caught our first glimpse of a John O'Groats signpost slightly depressing as it informed us we had another 55 miles to go.

We pushed on through Bettyhill making had work of the climb out of the village before pedaling on through undulating terrain. Each descent being followed by a  dreaded ascent straining very tired legs.

We passed some "Game Old LeJoggers" who we had previously met at Spean Bridge (they climbed Ben Nevis on a day off!) and wished them well before trying to get to Thurso in front of the rain. Alas we didn't make it and we were soon being pelted from the gloomy skies.

Eventually we made it to Thurso (after hiding in a bus shelter whilst cramming a mars bar to refuel) and dined on finest Coronation Chicken Sandwiches, Powerade and boost bars.

Comedy moment of the day came when scoffing sandwiches outside the shop -Gareth's waterproof trousers blew / fell down without him noticing ( too many layers of clothes on to feel). Worthy of a 70's Brian Rix farce especially as I didn't tell him until several bemused locals had crossed over to the other side of the road to avoid him.

Pulling up his pants we set off into the strong headwinds taking turns to lead over the last 20+ miles initially starting with 2 mile stints which gradually became 1 mile stints as the wind and rain seemed to sap our strength.

Nurturing our bikes through the last few miles, dreading a puncture or other mechanical failure we eventually met the ever patient Steve at the Seaview Hotel who pointed us in the right direction for the last quarter mile downhill coast to the famous signpost where he also acted as unofficial photographer.

LeJog done 1000 miles complete and just about to have the 100th beer