Lands End to John o'Groats

Cycle trip from the bottom of Cornwall to the tip of Scotland with Gaylene, Greg & Geoff Meer informatie

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Footprints
Foto’s

Het begin van de reis
31 augustus 2022
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Dag 2
donderdag 1 september 2022 om 08:30
⛅ 15 °C
Hoogte: 14 m
Engeland Tregoney 50.265823, -4.91775850°15’57” N 4°55’4” W
LEJOG Day 2 - Penzance to Tregony
1 september 2022, Engeland ⋅ ⛅ 15 °C
First hilly day with panniers. A couple of nasty 17% short pinches 😲

Cycled along the mining trail and past some splendid examples of the old Cornish tin mines. Tin mining ended in 1998 when the last remaining mine became unprofitable. However, in 2021 a new mining operation began to extract battery-grade lithium carbonate.

Outstanding (and much needed) refueling stops today - coffee & homemade goodies in Camborne and best pub dinner yet (fish pie) in Tregony!

In a delightful B&B tonight.

Distance: 65 km. 821m ascentMeer informatie
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Reizigerwell done!!I wouldn't have liked 17%. did you have to get off and push??
02-09-2022Reageren
ReizigerJust a couple of short bits - and happy to do so
03-09-2022Reageren
That's amazing! [Meriel]
03-09-2022Reageren
just 'wow'! [sarah]
03-09-2022Reageren
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Dag 3
vrijdag 2 september 2022 om 08:00
⛅ 15 °C
Hoogte: 137 m
Engeland Liskeard 50.455621, -4.46579850°27’20” N 4°27’57” W
LEJOG Day 3 - Tregony to Liskeard
2 september 2022, Engeland ⋅ ⛅ 15 °C
Huge day of hills - absolutely shattered. Some vicious little devils (think short portions of Awaba St, Mosman). We all had to push the bikes up them - and had a close call with a tractor.

Rookie mistake - we all forgot it was a Friday - so hadn't booked a table for a pub dinner. So 4 exhausted cyclists tried for take away pizza (wait time too long), supermarket hot food (finished 30 mins before). Eventually ate in the pub at 9.00 - could hardly keep our eyes open - but needed to refuel!

We stopped at the Eden Project for a couple of hours. Originally an exhausted, steep-sided clay pit 60 metres deep, with no soil, 15 metres below the water table, it is now the home of various biodomes housing a huge diversity of plants from rainforests, deserts and Mediterranean climates.

Distance 56 km. 1050m AscentMeer informatie
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Would love to go there - was it good? [Jane Lomax]
04-09-2022Reageren
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Dag 4
zaterdag 3 september 2022 om 09:00
☁️ 15 °C
Hoogte: 159 m
Engeland Okehampton 50.738857, -4.00344850°44’20” N 4°0’12” W
4
LEJOG Day 4 - Liskeard to Okehampton
3 september 2022, Engeland ⋅ ☁️ 15 °C
We were all a little concerned about today as the climbing profile looked very daunting (again) and all still tired from yesterday. However, pleasantly surprised as it seemed less strenuous.

A wedding was taking place at the 13th century Brentor Church, perched high up overlooking the green farmland on one side and desolate Dartmoor on the other. Greg walked to the top, but I viewed from a distance and then coffee beckoned!

We left Cornwall and entered Devon, skirted around Bodmin Moor and the windswept, barren Dartmoor National Park. The final section had us on the Granite Way which follows the course of the former Southern Region railway line and crossing the historic Meldon viaduct.

Distance: 55km. 870m ascentMeer informatie
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You are incredible Nikki! Such an inspiration to me! And I love the joy your cycling brings you! Keep the photos coming! Love Mandy xxxx [Mandy Carroll]
03-09-2022Reageren
The countryside looks gorgeous. English green everywhere! Can you stop regularly and take in the vista? Cheers Jann [Jann]
03-09-2022Reageren
Reiziger Thanks Mandy- will probably need more morale boosting as the trip goes on
04-09-2022Reageren
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Dag 5
zondag 4 september 2022 om 08:30
☁️ 16 °C
Hoogte: 87 m
Engeland Sampford Arundel 50.966634, -3.2729350°57’60” N 3°16’23” W
LEJOG Day 5 - Okehampton to Wellington
4 september 2022, Engeland ⋅ ☁️ 16 °C
A lovely ride through the picturesque Devon farmlands. Some early blue sky before turning overcast with light showers.

