Cycling Through Every County in the UK – Part 7

Trying to make up for lost time, rushing to get ferries, running out of sealant…and more terrible roads!

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

Hello, my name is Scott, otherwise known as Cycle the Nation. 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. Welcome back to the channel. The last thing you would have seen was uh me arriving in Storway. Well, that is where I am obviously this morning. Welcome back to another video. Um, first of things first, I have to apologize. I have cracked my lens and it’s been like that for a couple of days and I didn’t even realize cuz it’s been so wet now. Today’s plan is typically another another big big rush. I am currently cycling back to um Stoneway airport. The plane is at half 8 or so. It lands back in Glasgow at uh 20 9. I’ve got to get picked up, bike back together, taken back to the county I finished yesterday in, and then subsequently ride to Ken Ryan for 7ish p.m. Uh, I’ve got a fair to Northern Ireland to catch. Current sit rep for my body. Not good. Not good. I’ve already got a headache. My right knee is still absolutely killing me. Um, and my ass is just on fire. I mean, I’m in my civies again, which isn’t helping, of course, but I’m in a significant amount of pain. Um, feels like I’m limping. It’s horrible. Other final news is, yeah, both hands are now very, very sore. And Cypus Cam has returned. I put him on charge last night and um seems to be working. See something wrong with the GoPro. It’s a GoPro 9. It gets down to like 50% battery and it just won’t turn on. It’s probably got something to do with all the water and crap that it keeps heating. Anyway, I’m going to get to the airport cuz I’m already bloody frozen. [Music] Oh, that really is smashed, isn’t it? Oh dear. I’m sorry. Um, I’m back on the road. Day 13. Yeah, just on the south of I believe but heading into Dumbartan. I’ve got Glasgow city with a few to hit in around here. I’ve got to get a bloody rigle on. I’ve got 8 hours till I’ve got to be at the ferry. [Music] I don’t know what you can see through that glass, but bit of a hill. Is it called windy hill? Fortunately, it’s not that windy at the moment, so I’m trying to get ahead. putting some effort in. Oh, although it will later. I’m sure it will on the coast. [Music] So, the uh Wow, you can add this thing, can you? The last time I was in Glasgow was for the 2023 UCR World Champs watching Matthew Vanderpole, I think, win the road race and Fippo Ghana watching the I think it was the Kilo time trial against Dan Bigum. That was awesome that day. This one’s a little bit more fraught. Wow, what a mess. [Music] All right, first rest stop done. Wasn’t even a rest stop. It was in eat some biscuits, top up the fluids, top up the pockets with gels, trip mint cake. Let’s get a bloody rig up. Traffic lights are not helping my mood at all. Come on. Come on. Credit where it’s due. These bike paths are awesome around here. Uh where have they been? I can’t remember now. There’ve been some brilliant ones. Oh, this poo was green. I’m knackered. I’m so sorry, guys. Any better? No. Yes. I don’t know. Okay. throughout the city into the countryside, which also means the headwinds have literally just disappeared as I spoted. Ah, balls. And there’s rain on the horizon. And it’s heading this way. [Music] What are we? 66k in 26 km per hour. But there’s been quite a lot of climbing recently. So hopefully that’s going to creep up again in a minute. 117 p.m. So, I’ve just hit east proof. [Music] Um somewhere 73ks in. Um help infall 110 to go. Yeah, we should be okay hopefully. Right, let’s go. Very very very impromptu stop there. Just shoved in some biscuit. Thank you. Cheers. Shoving some sharp well vegan shortbread and some brisket in. Chopping up my fluids cuz I’m chucking them in as fast as I can because this is Oh, legs. This is a effort today. Cafe legs. Extreme extreme cafe legs today. That’s [Music] [Music] [Music] halfway into the day. Where are we? 3 hours 43. Yeah, just over well 91ks. Tiny bit more than Well, tiny bit less than that, but I am uh I’m burning through some candles today, but I need to. Tomorrow is a long, long day, but I’ve got a long time to do it, so I’m not overly worried about tomorrow. It’s a stupid thing to say about 165 mile ride. Here we are at Trun and uh there’s only one thing that I associate with trun that’s golf sit rep is Thank you. Pleasure. Um 82ks to go. Three and a half hours to do it in. I’ve got a quick splash and dash at air coming up. So, here we go up. No idea where that’s gone. Soon, find