Well, this is it! Tomorrow afternoon I catch the train to Dover so that I'm ready to start my ride first thing on Saturday morning.

I'm setting up this thread now and will post my progress here hopefully daily depending on availability of signal, etc. I also know that there will be some evenings when I'll simply be too tired to do much else other than eat and fall asleep (preferably not at the same time).

Wishing you all the very, very best Ron. Looking forward to hearing of your progress. Hope the weather is on your side, the wind is blowing your way and saddle is 'comfy'!!

All the best for your trip - have told my husband to look out for you in Scotland as he's off to bag a few Munroes this weekend ! Hmm maybe I'm getting abit ahead for you there - you've got England to get through first !

Hope the weather's good to you

Hi Ron

Let me join the other Ab Fabbers in wishing you all the best on this mammoth journey.

I'll be watching your progress and keeping my fingers crossed for you.

I hope you have sunshine, no punctures, low pollution and a safe and happy trip.

Barbara

Have a safe journey.

I look forward to reading of your progress

Day 0 - Friday
Well, this is it. I'm writing this on the train to Dover, the first time I've really been able to stop and think for a while this week.

I know I've done some long distances in training and none of the days ahead of me should be anything like as tough and certainly not as long as some of my recent rides, but there's still something slightly daunting and awe-inspiring about a 1,000-mile ride, even if I do try to think about it as a series of much shorter rides and forget about the total distance.

In a way, having done this sort of thing before, I know what to expect, but that's a double-edged sword!

At the moment I've a curious feeling of being in limbo and I'll be glad to get going tomorrow. On the other hand, with all the weight on my bike I'm not hugely looking forward to the first hill. That, of course, is the one out of Dover!

The other strange thing is the anticipation of the solitude to come, which will be in stark contrast to the last few days, days that have seen some marvellous support being offered by so many friends, colleagues and other well-wishers, including all the lovely people on here. I'm sure the thought of that will help to power me up the hills. Now all I need is good weather.

We're arriving in Dover soon, so I'll end my contemplation here. Tomorrow I'd like to head up to the South Foreland, which is probably the closest thing there is to a southeasternmost point of England, it's lighthouse being a counterpoint to that at Cape Wrath. but it does involve another (substantial) climb. I'll see how I feel. More news on that tomorrow.

Day 1 - Saturday: Dover to London (via the South Foreland lighthouse)

Thank goodness that's over. It was an extremely exhausting day, of which more anon.

A good night last night in a very nice, if pricey, B&B with its own excellent bistro, so I didn't even have to go out.. Many of the other guests were cross-Channel swimmers in training. Now there's a thought for my next challenge!

For a change I got to bed really early - every other night this week has been after 1am - only to wake up at 3am, 4am, and 5am. But not 6am when I'd decided I might as well get up.

And when I did get up, I managed to pull a muscle in my back, which may not be very helpful.

After breakfast I decided to go to the South Foreland lighthouse but leaving my panniers at the guest house. Just as well, because the hill - which started right outside the door - was a real struggle. It was also a lot further than I thought - a 12-mile round trip including a couple of miles of rough track, so it was after 10 when I got back to Dover and some friends were going to be waiting for me near Faversham at 11.30.

The climb out of Dover wasn’t quite as bad as I expected but it was slow going, so when I got onto the A2 and built up a bit of speed I decided to stick with it instead of venturing off onto country lanes. That saved a bit of the lost time, but I managed to lose some of it again by letting rip on a steep hill and going straight past my turning!

As far as rides go, this wasn’t one of my best. Too much main road, far too much urban road, and far, far too many traffic lights made it an utter chore. 90 miles, mostly following the old Dover Road. This was the Roman Watling Street and, as we all know from our history lessons, the Romans paid no heed to hills and simply ran their roads in a straight line regardless. So it was very hard work. The final kick in the teeth was south-east London’s Shooters Hill, which I had completely forgotten about (I thought my route avoided it) and which was most unwelcome, although the view from the top over the whole of central London is quite spectacular. However, I am definitely overloaded, as anyone who knows my cycling habits will fully expect.