The cows must have been hiding as we had the lovely aroma of fresh manure - but no sign of livestock!

Good backroads made for slightly faster travel - so our lunch/dinner combined was at our pub stay - the traditional Sunday roast (before it finished at 5.30). So an early night.

Distance: 73km. 940m AscentMeer informatie
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Dag 6
maandag 5 september 2022 om 09:00
⛅ 17 °C
Hoogte: 13 m
Engeland Cheddar Library 51.275669, -2.77721651°16’32” N 2°46’38” W
LEJOG Day 6 - Wellington to Cheddar
5 september 2022, Engeland ⋅ ⛅ 17 °C
Across the Somerset flats - an ‘easy’ day, but not without its challenges.

Derailleur issues for Geoff (fixed at a bike shop in Taunton); 1 flat tyre for Gaylene; 2 slow motion falls whilst navigating a rough path along the Taunton Bridgewater Canal.

Then an incorrect turn by Nikki led us into a 400m jungle path of brambles and nettles. We were at a point of no return so had to push through it, but nearly lost Gaylene beneath the greenery.

Tired and needing coffee & food we detoured into Bridgewater (not very inspiring). Back on the bikes and 1 km out of town Geoff had to high tail it back to the cafe as he’d left his backpack behind🫢.

Finally arrived in Cheddar and nice pub rooms. Showered & refreshed walked round town and then up to the cliff tower lookout - but it was padlocked. And just to top the day off, there was an unexpected Sydney style torrential rainstorm just as we were walking to dinner, so there were four wet and bedraggled diners - both shoes and clothes completely soaked!

However - amazingly fantastic Italian restaurant - so a good conclusion to the day.

Except I nearly set the fire alarm off - back in the room I was using the hairdryer to dry my socks and burnt a hole in one - hence the odd smell of singed fabric. Whoops!

Distance: 70 km. 330m AscentMeer informatie
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Dag 7
dinsdag 6 september 2022 om 09:00
⛅ 16 °C
Hoogte: 40 m
Engeland Thornbury 51.608738, -2.52581851°36’31” N 2°31’33” W
1
LEJOG Day 7 - Cheddar to Thornbury
6 september 2022, Engeland ⋅ ⛅ 16 °C
Started the day with a climb up through Cheddar Gorge on the southern side of the Mendip hills. The road winds through for 4.2km with a couple of 16% steep gradients before it tapers into a gentle climb. Certainly a sure way to wake up the legs first thing in the morning.

Interesting rock formations and wild goats grazing alongside the road.

Traversed through the outskirts of Bristol on a number of cycle ways, before heading back into the quiet lanes into the county of Gloucestershire and our rest day destination of Thornbury.
Distance: 62 km. 700m AscentMeer informatie
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Reiziger Great photo
13-09-2022Reageren
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Dag 8
woensdag 7 september 2022 om 09:00
⛅ 16 °C
Hoogte: 38 m
Engeland Thornbury 51.609665, -2.52557851°36’35” N 2°31’32” W
2
LEJOG Day 8 - Rest Day, Thornbury
7 september 2022, Engeland ⋅ ⛅ 16 °C
A well deserved sleep in and a generally lazy day but only after the visit to the launderette and time spent on bike maintenance and cleaning.

Gaylene’s birthday - so a wonderful fine dining experience at Ronnie’s.

