Second and Third B&B confirmed
Things moving forward in the bookings. Have now confirmed stay in Bora and Carlisle
First Booking confirmed
At least we have a spot confirmed for the first night. The Northern Sands Hotel
The important things for us in the consideration of the first B&B were:
1. Can they take our "bikes in a box" which we will post up a few days before we arrive?
2. Are they close to Dunnet Head? As we are now taking in the farthest North and South in our trip?
3. Are they in our budget?
4. Will they take two old blokes who have no idea what they've let themselves in for !
Well the answer to all was yes, they have kindly given us a nice discount, will happily take in and store the bikes before we arrive and as for the blokes with no idea ... well i didn't tell them !
Map of where the hotel and key spots are
The important things for us in the consideration of the first B&B were:
1. Can they take our "bikes in a box" which we will post up a few days before we arrive?
2. Are they close to Dunnet Head? As we are now taking in the farthest North and South in our trip?
3. Are they in our budget?
4. Will they take two old blokes who have no idea what they've let themselves in for !
Well the answer to all was yes, they have kindly given us a nice discount, will happily take in and store the bikes before we arrive and as for the blokes with no idea ... well i didn't tell them !
New routes !
These routes now take in the Furthest Northerly point , Dunnet Head and Furthest Southerly point, The Lizard, on our JOGLE journey...... seems rude not to really
Garmin Connect - JOG (via Dunnet Head and Duncansby Head) 2 Bora Jogle1
Garmin Connect - Bora 2 Fort Augustus jogle2
Garmin Connect - Fort Augustus Crianlarich 2 jogle3
Garmin Connect - Crianlarich 2 Irvine jogle4
Garmin Connect - Irvine 2 Carlisle jogle5
Garmin Connect - Carlisle 2 Blackburn jogle6
Garmin Connect - Blackburn 2 Nantwich jogle7
Garmin Connect - Natwich 2 Tewkesbury jogle 8
Garmin Connect - Tewkesbury 2 Weston-SuperMare jogle9
Garmin Connect - Weston-SuperMare 2 Hatherleigh joggle10
Garmin Connect - Hatherleigh 2 Mawnan Smith jogle11
Garmin Connect - Mawnan Smith 2 Lands End (via Lizard) jogle12
Imagine my horror!
When I find out, "John O' Groats is the traditionally acknowledged extreme Northern point of Scotland. The actual northernmost point is at nearby Dunnet Head, about 2 miles (3.2 km) from John O' Groats"
I think if you're going that far then Dunnet Head is going to have to be the start point and then onto John O'Groats... isn't it?
I think a slight route change is in order..... "Colin...... I have a cunning plan..."
OK Three options here.
1. Stick with original plan a total of approx 912 miles on the route we set up
2. Start at Dunnet Head go to John O'Groats plus Duncansby Head ( the furthest point North East from Lands End, only 2 miles on from JOG ) and THEN continue as planned. This would mean a stop at Bora first evening instead of Dornoch. Approx 928 miles
3. As per option 2 but if we do Northerly most point we may as well do Southerly most point (The Lizard) and then onto Lands End. Adjustments as per option 2 and then instead of last stop being Redruth and a 30 mile last bit to Lands End , it would be last stop at Mawnan Smith (Tina's house, if she'll have us. x) Then a 50 mile last bit to Lands End via The Lizard. Approx 954 miles.
For the sake of an extra 40 miles surely we've got to do option 3 haven't we? then we can say we've done JOGLE AND the furthest North and furthest South points of the UK ( mainland )
I think if you're going that far then Dunnet Head is going to have to be the start point and then onto John O'Groats... isn't it?
I think a slight route change is in order..... "Colin...... I have a cunning plan..."
OK Three options here.
1. Stick with original plan a total of approx 912 miles on the route we set up
2. Start at Dunnet Head go to John O'Groats plus Duncansby Head ( the furthest point North East from Lands End, only 2 miles on from JOG ) and THEN continue as planned. This would mean a stop at Bora first evening instead of Dornoch. Approx 928 miles
3. As per option 2 but if we do Northerly most point we may as well do Southerly most point (The Lizard) and then onto Lands End. Adjustments as per option 2 and then instead of last stop being Redruth and a 30 mile last bit to Lands End , it would be last stop at Mawnan Smith (Tina's house, if she'll have us. x) Then a 50 mile last bit to Lands End via The Lizard. Approx 954 miles.
For the sake of an extra 40 miles surely we've got to do option 3 haven't we? then we can say we've done JOGLE AND the furthest North and furthest South points of the UK ( mainland )
Flight Booked, no turning back now!!
Managed to get a flight for Colin and myself from Southampton right to Wick with a change at Edinburgh ! very happy with that.
Mon 06 May 2013BE761Southampton to Edinburgh07:0008:30
Mon 06 May 2013BE761Southampton to Edinburgh07:0008:30
Mon 06 May 2013BE6895Edinburgh to Wick- John O Groats11:0512:05
Now Just need to start on the B&B's and who's best to post the bikes up with?