Fortunately the weather was very good, sunnier than expected and, apart from first thing, warmer. A tad less breeze would have been appreciated though. At Dartford it tried to rain but nothing much came of it.

Towards the end of today’s ride I passed the south end of Tower Bridge. Tonight I am back at home in my own bed - hardly worth paying London accommodation prices when the train home only takes 25 minutes - and tomorrow I will take the train back up to London and resume from Tower Bridge. In the meantime I'll take the opportunity to have another look at my luggage and abandon anything that I really do not need.

So, tomorrow I am heading for Ramsey in Cambridgeshire, not far from Peterborough, supposedly 71 miles. The first part is through London suburbs but hopefully on a Sunday morning it won’t be too bad. Am I being too optimistic? Find out in tomorrow’s update.

Night all.

Seems like cheating somehow

Well done on the first day, and good luck for tomorrow

I know what you mean. That's why I took everything with me yesterday instead of travelling light and picking it up tomorrow. I'm purely treating home as a B&B (only I have to do the cooking!).

The second day over. I arrived in Ramsey, not too far from Peterborough,at about 6:30, and not a moment too soon.

The weather today has been mostly cloudy with a stiff breeze. The sun broke through from time to time but otherwise it was quite chill.

The day didn't start too well. I was up very late last night, what with one thing and another. So, when the alarm went off at 6, I didn't! When I finally came round it was eight o'clock, the time I was supposed to be leaving.

I eventually caught a train just after 10, and got back to Tower Bridge about 11.

The journey out of London was tiresome in the extreme - continual stop-start.. I used the Old North Road, running from London's Bishopsgate through Shoreditch, Stoke Newington, Stamford Hill, Tottenham, and Edmonton. Don't I get to ride through some lovely places!

Fortunately, things imroved vastly as the London area slipped behind. Ware is a very pleasant town - fortunately the clouds parted for a while when I stopped for lunch.

From Ware I stayed on a part of the old A10 which has now been bypassed and is blissfully quiet, but rather than rejoin the main road I branched off on a country road through Barkway to get to Royston.

From Royston it was back on Ermine Street, here the A1198 to Huntingdon, for a few miles until I turned off through St Ives, a lovely place I've never been to before.

This evening I rode the couple of miles into Ramsey to get a meal. Unfortunately all the pubs had stopped doing food - this was well before eight! - so it was a Chinese.

The ride is now reaching its most dispiriting phase. You know you're putting in a lot of effort but you don't feel that you're really making progress. The slow grind through London makes it even worse. Hopefully that feeling will lift as I get further north.

Tomorrow is a fairly flat run across the Fens to Lincoln. I just hope it won't be into the wind!

What an epic journey Ron! May the wind be behind you as much as possible! Am thinking of you today, as we are nursing sore muscles from the Moonwalk. Am delighted to say that all Ab Fabbers completed their half or full marathons! It was an awesome event and although I hurt today, will definitely be doing it next year,

I thought you might like this bit of news to help you feel as if you're not too iscolated. Good luck with the rest of the challenge.

Sue x

Not a bad day today, just beginning to feel the effects of three days of cycling nigh on 250 miles. Stiff legs, aching neck, various tenderish bits. But one of those days when you think you should have aimed for a lot more - until you remember that, when you're cycling across the Fens against the wind, 50 miles can seem like a very long way.

Low point of the day: a young child, supposedly under the control of its mother, ran across the road right in front of me on the run into Lincoln, a collision avoided by only a foot or so. Fortunately I didn't do the obvious thing and hit the brakes, otherwise I'd have hit him, but instead I put the power on and just got through in front of him. And it wasn't as if I was invisible as my packs had their bright yellow covers on and me my yellow waterproof jacket.

By the time I was ready to leave the sun had begun to break through the clouds and it was set for a glorious morning. Smoke from some distant brickworks chimneys rising straight into the sky promised a wind-free ride.

I approached Whittlesey with trepidation, this being the place where, during my last meanderings in these parts, a little old lady tried to take me out by driving straight out of a car park in front of me. But there was no sign of her this morning.

