Finished, Now 27 Stone…. - now with pictures!
Posted: 3 Sep 2008, 5:40pm
I did it. 
23 day’s, 16 day’s riding, had a few rest day’s inc 5 day’s at work in the middle (which was the hardest bit, 2 all nighters as thing had gone wrong while I was away, was good to get back to ridding for a break…). 1082 miles, averaged 68 miles per day on the day’s I rode.
Think the rain clouds where following me round the country rained every day I rode except my last one! It varied from heavy thunderstorms near the start (08/08/08 ) few showers per day in the middle, and drizzle up the wet coast of Scotland (finished on 30/08/08 ). But in fairness some days where mostly dry and did have the wind in my favour most of the way… Could definitely have been worse.
Only problems I had where 2 puncture, not normal classed as a problem but I had brought a new small pump with a pressure gauge for the journey (tested before start) and it broke the first time I used it, meaning I had to wait about an hour for some one to come along with the right pump. Brought a new £20 pump in Penzance, 2nd puncture 12 mile from Fort Williams and pump as water logged (been strapped to my bike) got it working but it was very slow, took 45 mins pump up to 30 PSI at which point 2nd pump broke and let the air out my tyre, 3 ½ hour delay while I hitched back to bike stop.
But the challenges just added to the sense of achievement. I remember shortly after Oakhampton seeing some flat roads and blue sky’s for the first time, suddenly found myself cycling 20+ miles per hour and could not wipe the smile off my face.
Planned to mostly wild camp, but did a few more B+B than I planed £25-£35 with great breakfasts and a chance to dry out, defiantly worth it.
Something I found useful was a second hand watch I brought off eBay for £15 which included and altimeter, barometer and temperature gauge. I fixed it to my handle bars. Barometer helped to predict the weather and how long showers would last, useful for working out whether worth ducking into a bus shelter or pub or putting on extra layers of clothing on. Altimeter and temperature gauges gave me useful info, both to keep me metal amused and help work out whether the fact my average pace was reducing was down tiredness or could be accounted for by altitude gains.
Would recommend it to anyone, I was about 32 stones when I decided I wanted to do this, If I can do it I would say almost anyone is capable.
23 day’s, 16 day’s riding, had a few rest day’s inc 5 day’s at work in the middle (which was the hardest bit, 2 all nighters as thing had gone wrong while I was away, was good to get back to ridding for a break…). 1082 miles, averaged 68 miles per day on the day’s I rode.
Think the rain clouds where following me round the country rained every day I rode except my last one! It varied from heavy thunderstorms near the start (08/08/08 ) few showers per day in the middle, and drizzle up the wet coast of Scotland (finished on 30/08/08 ). But in fairness some days where mostly dry and did have the wind in my favour most of the way… Could definitely have been worse.
Only problems I had where 2 puncture, not normal classed as a problem but I had brought a new small pump with a pressure gauge for the journey (tested before start) and it broke the first time I used it, meaning I had to wait about an hour for some one to come along with the right pump. Brought a new £20 pump in Penzance, 2nd puncture 12 mile from Fort Williams and pump as water logged (been strapped to my bike) got it working but it was very slow, took 45 mins pump up to 30 PSI at which point 2nd pump broke and let the air out my tyre, 3 ½ hour delay while I hitched back to bike stop.
But the challenges just added to the sense of achievement. I remember shortly after Oakhampton seeing some flat roads and blue sky’s for the first time, suddenly found myself cycling 20+ miles per hour and could not wipe the smile off my face.
Planned to mostly wild camp, but did a few more B+B than I planed £25-£35 with great breakfasts and a chance to dry out, defiantly worth it.
Something I found useful was a second hand watch I brought off eBay for £15 which included and altimeter, barometer and temperature gauge. I fixed it to my handle bars. Barometer helped to predict the weather and how long showers would last, useful for working out whether worth ducking into a bus shelter or pub or putting on extra layers of clothing on. Altimeter and temperature gauges gave me useful info, both to keep me metal amused and help work out whether the fact my average pace was reducing was down tiredness or could be accounted for by altitude gains.
Would recommend it to anyone, I was about 32 stones when I decided I wanted to do this, If I can do it I would say almost anyone is capable.
