Land's End to John O'Groats Cycle Ride

Land's End to John O'Groats Cycle Ride

This summer (2010), Dave Harvey, Chris Whale and Adam Hackney will undertake the gruelling challenge that is the Land's End to John O'Groats cycle ride.

The route planned is tough. 949 miles & 52,000 feet of ascent in 8 days (a car would do this in about 15 hours, none stop). Martyn Whale, Roy Clarke and Neil Croxford have offered to support this challenge, setting up camps and feed stops en route.

Following expressions of interest, we are making the trip available to independent cyclists interested in fund raising with us or by self financing their place.

Places are available provided a minimum of £700 is committed to Scout funds if joining us on a fund raising basis or £350 if simply buying a place on the ride. If fundraising through sponsorship, we can help by providing a Gift Aid Sponsorship Form. The benefit of this is that tax can be claimed back, making every £1 donated worth £1.25.

If you are thinking of joining the ride and require more information from Dave, click here

Birmingham city centre direct route

Click to download Birmingham direct.gpx

Trip highlights

Day 1; apart from Lands End itself, some of the highlights are the beach cycle path between Penzance & Marazion, crossing the spine of Cornwall through the non touristy bits you rarely see, crossing the River Fal by the King Harry Ferry, the 40mph + descents into Lostwithiel and Gunnislake and as a finale, crossing Dartmoor.

Day 2; the softer foothills descending off Dartmoor, Killerton House near Exeter, crossing the River Avon by the Clifton suspension bridge and seeing Concorde as we pass the BAe works at Filton.

Day 3; less climbing but fast roads to Alcester via Evesham and Tewkesbury after leaving Gloucester. For those that need it, the route goes via Cult Racing Cycles for any emergency fixes ! Then navigating the centre of Birmingham by the Rea Valley off road cycle route. This gives a brief taste of Birmingham's canals and Canon Hill park, through the city centre and out on the North Birmingham off road cycle route via Sutton Park. Hopefully this will minimise the hazards of city traffic. On to Lichfield and Ashbourne before hitting the Peak District and a sting in the tail with a short sharp climb before the descent into Bakewell.

Day 4; into the Dark Peak, passing Ladybower reservoir and then climbing up towards Langsett on our way to the Yorkshire Dales. Some urban cycling through Huddersfield before Skipton and the Dales. A steep climb out of Wharfedale before arriving at Reeth.

Day 5; a day of climbing, high moorland and forest as we leave Reeth on mainly quiet roads towards Hexham on our way past Kielder Water and eventually Selkirk.

Day 6; towards Edinburgh and navigating city traffic before crossing the Forth Road Bridge on our way to Perth. After Perth the route takes us into the Cairngorms at Glenshee.

Day 7; from Glenshee we continue through the Cairngorms and some very steep climbs through Braemar on our way to Tomintoul.One last climb out of Tomintoul before the downhill run to Grantown and Inverness. The day with the most ascent is through Cornwall but this section has the most challenging climbs.

Day 8; Leaving Inverness, we stay on the coast road all the way to John O Groats.

Click to download a summary of each days route, distances, climbs, camps, feedstops and navigation key points:

More routes and commentary coming soon!

Trip overview

Day 0; departure from Wythall, Sunday afternoon Aug 15th.
Cycling day 1; Lands End to Mortenhampstead via the King Harry ferry
and crossing Dartmoor.
Cycling day 2; Mortenhampstead to Gloucester, crossing the River Avon
at Bristol by the Clifton suspension bridge
Cycling day 3; Gloucester to Bakewell, via Birmingham.
Cycling day 4; Bakewell to Reeth. Through the Peak District, by
passing Sheffield and into the Dales
Cycling day 5; Reeth to Selkirk. One of the most remote sections
Cycling day 6; Selkirk to Glenshee. Avoiding the very busy A9,
cutting through the Cairngorms with several demanding climbs
Cycling day 7; Glenshee to Inverness. Through the heart of the
Cairngorms
Cycling day 8; Inverness to John O Groats. The home stretch !
Day 10; journey home.

If you would like to pledge some money, which will be collected after the ride,
then please click the biker below to complete the online pledge form.

Click Biker to Pledge

Cult Racing Cycles at Earlswood have offered to help us by providing bike servicing and spares for use on the trip.
Cult are also to keen to work with our Scout Group by providing bike maintenance
instruction sessions and use of their off road cycle track.
Click Here to find out more about them.

Dave during this years Autumn Epic sportive around the Elan valley in Wales

Alan Weaver is one of the non scout cyclists who has been active helping us to raise funds.

1st Tidbury Green (Wythall) Scout Group