Given the paucity of facilities in this region, I thought about stopping there for a coffee but it seemed wrong to do so after only 10 miles, so I pressed on. Whuch was lucky because there was a superb tea shop 10 miles further on in the lovely village of Crowland.

I probably shouldn't say this, being one quarter Fenlander by blood, but the Fens are supremely boring. The landscape isn't particularly inspiring and you can see for miles. One road I travelled this afternoon ran straight for over 5 miles! From last night's B&B you could see a 'nearby' wind farm. I finally passed it after 8 miles of cycling this morning.

People think that cycling across the flat Fens must be easy. It isn't, because you don't get a break from pedalling. I was amused, though, when climbing a rare and very slight incline, to see at the top a sign proclaiming Hill Farm!

I should, at some stage in writing this journal, do my William Cobbett Rural Rides bit and comment on both the state of agriculture and on the waste of public finances.

On the former, there seem to be far fewer yelllow fields of rape this year. The high price of wheat must have encouraged farmers to revert to the more traditional crop. On the latter, just after crossing into Lincolnshire on a very minor lane, I passed a group of roadworkers busy removing catseyes from the road. Now maybe they are no longer needed but couldn't they be left until the road was due for resurfacing.

After a short damp spell afrer lunch the day ended with more sunshine, and a slightly more varied landscape, even if the roads were rather busier as I approached Lincoln.

78 miles today, 248 so far.

Not a bad day today, just beginning to feel the effects of three days of cycling nigh on 250 miles. Stiff legs, aching neck, various tenderish bits. But one of those days when you think you should have aimed for a lot more - until you remember that, when you're cycling across the Fens against the wind, 50 miles can seem like a very long way.

Low point of the day: a young child, supposedly under the control of its mother, ran across the road right in front of me on the run into Lincoln, a collision avoided by only a foot or so. Fortunately I didn't do the obvious thing and hit the brakes, otherwise I'd have hit him, but instead I put the power on and just got through in front of him. And it wasn't as if I was invisible as my packs had their bright yellow covers on and me my yellow waterproof jacket.

By the time I was ready to leave the sun had begun to break through the clouds and it was set for a glorious morning. Smoke from some distant brickworks chimneys rising straight into the sky promised a wind-free ride.

I approached Whittlesey with trepidation, this being the place where, during my last meanderings in these parts, a little old lady tried to take me out by driving straight out of a car park in front of me. But there was no sign of her this morning.

Given the paucity of facilities in this region, I thought about stopping there for a coffee but it seemed wrong to do so after only 10 miles, so I pressed on. Whuch was lucky because there was a superb tea shop 10 miles further on in the lovely village of Crowland.

I probably shouldn't say this, being one quarter Fenlander by blood, but the Fens are supremely boring. The landscape isn't particularly inspiring and you can see for miles. One road I travelled this afternoon ran straight for over 5 miles! From last night's B&B you could see a 'nearby' wind farm. I finally passed it after 8 miles of cycling this morning.

People think that cycling across the flat Fens must be easy. It isn't, because you don't get a break from pedalling. I was amused, though, when climbing a rare and very slight incline, to see at the top a sign proclaiming Hill Farm!

I should, at some stage in writing this journal, do my William Cobbett Rural Rides bit and comment on both the state of agriculture and on the waste of public finances.

On the former, there seem to be far fewer yelllow fields of rape this year. The high price of wheat must have encouraged farmers to revert to the more traditional crop. On the latter, just after crossing into Lincolnshire on a very minor lane, I passed a group of roadworkers busy removing catseyes from the road. Now maybe they are no longer needed but couldn't they be left until the road was due for resurfacing.

After a short damp spell afrer lunch the day ended with more sunshine, and a slightly more varied landscape, even if the roads were rather busier as I approached Lincoln.

78 miles today, 248 so far.

Sounds like a good day apart from the near miss - so good you posted it twice

All the best for tomorrow (well today now)

Sounds like you are doing really well Ron! Am enjoying hearing your news. Keep up the good work!

Good luck Ron.

