Well the ride is over and done and now begins the hard work of extracting the money from the sponsors. I am hoping that I will be able to get the total up to nearer £4k. The current estimate is £3,700 and I am sure there is more to add to that.

The statistics for the trip are:

Distance 1,008.15 Miles
Time 87 Hours, 21 Minutes, 16 Seconds
Average Speed 11.541 Mph
Punctures 0
Mechanical Failures 0
Food Eaten Loads
Alcohol Consumed Not Enough

I would like to finish off by saying a very big Than You to everyone who has had any involvement in my venture. The list of people to thank is fairly large and if I have missed you from the list then please accept my apologies.

Thanks to:
Donna (the wife)
Andrew Smith (lift back from John O'Groats)
Dawn and David Cumberland (looking after me and Andrew in Newark)
Brain and June Smith (looking after me at end of Leg 4)
Sue and Pat at work (keeping the map up to date)
All my work colleagues (sponsoring me to the tune of £2k+)
Abbey staff Fareham and Gosport branches (sponsoring me)
Squash Club friends (sponsoring me)
Tuesday Trios friends (10 pin bowling - Fareham) (sponsoring me)
Eastcroft and Southcroft Road residents (sponsoring me)
Friends and Family (sponsoring me)
Readers of my Blog

Well this is it, the last day; I think it is going to be pretty tough judging by the profile.
Once again I was right, the first 20 miles or so were pretty bad, all up and down hill. At one point I felt like Steve Redgrave did when the TV commentator thrusted a microphone in his face after he had just won an Olympic gold and Steve said something like "if you ever see me near a canoe again - Shoot me". Well my thoughts were very similar about bicycles rather than canoes at that point. I am pleased to say that it eased up quite a bit after that and come the end I reckon I could of done a few more miles (only a few, not lots!!). I passed 1,000 miles around about Mey, I stopped and took photo of bike as there was nothing else to photograph. Got to John O'Groats about 2:30 where Andrew was waiting for me with camera by the FINISH line. Had official photo done under signpost and the photographer said he would do me a deal as my ride was for charity; he would do me 2 photos for the price of 3. I declined his offer but said I would take him up on his offer if he could do me 3 for the price of 2. He apologised saying that was what he meant but his jock instinct had stopped him from saying it.

Only a short leg today, hoping I can get to watch Cup Final.
Met up with Andrew today, he was waiting at the top of the climb about halfway with his Campervan a very welcome sight indeed. Stopped for a brew and several bits of cake. After tea and cake I got back on bike and Andrew went on ahead to do recce on availability of TV showing Cup Final. Got into Tongue and Andrew had found the Brass Tap bar in the Tongue Hotel had a TV and would show the match, I don't think it would of been on if we weren't there as by the time it started we were the only ones in the bar. As you probably know Pompey won 1-0 but I don't think it wasn't a particularly good match for the neutral, Pompey probably deserved to win which I was pleased about as it does mean that some of my work colleagues are going to double their sponsorship - Result... Spent the night in campsite in Talmine, nice location but very basic plus I couldn't get the shower to work.

Day 11 - Loch Lomond to Glencoe
Bed & Breakfast wasn't up to much, perhaps I should have realised when the first 7 BnBs that I tried couldn't fit me in and this one was empty. Can't really complain for £25 though.
Another cold start in overcast conditions, jacket on weather. Made steady progress up the West Loch Lomond cycleway and once I was North of Loch Lomond the scenery changed to a hill/mountain to the left and a hill/mountain to the right. Stopped for lunch in Tyndrum and had myself some Haggis and chips, not bad, a bit greasy though. After lunch made good progress, I felt really good; I flew up all the inclines and zoomed down the descents. Got to YH about 4:30 where the guy in reception booked me into the remaining YH on my route so there shouldn't be a repeat of Loch Lomond where I couldn't get in.
Went to the pub for a bite to eat and watch the Rangers match (lost 0-2). Had myself some more 'Traditional Fayre' "Haggis Neaps N Tatties" that was more like it. The beer was pretty good as well "Sheepshaggers Gold"

