END TO END 2011
ITINERARY PLAN
These pages give a full technical breakdown of everything we need to know about the schedule and route.
This breakdown of the route considers the varying terrain we must cover during the tour. Therefore, compromises have been made such as covering less miles on days when we are faced with intense hill climbs (such as those in the West Country) and more miles on the days when we are covering considerably 'flatter' terrain (such as those in the Midlands etc). Each of the fourteen days has been broken down into a daily ride with the route and places we will visit (pass through). Please view the accommodation details under each daily route description for details of our planned accommodation for each respective night in the areas visited.
DAY 0 – TRAIN TO PENZANCE CYCLE TO LANDS END AND BACK (TOTAL 23 MILES) 26TH MAY.
Day zero will actually begin in Stroud. We will meet at the train station for a big send off and get on our way to sunny Cornwall. Once we all make it to Penzance in one piece and have had time to get everyone straight, we have to take a quick ride in the wrong direction towards the Land’s End Hotel at Land’s End which will act as our official starting point (B3315).
After a quick photo op at the famous Land’s End white sign post, we return to the youth hostel, tomorrow our journey begins…………..
STAY OVERNIGHT AT LANDS END YOUTH HOSTEL £18.
DAY 1 - PENZANCE TO BODMIN - 55 MILES (TOTAL 78 MILES) 27TH MAY
Because it is our first day today will be a relatively tough day covering only 55 miles to our first over night stop, Bodmin.
Although we are covering fewer miles on day one, we will encounter some steep gradients along the way including an initial climb of over 600ft on the road from Penzance climbing all the way with a final climb into Bodmin.
Route.
Leave Penzance on the A30 (this is a major busy road and we will spend the day trying to avoid it!) turn right onto the A394 then left onto the B3280.
We follow this road through the villages of Goldsithney, Leedstown then Black Rock. We then head into Wedruth picking up the A3047 to Scorrier. Back onto the A30 for a while to Blackwater, then the A3075 through Perranzabube, Goonhaven, Rejarrah, Trekemper onto the A392. We then go through Quintrell Downs and Mountjoy then right onto the A39 left onto the A30 then picking up the old road see inset map (B3274 signed Roche, left to Victoria this road follows alongside the A30). Picking up the A391 to Lanivet, then A389 to Bodmin.
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NIGHT 1 MANY VIEWS GUEST HOUSE – BODMIN, CORNWALL
COOKSLAND NR BODMIN, £25 B&B. 400 YARDS TO PUB!
01208 269991 jill@manyviewshouse.co.uk
DAY 2 – BODMIN TO CREDITON, DEVON - 65 MILES (TOTAL 143 MILES) 28TH MAY
So, after a good night’s sleep and a big breakfast we leave Bodmin and head off in the direction of Crediton in Devon. Today will be a hard ride but we must cover some ground in order to stick to our 14 day target
The ascents and descents on the A390/ A398 gradually become more onerous after Liskeard and lead alongside the high ground of Bodmin Moor into the county of Devon.
We then visit Callington before arriving in Tavistock which provides a last chance for refreshments before we skirt around Dartmoor still with some big climbs to do.
Onto the A386 we will pass through Wilminstone, Mary Tavey then Sourton Down. Then a quick mile on the A30 (and busy traffic) onto the B3260 to Okehampton. From Okehampton onto the B3215 (Crediton road) then onto the A3072 to Bow, Copplestone then the A377 (busy for 5 miles) into Crediton to find our B&B
As with day one, we face some tough hill climbs today, a slightly longer day at 65 miles. The roads between Liskeard and Tavistock promise to be a warm up as the road from Tavistock to Okehampton is very hilly.
NIGHT 2 THE BEECHES B&B - CREDITON, DEVON
DAY 3 – CREDITON TO WESTON-S-MARE, AVON - 63 MILES (TOTAL 206 MILES) 29TH MAY
So, once again we hit the road!Today will be easier thanks to the fairly flat roads ahead of us.
After the trials of Dartmoor and the West Country the gradients we face today are minimal with the highest peak coming early at 4 miles then there are only easy climbs to Westonl.
Setting off from Crediton on the A3072, we follow the course of the Exe Valley, onto the A396 to tiverton (15 miles), leaving Tiverton on the B3391 to Halberton, Sampford Peverell then Appledore. Onto the A38 through Red Ball, Bagley Green, Rumwell Park then Taunton (35 miles). Ahead can be seen glimpses of the Brendon Hills and Exmoor National Park.
