2017 Challenge - Land's End to John O'Groats cycle

In late August, early September 2017, I cycled from Land's End to John O'Groats, some 1008 miles over 12 days an average of 84 miles per day. The longest day was 114 miles. (As the crow flies it is 603 miles, and using motorways it is 832 miles - both options were of course out this time!). Over the course of the cycle we completed 68,463 ft of climbing and 68,590 ft of descent - which does seem to prove that it is in fact down hill to John O'Groats from Land's End! It was a really tough challenge predictably with rain every day in Scotland, but it was fantastic fun, a great team and with some spectacular and beautiful places to cycle.
Pictures from the challenge are shown below.

At the starting point at Land’s End. A bit drizzly wet! ( … dreich as we say, and would be saying, in Scotland)

The cycling team, ready to go for Day 1, 82 miles from Land’s End to Liskeard.

Day 2, Liskeard to Tiverton. Cornwall and Devon are not as flat as you may think! 7000 feet of ascent including some 20% gradients! As the weather cleared, Dartmoor was beautiful.

Day 3, 95 miles from Tiverton into Wales and on to Tintern (as in Abbey, not as in Herge’s Adventures of …). We cross the “old” Severn Bridge and look down the estuary to the “new” bridge …

Day 4, 85 miles to Shrewsbury, and a beautiful morning as we leave Tintern and cycle up the Wye Valley …

Day 5 took us 92 miles from Shrewsbury past the sprawling Manchester conurbation and the towns of Warrington and Wigan and on to Preston. Day 6 was a further 98 miles through Kendal and the Lake District, over Shap Summit (916 ft) and up to Carlisle.

… wore my 30 year old wacky System Z cycling jersey … which is still trendy … well I think it is …!

Day 7, over the border at Gretna Green and into Scotland! ( … not to be confused with Otland …). 114 miles cycled today from Carlisle to Fenwick, which is 15 miles south of Glasgow.

Day 8, 82 miles from Fenwick across the Erskine Bridge up the side of Loch Lomond and into the Highlands. Slogged up Glen Croe and the “Rest and Be Thankful” climb from Tarbert …

… legs getting more toned and weather beaten …!

Day 9, Inveraray to Fort William, 76 miles and 7000 feet of climbing. Team photo at Loch Linnhe …

… spectacular beauty, Scotland at its best … The Highlands of Scotland - good for the soul ... bit tough on the waterproofs ...

Day 10, Fort William up the Great Glen and on to Tain (north of Inverness)

… we never saw any wildlife …(!)

Day 11, Tain to Bettyhill on the north coast of Scotland. 72 miles. And you think Dartmoor is remote …

… Loch Naver, by Altnaharra, I was last here on holiday over 50 years ago! …

Last day, Bettyhill to John O’Groats … at Dunnet Head, windy and wet! Nearly there …

... Made it!  ... John O'Groats! 1008 miles in 12 days.

... yep, and again, the bike just has to be lifted! ...

… an amazing and inspiring group of friends … we made it!