Day 12 - Glencoe to Loch Ness
I predicted a slow start to the day with 2 ferry crossings and I wasn't disappointed. The first crossing from Corran to Ardgour was painless as the ferry arrived shortly after I got there and I was over the other side within about 10 minutes. The second crossing, at the top of Loch Linnhe from Camusnagaul to Fort William, was a bit different. I arrived at about 11am to find the next ferry wasn't until 12:30 so to pass the time I went to a tea shop that would have had wonderful views of Ben Nevis but for the fact it was covered in clouds. The tea and the cakes made up for it a little bit and the old guy who served me told me lots of interesting stories about all things Scottish. It passed the time until the ferry arrived and if I hadn't been in the Tea shop the guy would have had to speak to himself. From Clunes to Laggan it was a Forestry road for about 8 miles which meant there wasn't any cars on it but it also meant it was very tricky. The downhill bits were all loose gravel. After that it was canal path from Bridge of Oich to Fort Augustus which was full of pot holes, once again how I didn't puncture I will never know. Got to the YH about 6pm and had a look for Nessie but nothing seen.

Day 13 - Loch Ness to Carbisdale Castle
The day started in beautiful bright sunshine and ended in pouring rain. I left Loch Ness (and Nessie) behind me bathed in sunshine and made good progress until the Right turn onto A833 after Drumnadrochit. What a hill !!! Needless to say that I pushed the bike about 90% of the way, it makes Farlington Avenue look like a gentle slope. I treated myself to Tea and Cake in Beauly, the cake was gorgeous, so much so I had myself a second bit. It started to rain as I joined the B9176 near Alness and rained for just about the rest of the journey to the YH. Spoke to Andrew tonight and he is going to meet me on my route tomorrow.

Day 8 - Slaidburn to Carlisle
A very hard day that begun hard and didn't seem to get any easier. Started with a climb up to High Bentham and once over the top couldn't really bomb it down hill as there are cattle grids everywhere. Went wrong in Burton-on-Lonsdale, thought I was going straight on but should of gone right and then straight on. Realised mistake at next junction about 1 mile later. Stopped for some lunch in pub in Tebay and as I came out the door to get back on bike it started to rain, I took shelter for about 15 mins before setting off in light rain. Light rain turned to heavy rain about 10 mins later and it rained for well over an hour, until Temple sowerby. Needless to say maps got wet but thankfully remained in tact when changing them. As previously mentioned, YH in Carlisle only opens in July and August so I went straight through and found a hotel about 5 miles the other side.

Day 9 - Carlisle - Wanlockhead
A much better day today with the weather behaving itself and the distance down to 57.5 due to extra miles done yesterday. Got to the border about 10am where I met 4 others doing LEJOG. I think they were doing the trip that I thought about doing with the Adventure Company, they didn't have luggage and there was a support vehicle following them around (light-weights), I was quite pleased that I was doing it 'My Way'.
From the border joined NCN 74 and followed it all the way to Elvanfoot and found it very easy to follow (unlike my experiences with some NCNs in England) except for 1 hill all gradiants were gradual. The hills from Elvanfoot to Wanlockhead weren't too bad either. I arrived at last shop before YH in Leadhills and had to wait 45 mns for it to open at 4pm. Tomorrow looks like lots of downhill, YIPPPEEE !!!!!

Day 10 - Wanlockhead to Loch Lomond
Today was a very slow start as no matter what I did I couldn't get comfy on the saddle, in fact the whole day was pretty slow as I had to navigate Glasgow. The approaches seemed to go for ever but once I crossed the Clyde and got onto the Galsgow to Loch Lomond cycleway it was much better. Not sure how I didn't puncture on the cycleway as there was plenty of glass about. Got to spectacular looking YH to find it was full, all 153 beds taken, as it happens I wasn't too dissapointed as the place was full of kids. I went back into Balloch and eventually found a B & B with a vacancy which was right next door to a pub and opposite a curry house - Result... Went for curry which was OK but not a patch on my local, The Taste Of Paradise on Brockhurst Road, Gosport.
713.89 miles done so far. 62 hours 16 mins 47 secs in the saddle

