TEAM MILTON KEYNES Members need to be logged in to see member only content

Image shown in the blog feed, used to advertise the blog post.
You only need to specify a value here if you want to override the default publication date (when you press the Publish button). Note that this will only be applied if you hit Publish below. If you save as draft, this value will be ignored.
Separate tags with commas.
Image shown at the top of the blog post. Will also be used to advertise the blog post, in the absence of a thumbnail.
{"PageID":646,"ThemeCode":null,"BlogInfo":{"Breadcrumbs":[{"Name":"News and Announcements","URL":"https://www.teammk.com/Cms/Spaces/PB/News+and+Announcements"}],"ID":393,"SpaceID":11,"Name":"News and Announcements","Description":null,"Author":{"ID":448,"Name":"James Weedon","CompanyName":null,"HasEmail":true},"CreationTime":"04/07/2023 15:15","Tags":[],"URL":"https://www.teammk.com/Cms/Spaces/PB/News+and+Announcements","IsWatching":false,"CanWatch":false,"CanPostBlogEntry":false},"EntryInfo":{"Breadcrumbs":[{"Name":"News and Announcements","URL":"https://www.teammk.com/Cms/Spaces/PB/News+and+Announcements"},{"Name":"Land’s End to John O’Groats in 7 Days","URL":"https://www.teammk.com/Cms/Spaces/PB/News+and+Announcements/Lands+End+to+John+OGroats+in+7+Days"}],"ID":646,"Name":"Land’s End to John O’Groats in 7 Days","Abstract":"A Delinquent’s Ride Across Britain","ImageUrl":"https://www.teammk.com/Client/Images/Cms/news/2025/rw2.png","ThumbnailImageUrl":"","Author":{"ID":960,"MembershipNumber":null,"Username":null,"Forename":"Richard","Surname":"Wallwork","Name":"Richard Wallwork","Handle":"Richard","CompanyName":null,"FamilyGroupName":null,"Branch":{"ID":0,"Name":null,"Description":null,"Icon":null,"Colour":null,"Depth":0,"Indent":0,"CanBeSelected":false,"Sections":null,"Label":"","LabelLarge":""},"IsLoggedInUser":false,"ImageUrl":"https://www.teammk.com/Client/Images/Mugshots/Rich_W.jpg"},"IsDraft":false,"PublicationDate":"Saturday, 20 September 2025","CreationTime":"20/09/2025 15:21","CommentCount":3,"Tags":[],"URL":"https://www.teammk.com/Cms/Spaces/PB/News+and+Announcements/Lands+End+to+John+OGroats+in+7+Days","CanAdmin":false},"Content":"\u003cp\u003eThere’s something elemental about riding the length of a country. For cyclists in the UK, the Land’s End to John O’Groats (LEJOG) route is the ultimate pilgrimage—a test of endurance, resolve, and sheer pedal power. Distances vary based on the route chosen, but for me it was 932 miles and I attempted to do it on only seven days against the oft recommended ten days. What could go wrong?\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDay 1: Land’s End to Tiverton\u003c/strong\u003e (137 miles, 11,361 ft of ascent)\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe ride starts at the edge of the world—Land’s End, windswept and defiant against the Atlantic. The first pedal strokes are always the strangest. You’re setting out, but you already feel the weight of what’s ahead. Cornwall greets you with relentless hills. There’s barely a flat mile between the coastal roads and the steep climbs through Penzance, Redruth, and Bodmin. Devon’s green fields finally open up as we roll first into Okehampton ahead of finishing in Tiverton, legs already questioning the logic of a 7-day schedule. The hilliest day done.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDay 2: Tiverton to Ludlow\u003c/strong\u003e (150 miles, 8,970 ft of ascent)\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis day’s ride punches north across Exmoor and into Somerset before skirting Bristol and heading for the Wye Valley via the Severn Bridge and briefly into Wales. It’s long and lumpy, and the mental game begins in earnest. A late lunch in Chepstow offers views of the River Wye and a moment to breathe. By the time I reach Ludlow, the sun’s gone and the muscles are muttering mutiny. But I’ve found rhythm. It’s less about speed now, more about flow.