My Activity Tracking
1,805
kms
My target 1800 kms
Final Stage Borgie to John O'Groats
Perfect weather for the final day!Stage 17 - Bonar Bridge to Borgie
Overcast with a slight headwind but no rain today. Left Bonar Bridge towards Lairg and past the Falls of Shin. Continued along the shore of Loch Shin and then a steady climb to the Crask Inn (Britain's most remote pub) for a cup of tea. Downhill to Loch Naver before a sharp uphill to Borgie.Stage 16 - Inverness to Bonar Bridge
Cloudy with a few short showers today. Left Inverness by crossing the Kessock Bridge. A climb over the Black Isle and to Dingwall riding alongside the Cromarty Firth. A long and steady climb over Struie Hill before descending in Bonar Bridge.Stage 15 - Loch Insh to Inverness
Sunny and warm today. Joined the Speyside Way after Aviemore and on to Carrbridge for lunch. Long gradual climb to Slochd Summit before descending to the Clava Cairns and on to Inverness.Stage 14 - Pitlochry to Loch Insh
Short climb up to Killiecrankie to see the 'Soldier's Leap' and then on to the long and steady climb over the Pass of Drumochter. Past the Ruthven Barracks on the way to Kingussie and onto Loch Insh. Finished with a swim in the River Feshie!Stage 13 - Newton to Pitlochry
Overcast with a few spots of rain today. Started by crossing the Forth Road bridge before climbing Cleish Hill (hairy cows). Descended to Bridge of Earn for lunch and then in to Perth. I then rode along the River Tay to Dunkeld House and then on to Pitlochry.Stage 12 - Leadhills to Newton
Had a major mechanical issue at the end of yesterday's stage (bottom bracket). Luckily Tim was able to drive up from Newton to bring his bike for me to ride to Lanark. Meanwhile Tim drove my bike to Lanark to get it fixed. So a lightweight road bike without panniers - hence the improved average speed!Stage 11 - Longtown to Leadhills
A very wet day. Short ride over the border into Scotland and Gretna Green. It waa then a steady climb alongside the M74 before turning off to Leadhills and the highest hotel in Scotland.Stage 10 - Penrith to Longtown
Shorter ride today with not too much climbing 😀. Left Penrith with dark clouds gathering which shortly turned to heavy rain. The route followed country to Dalston where I stopped to warm up with tea and cake. Then on to Carlise past the castle. More country lanes (and a short section of the A7) took me to Longtown on the Scottish border.Stage 9 - Borwick to Penrith
A shorter ride but some demanding climbs across Cumbria. Typical Cumbrian weather of drizzle and showers but the sun came out in the afternoon. No views to speak of as a result. Passed Brougham Castle on the way down to Penrith.Stage 8 - Altrincham to Borwick
Cloudy day to start but the sun came out in the afternoon. Worked my way through Manchester, riding along with the morning commuters. Joined the Bolton and Bury canal towpath to Bury and left the city behind. Rode through Ramsbottom and Haslingden and into Accrington where I joined the Leeds and Liverpool Canal before descending into Whalley for lunch. The afternoon took me through the Ribble Valley and the hills of the Forest of Bowland before finishing in Borwick. First puncture today but quickly fixed.Stage 7 - Bridgnorth to Altrincham
Overcast in the morning but turned sunny and warm in the afternoon. A slight headwind at times. Today was a bit of a grind. First stop Ironbridge in the morning and then headed north past Telford. Stopped for a spectacular pork pie in Market Drayton (purchased in Ironbridge) and then to Nantwich. Not much to see as the route took me along busy roads and industrial areas. The afternoon was better, riding along canals and rail trails to Altrincham.Stage 6 - Cheltenham to Bridgnorth
Beautiful weather today, clear skies and a fresh breeze. Heades north from Cheltenham and skirted around Worcester before a short stop in Droitwich Spa. Along canal paths and rail trails to Bewdley. Past the Severn Valley Heritage Railway before coming in to Bridgnorth.Stage 5 - Glastonbury to Cheltenham