Sorry for the delay in updating but No T'internet access I'm afraid.
Anyway here goes

Day 5 - Llangrove to Clun
Well, June sent me off with a mega pack-up, I had to leave 1 bottle of drink behind as I couldn't fit it on my bike. I would once again like to say a BIG THANK YOU to Brian and especially June for looking after me just like I was one of their own.
I had to make a 5 mile detour just North of Ross-on-Wye due to a road closure, tried to go round but no way. Arrived safely at YH where I met 2 guys who started from Lands End the same day as me but went via Dartmoor, they were only going as far as their home town, Wrexham and Stockport. I actually saw them near Leominster when I was buying sunglasses. Saw them again cycle past the pub in Clun when I was waiting for my food. Had a very nice Gammon steak in "The Sun in Clun"
Just realised that the YH in Carlisle is only open in July and August so change of plan for end of day 8 I will have to stay in B&B.

Day 6 - Clun to Chester
Not much to say about today other than YH is not up to much, I'm in a 8 bunk room and ALL bunks are occupied. Went into Chester for something to eat and it was full of well dressed 'Pissed Up' Men and Ladies who had been to Chester races. They weren't any problem to me more of a problem to themselves wandering accross the road without looking if any traffic was coming etc etc. Early night as long day with potential for getting lost according to the directions

Day 7 - Chester to Slaidburn
A very hard day today, especially the last couple of hours which involved a lot of uphill. YH at Chester was bit of a dump one of the guys in the dorm was member of the England snoring team and there was a Scottish rugby team in the hostel who demolished b'fast as quick as the guy could put it out. Progress on the route was good right up until just before Whalley where directions were to turn left onto a B road but there was no left turn !! had to go into Whalley and find the B road and then it was all hills to Slaidburn.
Have done 502.48 miles so far which is just about half distance. Another long day ahead of me tomorrow. I will update days 8 onwards either later tonight or at YH tomorrow.
Bye !!!!

Not been able to update until now.
Just finished Day 4 and it has been the best day so far. Left YH at 8.45 and called in at my auntie Doreen in Nailsea for a chat (sandwich, chocky biscuit and drink), good to see Doreen as not seen her for a couple of years, she looked well and was in fine form. After that went on my way to Old Severn Bridge via NCN 41 and 10 and the M5 Avon Bridge. Found the NCNs a bit easier to follow once I got onto them.
Got photos of Avon and severn Bridges but not enough free space to upload !!
Into Welsh Wales and a deviation from my route took me up the Wye Valley on A466 which for once was the right move. The Wye valley is beautiful and hardly any hills to climb into the bargain.

Day 3 was a long day, planned to be 91 miles but actually did 86 as I missed the join onto NCN 3 at Westleigh so went on the A39 to Taunton instead where I was able to pick up NCN 3 only to find after about 400yards it was fenced off at the Cricket Ground with no alternative signposting. I went onto other canal bank and picked the route up about 1mile down stream. Lost my sunglasses when I stopped to take a photo, put them ontop of my panniers and rode off and didn't realise until i was at bottom of a big hill. Needless to say i didn't go back for them.
That evening met my brother Barry and his wife Christine and a squash friend of mine (Gary Hood) in the Bath Arms in Cheddar, good to see some familiar and friendly faces (and Gary). Had 3 pints of Bass but felt more like 33 as was V tired.

Day 2 was a bit of disater, went to catch ferry from Padstow to Rock and because tide was out had to go to lower beach which meant pushing bike for about a mile either side on pathway and beach, not very easy. I reckon that added a good hour to my journey. Into the bargain got soaked in last half hour before reaching Betty Cottles. Had a massive Hungry Man Mixed Grill !!

That is it just about up to speed, have to go now as June is serving up the pudding yum yum !!