I'm really enjoying reading your posts. I hope you make this into a book as I love reading travel books - eg Ireland with a Fridge, McCarthy's Bar, Bill Bryson's books, to name a few...

Look forward to reading how today went. We have spotted many cyclists today and thought of you!!

sorry about last night's double post. Technology problems; it kept saying post had failed.

Day 4: Well, here I am at York, on schedule, ensconced in the youth hostel, washed snd brushed up, fed, being watered, and my dirty kit in the washing machine.

Today began as one of those days when you understand what cycling was designed for. A bright sunny day with only high wisps of cloud. A gentle breeze from the south west, putting it behind me for much of the day.

I passed through the centre of Lincoln, after tusslingi briefly with the rush hour traffic and heaving my bike up the aptly-named Steep Hill, the touristy part of the city being deserted at that time of the morning..

I headed north out of the city along a ridge giving superb views over the surrounding country, before dropping down to cross the wide expanse of the Trent valley. After passing through countless little villages with not even a pub or a shop, I began to despair of finding anywhere to have a 25-mile coffee break, but then I suddenly spotted a tiny café beside a fishing lake.

The whole ride was so quiet I thought everyone had gone on holiday. Only the occasional main road crossing my path brought reality intruding into my idyll.

From the coffee stop I passed through the beautiful Laughton Forest, with only birdsong for company. Then it was down to the banks of the Trent, not that you'd know it was there, hidden behind its floodbanks.

There are few bridges over the Trent (and all the old ferries are now just memories in local placenames) so I had to head up to the impressive but unlovely King George V bridge at Keadby to get across.

After that some A-roads were unavoidable but, to be honest, they were quieter than many of the B-roads I've used in the past few days. At one point I diverted off onto a tiny unsigned lane running parallel, but in a different world, to the main road.

I'd planned to stop for lunch after 35 miles or so but nowhere suitable suggested itself, so by the time I did stop I'd covered 50 miles. It was one of those days when the miles just slipped away beneath my wheels.

The weather deteriorated as the afternoon came on, and the countryside more mixed as I headed for Selby (which was a big disappointment) but after that I joined the cycle path on the old Selby to York railway line, which was extremely pleasant, if slightly slower than the road. I finally arrived in York a tad after 5.

80.7 miles today, and 329 in total. That's roughly one third of the way.

So, today was good but the weather was kind and the landscape friendly. At last I feel as if I'm getting somewhere but it's also begun to hurt. Tomorrow's going to be interesting with bad weather forecast but a decent tailwind in prospect. The countryside will be a lot tougher though.

Those of you who are really paying attention may also have noticed that my daily mileages are turning out a bit higher than planned, so tomorrow's planned 83 miles could be very interesting. More news tomorrow night.

Sounds wonderful Ron, makes me realise how little of the country I've actually seen

Good luck tomorrow

Well done Ron! you're heading towards Northumberland now! I hope you enjoy it! My husband's family come from the Wooler area! It's beautiful country round here.

What are you saying ?! We're all paying attention !

Hope your 83 miles is that and no more. Good luck tomorrow. Enjoying reading your updates,

I've just read days 1 thru 4 Ron. You make it all sound very charming but I guess that's because I'm sitting on a comfortable seat away from inclement weather. The whole journey is admirable and a joy for us to read back. Good luck with what's to come.

Am thoroughly enjoying reading the instalments Ron. I woke up this morning to torrential rain so thought of you and hoped it wasn't so bad in the east side of the country. It's hard to believe how high up the country you already are.

I was talking to someone today that is doing the cycle ride across northern Spain to the pilgrimage centre - can't remember name but there's a forum on it somewhere.

Look forward to reading how today went and pray for good weather with the wind behind you.

A short report tonight. It's been a long day and I've been out with a niece and nephew (and his fiancé) this evening.

When I went down to breakfast this morning it was raining but it had cleared by the time I set off. Indeed, I thought the forecasters had got it entirely wrong as the sun came out.

After a brief spell on the A19 I turned off through the lanes heading slightly west to miss the N Yorkshire Moors. As a long distance cyclist you can't object to hills but you don't have to go out of your way to find them!