Distance: 0 km. 0m AscentMeer informatie
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Reiziger Ronnie beat her there!
08-09-2022Reageren
Reiziger this looks lovely!
13-09-2022Reageren
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Dag 9
donderdag 8 september 2022 om 09:00
⛅ 15 °C
Hoogte: 10 m
Engeland Tewkesbury 51.990826, -2.16170251°59’27” N 2°9’42” W
LEJOG Day 9 - Thornbury to Tewksbury
8 september 2022, Engeland ⋅ ⛅ 15 °C
Cycled via quiet lanes and the Gloucester- Sharpness canal in overcast weather. Just made it to our Gloucester city lunch stop when a thunderstorm and rain arrived.

We visited the revamped docklands area and then the Cathedral. Glorious architecture and stained glass windows.

Fun Fact 1: The cathedral cloisters were
transformed into the corridors of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry in the first two Harry Potter films.

Fun Fact 2: The Great East stained glass window is the size of a tennis court and was installed in the 1350's and during World War II it was dismantled and stored in the crypt to keep it safe.

Arrived at Tewksbury, a very pretty medieval town at the confluence of the River Avon and River Severn. My late afternoon riverside walk was where I learned of the death of Queen Elizabeth II and naturally that was the topic of conversation for the evening in between watching the constant BBC news feed.

Distance: 77 km. 370m AscentMeer informatie
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Dag 10
vrijdag 9 september 2022
⛅ 20 °C
Hoogte: 43 m
Engeland Bewdley 52.375568, -2.31738452°22’32” N 2°19’3” W
LEJOG Day 10 - Tewksbury to Bewdley
9 september 2022, Engeland ⋅ ⛅ 20 °C
Stage 6 of the Tour of Britain was due to start in Tewksbury today and we were looking forward to seeing the event preparations. However it was cancelled out of respect for the Queen.

Lovely medieval architecture in the town and then an undulating cycle to our overnight stop.

Distance: 78 km. 660m AscentMeer informatie
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Dag 11
zaterdag 10 september 2022
☁️ 21 °C
Hoogte: 135 m
Engeland Wombridge 52.705296, -2.44686152°42’19” N 2°26’49” W
LEJOG Day 11 - Bewdley to Wrockwardine
10 september 2022, Engeland ⋅ ☁️ 21 °C
Today we saw quite a bit of the Severn Valley Railway which is a 26km heritage line operating mostly steam hauled passenger trains with stops at beautifully restored stations. Unfortunately we heard the steam whistles, but didn't get to see the train.

The planned route was meant to be 65 and 870m climbing but I managed to find a lovely track that ran parallel to the river and saved 10km and 200m climbing. Legend!

There has been a good selection of cycle trails & surfaces so far although some of the 'pinch points' to slow down bikes have been a tight squeeze - especially for the flat bar bikes.

Distance: 55 km. 690m AscentMeer informatie
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Dag 12
zondag 11 september 2022
☁️ 21 °C
Hoogte: 69 m
Engeland Alexandra Stadium 53.089848, -2.43720153°5’23” N 2°26’14” W
LEJOG Day 12 - Wrockwardine to Crewe
11 september 2022, Engeland ⋅ ☁️ 21 °C
Easiest day so far. Lots of gentle hills with some excellent downhill coasting. Very relaxing. We passed through Shropshire and are now in Cheshire (must try some local cheese).

The back roads took us through mostly arable farm land - we could identify canola, sweet corn, sugarcane ?? but a lot of fields were ploughed ready for new planting.

Distance: 65 km. 480m AscentMeer informatie
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Dag 13
maandag 12 september 2022
🌧 17 °C
Hoogte: 47 m
Engeland Newton Le Willows 53.483291, -2.6382253°28’60” N 2°38’18” W
LEJOG Day 13 - Crewe to Haydock
12 september 2022, Engeland ⋅ 🌧 17 °C
-wich town are we in now? Middlewich, Leftwich, Nantwich or Northwich? Apparently the -wich suffix indicates a place with extensive trading activity, usually on a coast and often where salt is mined.

And we did pass the Winsford Rock Salt Mine, unknowingly cycling over a massive underground space (size of 700 football fields) where the disused sections are now a significant storage facility for the National Archives and other companies.

Today's route featured a portion of the Shropshire Union Canal - only suitable for traditional narrow boats and also a lovely shared path that wound through extensive parkland alongside the River Weaver.

