Day 15. Nr Newtonmore To Inverness 63 miles.

I've been very lucky with the weather during this journey. It has most certainly contributed to my enjoyment. For the last 10 days I've been applying lotion, a record I don't think I've even managed abroad! Today was one of heat to a level of discomfort. So I'm glad there were just a few climbs.

Good progress was made towards Aviemore along safe cycle lanes and a B road. From there a well surfaced forest track in good scenery alongside the Strathspey Railway (pic 1) to Boat Of Garten. In my view more enjoyable and survivable than cycling the A9. Worth the diversion, especially in good weather. I popped into the nice station at Boat for a rest and a thoughtful station volunteer was quick to offer me nice cold water!

From here rolling back roads to Carrbridge where two options exist to Slochd Summit. Having taken the roads before, I took the 6 mile off road option (pic 2). Bloody rough and hilly! My hybrid was ok but absolutely not for road bikes! Despite walking half of it, and almost losing balance a few times, I still enjoyed it and the remote Highland scenery.

Back onto tarmac for Slochd Summit and an oh-so refreshingly breezy drop. The main road to Inverness continues straight but the cycle route uses a longer, pleasant way round. Another day that has left me feeling good about how things have been going. Fingers crossed for similar success in the Far North.

Day 15 map, stats and gradients.

Day 14. Birnam To nr Newtonmore 54 miles.

A day of changing scenery. Started off with riverside forest paths alongside the river Tay, then in the interest of safety the A9 to Pitlochry was avoided in favour of gently undulating lanes, offering superb views of the opening up scenery and mountains in the distance.

Moving on, there is a lot to be said about the Drumochter Pass. It's one of few cycle routes with a warning sign of no food or shelter for a great distance and changeable weather. The Sustrans answer to Death Valley. To me and many others no doubt such a sign is more an invitation than a heed!

The track mostly uses the old (and traffic free) A9 road close to the present one and despite the summit height is a gentle, gradual climb. I'm lucky to have now been through twice in good weather. If you're a little snap-happy like me you could end up stopping frequently, and if you're not, stop now and then anyway!

The summit itself is a squeeze of the road, railway, and line of pylons through a mountainous gap before the route drops down and you enter the highlands. At this point I felt almost sad the Pass was over as I'd looked forward to it a lot. I can safely say that in any dry weather it's worth savouring, and fails to disappoint. A great day!

Day 14 map, stats and gradients. 

Day 13. Edinburgh To Burnam 64 miles.

At first I was in two minds as to if my rest day in Edinburgh was needed. I felt I could have continued. However it's best to play safe with these things. Had the bike checked out there and it turned out one of my spokes needed replacing, despite my daily checks including the spokes. Now the odds are low but if my rear wheel gave way in the middle of Scotland I'd be truly screwed (and possibly injured). So that peace of mind alone was worth it!

Onto today and into slightly familiar cycling. Leaving Edinburgh was easy on the railpaths and the Forth Bridges soon appeared over the country landscape. I dropped into Dalmeny for a look. There is almost a masculine and feminine comparison between them, one being hefty and muscular in appearance, the other rather delicate and gracious.

Over the road bridge (on a safe, dedicated side lane) I had a real feeling of heading deeper into Scotland. The cool wind from the coast was blowing around my bare knees whilst the bridge bounced and rattled with the motion of the traffic. Fun times!

From there a blend of towns and country lanes to Perth where I took a rest by the Tay, then much the same again for the remainder. The Cairngorm Mountains are on the doorstep for tomorrow, and to get around them, the route through the Drumochter Pass.

Day 13 map, stats and gradients.

Day 12. Abington To Edinburgh 45 miles.

A short and simple day to get me to Edinburgh. This morning felt cold for the first time on the trip with a touch of ground frost. This I feel was down to the exposed location more than the forecast.

The route taken was easy going with gentle undulations and little traffic. Scenery gradually became a more colourful tone of green and a scattering of bright yellow farmland as signs of life returned.

Through Carstairs Junction and across land that was similar to a typical Pennine view, followed by a gentle descent towards Edinburgh where I took the canal into the city. A short, pleasant ride, and yet another successful day. Am I pushing my luck here, perhaps? 

Day 12 map, stats and gradients.

Day 11. Carlisle To Abington 63 miles.

Today was one of real change (as if going through the Lake District wasn't). Not long after Carlisle I crossed the border near Gretna and followed National Cycle Route 74 north.

