Julian Hoskins Child-Safe Sponsored Cycle 2007

What a difference a day makes! Woke up to blue skies and, for the first time, a south westerly wind. Spirits were high as we left Carrbridge and headed North trying wherever possible to avoid the A9 and take B roads instead. This involved some climbs rewarded with spectacular views across the Highlands. It made us realise what we missed yesterday.

Covered the first 25 miles to Inverness at an average speed of 19.8MPH with a top speed on the decent to Inverness of 43MPH. I realised that I could not keep up that pace all day and stopped for a well earned coffee in Inverness. We crossed the Moray Firth and then the Cromarty Firth before leaving for B roads again and hugging the Cromarty Firth through Alness and Invergorton.
We arrived at a spot saying “road closed” presuming we would some how be able to get through on our bikes. In fact we came to a river where the bridge had been swept away so had to retrace some of our steps and reach Tain for a late lunch. Unfortunately the winds then changed once again so we made slower progress up the coast to Golspie where we were staying for the night. In fact we were staying inland at a hotel where the owner proudly pronounced he had “no stars”.
A fantastic day, the best so far in contrast to the day before which was undoubtedly the worst. 82 miles covered today and only 75 to John O'Groats!

An utterly miserable day. The wind was howling from the north through the passes of the Cairngorms (which I could hardly see). It rained as hard as I have ever seen, all day. The roads were treacherous and it took forever to cover the first 35 miles. Some of this was on the A9 with the added danger of oil tankers and lorries. The surface water was horrendous and when I stopped for lunch, was completely drenched through my waterproofs. I thought there would be another 4/5 hours to cover the final 45 miles.

Luckily the winds changed direction at lunchtime and started blowing from the South West (the supposed prevailing wind) - the first time it had actually blown in this direction. The result was an average speed increase of 8-9 mph in the morning to 20 mph that afternoon.

The rain didn't stop but that didn't matter as I managed to get to Carrbridge via Aviemore very quickly. The only regret was not seeing the mountain scenery due to the conditions. Forecast is better for tomorrow.

Wind yet again against us and it is still raining. However the wind is not as strong as yesterday which has made the going slightly easier. We headed north via Stirling and then up towards the highlands. Some tiring climbs before arriving at our bunkhouse accommodation for the night close to the River Tay (approx 80 miles in total).

Bitterly cold and wet. Extremely strong north wind today very hard going - seemed a lot longer than the 75 miles it actually was.

Woke up to pouring rain (the first serious rain we've encountered) and, more depressingly, a strenghtening north wind. Left Kentmere and cycled towards Windermere before ascending Kirkdale Pass (a four and a half mile climb). It was very difficult with the wind howling down the pass but once at the top there was an enjoyable (if not a little treacherous) descent into Patterdale where we stopped for coffee at a friend's house. From Patterdale we went around Ullswater to Penrith and from there onto Carlisle, Gretna and a further 10 or so miles into Scotland to a guest house at Annan for the night (88 miles today).

Left the police HQ at Preston where I stayed and went north via Lancaster. Winds yet again against us. After 50 miles arrived at Kendal in Cumbria where I had a good pub lunch. From there went up into the Lake District. Sun was shining and the views were fantastic. Arrived where I was overnighting at Kentmere - staying in a bunk house (6 to a room)! Although very basic it was great to have left the cities of the North West behind and I'm now looking forward to tomorrow in the Lakes and then on to Scotland.

I've got to go 85 miles today. A bit apprehensive after yesterday and not sure how legs will cope. In fact went the first 55 miles into strong headwind and felt 100 times better than yesterday. Looking forward to leaving citties behind and heading out towards the Lakes tomorrow.

Thank you to those of my colleagues who have 'dressed down' for me today. I hope you all have a good bank holiday weekend (although I hear serious rain is forecast).

Arrived in Preston having done 90 miles and feel fine.

