Dave Robertson has decided to say goodbye to his normal, everyday life and spend two weeks enjoying the simple pleasures of riding his bike every day (and eating lots of food). Oh, and that trip involves 1135 miles, travelling from Lands End to John O’Groats! Here’s Dave’s story.
I’ve loved riding a bike for so many years, I lose count. The best part of it is going to places you’d never visit otherwise and seeing new things, eating and drinking at new cafes, and of course visiting new pubs.
I love physical challenges, as long as they are not in the water! So to ride and just keep riding is hugely appealing. Getting older makes me more risk averse so electing to ride as part of a loosely structured group with defined end points daily is also attractive. This particular route, honed over many years ensures that lots of sight seeing will be accomplished too, unlike my own self-made route that I’ve never ridden that peculiarly appeared to visit lots of
microbreweries.
I probably don’t appreciate enough what an enviable position I’m in to pay for a trip, take two weeks off and indulge myself. Riding for a charity as well, and one that has taken so many, so cruelly (and some of our sporting heroes too) will certainly help motivate me. So many friends and colleagues I’d least expect have sponsored me – which is frankly quite humbling. This trip will remind me again how much I love cycling, and why I do it. I know that there will
be days when I question my sanity, and other road users that make me question their parentage, but just round the next corner or over the next brow is a view that makes you pull over and gasp.
I’ll get a wonderful opportunity to meet a dozen or so others from all over who are riding this trip too. I look forward to making new friends and swapping experiences that will make me laugh for years to come. Cycling brings people together, it’s a true examination of character and a reset for your soul.
I can’t wait frankly.
Day 1 – Penzance to Fowey
Typical, after the summer we’ve had, start day is drizzle and windy. 170 watts to ride slowly on the flat to Lands End. Worth missing as it’s a cheap pleasure park, by the way. First lunch, impressive. Chat to Canadians. Very cool. No Garmin route yet, not ideal.
What a great surprise and a very welcome one too. Dean honking a proper parping horn en-route. A good day and 70 miles down.
Day 2 – Plymouth to Moretonhampstead
On days like this, if ever you needed to be reminded, this is why I love cycling so deeply.
Pouring down across Dartmoor at full tilt, chasing Nick was a memory that happens infrequently, but creeps up on you and delivers a blockbuster of an experience. Arriving at the hotel after a flat out pursuit was mind blowing.
Today was a very special day.
Day 3 – Broadclyst to Street
Devon is tough. Brutal narrow downhills, even more brutal uphills. Road closures certainly don’t help the burning clutches of the trailing traffic lines behind you. Distracting.
Day 4 – Street to Monmouth
Catch up with Laura and lovely to see her. Impressed at my ability to hold off the buffet whilst speaking.
Day 5 – Llangarron to Bishops Castle
Thanks to all those who have sponsored or supported me. I’m having an incredible trip, though starting to hurt a bit. This is so rewarding with a group of 22 all of whom have their own reasons to be here. It’s a memory for life and one that gives more back to me than I expected.
Day 6 – Pulverbatch to Runcorn
First brew stop today at the Red Lion, Pulverbatch. Lee is on it today – punishing pace from the former skier. Garden was a great place to stop (and we avoided Wrexham).
To finish, a cup of tea and ginger nuts courtesy of David Triggs, top guy. Big push today – we are officially up North.
Day 7 – Golborne to Lancaster
Somewhere near Wigan – loads of post industrial landscapes. Everyone is very chirpy. Not with Lee today thankfully as his mornings are always full chat. What a route out of those dark, Satanic Mills. Belmont Hill somewhere or other beckons, a fruity 14% at its worst. And it’s very windy.
I’ve been cycling for a long long time. Even so, this morning from Lancaster to Tebay ranks up with the best 40 miles I’ve ever done.
General joy and fatigue at 58 miles of rolling moors. Relief after Bernie and I sorted Lee’s burst tubeless (pit crew). A big climb, but a cracker. A pensive Rick Towers at the finish, muttering “I was promised cider”.
Day 8 – Tebay to Penrith
Today, experienced another outrageously incredible day. What a country we live in. It would have been Dad’s 90th birthday today, and one he should have seen. John Edward Robertson, I raise a glass of the best stuff I could find in Penrith.
Nearing the border. Very positive vibes! Weather cooler but just about dry. Group are getting seriously fast. First brew stop within 90 minutes. Scotland here we come.
Day 9 – Annan to Moffat
It’s the home of Hugh Dowding which I never knew. Quite a surprise to see a spitfire nestling between the house. Lovely hostel which is in fact a beautiful guest house.
Need some beer today. A few mechanicals, and a long stint into a headwind on my tod.
Kathleen snapped a rear shifter cable with 22 miles to go. Bernie and I sorted a repair to leave her with a 2 speed bike. Still mighty quick.
Day 10 – Moffat to Kinross
Damp after overnight rain forecast, sub optimal. Garmin has expired which is disappointing, but not unexpected. Dave Triggs the star has a spare! Moffat, home of Hugh Dowding – who knew?
Damp start and very wet finish. Sandwiching another stupendous day of cycling. The road from Moffat, what an utter gem. Similar to the top of Croix de Fer, high praise indeed. Edinburgh was busy, and we were piped into Arthur’s seat. Forth Bridge and then an apocalyptic soaking to Kinross.
Today had it all.
Day 11 – Kinross to Ballater
About to set off for Day 11 after yesterday’s highlights. Rain into Edinburgh and it’s coming thick and fast. Definitely fatigued, but still feeling great. Laid waste to the all you can eat curry buffet last night in Kinross and had a great time with two English guys, a French woman and an Australian. Pals for life.
Glenshee. What a great stop at the visitors centre, a 3 course lunch and it’s started hammering down before the big climb. Gordon Guest House, the manager (not an athlete) gives us a 10 minute talk on the Lecht. Gulp.
Glenshee climb and the descent makes me weep, there are no words, at all. Thanks to Bernie for forcing me to ride harder than I wanted to, by crikey the man is a machine. Utterly staggering
Ballater. Very smart, after a full-on day. Yet another “best ride of all time” in the rain, charging with Bernie.
Day 12 – Highland to Inverness
Stunning again. The Lecht from Ballater is surely one of the greatest climbs in the UK. With 30 mph wind. Unbelievably cruel. A must to climb again, but only when fresh!
Now the Highlands and an impending sense of the finish looming. Inverness is a gem of a (very busy) smart city, full of tourists. Another must visit again place.
Starting to realise my new friends will be going their separate ways worldwide shortly. What memories they’ve left with me.
Day 13 – Dingwall to Crask
Pam breaks a shifter cable, waits half an hour and the King lands in an adjacent field by helicopter. As you do.
Lunch at the community hub. Lovely lentil and chilli soup and individually labelled sandwiches amongst the library and soft play. North east Scotland is very sparsely populated so this place is great.
The Crask Inn. Most isolated pub in the UK? Probably. It’s like November here.
Day 14 – Crask to John O’Groats
Last morning in Lairg. Feeling sore today, it’s finally catching up I think after three hard days in poor weather. Head down for the last 140 km, just get through today and let the euphoria get me there. Dunnet Head beach, incredible. Almost there, the very last brew stop.
Completed. What an awesome finish from the team, a pulverising pace on the last 50km and gone before you knew it. What a time we’ve had, what a day, what a two weeks.
Once again I’m overwhelmed.
These memories will take a long time to process, but they will stay with me forever. Utter joy.