15 May 2008 - 43.3 miles ridden in 4hr 33 mins
Cumulative - 648.4 miles ridden in 59hr 29mins
Arrived at the tip of Ardnamurchan at 4.50pm. The ride has been a memorable experience in all senses of the word. By strange coincidence I completed the Land's End - John o'Groats ride on the same day four years ago. As with all great rides this one had a kick in the tail. The Ardnamurchan peninsula, which is spectacularly beautiful has many switchback hills - some long and some very steep. My faithful Falcon Cotswold (FC) complete with its 21 gears took them all in its stride. For this I thank Andy, Matt and Steve at Langsett Cycles in Sheffield who put a new gear block on FC a few weeks ago. The bottom gear came into play quite a bit. A few thank you's are due. To Rachel for providing the backup service yet again, To Mike Cheadle for updating the website each day, to friends sending me text messages of encouragement and sponsorship. Winners of the distance and time estimate will be notified. 
Trivia of the day
On this day, The Royal Opera House opened in 1858. |
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14 May 2008 - 45.9 miles ridden in 4hr 27mins
Cumulative - 603.1 miles ridden in 54hr 56mins
Another great day - intoxicating (the adjectives become stronger!) scenery on the ride from Tyndrum, through Bridge of Orchy, up to the highest point on Rannoch Moor with a few more Munros and lochs thrown in for good measure. Then into Glencoe - my first time there. Blue skies, but no Campbells around- probably gone to Manchester to watch the Rangers in the UEFA Cup Final! Late afternoon crossing to Ardnamurchan on the Corran Ferry.
Trivia of the day
On this day, Eric Morecambe was born in 1926 – same year as the Queen!. |
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13 May 2008 - 66.2 miles ridden in 6hr 4 mins
Cumulative - 557.2 miles ridden in 50hr 29mins
Scotland at its most stunning today. Perfect weather after a chilly start. Started south of Stirling and cycled out west after passing the impressive Stirling Castle. Through Doune and Callander by the beautiful Loch Lubnaig. On through Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park to Lochearnhead and Crianlarich. Into Munro country - I have seen five, with conical Ben More the highest. In Tydrum now - Glencoe tomorrow.
Trivia of the day
On this day, Oliver Cromwell defeated the Royalists at Grantham 1643. I wonder which side Maggie Thatcher’s forbears were on!. |
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12 May 2008 - 0.0 miles ridden in 0hr 0mins
Cumulative - 491.0 miles ridden in 44hr 25mins
Today was a rest day for John.
Trivia of the day
On this day, Florence Nightingale was born in 1820. |
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11 May 2008 - 45.6 miles ridden in 4hr 53 mins
Cumulative - 491.0 miles ridden in 44hr 25mins
11 consecutive days on the road - rest day tomorrow! In Castle Cary, just south of Stirling. Least pleasant day's cycling, due to strong headwinds and to the nature of the terrain - through the now defunct mining area of South Lankarkshire. Saw Scotland's highest and probably largest wind farm - 50+ pylons. Within a mile at one point of Cumbernauld where we send our tax money each year!
Trivia of the day
On this day, Edgar crowned King of all England 973. |
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10 May 2008 - 47.6 miles ridden in 4hr 25mins
Cumulative - 445.4 miles ridden in 39hr 32mins
An exhilarating start! The border to Jedburgh - 10 miles in 35 mins! More sedate after that through Newton St. Boswells, Melrose and Galashiels. One hour's thunder and rain in Galashiels before commencing 2 hour ride to Peebles. Majestic scenery alongside the Tweed with the gorse as bright as ever.
Trivia of the day
On this day, Ernest Shackleton and companions reached South Georgia in open boat 1916. |
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9 May 2008 - 44.5 miles ridden in 4hr 2 mins
Cumulative - 397.8 miles ridden in 35hr 7mins
John has now reached the Scottish border at 5pm. Easier terrain than yesterday. Road works on A696 to Otterburn - I was allowed through but no other traffic was allowed on the road - 8 miles of blissful riding! The weather continues to be fine!.
Trivia of the day
On this day, Thomas Blood was caught stealing Crown Jewels in 1671. |
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8 May 2008 - 39.2 miles ridden in 4hr 35 mins
Cumulative - 353.3 miles ridden in 31hr 5mins
An amazing, unforgettable day. Up hill and down dale a few times. Big, serious hills with Crawleysidet climb out of Stanhope very demanding and very steep. Lunch break on Stanhope station (Wearside Railway) with longstanding school friend and railway enthusiast, George McDonald. Early evening ride through Southern Northumberland's stunning majestic scenery.
