Cycling Through Every County in the UK – Part 6

What’s that? More wind, more rain and the second longest ride of my life?

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BIKES
▶ 2022 Giant TCR Advanced Pro 1
▶ 2002(?!) Airborne Valkyrie

Welcome back. Uh, this is 6 hours after you last saw me. It’s quart 12 4 in the morning. I’m just getting dressed to get out. It’s day 11. It’s going to be a monster of the day. Hello, my name is Scott, otherwise known as Cyclation. This is the latest in my idiotic challenges. I am here on Dartmore ready to start my cycle the nation challenge proper. 109 counties, 15 days, 3,610 km with 3.9 Everests of climbing. Come and join me for the whole journey. [Music] [Music] Hello. Hello. Hello. We’re on the road. We’re on the road. We’re on the road. We are 47 1/2 km from the end of yesterday’s ride. Therefore, we are 47 1/2 km from the start of today’s ride, which I have to ride on top of my uh probably second hardest day. It’s actually lovely at the moment. We’ll have basically no tailwind that was promised. Uh typically that’s probably going to be the headwind later on. Red lights two. No, 325 km are due today. I don’t know what the elevation gain is yet. Uh-oh. Ow. I’ve had about 4 and 1 half hours sleep, but that’s okay. I’m awake. Poor Jew has got the real shitty end of the stick. He’s had to put up with all of the stress with the second half. The first half was basically fine. Not green. Yes. Um, so today’s plan is get to the end point of yesterday’s ride, check how everything is, and just crack on. This could be my longest ride ever today. That sounds mental, doesn’t it? I think it might might match my longest ever ride if not go slightly further. I’ve got the left to do today. That’s a 10 out of 10 on Simon Warren’s list. So, I’m terrified about that. And then potential for rain and headwinds as well later in the day. But I should theoretically get a little push-up while we’re in. Obviously, that’s not happened yet. [Music] So, pains are all there. I’ve got no power in the legs at all. Um hopefully that’ll come as the painkillers kick in. But, um we’re just going to have to suck it and see, aren’t we? 200 miles on a knack of power legs. There a brain fix this morning. [Music] Got some imposing hills up there. Hopefully I’m going between them. Oh god, massive puddle. Hopefully the disc. I just don’t want to get pissed off. on the first border crossing of the day. Clack manure. Um, just before I carry on wanging on about stuff, just about to say I’ll definitely have to come back here when the weather’s good. It’s bloody June. Weather should have been good, but hey, it looks beautiful. [Music] Got one. Reminds me of the howgills around here, but with a big road. It’s beautiful. [Music] on down the road. Slight downhill tailwind. I’m still a bit cold. Be sort of cold sweats kind of cold. [Music] There’s puppy. Right, people. Um, rest stop zero is done. Just giving this a quick dry. It’s just hoofed it down whilst I was in the van. It’s quart 7, something like that. Um, and I’m basically starting late, but that’s fine. So, we’re actually officially on day 11 route now. I’m just loading it into the Wahoo. loading it up. Um hopefully continue with this tailwind for a bit and see what happens over the later, but think about that later. Right, getting a move on. Let’s get on the road before I get really cold. Jesus, these cameras are tough. I’ve just absolutely launched it ping it down the road. Right, I’ve got um Look at this. 265K, 2,500 m to do. Um, I’m going to have to be very careful when the camera comes out now. I’ve dropped it twice. That would be funny, but I don’t want to damage my camera because all of the footage I’ve gone through so far in the first 10 days would be knackered. Plus, I’ve just lost another minute. Incremental losses. Not great. [Music] Well, this is pretty cool. Bridge over the Tay to Dundee free of charge. This is awesome. I’ve just took my base layer off. I’ve got to what? Who would have thought it? Especially if you’re working for the council. [Music] [Music] That’s 50ks an hour. I’m just sat at it. This Dwind’s a monster. This is awesome. I’m making up time that I need to at the moment. Going to lose it later, but that’s okay. [Music] I am just coming into our roads. Absolutely monstering along. Zero effort required. Averaging 30 km an hour. Rest up 20 minutes away. I feel absolutely insanely good right now. Although I’m getting hungry. Well, best get fed. Said he was moving fast, didn’t he? [Music] Am I recording? Yes. I have to be cute about recording cuz I’m running out of data. Um, so I’m trying to get out. Thanks. 