Start at the bottom of the page and read upwards!

I actually did it.......!

7.5 days
59 hours 45 minutes
872.03 miles
14.5 mph average

full tale will appear on:-
http://kipperonabike.blogspot.com/

01.07.06......Packed my bag today with the following stuff:-
Casual nylon shorts (for evenings) 180g
Cotton T-shirt (for evening) 180g
Digital camera 200g
Multitool & 2x tyre levers 200g
Mobile phone/charge/headphones (so I can listen to World cup final etc) 210g
Spare tube & repair kit 135g
Map pages, waterproof sleeve, passport, travel docs, cheques 210g
Altura shower proof jacket 250g
Long sleeve cycling jersey 270g
Small wallet with cash, credit & cashpoint card, rescue service card, health card 50g
Toothbrush/paste, razor, earbuds (handles not cut-off!) 60g
Chain lube in eye drop bottle 45g
3 x polythene bags 45g
Ipod shuffle charger 50g
Antiseptic wipe x1, Anti bug wipe x2, Salvon & Sting cream 85g
Total weight of packed Altura 8 litre pannier bag = 2.6.kg
Very small notepad & pen 45g

I was planning to take a pair of Nike running tights and a small jumper.....mainly because they fitted into the bag. However, on weighing the bag I was surprised at the extra weight (total of 3.45kg) so will gladly leave them behind. If my legs do start to suffer from the cold then I'll buy some ladies tights to wear. The jumper was for any cold evenings up in Scotland.....I've decided that I will probably be able to suffer a chilly evening, or simply not wander too far (as if I'll have the energy!). I have added the Sting cream that I found in our family medical bag, and I swapped my medium sized Savlon for a tiny Savlon....ditto the toothpaste. I refuse the saw-up my toothbrush and razor. On advice from my wife I've agreed that it will be more pratical to have shaven armpits for the duration....but although I'm tempted to take a razor to my legs I agree with her that the extra warm and protection my hairy pegs have will probably be appreciated. Digital camera is no-doubt a luxury, but as I'm planning on doing this ride just the once it'll be nice to have some photographic reminders of the good and bad moments. Ipod shuffle is also a luxury. I know all about the dangers of cycling while wearing one of these, but as I've commuted 24 miles through London traffic for 8 months with it most days then I'm fairly confident that black taxis, buses (especially the new long ones), white vans, pedestrians (mainly those of the Kings Road variety), motorcyclists, and oddly other cyclists that refuse to stop at red lights etc. are a far greater danger to me...I certainly expect to use the Ipod or mobile radio most days for an hour or 2 as a break from the long distance cyclists passtime of day-dreaming and wishing I were where I was trying to get to. I've not bothered to weigh me bottle cages, bottles, pannier rack etc.....mainly because its a viciously hot day but I also feel that as I'm a very lightweight 70kg (10.8 stone old money) and 6ft tall then the weight issue is kind of academic!

England vs. Portugal this afternoon. Afterwards I'm gonna fit the bike with all the gear (again) and do a few laps of the block (I'm becoming neurotic). The bike felt fine on London 2 Brighton (see below) so I'm gonna chill with a beer or 2 for the match now.

29.06.06......8th July is alarmingly close! Rode up to Paddington last Saturday to pick up my tickets to Penzance and check the route for the morning ride on the 8th. My family are going to follow me up on the train to wave me off....emotional or what!? Been doing a fair bit of route checking and am now fairly confident of what roads I'll be heading on, still not absolutely sure of Scotland yet but swaying towards Glencoe/Fort William. Also made a firm resolution to attempt 100 mile days but settle for a few 70-80's if conditions demand...especially worried about getting cold on Scottish mornings so I've managed to squeeze a lightweight jumper into my Arran. Also a bit puzzled about where to make 'major-pit-stops' (if ya know what I mean!!). Garages probably the best bet, but I'll make sure I have a supply of tissues at all times! Trying to keep busy and pre-occupied, doing the regular 24miles commute on singlespeed, spending lots of time with the family etc. as being away from them for so long will be the toughess part by far. My calf strain is not a calf strain but it is a hamstring strain....its well on the mend and doesn't bother my commute, tho its very stiff if I sit still for a long while (which is pretty rare).

