Day 4 - Heathcote to Seymour -55kms

Last evening we had a great "final dinner" at David's house. The BBQ was expertly prepared by Ellio and the salads by Jeff. Sitting out on the verandah was a very pleasant experience enjoying great food, company and some good red wines ( some from the Heathcote region courtesy of Dave). Although there was a bit of lightening and thunder, the rain stayed away so we could talk about the issues of the day!!!!

After a good night of sleep it was up early (courtesy of the galahs swarking !) and in to breakfast consisting of bacon and eggs on toast expertly cooked by Dave ...what a way to start the day. After cleaning up we were on our way at about 8.30am to Seymour...

Our first stop was at an old gold mining site just out of Heathcote to see what the miners did to the land when they used "water blasting" to separate gold bearing rock from the soil....It has left the area much like a "mars landscape" and the land is unable to be used...

Leaving Heathcote it was up the Mc Ivor Highway north to Tooborac for morning tea. Along the way we decided to ride as a group with rotating leaders which we have tried unsuccessfully on other rides...So it was with some trepidation that Phil organized this part of the ride ( approx. 20kms)....well surprise, surprise ....it actually worked and in to a rather strong southerly breeze it made for good riding....Well done Phil!

After some good coffee at Tooborac it was on to Seymour with the wind coming over our right shoulder. It made for very fast riding often hitting speeds of over 40 km/h. Along the road we passed the Puckapunyal Army Camp which brought back memories to me of my Army Cadet days at school.

Arriving in Seymour at about midday we found an excellent café opposite the rail station for lunch.

Those who were heading back to Melbourne by train sorted out the timetable and Jeff, Anthony, Ray and I packed the ute and headed home by car. We had a slight deviation back to Seymour as I lost my "pouch" with my money clip and credit cards...bugger really but all my fault!

As this is the last pot for this trip it is important to thank Gary Giles for his excellent organization on what was a great 4 days and to thank Dave for his hospitality in Heathcote.

The memories of the trip will stay with those who participated forever.

According to my Garmin we travelled about 265kms over very pretty country with good weather and great company....congrats to all wheeliebinners who came on the journey

Ellio "cooking up a storm" on the BBQ

Jeff preparing the salads...tasted great!!

Enjoying a great final dinner

Yes this is Dave's heaven!!...note the lovely gum tree!

Some the kangaroos who were interested in looking at us!

Looking at the mine site in Heathcote where they water blasted the soil!!!

Along the road from Tooborac to Seymour ...outside Puckapunyal

Day 3 - Castlemaine to Heathcote - 61 kms

Today the weather was a little wet with thunder storms looming for most of the ride. The temp was in the high 20's for the ride and the wind was light , the road surfaces were good and we had a mixture of flatish terrain with some rolling hills....all of this made for good riding with good speed on the roads.

We started at about 8.00m with a ride around Castlemaine looking for a coffee shop to get an early morning "hit" ahead of the ride....well Castlemaine is very "sleepy" with virtually no shops open for business so we settled on the coffee shop at the railway station....quite good coffee in a different location! ( see photo later)

After coffee it was on with the ride through some lovely country...mainly sheep country as opposed to the past few days which was very much cropping country ( wheat and canola). This area also has a rich history in gold mining which saw it as a key area of mining in the gold rush of the 1850's. During the ride we had a few drops of rain which required us to put on wet weather gear at different times. We made it to our lunch stop at Redesdale by 11.00am which was very early and we decided to have a coffee break....very lucky as the weather closed in with a heavy thunderstorm...lighting and thunder and a lot of rain. Lucky for us we settled in at the coffee shop enjoying good coffee and cakes sheltered from the storm. 

After waiting about an hour and a half we "braved" the elements to resume the remaining 25kms to Heathcote. This ride was over some 'rolling hills" with some steeper parts ( 12-14%) and some good downhill runs...all made for great times!

We arrived at Heathcote at about 1.30pm. we are staying at Dave Little's holiday home which is terrific and "very comfortable". Dave's daughter has the house next door which means we can spread out a little in to good rooms which means we can isolate the heavy snorers such as Ellio and myself!

Seems there might be a good night of sleep for some who are looking a bit weary after a night or 2 of interrupted sleep.

Dave has a great set up with a house which makes the best of the views and has good outdoor eating and entertainment areas.