125k done, about 200 to go. Or if you prefer, 125 miles. I’ve still got 45 milesish to go with this tailwind, which is awesome, but does mean 80 mi of crap. Oh, my glasses. I cannot ride without my glasses on. I don’t want to lose my vision. This jacket is awesome. I’m going to get moving. It’s uh 74 74k to the next stop. That should be at this pace about two and a half hours. Right, I’m gonna get a move on. Bye. Anyway, straight into my climb. It’s a lovely route this, but it’s main road, so give and take. It’s quietened down now cuz rush hour’s over. Set rep for my body. I’m starting to get the feeling back a bit in this hand. Ass is okay this morning. These shut bibs, they’re amazing. Uh, and I’ve readjusted my saddle again cuz somehow it had moved, I think, in transit. So, I’ve snug that down. Now, we need to pick up this place again. Woohoo. Oh, and there’s the sea again. [Music] Welcome to Montrose. Obviously somewhere else I’ve never been. Looks cool. We’ve got another harbor. So I expect to cross one in a second. Of course, I try and reach the river es river south es [Music] here a lot earlier than I thought. I might have to look at some maps. I might be able to cut some smiley out from today. That could be amazing news. [Music] Woohoo. Um, so yeah, Abadine and Abedine City are two separate counties, which is a shame, but it’s not a shame. I knew it already. That’s why I’ve drawn it on the map. So I need to go to Abedane now. Woo! Cyclist. [Music] Well, I didn’t get the camera out to talk to him, but uh that was Alan. What a lovely guy. Put a dig in to catch me up again. Have a bit of a draft. So, we’ve just chatted for the last 15 minutes. He’s taking the coast road up. Coming to a mate for a brew and getting a buso. What a hero. Oh, it’s 79. That’s uh that’s how you do it, isn’t it? Also, this road’s a bit special, isn’t it? Just lovely. I’m uh halfway well over halfway through the distance today, but probably not halfway through the day maybe. You know, I think they cut across the highlands. Hopefully the wind will die down a little bit, but experience last week says that’s not going to happen. Uh but all the climates could be done there as well. We’re just going to have to see. Uh, speaking of that wind, the the Hello, that wind is going to be worryingly in my face, I think, all the way over. It might be a very, very long westerly 80 km. We’ll see. Looks wild today. It’s um it’s midday and it’s probably the first time I could uh Is it 100 miles? No, 176 km or in the third well in old money 110 mi covered. I am concerned about this wind though. Hopefully when I get to Abedine it’ll calm. But look at the views. It’s just incredibly Scottish. Hello. Hi. It’s all right. I’ve not fallen over. I’ve just had lunch. It is 10 1. Uh 194 km just about. That’s 120 something miles and going to hit the road. Um, this headwind looks awful. For the next 130 km, it’s going to be a lot of hours with 40 Well, 40 mph gusts. I’ve just cut through Abedine City Council. Um, no council. That’s not what I mean, is it? County. Abedine City Council because it’s different to Abedine. I’m literally in it just here up this B929. Is it something like that? Anyway, doesn’t matter. Uh, we need to get a move on because um because I don’t want to be late for stuff and it’s going to start hurting really quickly. Okay. Uh, let’s get on the road back into Abedineia. I’ve just gone little little just cut through the little sticks out of the bottom. This is going to be um pretty grim. 8 hours 15 into the day. 130 ks of draft coming up hopefully with an occasional little tailwind. It’s cross me right now so it’s not awful. Um I’m literally a few ks in 5ks from stop. Uh my I’ve gone really lightaded. Heart rate’s in the 90s. That’s fine. I’m just keeping an eye on things. Hands are tingling. Heart rate’s jumping from 80s to hundreds. 80s to 100s. I don’t feel well. I’m just going to go slowly. see how I feel. That’s sensible. I think I need to get some more fluids in me. Okay, panic may be over. I think I was overheating. Massively dehydrated. I’ve not drunk enough this morning. So, I drew overtook me. Give me a little bip. I told her I just pointed pulling. I put me shorts back on. That froze to death in yesterday. Um hopefully. Yeah, I feel better for it already. See some fluids in me in some acry. The climbing has appeared and um that’s changed. All the trees have started appearing. Bloody beautiful. I’m getting a bit of shelter at the moment which is awesome from the uh from the wind. Not mechanically. Obviously I’m in the trees. I’m feeling a lot better now. I’m sure you’ll be pleased to hear considering I thought I was dying. Hands weren’t tigly, tingly, numb. I’ve got pain in my left arm. Oh god, is that it? Am I done? Oh well. [Music] [Music] Look at that. Look at the the sea of grass. The grass just isn’t it magnificent? It’s effing wind. I’m genuinely holding on to things. Fortunately, up the left, I think it’s a it’s going to be a bit of a tailwind up there, but that’s the only tailwind I’m going to get. Ow. You all right? Woohoo! Nips. Do you want your jacket again? No. No. I’ll be too hot in that. Right, I am recording. Support crew been amazing. Oh, look at the sea of grass. Okay, people. But