What a start.... Hissing down with rain and a heavy mist.
Had to get off and walk up hill as early as 4 miles, hairpin bend and traffic coming from both directions. Got lost/couldn't find the road after about 7 miles, couldn't find left turn from Lamorna to Mousehole so had to go back to main road and re-join route a mile further down the road at Sheffield, not that Sheffield !! the one in Cornwall. Stopped for some lunch at Threemilestone had a very nice pint of Tribute Premium Cornish Ale, so nice I had another. Mistake number 1, should of stopped at 1 pint. Spent a fair bit of the afternoon trying to find St Columb Major. I was following NCN23 signposts but managed to miss one and god knows where I ended up. Once I got back on the route I stuck to the map. Just after St Columb Major I stopped to let a mini cross some cross-roads ahead of me, ended up letting about 100 minis cross, it was great as they were all beeping horns and lots of them were in fancy dress.
Ended up doing 71.5 miles rather than 64.something due to getting lost. arrived safely about 6pm and met a group of walkers from Exeter who invited me to the pub with them, went to The Farmers Inn in St Merryn. Saw a lady in the pub who I recognised and it turned out to be Di Burt from Shaftesbury (my home town), small world !!! couple more pint of Tribute before hitting the sack. Didn't manage to turn middle picture round before publishing and running out of time so you will have to bend your neck to see it properly - sorry. Must go and make a start on Day 2

The start day is fast approaching. Fundraising is going well, broke the £3000 barrier today. Updated my fundraising target to £4000. I feel reasonably confident of achieving it as there will be a donation from my work (probably about £200) plus I know of at least 15 people who have verbally agreed to donate but haven't got around to doing it yet. If you're one of those 15 could you please make your pledge at www.justgiving.com/elvinbooth

Took photo at work today next to map that shows route. Pat is going to update the map with my whereabouts which I will be passing onto her as I go.

It is now less than 5 before the big OFF.
Fundraising is going very well but could do a bit more if you could dig deep it would be appreciated. I have managed to get £1800 in pledges from my work colleagues and another £1000 ish from friends and family. Many more have verbally agreed to sponsor but not committed yet.

I have been looking at day 1 of the trip and it is very hilly, about 2 and half times the climbing that I done on Saturday. There is a very nasty looking one after just 7 miles and another even nastier one at about 32 mile (Threemilestone i think). At least the last 7 or 8 miles are all down hill !!!

Saturday 26th April 2008 - From home to Christchurch
Left home just after 9 and was cheered off by the wifey, Ron and Carol waved as I passed the Cocked Hat, John and Wendy waved me as I passed the Osborne View.
Weather was wonderful I had to take my jacket off as it was so warm. Stopped for lunch (beer and steak sandwich) at Queens Head in Burley (could of easily stayed for a few more but had to get on the Christchurch to watch Under 14 Girls Cup final).
Took wrong turning out of Burley - thought map said steep, so I went up steep hill, map said slap ?? I knew I had gone wrong as I passed the golf course but stayed on the road and rejoined my plan after A35.
Girls won Cup final 4-0, they outclassed Romsey Town and could of been a few more.
Got back to B & B had shower and changed and back to Queens Head for some more Ringwood Best.
Donna, John and Wendy joined me for nosebag and couple of pints and then it was back to B & B for early night, woken at midnight by phone buzzing with message from Donna saying she was home safely - Thanks for that Donna !!!

Sunday 27th April - Burley to home
Stopped at lovely B & B - Bay Tree House (http://www.annetteallen.co.uk/)
During breakfast it started to rain and then thunder and then lightening, the power went off and for a moment I thought I was on the scene of a Scooby Doo movie. Took my time getting ready hoping the rain would ease and luckily it did. I set off about 10 o'clock and by about half past it had completely stopped. Crossing the A31 wasn't easy, it took about 10 mins to cross the eastbound side. Stopped briefly in Fair Oak and Hill Head but pushed on and was home before 2 o'clock.
Sat 68ml 5hrs 5mins
Sun 51ml 3hrs 55mins