The beautiful machine pictured above is squirrelled away under covers at the back of my garage. My young son will turn 9 on 7th July....I'm gutted that I'll miss all the fun over the weekend. Of course I NEVER HAD A CHOPPER myself and oddly I've noted that all the more successful people I know HAD CHOPPERS. So son, success is on its way (but please, please, please don't pull any wheelies while I'm away coz it'll land hard and you'll go right over those bars and find the road all over your face very quickly - just like poor old Uncle Paul did when he borrowed a friends Chopper (c.1972?) and lost half his face.....he was ugly anyway though - I'll teach you (ha!) how to do it when (?if)I get back ((ie. you'll never get to ride it again ;0) )) I doubt I'll be doing many wheelies on my ride ).

2006 BHF London 2 Brighton Bike Ride....

20.06.06......London to Brighton. Phew! That wasn't so bad, even with the tight calf (hamstring?). Set off from home at 4:45am to cover the 10 miles to Clapham Common. Started sharp at 6am and went non-stop to Brighton in 3:07hrs (54miles)(av.16.1mph, max. 42mph). Gorgeous cool mornings ride. Ditchling Beacon was the only bump and it was fairly straight forward even with the rack and luggage in tow (packed for LeJogging to road test). Short rest for refueling and stretching then I headed back home via Shoreham>Horsham>Dorking>Leatherhead>Esher etc. The ride to Horsham was on beautiful 'B' roads with no other traffic (especially cycles!) in sight. then a spell on the busier A24 thru Dorking to the familiar roads around the Surrey Hills. It was much easier than last years effort, mainly due i think to the Italia Flight saddle. Enjoyed a fantastic lager shandy as I neared home. Total mileage 120. Total av. 15.2mph. Time in saddle 07:54. A good result all round though I had some cramp problems later on. I reckon I'll be up for 80 - 100 miles a day on LeJog....maybe a bit more on good days (?). We'll soon see. Bike was a dream. (Bonus, I raised 500UKpounds from my colleagues and my company (Statoil UK Ltd) are going to match it to make a total of 1000UK pounds).
14.06.06.......Buggeration! The tight calf problem is really becoming a problem. Stopped cycling to rest it today, and will not cycle until it improves. Supposed to be London 2 Brightoning on Sunday and satisfying my sponsors contributions of about £1000!! And then cycling home as well. Don't fancy it with an injury and very worried about doing further damage that might jeopardise my lejog.

Spoken with a very helpful young man at Inverness Airport. He has confirmed that I can simply turn up at the airport with a boxed bike and get onto a flight, time allowing of course.
11.06.06.......Scorchingly hot and furious Surrey hills ride today with my clubs 'fast' set . I had to have a cold bath once I'd managed to drip off of my bike and then I needed a little snooze! 62.99miles, max: 39mph, av. 16.6mph time in saddle 03:45, agony rating 11/10 (I'll not be tagging along with them 'til the weather cools off me thinks!! (Many thanks to Guy P. for letting me hug his wheel for the last 15miles when I was truly suffering.

B&B booked in Sennen for first night. Making enquiries about purchasing bike boxes in Inverness. Spesh is in excellent shape after service (new chain & cassette #50, new tyres #40, new back wheel #100, new front wheel #87, labour #65). Extravagant I know, but it rides beautifully. The new wheels have 105 hubs and many more spokes for the rough roads I'm expecting. Tyres are 23mm wide/25mm deep for comfort, with added puncture resistance.

Started to pack my Altura bag and its looking good. Got a great stretchy ultra-light-weight net that fits over the bag and clips underneath so I can stow some extra gear outside of the bag.

Next challenge is London to Brighton (& back again) next Sunday. Hope it cools off just a little!
06.06.06.......2 scorching weeks holidaying with the family in Corfu. Too hot to hire a bike! Fully tanned and fully rested I hit Richmond Park on the Langster for 4 laps (31 miles, max 32.8mph) and it was brilliant. Pitty though that I have strained my right calf in my eagerness. Missed loads of shite weather here and now the suns shining. Booked ticket to Penzance whilst in Corfu (20 quid - what a bargain). Also spent 30 quid on CTC rescue service, poncey I know, but nice for peace of mind if things really turn pear shape. Did some very inspiring reading in Corfu, Lejog is nothing compared to cycling home to NZ (....add authors name etc...something about 'A Long Ride for a Pie'). Spesh in for full service at Sigma tomorrow and I'll also get some tougher tyres to put on. Next job is to book B&B at LE. Raring to go.........