Once we have cleared Taunton (A38) we pass through Monkton Heathfield before the road turns north and begins to run parallel with the M5 into the town of North Petherton, and we then navigate our way through Bridgewater. We stay on the A38 and pass through villages of Dunball, West Huntspill and Highbridge a welcome reminder that good progress is being made! We stick to the coast side of the M5 and will pass through the towns of East Brent and Uphill then into Weston.
NIGHT 3 B&B - W-S-M , AVON
DAY 4 – W-S-W TO STROUD, GLOUCESTERSHIRE - 56 MILES (TOTAL 262 MILES) 30TH MAY
We leave Weston on the B3440, onto the A370 to Puxton onto Congresbury, then the B3133 through Yatton, Kingston Bridge, Kenn into Clevedon and pick up the Portishead road. We shortly turn right then pick up the Avon Cycle Way and cross the Avonmouth Bridge! (Tough if it’s windy). Pick up the A38 all the way to Eastington then Stroud.
NIGHT 4 – HOME, STROUD
We will spend our fourth night at home (Pampered!)
DAY 5 - STROUD TO TELFORD, SHROPSHIRE - 76 MILES (TOTAL 338 MILES) 31ST MAY
Like day 4, the route we follow on day 5 promises to be a flat one. We will take advantage of the terrain and cover many miles today and to compensate for the 56 miles yesterday with a night at home.
Following a hearty home cooked (ha ha!) breakfast we will set off from Stroud and leave town heading north over edge into Gloucester, picking up the A38 (Again!) then onto Tewksbury, we proceed on the A38 to Worcester. Tackling Worcester we stay on the A38 towards Claines then onto the A449 through Claines, Ombersley, Crossway Green into Hartlebury skirting Stourport on Severn. We press onto Kidderminster avoiding the centre by picking up the A442, then through Shatterford, Alveley, Quatt, Quatford and skirting Bridgnorth. Still on the A442 we pass through Stockton, Sutton Maddock and Stirchley finally arriving at Telford (see detailed notes).
NIGHT 5– B&B – TELFORD
DAY 6- TELFORD TO WARRINGTON, CHESHIRE - 62 MILES (TOTAL 400 MILES) 1ST JUNE
Day 6, as always, starts after breakfast. An easier day today to recuperate because of the relatively flat terrain before we hit the hills again!
We set off from Telford picking up the A518 then B5063 joining the A442 (Again!). Through Sleapton, Crudington, then Waters Upton and Cold Hatton. On passing Marchamley, briefly onto the A41 (a busy mile) to Prees Higher Heath. We branch right signed Whitchurch rural, ash Magna before joining the A525 for 1 mile. Then left onto the A530 through Aston and Baddington then Nantwitch. Through Nantwitch on the B5074 towards Worleston, Church Minsull, Primrose Hill and into Winsford. Then follow the signs for Northwich to exit Winsford.
After 1 mile we pick up the London Road (Daveham) joining the A533 onto Northwitch. Onto the B5075 to Marston then Higher Marston then onto the A559 through Lower Stretton, Stretton and Stoddon Hill joining the A49 briefly to Warrington. Eh Up Lad! A well earned rest a hot meal and a cold drink! After a day dodging the busy roads and cutting through the industrial heartland.
NIGHT 6 – B&B - WARRINGTON, CHESIREDAY 7 – WARRINGTON TO KENDAL, CUMBRIA - 72 MILES (TOTAL 472 MILES) 2ND JUNE
We cover a lot of ground today. The route is fairly flat other than an early gradient of approx 400ft above sea level on the road out of Wigan but only at 1%.
By now, this kind of hill should be no problem for use hill hardened riders!!
The day’s route follows the western side between the Pennines and the Cumbrian mountains.
We leave the refuge of Warrington and battle our way out of town, onto the A49 to Whinwick, joining the A573 to Platt Bridge. The road skirts around Wigan and then rejoins the A49 to Charnock Richard and Euxton we stay on the A49 towards Leyland, but pick up the B5254 to Penworthamdale, then Preston.
We pick up the A6 heading for Fullwood, Broughton, Bilsborrow, Caterall, Cabus, Bay Horse, Galgate, Scotforth and then Lancaster. Onto Slyne, Bolton-Le-Sands, Yealand Conyers, Hale, Beetham, Woodhouse, Sedgewick, Helsington arriving finally at our destination for the night Kendal. A day spent predominately on major roads.
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NIGHT 7 – B&B KENDAL - CUMBRIA
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DAY 8 - KENDAL TO LOCKERBIE, SCOTLAND – 73 MILES (TOTAL 545 MILES) 3RD JUNE
Today is the day we cross the border! The route is fairly flat other than the initial climb over Shap a gradient of approx 1200ft above sea level on the Penrith road. Once this climb is over we have a long gradual descent all the way to Gretna then onto Lockerbie.