The day was going well until I had to suddenly break to avoid a pedestrian. Unfortunately I was on a very slippery wooden bridge skidded & came off the bike. Luckily I escaped with a only a couple of bruises and a splinter.

The morning clouds turned to light drizzle and then set in for the rest of the day. My new cycling poncho worked very well - it may look odd but it has good coverage and lots of airflow so you don't heat up like a sauna.

However the persistent rain was demoralizing and we were pretty tired & wet - and wanting to get to the accommodation. A moments loss of concentration saw me take another slow tumble - again on a slippery wooden bridge. So now I have huge bruises on both legs. It was pure inattentiveness on my part!

Distance: 65km. 355 AscentMeer informatie
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Dag 14
dinsdag 13 september 2022
⛅ 18 °C
Hoogte: 24 m
Engeland Calder River 53.888706, -2.7671853°53’19” N 2°46’2” W
1
LEJOG Day 14 - Haydock to Garstang
13 september 2022, Engeland ⋅ ⛅ 18 °C
Glorious day - no wind, likelihood of sun later in the day. Now in Lancashire.

It seemed simple but the morning route had us on paths through various woodlands. A few wrong turns and it was a very slow and tedious 20km. However things got better after a coffee stop and we had a great cycle along the Leeds & Liverpool Canal, River Ribble & Lancaster Canal.

We met some other cyclists on the outskirts of Preston and they suggested we follow them on a slightly different route. After a very circuitous deviation, I realised their proposal, whilst scenic, involved even more canal towpaths and tricky barrier crossings and an extra 15km. So Gaylene & I decided to head for Garstang on the original route, whilst the boys did more canal stuff. Good call on our part - apparently the towpath got more lumpy & bumpy.

Distance: 71km. 400 m AscentMeer informatie
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Looks so serene. How are the knees holding up? When are you back in Oz? [Dale Willis]
25-09-2022Reageren
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Dag 15
woensdag 14 september 2022
⛅ 17 °C
Hoogte: 24 m
Engeland Calder River 53.888706, -2.7671853°53’19” N 2°46’2” W
LEJOG Day 15 - Rest Day - Garstang
14 september 2022, Engeland ⋅ ⛅ 17 °C
Rest Day- yippee!

Once the domestics were done & dusted (laundry, bike washing & maintenance) I had a lovely walk into Garstang along the Golf Course (where we are staying) and via the canal.

Garstang appears to be a prosperous little town and popular for day visiting, notable for the 1797 Wyre Aquaduct - a single span aqueduct 110ft long, carrying the Lancaster to Kendal canal 34ft above the River Wyre.

Distance: 0km. 0m AscentMeer informatie
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ReizigerWhat a time to b in the UK. Fab photos and a great inspiration. Enjoy the rest of the trip. May you do it in sunshine and warmth. Love H
15-09-2022Reageren
ReizigerCooler today but little wind and no rain so certainly not complaining 😊
15-09-2022Reageren
great photo [Jane]
16-09-2022Reageren
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Dag 16
donderdag 15 september 2022
⛅ 15 °C
Hoogte: 160 m
Engeland Dent 54.277803, -2.45367854°16’40” N 2°27’13” W
1
LEJOG Day 16 - Garstang to Dent
15 september 2022, Engeland ⋅ ⛅ 15 °C
A noticeable change in the landscape as we cycle into Cumbria. Very lush and green pastures with sheep & cattle grazing. The fields are bounded by extensive dry stone walls that disappear into the hills. Little cropping activity to be seen.

The houses tend to be built with a greyer stone and the churches are predominantly Methodist.

Arrived at Kirkby Lonsdale, a pretty little village - their weekly market was on, so a nice change for lunch options.

Crossed the River Lune via the lovely 13th century three arched Devils Bridge (named after an ancient local folk tale) and then started our last gradual climb (12km) before a well earned 14% descent into Dent.

A lovely cycle day - but definitely cooler now!

