The 900 mile cycle ride - part 1.

[GrannyJen]

So, two old biddies, veterans of end to end charity walks (Lands end - John o'Groats) are now going to complete unfinished business by going East to West (Ness point to St David's head) with a proposed launch date of 21st May 2021 (Covid permitting),

No back up teams this time, no one to ferry accommodation to the next point, no one to wash up and clean after us, no one to do the laundry, so it's effectively going to be there and back, finish one day, returning to start point, continuing from finishing point next day. Accommodation will be my camper pulling Jo's caravan with a move to the next campsite roughly every five days.

Cycling rather than walking because of advancing age and creaking joints, Jo, my sister and partner in this adventure has arthritis in knees and hips, my feet and ankles are suggesting that I may have run one marathon too far,

So part 1 was to choose the noble steeds. Neither of us being cyclists we did not have a clue, although one look at the terrain once we passed Northamption/Bedford heading west made us both put an "e" before "bike".

I'm not one to spend months of researching, as some of you may know. Compulsive may be an appropriate term. Our first trip to a bike shop was the last and we came away having seen, sat on and ordered. Specialised Como 4, Hybrid E-bikes.

We picked up the bikes end of August and having completed 250 miles had the first "shakedown" service this week. I've not fallen off for a while now, the last time was Wednesday, and a week camping in the Tonbridge area finding lots of hilly places to go have proved to us the value of the weight trade off in having an EAPC.

Fortunately both of us are delighted with the choice of bicycle. A very comfortable ride both on and off road, although the street tyres can be a bit twitchy in gravel (picture Jen completing a fast downhill return section on to a pea-gravel surfaced car park, finishing with an ever so elegant slide on her butt ...)

The hardest lesson has been how to get the bikes on and off the A-frame bike rack on the caravan. No one said it would be easy and it isn't. Not a lot of room as the second bike can only go on once the caravan is hitched to camper and things like Jockey wheel handles to get in the way ... many a camping person twitching the curtains on a campsite has had hours of entertainment watching two old girls manhandle bicycles on to the caravan.... and off again .... then back on ..... then off .... with technical commands echoing back and forth such as "try the pedal down... up ....higher ....your side ...."....

More to follow ....



Now, suggestions please! How do I get on it ........

 

[CannellWalker]

Good luck with your travels. I’m sure the Specialized bikes will serve you well.

 

[soulstyledevon]

Good luck.
Something positive to look forward to.

With regards to kit.
Have you thought about a suspension seat post. Thudbuster has transformed my latest E-bike. Ive found e-bikes to be very stiff and they don’t absorb bumps like normal bikes. Hence the Thud.
I think Specialized to their own version, but can’t remember the name.

If you carry anything, get it on the bike, let the bike carry the load, avoid a back pack.

Might be worth changing the tyres, if you are doing some gravel. Schwalbe Hurricane are a good half and half tyre, without being to expensive.

Could the bikes be loaded inside the caravan for ease...?

 

[kurienp]

Good luck with the prep GJ. Subscribed to this thread to stay in sync with the updates.

Would be interested in your plans to charge batteries en route was

On loading, Which a-frame cycle rack do you have? Can a small ramp be built?

Sent from my Pixel 2 XL using Tapatalk

 

[Karlos]

Best of luck Jen looking forward to following your adventure.

 

[GrannyJen]

Good luck with your travels. I’m sure the Specialized bikes will serve you well.

Thank you. Very impressed so far!

 

[GrannyJen]

Good luck.
Something positive to look forward to.

With regards to kit.
Have you thought about a suspension seat post. Thudbuster has transformed my latest E-bike. Ive found e-bikes to be very stiff and they don’t absorb bumps like normal bikes. Hence the Thud.
I think Specialized to their own version, but can’t remember the name.

If you carry anything, get it on the bike, let the bike carry the load, avoid a back pack.

Might be worth changing the tyres, if you are doing some gravel. Schwalbe Hurricane are a good half and half tyre, without being to expensive.

Could the bikes be loaded inside the caravan for ease...?

We have suspension seat posts. Can't tell you what it was like without, it was offered as an option when we ordered and I didn't even blink. I know what bouncing along on my steel Pashley sovereign Princess did to me Equally front forks are of suspension type, well, apparently you have to pump air into them. In my youth, when I last seriously did any cycling, it was only tyres that needed air so this is all new to me !