We leave the refuge of Kendal and follow the A6 through the villages of Skelsmerg, Watchgate, Forest Hall into Shap. Through Sapbeck Gate, the road becomes quieter now, through Hackthorpe, Clifton and Eamont Bridge then Penrith. Leaving Penrith we turn onto the B5305 to Hutton in the Forest. Turn right to Hutton End, through Low Braithwaite, Durdar, Into Carlisle. We pick up the A7 toward Stanwick, then left to Kingmoor, Rockcliffe, Mossband and Sarkbridge/ Gretna B7076. We follow this road through Kilpatrick Fleming, Eccelefechan, into Lockerbie.
NIGHT 8- B&B - LOCKERBIE, SCOTLAND
DAY 9 – LOCKERBIE TO EAST KILBRIDE, SCOTLAND – 68 MILES (TOTAL 613 MILES) 4TH JUNE
We face some tough climbs today, but the thoughts of staying with Alisdair’s family will spur us on.
NIGHT 9- EAST KILBRIDE
Alisdair’s parents house.
DAY 10 – EAST KILBRIDE TO INVERARNAN, SCOTLAND - 54 MILES (TOTAL 667 MILES) 5TH JUNE
Today’s route is virtually flat all the way to Inverarnan, the lower mileage allows for more time at Alisdair’s parents house.
Today’s route endeavours to search out a course through the industrialised centres and suburbs clinging to the banks of the Clyde in the west and the Firth of Forth in the east.
We start the day in East Kilbride heading through Rogerton onto the A749 through Burnside towards Glasgow Green and Kelvingrove Park on the Dalmarnock Road. Into Partick, picking up the A814 (see map) Dumgarton Road to Old Kilpatrick. Through Bowling and Milton on the A82 to Dumbarton then on the A813 to Bonhill. We turn left to pick up the B857 then the A82 through Arden, Aldochlay, Inverbeg, Stuckgowan, Tarbet, Ardlui and finally Inverarnan. on a beautiful tree lined lane.
Alternative route (safer!). After crossing the River Clyde on A814 we will proceed to Old Kilpatrick where we will now pick up the ‘Glasgow to Loch Lomond Cycle Route’ which runs parallel to the River Clyde utilising sections of disused railway lines before turning north along the towpath of the River Leven to follow the Leven Valley to Loch Lomond.
Whilst we are on the cycle route we will pass through (or near by to) Bowling, Dumbarton, Renton and Alexandria before reaching the start of Loch Lomond.
We will now follow the western shore of Loch Lomond which takes us through Arden, Luss and Tarbet before delivering us safely at Ardlui then Inverarnan at the northern most tip of the Loch.
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NIGHT 10 – WIGWAM BEINGLAS FARM INVERARNAN, SCOTLAND
http://www.beinglascampsite.co.uk/wigwams.asp
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DAY 11 - INVERARNAN TO FORT WILLIAM, SCOTLAND - 58 MILES (TOTAL 724 MILES) 6TH JUNE
From Inverarnan the route gets a little tougher with some large hill climbs.
The route takes us through Crianlarich and Tyndrum on the A82. We will then pass through Bridge of Orchy and Achallader before the inhospitable wilderness of Rannoch Moor which will leave us riders seeking the security of Glencoe a slight detour off the A82, but at least we ride through Glencoe with mountain scenery as dramatic as anywhere in Scotland. The entrance of Glencoe is guarded by the peaks of Beinn, providing us riders with an uncomfortable but beautiful welcome.
We now continue on the A82 our route passing Ballachulish, North Ballachulish and Onich.
The scenery will now suddenly change from classic Upland Mountain into a rugged, coastal setting.
The road follows the headland and passes through Corran before following the shore line of Loch Linnhe and going around the base of the peaks of Beinn an Mhoir and Beinn na Cucaid to the town of Fort William.
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NIGHT 11 – B&B – FORT WILLIAM, SCOTLAND
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DAY 12 – FORT WILLIAM TO BEAULY, SCOTLAND - 64 MILES (TOTAL 788 MILES) 7TH JUNE
As we leave the town of Fort William behind us, we will be able to see the whale-backed peak of Ben Nevis with the Allt a Mhuilinn leading up into the dark recesses of the north face cliffs on the good old A82. The road continues easily through the Leanachan Forest to reach Spean Bridge.
