Our 1,000 mile iconic journeys are an incredible challenge with plenty to inspire along the way! Having completed the legendary Lands End to John O’Groat’s tour with us, Margaret and Harry Watson felt so inspired that they wrote a cracking poem detailing their two-wheeled journey…
Rather than collate photos from our recent LEJOG journey, I decided to build word pictures instead. Each verse tries to capture a visual individuals memory of the group gathered at the beginning as strangers with a common goal and joy of cycling. We finished as end -to-enders. Unforeseen bonds and friendships developed over the next 3 weeks. This truly was one of the pleasures of the trip.
We shared highs of scaling cheeky climbs and soaking in spectacular views as well as the memories of peddling through biblical rain, headwinds on Exmoor and confronting the 20% hill to the Lecht. Starting the day with breakfast together, gathering to prepare the bikes and Garmin’s for the day, our group looked out for each other on the road, regrouping for morning tea and lunch. Reviewing the day’s highlights over a drink before dinner became part of the pattern of the day. Nothing was left to chance with our Skedaddle guide’s attention to detail, whether it was briefing of the ride, servicing of the bikes or legendary picnic lunches. The dilemma is: Where to go next year?
–
At Cape Cornwall we met
With our plans all set
To test our mettle
The U.K. to pedal
We are a motley crew
Poms and colonials too
Our backgrounds as diverse
As the terrain we traverse
For three weeks we chime
Follow that purple line
to lose it transpired
More mileage required
At 80 downhill he flies
Anthony’s age he defies
We all are inspired
To do the same when retired
From up north came our tandem two
Barry and Sue
Uphill they do grind
But never far behind
Gutsy Alysia so sturdy and strong
Spins and pirouettes day long
Confirmed us this tune
At breakfast porridge, definitely NO prune
With her head down to go
Teresa’s focus on show
Her pedals keep turning
Despite her quads burning
Robin used to drizzle and rain
Pedals on all the same
A Day 1 slide on the gravel
There’s a long way to travel
With a whistle and song
Rich and Louise cruise along
Used to cold wind in their hair
Travel stories do share
The team from down under
At Northwich almost came asunder
Relentlessly pedalling uphill Harry flies
Margaret much slower despite how she
tries
Peter and Les. What a team
oraganised enthusiastic and keen
Our mechanics and guide
Even gourmet lunches supplied
“We made it”, we cry
Although not always dry
Far superior to a cruise
Despite the odd little bruise
Now the ride’s at the end
Bags and bikes we do send
“An achievement”, we cheer
A Skedaddle adventure next year?
–
Feeling inspired?
Margaret and Harry Watson cycled our Lands End to John O’Groat’s road cycling holiday. Click here for more informtion about this tour.