Looking at tyres. Currently my route planning involves working out the % on non-metalled surface and it's not very much so still debating but as neither of us are interested in speed then grip rather than rolling resistance, or lack of it, is more important. Having said that, all my unplanned landings have been due to rider error or sheer lack of experience. Again in my day bicycles never went anywhere but on the road, even riding off a kerb could result in a buckled wheel.

Now, last point

Totally impossible with an Eriba. That's why we have on order this one, arriving March 2021. Two trips fighting the bike rack have been enough! Bearing in mind the reason we had an Eriba was that it was the only one to fit in our drive .... to be able to consider this one we have had to have £3,000 of civil engineering done to our drive. Once I make my mind up nothing gets in the way! The Knaus is made to get bikes in, even motorbikes, complete with lashing eyes fixed to the floor.

Highlights

www.knaus.com

 

[soulstyledevon]

Yes Gen, grip over speed, always.
Falling off bikes is no laughing matter.

The new van looks great.
Love the pull down bed concept, great use of space.

 

[GrannyJen]

Good luck with the prep GJ. Subscribed to this thread to stay in sync with the updates.

Would be interested in your plans to charge batteries en route was

On loading, Which a-frame cycle rack do you have? Can a small ramp be built?

Sent from my Pixel 2 XL using Tapatalk

Charging batteries was another complication thrown in my way!

Initially in my sad naivety and knowing nowt about bikes I imagined something with a 12v connection

Oh dear ... I never appreciated what a great big hulking thing they are! The Como 4 variant comes with the long range battery, so far in 237 miles I have charged it twice, both times when capacity was around 50%. However in my planning I am looking at having hook-up on each campsite that we are stopping on. This is also a Covid protection as I am anticipating things like shower blocks to be severely limited and therefore the need to heat lots of water.

Bike rack is Thule, but the big complication is having to have the caravan hitched first before second bike goes on. The reason for that is with second bike on there is not the clearance for the Jockey wheel handle to be turned fully. Having the caravan hitched up means the rack cannot be approached from the front and the second bike has to be lifted clear of the Jockey wheel handle. There is a solution. It's called the Knaus sport and fun (see my post above) and it arrives in March!!!

 

[GrannyJen]

Best of luck Jen looking forward to following your adventure.

It's going to be fun. Two old ladies who have never ridden further than the local shops before ....

 

[Vagophile]

Good luck. I'll be following your adventure.
Over the years I've heard some interesting stories about two old ladies.

 

[GrannyJen]

Good luck. I'll be following your adventure.
Over the years I've heard some interesting stories about two old ladies.

Young man!! Only good things I hope

 

[kurienp]

Charging batteries was another complication thrown in my way!

Initially in my sad naivety and knowing nowt about bikes I imagined something with a 12v connection

Oh dear ... I never appreciated what a great big hulking thing they are! The Como 4 variant comes with the long range battery, so far in 237 miles I have charged it twice, both times when capacity was around 50%. However in my planning I am looking at having hook-up on each campsite that we are stopping on. This is also a Covid protection as I am anticipating things like shower blocks to be severely limited and therefore the need to heat lots of water.

Bike rack is Thule, but the big complication is having to have the caravan hitched first before second bike goes on. The reason for that is with second bike on there is not the clearance for the Jockey wheel handle to be turned fully. Having the caravan hitched up means the rack cannot be approached from the front and the second bike has to be lifted clear of the Jockey wheel handle. There is a solution. It's called the Knaus sport and fun (see my post above) and it arrives in March!!!

The Knaus looks the business and that storage is very very handy. Good find. Did not know that such a thing with space for cycles/bikes existed.

Don't hesitate to throw in a small Honda EU10i ... which will purr along and help to charge the batteries overnight, just in case you do not get a hookup at a campsite.

Oh! and don't forget - you will need someone to drive the van and caravan as you will be on the cycles

 

[5i1ver8ack]

Well..... this sounds interesting!

 

[GrannyJen]

The Knaus looks the business and that storage is very very handy. Good find. Did not know that such a thing with space for cycles/bikes existed.

Don't hesitate to throw in a small Honda EU10i ... which will purr along and help to charge the batteries overnight, just in case you do not get a hookup at a campsite.

Oh! and don't forget - you will need someone to drive the van and caravan as you will be on the cycles

Sadly I'm doing the driving as well as the cycling

 

[5i1ver8ack]

Do you have a timetable for completing this? Will it be back to back trips until you’re finished or will you take time out between trips? What is your estimated daily distance? Are you sticking to good roads / busy roads or are you looking at a quieter route?