Tonight we will enjoy the great cooking that is anticipated with Ellio's reputation as a great cook. Good food, great location and fabulous company....what more can you want!

Enjoy the photo's....

Coffee at Castlemaine railway station...

A monument recording the start of the Gold Rush...note the guy walked to Chewton from Williamstown ( near Melbourne)

The ute in the rain at Redesdale...what a thunderstorm!!

...but under shelter having a coffee and good home made cakes!!!

Day 2- Daylesford to Castlemaine- 86Kms

Today was a reasonably hot day with the temps in the high 20's to start with and then in the middle of the day it was in the mid 30's with reasonably high humidity...tough in the middle of the day....

We started from Daylesford at about 8.30 after a good breakfast. There was a bit of a shower for the 2 km ride in to the town then after that it was reasonably clear. The trip through to Hepburn Springs was largely downhill then it was open flatish farmland along the Lodden valley through to the Cairn Curran Reservoir. The wind was from the north so we had a little of a headwind. We stopped at Newstead for coffee in a delightful café. This was well served by some very friendly staff with good coffee and muffins....you will see a photo later.

The trip through to Maldon for lunch was through good farming country with many of the farmers out on their tractors doing the harvest.....

The ride in to Maldon was hot and Maldon sits on the top of the hill which caused us to slowly make our way....Gary was struggling with cramps so I made a run in to town to get the ute to collect Gary so he could recover in the A/C car and over lunch .....He made a good recovery.

Lunch was in a delightful park near the Maldon museum and we had the opportunity to visit the history of the area courtesy of the women who ran the venue. Bill Woodfull came from Maldon (Middle name is Maldon after the town where his father was the local minister). Rather topical given Bill's cricket past and the Ashes Test being played in Brisbane.

After a rest and lunch it was off for the final 15 kms to Castlemaine with a largely downhillroad and the wind behind our backs....made for good riding.

we arrived at about 3.30pm and settled in tour cabins with a couple of beers...very pleasant!!

A good day of riding but tough in the middle of the day due to the heat!

Morning Tea at Newstead...Lovely café

Some of the faming country....

After ride beer with the group!

Pictures from today's ride

Gary our leader

 Lavender farm at Restaurant

 Home for the night with the Lyrebirds

Day 1- 24 November- Ballan to Daylesford

An early start ) 6.30am) to pack the "ute" and collect the "boys" that were accompanying me to the Ballan rail station. Those accompanying me were Anthony, Ray and Jeff. we made good time to Ballan and were in time to have a coffee and pick up rolls and bread for lunch. The others (Gary, Phil. Chris, Frank, Dave and Ellio) made their way successfully by train to Ballan and we were on our way by about 11.00am.

I took 'first turn" at driving the ute as we make regular changes so everyone has a turn off then bike.

The weather was in the high 20's and was quite humid so riding was quite hot.....

The roads were very good and quiet so the riding was good...not many hills, just rolling country.

After meeting the guys at Gordon it was "on the bike" for my ride.... quite pleasant really

We had lunch at the Korweinguboora oval which quite nice although the grass needed a good mow.

After lunch it was on the Daylesford where we are staying the night. We are staying a little out of town at Jubilee Lake and are in camp cottages which are quite comfortable.There is some local wild life ( Lyrebirds) which are quite pretty.

A good first day

I am afraid that the WIFI is poor and downloading pictures is impossible.

4 Day Ride Coming Up
I have a 4 day ride through central Victoria coming up next week from Friday 24 November to Monday 27 November.
10 of us from the "wheeliebinners" riding group in Melbourne are doing a supported ride through some interesting country with distances of about 65kms each day.
Hope you enjoy the blogs each day....

Peter Harrison

Better Copy Of Stats

Better Copy Of Stats

I am afraid the totals were a bit unclear so here are the stats again....

