And so it ends

What can I say? We've all achieved something in the last 2 weeks. For me, this is the first thing I've done that I can look to and say "Not many people can claim to have done that". I've thoroughly enjoyed it, and would recommend it to anybody who is reasonably fit and doesn't mind getting thoroughly soaked now and again. Thanks to two great friends who were with me, another who was almost with us, my wife who coped with a teething 1 year old on her own for 2 weeks, my family, and to everybody's comments on the blog, texts and calls that really helped us on our way. Looking forward to a week of doing naff all next week. Cheers all. Gareth.

5 spokes, 9 punctures and 975 miles

Hi again. So, another day, another mammoth task completed. I don't think I can add much to what Garfy's already written, although I've realised over the last couple of weeks that he's a pretty funny writer, and he knows how to use a REALLY small keyboard (although that's mainly because he's got tiny little hands), and that he does a really good Carttman impression. Ghandi is the most useful man on the planet, to the point that he can even fashion bike tools out of a piece of rope or a stick, and that he also has an affinity for cable ties, as well as for cycling up hills far faster than is neccessary. I've had a great couple of weeks, doing something that 20 years after my last big cycling adventure I thought that I'd never repeat. I've missed my family loads, got stroppy with my friends, and sung some bloody awful songs. And I've had a great time. Thanks to everyone for keeping in touch, sending messages of support, and of course sponsoring us. And especially thanks to Garfy and Gandhi for being really good mates (plus Rob our fourth member) and inviting me as well as putting up with me. It's now seven o'clock on Sunday 23rd August 2009, the day we finished our cycle ride from John o'Groats to Lands End. Can we go and get drunk now please? Darrin

Day 15. Goonhavern to Lands End. 40 miles

WE MADE IT!!!!!!!!! Hard to believe it really but we actually nailed it in 14 1/2 days (apparently the average from JOG to LE is 16, so considering we lost half a day with repairs, we're pretty chuffed with ourselves. The final day decided to throw everything at us - big head winds, torrential rain, 1 puncture and a broken spoke, but we soldiered on regardless. The day for me started badly - I only got about 2 hours sleep and had absolutely no energy this morning. We packed up the tents and the rain started in earnest as we left Goonhavern bound for Redruth. Gandhi had spotted a cafe on the map so we headed for it fueled only by Jordan's bars (is he on family commission??), but buoyed by the thought of a full english and a hot coffee. Our hopes were soon dashed when we discovered that the cafe had been replaced by a Starbucks - not a fried piece of meat in site - so we plodded on to Redruth. Halfway there, we came across the cafe - it had obviously moved site. With joy in our hearts, we stopped, only to discover that it was closed and not open for a further 15 minutes. Rather than get cold, we decided to find somewhere in Redruth. Arriving there, we discovered that Redruth doesn't open on a Sunday. So, more Jordan bars, some warm sweaty cheese and a bread roll and on we went - for 20 yards until Gand ran over a piece of glass from a broken beer bottle kindly left in the road by a local drunk. The tyre was slightly mullered, but Darrin stepped in with an emergency tyre boot and repairs were hastily made. We climbed out of Redruth and pressed on to Camborne where, like a shimmering oasis in a a haze of rain, the M of plenty appeared - a beacon of hope in a desolate land. Cheesburgers - the cornerstone of any nutritious breakfast. And chips. And coffee. Vingoe considered going for a second burger, but then remembered his new trim figure and decided to pass. All feeling much better, we carried on in the rain and passed through Hayle, hitting the A30 to Marazion, where we left the main road and followed the coast to Penzance and Newlyn (Daddy Vingoe - not a bad place to grow up I spose). I popped a spoke in Penzance, but really couldn't give a monkey's as we only had 10 miles to go. Got back on the A30 and on to the last stretch to Lands End. Lots of steep ups and downs on this road - not what we really wanted or expected for the last 10 miles, but the rain had eased off so the going was a bit nicer. With around 2 miles to go, we got our first sight of Lands End - a real lift to the spirits. A few minutes later and we arrived. A complete contrast to JOG - there was actually life here! We pulled up by the signpost and got the obligatory photos taken, then headed for the local hotel for a couple of pints and to phone a taxi (assisted by the Receptionist Vicky, who the other boys assured me was rather lovely to behold; I, of course, didn't notice) to take my crippled bike back to our hostel in Penzance. Darrin jumped in as well whereas Super-Gand decided to ride the 10 miles back (sometimes you can go off a person). Reflections from the three of us to follow.

