Photos of the trip

Well its taken a while and yes we didnt take many photos (too busy cycling) and the weather looks suprisingly good rain doesnt encourage you to stop and take photo's video diary to follow.


Created with Admarket's flickrSLiDR.

day 10 Helmsdale Lejog Dunnett head and beyond 20th July

Ten days well if you count starting at Lands End at 11.30 due to the now famous rural Newlyn alternatve route (Philip special) nine days . We started the day with a monster climb out of Helmsdale in glorious sunshine Then to Helms Deep (our name) Bennadale Braes this photo does not do the flying descent and vicious ascent with hairpins justice http://static.panoramio.com/photos/original/6843662.jpg suffice it to say very steep and very very hardwork and then after breakfasting at thebrilliant Spa at I think Dunbeath . We then a mile or so further on did tea and scones http://www.scotland-index.co.uk/laidhay/croft_museum.htm it may not open till ten but the lady that opened at 8.00 for u summed up whats Great about scotland . we spent an hour supported by Mick (Mac) Mullane trying to sort the nightmare of getting back home sorted and then set off on our bikes .

We the made a good decision leaving the made road we headed up through Roster Upper Camster uptp Watten . Through flat floe and forest country on single track roads at pace around 20mph . A bit of navigation then up through Slickly, Brabster rejoining the coast road at Canisbay Then up to John O'Groats rewarded by stunning views of Orkney . We made it about 13.30 920 odd miles at 11.00mph . Then back on the bikes to Dunnet Head the true northern most point of mainland Scotland .

day 9 Glen Urquhart to Helmsdale 19th July

Took the long way round via cannich the gateway to Geln Afric 5 miles longer but avoiding a monster climb first thing. Away after 7.00 feeling tired but good bouyed up by great scenery and gentle climbs .we eventually go to Beaully then blast up Muir of Ord, Dingwall bite to eat . then a quick ride along the coast onto the A9 v through Tain then across the Forth of Dornoch (great bridgeand great view.
http://www.panoramio.com/photo/1358282


Followed by ride up to the mound Then up the road to Golspie and what a suprise rain . The hills then returned and along run of flat hills flat hills to Helmsdale bouyed up by signs counting down to John O'Groats . Some big hills not inclines later we arrived in Helmsdale Hostel http://www.helmsdalehostel.co.uk/ great place old school house simple private room with log fire and great drying room. Plus a classic evening meal at Bannoch Burn hotel. We might just make !!!

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day 8 Clianlarich to glen Urquhart

104 miles I think a day of really heavy rain at times over the higlands into geln orchy, glencoe up to fort william and nearly through to inverness 12 hours plus on the road saved by ready meals and great bed at www.bcclochnesshostel.co.uk . A hard day again great scenery mind you !!

day 7 Monaive to CrianLarich

111 miles into a headwind got there to late to eat epic day finishing along loch lomond . got there to late to eat .

6 days in scotland has arrived

sorry for not blogging earlier 

Day 1 cycle to penzance to lands end then a hard 75 miles in atrocious weather to lost withiel .

Day 2 Lost withiel to Taunton 100 miles

Day 3 Taunton to Stroud in gloucestershire 75 odd miles 

Day 4 Stroud  to Market Drayton 99 miles 

Day 5 Market Drayton to Kendal 115 miles started 6.20 finsihed at 20.00hrs 

Day 6  Kendal to near Moniaive in Dumfries  and Galloway 104 odd miles 

560 0dd miles down now the highland beckon 

follow progress on line at Www.ninelocks.com/lejog 

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Day 4

Weather dry on the bikes at 6am . 21 miles before breakfast . Hoping
for over 100 miles today. Signing off for now.

--
Sent from my mobile device

Andy Black
twitter: andyjb
Skype:andyjb
"Where Technology and Pragmatism Meet"
blog http://andysblackhole.blogspot.com

"One can resist the invasion of an army but one cannot resist the
invasion of ideas" Victor Hugo.

