Deloitte Ride Across Britain
The start of another school year… and the start of another Ride Across Britain. It always feels good to arrive back at Lands End with all the excitement, anticipation and anxiety building at basecamp. Some familiar faces; lots of new faces. It almost feels like the first day back at school. For many riders, it will be their first day learning to ride a bike!
Day 1… Lands End to Collumpton. The traditional photo with eldest brother (Rich Chaperone) at Lands End officially marks the start of our RAB. A family photo at Minions is followed the traditional daredevil downhill descent to Upton Cross. As always, we get a few unfortunate spills on the wet, greasy and narrow roads, the usual mechanical failures, and a few riders completely unprepared. Yes. This year, has all the hallmarks of another vintage RAB.
Top tip: keep the rubber on the road.
Day 2… Collumpton to Bath. One of the most enjoyable days each year. This is where group riding really comes alive. People are eager to learn (and reap the rewards). Cheddar Gorge is always special. And a lovely run into Bath rewards everyone.
Top tip: don’t get too giddy at end of a ride
Day 3… Bath to Ludlow. Always a difficult day for people who haven’t (yet) learnt how to each 3x their normal portions. This is where a lot of people are surprised. Everyone can ride 100 miles with minimal preparation. Most people can ride 2 x 100 miles, although they will feel tired. However, in order to ride 3 consecutive 100 mile days, you need to be constantly eating and drinking (fuelling for tomorrow).
Top tip: fuel for tomorrow
Day 4… Ludlow to Haydock Park. The easiest day on paper always proves much tougher than expected. This year was no exception. Difficult to predict weather forecast caught most people off guard.
Top tip: always wear one extra layer
Under the cover of darkness… Alice (LHS) was swapped for Celina III (RHS). All her bits removed and replaced… included the horn. Safety first!
Day 5 - Haydock Park to Penrith. This is the day when you really see the UK and appreciate how far you’ve travelled. Look up and you see the Lake District ahead, The Yorkshire Dales, Forest of Bowland to your right, Snowdonia to your left… with Blackpool Tower and Morecambe Bay beneath you. The hardest part is remembering to look up.
Top tip: look up!
Day 6 - Penrith to Edinburgh. Normally a ‘transition day’… this stage turned out to be one of the most enjoyable. A new route from Abington Services took us towards Edinburgh with some stunning scenery and rolling hills. A new greenfield basecamp was a welcome sight.
Top tip: pedal harder
Day 7 - Edinburgh to Strantham. An early photograph opportunity of the Forth Road Bridge. Then onwards to Perth (pit stop 1). What followed can only be described as the best 60 miles of riding of the week. A gloriously quiet and picturesque road through to Glen Shee, a beautiful descent through Braemar to Balmoral, then a couple cheeky climbs to Strathdon. Welcome to Scotland. Welcome to the Cairngorms!
Top tip: pack the foil blanket
Day 8 - Strathdon to Kyle of Sutherland. 5am wake up. Tents frozen. Ground frost. This was a whole new experience for everyone. Took the initiative and recycled yesterday’s foil blanket… even wrapping feet in the material. It wasn’t long before everyone go that bit warmer with the first major climb… ‘The Lecht’. Yet another too-good-to-be-true scenic road to Grantown-on-Spey and then to Inverness. Back on normal route: Beauty, Muir of Ord, Dingwall and Bonar Bridge.
Top tip: listen to your body
Day 9 - Kyle of Sutherland to John O’Groats. Spirits running high. A gusty tailwind. Well done to all riders and support team!