Distance: 65km 890m AscentMeer informatie
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Dag 17
vrijdag 16 september 2022
⛅ 14 °C
Hoogte: 90 m
Engeland Edenhall 54.685696, -2.67577754°41’9” N 2°40’33” W
1
LEJOG Day 17 - Dent to Penrith
16 september 2022, Engeland ⋅ ⛅ 14 °C
Woke to a cold & windy morning. Our early start was thwarted by the discovery of flat tyres for both the boys 😟. It took a while before we found the cause - blackberry thorns.

Now I know the real meaning of 'up hill and down dale'. It was a really tough morning of climbing - lots of nasty little gradients that seemed to go on for far too long and the headwind was constant.

The landscape morphed from green pastures to the windswept hills of the Yorkshire Dales National Park). It was very dramatic (when we stopped to look) but I must admit I was looking forward to finishing for the day.

Fun Fact: Last nights accommodation was in Dent, which is a small, scenic, cobblestoned village and it's hard to imagine that 200 years ago it supported a market, racecourse and 12 pubs/inns. It's prosperity was driven by hand knitting and all residents (men, women & children) were such accomplished speedy knitters that they were known as the 'Terrible Knitters of Dent'.

Dent is also known for having the highest mainline railway station in England - at 1,150ft above sea level. But make sure you have transport as the station is 6.5 km away from the village!

Distance: 63 km. 1,030 m AscentMeer informatie
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Dag 18
zaterdag 17 september 2022 om 00:00
🌙 6 °C
Hoogte: 80 m
Schotland Lockerbie Railway Station 55.120163, -3.35594355°7’13” N 3°21’21” W
1
LEJOG Day 18 - Penrith to Lockerbie
17 september 2022, Schotland ⋅ 🌙 6 °C
Chilly 5° start - and discovery (again) of 2 flat tyres for the boys😟. Girls not happy!

Head wind started to pick up mid morning but we rolled along fairly well. In one section, if we took the 'downs' at a reasonable pace, the momentum would almost get us up the next roller.

Fab toasties for lunch at the Woodside Welcome Cycle Cafe near Dalston. Then onwards towards the border!!

Yes... we are now in Scotland - cycled through Gretna (no quickie marriages to be seen). But the roads have detiorated- very rough last 30kms.

Big day today - we are all very tired.

Distance: 90 km. 852 m AscentMeer informatie
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Gretna Green - never realised that is where it is!!! [Jane]
18-09-2022Reageren
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Dag 19
zondag 18 september 2022
☁️ 14 °C
Hoogte: 216 m
Schotland Biggar 55.624237, -3.52537955°37’27” N 3°31’31” W
1
LEJOG Day 19 - Lockerbie to Biggar
18 september 2022, Schotland ⋅ ☁️ 14 °C
No flat tyres or mechanical issues today so we were able to depart as planned.

Before leaving Lockerbie we visited the memorial dedicated to the 1988 air disaster. Still well looked after 34 years on.

Wretched bone jarring road surface (on the B7076) until we turned off onto a quiet back road. Then a fairly flattish cycle to Moffat for coffee before tackling the big long climb.

The route profile made the hill look very unappealing but it turned out to be a lovely 10km climb with a very consistent gradient. The motorbikes were all out for a Sunday spin - a great winding road for them. All riders & drivers very courteous to us, leaving lots of space.

What goes up must come down - and we certainly deserved it - but it was very cold. Scenery wise today has been a mix of very green cattle & sheep pastures interspersed with hills with some logging plantations.

Arrived in Biggar with time & energy to spare.

Distance: 78 km. 745m AscentMeer informatie
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Fascinating I bet! [Jane]
18-09-2022Reageren
What a beautiful way to see the world & what a gal to do be doing what you’re doing!👏💕👏xxx With Love Patti [Patti Palmero]
20-09-2022Reageren
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Dag 20
maandag 19 september 2022
⛅ 18 °C
Hoogte: 9 m
Schotland Argyle Street Railway Station 55.855648, -4.25387655°51’20” N 4°15’14” W
LEJOG Day 20 - Biggar to Glasgow
19 september 2022, Schotland ⋅ ⛅ 18 °C
An early start with blue sky peeping through low mist/clouds. Great back roads along the Clyde valley. No wind so extremely pleasant.

