Lighthouse to Lighthouse Challenge (or Scotland C2C)

Updates

29th October

Looking back now the whole thing hardly seems real. I've now collected all I'm going to in terms of sponsorship money. In the end a grand total of around £3200. I can't be exact as one person was inspired to donate but, due to unforeseen circumstances, had to donate in a Macmillan shop! So I will stick with the about £3200.

Thanks to all, once again.

24th June 2012

The cycle was completed in two days on the 14th and 15th of June 2012. You can read about it in the Across Scotland post.

15th May 2012

I have amended the route slightly. The second section on day 2 has been altered to avoid the section of the A95 I had in previously. It avoids the potentially busy main road and also gives me a really good spot to meet up with the support vehicle!

8th Feb 2012

I have now nailed my colours to the mast and have started asking for donations to my favoured charity for this ride, Macmillan. You can see why in this blog post; The Charity Angle. You can donate using the link in the side bar.
I have also set a date. I plan to do the ride on the 14th and 15th of June this year. I'm looking forward to it but am also slightly nervous.
Introduction
I've had a few comments that it isn't the easiest thing in the world to find out what this blog is all about. So I thought I'd make it a little easier by creating this page about the challenge I've set myself. The original idea was that I will cycle by road between the west-most and east-most points on the Scottish mainland in two days.
This has changed a little as I have found that my original finish point is not actually the east most point. That lies about 2 and a quarter miles north of the my finish point in Peterhead, but doesn't look too bonnie on Google's street view so I've decided to stick with my original end point at the Buchan Ness lighthouse at Boddam. I'm starting at the lighthouse at the point of Ardnamurchan so that gives the route a nice symmetry. My other justification is that the Peterhead point used to be an island before being reclaimed to create part of the harbour in Peterhead. Flimsy, I know.
The route I've decided upon is described below and is about 250 miles long. It splits nicely into two fairly equal days of around 125 miles each. Neither of which is flat. It is difficult to get a definitive answer to the "how long is it question" as all the mapping sites and software seem to give a slightly different answers. So, I'll stick with my about 250.
Inspiration
I watched the celebrity challenges for 2010 Sports Relief and was very impressed by the celebrity cycling relay from John O'Groats to Lands End. The weather was particularly unkind and watching Davina McCall thaw out after her effort through Glencoe was inspiring.
I've also been impressed by that other Scots cyclist Mark Beaumont. I am in awe of both his ability on the bike and his adventurous spirit. As I write this he is off trying to row across the Atlantic in 30 days. Now there's a challenge. I'm acutely aware that my little challenge is nowhere in his league but I'm hoping I can take something of his spirit on my journey.
At that point I wasn't cycling at all but was considering an "about town" bike to help the fitness a little but really to stop driving those short distances we all just drive without thinking about it. As soon as I started riding the town bike (very upright and comfortable) I felt the thrill of cycling again. It made me feel like I was 8 years old again and that's special. It wasn't long before I was popping out for longer distances around Fife. Then an idea began to germinate in my mind.
Shopping
Cycling across Scotland on a comfortable bike was the way it came to me, but I refined that when I realised that the town bike really didn't cut it on the open road. And, as all the experienced cyclists out there will realise by now, the idea of riding across Scotland meant buying a new bike and all sorts of other goodies. I'm sure that some of the thrill of cycling is about buying new gadgets. As the Significant Other has said on more than one occasion it is still cheaper than a Porsche!
Training
Not only do I want to complete this cycle in two days but I would like to do it without killing myself. I want to be able to sit up and admire the view. I love the Scottish scenery, especially in the Highlands and it would be shame to ride through a considerable chunk of it unable to appreciate it because the physical exertion is taking too much out of me. With that in mind I am training as hard as I can for the ride. I've been going to the gym for about 6 years now in an attempt to stave the middle age spread but recently the efforts have increased. I am indebted to the staff of the University of St. Andrews Sports Centre, especially Allan (the long suffering strength and conditioning specialist) in helping me get fit. Hopefully I'll be in good condition for the trip.
The blog describes the training in painful detail so we can leave it there.
The Route
As I said above the route crosses Scotland from coast to coast. The starting point is the lighthouse at the point of Ardnamurchan and I will finish at the lighthouse in Boddam, just south of Peterhead. The plan is to stop overnight in Kingussie. So that the route is clear I've split it into chunks about 40 miles long. Here it is.

Day 1

The first section takes us from the lighthouse to Loch Linnhe.

View Scotland C2C Day 1 Part 1 in a larger map
Rather than take the Corran Ferry the second section heads west for a little bit before reaching the main road and heading back in the correct general direction.

View Scotland C2C Day 1 Part 2 in a larger map
After leaving the main road for back road to Spean Bridge the main road is all we have until Kingussie.

View Scotland C2C Day 1 Part 3 in a larger map

Day 2

Starting in Kingussie the route takes to the smaller roads and goes north and east to go round the Caringorms. This stretch takes in some of the Spey Valley.

View Scotland C2C Day 2 Part 1 in a larger map
The route then turns east first towards Huntly, doing a bit on one of the major A roads before taking to the back roads again towards Turrif.

View Scotland C2C Day 2 Part 2 in a larger map
Turning slightly south east the route now takes mostly to smaller roads, which should prove interesting route finding after two days in the saddle. There should also be more downhill than up and that should prove useful. It eventually ends up in Boddam.

View Scotland C2C Day 2 Part 3 in a larger map