As the memories of my ride from Kent to Land's End last year begin to fade I'm feeling the need for something new and something more. I learnt quite a bit from cycle touring last year so I'm attempting a little more distance, however the destination will be the same; the westernmost point of mainland England. The starting point is a little further away, you couldn't get any further away on the mainland in fact; John o 'Groats.
I'll travel to Inverness via train on the 1st of June, 11 hours on a sleeper from Euston, then I'll change onto a train to Thurso. Cool fact: Thurso railway station is the northernmost station on the National Rail network. I'll then cycle the short 16 miles to John o' Groats, pitch my tent ready to start on the morning of the 3rd and begin the 876 mile ride...
I'm going to dust the tent off for another year. I'll be camping every night, unless things turn ugly and I need a proper roof, which considering the UK summer conditions anything could happen, but fingers crossed for good weather! I'm hoping to do it within 15 days, I'll aim for 10, though in the knowledge that's a little ambitious, but I like to have something to aim at. The main aim is to enjoy it, so I might not always take the most direct route.
Like last year I'm doing it alone, there's something about the solitude of cycle touring which I love. Though I do hope to meet lots of people along the way. Oh and I might just need to buy another bicycle...
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