I’m still going to have to be very quick and cute about what I record. Um, I’ve got 79K to go. This side stroke headwind is frankly appalling. I’m really struggling. Um, it’s doing rainy bits. Can’t decide what to wear most of the time. And I’ve got the left still to do. So again, you might be getting more rearfacing camera than anything else, but it is bloody stunning here. It is gorgeous. It’s on an away. Just to actually perfectly demonstrate a question I was asked, I’m now going uphill, sheltered from the wind. Much preferred to anything with a headwind. Anything. [Music] How can I? This wind is never ending. Ah, it’s like South Wales all again. It’s battering me. At least it’s not raining at the moment, but it looks like it might do. Trying to get to the van. She’s waiting there for the next stop. Well, last rest stop hopefully of the day. Biscuits and cake. And this headwind, I’ve mentioned it. Yes, it is brutal. Absolutely brutal. Um, it’s Tuesday. I last Tuesday in Well, ah, just bit me tongue. Hang on. I’ve got to go up the left now in about 2 or 3ks time. Headwind to get there. Turn. It should turn into a sort of a sidey tailwind to go. No, headwind to get there. Sidy tailwind up. Hopefully there’s some shelter at the top because it’s headwind all the way back to Avimmore now. Got about 60ish K to go. That’s going to be three hours. I said I’d advance warning to the hosts. Let’s get on with it. I might be sick in a minute. Oh man. I see it from here. That tailwind’s going to disappear up there. It’s sheltered. Ah, I’m so tired. I’m doing 15ks an hour on the flat balls. I can see the road poking out through there. Oh my god. Holy They will never know. Got any gear? Try not to be sick. [Music] That’s just about the worst of it done. Mother hell or is it? Ah, I don’t know. [Music] [Music] [Music] I can see in the sky. All the wonder [Music] [Music] out of 1070 mi into our ride. Is it Is it? Yeah. 170ish. Right. I’m going to have to be extremely careful down here. The wind is appalling. Um I don’t know if you’ll be able to see from any of that. I was really really leaning over. Um it’s dangerous. Um but yeah, the left is done. Screw you. Right. Hopefully we get some shelter to have him more now, but I highly doubt it. [Music] It’s kind of hard to ignore. Genuinely struggling to keep the bike in a straight line. It’s throwing me everywhere. It’s really dangerous. So, I’m having to go slowly. That was a genuinely genuinely horrible descent because of the wind. I want to come back and do that on a nice day. Both sides. Um, that was sketchy as hell. I didn’t enjoy that one little bit. I was all over the road. The wind just constantly trying to take my wheel. It was minging. Right. 40k to go. Another two hours. I’ve got cold again. So I’ve got three layers on top and in tomington I think it’s called Tomington. Yeah. Just need to get back now. Of course it’s worth it. Look at it. Oh. So apparently now I’ve only just hit the highlands and somebody’s put a 13% hill in the way. Uh I’m back on double I’m wearing double bibs. Never done this before. I got so cold I just threw them on over the top. Ah. That’s pretty special. Would you like to add something else into the mix for all this headwind, weather, hills, mainly wind? Pretty sure I’ve myself and if I’m not, don’t know how, but my guts are turning inside out. I’ve got 23k to go now. Only 117 m of climbing to do. The end is nigh. It really is. [Music] Final But really don’t have any anything left. Come on. Keep going. Come on. You’ve got 100 yards. I don’t even have it in me to do the next 3 and 12 km to make it 200 miles. I’ve 318.6k. Come on. 18. No. 11 hours 58. I’ve somewhat done a sprint of a thousand watts. Um, is it okay to say I’m proud of myself today? I need to go to sleep. I’ll see you in the morning. Good morning. Day 12. I’ll be more. It’s 6°. I’m shattered. It’s 20 4 alarm. I need to be on a flight to Glasgow. I think that leaves at 6 p.m. So, I’m going to be at Glasgow airport like 4 something like that. half past at the very latest which means cycling south from here down to Fort William then Glow then down to lock Norland as far as I can get and then we’re going to get hot tailed down to the airport in the van flight is still away to the hotel there or the hostel it’s very cold and it’s raining It’s not a good start. Okay, I might not be able to show you a great deal for now. I will try obviously cuz it’s very very beautiful up here, but it’s currently 4°. There’s a headwind and I’ve not been able to get warm before I got on the bike. It’s like 20 half 5 in the morning. It will get warmer. It will get drier. It will get windier. Bloody hell. We can go tonight. There’s snow on the tops. It’s June. Come on. Heat. Heat. [Music] Heat. Heat. [Music] This road is amazing. I’m starting to warm up a bit now. I’m in How far am I? An hour and a half. Something like that. Give it a sec. Hour and 43. Obviously, I’m not