What a fantastic time, ok sure it hurt and yes there were times when I got fed up with being on the bike, but come on what a great adventure. I'm telling you it's like being a kid again, every day you wake up, eat scratch your head and wonder what the day holds for you, because you have no idea. OK, it might rain or not, that's about it with the weather. There could be some hills, but what goes up means you can go down. It's just down to you, your buddie, a map, your trusty bike and the unkown. That's what makes it fun and exciting.Got to admit before I started out I was never sure I could do it, dont like bikes that much and couldn't tell you what make my brakes or gears are. So to be sitting on a bike every day for 15 days didn't sound that appealing. That very first day when you're at Lands End it becomes very real and you realise how far you have to go. Your mind is asking you 'what on earth are you doing this for? Get back on that train home!' but Mike and I had talked about this, just think one day at a time - and that's how we dealt with it. The first couple of days are the testers. That's when you need your stamina, and plenty of food and plenty of cheer, but once you get those days under your belt it begins to feel better.
Mike was a great friend on the ride, and we had some great times together. We only had one cross moment, over my change of heart about what type of soup to have for tea!!!, but we soon kissed and made up and that was on the 14 th day. Anytime before 11 in the morning Mike was quiet, and needed his time to wake up, but he soon burst into song and wit when tea and cake was on the horizon, although as the ride went on he began to cheer up much earlier. We had a great laugh every day to a point that some days we were nearly in tears and even though he took the crown of 'king of the mountains' for a couple of days off me I didnt hold it against him.
There was always the doubt with Mike if he was going to do it, with his back and his knees, and i know others doubted if he would hold out, but he did good and I'm very proud of my namby pamby friend.
So what words of advice can I give to those who want to give it a go?
1. Go for it, you will surprise your self and boy does it make you feel good.
2. If your staying in YH in a dorm get ear plugs, you'll need them - and you'll need your sleep.
3. Eat, eat and keep eating. don't wait till your hungry, and the great thing is youll be burning some 5000 calories a day so you can eat as much as you like... and you'll still be hungry. We tried those energy bars and gels, gave them up after the 3rd day, just used cereal bars and, beans, pasta, eggs etc when you can.
4. Very important: Don't drink alchohol at lunch time. Did it once, went straight to my head. took a couple of hours to wear off. Drinking at night time is ok as long as you can walk home from the pub afterwards
5. Not all YHA's do food, the English ones tend to do breakfasts but as you go up, you'll need to self cater, as we found that the hostel you're staying at is not always near a shop or town so you'll have to get stuff in on the way. Some hostels sell basic food but you will pay for it!!!! Can of beans £1 at Glencoe. Not all pubs are open on Mondays so you can't always bank on getting grub there
6. If you dont take a towel with you the hostel will provide but it will cost you from 50p to a £1. Showers are good but they don't provide saunas, closest thing being the drying room.
7. When looking at your route, study the roads with care. We took a couple of short cuts, and ended up mountain climbing up some hills!
8.We found we left most mornings at about 9 and arrived most days by 6.30, we didnt push it we took our time had plenty of breaks and enjoyed ourselves.
9.Invest in Avon 'skin so soft' Scottish midges don't like it
10. Enjoy it. Yes it's hard work and some days you seem to do a lot of climbing, but each day has a reward believe me. One day we spent 5 hours climbing to Glencoe, but when you got to the top and starrted going back down, amazing. No picture or video really captures it.
11. This is a great adventure and you will hurt, but every day you get up and you go on and each day it gets easier. What a great way to see the country, and what great stories you'll have to tell.
Would I do it again, .................. yes in the future, Mike and I talked about doing it again in 10 years time. Would I recommend it? You bet. Do I ever want to see a bike again? Yeah, it gives you a thirst to do more, next time Europe!
So what are you waiting for?.......................
So what words of advice can I give to those who want to give it a go?
1. Go for it, you will surprise your self and boy does it make you feel good.
2. If your staying in YH in a dorm get ear plugs, you'll need them - and you'll need your sleep.
3. Eat, eat and keep eating. don't wait till your hungry, and the great thing is youll be burning some 5000 calories a day so you can eat as much as you like... and you'll still be hungry. We tried those energy bars and gels, gave them up after the 3rd day, just used cereal bars and, beans, pasta, eggs etc when you can.
4. Very important: Don't drink alchohol at lunch time. Did it once, went straight to my head. took a couple of hours to wear off. Drinking at night time is ok as long as you can walk home from the pub afterwards
5. Not all YHA's do food, the English ones tend to do breakfasts but as you go up, you'll need to self cater, as we found that the hostel you're staying at is not always near a shop or town so you'll have to get stuff in on the way. Some hostels sell basic food but you will pay for it!!!! Can of beans £1 at Glencoe. Not all pubs are open on Mondays so you can't always bank on getting grub there
6. If you dont take a towel with you the hostel will provide but it will cost you from 50p to a £1. Showers are good but they don't provide saunas, closest thing being the drying room.
7. When looking at your route, study the roads with care. We took a couple of short cuts, and ended up mountain climbing up some hills!
8.We found we left most mornings at about 9 and arrived most days by 6.30, we didnt push it we took our time had plenty of breaks and enjoyed ourselves.
9.Invest in Avon 'skin so soft' Scottish midges don't like it
10. Enjoy it. Yes it's hard work and some days you seem to do a lot of climbing, but each day has a reward believe me. One day we spent 5 hours climbing to Glencoe, but when you got to the top and starrted going back down, amazing. No picture or video really captures it.
11. This is a great adventure and you will hurt, but every day you get up and you go on and each day it gets easier. What a great way to see the country, and what great stories you'll have to tell.
Would I do it again, .................. yes in the future, Mike and I talked about doing it again in 10 years time. Would I recommend it? You bet. Do I ever want to see a bike again? Yeah, it gives you a thirst to do more, next time Europe!
So what are you waiting for?.......................
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