My bike was quite heavy. I had a Left hand side Ortlieb pannier with all my clothes in it. I had a small bag on top of the rack with bike repair equipment in it. I had an Ortlieb bar bag with my camera, purse, 2Motorola slugs and other small items. I had a Road Angel 7000 Satnav with the route loaded on to the Road Map of GB (to save memory as opposed to OS maps). I only used this when things were difficult. I had printed OS maps of the route from Memory Map for each day.
I have a Cannondale Tourer, which hardly missed a beat. The gears were spot on except for one day, when they skipped a couple of times and I thought that I might have to adjust the cable, but it turned out that the chain just needed lube. I lubed the rear brake cable one day as well. I had fitted new Schwalbe tyres which just don't pucture.
Mark reveals all
_*Mark's technical bits:*_
I weighed my kit on return, when all emergency rations had been consumed, as follows:
1. _rear Carradice Camper Longflap saddlebag _@ 6.3kg containing:
first aid kit & waterproof jacket * [LH outer pocket] toolkit [RH outer pocket] folding outer tyre * Altura waterproof shoe covers Rainlegs cycling drybag A containing:
3 pairs ankle socks
3 pairs pants
1 pair knee length 3/4 padded longs
1 long sleeve top
1 knee support
1 merino wool vest *
evening drybag B containing:
Rohan trousers
lightweight T-shirt
lightweight fleece
1 pr socks
1 pr cotton boxers for nightwear
red T-shirt for British Heart Foundation washbag
1 book
in addition I was wearing:
1 cycling shorts
1 short sleeve top
1 Altura Nevis yellow jacket
1 pr socks
1 pr pants
1 pr gloves
1 helmet
2. _Front bar bag Ortleib_ rather ancient model @ 1.92kg containing:
1 pr warm gloves *
1 pr arm warmers *
1 hat liner *
front/rear LED lights *
1 mobile pone and charger
1 notebook
1 camera
various documents in waterproof pouches
1 tyre pump
emergency rations usually [muesli bars, dried fruit; but not at this weigh in]
3. _My bike is a Caygill _audax type road bike in 753, with Shimano Ultegra 10-speed groupset, with triple chainrings and 11-27 block.
I was not happy with the 24/42/52 chainrings - really difficult to change down to the 24 tooth granny, sometimes not changing, sometimes slipping off; and I never really needed the larger chainring; but my attempt to replace the standard Shimano rings with smaller 38/50 Stronglight rings was abandoned since there was not a good change.
I wonder now if I should move to a 34/50 'compact' double chainring with a 13-27 block?
Wheels were built about 3 weeks before departure, having sat waiting build for a year, were Rigida Chrina 36 hole rims on Sh Ultegra hubs with ACI spokes db and plain for drive side, built with brass eyelets.
About 350 miles running in and 2 re-tunes before departure, these wheels behaved like a dream and were very comfortable to ride. Thanks, Neil, for assistance.
Tyres are 700x25 Continental Gatorskin, narrow mudguards Plus Ortlieb barbag bracket, Carradice SQR bracket, and 1 waterbottle bracket + bottle.
* denotes *not* used at all, but I would still take these items on a similar trip, to cope with bad weather.
I weighed my kit on return, when all emergency rations had been consumed, as follows:
1. _rear Carradice Camper Longflap saddlebag _@ 6.3kg containing:
first aid kit & waterproof jacket * [LH outer pocket] toolkit [RH outer pocket] folding outer tyre * Altura waterproof shoe covers Rainlegs cycling drybag A containing:
3 pairs ankle socks
3 pairs pants
1 pair knee length 3/4 padded longs
1 long sleeve top
1 knee support
1 merino wool vest *
evening drybag B containing:
Rohan trousers
lightweight T-shirt
lightweight fleece
1 pr socks
1 pr cotton boxers for nightwear
red T-shirt for British Heart Foundation washbag
1 book
in addition I was wearing:
1 cycling shorts
1 short sleeve top
1 Altura Nevis yellow jacket
1 pr socks
1 pr pants
1 pr gloves
1 helmet
2. _Front bar bag Ortleib_ rather ancient model @ 1.92kg containing:
1 pr warm gloves *
1 pr arm warmers *
1 hat liner *
front/rear LED lights *
1 mobile pone and charger
1 notebook
1 camera
various documents in waterproof pouches
1 tyre pump
emergency rations usually [muesli bars, dried fruit; but not at this weigh in]
3. _My bike is a Caygill _audax type road bike in 753, with Shimano Ultegra 10-speed groupset, with triple chainrings and 11-27 block.
