FOR SALE: THREE ROAD BIKES, well worn and unreliable, all offers considered!

On a more serious note, a HUGE thank you to everyone who has supported our LEJOG challenge and encouraged us along the way. We have had an amazing time and hope that you have enjoyed following our adventure.

......what can we do next year? ........

Fri 29: In the end it was Gordon who suffered the most punctures (5 in total) so had to buy the champagne. Better luck next time Gordon!

4.35pm Fri 29: Unfortunately the man who manages the John O'Groats post (yes, that is a job) went home half an hour early to the boys dismay. What a joke!

Fri 29: At 4.35pm the boys rolled into John O'Groats after travelling nearly 1000 miles! Fantastic.....and they managed it in 9 days rather than 10!

Fri 29: Amazing scenery along the North coast of Scotland.

Fri 29: Neil slugging his way up to Bettyhill. Still "strong"!

Fri 29: Maybe this isn't so bad after all!

Fri 29: Robin somewhere between Altnahara and Bettyhill.

1045am: Contrary to expectation the boys did actually sleep at the Crask Inn (there was talk at midnight last night of hitting the road and sleeping in a ditch somewhere along the route) but opted out of breakfast. They are now around 5 miles from Bettyhill where they hope to catch a strong westerly wind to push them along to the finish.

The now infamous Crask Inn provides a, erm, unique experience...moving on....its the final day of this epic journey and the guys are heading for Bettyhill on the Northern coast before swinging a right making their way along to John O'Groats (otherwise known as John O'Grotty). Plans to stop at the Tongue Hotel for breakfast have been cancelled on account of this requiring a 6 mile detour. Its a glorious day so hopefully the boys will savour their last day on the road!

4pm and the guys have reached the top of Struie Hill which was a bit of a slog. They reached Struie Hill after passing through Dingwall and Alness. There is a good decent down to Bonar Bridge before they push on the remaining 30 miles to the Crask Inn. This is the second day that the boys are travelling without kit. They are hoping to be joined by Anna, Zena and Allan for dinner tonight where they will be reunited with their bags.

11.50am: The guys have just passed over the Kessock Bridge at Inverness after leaving Newtonmore at 7.15am this morning - that's a lie in for them! Last night's guest house was fantastic. If you are ever in the area, check it out (www.coignashee.co.uk). The weather is much cooler today with occasional showers but there is a gentle breeze pushing them along. They are pretty tired after their 130 mile stage yesterday but encouraged by the prospect of finishing tomorrow, a day earlier than planned.

4pm: Neil is happily repairing a puncture in the Killicrankie/Bruar area. The guys have just joined the cycle path that runs alongside the A9. They have already covered 100 miles today and still have 30 miles to go. They are thoroughly exhausted and heading for the lovely guest house that Anna has booked them into tonight in Newtonmore. The target to complete LEJOG in 9 days is now on!

2.30pm: Neil, Robin, Brian, Ken & Gordon in Pitlochry. The Hood Family Mobile Catering Unit was in full operation again today much to the boys' appreciation. Many thanks!

12.30pm: After working their way through Fife they guys are closing in on Pitlochry with only 5 miles to go. By using back roads and lanes they have managed to avoid the A9 so far. Ken and Brian's local knowledge of cycle routes has been really helpful. At present, the boys don't know exactly where they are headed. They are aiming for Newtonmore/Kingussie but are going to see how they get on. It might be worth pointing out to them that once they leave Pitlochry there's not a great deal between there and Newtonmore so they might not have any choice!

5.40am: And they're off....the guys are heading for the Highlands today. After crossing the Forth Road Bridge they are hoping to meet up with Ken & Brian, friends of Robin, who will accompany them for a good part of the day and encourage the boys along.

Gordon, Nigel Emslie, Bill Bryden, Robin & Neil. A huge thank you to Loopy Lorna's for a fantastic evening. We'll be back....soon!

Tue eve: Robin being greeted at Loopy Lorna's by Bill Bryden of Edinburgh Headway Group and Neil Bryden.

Too funny!

Pain? What pain?

Free sports physio provided by Louise! Bonus! Thank you!

Tuesday afternoon 3.30pm: Back in the Burgh! 3.30pm: Well, they had to battle some horrendously windy conditions between Galashiels and Edinburgh but they've made it. They are resting up at the Watt household and making the most of home comforts. Its just a shame that they are back on the bikes tomorrow!

.....getting closer....

A first class picnic with the Hoods!

(photo from Monday)

Tuesday morning: Delighted to be in the Borders.

12pm: After a short break in Galashiels the boys are winging their way to Edinburgh. Gordon's parents are hoping to go out and support the boys with lunch and some baggage handling services shortly which will be greatly appreciated!

10am: Time for a pastry in Hawick. Considering they guys were in Carlisle first thing this morning they are motoring along. Its roughly 20 miles to Galashiels which is the next pit stop.

Its seems the guys started celebrating a little early....they are now in Scotland. They have passed through Langholm and are heading for Hawick and then on to Galashiels. Neil took a bit of a tumble earlier after hitting some mud on the road but is uninjured. Apparently this is not the first fall, Gordon cycled into a hedge in Devon!

