Of Patience and Persistence
What cycling from London to Edinburgh in the winter taught me.
This is one of the rides that helped me complete the Land’s End to John O’Groats bike route.
Flanked by the grassy hills on either side, the menacing rain clouds funneling into the valley were about to burst. It was pitch black and turning slightly into a corner provided me a brief shelter from the howling wind, it became eerily quiet. Just the sound of the wheels turning, the drops of rain starting to fall on the jacket as I slowly climbed up this climb after Innerleithen. It started slowly but increased to an onslaught of rain. Luckily, I had my waterproof trousers and jacket on, and I prepared to embrace the elements head-on.
This is just how every day (night) of cycling in the north of England and Scotland can be.
I had set out to cycle all the way from London to John o’Groats, regardless of the weather and so had packed appropriately. A good lightweight jacket, waterproof and windproof gloves, cycling jacket and trousers, along with a pair of merino wool tops and tights to wear underneath. All I needed was the courage to wake up and leave home.
Why attempt this challenge?
Living in London I am very privileged and lucky to have a roof over my head, and a warm and cozy bed to go to every night. Often in the city, one comes across people who are homeless, it might be worth acknowledging their plight and sometimes talking and understanding why they have ended up in that position. After all, it could easily be us in that position. That is a very stark realisation and one that I feel deeply and wanted to do my bit by helping out a charity that works to bring provide homeless youth the courage to stand on their own and start anew.
Earlier this summer, I took part in The London Relay, organised by Danny Bent, which had raised money for The Running Charity. With over 2000 runners taking part over 30 days and nights and breaking the record for the longest relay in the world at 4,014.52 miles non-stop. I quickly sent over a text to Danny who introduced me to the founder of the charity; Alex Eagle.
The same night I set up a JustGiving page and it now it was going to happen! I decided on leaving on the 21st of December. Ego slightly boosted by being part of the Silk Road Mountain Race 2019 (which I didn’t finish) and having done 200+kms days in the saddle before, I believed I would make it to John o’Groats in 4 days — well, that was quite optimistic.
What I hadn’t realised was there were only 6 and a half hours of sunlight (at most) and then there was rain, wind, and the cold to contend with, and having had some time off the bike after Kyrgyzstan, this would still be hard, very hard. Yet, nothing is impossible.
The Route
The route was to take me from my home north up to through St Albans, the rolling countryside of the Midlands. From Derby onwards, I would skirt the southern end of the Peak District, which would take me to the heart of Manchester. Up from Preston I would enter the Lake District, and go through Windermere, Ambleside and cross a few hills to lead me up to Carlisle. I would cross into Scotland north of Gretna Green, and head into the valleys passing by Langholm, Ettrick, Innerleithen, and enter Edinburgh.
The route would go on further but my knees had taken all the beating they could till then. A case of incorrect positioning of the cleats. I decided on staying a day in Edinburgh and see how it felt — would I still be able to continue onwards and would my knees hold up? I decided against going forwards as the pain was unbearable and I thought unwise to push onwards with the state they were in. Not an easy decision to make and one that I don’t regret taking.
Learnings
It would be a failure of an adventure such as this had I not learned something.
First and foremost it’s the patience to let things fall into place. Embracing the uncertain nature of the elements and the changing needs of the body. It’s also learning about how you can handle your fears, and overcoming them. During the night it can get very lonely, quiet and agonising staring at a beam of light illuminating the road just a few meters ahead.
It’s awfully magical at the same time, like a crescendo the stars appear until lighting up the bare sky. I stopped a few times and gazed up, amazed in their magnificence. Particularly at Ullswater, just before turning off from the main road and heading up to the last big climb on the third day. I turned off my light and took in the feeling of being there in that moment — and also enjoyed a bite of the cookie I had been saving.
The second learning is to know what your body is saying. Some day I shall reach John o’Groats by bicycle and that it wasn’t meant to be on this trip. I have learned what to not do next time and be prepared accordingly.
This failure to complete the goal this time, this is just the start of something more epic. Iterating from this and previous experiences will eventually lead me to achieving my goal. By trusting the process and taking small steps day and day out, by being persistent each day is what will eventually make me achieve my goal.
The Outcome
This adventure has allowed me to learn how to cycle through the dark, cold and wet conditions and made me more comfortable with those situations. Before this, I had hardly done any long haul journeys in the dark and it really is something when you’re all alone pedaling through a forest.
Thanks to all the lovely friends and family who donated and made this journey purposeful. A massive thanks to those who hosted me and provided me with a warm shower and a cozy bed. And thanks to all the lovely messages of support along the way as you kept track of me over Instagram.
Now to recover and plan for the next adventure.
Some Stats
- 💰 Money Raised — £678.95 that will go towards The Running Charity
- 🚲 Kms cycled — 681.63 kms
- ‘⌚ Hours on bike — 42 hours, 32 mins and 13 seconds
- 🛑 Average speed — 16 km/hr
- 🗻 Elevation gained — 6,563m
- 🥐 Calories burnt — 9,748
- 🥶 Lowest temperature experienced — 0
- 🍬Haribos consumed — 4 Starmix bags
- 🎄Christmas trees spotted — 7
- 🦵 Knees damaged — 2
