Lands End to John O'Groats
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Lands End to John O'Groats |
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A journey in more ways than one |
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Bike
Luggage
Tools & Spares
First Aid Kit
Here it is, my trusty steed. It's done me proud over the last few years. It gets used for everything from commuting to work everyday to the audax events that I attend when I can.
I'm dead comfortable on this bike, so the choice of bike for the trip was fairly easy (although I did give thought to buying a new one)
I think the important thing is that you're comfortable on the bike, there's no specific type of bike that's ideal for this kind of trip.
It depends on how you intend to complete the trip, how much luggage you're carrying and what you're used to.
Bike
It’s a Schwinn, or, at least, it’s what’s left of one now that I’ve replaced almost everything but the frame & headset. No idea what size frame it is, lets go for BIG. It fit’s, very nicely, that’s all I’m worried about.
If you look closely, you'll probably spot that there are four (count 'em) water bottles. I've fixed one to each seat stay.
It'll probably have any decent frame builder reaching for the heart pills, as I've drilled and tapped into the stays to fix the cages on. I was concerned about the loss of strength to start with, but it's proved not to be a problem.
One of the bottles is actually batteries masquerading as a water bottle, leaving me with 3 for water. I tend to get through a lot of fluid, hence the effort to get the extra bottles on. (My boss calls the bike a mobile drinks machine!)
Other things of note would be the mirror on the right hand bar end, an absolute godsend if you want a good look at your right knee! Actually it's quite useful, but does need fine adjustment & tends to get knocked around a bit, so needs pretty much constant adjustment. It doesn't replace the need to look behind, but it gives a good snapshot view of what's going on back there without swivelling round. I like it.
Then there's the bar bag mount. A cobble it together home made beast using an old handlebar stem & a cut down seat stem, it moves the bar bag forward & up a little more than I'd like, but the bike's still stable enough. And it gives the extra space for the computer, heart rate monitor mount, compass and anything else I feel like putting on there (kitchen sink for example).
Most of the components are the dreaded Shimano, but then I’ve never had a problem with Shimano gear.
Chain wheel: Stronglight Escapade triple (32/42/52) Pedals: Shimano SPD. Cassette: Shimano 8 speed Mega Range (11 – 34) Deraillers: Both Shimano, but don’t ask me what sort. Levers: Modolo Morphus Ergo levers. Cheap version combined jobbies. I was dead sceptical when I first got them, but they’re brilliant and half the price of Shimano etc. Wheels: 700C Mavic T221 rims on Shimano rear hub & Schmitt Dyno Hub at the front. Both 36 spoke stainless plain gauge jobs. Wheels built by Edinburgh Bicycle and have given excellent service so far. Tyres: Michelin World Tour 700 * 32 Brakes: Original Schwinn single pivot, centre pull affairs. (Adequate) Saddle: Brooks B17 leather (well broken in). It takes some looking after, but it’s worth the effort. Computer: Cateye Astrale. I really like it for the cadence sensor, I find that very useful. Lights: I almost left them at home, and in fact didn't need them at all. But I still stand by the decision to take them, on the grounds that if I hadn't, I'd have needed them!
Luggage
I attempted to follow the three golden rules of packing for a bike trip:
Pack light Pack light Pack light
I'm quite pleased with the amount of luggage I took, although the weight was very noticeable on occasion (usually an uphill occasion!). The picture shows the luggage laid out in front of the bike.
Two small panniers
Keeping everything to the bare minimum meant that I could get away with small panniers designed for the front rack. It was a case of essentials only mind you: Under wear for a week & one change of clothes only. I decided that washing & recycling would be better than carrying spare clothes.
Seat Pack
Tools, first aid kit and spares mostly, along with other small items that would rattle around anywhere else.
Bar Bag
The stuff I'd need to hand, like food. As well as valuables: Wallet, camera, Series 5 etc. I also had the route sheet for the day in the map holder on top and the maps for the day tucked underneath. It worked ok most of the time. Although I was in danger of losing a map or two on occasion!
Tools & Spares
This is where the pack light theory started to fall down. The vast majority of tools never saw the light of day and I didn't need any spares!
Not a puncture or broken spoke to be had for the whole journey. I'm mightily impressed with the way the bike has stood up to the trip.
I had a slight problem with the gear shifter that was easily sorted out with a little tightening and a problem with the front derailler cable slipping that had me worried for a while until I got it sorted out.
Having said that I'd have needed everything I didn't take if I'd have left it at home, if you get my meaning. I carried most of it for peace of mind rather than actually thinking I'd need it.
You'd have to be barking mad not to take a spare tube & puncture repair kit. I also had spare spokes, brake blocks, cables (inner & outer), chain link & light bulbs (not that I ever used the lights!). That lot, along with the tools to suit & other sundries like spare batteries and a torch, pretty much filled up the seat pack.
First Aid Kit
As you'll already know if you've read the diary, I added to this as I went along due to the development of the odd sore bit here and there.
I bought a tub of Sudocrem from Boots, normally used for baby's nappy rash etc. But bloody marvellous for all sorts of other things. Highly recommended.
I decided that a decent first aid kit would be a must as I was travelling alone, but I wasn't keen on carrying masses of stuff I wasn't going to use. I ended up with the following:
Paracetomol Capsules Rennie Tablets Plasters of various shapes & sizes Sterile Compress Folded Space Blanket (You'd be amazed how small it folds to!) Sterile Wound dressing with bandage Elasticated Bandage Triangular Bandage Antiseptic Wipes Safety Pins
As it turns out I only used 2 of the Paracetomol capsules, the rest of it was dead weight. But I felt a lot happier carrying it.
This page last updated on 14/09/2002