One man's grand tour: in summary

Days 7 and 8: John O'Groats to home. The first train at Wick didn't turn up yesterday, so the train company provided a minibus to Inverness. £197.40 later I'm at the station, and my wallet did stay closed. (everyone knows that already). The rest of the trains were all on time, Scot Rail and East Coast trains have been brilliant. Its too early to say if I would do it again. I have been both ways now. My wrists are sore, I had two pairs of shorts on the last day, popping pain killers with eccles cakes in front of Scotlands Constabulary at Golspie. Fatter tyres, at least 2 more gears, and another 12 days would make it enjoyable, on quiet roads but I have been fortunate with the weather. I've met some lovely people along the way. One couple from Bristol give me £20 without thinking about it and they were on their 15 year late honeymoon going to JoG's! Guys give up their training rides to stay with me at Penrith. Most people couldn't believe what I was doing. One older chap from Burton upon Trent was riding for his father in law, I'm not sure he'll ever get there as he was finding it so difficult. Another guy riding a 125cc scooter with a large rucksack was supporting his 16 year son on his own Lejog trip after finishing school. The support from friends, family and the people you meet on the way kept me going, mile after mile. This is a beautiful country. Thank you all for believing in me, and thank you Allison for everything you do. XXX.

One man's grand tour: Stage 6 of 6

Day 6: Loch Ness to John O'Groats. It was a long day again. I knew it was going to be that way. The road to Inverness was undulating and had plenty of timber lorries on it. At Inverness you cross the new bridge, which is quite windy, like Bonar Bridge too. Being the Highlands and being on the coast, the ups and downs are bigger. So much so that I pushed the bike up Helmsdale and Berriedale. Lejog'ers will know how steep these are. The Commonwealth Games baton relay was going through Golspie, so I chatted to the police while eating 4 eccles cakes I'd bought locally - I needed the energy. The road doesn't have too many shops on it, so I had to get what rations I could, when I could. At Wick I ditched the bags and headed to John O'Groats. It was no quicker, just easier going uphill. John O'Groats was fairly quiet and I got some selfies before a guy took a photo for me. It was 144 miles today, a grand total of 875 miles.

One man's grand tour: Stage 5 of 6

Day 5: Glasgow SYHA to Invermoriston SYHA. The day started slowly, taking an hour to leave the Glasgow conurbation and going to Arrochar by Loch long to avoid the traffic on the A82. I stopped at Helensburgh to get more inner tubes. From Tarbet to the hostel it was "main" roads all the way. At Tyndrum I stocked up on water as the sun was out and I was glad of it. The climbs were long but moderate in steepness to get onto Black Mount and Rannock Moor. I could no longer walk or my cleats won't engage the pedal. Going down into Glen Coe required turning the pedals. It should have been an easy run up the lochs for 50 miles but the slight wind is against me, stronger in the evening somehow. 146 miles and one day to do!

One man's grand tour: Stage 4 of 6

Day 4: Keswick to Glasgow. Just had my midnight shower after finding the hostel by being navigated to it over the phone via my wife Allison. Its been hard work all day. The wind is still against me and it took its toll on the climbs even more than normal. I had to push the bike up the last mile of Shap fell, 1400 ft, and then pedal down the other side. The village hall, the mythical half way point, still has no plague celebrating the fact! Out of Carlisle i've been on smoother cycle cross courses then the old road to Glasgow, bounced around for ages on the very rough surface. The climbs though gentle go on forever and some longer still! I got my first puncture just before the descend down. The road into Glasgow was very quiet and I did manage to get some speed up for a change, in the dark now. 155 very hard miles.

One man's grand tour: Stage 3 of 6

Day 3: Craven Arms to Arnside (Keswick). Had a slight north wind today which made the journey harder. Breakfast where I was staying started late so it was a tin of rice pudding by the side of the road! Lots of HGV traffic on the A49 to Shrewsbury and to Whitchurch. Thankfully they all turned left to Wales. I bumped into a guy who done this ride when he was 65 in two weeks. He had a friend with him; he was 70! The jacket I had been keen to avoid wearing was on for a short while in the cold wind. The hills have now gone, but heading into the cities of Wigan and Warrington the average speed didn't go up by much. My nose for navigating was still in Devon mode. It took 12 hours to complete the 147 miles (including city detours). The day ended watching the sun set over Morecambe bay with my parents who who had come to see me en route.