A British Solo Adventure

I couldn't quite comprehend the scale of the challenge at this point and put my mind to climbing the incredibly steep roads of the Cornish coast up to the start line.



I patiently waited in line at the famous Lands End sign post behind several snotty nosed ice cream bearing children, eager to get on the… read more

At this point I decided to detour off the official GB Divide route to follow more of the coastal roads for a scenic route. I was truly soaking in the stunning views along the North Cornwall coast and battling up some epic 20-30% gradient climbs while fully loaded.

After overnighting in Croyde, a stunning seaside surf town, I headed off the next day.



The elevation says it all. Why did no-one tell me that this part of the route was so steep!



There is a reason that the GB Divide route stays on the moors and goes through the centre of Cornwall.

The Quantock Hills were stunning and the perfect place to stop for a night before heading on towards Bristol, with pristine gravel trails through forestry areas and wide open views over the Severn Estuary and over to South Wales.

There was a mad dash to get to Bristol after overnighting near Cheddar Gorge. I wanted to pick up some more heavy duty gear before heading into Wales but forgot it was a Sunday, and when I arrived and everything was closed. I was already starting to lose track of time.



The remoteness and loneliness of… read more

Epic and empty military roads and old quarries, we worked our way into the green heart of Wales.

I'll remember cycling along beautiful forestry roads at sundown with good company before camping beside a river and cooking a hearty pasta from this seventh day through the heart of Mid Wales.

Alone again, I decided to disband the GB Divide route after having to carry my bike through a river near the beautiful town Machynlleth.



I was shaken and cold, but a good cup of tea and chat with a Danish motorcyclist cheered me up.

I rode from Wales back into England via Liverpool and ending up in Manchester. It was my first time in either of these cities and I enjoyed being in the company of people again.



After stopping for a large fry up lunch in Liverpool on the docks, I continued on riding to Manchester and enjoyed my first puncture of the whole trip!

After resting in Manchester and eating real food again, I cracked on into the Yorkshire Dales.



Progress was slow as I was developing a niggle in my knee which made any effort painful. I was enveloped in rain and dark clouds as soon as I left the big city.



Luckily I found a dry cabin to sleep in with some… read more

I was well and truly off the GB Divide route now, following the Pennine Bridleway which offered impressive views while being less extreme than the usual route. I didn't fancy the wet and remote prescribed route at all so made my own way up past Ribblehead Viaduct and on into the moody Lake District town… read more

A tour of the Lake District. Flanked by impressive mountains, I pedalled my way north up to Carlisle.

The excitement built as I headed towards the Scottish border. I'd been anticipating this moment since the beginning of the journey and was not let down.



I was blessed with wide clear blue skies and views over to the Lake District mountain ranges as I pedalled along the south coast of Dumfries and Galloway… read more

I shot this photo at Cafe Rendezvous, one of my favourite stops of the trip in Wigtown: Scotland's allocated book town where I enjoyed a quick coffee and brownie.



I must have counted at least ten book shops before heading on into the glorious Scottish hills and sunshine.

There was lovely weather along the coast from Stranraer to the manicured grass of The Royal Troon golf course. I decided to make a sprint to Glasgow at this point as this segment wasn't particularly scenic.



I arrived at 8pm and checked into a crummy hotel on the edge of town before heading in to get some dinner.

After a crummy continental breakfast in Glasgow, I headed out along the Clydesdale River and into picture perfect Scotland.



The change in scenery was dramatic as I pushed on towards Loch Lomond and into the mountains.



I finished the day in Loch Fyne where a friend put me up and took me to a local pub… read more

After a day off the bike resting and exploring the beautiful Loch Fyne, I headed on towards the port town of Oban where I knew I could catch a ferry to the Isle of Mull.



I was enjoying the freedom of going with the flow and not having to follow a bleeping Garmin. I simply headed wherever I wanted, although… read more

The Isle of Mull was my first experience of a Scottish Island and it exceeded my wildest expectations. Desolate beauty and wild life surrounded me as I navigated the island in an anti-clockwise direction.



I passed mist covered mountains early in the morning as I set off. The clouds lifted and revealed… read more

I didn't want to leave the picture perfect Mull and was apprehensive of the next phase of the journey. I was pleasantly surprised and enjoyed the lochs and views of this part of Scotland, even spotting otters basking in the sunlight near Glenuig. I stopped at the shop here to connect to some dodgy wifi… read more

I arrived in Mallaig only to find that the ferry was cancelled due to unstable sea conditions. After a wet night camping with some bikepackers, I embarked on the ferry over to the island which I'd heard so much about. Horizontal rain and wind lashed me as I rode north miserably. The rain soon lifted… read more