Cycling Lands' End to John O'Groats: Mr Blunt's Blog
Mr Blunt, the Head of Bass House, attempted to cycle the length of Britain in February Half Term to raise money for the school charities. Read his daily updates below.
Day 5
Huge day in many respects. Covered 90 miles in appalling weather - freezing fog, rain, sleet and to cap it all, snow! Foolishly I suffered badly all day and certainly became hypothermic, caused by a combination of being cold,wet and windchilled due to my movement on the bike. It took me one and a half hours to rewarm in a pub just north of Whitchurch.
Having spoken to the school in assemblies last week about avoiding the misadventure zone I managed to find myself in it. Traffic scary, and a face full of grit thrown up from a gritting lorry helped me to focus my decision making processes.
Big decision has been made. I've decided regrettably to pull emergency chute having reached between Whitchurch and Runcorn. Decided to make my way to Crewe railway station to begin my journey back south.
Reasons:
1. I've questioned my personal safety on busy 'A roads' that are really not equipped for cyclists, certainly not in wintery conditions (didn't have luxury of time to go on more minor roads.)
2. Studied weather forecast from Friday onwards for northern England and Scotland. Fairly satisifed with snow and freezing temperatures predicted I would not be able to penetrate much further north than the Lake District.
3. Having to stop to rewarm every hour means I cannot hope to gain the mileage required each day. Even with a time extension beyond half term it would still be impossible to accomplish journey in a reasonable time without having to badly affect others at work.
Summary
Prior preparation prevents poor performance. It was the weather that brought my journey to an end. Fitness levels good and became stronger as the days went by. Should have budgeted for B & B's rather than one man tent in winter conditions. British roads ill equipped for cyclists - unfortunately I did not have time to take quieter, more scenic routes. 'A roads' in poor weather conditions provide dangers around every corner - be warned! If you are to tackle the route yourself one day be very mindful that the Cornwall and Devon terrain provides a very tough test. My lack of training was found out in these two counties.
Lands' End to John O'Groats is undoubtedly a fair weather challenge.
As you can imagine I am hugely disappointed, but satisfied that I have given it my all and have made the right decision. I hope my assemblies and the challenge that I set myself have got some of your minds racing and will tempt you to challenge yourself in the years ahead and to not be afraid of failure.
Total distance 375 miles in 5 days.
Day 4
Woke up this morning cold but feeling positive about the day ahead. Headed towards Bristol and managed to bump into side of a pavement and broke the cleat of one of my shoes. Rode in to Bristol where bike shop owner kindly repaired it for free. Then began the mighty navigational feat of getting out of Bristol city centre.
Headed north east past the Severn bridges, then beautiful cycling following line of the River Severn bypassing Gloucester.
Malvern hills in the distance to my left - slightly worrying that I could see a dusting of snow on top! I'm fearing that there will be much more of the white stuff further north.
Finished today just north of Worcester near the A449. Extremely cold in my tent but pleased that this has been my strongest day to date - legs feeling great and just over 80 miles covered today.
Hoping to get somewhere between Whitchurch and Runcorn by the end of play tomorrow.
Day 3
Set off this morning having enjoyed an enormous full English breakfast. Travelled through Exeter to Cullompton where I stopped to put more air in my tyres and went to a tea room for a cuppa. Apparently they see lots of Lands' End to John O'Groats bikers stop off here, but unsurprisingly I was the first they had seen this year!
Made great time to Taunton along the A38 keeping the M5 in my view most of the way. Flew on to Bridgwater and headed north on the flats stopping just South of Bristol airport. Decided to stop here for the night as I'm wary of pushing on and getting too close to Bristol, then not finding a decent place to put up my tent. This is slightly frustrating as I want to try to cover as many miles as possible each day.
There has been a light drizzle for most of the day, but the wind chill has made life very difficult as I'm having to stop to rewarm too often and this is also affecting my mileage.
I've now put up my tent in the pouring rain, but I'm going to get a very early start and hope to make it just north of Worcester by the end of tomorrow. Very conscious I'm falling behind schedule but am determined to keep pushing hard north.
Total distance travelled 205 miles.
Day 2
Started off this morning feeling good - however, this was not to last long. Liskeard to Tavistock was horrific, Tavistock to Moretonhampstead was twice as horrific and Moretonhampstead to Exeter was sheer hell! Even though I have lived in Devon I never realised how continuously hilly the area is. Today has been a real commando test and I must have pushed my bike up at least 20 miles of hills.
Two positives however, the weather has been beautiful and I managed to stop for an ice-cream at one of the best locations on Dartmoor.
Sorry to report that in order to get my equipment and clothing dry after last night's weather I have had to book into a small B & B just west of Exeter.
I have ridden for a total of 130 miles so may well return to LVS sometime in April at this rate - sorry Headmaster and PE Department!
Day 1
After spending a cold night at Lands' End I set off this morning wondering what I was letting myself in for. Headed up the A30 which proved to be cold, slow-moving and very tiring, with endless inclines and freezing north-easterly winds blasting my face. Today proved that this part of the journey may well live up to its reputation as being the most difficult part of the route.
Although my legs were stronger as the day went on, my feet suffered from the cold and I had to stop every 10-15 miles to rewarm them.
Having travelled 70 miles today, I have stopped short of my intended target of Tavistock and am about to put up my tent near a river just outside of Liskeard. This means a very early start tomorrow if I am to get back on target.
I'm looking forward to riding across Dartmoor in the morning, which has got to be one of my favourite parts of the country and I'm hoping to end the day somewhere between Taunton and Bristol - weather and legs permitting!
Day 0
Caught train to Penzance which arrived 30 minutes late. Got on my bike to ride the 10 miles down to tomorrow's starting point at Lands' End. Up and down the Cornish roads only to fall off my bike after 6 miles messing up a gear change. To my honour fell to attention with feet still firmly attached to pedals!
Managed to take iconic photograph of myself at the famous Lands' End signpost, which unfortunately has the signs removed at night due to being on private land, so great picture of me leaning against a bare post!
Now about to put my tent up (10pm). Already thinking of changing strategy - starting in the light (around 7am) and finishing in the dark.
Mr Blunt was raising money for our six school charities: Calabash Trust, Christopher’s Smile, Great Ormond Street Hospital, Mouth Cancer Foundation, Georgie’s Fund and Help for Heroes.