Lands End to John O'Groats Trip July 2017
Stage	Distance Kms	Calories	Max Speed	Elev Gain
Tongue to John O'Groats	114.56	10,052	49.5	1,294
Bonar Bridge to Tongue	79.23	6,533	50.2	610
Drumnadrochit to Bonar Bridge	80.75	7,223	59.5	888
Fort Willian to Drumnadrochit	85.12	6,648	48.5	462
Bridge of Awe to Fort William	89.47	6,693	47.6	530
Arrochar to Bridge of Awe	73.51	6,127	52.6	852
Strathaven to Arrochar	98.77	6,331	45.1	431
Moffat to Strathaven	92.53	7,879	52.9	1,045
Armathwaite to Moffat	95.38	7,595	49.6	757
Dent to Armathwaite	88.72	8,038	56.6	1,268
Hurst Green to Dent	63.52	6,485	44.8	1,499
Acton Bridge to Hurst Green	97.15	7,873	50.2	1,222
Harmer Hill to Acton Bridge	80.23	5,863	46.4	682
Weobley to Harmer Hill ( Shrewsbury)	91.28	7,220	41.6	973
Chepstow to Weobley	87.16	7,094	46.5	1,059
Cheddar to Chepstow	73.74	5,918	43.6	949
Sampford Peverell to Cheddar	75.22	5,913	40.9	884
Tavistock to Sampford Peverell	91.5	7,816	51.9	1,387
Perranporth to Tavistok	92.29	8,839	44.5	1,951
Lands End to Perranporth	69.16	6,125	52.9	969
Totals	1719.29	142,265		19,712
Average	85.96	7113.25

Back Home - 4th August 2017

Back Home - 4th August 2017

I am now back home in "cold and wet" Melbourne after the ride. The temperature yesterday was 9 degrees and it was a far cry from the ride conditions we had in the UK.

The trip back from John O'Groats was fairly uneventful with the bus trip back with most of the fellow riders to Inverness a celebration of a few glasses of champagne completing the ride, the handing out of certificates to record our achievements by Mike.

After a brief chat with a few in the bar at our hotel it was off to bed to get ready for the long train trip to London next morning.

At breakfast a few of us said our goodbyes to Rob and Mike ( our incredible leaders) and Steve ( from Tassie), Jane and Dave made our way to Inverness station for the trip home.....I might say Helen joined us as the "waving goodbye" party...thanks Helen for joining us ahead of your trip home...

The long trip home have me an opportunity to down load my Garmin on to a spreadsheet which summarized the statistics for my trip....see later

On arrival in London some 6 hours later it was back to the Caledonian Club where I was staying for a good night of sleep ahead on my last day in London.

Awaking early I arranged to get my bike packed for the plane flight back home and then did some shopping in Oxford st.....I hate shopping at the best of times and the crowds...YUCK!!!

After finishing shopping I did some packing then travelled by train to meet a long standing friend at his home in South Bromley. Ian and Liz Dalton gave me a wonderful meal and together with his brother ( Tim) and daughter and Tim's daughter we had a delightful night of catching up...I got back to London at about midnight...

The next morning it was an early start ( 5.30 am pickup to the airport) for the flight back home.

It was great to get home....apart from the cold.....and see the family.

Great to see my wife Robyn after a month away.

Here are the statistics of my ride....

The only other statistic is that I had one puncture and my bike performed excellently despite the old fella who peddled on it!!! 

Lands End to John O'Groats Trip July 2017
Stage	Distance Kms	Calories	Max Speed	Elev Gain
Tongue to John O'Groats	114.56	10,052	49.5	1,294
Bonar Bridge to Tongue	79.23	6,533	50.2	610
Drumnadrochit to Bonar Bridge	80.75	7,223	59.5	888
Fort William to Drumnadrochit	85.12	6,648	48.5	462
Bridge of Awe to Fort William	89.47	6,693	47.6	530
Arrochar to Bridge of Awe	73.51	6,127	52.6	852
Strathaven to Arrochar	98.77	6,331	45.1	431
Moffat to Strathaven	92.53	7,879	52.9	1,045
Armathwaite to Moffat	95.38	7,595	49.6	757
Dent to Armathwaite	88.72	8,038	56.6	1,268
Hurst Green to Dent	63.52	6,485	44.8	1,499
Acton Bridge to Hurst Green	97.15	7,873	50.2	1,222
Harmer Hill to Acton Bridge	80.23	5,863	46.4	682
Weobley to Harmer Hill ( Shrewsbury)	91.28	7,220	41.6	973
Chepstow to Weobley	87.16	7,094	46.5	1,059
Cheddar to Chepstow	73.74	5,918	43.6	949
Sampford Peverell to Cheddar	75.22	5,913	40.9	884
Tavistock to Sampford Peverell	91.5	7,816	51.9	1,387
Perranporth to Tavistok	92.29	8,839	44.5	1,951
Lands End to Perranporth	69.16	6,125	52.9	969
Totals	1719.29	142,265		19,712
Average	85.96	7113.25

July 29- Tongue to John O'Groats- 114.6kms

July 29- Tongue to John O'Groats- 114.6kms

There was a real expectation in the air this morning at breakfast as we prepared ourselves for the final day "on the road" to John O'Groats (JOG).

