Day 13 - Shrewsbury to Worcester - 23rd May 2024

Commentary by Ingrid Chadwick:

"Our first day of cycling in the cold. Long pants, beanies and snoodies came out, and the ride to Worcestershire began. All in all the day provided undulating roads through the countryside, with some pretty offroad track between the Severn River and the rail track.

A slight detour from the original plan was made, to go via Iron Bridge, an icon of the Industrial Revolution, and the first Iron bridge to be built in the world.

In Bridgnorth, the men went to look at the old steam train, while the girls found a coffee shop in the pretty little town."

Day 14 - Worcester to Almondsbury - 24th May 2024

Plenty of interesting sights to see on the Worcester to Almondsbury ride, from the beautiful rolling Malvern hills to the widening Severn Estuary and everything inbetween, including beautiful tall ships in Gloucester Quay.

A quick coffee stop in Frampton featured the longest green in England at 22 acres.

The team and the bikes holding well as they venture further south.

Day 15 - Almondsbury to Taunton - 25th May 2024

Day 16 - Taunton to East Dart Inn - 26th May 2024

Commentary by Ingrid Chadwick:

"We left the flatlands of Taunton with its canals and pastures, cycling through into Exeter, where we briefly joined the Great Western Marathon, and experienced the friendly inhabitants clapping and cheerily encouraging us unintentionally amongst the runners. A long climb followed up and out of Exeter, through woodlands. Downhills were followed by uphills in steep and repetitive pattern. We crossed into the moorlands of Dartmoor, and through craggy landscapes. We stopped for coffee in the quaint village of Moretonhampstead, and looked at the dark clouds gathering overhead. As we traversed the rugged landscape again, a series of squals of freezing rain showered on us. It was a tough cycle through the cold, wet and windy landscape. A feeling of freedom in the expanse of heather and gorse, dotted by many sheep, with dark clouds overhead, made the ride exhilarating.

We arrived at the Dart East Inn, drenched and frozen. How nice it was to enter an old English pub, with a roaring warm fire. After a hot shower, we settled in the pub for a long and delicious meal."

Day 18 - Penhale to Lands End - 28th May 2024

Commentary by Ingrid Chadwick:

Bad weather was predicted for our last day, and most of us dressed up warmly, using our water-proof pants for the first time, and zipping up our wind proof jackets as high as they could go.

With mist swirling around we left the Premier Inn in Penhale, and were soon labouring up some steep hills. In mist, drizzle and rain, through hills, forests and farmlands we persevered. After a difficult morning riding, with a puncture and some other technical mishaps, we were extremely happy to see Richard and Sue in their large Camper Van, with the awning up, and warm quiches and Cornish pasties laid out on the table. Hot cups of tea did their rounds, before we set off again. The rain started lifting, but the wind was blowing hard. We got to a relatively flat section, which took us down to the sandy shore line of Marazion beach with lovely views of Mt Michael. The only people enjoying the strong south westerly gale were the wind and kite surfers having fun in the sea. We seemed to rapidly eat up the kilometers as we cycled along the flat foreshore, until we got to Penzance and upwards along the coastline to the picture-perfect fishing village of Mousehole, with its narrow twisting streets and stacked cottages. A very steep hill followed, impossible to pedal up, we had to push our bicycles up and up. More steep gradients followed, up and down and along flowering hedge banks.

About 10km from Lands End, we regrouped, with Victor parking the backup van and jumping on a spare bicycle. Along with the road cyclists, we cycled together for the last few kilometers, with fabulous views and a triumphant entry into Lands End. Champagne awaited us, as our supporters cheered our arrival.

We could not believe that we had done it, cycled all the way from John o Groats to Lands End, and having an incredible amount of fun all the way.