At first relatively flat and alongside the A74M to Lockerbie, where I stopped off for a light lunch. From there I continued on NCN 74, which uses the old road replaced by the motorway alongside. This became a long gradual climb for many miles. I don't know what's wrong with me today but I found this more tiring than Kirkstone Pass for some reason!

It really is a travellers route. Little along it but the odd small settlement and motorway gritting depot. The landscape is of vast rolling hills with windswept grass, tree plantations or wind turbine power stations. This was the first time on the trip I felt alone, even with the nearby motorway and railway rushing by. Perhaps it is Scotland's way of warning a LEJoGer "You may have crossed the border, but you're not there yet".

Day 11 map, stats and gradients.

Day 10. Kendal To Carlisle via Kirkstone 60 miles.

Well, what a day. From what I've read most LEJoGers would skirt around the Lake District, say on the A6 or other roads. I decided to go through it on the Kirkstone Pass (see map for details) and have no regrets.

Being honest I found getting through here less tiring than crossing Cornwall! Though I am fitter than I was back then. More or less one big climb and a big drop (again, study map). The Kirkstone Pass Inn at the top is a welcome stop and after the oh-so rewarding descent with great views it was very gentle round through Glenridding, where I stopped for scones and tea.

Then along the gently undulating road by Ullswater with views worth stopping for, before long country lanes to Carlisle. This had been another great day and again one where I was glad to have taken my chosen route.

I'm still in high spirits after this great addition to the trip, and not too achey. In case you were wondering, the traffic really wasn't too bad!

Day 10 map, stats and gradients.

Day 9. Preston To Kendal 60 miles.

On a day like today I'd weep for those that rush a LEJoG along main roads (though each to their own) with heads down, for the sake of getting to the end and ticking a box. It was one of the best days I'd ever had on a saddle anywhere in the UK.

After a brief canal start in Preston a gloriously gentle undulation of quiet roads and cycle network route 6 towards Lancaster, darting over the M6 several times and views far across green Lancashire.

Then a diversion via Morecambe Bay by flat railpath and sea promenade. This was worth it and I'd recommend it on a nice day to any LEJoGer that isn't set on a 'dual carriageway' style trip, or any cyclist in the area. Now to Carnforth along the twisting Lancaster Canal. Like the Bay this offers great views of the Lake District far across the water, clear day permitting. To see such a thing from a canal was new and unusual.

The final miles towards Kendal passed villages and scenery almost resembling Greendale from Postman Pat, with Kendal appearing over the hill and the Lake District in view right behind it. A cracking day which has left me in high spirits!

Day 9 map, stats and gradients.

Day 8. Chester To Preston 62 miles.

Another good day, and quite interesting. Started with a wizz up the Wirral to catch the Mersey Ferry. I didn't fancy being killed in a tunnel (which have restrictions anyway) and the ferry seemed a nice thing to use.

Through and out of Liverpool on the canal was easy going and well surfaced. The bits of industrial decay made an interesting change from the greenery I'd now become so used to.

Then up to Southport along the Trans Pennine Trail 'Cheshire Lines' railpath. Having cycled this bit before I knew I'd enjoy it. A quick stop for a bite along the popular seafront there before the final push to Preston, which dragged a bit.

As for me, body is holding up very well. No sadle sores or bruises yet. A few minor cuts from brambles though! The mind has settled in a bit and I think all is ok to continue. 

Day 8 map, stats and gradients.

Day 7. Ironbridge To Chester 59 miles.

A gentle climb out of Ironbridge Gorge, where due to no signal I couldn't activate the tracking from the start. Then a nice quick descent through the bike paths north of Telford.

The intended route was to include the Shropshire Union Canal but I found this to be grassy and bumpy. So no real use. Back onto the gently undulating country roads and up into Chester.

Despite the disappointing canal sections, and a puncture on one of them, a good day with good weather. A simple day with little of interest en-route, more about getting there. Still, I'm enjoying myself nonetheless.

Day 7 map, stats and gradients.

Day 6. Tewkesbury To Ironbridge 59 miles

A fairly straight forward day. Having completed a lengthy 72 mile day previously I chose to condense this a tad by using a main road towards Worcester which wasn't too bad, despite heavy morning rain.

Then through Worcester and up towards Bewdley where I popped into the Severn Valley Railway station for a tea and look around. Then up the rather muddy Severn Way path, which looking back was not ideal for cycling at all.

Then more rolling back roads up towards Ironbridge. Good scenery to be had and a rewarding drop towards the end.

The lack of signal towards the end busted my Garmin sync connection and I'm unable to post the map and stats at the moment. But the day came to 59 miles.