Barbs's Big Bike RIde

This year I have decided to stay and enjoy an English Spring. It has been a long time coming but at last it is here and I am off to explore my own back yard. Well actually travelling up the UK mainland as far north as possible before 21st June and see how close I can get to the Midnight Sun.


After my travels along the Camino de Santiago across northern Spain last September on my trusty old iron donkey, I have bought a lighter bike in the hope that I can get up a few more hills and by going from Lands End to John o Groats (LEJOG) I can avoid the killing headwinds of the Spanish meseta.


So here she is, we had a jolly naming ceremony on Saturday and hopefully the good friends, food and weather I enjoyed will carry me through to the farthest northern climes. Thank you all for a great send off, admirably topped off with one too many pints The Village Bike listening to Mojo Triangle.


And she is called Eleanor, isn't she beautiful, I hope I still have such tender feelings after 6 hours in the saddle, but probably only in the nether regions I fear.


The map link on the right will show a rough itinerary and route and I will try try to update with my actual route, if I can work out how and where I am as I go along, you know there will be little correlation but I will get there or somewhere in the end!


If you want an email update, submit your address in the box also on right and hopefully it will find its way through the ether to you.

Thursday, 23 May 2013

A little side trip

After my confused conversation with the conductor on  the train to Carrour who sold me my over 55 bargain ticket just as I was leaving the train I managed to blag my way on to the mallaig train even the the ticket was a day out.  I have to say the Scot rail staff are the happiest and most helpful bunch of train operators I have come across.
The journey was,as billed the prettiest. I have been on, I got a half shot of the harry potter bridge.
Unfortunately there was no room at the inn in mallaiag and so I managed to find a cosy b&b in Arising lovely coastal bike ride.
I had my own room and tv, however all I wad interested in was the weather which as predicted was appalling, 20+mph northerly winds and cold.  I also realised I needed to book beds for the holiday weekend.
So I decided on another side trip on to skye to wait out the wind.
The ferry over was pretty packed with motor bikers , apparently they try to cover as many islands as well as man for the tt
The weather was breaking as we docked but not too bad as I set off on thwarting 16 miles to Broadford but when I turned into the north for the last 8 I wasn't sure I would make it.  I saw a tandem with bay buggy tagalong but at ready they had the wind behind them.
I made to the hostel just in time to find a bed.
The weather cleared a bit in the evening and I did manage to see the hills.  The scenery is stunning.

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