 

[Bill R]

Nice one GJ ! I love seeing people enjoying pushing their boundaries & attempting something which could be potentially beyond them which fosters a determination to succeed.
I’m doing Land’s End to John O’Groats by bike over 14 days next summer, raising money for a local Baby Hospice & Respite Care centre which could go out of business due to lack of funding as a result of the pandemic. That alone gives me my motivation of course.
Right now I know I couldn’t do it but reading stories like yours helps my own determination to get it done.
Good on you both and enjoy the journey as well as the achievement of completion

 

[HectorPascal]

Inspirational stuff! Happy pedalling.

 

[GrannyJen]

Do you have a timetable for completing this? Will it be back to back trips until you’re finished or will you take time out between trips? What is your estimated daily distance? Are you sticking to good roads / busy roads or are you looking at a quieter route?

Yes, we do have a timetable It is based on "return journey". Our first walk Lands End to John o Groats was primarily a response to a neurologist, in 1990, telling me I need to walk otherwise it was "Don't use it, lose it". He meant a walk around the block a couple of times a day but typically I planned a 1,000 mile walk instead. Jo walked every step of the way with me as I was crippled by pain, and we arrived on the 21st May 1990.

The following year was a deliberate, well publicised, fund raising challenge to do the Retrn Journey to raise money for a residential college for disabled kids. We arrived at Lands end after 1,067 miles and also taking in Dunnet head and Lizard point on the 6th July. Despite doing it on my own the following year and then the 630 mile South West coast path the year later "return Journey" was always the iconic one to us.

Therefore Our timetable is those same dates, leave 21st May, arrive 6th July, after 900 miles and lots of days lost due to having to be our own back up team.

I'm now onto my 5th route, I plan these things in detail. The first route followed national cycle routes as much as possible but followed a southerly passage that in Wales basically went from Abergavanny following the heads of the valley road, not particularly attractive. Then we went further south but the charms of Bridgend, Magor and port Talbot escaped me. Then a middle route but lack of decent campsites in th Bedford/MK area shut that one down, now I'm working on a variant of a trace that follows Lowestoft, Bury st Edmunds, Cambridge, Grafham, Wellingborough, Banbury, Upton on Severn, Ledbury, Hereford, Hay on Wye, Brecon, Carmarthen, Narberth, St David's. Mostly quiet roads, off road cycleways, riverbanks and towpaths. Sadly though some dross cannot be avoided but the work is to minimise it.

My aim is for 30 mpd. As always its not the daily distance, I walked 35 a day on LeJog3, but it is the day in, day out grind that is wearing, regardless of weather, tiredness, hangovers or muscle aches.

 

[marchugo]

Last year read Raynor Winn's "The Salt path". Today took the book from my book shelf and re-read parts of it, after seeing your walking plans. Now will follow your thread.

“We lay homeless and penniless under the stars. We had lost everything except our children and each other, but we had the wet grass and the rhythm of the sea.”

Have a nice trip.

Maybe (let) install a chain guard on your bike, as a bare chain gathers mud and dust, and is wearing out fast. And spoils your trousers...

Regards from Amsterdam,

Marc.

 

[GrannyJen]

Nice one GJ ! I love seeing people enjoying pushing their boundaries & attempting something which could be potentially beyond them which fosters a determination to succeed.
I’m doing Land’s End to John O’Groats by bike over 14 days next summer, raising money for a local Baby Hospice & Respite Care centre which could go out of business due to lack of funding as a result of the pandemic. That alone gives me my motivation of course.
Right now I know I couldn’t do it but reading stories like yours helps my own determination to get it done.
Good on you both and enjoy the journey as well as the achievement of completion

Good luck with that Bill, a serious undertaking. Are you doing LeJog or Jogle? Of the two I always favoured Jogle, John O'Groats can be a bleak place and the drive to get away from it gave me great motivation! On the other hand part of my spirit lives in Sennen cove so always a joy to feel the distance closing. I also enjoyed walking into the better weather although I did have heatstroke the second time, gong tits up in Aviemore.

Quite amusing really, I was helped into a pub, shivering like mad. Police came, arranged for the doctor to see me at the medical centre, and whilst waiting for him to arrive there they covered me with blankets.

The tutting from passers bye as I was led out to a waiting police car with a blanket over my head

Good luck with your trip. If I may suggest, plan some elasticity into your itinerary. It is not the miles per day, it is the every day that is wearing. Every day regardless of tiredness, muscle aches, weather, or body just screaming for a rest. Sometimes it's good to just give it a rest.

