Cycling UK Forum

Jack wrote: I wouldn't hold your breath waiting for the train companies to cough up

Surely a pone call to head office to remind them of there charitable obligations would fix this

Can i just ask, when people say that they are using a support vehicle, are they getting sumone following them the whole way? - it didnt even cross my mind that i could have someone follow me, isn't it more of a accomplishment without the car? N also whats a realistic budget to do it on, if i do go ahead with it i would do it for charity, i imagine people will be kinder to you if you let them know this? maybe even the train companies could give you a free ticket home as a donation?

Well thats made me feel happier, i was under the impression most people used road bikes, but if a lot are using MTB's then im happy, i reckon once i replace all the dodgy rusted parts the bike should hopefully be fine. Now all i gotta do is get into shape!.

Hi guys, I want to know if this idea is going to be possible. I'm 21 and of reasonable fitness (when i say fitness I mean i'm slim but my stamina is currently poor, however i intend to work on that) I like giving myself seemingly impossible tasks so I have decided that I want to cycle John o Groats to lands End but as I haven't got the money to shell out on a road bike I am planning to ride my trusty 2004 Specalized Rockhopper that I used to ride when I was a downhill biker. So u can imagine the parts are old and the wheels could do with being replaced as i have had them for the last 5 years (I recently spent 100 fitting panniers and having a proper service done on it so my gears are working fine, this was for a Glasgow to stornoway cycle, which had to get canceled at oban due to ferry troubles) not to mention the pain I was in from doing that cycle in a day with no prepartation before hand, (I was also cycling on MTB tyres). I have bought a set of Mitchellin country rock tyres now, which are more road friendly. The bike has front suspension forks which are slightly rusted but they are spring loaded so I have been informed that rust won't matter and obviously everyone knows what a hardtail is, (no back suspension and slightly downward sloping frame). The bike has been customized sumwhat from the time of purchase, such as disk brakes and different front and rear mechs and chain ring, handle bars, quite a bit really anyhow it seems to me that those who do this cycle do it on a road bike with minimal weight. my question is how much harder am I making my trip by using this bike, what preparation shall I take and how much will the trip cost. I'm expecting that due to my lack of preparation/training and the choice of bike, this would take me around 3 weeks to do - is that realistic? and will my bike survive. I also intend to use clipless pedals as I currently ride large flat welgo pedals suitable for downhilling. Any info would be greatly appreciated but please bear in mind I haven't a great amount of money so buying a road bike is not a solution, if there are ways to make my current bike easier and more reliable that info would be awesome. It's important to note I haven't ridden in a long time and my ability to carry out extensive bike repairs is minimal. Thanks. Duncan.