This is the route I intend to take to get to John O'Groats. It is 1,813km or 1 126.54597 miles, according to Google. If you have Google Earth installed, my route-plan will display in a fancy, zoom in, 3D style Earth experience so that you can live it - maaaan (or woman). If not, you should see a plain, old, Google maps version just below.
I've chosen the route based upon 3 temptations:
There are plenty of books written about the route, but the best and by no means the most expensive that I've found, is Phil Horsleys' Land's End to John O'Groats The Great British Bike Adventure (thanks Mum). The route I have planned is loosely based on this but I have taken some diversions to suit my fancy.
For navigation en route, I've bought a mega-bling, up 'yer bum and in 'yer face, cycle computer that I haven't yet worked out how to program. I will probably get lost - regularly! If I do get lost, I'll be able to tell you via my blog. In fact, if you subscribe to it (click the "Follow" link on the blog page) , you'll be the amongst the first people to know and can laugh at me whilst you're comfortable in your office. My plan is that the route will go something like this:
Day 1: Lands End to Tavistock (184.3km, 114.5 miles).
This is a hard first day following the northern coast line then cutting inland to the edge of Dartmoor just after Tavistock. Highlights of the day should be Lands End; St.Ives; Polperro to Rock Ferry (I'm a bit weird in that I like ferrys) and the brutal hills leading up towards Dartmoor.
Day 2: Tavistock to Taunton (104.8km, 65.1 miles)
A light day after the efforts of the previous day. Plenty of serious hills over Dartmoor and then over the Blackdown Hills to stay in Taunton for the night. Highlights should be the beautiful Blackdowns and coming off Dartmoor. Offers of accommodation will be gratefully accepted.
Day 3: Taunton to Hatfield, Shropshire. (214.3km, 133 miles)
A very long day but necessary because I hope to have a place to stay in Hatfield (Hi Vicky :-) ). Some great highlights including skirting the edge of the Quantock Hills in Somerset, Cheddar Gorge, Clifton Suspension Bridge, Monmouth, through the southern Welsh Marches and Crossing the Wye Valley.
Day 4: Rest day
Day 5: Hatfield, Herefordshire, to Northenden, Manchester. (187.4km, 116.4 miles)
I'll be dropping in on my Grandparents. This should be a relatively easy day across the Cheshire plains with only a few small hills to the north of Ludlow to slow me down.
Day 6: Northenden, Manchester to Crossthwaite (157.1km, 97.6 miles)
Industrial slog through Manchester, onto the northern mill towns and then stopping for lunch in Lancaster. If I do take this route, I'll be getting an eyeful of Morecombe Bay and stopping to rest for the night just inside the Lake District National Park.
Day 7: Crossthwaite to Lockerbie (170.3km, 105.8 miles)
This should be a lovely day, up through the lakes crossing Windermere (another ferry), Esthwaite Water, Loughrigg, Grasmere and Thirlmere. Once out of the lakes, it should be a relatively flat blast up to Lockerbie via Carlisle. Finally in Scotland!
Day 8: Lockerbie to Johnstone (175.6km, 109.1 miles)
Almost a fourth consecutive 100 mile day - am I pushing too hard ? This should be a relatively flat and easy day as the terrain appears to not be too punishing.
Day 9: Johnstone to Dunoon (32.8km, 20.4 miles)
A very short day intended to get me to the Gourock - Dunoon Ferry. If I can fit this in on day 8 I would be doing myself and anybody I encounter, a huge favour as it would be great to have day 9 as a whole day off to scrub up!
Day 10: Dunoon to Fort William (205km, 127 miles)
I'm really looking forward to part of the ride. It's a significant diversion from the normal route taken bu End2Enders which runs via Glen Coe, but it takes in lots of waterside, a ferry over Loch Fyne (renown for its seafood and oysters), a whisky distillery and even more waterside vistas. If the wind isn't behind me on this day then I'll be breaking the day with a spot of overnight camping and midgie swatting.
Day 11: Fort William to Inverness (94.3km, 58.6 miles)
This should be another fantastic day and short too! It goes all the way along the Caledonian Canal taking in Loch Lochy and Loch Ness. If the going is good then I may travel on another few miles to Cromarty where I'll take a ferry the following day.
Day 12: Inverness to Lairg (174km, 108.1 miles)
Into the Highlands, stopping overnight beside Loch Lairg. The end is in sight - and yet another ferry to hop onto (Cromarty)
Day 13: Lairg to John O'Groats (117.2km, 72.8 miles)
The final day, taking in Kyle of Tongue and Dunnet Head. I expect this to be a day of reflection and determination to meet the piper at the end of the road. My Mum intends to meet me at The John O'Groats hotel on this day - I think this will be a lovely end which will well befit the cause. Thinking about it, it's the most appropriate way to close a brilliant adventure for a hugely deserving cause.