Page 1 of 23 12345678911 ... LastLast
Results 1 to 25 of 555
  1. #1
    splendid and tremendous
    somtamslap's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2007
    Last Online
    27-11-2023 @ 11:59 PM
    Location
    Down on the farm
    Posts
    13,805

    The only way is up: Land's End to John o' Groats 2015

    This time tomorrow, I shall be aboard a train hurtling towards the most southerly point of the British Isles. My initial stop will be Penzance and after a night in a B&B I will be making my way the further 20 or so miles down to Land's End, pointing my bicycle due north and pedalling in that direction until I arrive in John o' Groats some 12 days later.

    That is the plan. But as I look out of the window at the sight of steady rainfall, I cannot help but muse that, bollocks, the weather may impede my path. If this is the case I will hole up in suitable venues along the route and sample regional brews while offending local people by swearing and falling over a lot.

    The Good Morning Britain weather chick, however, has informed me that, nil desperandum, oh intrepid one, we are yet to see the end of the summer. The Good Morning Britain weather chick, though, has been known to lie and her previous form fills me with little optimism.

    But, who cares. Onwards and upwards...

    Inventory

    Clothing:

    2 x cycling shorts
    2 x cycling jersey
    2 x cycling jacket/long-sleeved jerseys
    2 x normal shorts
    2 x t-shirts
    1 x tracksuit bottoms
    2 x pants
    2 x pairs of socks
    1 x helmet
    1 x pair of trainers (will not be using spds or clipless)

    Equipment:

    2 x inner tubes
    1 x puncture repair kit
    Lights, back and front
    Mini pump
    2 x 750ml water bottles
    Multi tool with chain splitter
    Cycle computer
    Phone/camera plus charger
    Netbook plus charger


    Bicycle:

    Pinnacle Arkose Three, Cyclo-Cross bike
    Knobbly tyres for off-roading (I refuse to use any A roads)
    1 x rack
    2 x rear panniers
    1 x bar bag


    Here she is in her unburdened state...




    Physically I feel I am up to this task. I've ridden many miles over the last few months and have lost quite a lot of weight in the process. To be frank, though, I'm quite sure that most people, as long as you have a working pair of legs, could complete this journey. On such tours, stamina tends to increase - the more you ride, the fitter you get and the longer you can continue. No, this is more about mental than physical strength - so let's see if I have the minerals.

    I will be making daily updates on here so that those who are interested may follow my progress - or lack of it - as I ride north.

    Wish me luck!

  2. #2
    Thailand Expat
    mingmong's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2008
    Last Online
    04-04-2023 @ 10:03 PM
    Location
    Behind Soi Chiang noi
    Posts
    1,080
    Go Hard Young Slap,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, ,,,,,,,,,,,, or go home

  3. #3
    Thailand Expat Pragmatic's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2013
    Last Online
    @
    Location
    Last but who gives a shit.
    Posts
    13,316
    Quote Originally Posted by somtamslap
    Wish me luck!
    I certainly do. I remember a time in my life when I was going to walk it.

  4. #4
    Thailand Expat VocalNeal's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2007
    Last Online
    Yesterday @ 10:48 PM
    Location
    The Kingdom of Lanna
    Posts
    12,992
    If you'd have started at John o' Groats couldn't you have feel wheeled the whole way down.
    Don't forget to stop somewhere near Carlisle for some vegetables they don't eat many of those up north

  5. #5
    Banned

    Join Date
    Jul 2012
    Last Online
    09-05-2021 @ 03:25 AM
    Posts
    33,644
    Break a bollock mate

  6. #6
    Thailand Expat Pragmatic's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2013
    Last Online
    @
    Location
    Last but who gives a shit.
    Posts
    13,316
    Quote Originally Posted by VocalNeal
    Don't forget to stop somewhere near Carlisle for some vegetables they don't eat many of those up north
    Collect some Neep's on the way. Great with a bit of gravy.

  7. #7
    Thailand Expat klong toey's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2008
    Last Online
    @
    Posts
    6,400
    Good luck and don't forget the sore arse cream unless you enjoy that sort of thing,if so enjoy.
    And above all else stay safe.

  8. #8
    splendid and tremendous
    somtamslap's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2007
    Last Online
    27-11-2023 @ 11:59 PM
    Location
    Down on the farm
    Posts
    13,805
    Obliged, chaps.


    Quote Originally Posted by VocalNeal
    If you'd have started at John o' Groats couldn't you have feel wheeled the whole way down.
    Bit of a misconception there - south to north you get the prevailing wind at your back, and the biggest hills are in Devon and not Scotchland.


    Quote Originally Posted by klong toey
    And above all else stay safe.
    Thanks KT. I'm taking the cross bike for the purposes of avoiding traffic. Will mainly be using NCN paths.

  9. #9
    Thailand Expat
    taxexile's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2006
    Last Online
    @
    Posts
    19,335
    an epic journey, good luck.

    weatherspoons breakfasts might come in handy.

  10. #10
    Thailand Expat
    Join Date
    Jun 2014
    Last Online
    @
    Posts
    18,022
    Quote Originally Posted by taxexile View Post
    an epic journey, good luck.

    weatherspoons breakfasts might come in handy.
    Weatherspoons is not synonymous with anything epical.

  11. #11
    Thailand Expat
    taxexile's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2006
    Last Online
    @
    Posts
    19,335
    big breakfasts will be needed on a trip like this.... some ruddy cheeked thick thighed northern farmers daughters to keep him warm at nights might come in handy too.