15.05.06.......I've had a long silent spell, but I've kept the pedals turning with a daily commute and a n occasional outing around the park. Still not managed to book the train ticket to Penzance, but I've been promised that the tickets will be released this week! Have to ring again tomorrow. Took the plunge and brought a Specialized Langster singlespeed on Saturday (pre FA cup final where my team came within seconds of holding the cup). Been commuting with Claude 'fixed' for a couple of weeks so fairly confident that Langster will be fine. On test ride it was surprisingly light to pedal, but no hills around Sigma sport. Pick it up in the morning. Off to Corfu at the end of the week for a fortnight and when I get back it'll be full speed ahead for lejog. Promise. Pic is not my Langster, just the best I could find.

06.04.06......Left knee suspiciously sore. Right patellar tendon still tender from 2004 marathoning. Made the mistake of jogging 2 laps of St.James last Monday lunch-time, the sun was out and I couldn't help myslef!

On a brighter note: my highly skilled father-in-law tenderly knocked the dent out of my front wheel (on Sigmas advice) and now its running true again. Thanks pop.

Some sunshine has lifted my cycling spirit just a little. Not enough yet though. Still taking it easy on me ole knees.

(Just got my and the Mrs. 2006 ISA allowance in before the rush. (Phew. 5.20% tax free).
23.03.06......Drop-dead-tired, zero energy, sluggish commuting, sniffling snot. Not feeling any enthusiasm for lejog at all and could quite happily forget the whole affair. Maybe feel a bit better once summer is here. For now though I'm going to take a short but necessary break from whats become a bit of a grind.
22.03.06......Hit a large pot-hole coming down Leith Hill at speed on Mondays ride. Scared me sh%tless. Stopped to check for damage and couldn't see any. Alas though, I could feel a lump while braking this morning on my way to the dentist(!). So thats another job to be sorted pre lejog. Wasn't a good weekend for either of my wheels. Hope its mendable, a new 'un will cost £90 minimum, and while I'm about it I should really get a pair (and that service.....£250? gulp!)

The view behind me as I plod up Ranmore is breath-taking, or it would be if I was ever inclined to look and if I ever had the breath to spare. I'll make a point to go down it one day to appreciate the view. (Dorking - the spire of St. Martins can be seen in the centre).

The view on the way to Coldharbour and Leith Hill (1000') is spectacular.

20.03.06......Another long day. Out at 7am to the Surrey Hills where I traversed the North Downs several times taking in Leith Hill, Ranmore Hill and 2 circuits up Box Hill (one would really have been enough). Pitty I chose to lounge around all day yesterday as it wasn't as gloriously sunny today.....in fact it was pretty dull and miserable all day......at least it didn't rain. Must have been cold though as I kept my coat on the whole day. Slight NE wind, not as bad as Friday. Hills much, much harder than toodling around Richmond Park! I also gave the map rack a thorough testing and it was fine once I'd tightened it up enough so it wouldn't slowly rotate every time I accelerated!
Stats: 102 miles; max: 37.5mph; 6 hours 54 minutes riding time (3.20pm finish, so total of 8.5hrs out); average 14.8mph.
Verdict: The hill repititions early in the ride certainly made a dent in my average speed (note that on Friday in RP I'd done 66miles after 4.5hours whereas today I'd only done 52). Took it much easier than I would have done if out with club riders. Stopped for tea 'n' pastie at BH and then at 80miles in RP for tuna sandwich, flapjack and sugar ladden tea. Finished with air punching spectacle again and was fit enough to walk a couple of miles to Teddington and ride Claud back after his full service. Time for long-hot-bath now, then prepare for West Hams FA cup quarter round tie with Man.City!
18.03.06......Couldn't get out till mid afternoon. 40miler, again 'round the park. Same vicious wind and cold as hell, but fabulous spells of bright sunshine. Had a tussle with a fit & flash looking '?Vinner?.com' biked 'n' kitted rider.....draughted him for a few minutes before he dropped me down Broomfield, caught him against that killer-head-wind and left him for dead with the wind in me sails on the way to Richmond gate.....tho I did cheat by draughting a large 4x4!!. Fantastic hard ride. Legs fine after yesterdays exertions.
Stats: 40 miles; max:34.5mph; 2hours 19mins; average: 19.9mph.

