At the Roundabout, take the 3rd exit. What Roundabout?
Overview
This page goes into detail 'day-by-day' about the route we will be taking from Land's End to John O'Groats. If you are not interested in the detail, the image on the left shows you our route!
By the way, if you know somebody who owns a B&B or have a rich Aunty that owns a country mansion and could offer us a room for the night at any of our daily final destinations, please get in touch. We would be eternally grateful!
By the way, if you know somebody who owns a B&B or have a rich Aunty that owns a country mansion and could offer us a room for the night at any of our daily final destinations, please get in touch. We would be eternally grateful!
PRE DAY 1
Letting the Train take (most) of the Strain
After a 5 hour train journey to Penzance from London Paddington, we will be cycling along the coastal road through the villages of Mousehole, Boleigh and Treen, just past Land's End to Sennen where we will have our final nights sleep before starting the challenge in earnest.
Estimated Distance: 13 miles (21 kms) Estimated Elevation: 577 ft (176m)
Estimated Distance: 13 miles (21 kms) Estimated Elevation: 577 ft (176m)
DAY 1
Shouldn't we be cycling North?
The first day kicks off with a short rideto Land's End. This is where we will get our obligatory photo by the sign post and then start our journey north, well not quite! The north coast of Cornwall route has now been scrapped and we will be cycling back through Penzance and down to Lizzard Point (the southerly most point of mainland Great Britain) and then aim north to finish the first day's cycling at St Agnes.
Estimated Distance: 65 miles (105kms) Estimated Elevation 1965ft (599m)
Estimated Distance: 65 miles (105kms) Estimated Elevation 1965ft (599m)
DAY 2
Avoiding the Beast of Bodmin
Day Two starts with a bit downhill, then a climb, then a bit downhill, then a sharp climb, followed by a little bit down hill, followed by a big climb, followed by.... Can you see a pattern forming? After leaving St Agnes, we will aim North-East passing through St Columb Major, Wadebridge, Camelford before travelling in more of an easterly direction through Launceston, again avoiding the 'A' roads before arriving in Okehampton which is on the northern edge of Dartmoor. Our route today will run almost parallel with the A30.
Estimated Distance: 74 miles (118 kms) Estimated Elevation 3074ft (937 metres)
Estimated Distance: 74 miles (118 kms) Estimated Elevation 3074ft (937 metres)
DAY 3
Rollercoaster Cycling
Day 3 is another rollercoaster ride as we continue cycling up and down, and up and down and.... in a north easterly direction leaving Devon and pushing on (well hopefully cycling on) into Somerset. There is a steep climb just after we leave Crediton, the only good thing about this, is that the descent is almost as steep, but there are still three more climbs after that. Once we have left Cullompton, we run parrallel with the M5 as we pass through Wellington and Taunton and then bear east onto our destination of Langport.
Estimated Distance: 66.5 miles (107kms) Estimated Elevation 2205ft (672metres)
Estimated Distance: 66.5 miles (107kms) Estimated Elevation 2205ft (672metres)
DAY 4
Two Bridges - Two Countries
Today we get to cycle over two famous bridges, the Clifton Suspension Bridge and the original Severn Crossing which takes us from England into Wales. We leave Langport, heading North East towards Somerton and then head north towards Glastonbury and onto Wells, just after Wells is when we we have an almighty climb. If we make it, we will then continue north towards Bristol and the first bridge. Once we have passed through Bristol, we will then cycle over the original Severn crossing (bicycles are not allowed on the new one) and then into Chepstow. Today is slightly longer in distance than the previous three days as we follow the course of the River Wye? up to Monmouth.
Estimated Distance: 76 miles (122kms) Estimated Elevation 2520ft (768 metres)
Estimated Distance: 76 miles (122kms) Estimated Elevation 2520ft (768 metres)
DAY 5
Borderlands & Castles
The fifth day sees us skirting up the Welsh/English borders starting off following the River Monnow, passing castles at Skenrith, Grosmont and Kentchurch. Once we get to Abbey Dore, we then follow the River Dore up to Dorstone and then cross the River Wye as we aim towards Eardisley. Staying on the English side of the border, we will travel north up through Bucknell and onto Bishops's Castle
Estimated Distance: 71 miles (114kms) Estimated Elevation: 2116ft (645metres)
Estimated Distance: 71 miles (114kms) Estimated Elevation: 2116ft (645metres)
DAY 6
England, Wales, England, Wales, England, Wales, England
Today's route zig-zags northwards flirting between Welsh and English villages and towns. After leaving Bucknall, we will pass through Bishop's Castle and then onto Montgomery on the Welsh side. We will pass about 5 miles west of Shrewsbury in the shadow of the Black Mountains. Then through Elsmere before our final visit into Wales before arriving at Malpas.
Estimated Distance: 71 miles (114kms) Estimated Elevation: 1207ft (368metres)
Estimated Distance: 71 miles (114kms) Estimated Elevation: 1207ft (368metres)
DAY 7
Merry across the Mersey
From Malpas, we will be travelling north, parallel with the A49 and to the East of Chester. We cycle through the outskirts of Runcorn and actually cross the River Mersey whilst negotiationg Warrington. We will then cross the M6 four times as we snake our way up through Greater Manchester and Lancarshire before finally finishing the day at Eccleston.