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDay 3: Ludlow to Haydock\u003c/strong\u003e (110 miles, 4,839 ft of ascent)\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Midlands are kinder. Rolling farmland, open skies, and fewer dramatic climbs. Shrewsbury and Whitchurch pass by in a blur of hedgerows and half-remembered conversations with locals. My body’s adapting and by the time we roll into Haydock, there’s something close to confidence settling in. It’s still a long road ahead, but it no longer feels impossible. It was here that my wing-man left the journey – body and spirit broken. I press on.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDay 4: Haydock to Johnstonebridge\u003c/strong\u003e (160 miles, 8,737 ft of ascent)\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is the big day—miles-wise and mentally. Lancashire and Cumbria are both glorious and punishing. The Lake District tempts with beauty, but I thankfully skirt the hilly national park knowing time is tight, but there is no avoiding the killer climb up to Shap. Climbing into Scotland feels monumental—crossing the border by Gretna brings a surge of emotion. Johnstonebridge, nestled among Scottish hills, welcomes me with warm food and weary satisfaction. I’ve broken the back of England.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDay 5: Johnstonebridge to Crainlarich\u003c/strong\u003e (118 miles, 4,928 ft of ascent)\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eScotland is a different beast. The roads stretch on endlessly, sweeping through moors and valleys, flanked by lochs and mountains. This day’s ride is one of the most stunning: through the Southern Uplands, through Glasgow making use of paved over old railways and into Argyll. Loch Lomond is one to remember. Crainlarich is postcard-perfect. A bed never felt better after what I found to be the hardest day.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDay 6: Crainlarich to Inverness\u003c/strong\u003e (114 miles, 5,951 feet of ascent)\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe route today bends through Oban and Fort William, then along the spine of the Great Glen, flanked by Ben Nevis and Loch Ness. The scenery is surreal, but fatigue dulls the senses. I press on, counting down the miles like a mantra. Inverness is an old industrial town, but that afternoon, it feels like a sanctuary and even McDonalds tastes like nectar.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDay 7: Inverness to John O’Groats\u003c/strong\u003e (142 miles, 6,463 ft of ascent)\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe final stretch. Northern Scotland is sparse, windy, and wild. The hills don’t stop and neither does the headwind. But nothing can dampen the growing sense of anticipation. I chose a tougher but quieter route and leave the coast after Brora and head north to Melvich and from there, it’s a push to the end of the earth. John O’Groats isn’t dramatic, but standing there, facing the sea, it feels profound. Seven days. A nation crossed. A mind and body tested and transformed. A saddle, upon which, I never want to sit again.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat I Learned\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYou don’t ride LEJOG in a week for comfort. You do it for the challenge, the beauty and the strange joy of putting your life on pause to move forward with singular focus. It’s humbling. It’s empowering. It reminds you that the simplest things—turning pedals, eating well, sleeping deeply—can become everything. And importantly, embrace the journey; it’s not just about reaching John O’Groats—it’s about everything between.