Trivia of the day
On this day, Australian Rules Football is created in 1866. |
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7 May 2008 - 40.5 miles ridden in 3hr 50mins
Cumulative - 314.1 miles ridden in 26hr 30mins
Today was Johns stiffest day yet with some big steep hills. First stop Bedale and a refreshment stop with the two Brian's, Hall and Ellis. The switchback ride to Richmond via Scotten and Catterick was like being on a big dipper! The weather was A1 again. A few more stiff hills before he finished at an unusual walled Edward VII letter box just in Co. Durham - third spotted so far.
Trivia of the day
On this day, the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane opened in London 1663 |
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6 May 2008 - 34.8 miles ridden in 3hr 13mins
Cumulative - 273 miles ridden in 22hr 42mins
A shorter ride today but John is now into the hills. Stunning open scenery - England gets better the further north one goes. Have taken in Wetherby, Knaresborough and Ripon, with its magnificent cathedral and crossed a few of Yorkshire's famous rivers - Wharfe, Nidd and Ure. More hills expected tomorrow as we reach Co. Durham (the land of the Prince Bishops).
Trivia of the day
On this day, Nelson was appointed c in c 1801, Roger Bannister ran the mile in 3m 59.4sec in 1954 and it is also our wedding anniversary today!! |
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5 May 2008 - 46.7 miles ridden in 4hr 15mins
Cumulative - 238.8 miles ridden in 19hr 29mins
Left Epworth passing through Goole, past Drax Power Station to Selby where we picked up a beautiful B road to Cawood and on to Tadcaster.
Trivia of the day
On this day, First British Satellite, Ariel 3 was launched from US 1967 |
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4 May 2008 - 55.1 miles ridden in 4hr 5mins
Cumulative - 192.1 miles ridden in 15hr 14mins
Arrived in Epworth (where Methodism evolved under the Wesley's), just after 6pm. An overcast day, good riding conditions. Enjoyed having the company of Claire & Roy along for the ride. Generous Graham at Wesley Guest House gave us free accommodation & said that the money could go to the Sheffield Family Holiday Fund.
Trivia of the day
On this day, Mr Rolls and Mr Royce agree to form Rolls Royce 1904 |
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3 May 2008 - 62.1 miles ridden in 4hr 40mins
Cumulative - 137 miles ridden in 11hr 9mins
Arrived in Heckington, Lincs in the early evening. A perfect days ride as John and Rachel's daughter and partner, Claire and Roy joined them and will be with them for the next two legs. They passed through big fenlands scenery with vast open fields of yellow oil seed rape etc. They brief visited Spalding flower festival which added to the days entertainment. Much fun had by all!
Trivia of the day
On this day, Margaret Thatcher became Britain’s first women Prime Minister in 1979 |
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2 May 2008 - 74.9 miles ridden in 6hr 29mins
On the evening of May 2nd John arrived in Downham Market a very wet man! He started off in good sunny weather, but had some strong headwinds to contend with until the heavens opened with a vengeance for the last half hour. The whole trip was interesting traveling through the wonderful open fields of East Anglia with its big skies.
Trivia of the day
On this day skier, Harry Egger, recorded a speed of 248km/h, Les Arcs 1999 |
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1 May 2008
John is setting off to Lowestoft today, ready to start his East to West ride tomorrow (2nd May). You can keep track of his progress day by day, by visiting this website which will be keeping a running journal of events throughout the ride. To see a map of the area that John will be riding though, look out for the globe icon and click on it.
Trivia of the day
On this day in 1851 Her Royal Majesty Queen Victoria officially opened The Exhibition of Industry of All Nations, now better known as the Great Exhibition. |
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26 March 2008 - East to West Ride
On 2nd May 2008 John Hopkins will be starting his ride from the most easterly point of the British mainland, Ness Point, Lowestoft to the most westerly, the tip of the Ardnamurchan Peninsula which juts out just north of the Isle of Mull on the west coast of Scotland. The ride is scheduled to finish on 15th May.
The two charities for whom he is raising sponsorship money are the Sheffield Family Holiday Fund (SFHF) and Water Aid. One in three Sheffield families will not have a holiday this year. SFHF raises funds to send disadvantaged Sheffield area families on holiday each year.
Contaminated water is the biggest killer in the world with a child dying from it every 15 seconds. Water Aid is the UK’s only major charity dedicated exclusively to the provision of safe domestic water, sanitation and hygiene education to the world’s poorest people. It raises money to fund projects in some 15 countries in Africa and Asia.
The website will be updated daily with relevant news and details of the distance ridden and time taken. |