A wet day today. Apart from the very steep climb up the Mendip Hills this stage was relatively flat. No views from the top, just cloud! Once past Bristol, I rode alongside the river Severn and the Gloucester and Sharpness Canal past Gloucester Cathedral and then on to Cheltenham. That's the South West section complete- rest day tomorrow.Stage 4 - Dulverton to Glastonbury
Started out in the rain this morning with a bit of a climb out of Dulverton. The sun did came out but the day was heavy rain bursts punctuated the day. After a quick stop in Taunton I joined the canal side path to Bridgewater and then on to Glastonbury. Glad to have the relentless hills of Cornwall and Devon behind me!Stage 3 - Bude to Dulverton
Perfect weather but a tough day today. Started with hills out of Bude and into Devon. Stoped for a coffee in Sheepwash before joining the Tarka Trail. 50kms of rail trail along the Torridge and Taw rivers. Quick stop in Barnstaple before tackling the climb to Exmoor. The way down was much more enjoyable! Finished in beautiful Dulverton.Stage 2 - Newquay to Bude
The sun was shining today with a fresh breeze from the west. Hard climbs out of Newquay to Padstow so had a cream tea to reward myself. The next section was the camel trail following the river through woodlands to Bodmin. I then climbed up to Bodmin moor before heading down to Bude. The legs are feeling it!Stage 1 - Lands End to Newquay
After the obligatory signpost photo I headed off in my journey to John O'Groats. The weather was overcast, windy (luckily in the right direction!), with the odd shower. First stop was Mousehole and onto Penzance and Hayle where I stopped for a pasty. The route took me through Camborne and Redruth before taking me through the Wheal Maid Valley passing the old mine workings before dropping into Truro. A few climbs out of Truro took me into Newquay and the sea. The end of Day 1.More about the ride
I'm taking a challenge for clean water, decent toilets and good hygiene!
For millions of people around the world, clean water, decent toilets and good hygiene are still not a normal part of daily life. I believe that everybody on earth deserves to have access to these basic rights, and that together we can help achieve this. WaterAid will get clean water, decent toilets and good hygiene to everyone, everywhere within a generation. This vision inspires me, and I hope it inspires you too. Please donate to my fundraising page to contribute to WaterAid's amazing work. Together we make a lasting difference.
I'll be riding approximately 1800 kms over three weeks. If I could raise a $ for each km that would add to the sense of achievement!
Thank you to my Sponsors
$250
Colin Mcdonnell
$188
Alison Peach
Good luck Uncle Ben can’t wait to see you on the way love Edward and Flo xxx
$106.12
Lawry Playle
Watch out for the potholes Ben. 😁😁😁
$106.12
Michael Duce
Ben - awesome trip and looking forward to the adventure details
$106.12
Lynette Jarvis
May the wind be behind you and happy hostelries in front. Very proud of you Mum.
$106.12
Richard And Carol Jones
Good luck with your journey,
$106.12
Matthew, Susi, Tom And William
Good luck Ben, a great challenge and a vital cause.
$106.12
Sophie Beesley
Go Ben!
$100
Ross Bennett
Clifftop to seashore - must be downhill all the way!
$100
Edward Symonds
Good luck mate! Top effort!
$100
Nick Priday
Good luck Jarv! Hope you have a cushion each evening!
$100
David Taylor
Hats off to you Ben - a monstrous challenge that I’m sure you will overcome and such a great charity to raise money for
$75
David Hall
Hi Ben Give me a wave if you're passing Halesowen!! David
$54.84
Aquavoda
Well done Ben!
$54.84
Denise And Stuart Clague
$54.84
Andrew
Onya Ben, water is key!
$54.84
Alan Twigg
$54.84
Nicola Playle
Good luck - see you in John o’groats 😘
$54.84
Christine Playle
Have a safe cycling journey, Ben. Looking forward to seeing you when you arrive at my house. You’ll be just over a third of the way to John O’Groats.
$54.84
Lizzie, Ella & Frank
Go Ben!
$50
Aidan
💪🚲💧good luck Ben!
$44.71
Catherine Nadel
Go Ben! Enjoy the peace and quiet and I hope it's not too painful!
$43.60
Ben Jarvis
$39.32
Margaret Henstock
Good luck, Ben. I hope the rest will ride goes well.
$23.50
Ralph
$20
It would still be a massive effort on a motorbike!