Lands End to John O'Groats

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Notes on Trains

Book well in advance and make absolutely sure you've reserved a place for your bike. When you get your tickets you should get a bike reservation ticket with them. Check and double check with the booking agent and station that it's valid.

When you get to the station speak to a Train Guard and ask which end of the platform you need to wait at for the Guards van. It's not always possible to reach the guards van until a major station which means jumping into a carriage and holding your bike. I had this experience at Pitlochry and the Train Guards weren't impressed. I then had to jump off the train at Perth run to the guards van and then get back on the train.

If at all possible avoid London and the underground. When I got to Kings X there was a fire evacuation. I went to Euston and got all the way almost to the platform to be turned away. It was a policeman that helped me get out against the flow of people as it was so busy. Euston Square is usable for bikes but it's far from ideal and you can only travel at selected times. Also I was left with literally less than 20 seconds to get a train otherwise I'd have missed my connection for the day at Paddington.

Basic map of route

Daily plan, fingers crossed!

Friday, June 9th

Leave York by train at 11:27am, arrive Penzance 7:02pm. Jump into nearest taxi to Lands End. Take photo's in remaining light at Sign ( I don't supose anyone will be there ). Cycle to Penzance B&B for about 9:30pm

Saturday, 10th June

Penzance to Launceston, 87 miles (?)

Sunday, 11th June

Launceston to Bridgwater, North Petherton, 80 miles (?)

Monday, 12th June

North Petherton to Tewkesbury, 81 miles (?)

Tuesday, 13th June

Tewkesbury to Newcastle-Under-Lyme, 79 miles (?)

Wednesday, 14th June

Newcastle-Under-Lyme to Preston, 76 miles (?)

Thursday, 15th June

Preston to Penrith, 74 miles (?)

Friday, 16th June

Penrith to Moffat, 72 miles (?)

Saturday, 17th June

Moffat to Kinross, 87 miles (?)

Sunday, 18th June

Kinross to Balnagaurd, Pitlochry, 40 miles (?)

Monday, 19th June

Balnagaurd to Tomatin, 72 miles (?)

Tuesday, 20th June

Tomatin to Helmsdale, 83 miles (?)

Wednesday, 21st June

Helmsdale to John O'Groats, 52 miles (?)

Thursday, 22nd June

John O'Groats ferry to Orkney, ride 17 miles (?) to Kirkwall, and take the 11:45pm ferry to Shetland, Lerwick.

Friday, 23rd June

Arrive Lerwick at 7:30am, spin the wheels and relax, send some postcards. Take 5:30pm ferry to Aberdeen.

Saturday, 24th June

7:30am arrive Aberdeen, stagger to the train station and take 9:55am direct train to York

Celebrations will ensue for if all this happens it will be a miracle, and there's the small thing of an outdoor gig for Embrace to go to on the Sunday with Rina and Bro.

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