Passing one farm we had a close call with a quad bike that came speeding out of a farm. Further up the road we realised he was in pursuit of loose cattle that were happily trashing a neighbours garden!

No coffee stops today as everything was closed in honour of the Queen's funeral.

Countyside gave way to suburbia as we entered Glasgow well & truly ready for 2 days off the bike.

Distance: 75 km. 785m AscentMeer informatie
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Dag 21
dinsdag 20 september 2022
⛅ 19 °C
Hoogte: 9 m
Schotland Argyle Street Railway Station 55.855648, -4.25387655°51’20” N 4°15’14” W
LEJOG Day 21 - Rest Day #1 - Glasgow
20 september 2022, Schotland ⋅ ⛅ 19 °C
Rest Day???? Yet I still managed to walk 13km seeing some of Glasgow's landmarks and historical buildings.

A lot of architecturally interesting old buildings. Glasgow University was very striking. Unfortunately I couldn't access the Cloisters as filming was in progress for some period film (judging by the actors wardrobe).

Inside the Uni was the Hunterian museum - with differing collections: the story of Roman settlement in Scotland and the history of medicine & scientific innovation in Scotland were just a few of the interesting sections.

Nearby was the Kelvingrove Art Gallery & Museum and it just happened to have an organ recital starting as I walked in - a pleasant accompaniment to a coffee & sandwich.

To round off the cultural activities I walked to the newish Riverside Museum which houses the city’s fabulous transport and technology collections which reflect Glasgow's contributions to heavy industries like shipbuilding, train manufacturing and engineering.

Interesting- but I was museum-ed out.

I did a short trip on the Glasgow subway - it's like a Lilliputian version of the London tube - small in every sense - the trains, stations & coverage.

Distance: 13 km walking.Meer informatie
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Reizigeryes it's incredible how much distance you can travel on a rest day.
22-09-2022Reageren
ReizigerYes... So why are they called 'Rest Days'.... maybe we need to coin a new term - 'culturally significant walking days'?
22-09-2022Reageren
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Dag 22
woensdag 21 september 2022
☁️ 19 °C
Hoogte: 9 m
Schotland Argyle Street Railway Station 55.855648, -4.25387655°51’20” N 4°15’14” W
1
LEJOG Day 22 - Rest Day #2 - Glasgow
21 september 2022, Schotland ⋅ ☁️ 19 °C
I actually tried to have some down time - but only after a tour of the Glasgow City Hall - with its impressive marble staircase, marble, alabaster and wood interiors, mosaic flooring and huge rooms.

Check the photo of a girl also on the tour- clearly I didn't get the memo re dress code!!

Fun Fact:
A statue of the Duke of Wellington has stood in the Royal Exchange Square for 140 years but in the early 1980's a traffic cone mysteriously started appearing on top of his head (presumably after a drunken night out)!

Despite attempts at removal by the Council, it has steadfastly remained. Whenever a cone is removed, it is only a matter of days before a new one appears in its place.

In 2013, the council proposed to double the height of the plinth to deter intrepid cone fans. However the backlash from the Glaswegian public showed that they felt it was a representation of local culture not vandalism. Hence #KeepTheCone

Distance: 5 km WalkingMeer informatie
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OMG you are still biking. Holy Smokes. I didn't think you were gone for this long. Yes you just might need some massages when you get home All the Best. Patti..... [Patti]
21-09-2022Reageren
STUNNING!!!! [Patti]
21-09-2022Reageren
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Dag 23
donderdag 22 september 2022 om 12:32
☁️ 15 °C
Hoogte: 36 m
Schotland Arrochar 56.200019, -4.74581856°12’0” N 4°44’45” W
LEJOG Day 23 - Glasgow to Arrochar
22 september 2022, Schotland ⋅ ☁️ 15 °C
Brilliant day back on the bike!