out, won’t we? Oh, yeah. It’s a good shot. Anyway, yeah, 82ks to go. Uh, trying to get on with it. Actually feeling decent. I thought I’d seen a plane before. Also, the first weekly not far from here. And then I get to go down the coast road. Okay, we’re in air. Air air. I need to sort this out. It is an absolute mess. Um, you’re just going to have to put up with a broken screen, I’m afraid, guys. Um, 71k to go. I’ve got 3 hours. Well, no, I’ve got more, but I’m trying to get there for 600 to give me time to sort out my stuff for tonight and tomorrow cuz I need I want to take my laptop and so I can just transfer some data and what have you. But yeah, I’m actually feeling really good. I think I’m clinging on. So J’s got me a Greg. Going to hop over the bridge and I’m literally having 5 minutes here getting straight on the road. Uh I’ll see you out there. I’m going to run out of battery at this rate. Pete’s come to see me and I’ve got to go. I feel so guilty. That’s all right. Uh I’ve got 71.2 km to go to get to Ken Ryan. Uh and I’ve got 2 hours 53 minutes to do it in give or take. So I’m going down the coast road. Hopefully the wind’s in the right direction. I’m running out of battery. Well, I’m afraid air as air air as pretty as it is, as lovely as it is, are some of the worst roads I’ve ever ridden on. It’s up there with Paisley and Edinburgh. Sorry. [Music] [Music] [Music] Trying to push on the hills a bit, but push isn’t exactly the right term. I might have even uh made it into zone three, one of these uh one of these efforts. But look at this. That headwind’s picking up as getting close to the coast. Probably going to pick even more one when I get around this corner. [Music] Turnbury, it’s getting windy. I hope these roads start beautiful and it’s Turnbury, not Trump turnbury. He can get bent. Okay, I’m running very low on battery on this camera, I’m afraid. This is the beautiful coast road. Um, I’m going to have to show you as much as I can from the rear facing side cycl minor vision. [Music] Single figures now. 8K to go. [Music] I’m calling that a momentous occasional. Scotland, you’re done. [Music] Right, ended. Scotland. Yes, I’m going to see you guys on the ferry. I’ve got a couple of bits to do before I get out there. We’ll summarize this part of the day, shall we? Or this part of the video. What a gorgeous day it’s been. Right, I am going to conclude this here. I’m on the ferry at K9 just about to set sail for Belfast. Not that one. I got that completely wrong. Um I’ve got 10k to do when I get over there. I might just get a cab. But I will see you guys in the next part. Well, hello there. Welcome to Belfast. It is Friday morning. I have got 265 km to do, plus another 10 to get to the ferry. It is 6:30 in the morning. I’ve started a little bit later today. Either way, I need to get a bloody rigle on. I am just always conscious about time. Um, my rear tires gone down a bit overnight and I don’t have a pump with me. My bad going on turn, but fingers crossed it holds together for the day. I did pump it up yesterday. Um, [ __ ] is all I can say. Anyway, right, let’s get some mileage in. Um, oh yeah, today is obviously self-supported. I was not bringing a van over just for the sake of this. So, I’ve got a pocket full of gels and I’m going to be stopping at shops to eat. I believe I have Mr. Cyclist Miner with me this morning which is cool. Typically I think I’ve hit every bloody red light. Can’t wait to get in get I si the basic premise for this morning as I pass under the massive rock that is where Belfast Castle I’m assuming is situated. Uh it’s a lap. As I say, it’s 265 km. It’s only 1,800 m of elevation. Starting with which is straight through Belfast and going north uptown Hooker left up towards um well lap of the top of Loch up near Magrafelt and then I wiggle my way on down to Hit for Mana at the bottom the far west before hopefully the tailwind went home but it could be into rain. Uh I’m in shorts. I don’t have sun cream. This jacket’s good enough for light rain. It’s uh seen me through some pretty soggy conditions already. Uh and it’s all I have. Feeling knackered. I didn’t get in till half 114 to 12 to the accommodation last night. Training was delayed as you know. So I’m operating on 5 hours sleep again. Yay. [Music] [Music] [Music] Oh, so I am just heading towards Randlestown, I think. Correct me if I’m wrong. So that’s at the north end of Loch NE which is if you don’t know the UK’s largest body of water or lake or lock on me if you prefer. I’m feeling weary. I’m not afraid to admit that much. Tiredness is upon me. A part of me wants