Just four days to go until the big cycle trip and my thoughts have turned to preparation.
If only my pedals had been turning to it a bit more too.
I’ve only managed to squeeze in a handful of training rides since the weather improved, but I resolved to do at least one long training ride before the trip.
I set off at 9am on Sunday morning to clear blue skies and glorious sunshine, heading down the canal towards east London and Limehouse Basin, a favourite Sunday morning ride. Instead of making the return journey, from there I headed north up the River Lee on the Lee Valley Way, past the Olympic Stadium and out into Hertfordshire.
After two hours I reached the Old Mill Cafe at Broxbourne, having been reminded of some facts of cycling.
Pollen in my nose, reminding me I need to take hayfever medication, and insects in my eyes (and mouth) reminding me I should have worn my sunglasses.
On the plus side it was time for an ice-cream.
I continued as far as Hertford, before leaving the canal to join the Cole Green Way, a cycle route that follows an old railway line to Welwyn Garden City.
The entire route was about 60-65 miles, and largely flat until after Hertford where the hills really sapped my energy. I’ll be aiming to complete about 120 miles on the first day of my ride, so I could have done with a few more of these in preparation.
I leave for Scotland on Friday evening.
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Index
Things you would rather not know about the Caledonian Sleeper to Inverness
20 miles with a bloke called Tim, and a slight change of plan
Day 1 – John O’Groats to Inverness
Day 2 – Ness to Nevis and my nemesis rears its head
Day 3 – Fort William to Tarbert with only one brake
Day 4 – Tarbert to Ayr and the battle of Arran
Day 5 – Ayr to Dumfries and tasting defeat in the Forest of Galloway
Day 6 – Dumfries to Windermere and thoughts on cycling earworms
Day 7 – Windermere to Liverpool and the birds-eye of the storm
Day 8 – Liverpool to Shrewsbury and the ferry across the Mersey
Day 9 – Shrewsbury to Gloucester with sun, showers and an injured Armadillo
Day 10 – Gloucester to Bristol and the day I spoke to soon
Day 11 – Bristol to Bath, a day of disused railway lines
Day 12 – Bath to Tiverton and the breakfast hostage
Day 13 – Tiverton to Lostwithiel and fatigue causes forgetfulness
Day 14 – Lostwithiel to Penzance, and the mining trail
Day 15 – Penzance to Lands End (and back again)
Ideas for cycling end to end, with the benefit of hindsight
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