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Day 1 wheres Noah?

Great train journey down. Interesting rural route 2 lands end. Left at
11.30 in the rain . 76 miles on the bike after leaving penzance ended
up in lost wiethell. Short of target but good in flood like
conditions. Forecast wet 4 tomorrow to.

--
Sent from my mobile device

Andy Black
twitter: andyjb
Skype:andyjb
"Where Technology and Pragmatism Meet"
blog http://andysblackhole.blogspot.com

"One can resist the invasion of an army but one cannot resist the
invasion of ideas" Victor Hugo.

The journey begins!

Well I made the train and ride across town now at paddington about to
board the sleeper.

--
Sent from my mobile device

Andy Black
twitter: andyjb
Skype:andyjb
"Where Technology and Pragmatism Meet"
blog http://andysblackhole.blogspot.com

"One can resist the invasion of an army but one cannot resist the
invasion of ideas" Victor Hugo.

anyone want to know the planned route

well we may nearly have a planned route anyone want us to publish it if so leave a comment.

test

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Preperations and other stuff

Well the new bike is here see shot at end of post . The spd cleats are being being used and yes I did fall off several times getting used to them. Cycle computer is fitted . Commutting cross country today and planning to give the bike a long blast tonight . Very little left to do apart for kit both personal and bike repair stuff. Provisional route done via google maps. Gettting my head around doing the dynamo this saturday a mere 120 miles overnight from London Fields in Hackney to the Dunwich on the Suffolk Coast ,

Thanks Merlin

Merlin John of Agent4change.net has written a very embarrassing piece on his influential blog .

Thanks for the plug and sharing personal reflection in your editors note. check out piece at http://www.agent4change.net/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=367:andys-turn-for-help-pedalling-for-motor-neurone&catid=44:people&Itemid=429

update New bikes arrived and have I really lost my mind !!

Well the ridge back voyage my new bike has arrived and is at Elmys cycles being modified. Bottle cages, new pedals etc .
Plus I have finally lost the plot and am seriously thinking about doing the Dunwich Dynamo on the night/morning of 4 & 5th July http://www.londonschoolofcycling.co.uk/dunwich.html yes overnight leaving London Fields in Hackney about 21.00 and arriving Dunwich Suffolk Coast about 07.30 next day !!

Infamous enough to have its own wikipedia entry http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dunwich_dynamo

Only 5 days before lejog but a 120 mile training run is what is required bring it on !!!

Mid Summer Madness more than Moment of Madness

On the 11th July I will get of the overnight sleeper in Penzance cycle to Lands End then head north . 10 days alter and about a 1000 miles I will reach John O'Groats I will be tweeting all the way and if I can find the right device blogging to. A mere 100 miles a day for ten days

Its all for a bit of a challenge and to raise cash for the Motor Neurone Disease association . Phil part time super hero like myself (not) is my partner in crime follow the adventure on this special blog http://momlejog.blogspot.com/
and if you cant give us some cash using widget on the blog or at http://www.justgiving.com/andyblack1
Now I know its not big or clever but it should be a bit of challenge .

This quote best describes the feelings around the whole venture

Words from the 24 hours of Moab

dirt bike race in the USA describe whats its like ....

"Somewhere during the ride you will hear a voice say, "Why am I doing this? I am
never doing this again!" Look forward to this voice. Welcome it. Laugh
at it. Embrace it. Look forward to hearing it again next year. Just
know that it will come and that you will ride past it and be stronger
when it fades into the shadows."

-- Chris Tirpak, 4x Sufferer of Canaan and Moab


I've heard those voices and learnt to laugh oh so loud at them for"

So techno heads what device should I use trusty Nokia, Magic Android , Glorious iphone its just got a work and anyone fancy lending me one (other products are available ;-))) Hope you like the caracature by Rob (robot) Englebright thanks mate !!