The day was one of the longer rides for the trip so we made sure we were on the road by about 8.00am.

The weather was coolish ( 14) with cloud cover and some wind...later in the day we had some rain showers...not significant fortunately

The first few kms were fairly difficult with some steeper road as we got our climbing legs in to gear. After Bettyhill the road had several very steep bits for about 20kms as we negotiated some hilly country.

I started out with Steve and Jane but they soon left me and for about 45kms I was riding on my own...probably the 3rd ride on the road for our group. I was happy with this as it gave me some real time to reflect on the trip and to consider how luck I have been to be able to enjoy it both in terms of seeing country I have never seen before and meeting such a wonderful and friendly group.

After Melvich (42kms) I was feeling quite hungry and was looking for somewhere to eat but in this remote part of the world there was nothing really open...I spoke to the owner of the art galley in Melvich and she said I would have to wait another 30kms to get to a shop.....luckily I was given a banana at breakfast so I was able to get some sustenance!

I slowed down a bit at this time to allow Chris to join me on the ride and we continued together right through the JOG. It was a far more pleasant ride also as the road flattened out considerably and for much of it we had a wind on our backs.

Chris and I agreed that we would take a longer route to see Dunnet Head which is the most northerly part of the UK mainland....nothing much to see really except for a lighthouse which was constructed by a relative ( grandfather I think) of Robert Louis Stevenson the author.

After that it was on for the final run in to JOG and we arrived at about 2.15 and were presented with our medals and had our photos taken at the JOG sign....

The tour company ( Bike Adventures) had arranged for us all to have showers in a local pub which was great ahead of the bus trip back to Inverness.

We also had some food and drink to get some energy back after a "hardish" ride

JOG is really somewhat of a biking mecca and there were many riders staring and finishing LEJOG trips. So it was quite exciting to hear the tales from others who had done the journey. I spoke to one group who had done the trip in 9 days riding over 100 miles (160kms) each day...what an effort!

Unfortunately Chris and Steve were not travelling with us back to Inverness by bus so we had to say our goodbyes. Steve met his wife (Sarah) and they were going to the Orkney Islands for a break...Chris also was continuing his unsupported riding sojourn through the UK. He will be going to the Orkney Islands as well as visiting the Western Islands of Scotland ( Skye, Mull etc) and then travelling back to London via the East coast....Hope he has safe travels!

When the bus arrived at about 6.45pm....we loaded our bags on and proceeded on the 2 hr trip to Inverness. Mike from Bike Adventures presented us all with our certificates of achievement and we all had a celebratory champagne as we motored back.

Today we climbed 1294 metres which was mostly in the first half of the ride.

I will record the final statistics for the ride in a later blog post

Now for the photos....

Today's route...

Some of the coastline....
Note the sandy beaches and sand dunes....

Looking towards the North Sea...

Part of a long descent.....woooowwwww!!!
My descending has improved on this trip...

Looking towards the Orkney Islands...

...and again....

The boat harbour at Castletown....

The most northern part of mainland UK....
The sign to prove it!!!!

...and the lighthouse....
Not much else!

Yes here I am at JOG!!!!

With the trusty bike which did not let me down....only one puncture
Could not be happier!!!!

 

Photos from today- 28th July

Photos from today- 28th July

There is a manor house in there which was owned by the Duke of Westminster

It was the subject of his divorce settlement ...his former wife now owns it

The Falls of Shin....quite pretty....no salmon jumping up stream unfortunately!!!

An upstream view of the Falls...

Our group's bikes at the top of the staircase to the falls....

A view of the Scottish Highlands....

A view up timber logging track
There is a lot of lumbering going on here!!!

A nice road ahead despite a small gradient uphill???
......and no cars!!!

The Crask Inn...good tea and scones
Great hospitality

A long down hill with a view to die for!!!

Another Loch....there is a lot of water on "them there hills"

....and another loch.....

...and another hill....at least we did not climb this one!!!!!

.......and another loch!!
Even more important a long downhill on a good road with no cars....Yeeeeeeee!!

Home for the night and a big celebration on the night before the last ride to J O'G.....

A good pub for dinner