I was not happy with the 24/42/52 chainrings - really difficult to change down to the 24 tooth granny, sometimes not changing, sometimes slipping off; and I never really needed the larger chainring; but my attempt to replace the standard Shimano rings with smaller 38/50 Stronglight rings was abandoned since there was not a good change.
I wonder now if I should move to a 34/50 'compact' double chainring with a 13-27 block?
Wheels were built about 3 weeks before departure, having sat waiting build for a year, were Rigida Chrina 36 hole rims on Sh Ultegra hubs with ACI spokes db and plain for drive side, built with brass eyelets.
About 350 miles running in and 2 re-tunes before departure, these wheels behaved like a dream and were very comfortable to ride. Thanks, Neil, for assistance.
Tyres are 700x25 Continental Gatorskin, narrow mudguards Plus Ortlieb barbag bracket, Carradice SQR bracket, and 1 waterbottle bracket + bottle.
* denotes *not* used at all, but I would still take these items on a similar trip, to cope with bad weather.
Day 14 the way home
We left John O Groats and headed West for Dunnet Head which is the most norherly part of the mainland. We took photos and headed for Thurso. 29 miles of cycling and we were in Thurso trying to while away a couple of hours.
The train arrived at 13.00 and we got on board with bikes and bags.
The train journey took us through North Scotland amongst beautiful scenery including Helmsdale and Rogart which were places that we had cycled through.
At Inverness we changed trains for Aberdeen and more familiar countryside.
Mark alighted at Inverurie to cycle home and hopefully my "in laws" will be at Aberdeen station to pick me up.
Really looking forward to seeing them and Sarah.
Ah well, back to work tomorrow!
Day 13 Rogart to John O Groats
Retrieved M's fleece from pub, bid farewell to Kate of the amazing railway sleepers, and set off at a brisk pace 4 miles down to the A9. We stormed along an udulating coastal road with fine views over the North sea. The sun was strong, the sky blue, and a gentle north easterly blew. Helmsdale, a delightful fishing port, welcomed us for a tea break.
We continued along the coast road, up and down, towards the infamous Berridale Braes. We shot down the 13% winding descent, over the bridge, and climbed steadily up the north side in low gear, a long but easy ascent, in contrast to the Beauly road out of Drumnadrochit @ 15%. Please note, the couple from the pub in Rogart, no walking, cycled all the way nae bother.
So Dunbeath hoved into view, so we stopped at the Spar for refuelling, and sat out in the sun on the stone wall on high overlooking the harbour. Then carried on along the A9, with less traffic, particularly after the Wick road branched off.
After Lybster, we turned NW on a minor road tha ran for 13.miles in a straight line, past crofts, and then over bleak barren peat and heather ground. Steadily climbing, we paused to view some ancient burial cairns, before pedalling on along this virtually traffic free route.
As we neared JoG, we saw the haar hanging over the coast, and the sun was closed off. When we finally arrived at JoG, as the photographer was packing up his signpost and kit, it became cold for the first time in several days. So we had our photo taken, wrote a message in the book in the café where our card was stamped, and had a coffee and scone.
Back to the YH, recovered, showered, and set off into the wind to the pub for supper and a few
pints.
Data:
Distance 81 mls
Ride Time 6hrs 25mins
Avg Sp 12.6
Total 1004 miles
Phew! Done it!
Next challenge?
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