going very fast, but I’m doing everything I can. My watts are non-existent. Basically, there’s a note in the tank at the moment. Something in my mind is changing. [Music] It’s just incredible. The road surface is non perfect. Little bit here or there, but scenery is just getting better and better. I’m trying not to be concerned about my speed. And I think I’ve got a little contingency at the moment. That’s not to say that the wind and the rain might increase at some point soon. [Music] [Music] I think I’m going through that valley. over there. Maybe the other one. I don’t know. Either way, they look imposing and cold, but beautiful. [Music] before the world comes down. Somehow, I have no idea how I’ve blown straight past you. She must have been pulled up on the side or something. Um, I’m already 81ks in. So, I’ve just called her. She’s going to catch me up and we’ll find a playby somewhere. Right, we have to have a Oh, quick splash and dash, guys. Uh managed to get to 88ks in before my rest stop. That is the longest spell I’ve done between stops. Oh, sorry. Do you know one tip? No, no, I will have it. Absolutely. Um yeah, I mean the weather’s the same, but the views aren’t getting any worse either. The only thing that’s cold me now, uh fingers are getting there. I can feel them now. Toes are cold, but whatever. We got to go. We keep looking at the clock thinking we’re all right, and I don’t think we are. I need to get a bloody rigle on [Music] Okay, I’m now actively looking for a loop. I can’t stop by the roadside here and it’s not that type of loop stop I need. [Music] Well, thank you very much there to the uh Balanchulish I think medical center. That was uh an emergency situation. Right, time to get the busy on. I’m going up to Gleno now on this busy busy road. Well, I guess I’m going through that. [Music] Well, this isn’t going to last forever, is it? So, let’s get it documented. Just wow. Wow. Wow. Wow. Wow. Wow. Well, sun’s out in front of me, but I’m being chased. I’m being chased by a storm. It’s going to get me. That I’m sure cuz I’ve got a tow up this bit. [Music] [Music] and still we climb. Beautiful. You know what? I’d be disappointed if it wasn’t uh wet. gives the atmosphere that it so deserves. Of course, it’s hammering it down. Of course, I’m happy. I’m climbing. Awesome. Awesome. Awesome climb. Look at that behind me. Apart from that, that’s good. Got absolutely piss wet through going up there. Don’t mind I’ve got to rest up in a few minutes. Uh quick dry towel down. Get moving again. Get down this clan. [Music] [Music] [Music] Well, that was awesome. Fed, watered, changed. Hello. Look at this. Um, I’ve got apparently 32 miles left. And that prick’s nearly just taken me out. Unbelievable. As beautiful as this all is, I’m going to be happy to get somewhere slightly less weathery. Uh, yeah, it’s a bit extreme. And as you can see, I’ve got changed. Needs must rubbish. Look at this. and get down into some of them shaded areas. Maybe it’s cold up here. Just stated that behind me now. Woo’s changed. It says I’ve got 60k to go and I’ve got 2 and 1 half hours left to do it in. So, I need to get an absolute move on. Yeah, I’m being thrown around like a ragd doll. Just one last look at this before I go. I’ve got all sorts of down and up to deal with yet. I can’t really stop. I’ve got to get a move on. As soon as we get moving, look, county border. [Music] Really? I’m going to have to keep you away for a bit. I’m really sorry. The views are amazing, but I really struggling to get you in and out pocket. This hand is not working properly. Really? Ah, come on. [Music] I’ve been climbing for what feels like hours up here. Oh, I can see the top. It’s less than a K away now, which is good news. Tight for time. Didn’t want to be tight for time. Probably the same tomorrow. It’s almost like I’ve forgotten what I’m doing. Getting these frequent really heavy, really painful showers. And there it is. Look at the state of it. I’ve missed showing you so much, guys. Last what, two hours, I’ve not been able to record anything. Cold wet. My hands have basically been spoons. I can’t do anything with them. Mostly have to stop to get the camera out cuz I can’t really ride and do it. But I’m on such a tight schedule. I’ve got about 2 minutes spare at the moment in my head. Maybe more, but I don’t know what the traffic’s like in Glasgow. So, I’m just trying to get going. 14ks to go to Tarbet. Mental. This is not a good idea, guys. Do not do what I do. [Music] Come on. Almost there. I can see the van. Yes. Okay. Welcome to Tarbert. We’re in a rush. So, bike’s gone in the box. That’s going in the van. And uh the day isn’t complete yet. Hence the reason why that’s going in there. I’ll come back to you in a minute. Oh, we haven’t changed this time. We don’t have props. We got a proper plane this time. Welcome to the outer hedes. Little 5 km dive to the uh hostel in my normal clothes. [Music] [Music]