Day 11 - St. Andrews to Peterhead

As I'm preparing both myself and you for my expedition in September, I am using this blog to get things out in the open, especially my expectations. All my expectation are based on what I've read, how I've found my training in different weathers, how my body feels after long days in the saddle and a mixture of advice.

The secondary purpose of this blog is also to get feedback from experienced adventurers, long distance cyclists, ultra runners and all who do ridiculous adventures. As this will be my maiden voyage into the unknown territory all advice is gratefully received.  

Departing at my usual time of round 5am from St. Andrews, home to the University of St. Andrews, the third oldest university in English-speaking world and one of the UK's most prestigious.

After leaving St. Andrews I will cut through to Dundee then make my way east to ride next to the North Sea again passing towns/cities such as Arbroath, Montrose, Stonehaven, Aberdeen, Balmedie on this 122 mile cycling day.

This is set to be a hard days riding with plenty of hills and relentless up's and downs. Total ascent of round 3248ft, total descent 3268ft and maximum height 328ft. Ending in Peterhead will feel like a real victory for me after such a hard day. You have to remember that up to now I have completed both, most taxing days of the entire expedition. The longest run of 70 miles and longest ride of 140 miles.

I do wish anyone with advice, input and other ideas to please contact me or just leave a message with pointers. 

I do believe that it takes the trial and error of an accumulation of stubborn individuals to build the knowledge, experience, wisdom and confident execution of any seemingly unattainable dream. (Personal quote I live by)

Below are some links to some other places you can find me:

http://www.aroundtheukin50days.com/

To see this days journey plan:

http://gb.mapometer.com/cycling/route_1673232.html

Or to make a donation to help a hundred women cope with breast cancer:

http://www.justgiving.com/AroundTheUKin50Days

  

Day 10 - Dunbar to St.Andrews

Hopefully if I'm still standing after the previous 70 mile running day, this day will start from Dunbar and for the first time make my way 50 miles in land along the Firth of Forth. I will pass Edinburgh and the Forth Bridge (Picture 1) and continue along the River Forth until I cross at Kincardine Bridge (Picture 2).

After crossing the Forth and having lunch in Kincardine, I will make my way 50 miles back to the North Sea. Passing towns such as Rosyth, Burntisland, Kirkcaldy, Buckhaven, Antstruther then St. Andrews to finish. This 133 mile journey have a colorful and varied fauna and flora next to the Firth Forth. 

In total the ascent and descent will be nearly the same at 3058ft, with the highest point being 331ft.

It might look strange to travel so far in land just to turn back, however it will be the first and last time that I will have the opportunity on this expedition to follow one of the UK's estuaries all the way inland to where it stops being tidal.

http://gb.mapometer.com/cycling/route_1673181.html

   

    

Day 9 - Alnwick to Dundar

This will be the day that I finally make it into Scotland. There is some joy and fears in this day, since I have not been to Scotland before so I cant wait to see what the country have to offer with regards to natural beauty. This however will also be the longest running day of the complete expedition and also my longest run I have ever done before.

So with a lot of anticipation for this day the journey starts in Alnwick then still continue North along the East Coast with the first 50 miles of relatively flatness then steadily increasing hill work to a last few miles of flatness again. Total ascent of 2838ft, descent 3015ft and maximum height reaching just 755ft.

I will be passing towns like Berwick-upon-Tweed the most northern town in England. Berwick remains a traditional market town and also has some notable architectural features, in particular its defense ramparts and barrack buildings. The Berwickshire coastline consists of high cliffs over deep clear water with sandy coves and picturesque harbors.

Other towns/villages include Eyemouth, (which comes from the location on the Eye water) Cockburnspath and finally end in Dunbar. With an expected 8022 calorie consumption on a fine day this day is not a jog in the park by no means.

I also would like you to have a look at my web page to see in more detail how my expedition will be executed @ http://www.aroundtheukin50days.com/


Also to see what a clearer path looks like I will take on this day follow the link below:
http://gb.mapometer.com/running/route_1673129.html

Day 8 - Middlesbrough to Alnwick

After such a long day on day 7, I have scheduled to have a relatively easy and short day. There are two reasons for this, one being to gain the maximum amount of recovery and the second being the following day will be the longest day of running in the entire expedition.

Again this will be a relatively flat ride with only an expected few sharp hills along this 90 mile ride. Total ascent in the range of 2100ft, descent 1893ft with the maximum height of 374ft.

Leaving from Middlesbrough bright and early (Around 5am) moving ever towards the North along the East Coast passing places such as Hartlpool, Sunderland stopping off at South Shields for lunch.

South Shields or just Shields is a coastal town found at the mouth of the River Tyne. After crossing the River Tyne by ferry I continue towards Alnwick passing Whitley Bay, Blyth, Ashington, Amble and ending at Alnwick Post Office as there is no rail station in Alnwick.

Here I will have plenty of rest, sleep and stock up on food to fuel me for the next and most grilling leg of the expedition so far, also will be the day that I change over from England to Scotland, very exiting.


We still have a high alert out as we have not yet got a motor home to take us around the expedition, so am asking if anyone have or know someone who have a motorhome to sponsor us to please get in touch with me as soon as possible on 07884385818 and ask for Ettienne.

Day 7 - Barton-upon-Humber to Middlesbrough

As time draws nearer September the more I feel the need to run the journey through with you as I want to explain all my expectations before I set off and also give everyone an idea of what I will be facing.

This day I will again find myself heading North along the East Coast. Leaving this civil parish of north Lincolnshire, England, on the south bank of the Humber Estuary, I will firstly cross the Humber Bridge, which was once the longest single span suspension bridge in the world. Now it is the fifth longest.

The town was formerly an important center for the manufacturing of bicycles, Hopper's Cycles being established in the town in 1880 in the Hopper Building.

This will be my longest cycle day of the entire expedition with a distance of 140 miles, and total ascent of 3576ft, descent 3566ft and maximum height of 696ft. The first 70 or so miles is a flat ride  then some hill riding is expected for the next 50 or so miles then ending with a last bit of flat ride. My expected calorie consumption is around 6358 calories if there is no head winds or rain.

After this day there will be only one more day of cycling before I'll pass into Scotland for the first time.

On my journey North I will pass through towns and cities such as Hull, Bridlington, Scarborough and the beautiful Peasholm Park, Whitby and finally end by Middlesbrough Rail Station. This, as many stages of my journey is a most beautiful scenic ride.

 Please support this fundraising and awareness campaign for the Haven, Breast Cancer Support Centres by going to my http://www.justgiving.com/AroundTheUKin50Days account and make a small donation.