Estimated Distance: 61 miles (98 kms) Estimated Elevation 1440ft (439m)
Estimated Distance: 61 miles (98 kms) Estimated Elevation 1440ft (439m)
DAY 8
A Wise move to cycle past Morecambe and onto Windemere
Today, we keep to the west of the M6 travelling through Leyland and Preston before we pass through Lancaster and bypass Morecambe. The last ten miles sees us entering the Lake District as we make a beeline for Bowness-on-Windermere.
Estimated Distance (64 miles (103 kms) Estimated Elevation 1020ft (311m)
Estimated Distance (64 miles (103 kms) Estimated Elevation 1020ft (311m)
DAY 9
The Lakes and into Scotland which is Fab n'Great
Before today starts, I think we will need to check our brakes as we have some serious declines to contend with as we travel through the rest of the Lake District. The last village we will pass through in the Lakes being Caldbeck. We will then follow the course of The River ??? into Carlisle. Then via Longtown, we will cross the English/Scottish border at Sarkbridge before we settle for the evening in Gretna.
Estimated Distance 65 miles (104 kms) Estimated Elevation 2625ft (800m)
Estimated Distance 65 miles (104 kms) Estimated Elevation 2625ft (800m)
DAY 10
The Valley of Nith
Leaving Gretna, we will follow the A75 and A76 but using the back roads passing through Annan, and then cycling along the river mouth up into and through Dumfries. Following the course of the River Nith we will pass through Burnhead and Drumlanrig, finally finishing up in Sanquhar for the evening.
Estimated Distance 62 miles (100kms) Estimated Elevation 1522ft (464m)
Estimated Distance 62 miles (100kms) Estimated Elevation 1522ft (464m)
DAY 11
On Top of the Stair and down to Lochwinnich
Today we start off cycling west, following the course of the River Ayr and then head north on the B730 through Stair and Tarbolton and then onto the B571 through Gatehead and onto Kilmaurs. We then zig-zag North and East trying to avoid the A roads passing through Auchentibber, Kilbimie and the finally arriving at Lochwinnich
Estimated Distance 62 miles (100kms) Estimated Elevation 1473ft (449m)
Estimated Distance 62 miles (100kms) Estimated Elevation 1473ft (449m)
Day 12
The Land of the Midges
Leaving Locwinnoch, we will travel north along the B786 and then cut across west onto the B788 taking us towards Greenock and then into Gourock. Today is a unique day as there is an element where we will not be on terra-firma as we get the ferry from Gourock to Dunoon. The 4 1/2 mile crossing does not count towards our mileage, unless they have a turbo trainer on the boat! Once we disembark, we will travel north into the Argyll Forest Park, cycling the length of Lock Eck and then almost double back on ourselves as we make our way towards the day's final destination of Inveraray
Estimated Distance 59 miles (95kms) Estimated Elevation 1424ft (434m)
Estimated Distance 59 miles (95kms) Estimated Elevation 1424ft (434m)
DAY 13
Along Linnies Loch to William's Fort
From Inveraray, we make our way north along the A819 aiming towards Kilchurn Castle and the train station that bears the name of the Loch whose shoreline we are following, Loch Awe. Once again after double backing on ourselves, we pick up the A85 passing through Taynuilt and aim towards Connel where we cross Loch Etive. The A828 than takes us through Rhugarbh, across Loch Ceran and onto the South East corner of Loch Linnie, which we then cross into North Ballachulish. The A82 then takes us along the length of Loch Linnie on the east side up towards Fort William.
Estimated Distance 72 miles (115kms) Estimated Elevation 1608ft (490m)
Estimated Distance 72 miles (115kms) Estimated Elevation 1608ft (490m)
DAY 14
Hoping to meet Nessy
Today, we will cycle the length of Loch Ness, so that should gives us ample time to see the monster. Before we reach Loch Ness, we will also cycle along the length of Loch Lochy before reaching the half way stage at Fort Augustus at the southern end of Loch Ness. Just after half way we have a long steep climb, followed by a very long downhill section. We will then continue north-east on the east side of the Loch up into Inverness.
Estimated Distance 65 miles (104kms) Estimated Elevation 2356ft (718m)
Estimated Distance 65 miles (104kms) Estimated Elevation 2356ft (718m)
DAY 15
Go Forth over Firth
Today will see us navigating Beauly Firth, Cromarty Firth and Dornach Firth as we travel north along the East coast along the A9 towards Helmsdale, passing Tarbat House, Cambusmore Lodge and Dunrobin Castle
Estimated Distance 78 miles (125kms) Estimated Elevation 1860ft (532m)
Estimated Distance 78 miles (125kms) Estimated Elevation 1860ft (532m)
DAY 16
The end in Sight
The final day sees us travelling up the east coast, firstly along the A9 which then becomes the A99. We start with a steep climb out of Helmsdale and pass through Berriedale, Dunbeath, Wick and then finally onto our final destination of John O'Groats
Estimated Distance 53 miles (86kms) Estimated Elevation 1860ft (567m)
Estimated Distance 53 miles (86kms) Estimated Elevation 1860ft (567m)
POST DAY 16
Just a little bit more
So we can get the train home, we need to get on our bikes once more and cycle to Thurso to catch the train to Inverness where we can get the overnight Sleeper train back to London. We will be making a slight detour to Dunnet Head (The northerly most point of mainland Great Britain).
Estimated Distance 29 miles (47kms) Estimated Elevation 577ft (176m)
Estimated Distance 29 miles (47kms) Estimated Elevation 577ft (176m)
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