The rain started about 10 o'clock and went on for about an hour. It started again while I was in Northallerton having coffee. In between it was pleasant sunshine.

Northallerton was a disappointment. I''d expected something more All Creatures Great and Small. Instead it's very bland.

I thought about taking the slightly more direct A167 towards Darlington but changed my mind when I saw the traffic queuing for it. I was glad I did, it was a delightful ride.

The rain started again as I neared Sedgefield and never really lifted after that. The only thing we didn't get was the promised fierce tailwind to blow me along. Where did it go?

The final part of the ride towards Sunderland was along some old railway lines converted into cycle paths. They were in an appalling state.

89 miles today, not too much longer than the expected 83, but a long day nevertheless. 418 miles so far - tomorrow will see me nearing the halfway point but it will also see the first of the real hils as I had for Woolller on the ege of the Cheviots.

Glad yesterday was OK and the rain didn't impede you too much. Hope the hills were bearable today and look forward to today's instalment. You're doing incredibly well, I could never cycle that distance! Keep safe.

Finally at Wooler in the Cheviots Hills after a day of relentless, exhausting battling against the wind. I have to admit, I really was wishing that I'd been able to build a rest day into the schedule. I'd have taken advantage of it today!

I don't mind the rain - you get wet, you stop, you dry off, no harm done. But the wind exhausts you, and it can be dangerous. At best, I had the wind against me, struggling to make 7 or 8 mph on any slope at all. At worst I had it on my flank, leaving me fighting to keep the bike going in a straight line. And waiting for the next driver to pass me far too close, without realising that a sudden gust could blow me halfway across the road.

At one point, all too briefly, I had the wind behind me. I found myself being blown along, on the flat, at 18mph without pedalling! Now a wind that can blow you along at 18moh can also take 18mph off your speed if it's against you!

The wind was blowing hard even as I left the B&B (I forgot to mention last report that I was in Roker, near Sunderland, last night) and was especially fierce along the coast through Whitburn. At South Shields I caught the ferry across the Tyne and then popped into a very friendly bike shop - Tyne Cycles - to borrow a track pump to get my tyres back up to full pressure.

Then it was off along the windswept coast once more, through Whitley Bay and Blyth, before turning slightly inland through the former coal mining area around Ashington. By the time I got there it was 2pm and I'd only covered 25 miles.

After a hurried break for lunch I was back on my way, passing the vast opencast coal workings at Stobswood, and then joining the old A1 at Felton (excellent coffee shop). This led to the modern A1, which I opted to follow for a few miles (instead of a country lane diversion) to Alnwick.

From there to Wooler I followed a series of ever more minor roads through some magnificent, rolling countryside. Without the wind it would have been even more enjoyable.

69 miles today (it was supposed to be 64).

Tomorrow the forecasters are promising even more wind but this time from the west, not the south west, which is even less good news.

Err Ron that's what I have to put up with a lot of the time. Only if it doesn't come off the Cheviot's it will come off the Lammers, and theirs no such thing as a straight road.



Now you know how I feel at times, it would be great to have cycle paths. I'd use the bike more if there was.

Ron you are doing so brilliantly. You are getting to see parts of the country you might not have seen if you hadn't decided to do this marvelous ride.
I quite envy you seeing all this wonderful countryside, not so much the aching limbs at the end of the day though.
I think its awful the way some drivers get so close to cyclist when they are on the main road that's one thing I hated when I cycle.:mad
Well all the best for today look forward to hearing all about It.
Hopefully the drivers will be kind to you today!

Ron - just caught up with your diary. It's fascinating, and I am sure I am not alone eagerly anticipating your next instalment. Your efforts make the Ab Fab Moonlighter's efforts seem like a mere stroll through a city centre. I hope you get some better weather soon - sun and a good tail wind (you'd better have a straight road too otherwise it may become a cross wind). Happy pedalling

Yes, I'm looking forward to reading today's installment. Hope the weather didn't impede your journey too much. Here's for some better weather to come. Wonder if you'll see the sunrise for the solstice.