So many charities are suffering this year. The one I run for, Phabkids, normally have 250 places for the London Marathon, at a pledge of £2k a place that is a huge chunk of income lost. Thank you for doing what you are doing. Without people like you then the world would be a so much poorer place.

 

[GrannyJen]

Inspirational stuff! Happy pedalling.

Thank you x

 

[GrannyJen]

Last year read Raynor Winn's "The Salt path". Today took the book from my book shelf and re-read parts of it, after seeing your walking plans. Now will follow your thread.

“We lay homeless and penniless under the stars. We had lost everything except our children and each other, but we had the wet grass and the rhythm of the sea.”

Have a nice trip.

Maybe (let) install a chain guard on your bike, as a bare chain gathers mud and dust, and is wearing out fast. And spoils your trousers...

Regards from Amsterdam,

Marc.

What a beautiful quote. So true.

Thank you for the chain guard suggestion. Something that I will take up.

Jen x

 

[Karlos]

Yes, we do have a timetable It is based on "return journey". Our first walk Lands End to John o Groats was primarily a response to a neurologist, in 1990, telling me I need to walk otherwise it was "Don't use it, lose it". He meant a walk around the block a couple of times a day but typically I planned a 1,000 mile walk instead. Jo walked every step of the way with me as I was crippled by pain, and we arrived on the 21st May 1990.

The following year was a deliberate, well publicised, fund raising challenge to do the Retrn Journey to raise money for a residential college for disabled kids. We arrived at Lands end after 1,067 miles and also taking in Dunnet head and Lizard point on the 6th July. Despite doing it on my own the following year and then the 630 mile South West coast path the year later "return Journey" was always the iconic one to us.

Therefore Our timetable is those same dates, leave 21st May, arrive 6th July, after 900 miles and lots of days lost due to having to be our own back up team.

I'm now onto my 5th route, I plan these things in detail. The first route followed national cycle routes as much as possible but followed a southerly passage that in Wales basically went from Abergavanny following the heads of the valley road, not particularly attractive. Then we went further south but the charms of Bridgend, Magor and port Talbot escaped me. Then a middle route but lack of decent campsites in th Bedford/MK area shut that one down, now I'm working on a variant of a trace that follows Lowestoft, Bury st Edmunds, Cambridge, Grafham, Wellingborough, Banbury, Upton on Severn, Ledbury, Hereford, Hay on Wye, Brecon, Carmarthen, Narberth, St David's. Mostly quiet roads, off road cycleways, riverbanks and towpaths. Sadly though some dross cannot be avoided but the work is to minimise it.

My aim is for 30 mpd. As always its not the daily distance, I walked 35 a day on LeJog3, but it is the day in, day out grind that is wearing, regardless of weather, tiredness, hangovers or muscle aches.

So how are you going to move the Cali and Caravan Jen, sorry if you have already said.

Nice piece of Kit the Knaus sport, camped next to a Dutch couple on Lake Como last year who had one. Amazing to watch them packing up and drive their motorbike into the rear of the caravan.

 

[GrannyJen]

So how are you going to move the Cali and Caravan Jen, sorry if you have already said.

Nice piece of Kit the Knaus sport, camped next to a Dutch couple on Lake Como last year who had one. Amazing to watch them packing up and drive their motorbike into the rear of the caravan.

As an example:

Day -1 we arrive Harleston, 14 miles from ness point. We take the bikes on the back of the Cali to the Crown Inn on the A143, 6 miles from Ness point. Cycle in, do the photo bit, do a bit of sightseeing (not much to look at though the Birds eye factory can be enchanting in the right light ).... cycle back to the Cali, return to Harleston.

Day 1. Cycle from the Campsite to the crown, have a cup of coffee, cycle back via a different route through beccles. Take Max for a walk. Cycle 10 miles in the opposite direction and back again.

Day 2: Take the Cali to where we left off the previous day. Cycle 15 miles one way westwards, come back a different way, plonk the Cali on the bike rack, go back to take Max for a walk

Day 3, park up at our finishing point the day before (I think we will be using the Gressingham foods car park near Hoxne), cycle another 15 miles westwards, then return to Cali etc.

Day 4, repeat procedure.

Day 5 tow the caravan to Cambridge, then day 5 and 6 cycle Eastwards to where we left off, then days 7, 8, and 9 progressively Westward then leapfrog with the Caravan to Earls Barton, Wellingborough ....

and so it goes on. ... and on .... and on ...... but seriously, loads of places en route to explore, visit, study, photograph.