Gordon and Neil looking pretty elated...its a bit cooler today with a westerly wind but the conditions remain good.

Party Time

8am: The guys have crossed the Border and are now in more familiar territory. A massive achievement and boost to their spirits.

Are they smiling or grimacing?! Its hard to tell. Apparently there is now a bit of pain behind the smiles. Our cycling heros are scheduled to arrive in Edinburgh tomorrow so that is spurring them on.

Another early start today, the boys have consistently been hitting the road at 6am to make the most of the cooler conditions and quiet roads although one suspects this might not be necessary once they hit Sutherland in a few days.

Another day of glorious weather, although why Robin is dressed like a deep sea diver with his waterproof shoe covers on is unclear...

2pm. The guys are basking in the sunshine with their feet up in Penrith enjoying their lunch. The Shap Summit was "average" and they managed to get over it without dismounting. Its onwards and upwards to Carlisle.

11.20am. Its not even lunch time and the guys have already covered 50 miles today. They are presently stuffing down a couple of bacon rolls each at Kendal and have decided to strike for Carlisle today, which is roughly another 50 miles. The weather is glorious and the boys are enjoying blue skies for the fifth day in a row.

9am. The guys set off early again this morning and are now at Lancaster. The target today is to get to Penrith but if they continue to make good progress they may try and push on to Carlisle.

(another photo from Saturday - Neil and Robin early doors)

(taken on Saturday - after crossing from Wales back into England)

Weeds is catching up with Hoodo on the puncture front.....Robin has yet to suffer a puncture. Today was an easier day and the guys are staying outside Chorley for the night. They are resting up before the tough ride to Penrith tomorrow. A few aches and pains have developed but the boys are looking forward to crossing the Shap Summit tomorrow.....

Well, its day 3 and they're still smiling. As they crossed the Severn Bridge they were welcomed into Wales by Anna's relatives, Jon and baby Raeya. It was great for the guys to see a friendly face. Today is another long ride, just over 100 miles, which takes the boys to Ludlow, north of Hereford.

It's not all plain sailing in Somerset! Not long after this photo was taken the boys rolled into Cheddar after an incredible 13.5 hour shift, taking them from Cornwall to Devon to Somerset. They are bedding down for the night at the Cheddar YHA.

Its 5pm and the guys are stocking up on inner tubes at a bike shop in Taunton. They've made it through Devon and are now into Somerset. Gordon has now had an unbelievable 4 punctures today and Neil's puncture proof tyres have, em, punctured. No cream teas for the boys though, Gordon is cracking the whip and not allowing lunch stops!! Today is a really tough section with lots of difficult hills. It looks like it will take at least another 2 hours to get to Cheddar.....

2pm: The boys are currently 20 miles south of Taunton and still have a gruelling 50 miles to go before they reach tonight's destination. Gordon has now suffered 3 punctures in the last 7 miles so they are having a few technical problems. Morale is reasonable though so hopefully they'll be back on the road soon.

After a decent night's kip at Bude Backpackers Hostel the boys set off around 6am for stage 2 to Cheddar. They have now waved goodbye to Cornwall but are presently a little lost. Neil is in charge of the map reading this morning so hopefully he'll get them back on track shortly!

Not a bad start to tour but we got far too excited when we saw the sign for Bude. It was maybe only 39 miles to go but at least 15 of those were sharp inclines and our legs were starting to feel the tonne of kit we were all towing. Happy to roll into Bude just after 4:30 with only one puncture recorded by Mr Steedman.The tourist with most punctures is buying the champagne in John O'Groats and so special care is being taken to look after those tyres!Off to bed at 9pm for an early start at 6am tomo. Hoping the chaffing isn't too bad...

The guys are really motoring along, its not even lunch time and they are only 39 miles from the end of stage 1 at Bude! The conditions are favourable, sunny, with a good south westerly wind pushing them along. Gordon is sporting the team cycle shirt which appears to have been inspired by the Stade Francais rugby strip!!! Unfortunately it wasn't possible to get a picture taken at the famous Lands End sign as they don't put it up till 10.30am and the boys couldn't hang around.....ridiculous!

The adventure has begun! The boys caught the sleeper from London to Penzance on Wednesday night. Looks quite plush, flat screen tv and everything!

Kit for LEJOG

It is difficult trying to work out what is necessary or not for LEJOG as capacity is so limited. We want to be as light as possible but bike maintenance kit is essential. This is the final kit so we are all set to go. Bring on Lands End!

Final Training Session!

Last weekend Robin & Neil set off on their final training ride before LEJOG. 100 miles into the Borders & back! One puncture fixed in no time. Bacon rolls & cakes kindly served at Boston Memorial Hall fundraiser in Ettrick.

Training for Lands End to John O'Groats!

We plan to keep you all updated with our progress from Lands End to John O'Groats via this blog. Photos and daily commentary will follow once we have commenced our jounery!

This photo shows Robin about to set off for some serious training miles while spending the Easter Weekend on Skye!