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLand’s End to John O’Groats in seven days isn’t just a ride. It’s a journey across landscapes, towns, and states of mind. If you’re wondering if you can do it, you probably can. And when you do, you’ll never see the UK—or yourself—the same way again.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg src=\u0022https://www.teammk.com/Client/Images/Cms/rw3.png\u0022 data-image=\u00221\u0022\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg src=\u0022https://www.teammk.com/Client/Images/Cms/rw1.png\u0022 data-image=\u00221\u0022\u003e\u003c/p\u003e","HasCommentsThread":true,"SeoTags":{"OpenGraphTags":[{"ID":"og:title","Name":"Land’s End to John O’Groats in 7 Days"},{"ID":"og:type","Name":"website"},{"ID":"og:url","Name":"https://www.teammk.com/Cms/Spaces/PB/News+and+Announcements/Lands+End+to+John+OGroats+in+7+Days"},{"ID":"og:description","Name":"A Delinquent’s Ride Across Britain"},{"ID":"og:image","Name":"https://www.teammk.com/Client/Images/Cms/news/2025/rw2.png"}],"NonOpenGraphTags":[{"ID":"description","Name":"A Delinquent’s Ride Across Britain"}]},"PageURL":"https://www.teammk.com/Cms/Spaces/PB/News+and+Announcements/Lands+End+to+John+OGroats+in+7+Days","Comments":[{"ID":619,"Index":0,"User":{"ID":929,"Name":"Dario Prudencio","CompanyName":null,"HasEmail":true},"ImageUrl":"https://www.teammk.com/Client/Images/Mugshots/uzu95b3q10lq.jpg","Comment":"You are great mate!!! Proud of you!!!!","CreationTime":"Monday, 22 September 2025 12:44","IsEdited":false,"EditTime":null,"InReplyTo":{"ID":null,"Name":null,"CompanyName":null,"HasEmail":false},"IsDeleted":false,"DeleteReason":null,"DeletedBy":{"ID":null,"Name":null,"CompanyName":null,"HasEmail":false},"LikeCount":0,"LikesDescription":"","Likes":[],"LikedByMe":false,"HasBeenRead":false,"Replies":[],"CanEdit":false,"CanModerate":false,"CanReply":false,"CanMessageMe":false},{"ID":620,"Index":0,"User":{"ID":989,"Name":"Jake Palmer","CompanyName":null,"HasEmail":true},"ImageUrl":"https://www.teammk.com/Client/Images/Mugshots/fb9ymbc5ydxw.jpg","Comment":"A fantastic achievement, congratulations and chapeau!!","CreationTime":"Wednesday, 24 September 2025 08:00","IsEdited":true,"EditTime":"Wednesday, 24 September 2025 08:05","InReplyTo":{"ID":null,"Name":null,"CompanyName":null,"HasEmail":false},"IsDeleted":false,"DeleteReason":null,"DeletedBy":{"ID":null,"Name":null,"CompanyName":null,"HasEmail":false},"LikeCount":0,"LikesDescription":"","Likes":[],"LikedByMe":false,"HasBeenRead":false,"Replies":[],"CanEdit":false,"CanModerate":false,"CanReply":false,"CanMessageMe":false},{"ID":621,"Index":0,"User":{"ID":379,"Name":"David Young","CompanyName":null,"HasEmail":true},"ImageUrl":"https://www.teammk.com/Client/Images/Mugshots/dyoung.jpg","Comment":"Amazing write up Rich, amazing ride mate, chapeau!!!","CreationTime":"Monday, 29 September 2025 13:16","IsEdited":false,"EditTime":null,"InReplyTo":{"ID":null,"Name":null,"CompanyName":null,"HasEmail":false},"IsDeleted":false,"DeleteReason":null,"DeletedBy":{"ID":null,"Name":null,"CompanyName":null,"HasEmail":false},"LikeCount":0,"LikesDescription":"","Likes":[],"LikedByMe":false,"HasBeenRead":false,"Replies":[],"CanEdit":false,"CanModerate":false,"CanReply":false,"CanMessageMe":false}],"UpdatedComments":[],"LastViewTime":null,"CanEdit":false,"CanPublish":false,"CanComment":false,"CanReadComments":true,"CanModerateComments":false}
{"HeaderName":"RequestVerificationToken","RequestToken":"CfDJ8ITNqk1Au7VAouKvMyc6BLH-BTcQ7ySG2PyQxrtNyuH4mtiPFBd3-e6NsGJXg4EFifQIm2jTD6MF69s86F9kUwcZtUqtCDVVGwaUcILEDsXuwBwRk8aCxStFuD6QT_q8t9KBdPyadmjT0o3JgedHOnY"}