Dropped Claud into Teddingtons BikeWarehouse for new rear wheel (rim wore out) and first proper service for 12,000+ odd miles. About time I spent some money on ole reliable!
Must also book my Specialized in for a full servicing before the busy season starts, and with plenty of time for 'glitches' to be ironed out.

Many thanks to Sigma Sport, 15 High Street, Hampton Wick, Kingston upon Thames, Surrey KT1 4DA, 020 8549 0040 for quick-fixing that spoke yesterday.

17.03.06......First truly long ride today. 7am start. Biting wind & blustery snow showers. Set off anticlockwise 'round Richmond Park x 4 laps (30 miles) then headed home for liquid/food, in/out break. Straight back for 4 x clockwise laps of the park (66miles) stopping at 11.30am. As a rare treat my wife had arranged for me to visit her gym as a guest. So quick change and 2 mile ride (not counted in total) on my old single-speed clunker to Kingston. 20 min jog(!thanks darling - just what I needed!), short swim followed by excellent jacuzzi then sauna (its tough going to the gym ain't it?). Quick trip around Sainsburys and then I popped into Sigma sport to get new brake blocks. Pedalling my old 'shopper' was quite bizarre after the earlier mornings hours on a thoroughbread (bike, that is). Light lunch. Lots of sweet tea. Install new brake blocks. Back in the saddle by 3pm. 1st lap of the park, doing about 32mph down Broomfield Hill into a killer wind a loud bang nearly made me jump off the bike! Broken rear spoke.....wheel quite badly out of true. Took off brake blocks to allow clearance and limped back to Sigma who very kindly fixed it for me. Slightly demoralised I headed back to the park, the wind was even worse and my computer seemed to be stuck on 75miles! Strange how those last 25miles were so much tougher than the first 75. Each hill seemed to be right into the wind and I was forced to grind up them rather than adopt my usual trusty style of 'getting-it-over-with-quickly'!! 6pm and I hit the magic 100 mile, and for good measure I punched the air and hurrayed as well (well, no-one else was going to were they?).
Stats: 101.48 miles; max: 36mph (impressive considering that b$st#*d wind); average: 15.7mph; time in saddle: 6hr 27mins.
Verdict: knackered, no-doubt. Long hot bath, large meal a great nights sleep and I feel fine. The spoke issue added a realistic LeJog flavour to the day. Hopefully the wind and snow didn't.

07.03.06....... Total mileage for February = 480

06.03.06.......31 miles ACW round Rich.Pk. Final saddle adjustments. Great fast ride but no computer so NO stats!!
04.03.06.......Got new shoes 'n' pedals for lejogging in (and commuting in the meantime).
26.02.06.......Can't be a@%ed on windy, snowy morning (whimpish cop out!) so had 20 min. on rower & 30min. jog down the riverside path. Made contact with serious 'LeJogger' who has offered to join me for the first leg. Brought Phil Horsleys book: lots of interesting info & route advice, but far to heavy to take with me.
25.02.06.......Booked Claude in for a full make-over next w.end - new back wheel is becoming a priority with a critically worn rim. Long overdue professional attention after all my bodge jobs.
24.02.06.......Got the tube in to work today(short cycle to station on old bone-shaker), cafe latte, a read of the 'Metro' & made suspicious eye contact with a few regular hard-line commuters. Large fried breakfast to finish the commute. Wish I'd cycled in........

