Jogle Day 2 - Inverness to Crianlarich via Glen Coe

Inverness to Crianlarich via Glen Coe

116 miles 6000ft climbing 9.2 hrs .

Blog to complete when I get back ;) 

Jogle Day 1 - Every Journey Has a Start

After a canny sleep at some dreadful hotel at John O'Groats I set off about 7:20. First things first though . Photo time . I headed down towards the coast to get a starting photo at JOG. It was early and there was not a soul in site. The sign post was there but the arms were missing. Great start . Never mind I'll photo shop a few in on my return.

The Famous John O'Groats Sign 

I found another (free) one. Bingo.

A quick photo then I was off. I pressed on and soon was climbing steadily leaving John O'Grim in the distance. The rain was coming down heavier and I pulled over to set up my lights. Safety first. Glasses were now off as I couldn't see with all the spray and visibility was reduced to about 60 metres 

I pushed on eating an energy gel every hour and a drink of water every 20 mins. The route hugs the coastline and would be spectacular on a clear, calm day.

The best views are reserved for the cows

 I dropped down through a few steep hairpin bends and rounded the last bend to be met by a wall of Tarmac reaching into the sky. The Garmin had it at 13% but felt much steeper on a loaded bike. 

The first pit stop was just after 50 miles and was much needed. A quick soup and scone and I was off again. 

Telford Bridge over the River Helmsdale

Timespan’s River Café

Nice cafe riverside setting. Miserable staff though :(

70 miles to go I thought. The rain eased and I made steady progress towards Inverness. Same fueling and water intervals got me to about 30 miles to go when I had to stop to replenish my water and thought a cheeky snickers would give me a boost. The rain had now stopped but the head wind was getting stronger. At some points I crawled along at 8-9 mph! Heading down towards Ross and Cromarty I made good progress with a slight tail wind. I hit about 26 mph and was cruising along nicely, until I rounded the coastline and bam- a full on headwind which didn't ease until i reached Beauly. 

My good friend Will, who was fishing about 2 hrs away planned to meet me at the B & B. He was there with a bottle of champagne, party whistles and some silly string . It was a great welcome. He also bought my dinner. Thanks Will, much appreciated. 

First thing was to open the goodie box that I'd posted and start my recovery. Contained in the boxes are energy gels, porridge, vit tablets, travel wash, chamois cream, recovery drink and pressie from Mrs C.

Recovery tights on and legs up to aid healing 

Surprise from Mrs C x

Comedy key to bike storage

B&B - Chrialdon House Beauly

Haggis, neeps 'n tatties #standard recovery fuel

Day 1 DONE

Time 9.5 hrs

Miles 118

Average Speed 12.5 mph

Calories 4000

Road Kill 4

Flies in mouth 0

Bottles of urine discarded by drivers 3

Grin Rating 6

Garmin Route Data John O'Groats to Beauly Day 1 

The Journey North in Pictures

A long day on the train ahead. 

At Newcastle Central Station

 Strap on . Ready to rock. 

Lunch time in Inverness

 Another train. Another strap on. 

 End of the line

Slight detour on way to John O'Groats. I might as well go to the most northerly point when I'm up here!

View from Dunnet Head 

Orkney Scallops. £7 bargain 

 

I've spent the last few hours checking and double checking that I've everything I need for the Jogle.  The bike is packed and ready to roll.   My bike is also back into tip top condition after a donated 'Deluxe Service' by the very kind Dave Cooksey of Cycle Repair Shed.  As a mobile service he will collect & return your cycle once serviced. Check them out.


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Jogle Kit List

• Shorts
• Tops
• Leg warmers
• Arm Warmers
• Socks
• Cycling shoes
• 2-3 hour supply of food in pockets
• Gloves
• Helmet
• Chest strap for heart rate monitor
• Garmin 800 GPS

  
Bike 

• Lynskey Cooper CX

   

Bike Bag

• Tyre levers
• Multi tool
• Inner tubes x2
• Zip ties
• Chain lube
• Stuff sack
• Latex Gloves
• Net bag
• First aid kit
• Travel Wash
• Wet wipes/antiseptic wipes
• Chamois cream)
• Toiletries (deo, shampoo/bodywash, toothpaste, toothbrush)
• Mobile phone
• Chargers (phone, sat nav.)
• Lock
• Route – paper + GPS
• Camera
• Sunglasses
• Shorts (spare)
• Top (spare)
• Socks (spare)
• Wind stop/rain top
• Gillet
• Trainers
• Long Sleeve top – base layer
• Montane Shorts
• Spare food and energy gels for the day
• Bank cards & money

Charity PR push

I would like to thank Kari and her team at OPR PR Agency for the free media coverage received for my Geordie Jogle. The extra PR gained has swelled the donation pot a canny bit.

Sky News recently featured the challenge here
Chronicle Live feature here
Gardenforum feature here

Ponteland Online feature here

PR photo

Goodie Boxes

The boxes of goodies are now packed and ready to send throughout the country. I just hope the first one gets there before I do! 

Contained in the boxes are energy gels, porridge, vit tablets, travel wash, chamois cream, recovery drink and a birthday card and pressie from Mrs C.