The road now leads us out of Spean Bridge, over a wooded hummock followed by a soft descent down the hillside of Coire Ceirsle before joining the River Gloy on its route to the banks of Loch Lochy.
Peaks rise steeply all around the depths of the mirrored loch water, creating a truly memorable scene. Have your cameras ready!
The road undulates easily as we pass through Stronaba, Letterfinaly and South Laggan At the head of the loch a final descent leaves the Laggan Forest and crosses the Caledonian Canal.
The next town we pass by is Invergarry at the head of Loch Oich (a possible pit stop if needed!).
We shall now continue along the west bank of Loch Oich before crossing the Caledonian Canal once more onto Aberchalder and Newtown.
The route to Fort August picks a course through the glacial hillocks deposited at the head of the most famous of all Scottish lochs, Loch Ness.
The road now continues along the shore of Loch Ness below the Port Clair Forest before making a short detour to cross the River Moriston at Invermoriston. Creagnaneun Forest now hugs the steep slopes above Loch Ness before delivering us to Drumnadrochit half way up the Loch.
We then leave the old A82 and pick up the A833 with a stiff climb then downhill all the waythrough Ardendrain, Glaichbea and as we approach Balchraggan we turn left onto the A862 before continuing onto today’s destination, Beauly.
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NIGHT 12 – B&B - BEAULY, SCOTLAND
DAY 13 - BEAULY TO HELMSDALE, SCOTLAND - 68 MILES (TOTAL 856 MILES) 8TH JUNE
The day begins in Beauly on the A862, through Windhill, after 5 miles we branch off right B9163 to Comtown and Alcaig. We then turn left onto the A9 across the bridge over Beauly Firth on into Evanton we will then begin to follow the course north passing through Dalmore, Rosskeen, Kildary Tain and Glen Morangie before crossing the Dornoch Firth still on the A9. Through Evelix, Cambushmore Lodge, Culmaily to Golspie and then the road takes us right onto the coast of the North Sea for the rest of our journey. Through Brora, Lothbeg, Culgower, Portgower to our target Helmsdale
NIGHT 13 – SYHA - HELMSDALE, SCOTLAND
£16.50 shared dormitory
DAY 14 - HELMSDALE TO JOHN O'GROATS, SCOTLAND - 51 MILES (TOTAL 907 MILES). 9TH JUNE
So, today is the day we make the home run and the last push towards our final destination.
The concluding leg of our journey follows the north-east coast road out of the Highlands into the open moor lands characteristic of the Scottish north coast.
The route follows a lonely course and taken in isolation the day would not be considered the most memorable of cycle tours but as a climax to our tour that has spanned the countryside of Great Britain it is a fitting finale and something we should all enjoy.
From Helmsdale on the A9 stunning views across the rugged coastline of the North Sea is a (small) reward for our efforts as the road begins to lead us down a series of steep descents taking us through the villages of Berriedale, Borgue and Dunbeath which all offer welcome sanctuary to us weary riders.
As the route continues it will be noticeable that the ridges and peaks of the Highlands have receded onto the western horizon and been replaced by more open grass land combed by the relentless winds that sweep this north-eastern headland.
The road winds through Latheronwheel into Latheron where we pick up the A99 through Swiney and Occumster before continuing through Bruan, Ulbster and by the time the village of Thrumster is reached the cycling has become very straight forward. A little further on we reach Wick, we pass the twin ruins of Sinclair and Girnigoe Castles clinging precariously to the cliff tops then through the villages of Ackergill, Keiss, Auckengill and Freswick before the last bit of coastal road across tussock grassland and a short climb (our very last of the trip!) over the Warth Hill to the final descent to the coast and John O’Groats.
We have made it. What has all the fuss been about?!
After a quick photo op at the famous John O'Groats white sign posts (completing the set) we can head into
NIGHT 14 - SYHA – JOHN O’GROATS, SCOTLAND
Party time and the consumption of a couple of shandy’s. The emotions at the end of a tour of this nature tend to be a mixture of jubilation and disappointment.
Jubilation, obviously, because the trip has reached a successful conclusion and any rider completing the full distance can feel justly proud, but there may be an anticlimax that accompanies a project such as this
realising you now must begin the tiresome task of arranging transport home, going back to work and facing ‘real life’.
No matter we will be immensely proud of what we have achieved and never forget the fun we had whilst doing it!
DAY 15 - HOME (TOTAL 907 MILES). 10TH JUNE
Back to the Inverness by van then fly home!!!! Now that we have cracked open the champagne and used up the last bit of muscle rub in our kit bags, its time for us to start planning the next trip? How about the 3,000+ miles RAM (race across America!)????