23.02.06.......Snow flurries in the park this morning. Bootiful. Picked my way through the nervous deer, exhausted after a long night of dodging the huntsmen that have been stalking them all night. No venison for my supper tonight though.
22.02.06......To fly or not to fly, that is the question (back from Inverness, that is). BA do regular 35quid flights, no extras for bike, but decent bike bag will cost 50ish quid...or I can hire a car one-way for 65quid and take a 'leisurely' drive. Can't make head nor tail of train service from Wick/Thurso to Inverness.....no idea if the 'bike van' service of past years is running. Phone-calls must be made I feel.
18.02.06.......31 miles round RP(4 laps), 1hr46mins, 17.1mph av, 30max. Wet and slippery. Yesterday: 20mins on rower + 8mile walk with dog 'n' kids who re-enacted the battle of Nasby in Bushy Park. New 'Italia Flite' saddle was very comfy today. Its on a new alloy seat-post that can take the full weight of the rack for lejogging.
17.02.06.......Salutations to Ben Fogle & James Cracknell - just watched their 'Hell & High Water'! Truly inspirational. Makes the 'Bob Graham' seem pretty tame and LeJog a literal walk-in-the-park.

06.02.06.....Deer culling season again in Richmond Park. I have to detour up Star & Garter Hill or wait 'til 7.30am for Ham Gate to open. Normally this wouldn't be a problem, but my front mech. is completely clogged and tho S&G hill is very short its also very steep first thing. Couldn't they just blitz the deer & get it over & done with quickly? Note to self: clean-up front mech ASAP & try to run a few ageing Bambi's down. (Pic shows view towards Richmond Gate & the roof of S&G Home at top of S&G Hill).

05.02.06.....Reluctantly dragged myself out of bed and set off in low spirits out of a deep sense of duty. Still got quite a chesty cough and splutered along miserably for the first 10 or so miles before I found my pace, warmed up and started to enjoy what turned out (as usual) to be a great ride. The sun struggled through the clouds as a big group of us split into 2 more manageable groups. We took in a few lanes that I've not seen before and the climb between Ewhurst and Coldharbour was a surprise. Took in a gentle climb up Ranmore and a more vigorous ascent of Boxhill. My descents were pathetic though, as I suffered from a nasty back-wheel-slide that knocked my confidence for six! The roads were wet/greasy so I was not all alone at the back. 65miles, max:37mph, 4hrs6mins, av:15.8mph. Another 40 miles wouldn't have been too much effort....even me arse felt OK today. Slightly tight in right calf from taking a couple of hills in the saddle. (Pic. shows 'Surrey Hills' marker on A29(?))
04.02.06.......Early 30min jog down river to Teddington Lock with Misty. West Ham v Sunderland @ home, a dull first half apart from a justified red card for Sunderland. Aston started the action in 2nd half and Konch finished 'em off 2-0. Well worth the tube ride after all though it looks like my son has picked up a sniffle!

01.02.06.......Total January mileage = 711miles (pity I missed last w.ends club rides which would have made it a roundish 800). I reckon I'm well on track for 100mile days in July, without the constant distractions of family & work etc.
30.01.06.......Conclusion: looking at maps was more exhausting than the rides I missed....& there are too many options for my exit of Cornwall/Devon. Only plotted halfway. Very boring weekend of Lemsip and Nightnurse.
28.01.06.......Out of action this weekend with a stinking cold. Will try to do some route planning between sneezes.
25.01.06.......Got Collins 4miles=1" road atlas from Stamfords in Covent Garden, trimmed it to size and forgot to bring it home.....it'll keep though.
24.01.06.......Frozen peripherals will hopefully not feature during my LeJog experience!

22.01.06........Freezing fog in the Surrey Hills! 65miles, Max: a nervous 39mph on damp slippery descents, 4hrs2mins, Av:16mph. Alot of stopping for flats, slipped chains etc (but not mine thankfully! No atlas yet.
21.01.06.........Dynamo Parkride....huge crowd, I went with a steady group. Lovely sunny mornings ride with manic sprint to finish that finished me. 34.32miles, Max:35.5, 1hr57mins, Av:17.5.
18.01.06......Joined CTC a few days ago and sent off for the End2End info. Got the bumf today and it all looks very encouraging. Need to get a decent altas to start route planning and try to figure out the logistics of getting home from JoG.