Woke up feeling less tired and stiff than the previous couple of days. I put it down to the curry and beer as oppose to the carbohydrate rubbish I have previously been eating. Started out for Stafford and felt fine for about 25 miles before loosing all energy and power – “bonking” as cyclists call it. This was probably because I had not stopped earlier to eat. Continued up through the Midlands via Wolverhampton and struggled into Stafford extremely weary. Slept well.

Unfortunately one of the lads had an accident going through Wolverhampton. He skidded on some oil and grazed his arm, back and legs although luckily he is OK.

Woke up today to find the wind had at last changed direction and would be helping us. This was just as well as my legs were feeling like lead (luckily this was the shortest day of the trip). After a charity photoshoot we had a late start from Portishead. We left at about 10.30am and cycled to Gloucester via Thornbury and stopped for lunch at about 2pm just past Gloucester, having covered 48 miles. That left just another 10 miles to Tewkesbury where we are spending the evening. Apart from feeling tired everyone seems in reasonable shape and looking forward to watching the Liverpool game tonight with a few drinks.

Left accommodation at police headquarters in Exeter about 9.15am. Immediately got lost around the back country lanes of Devon putting about 5 miles onto the route. Eventually got to Okehampton and then joined the A38 at Wellington.
Wind is still against us and blowing harder down the A38 but it's a beautiful sunny day so we stopped for a well earned lunch somewhere between Taunton and Bridgewater after completing 46 miles.

After lunch, headed up towards Bristol. Although the wind was still against us we managed to pick up speed having left the hills of Devon behind. Went through Taunton, Bridgwater, and then got to Cheddar. I had spent a lot of the winter training there and I knew better than to go up the gorge! We wended our way to Portishead via Winscombe, Congresbury, Yatton and Clevedon. Posted 85 miles and relieved to get home to my wife and family for some good food and a night in my own bed. Maximum speed today 30 mph.

Woke up and looked at the forecast on breakfast TV. To my horror wind was now coming from the north east, exactly what I did not want, should have done it the other way around!
I knew today would be particularly gruelling because of the rolling Devon countryside - lovely to look at but tough on the legs.

After 20 miles dodging lorries on the A30, turned off through quieter roads and reached Exeter at approximately 4pm. In fact, despite the headwind, it was not as difficult as I expected.
Looking forward to heading to Bristol tomorrow. I may not have been wind-assisted but at least I have not as yet been rained upon (no doubt asking for trouble).

Average speed 14.8 mph. Maximum 38 mph.

Packed up vehicles and left Bristol for Lands End at 8am. Arrived about 1pm. After the unpleasant ritual of applying sudacream to the cycling shorts (a necessary ritual) set off. The prevailing south westerly wind (which would have helped) was coming more from the west/north west which meant we were going into the wind for much of the time. We started out too quickly (average 18 mph for first hour) but ended the day at a more comfortable 15 mph average. Arrived in Bodmin about 6.30pm. 60 miles covered in the afternoon at an average speed of 15.8 mph maximum 35.6mph. A resolution not to drink did not even get past day one, which no doubt helped a sound night's sleep.

November and December were spent achieving basic fitness levels by cycling to work, the odd spin class and cycling on a turbo trainer. I also rode for approximately two hours at the weekend.
In January I did little in the week but cycled between 30 and 40 miles at the weekend.
Between February and the end of March I increased the weekend rides up to 85 miles.
In the weeks before the ride I rode both Saturday and Sunday 70 – 80 miles each day.

At the end of October I met Pete Gibbons at a friend’s house. He told me he was helping put a party together to cycle Lands End to John O’Groats in an attempt to raise money for Child-Safe. After a few glasses of wine I was persuaded. I had bought a road bike that summer but in truth had rarely sat on it since purchase.

On 21 May 2007, together with ten other masochists, I am attempting to cycle from Lands End to John O'Groats in 12 days in order to raise as much money as possible for Child-Safe.

Child-Safe actively promotes the safety, welfare and pastoral care of children and young people involved in sport, community groups and travel. It is a fantastic charity and every pound you have donated helps make a difference to a child's life Thank you for all the support and encouragement.