A late 10.30 start - hoping the overnight rain would ease - and it did - clearing to to fine day.

Navigation out of Glasgow was fairly simply - and we basically followed bike paths all the way for 67km from the city, along the River Clyde, then the Forth & Clyde canal before heading up the west side of Loch Lomond to Arrochar.

Distance: 67 km. 312m AscentMeer informatie
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Dag 24
vrijdag 23 september 2022
⛅ 14 °C
Hoogte: 32 m
Schotland Dalmally 56.402508, -4.97071656°24’9” N 4°58’15” W
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LEJOG Day 24 - Arrochar to Dalmally
23 september 2022, Schotland ⋅ ⛅ 14 °C
Overnight rain cleared to a fine morning. As expected we were on the main 'A' road - quite a lot of traffic - so some discussion about 4kms into the route as to whether we should try a forest road alternative. It was probably more climbing with a rocky dirt track - so was harder going but it got us away from the cars.

Eventually we joined back with the 'A' road on the downhill section and had a pleasant cruise to our lunch stop at Inverary. Then another long climb but traffic was intermittent.

Lovely accommodation tonight - and Gaylene had even organized the hosts to cook us a pasta dinner as nothing was open in town.

Distance: 63 km. 760m AscentMeer informatie
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I'm becoming envious. I'd prefer driving or motorcycle though! Stunning...Patti [Patti]
24-09-2022Reageren
Reiziger I see a Bike North vest. They get around.
28-09-2022Reageren
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Lands End to John o'Groats Reiziger
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Dag 25
zaterdag 24 september 2022
⛅ 15 °C
Hoogte: 6 m
Schotland River Leven 56.712971, -4.96606156°42’47” N 4°57’58” W
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LEJOG Day 25 - Dalmally to Kinlochleven
24 september 2022, Schotland ⋅ ⛅ 15 °C
Bracing 6°C start with clear blue skies and mist rising from the River Orchy made the first 20km very scenic.

As we get further north in Scotland, there are fewer road options so again we were on an 'A' road for a good part of the day. Lots of motorbikes on the route also enjoying the winding road through the Highlands.

Dramatic views but I imagine in bad weather it would be a very bleak and unpleasant cycle. A long uphill rewarded us with a smooth fast 10km descent into Glencoe, where we diverted to take the chairlift up the mountain.

Kinlochlevan is popular with climbers and boasts an indoor ice climbing wall as well as bouldering and traditional climbing walls. However a 2 day motocross event was on and there were bikes everywhere accompanied by the distant whine and revs as they attacked the mountain course.

Distance: 72 km. 775m AscentMeer informatie
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Must have been challenging! Good for YOU! [Patti]
24-09-2022Reageren
ReizigerThese are stunning!!
26-09-2022Reageren
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Dag 26
zondag 25 september 2022 om 09:00
⛅ 9 °C
Hoogte: 7 m
Schotland Fort William Railway Station 56.819612, -5.1059856°49’11” N 5°6’22” W
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LEJOG Day 26 - Kinlochleven to Fort Will
25 september 2022, Schotland ⋅ ⛅ 9 °C
And the weather changed! Rain and drizzle all day.

Fortunately it was a short 40km ride - but then we had to wait until 5pm before we could check in at the Fort William Backpackers hostel.

Trying to dodge the worst of the rain we checked out the ruins of the old Inverlochy Castle (unimpressive), tried to spot Ben Nevis (too cloudy) & get a decent photo of Neptunes Staircase (needed a drone).

Neptunes Staircase consists of 8 locks and raises the Caledonian Canal by 62ft over a quarter of a mile and takes around 90 minutes for a boat to travel up or down the locks.

It is the longest staircase lock in Scotland and was built between 1803 and 1822 by Thomas Telford.

Highlight today - got to cook our own dinner - superb fillet steak with peppercorn sauce, veges & mash. Enjoyed chatting to the young travelers at the hostel.

Distance: 40 km. 300m AscentMeer informatie
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Reiziger And a glass of wine!
28-09-2022Reageren
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