to take it really really easy today and just stop at cafes and feed and rest and this that and the other. But the other part of me is always pensive about getting stuff done. Excuse me. I have given myself 15 hours to do today’s ride or thereabouts. Oh wow. which as you know is more than enough. But in the back of my mind, I always have this pensive worry that the more I get done, the more likely it is I’ll be able to sort it should the worst happen if if something happens. Sorry, I need to pull over here. Does that make sense? So, I’m trying to just should I get a puncture or need assistance or something? I just want to get as much of the day done as possible just in case. Hope that makes sense. [Music] Moving on towards Magraelt, which is where my first rest stop is going to be today. Well, I’m having a quick pit stop in uh is it Magafelt? Been told it’s pronounced. So, yeah, I need some breakfast. I’ve got water, but that’s from a bottle. Uh, and I think I’m going to have to nip into Savers to get some sun cream because that is out. I’m going to have to double check the forecast to see how long it’s out for, but I really don’t want to burn. Not Not a penultimate day. We might have an issue. Um, that’s gone down quite a lot. [ __ ] [ __ ] [ __ ] [ __ ] All right. There’s a bike shop. bike shop five miles away. So, I’m going to ride to that and see if I can just um get away with sticking one of my worms in it and getting them to pump it up. Quiet roads. Lovely 60 PSI wind. So, I managed to get sorted in a shop called Sickly Sport in Money Moore. Look at this. Look at this above gorgeous things. Gorgeous things. So, I can get back out on the road. I’m in a mad rush. Thank you so much for this. That’s a very, very lovely shop. Awesome. It’s got some awesome gear in there. So, I’m going to get a bloody rigelon because I’ve lost time. Right. And I’m actually on route as well, which is awesome. which we’ve gone yard off route which is great. Oh, turn around. I guess that ladies and gentlemen don’t exactly my uh I didn’t speech before about setting off in plenty of time. Um yeah, I know should have a pump with me and I’m a fool. I was hoping to have one of those battery powered jobies, but one I forgot B. I forgot. So, I have lost about 25 minutes there. Um, with the traffic, I’m 78ks in. I’ve still got LA. Bear with 190ks to do. I’ve got a fair headwind for a little bit now. Okay. Jesus Christ. Feels a bit close. With any luck, I’ll get back in time for a shower. Unfortunate thing is I’ve got to be on a bloody joke for now and nobody seems to give a damn. Oh, it’s another county. Wow. It’s not the nicest way to enter on your door carriageway, but in nonetheless. [Music] [Music] Hang on. That’s better. Yeah, that headwind’s getting stronger, which means if it stays strong, it’ll be a good tailwind later. Um, all the hills on this are slightly front loaded. We’ve only got 1,000 m to go in the last 163k, which is 3,000 ft and 100 miles in old money. So, a flat second half with a tailwind. That would be nice, but guaranteed it’s going to h it down. But that’s okay. It’s expected. Although I uh obly try and work in kilometers these days because cycling. I think I’ve just realized that I’ve uh passed the 2,000 mile mark. I must have done must have done. Can’t be far away if I’ve not uh cuz I’ve only got 100 miles left today and there’s only 80 from tomorrow. Can’t be far away. That’s good to know. Everyone’s got a trailer on the back of the car van around here. Nobody’s got a number plate for it, though. I think the last four that have gone past me, just zero registration numbers on them. It’s hilarious. Don’t think anyone clearly gives a damn, do they? Okay. Can you actually see me at all? This damn camera. I’m so sorry. So, I’ve stopped at Fintona. Some electrolytes, top up all the waters, sandwich. I shouldn’t really eat. Check back for later. Maybe go back in a bit. Yeah. Uh about 6 hours in. Halfway there. Got a towing homeish. I’ve still got a few miles to go out before I get to my turning point, but it’s not that far away. About six 6 10k something like that. I don’t know. Feeling okay. I’ve obviously got nothing in my legs, but I’m going to crack on and eat this and get a move on. Okay. Should we get back on the road? Well, say that as I am on the road. Uh 137.5K to do. That’s some moody looking clouds. Uh, in a UK, I get to turn around. Here comes the rain again. Falling on my head like a memory. Falling on my head like a new emotion. We have turned to Belfast. Oh, hello. That way. As the um see the weather has turned. It’s become colder, which means