Safe Return Doubtful

As desirable as it is to sometimes get out of ‘the comfort
zone’ there is a further area outside that which can be so uncomfortable that
it takes away any of the fun and becomes miserable. There are plenty of
adventure cycling blogs around that describe such trips – usually the challenge
taken on has not been suitable for the rider.

Land’s End to John O’Groats. This is around about 1,000 mile
ride and best undertaken over a minimum of 15 days, at 60 to 70 miles a day, 5
to 7 hours in the saddle, and then allow for rest days. There are several
possible routes that all have positives and negatives about them, but most
riders want to stay away from heavy traffic and ride on roads with shoulder,
even if that means cycling some extra miles. Amongst the big incentives are being
alone in the wild expanses of the Cornish moors, enjoying classical English
single lane minor roads coming across only the odd tractor,

As a ‘challenge ride’ I once rode it as part of a relay team
(one team riding 2 – 3 hours, one resting) with a support vehicle non-stop in
100 hours. Its nice to ride the whole thing though, if you have time. Should
this option interest you consider the potential flashpoint of the swap over at
the top of a hill, who gets to ride up, and who down?

One of the things that sparked me to write this particular
blog was the experience some Australian visitors had last year. Once north of
Aberdeen there is little alternative to the A9. The trees get lower and lower
and eventually disappear all together. The wind gets stronger and the
temperature colder even on a fine July day. Buildings get fewer, especially any
with any tourist services. Break down here and you have a problem, this is a
wilderness. But it is not ‘an awful place’ as these visitors described in their
blog.

“Day 33 Helmsdale to
Wick – 35 miles

Today was horror day.
I have had some bad days in my cycling career, but this was the worst. The
hills, winds, rain, cold and awful countryside all combined to turn this into
the worst day ever for me. We left around 9 after trying to pump up my rear
wheel so this was a bad start

Then the hills
started. We climbed to 800 feet in a bitterly cold headwind and rain. The hill
went on forever and for 15 miles the hills persisted, as did the rain, the cold
and the headwind

We found a café around
mile 16 and had a sandwich and two cups of good, old fashioned coffee. It was
good to get out of cold and rain for 30 minutes.

Strangely, after we
left, we had a respite from the wind and the rain for about an hour. The hills
also abated. However, then winds reappeared about an hour later with gusto, as
did the rain

This continued for the
rest of the trip into Wick. The hills however, were not bad these last 22 miles
but the wind just made them seem so.

We are in a hotel cum
pub tonight. I just couldn’t handle a tent after this ride today

I took no pictures as
there was nothing of interest. The terrain up here is really awful, with the
vegetation getting sparser as we go further north.

We have just 16 miles
to go tomorrow, then it’s over. After these past few days, I can’t say I am
sorry

Day 34 – Wick to John
O’Groats – 17 miles

It was a short day but
the cycling conditions could not have been worse.

The headwind was
colder and much stronger than previous days. Of course it was raining too.

The wind at times was
so strong as to drive the rain horizontally into my face. Small hills became
monsters without end, especially the last climb. By the time we got in, we were
cold and very wet.

The room was not ready
so we had a beer and some food to pass the time.

The wind now, as I
write this, is as strong as ever but the rain has abated. I asked a local why
he lived here and he said “the atmosphere is good” so I replied “yes, its warm
in the pub". 

I’m not sure about you, but this sort of thing spurs me on
and encourages me to visit. I did though take exception of the writer calling
the place ‘awful’ and challenged him on it. Those words were reserved for
Captain Scott just before he died. “Great
God! This is an awful place”

It reminded me of some of the outdoor trips I organised as a
teacher when the kids would moan. I would ask them with my tongue firmly in the
side of the cheek if they were sure they had chosen the right course? Should
they not have selected flower-arranging or chess masterclass instead?  

Positives –

A plethora of pubs and bike shops.

Other things to be wary about –

Are you travelling with tent? Booking accommodation ahead at
busy times of the year. How far ahead?

The weather.

Eating out and a hotel every night can get expensive.

Time getting there and home.

I hope to have illustrated the worth of careful planning and
advice. Though your tour may well be a challenge, it is relevant and sensible
to know what to expect and be equipped (both literally and metaphorically) for
it. It is in this regard with our vast network of experience we can help, so get
whatever information you may seek, get in touch.