John Roe's E2E3PC (End to End 3 Peaks Challenge)To mark the end of his time at college John cycled from Lands End to John O'Groats via Snowdon, Scafell Pike & Ben Nevis. E2ELE2JOG The Rev Counter: Day 2, 3, 4 Day 2: Wet and windy with an amazing climb to start the day before dropping down to the ferry crossing at Torpoint and then on through Plymouth. The day would be quite a slog but good progress was made as 25 miles were cycled before a lunch stop at Yelverton. Then on across Dartmoor to the rather run down hostel at Steps Bridge. (Apparently it will close for good in October.) Day 3: Another very hilly day into Somerset via Glastonbury and then, wonder of wonders, the first stretch of flat road so far on the approach to Cheddar where he would stop for the night with a college friend. So far John reckoned he could have had a bike without pedals as he was either walking it up a hill or freewheeling it down! Day 4: A long trek again, but perfect weather, firstly across to Bristol and Clifton Down so he couldn’t miss out on the opportunity to drop in to the Baptist College for a coffee could he! Then the fun of crossing the Second Severn Bridge Crossing for a flat few miles! Lunch was taken at Chepstow then on into the Forest of Dean to find tonight’s lodgings in Coleford. Day 6: Update on John: he got lost getting out of Leominster after a "lovely lazy lunch!" and ended up cycling an extra 20 miles yesterday! However he did get to where he intended eventually! On to Llangollen today. Day 8: Hopefully by the end of today (Sunday) John will have successfully climbed Snowdon and will tomorrow be cycling on to Chester to stay with Brian & Margaret Squires overnight.
After a successful climb of Snowdon last Sunday John cycled on to Chester and spent Monday evening with Brian and Margaret Squires. Kind hearted Margaret did his washing for him! Then it was on to Clitheroe with a good part of the day being flatish, hooray!! Yesterday was a long 81 miles to the Lake District and he finally arrived at the Hawkshead hostel about 7.45pm. Today is the climb of Scafell Pike, England's highest mountain and as well as the company of our friend Andrew from Chester, who is doing all the nountains with John, Keith Tredget is joining them on a break from their family holiday. John tried to persuade Karen to come to. We'll have to see if she takes up the challenge! Day 12-16: E2E3PCLE2JOG The Rev Counter: the last days!
Day 17: the long, tough ride to Glencoe and the magnificent mountain scenery becomes even craggier. A noisy night in the Glencoe hostel with lots of teenagers!! Day 18: A short ride on about 17 miles to Corpach, just outside of Fort William and then a train ride to Mallaig, as a treat! Janet and Andrew arrived in the evening and we all booked into a very comfortable B&B. The weather is very hot, lovely for a holiday but sticky work for the climb of Ben Nevis the next day. Day 19: A 9am start for the long, hot slog up Ben Nevis. We set a slow pace for Janet to cope with and then after a 5 hour ascent a very careful descent using walking poles. The Ben Nevis Inn at the bottom was a welcome sight! Third peak achieved!! Day 20: After further bike repairs, with a very handy Andrew providing further skills, John set off to Invermoriston to stay at the Loch Ness Hostel. John had wonderful views of the loch from his room but a poor night’s sleep as the main road was just outside his window and his room mate was a heavy snorer! Day 21: Two hours torrential rain in the morning is the first really bad weather of the trip but although overcast the weather improved and John arrived at Culrain and the fantastic Carbisdale Hostel at 4pm. Not only is the castle very grand but the meals provided are delicious! 30th July: Just had a phone call from John to say he's run out of land! Photos have been taken and now he and Andrew, the friend who has been providing lots of support, are off to open the champagne! |
Day 9-11: The Rev Counter: next instalment......... I've lost count of the days now!
After climbing Scafell Pike on Day 12 the cycle to Carlisle proved a little exciting as a wheel began to self destruct! Fortunately the ultimate falling apart happened in a bike shop in Carlisle so now John’s bike not only has 2 new pedals but a new wheel and tyre as the old one was a different size! A tough ride up into Abington heralded the arrival in Scotland on Day 13 then an interesting day’s ride through Glasgow and on to Loch Lomond. A friendly Glaswegian, who was out for a couple of hours ride ended up escorting John the 20 miles and then rang his wife to say he’d be taking the train home! Conversations over a pint outside a pub resulted in a further £20 sponsorship for Willows!