Day 14 Okehampton to Goonhaven. 68 miles

Saying of the day from Mr Vingoe; "Please let me see a road that doesn't look like a teenager's face"! We started the day with a steep climb out of Okehampton - never the best thing to do after a Full English - and headed cross country for Launceston on some lumpy roads. We crossed the Tamar and in to Cornwall at about 11 - hard to believe that we'd reached our last county and a somewhat pleasurable experience! Launceston appeared to be situated on a small mountain which we duly climbed and rewarded ourselves with our first pasty at the top. A quick visit to the local bike shop where we pumped up our tyres, chatted to the lovely family that owned it and signed their End to End guest book. We then climbed another mountain to leave town and then across country to Camelford on yet more crappy, bumpy roads. Decided to take the A road and stopped at a garage for a cup of coffee to ward off the rain (described by a local as mizzle - a cross between mist and drizzle). The kindly attendant asked where we were headed. When we told her that we our next town was St. Columb Major, her face darkened. "You're not staying there are you?" she said in a semi whisper. We assured her that we weren't, which judging from her reaction was obviously the right choice. We then took another Gandhi detour across some of the most narrow flodded roads we had seen before finally rolling in to Goonhavern. A quick beer and a chat to a friendly local, who was extremely impressed with our endeavours, led us to meet the local campsite owner who gave us 3 pitches for the price of one. So, our last night on the road draws to and end. Lands End tomorrow God Willing!

Day 13. Street to Okehampton. 75 miles

A wise man once said to me (and has repeated it in a comment in this blog) "When the going gets tough, pull up your knickers and keep on boxing". Today it was a mantra that we needed to live by as we entered Devon - home of the up and down hills. We left Street and had an easy first 20 miles or so, stopping for breakfast at a nice little bakery at Othery. We then cycled through Taunton - a busy little place - and headed out on the main A38, deviating from the route suggested by the Book of Love. When will we learn that we ignore the Book at our peril? The road was stupidly busy full of stupid holiday makers who were about as discourteous to cyclists as they could be. We all got pretty hacked off with this and were making slow progress, so we decided to get back on the quiet but hilly route suggested by the Book of Love. Every End to End guide or blog you read says that Devon and Cornwall is the hardest point of the journey and the hills were certainly steep. But we are now veterans of Kirkstone Pass, so getting up these little speedbumps presents a much smaller challenge. I have to say that this is another advantage of doing this in the North to South direction - one's legs are fitter to tackle the hilly terrain of the Southwest. The route skirted conveniently around Exeter to Crediton, where I had to stop at a bike shop to get yet another spoke fixed which had popped 10 miles earlier. Gandhi's charmed journey had finally ended with a puncture at about the same time, so Darrin and I pressed on to Crediton and met him there once he'd fixed it. We then headed on to Okehampton, our stop for the night, and were presented with some monster hills to end our day with. Question - why are Youth Hostels always at the top of a bloody hill?

Day 12 Newland to Street. 70 miles

Got woken several times in the night by a strong wind blowing my tiny tent around - not a good sign for the day's ride ahead! Sure enough when we got up the wind was still strong and it started to rain just as we were packing up. We got going and cycled through the beautiful Wye Valley (the view was somewhat marred by the pouring rain) heading towards Chepstow. 10 miles in we came across a lovely little Cafe within an old railway statiion in Tintern where we stopped for a fry up. Feeling decidedly better we headed in to Chepstow where the rain cleared up just as we reached the beautiful vista that is the old Severn Bridge, which we crossed on the cycle path. We then used the Gand Nav to travel along back roads and cycle paths to the nice part of Bristol, up and down some big hills to the Clifton Downs and then over the River Avon on the Clifton Bridge. We asked Gand to cycle over first to take a photo of Darrin and I as we crossed, but he managed to completely screw it up due to getting a text just as he was pressing the shutter - it was refreshing to see that even he can get things wrong occasionally! We then headed for Cheddar and decided to take a Gandhi shortcut which took us through the Mendip Hills. One or 2 tough climbs later (why do his shortcuts always involve big hills?), we reached Cheddar then headed on for Glastonbury and Street, our stop for the night. Feeling tired and filthy, I decided to stay at a pub while the others headed for the local hostel. I say local - proved to be 3 miles out of town. When they got there, they were told that there were no spare bunks, so the poor sods are camping again. Can't wait to see the little rays of sunshine tomorrow morning.....

Day 11. Church Stretton to Newland. 64 miles

We all had a pretty good day today. The sun shone and the scenery was good. We left Church Stretton and were soon being followed by 3 other cyclists who were enjoying sitting in our tow. Gandhi then nearly killed them by shedding one of his panniers on to the road after hitting a rut. After a quick stop to put everything back, we parted company with the other riders and headed in to Ludlow, a very pretty little town. Shortly after leaving, we met another End to Ender heading for JOG called Richard. He had been cycling with a partner, but she had given up after 4 days. He decided to press on. I really can't imagine doing this on my own, so good on him and good luck! We then headed in to Leominster and stopped to get some lunch where a woman started chatting to us as she had done End to End twice. She advised that we cycle the Wye Valley as it was a lovely route. We quickly adjusted the Gand Nav and headed off for Hereford which we sped through, then on to Monmouth where I promptly got a puncture. With the aid of Handy Gandhi we were quickly on our way and got to the start of the valley. Found a campsite in Newland close to a fantastic pub. A wobbly ride back to the tents followed by some oohs and aahs at the clear starlit sky finished the day on a high. Supposed to be raining tomorrow. Bugger!