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https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/dan-munro2
Thanks to those that have already sponsored me.
That which doesn’t destroy us only makes us stronger. Hopefully.
Latest posts
- LEJOG – Some reflections on the trip
Why do it by yourself and how was it? Ive talked about doing this trip for years and its always been as a solo, unsupported expedition. The fun of finding my way (or not), finding somewhere to stay, meeting lots of really nice and interesting people and being self sufficient has been great. There have been a couple of moments when I would have… Read more: LEJOG – Some reflections on the trip - Made it!
After 13 days and about 1200 miles I’ve reached John O’Groats. Thanks for following the journey, your messages, your support and your sponsorship for Parkinson uk. It’s been a great adventure and I’ll share some reflections and my favourite moments over the next few days. - Day 12 – A day in the Highlands – almost there!
Today I passed the site of the last major set piece battle on UK soil (Culloden) and an amazing bronze burial site (Clara Cairns). Today the weather and the hills combined to make it feel like a battle and also that they both might end up burying me! The day started with an hours climb over the Pass of Dromochter. This is where Dalwine… Read more: Day 12 – A day in the Highlands – almost there! - Day 11 – Beautiful Lochs and mountains with a bit of Highlands damp thrown in
Hello Everyone. Quick update on todays progress and then lots of images. It’s one of those days were there were so many moments of beauty – images work better than words. I’ve also recorded a couple of short videos about bike packing. Today was a pure Highlands of Scotland day. The route used a mix of quiet roads and quite gnarly (on a touring… Read more: Day 11 – Beautiful Lochs and mountains with a bit of Highlands damp thrown in - Day 10 – Back in the Groove through Glasgow
Prawngate is over. Today the energy came back and I completed 148km / 91 miles through to the start of the Scottish Highlands in a small town called Drymen. The journey has 336 miles left. Given the journey is 1176 miles long – that’s pretty close to the finish. Just to add a challenge to this last part of the ride – the RMT… Read more: Day 10 – Back in the Groove through Glasgow - Day 9 – Mama Mia- a dodgy prawn and arriving in Scotland to a beautiful hotel
It was a dodgy prawn what done it. After a lovely day yesterday – the night finished with stomach pain and not much sleep. Luckily the day ahead was not one of the more challenging ones and Im now in Moffat, Scotland having completed 110km. The dodgy prawn in the Italian restaurant caused stomach pains last night and then a general lack of energy… Read more: Day 9 – Mama Mia- a dodgy prawn and arriving in Scotland to a beautiful hotel - Day 7 – Marvin Wants More – from Manchester into the Pennines
My kids used to love a book about a sheep called Marvin who always wanted more. He wanted so much that he ended up swallowing the world. Today I saw a sheep that looked like Marvin. Later in the day, I felt like Marvin. Today was a case of eyes bigger than stomach. Cycling through Manchester, Bury and then up into the Pennine hills… Read more: Day 7 – Marvin Wants More – from Manchester into the Pennines - Day 6 – A night I almost ended up sleeping outside
Todays been a really nice day of cycling. Lots of different landscapes and surfaces during the approx 95 miles. The big news of today was that I almost ended up without somewhere to sleep. The usual process of checking booking.com at about 3pm and booking into one of the many choices didn’t work. Firstly, I kept going until 1730 before trying to find a… Read more: Day 6 – A night I almost ended up sleeping outside - Day 5 – Sunny and a bit hilly and great accents in the midlands
Today started with a lovely breakfast with Sarah at a pub in the Cotstwolds. She dropped me to the place where she had picked me up yesterday and so began Day 5 with a smile on my face and really nice weather. It didn’t take long for me to get lost. Twice in Gloucester and several times on country roads. I also struggled to… Read more: Day 5 – Sunny and a bit hilly and great accents in the midlands - Day 4 – 100 miles and almost out of the West Country!
It’s a 100 miler. It’s taken a few days, and a less hilly terrain, and a few rogue miles whilst lost, but I’ve done it! Today’s update will be a bit rushed because I bumped into an old friend at the pub where I’m staying – see pictures. I slept in Bridgwater where I met some very friendly Americans from Colorado who are also… Read more: Day 4 – 100 miles and almost out of the West Country! - Day 3 – and the heavens did open and rained upon them
Day 3 and I’m in the rhythm of the ride. Another 9 hours of cycling – and whilst i didn’t reach Glastonbury – I got to Bridgewater – about 20k short (130k ridden today). Still, I arrived with a smile on my face and Ive made it to Somerset. The day started with another lost in a town moment. I’d studied the directions and… Read more: Day 3 – and the heavens did open and rained upon them - Day 2 – a vineyard, beautiful Bodmin and a race with a drunk blokeDay 2 was a much friendlier stage and i finished with a smile on my face, despite a bit of inclement weather (‘Mizzle”) for the first coupe of hours. Whilst not quite cracking 100 miles today (95 miles) – I reached Barnstaple – my target. The day began with a relaxing jaunt down the Camel Valley trail. It just so happened that Bob Linda,… Read more: Day 2 – a vineyard, beautiful Bodmin and a race with a drunk bloke
- Day one – Lands End to Padstow – welcome to test cricketThe day started a bit inauspiciously when I had to wheel my bike up a steep hill 30 metres from the start line. Amber signs were also flashing when I made a first wrong turn of the day before reaching Penzance. Poor map reading cost me 15km today- and this is not territory to ride an additional 15km. Hertfordshire it is not. Steep valleys… Read more: Day one – Lands End to Padstow – welcome to test cricket
- Awaiting starters orders…Hello Everyone, One slightly delayed train later, and here at the Old Success Inn near Lands End in Cornwall. The weather is nice and the inn is very good. I’ve just ridden the mile or so to Lands End to take a photo by the sign (see below) – and the ride will start from Sennon Bay tomorrow after breakfast. Note the small dot… Read more: Awaiting starters orders…
- All the kit and caboodle for the journeyThere are some lovely people that share their detailed thoughts on what you should take on the Lands End to John O Groats journey. For a detailed view on this – please visit the many excellent websites. This is a bit more of a list of things that didn’t quite go to plan and observations. The bike – I’ve bought a lovely Varruu titanium… Read more: All the kit and caboodle for the journey
- The routeThere is a pretty direct 907 mile route between Lands End and John O’ Groats. I’m not doing that one. There are also some alternatives that lead you through some quieter roads. The national cycle network route (SUSTRANS) is one of these routes that meanders along cycle paths and quiet country roads. Its a variation that extends the route to over 1,188 (very pretty)… Read more: The route
- Why read this blog?Good question. It could be one mans journey through a series of challenges and obstacles to achieve a zen like state of being. Or it could be some moans about how my legs hurt and the weather. Not sure which yet. But, i will try and keep it interesting and share some pictures. Most importantly – the site will show my progress so that… Read more: Why read this blog?
- why am I doing it?Why am I doing it? My ride is a sponsored charity ride for Parkinsons UK. Please see the just giving page here. The second reason for the ride is that Ive been talking about doing it for over ten years. It was a time to stop talking about it and get on and do it. The third reason is that my work role changed… Read more: why am I doing it?
Dan's blog. 