15/01/06.....Up with the lark (6.30am) for a quick (slow) 25min jog with Misty. (She's my dog, the picture to the right is what she should look like, but we prefer the scruffy look!). Then 20mins on rower watching Match of the Day(West Ham 2 Aston Villa 1), 731 strokes. PM: Surrey Hills (Leith & Boxhill) 60.4mls, av.15mph, max42mph, time in saddle 03hrs48mins. some long tough climbs around Peaslake. Getting dark by the time I got to top of Boxhill. New gel saddle cover quite successful. Humungus roast dinner!!

14/01/06......20mins early morning rowing machine session + 1hr swimming with me kids ((20 lengths + 25mins treading water)) ....I swim only under the severest pressure or to win my kids affection.
13/01/06.......(Friday 13th!).......4 disappointing windy laps (clockwise, so tougher up the Robin Hood Hill, though its more of a bump than a hill and nowhere near a mountain) of Richmond Pk. Early PM start (not my favourite time of day). Tired quickly, got bored quickly and whimped out quickly. 31 miles, 1hrs42mins, av.17mph, max.38.5mph.
8/01/06........10 laps Richmond Park (anticlockwise) 70.89 miles including to/from home. Total time out 4hrs30mins, average speed was about 16.5mph. Verdict = not too bad, rear-end complained a bit (new saddle?), & my daughters Ipod eased boredom. (It was very cold and the icy rain didn't help towards the end of the trip!).

The Whole Point of the Exercise.........
To cycle from Lands End to John O'Groats, solo & unassisted in approx...........10 days (!?).
My initial investigations into this trip are proving that its a logistical nightmare and that the cycling will be the easy part......though I reserve the right to alter this opinion at any time.

No Going Back.....'Planning the start date is the hardest part' someone said so:-
Marked-up 2 weeks on my brand-new Sasco office year planner. 8th - 23rd July. And I've opened my wallet and made the first tentative investments. So no going back now and I actually found this part of the adventure exceedingly easy.

My Trusty Steads........
My road bike is a 2004 Specialized Allez Elite & and my commuter is a Claude Butler Urban 300. I plan to LeJog on the lightweight bike.

The Bare Essentials...(italics=to do) Lightweight rack (Amoeba) + Rack bag (Altura Arran 8 litre rack pack) + Topeak multi-tool + Altura lightweight waterproof jacket + 1 spare tube + cut-down puncture repair kit + Compact pump + 2 x Specialized bottle cages & bottles + Mobile phone + compact charger + Compact digital camera + Toothbrush & custom-mini-paste + 24 deodorant body wipes + Sunglasses + Suncream + ?Sudocream? + 18 pages of 4"=1mile road atlas + Abridged CTC direction guide (5 A4 pages?) +1 long sleeve lightweight cycling jersy + 1 pair waterproof cycle socks + ?1 pair casual socks? + 1 pair pants + 1 cotton T-shirt + credit cards + cashpoint card + cash + ?passport? + cycling licence + tiny amount of chain lube + Aluminium seat post + Gel Saddle cover + Ipod shuffle + Compact charger + new SPD shoes/pedals with recessed clips + Map Trap
(I plan to stop on night 4(or 5 if all goes badly) within 20 miles of my Mothers home (Congleton), so will hopefully be able to post a change of clothes and half the maps/directions etc. ahead). (Mum doesn't know about this yet though......but what are Mums for.......or sisters for that matter, she's not far away either(Macclesfield).

Training.......
I'll endeavour to commute on 'Claude' every working day. This is a round trip of 24 miles (+/- depending on which way I come home around Richmond Park). I'm extremely fortunate to have what I consider an enviable route to work. Via Richmond Pk>Putney Bdg>Kings Rd>Sloane Sq>Eaton Sq> Round the back of the palace>up the Mall>thru St.James Sq>Regent St.
*I'll also make an effort to get out on Saturday morning club 'parkrides' (4xlaps) OR do club 'Surrey Hills' ride (55-60miles).
+ Irregular rowing machine cross training & gentle jogging sessions along the Thames towpath.
*Note: family commitments quite often interfere with these plans!
Thank heavens for the glorious convenience of Richmond Park, a road cyclists idea of heaven.