The possible routes for JOGLE
Garmin Connect - John O'Groats to Dornoch Jogle 1
Garmin Connect - Dornoch 2 Fort Augustus jogle2
Garmin Connect - Fort Augustus Crianlarich 2 jogle3
Garmin Connect - Crianlarich 2 Irvine jogle4
Garmin Connect - Irvine 2 Carlisle jogle5
Garmin Connect - Carlisle 2 Blackburn jogle6
Garmin Connect - Blackburn 2 Nantwich jogle7
Garmin Connect - Natwich 2 Tewkesbury jogle 8
Garmin Connect - Tewkesbury 2 Weston-SuperMare jogle9
Garmin Connect - Weston-SuperMare 2 Hatherleigh joggle10
Garmin Connect - Hatherleigh 2 Redruth jogle11
Garmin Connect - Redruth to Lands End jogle12
There are several reasons for this as being our possible route. First off my sister lives in Irvine so need to call there. Next stop is Blackburn ( Colin's mum) then Natwich, I have family there and last off friends at Redruth. Leaving the nice little little 30 miles of the final day ( which I hope to make a saturday morning will be to allow family and friends to be there at the finish.
Any comments on the route are welcome
Garmin Connect - Dornoch 2 Fort Augustus jogle2
Garmin Connect - Fort Augustus Crianlarich 2 jogle3
Garmin Connect - Crianlarich 2 Irvine jogle4
Garmin Connect - Irvine 2 Carlisle jogle5
Garmin Connect - Carlisle 2 Blackburn jogle6
Garmin Connect - Blackburn 2 Nantwich jogle7
Garmin Connect - Natwich 2 Tewkesbury jogle 8
Garmin Connect - Tewkesbury 2 Weston-SuperMare jogle9
Garmin Connect - Weston-SuperMare 2 Hatherleigh joggle10
Garmin Connect - Hatherleigh 2 Redruth jogle11
Garmin Connect - Redruth to Lands End jogle12
There are several reasons for this as being our possible route. First off my sister lives in Irvine so need to call there. Next stop is Blackburn ( Colin's mum) then Natwich, I have family there and last off friends at Redruth. Leaving the nice little little 30 miles of the final day ( which I hope to make a saturday morning will be to allow family and friends to be there at the finish.
Any comments on the route are welcome
Black dot on the Black line
Ok, for those who asked , this is how I got all the way from my house in Portsmouth to Lands End, as I said in the blog, I was following a little black dot on a black line....... amazing I got there really!
Equipment review
Equipment review:
Lets start with the bike 2012 Giant Defy 1. I have to say I'm very happy with it, it's light but strong has been faultless only requiring me to clean and oil the chain. I can get quite quick on the flats hand has been strong enough to take me and the two rear panniers. I think this was also helped greatly by the expert help and advice from DCR Wheels who built me a set of wheels more suited to touring, yet nearly as light as the wheels on the bike. The roads where quick potted in places on the very minor roads used on part of the trip down to Lands End and the wheels are still faultless! Well happy with those. The tyres were also a brilliant bit of kit, Michelin Pro 4 Endurance. These I've had for several months and are slicks. Although not really wet weather on the trip , I have ridden them in the wet and they have been very well behaved. On this trip 273 miles without a puncture and very happy with that. They roll very well and give me the speed I wanted over a heavier more puncture resistant option. Still no punctures, fingers crossed. The tool kit and saddle bag I got from the good people at Lynzee proved to be… well unused! But piece of mind in the knowledge I had tested it and was all I would have needed for anything I would be willing to tackle at the roadside. The FS260-Pro Bibshorts II, Baa Baa long sleeve tops I got from Endura proved to be very comfortable and warm. It was easy to wash and dry overnight so they will be coming on the End to End for certain.
Lets start with the bike 2012 Giant Defy 1. I have to say I'm very happy with it, it's light but strong has been faultless only requiring me to clean and oil the chain. I can get quite quick on the flats hand has been strong enough to take me and the two rear panniers. I think this was also helped greatly by the expert help and advice from DCR Wheels who built me a set of wheels more suited to touring, yet nearly as light as the wheels on the bike. The roads where quick potted in places on the very minor roads used on part of the trip down to Lands End and the wheels are still faultless! Well happy with those. The tyres were also a brilliant bit of kit, Michelin Pro 4 Endurance. These I've had for several months and are slicks. Although not really wet weather on the trip , I have ridden them in the wet and they have been very well behaved. On this trip 273 miles without a puncture and very happy with that. They roll very well and give me the speed I wanted over a heavier more puncture resistant option. Still no punctures, fingers crossed. The tool kit and saddle bag I got from the good people at Lynzee proved to be… well unused! But piece of mind in the knowledge I had tested it and was all I would have needed for anything I would be willing to tackle at the roadside. The FS260-Pro Bibshorts II, Baa Baa long sleeve tops I got from Endura proved to be very comfortable and warm. It was easy to wash and dry overnight so they will be coming on the End to End for certain.