Yes its one week to go until the pain begins. I have been sorting out some bike bits and spares and trying to work out what needs to go in the mobile mechanics car to get through the ride. Its amazing the amount of crap you acquire that requires some charger / plug / power. Roll on the day where we have nuclear phones or whatever the future holds.

So here are the dates…

Sunday 5th of June – Drive to Peterborough and ride the Cambridgeshire Gran Fondo (apparently this is some idiots idea of a “warm up”) The weather does not look too bad which will be a bonus. I am just praying there is NO wind.

Sunday Night – Drive North…. stop somewhere up t’North

Monday – drive to John O’ Groats

Tuesday – Head south

Following days – Eat, Sleep, Ride, Repeat

Finish – Keep going until the front wheel is wet with the sea at Lands End. (actually if it’s wet, I will have ridden off a very high cliff and the blog posts will probably stop)

The route is plotted but I am going to review on each day and be flexible on the actual path. I have been making the list of gels / food  and stuff that will be needed on the long way, the main idea is to top up on route wherever I can. So we ride off into the unknown and attempt one long long way on a bike. I only hope my ageing body can put up with the niggles and aches that are going to be trying to tell me to get off and jack it in every day.

Wish me luck … I am gonna need it !!!

This year I am riding for Revitalise a great charity that provides short breaks and holidays for disabled people and carers. It would be fantastic if any of my readers can make a donation

Check back regularly for further updates on route and live-tracking information.

Ok – So I have officially gone mad.

I have decided that its time to get out there and crank up some miles and one sure fire way to do this is to start as far away as possible and then cycle back. This means I have no real way of shortening the ride, no bailing out, and if you do decide to shorten the distance on a certain day,  I only have to make it up the next day. RULE 5 !!!

The plan is – Start at the top of Scotland, head south. !! (Well its all downhill right ?)

I will now be doing some route planning, where to stay and what to kit out on the bike. This is unknown territory for me. I know I can ride 100+ miles – BUT can I get up and do it 10 days in a row ? – We shall see.

Next big training rides coming up will be the “Tour de Isle of Wight”  (the Randonee in May) followed by the Cambridgeshire Grand Fondo.(June)