it’s more difficult for me to operate this camera with my hands. So, I’ll do what I can for you guys. I really will. At the moment we’re heading back towards I think well definitely the south of Loch Nay uh via I think Dun Ganon. I might be wrong there. I know I’ve got plenty of time but still I’d quite like to get back to the accommodation if it’s not going to be hoofing it down. [Music] We just stopped in I think it’s cloth koha koha little shop here to get some parasite malt and some ibuprofen cuz my knee started shouting again. I’ve not gone a day without any painkillers over the past few days but that’s the nature of what I’m doing lot of miles. It’s not necessarily on my bike it’s the rattling over and around some of the poles put in a funny position. up right route info 106 km so 4 and a bit hours it is 2 so I’ll going to have 4 hours spare 3 hours spare something like that should give me time to get stuff partially dry and somewhere before I potentially have to put it all back on to get to the ferry we’ll see work out in a bit right I’m going to get on this really busy road and Now head north. Where? East. East. Northeast. [Music] Right. That’s me off that god awful main road. You know, I wish I could design the uh route a bit better, but sometimes there’s no way around it. Well, there is, but it’s a lot longer. And a lot longer is something I do not want to be doing. So, on my way now to Dunan and then to come across the border down, I believe, before the final leg. Might stop in Dunan and get myself a brew just to warm myself up a touch. It’s much nicer, quieter roads. I’m cold, I’m tired, and everything hurts. [Music] So if you ever think your oneway system or your traffic system in the town where you live is knackered, go to Dun Ganon, then count yourself lucky. What a mess. [Music] I think I’m going mental. I started singing to myself. Don’t ever do that out loud. All the songs are in my head. Stay in my head until the karaoke. Karaoke machine comes out and now no one around. [Music] Well, uh, there’s a bonus. I was about to stop at the garage over there. I thought, “Oh, I’ll get some food there.” Was a chippy. Was a bloody chippy on the roadside. Proper chippy. So, yes, I’m having chips. That was a bonus. I’m very full. I’m probably too full, but that’s going to see me to the ferry. There’s 55k to go. So, probably a couple hours. I need to stop off at my accommodation to grab my gear. Running out of battery, so I’m just going to crack on. We’re getting there. about 41ks to go now. My belly is still full. That does not feel good. And I need a we feeling so good though despite all the fatigue and everything. Well, I don’t mean to say feeling good. I’m feeling positive. My body’s not feeling good. [Music] It’s a good job I checked. It really is a good job I checked. Um the route that I put in just takes me straight back to the docks, not via the start of today, which is where my stuff is. So, I’m going to have to get myself through Lisbon, then partially to Belfast, stop the route, work it on me before to get me to where I started today. Should it be all right? [Music] There’s still a chance I might get wet. H. [Music] Okie dokie. Oie dokie. There she is. Look, back in my civies, shower done. On the way, blah blah blah. Uh, my rear tire is almost flat. Not good. Not good at all. Uh, I’ve got my spare wheels and I’m going to check the plugs and stuff in the morning. When I get to Birkin Head and then cross over to Liverpool, I’ll give the bike a one. It’s over or say once over. Can’t do a great deal. But yeah, ready for an overnight furry. I think I might have a pint. Um yeah, I’m tired today. I’m tired. The sod all in the legs. I’m really tired. But Northern Ireland done in a day. Done in a day. Um stats haven’t quite finished at the moment. 275k. It’ll be not a quick day at all, but that doesn’t matter. Doesn’t matter at all. Very traffic all route. Straight on. So, yes. Thank you very much for watching this. Tune in next week for the grand finale. For me, it’s tomorrow and it’s a club ride. It’s going to be awesome. Got a few mates coming down to join me and some other people not from the club too. So, uh, if you’re not subscribed, bang that button. If you fancy donating to the cause that I have worked so damn hard for, please click the link down at the bottom. It means so very much. By the time I finish this, it’s up to about five grand. So, thank you again for watching. It’s been a lonely odd day. It’s going to be brilliant to have company tomorrow. I’m going to go and get on the ferry and I’ll see you guys next week. Mwah. [Music]