  12. #12
    . Neverna's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2012
    Last Online
    @
    Posts
    21,241
    Quote Originally Posted by somtamslap View Post
    Quote Originally Posted by klong toey
    And above all else stay safe.
    Thanks KT. I'm taking the cross bike for the purposes of avoiding traffic. Will mainly be using NCN paths.
    Good idea, Slap. Too frigging dangerous on them roads these days.

    Enjoy.

  13. #13
    splendid and tremendous
    somtamslap's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2007
    Last Online
    27-11-2023 @ 11:59 PM
    Location
    Down on the farm
    Posts
    13,805
    Quote Originally Posted by taxexile
    weatherspoons breakfasts might come in handy
    That will be the key to this trip. Food, food, food, and just when you thought the fridge was safe, more fucking food. I could eat an English breakfast, double cheese and bacon burger with chips, and a extra large doner kebab every day and it will barely scratch the surface.

    The carb loading process has already started. Massive doorstep chunks of granary bread with cheese and pickle for lunch. This evening I will have a lamb balti, a sag paneer, naan bread and pilau rice - and four cans of Kronenberg. There are perks.

  14. #14
    . Neverna's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2012
    Last Online
    @
    Posts
    21,241
    Quote Originally Posted by somtamslap View Post
    The carb loading process has already started. Massive doorstep chunks of granary bread with cheese and pickle for lunch. This evening I will have a lamb balti, a sag paneer, naan bread and pilau rice - and four cans of Kronenberg. There are perks.
    Ah, preparing the internal gas cylinders for some extra thrust!



  15. #15
    splendid and tremendous
    somtamslap's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2007
    Last Online
    27-11-2023 @ 11:59 PM
    Location
    Down on the farm
    Posts
    13,805
    Quote Originally Posted by Neverna
    Ah, preparing the internal gas cylinders for some extra thrust!
    If I wanted serious results, I'd eat a tin or two of Heinz Curry Beans. I was actually concerned for my safety such was severity of the resulting flatulence. Really prolonged methane emissions and totally fucking vulgar. Marvellous.

  16. #16
    Thailand Expat
    Stinky's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2009
    Last Online
    @
    Location
    Next door to digit
    Posts
    11,174
    Good luck Slaps, when you get past Swindon be sure to drink plenty of that novern beer, it makes you fart like a bastard but it keeps the locals away and warms the sleeping bag on cold nights.
    Head down arse up and tally hoes!!

  17. #17
    Thailand Expat
    taxexile's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2006
    Last Online
    @
    Posts
    19,335
    This evening I will have a lamb balti, a sag paneer, naan bread and pilau rice - and four cans of Kronenberg. There are perks.
    i dont see any toilet paper on your equipment list.

  18. #18
    Thailand Expat
    Stinky's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2009
    Last Online
    @
    Location
    Next door to digit
    Posts
    11,174
    ^ Thai styleee

  19. #19
    splendid and tremendous
    somtamslap's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2007
    Last Online
    27-11-2023 @ 11:59 PM
    Location
    Down on the farm
    Posts
    13,805
    Quote Originally Posted by Stinky
    when you get past Swindon be sure to drink plenty of that novern beer
    When I get passed Swindon I'll have Exmoor and the Mendips fresh in my legs and will probably be crying like a little girl... but cheers old chap!


    Quote Originally Posted by taxexile
    i dont see any toilet paper on your equipment list.
    I will be relying on Petrol Stations for toilet time - which could result in fire.

  20. #20
    RIP
    Join Date
    Nov 2013
    Last Online
    @
    Posts
    16,939
    Good Luck!

    Have you got a planned route yet?

  21. #21
    splendid and tremendous
    somtamslap's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2007
    Last Online
    27-11-2023 @ 11:59 PM
    Location
    Down on the farm
    Posts
    13,805
    Quote Originally Posted by Chittychangchang
    Have you got a planned route yet?
    Sort of. Things get a bit sketchy from just south of Manchester. I think I'm going to use the Liverpool-Leeds canal for as long I can before blasting (or riding very slowly) up to the Lakes.

  22. #22
    Thailand Expat
    palexxxx's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jun 2011
    Last Online
    @
    Location
    Chiang Mai
    Posts
    4,141
    Have a great trip Slaps, remember take plenty of pics for our entertainment and education.

  23. #23
    splendid and tremendous
    somtamslap's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2007
    Last Online
    27-11-2023 @ 11:59 PM
    Location
    Down on the farm
    Posts
    13,805
    [QUOTE="palexxxx"] remember take plenty of pics for our entertainment and education.[/QUOTE Absolutely mate. Daily trip reports heading your way...

  24. #24
    RIP
    Join Date
    Nov 2013
    Last Online
    @
    Posts
    16,939
    Quote Originally Posted by somtamslap View Post
    Quote Originally Posted by Chittychangchang
    Have you got a planned route yet?
    Sort of. Things get a bit sketchy from just south of Manchester. I think I'm going to use the Liverpool-Leeds canal for as long I can before blasting (or riding very slowly) up to the Lakes.
    Beware them canal paths oop north they've been known to chew people up and spit them out.

    May i suggest a more scenic route that will prepare you for the Lakes and Scotland..


  25. #25
    The Pikey Hunter
    Gerbil's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2006
    Last Online
    @
    Location
    Roasting a Hedgehog
    Posts
    12,355
    Watch out for the pubs on the moors up north. It's a bit grim.


Page 1 of 23 12345678911 ... LastLast

Thread Information

Users Browsing this Thread

There are currently 1 users browsing this thread. (0 members and 1 guests)

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •