Advice still welcome!

This website starts at the bottom and finishes at the top (i.e Cornwall is at the bottom of the blog; John O'Groats is at the top.) You can read it either way round and you can give all readers the benefit of your advice at the bottom of any of the 'posts', by clicking on the word 'comments' and adding yours. Why not add you comment now, or at the other end of the 'end to end blog'.

John O'Groats

• "Get a stronger bike frame next time!" (Two cyclists from West Cumberland, 26/5/08)

[Drambuie and Coke to celebrate the blisters from the new walking boots!]

Thurso, North Coast of Scotland

[Shouted out by a cyclist]:
-Have you lost your bike?
[My answer] -The frame broke yesterday (again) so I'm walking the last 20 miles to John O'Groats.

Tain, Dornoch Firth (North East Coast)

(Video -Blamanche, Waves -a second version, complete with mermaids is lower in the blog).
ADVICE:
Don't eat yellow snow.
(Andrew Penfold)

Near Tain

Try and find some Scottish Ladies.
(Ben Hins)

Loch Ness Youth Hostel

You know when you've done it, not when you get there - but about 10 miles before you get there.
Roger (Who did it on a supported (bags carried) CTC ride, with someone who did it 4 times that summer!)

Looking at Ben Nevis

• Always cycle downhill; it's a lot easier! (Guy P Manherts, Louvain, Belgium)
• What remains is the future ([unable to read first name] Demeester, Zoevsel, Belgium)
  

Oban

Don't take life too seriously.
Scott Robertson (car repairer and one-time bicycle welder -Friday 23rd May, many thanks for the 48 hour repair that lasted me to the North East coast of Scotland)

Catacol Bay, Isle of Arran

It's nice to have met Don Quixote & Sancho Panza on the journey of a lifetime.
(Andy Howie, 21/05/08)

Corrie Golf Course, Isle of Arran

"You don't learn from your mistakes - but know them when they come around again" (lyrics from Echobelly)
Jo Bowen, 21/05/08
(Jo is due to be married on Jura on the day the ride arrives John O'Groats -26th May)

Broddick, Isle of Arran

Get a grip on life; you've only got one chance; you never get past the door.
D.M.

Dumfries

No one has ever hurt their eyes looking at the brighter side of life.

(Joyce, 20/05/08
Bed & Breakfast
Tomore
Nithbank
Dumfries
DG1 2RZ
Tel: 01387 247594)

Carlisle, Cumbria -2nd Encounter

It's better to regret something you have done than to regret something you haven't done.
Karl Graham. (VENTHEAD)

Carlisle, Cumbria

Give a smile to everyone you see. They might smile back. Pass a smile on.
(Wyn 19/05/08)

Keswick, Cumbria -5th encounter

I walked it in 42 days. I did the London Marathon in preparation. Route taken:

• South West Way to Minehead
• Onto Bath then Cotswold Way
• Then the Heart of England Way to Edale
• The Pennine Way
• From Glasgow, the West Highland Way to Fort William
• Then to Inverness & upwards up the A9.

Enjoy it. It's like the curate's egg -good in parts.

(Vic Taylor)

Keswick, Cumbria -4th encounter

"Life is so brief that we should not glance too far backwards or forwards therefore study how to fix our happiness in our glass and in our plate."
(No XVII Emporium)

Keswick, Cumbria -3rd encounter

What a fantastic event you are doing; enjoy it! Hope to see you in Keswick again. (rivendell guest house). Hope you're not too saddle sore. XXXX

Keswick, Cumbria -2nd encounter

Just after halfway here in Keswick -all those short sharp nasty hills in the South West are behind you. It's all pleasure from now on. (Martin, YHA staff member)
-cycled the route in 2000 and ended it on my 39th birthday; have fun chaps.

Keswick, Cumbria

• I recommend mindless kindness to help you feel good about yourself. (Susan Newton)
• Get fit young. Keep fit -its not too lateto start when you are old! (Graham Newton 18/05/08)
  

Thirlmere, Cumbria

You'll make it if you want to -mind over matter. Enjoy!
Christine Roberts
(LADIES NATIONAL 24 HOUR RECORD HOLDER 461.446 MILES JULY '93)

Windemere, Cumbria

Blackburn racks will fall to pieces if you're cycling the length of South America or even just on a gravel road.
Ben Jackson, Edinburgh
www.bensbikeride.blogspot.com

Kirkby Lonsdale, Cumbria -Sublime Cafe

• When making a cup of tea, milk in first gives the best results! (Julie)
• DON'T TRUST STRANGERS....OR ANYBODY. (Katy & Ella)
• Life's a journey, not a destination. (Louise)
• ooh and life's a bitch and then you marry one!

Kirkby Lonsdale, Cumbria

Fort Augustus -Loch Ness to Urqhart Castle then over to Beauly & on to Dornock.
(Ray Dee, 18/5/08)

Low Gill, Lancashire/North Yorkshire/Cumbria border

Spread love & light
(Rachel Devereaux, 18/05/08)

Slaidburn, Lancashire

Let Go. Let God.
(Rosemary Ellis. 18th May 08. Slaidburn Youth Hostel)

Ashton, Greater Manchester

Never buy a mermaid a pair of socks.
(Lynton Prescott, Ashton Cycles, 17/5/08)

North Cheshire

You're nearly there!
(Woman in her 50s -shouted from a car)

Somewhere above the middle -I don't know best; we know better

Winsford, Cheshire

Read your Bible.
(Bill Ramsay, 17/5/08)

Nantwich

It's better to ask a question, and truly listen to the answer, than to make a statement.

(The minor difficulty with that is that it is, in itself, a statement.... but I think that it still holds!) Don

Shrewsbury, Shropshire

If you have a dream -go for it. If you aren't happy doing what you are doing; make a change. (Jackie W, 16/5/08 www.villageearthfoods.co.uk)

Broxwood

"You never stop learning"
"Looking out for each other, and after each other, is worth everything"
(Derek 15/05/08)

South of Hereford

1. In Wales, a lot of the locals make up the pronunciations of their villages.


2. There's been generosity on the road wherever I went, since the age of 14.


3. In Scotland, past Inverness, Lairg & the Fools of Shin is a much nicer route. Go along Bettyhill and the top. (Jim Hollands)

Ross-on-Wye

"Don't let your braces dangle in the dust"
(Les, Revolutions cycle shop)

Welsh Bicknor, parting advice

Never go more than one step beyond.
(Saar & Vanil)

Welsh Bicknor, team mate's advice

"Shut up and ride your bike"
(Andrew)

Welsh Bicknor

Some advice is shit, and people are full of it! (including me; excluding Alex, age 10)

Saar Yaniv

Between Tockington & the old Severn Road Bridge

"Shut up and share a cup of tea" (Alex, age 10)

"Smiley Ken makes our day" (Sharan)

Tockington, South Gloucestershire

Most people going by in their cars are very friendly. One or two of them stop sometimes. At Christmas they drop off cards saying 'thank you for waving at me in the morning; that makes my day". (Neil Kenneale 14/5/08)

Bristol, Easton Business Centre (3rd encounter)

"Stop fighting and love each other - the advice I frequently give my children"
Sarah 14/5/08
(Bristol - work)

Bristol, Easton Business Centre (2nd encounter)

"Be kind wherever possible. It is always possible"
HH Dalai Lama
Christine 14/5/08

Bristol, Easton Business Centre

Never try to take life too seriously - its too short!!
Jules 14/5/08 (Bristol - work)

Engaging with people on the journey of life

Team Mountside HQ, Bristol

"What I really think you need is a jolly good shaggin. (yes, I really did say that. Here you are; it's in writing!) Satyadarshin 13/5/08 @7pm

Tiverton Parkway Station, Devon

If you want to do something, do it! (Alice)

Samford Peverell, Devon (2nd encounter)

Cycling is a must in your 60s & get a decent saddle. Wealth is best measured by how much you get out in the countryside in your 60s. (Dick & Sue, Plymouth)

Samford Peverell, Devon

When you get to our age you need to take drugs. Ibruprofan before a tennis match, wear a sports bra and remember to bring your shoes.

Tiverton, Devon -Blundell's School (2nd encounter)

"Alastair is gay" (Anon)
"Miles is a stud & Devon Rocks" (Alastair)

Tiverton, Devon -Blundell's School

"Live it, love it, leave it"
(Lauren)

Near Tiverton, Devon

"Whatever is said, don't worry about it too much; it could always be worse."
(Gary, Fishermans Cot)

outside Tiverton, Devon

[Disembodied words carried into the air outside the Fishermans Cot, where I was almost asleep in a wooden bus shelter, out of the sun:]
"We live in our dreams, darling"

Crediton, Devon (5th encounter)

F-off, dog (Casey)

Crediton, Devon (4th encounter)

"If you want to be a jockey rider you have to live on half an apple and half an orange a day"
(Matthew")

Crediton, Devon (3rd encounter)

The Three Little Pigs -the best pub in Crediton by far:
Next time get off A30 at Lydford and ride the Granite Way (good views) back to Okehampton youth hostel. Bostocks Garden Centre (01837 53248) is a good place to stop for repairs.

I used to assemble Super Galaxys -the perfect choice for touring! The newer one's are less forgiving to ride.

Crediton, Devon (2nd encounter)

"The earth in a grain of sand but heaven in a flower"
-in memory of my wife, Doria, who passed away April 20th.

Crediton, Devon -meeting the TA team from John O Groats

Ensure Suncream is worn in Scotland. Ensure you stop evey hour, no matter how good you feel. Plan route day by day and avoid these signs on maps (> >>)
(Mark, Articifer vehicles, Permanent Staff Instructor, Bristol Territorial Army Centre & GAZ Proctor (SPSI) Bristol TAC)
(Link to article from 13th May Bristol Evening Post)

Crediton, Devon

You sexy f***er. Ur legs look so sexy when you're on a bike.

Copplestone, Devon

I've got no sexual advice for you.
Don't be a fool; pull the chain and not your tool.
Elvis, Copplestone.
P.S. Return to Lender

Between Okehampton & Crediton, Devon

"Baz and me (Steve) are sat in a layby and Paul cycles past and turns around and stops for a cup of tea and some advice. Mine is don't plan or think too much in advance; take it one day at a time. Baz and me are part of a support team going from J.O.G. to L.E. we are supporting 2 riders and this is Day 9. Good Luck!

• Don't worry about changing the plan! No plan survives contact with the enemy!! Baz

Okehampton, Devon (8th encounter)

"Eat plenty of clotted cream; you too can have a body like ours.
That will teach me to talk to anybody"
(Anon & Doris Winnocott)

Okehampton, Devon (7th encounter)

At Books R Us, Okehampton
-Do you shut at all today?
-Yes, definitely.

Okehampton, Devon (6th)

"The advice my colleague gave me is "You need to relax. The harder the cycling gets, the more you need to relax." (Jack Walters, Team Mountside, by phone)

Okehampton, Devon (5th encounter)

"My advice is learn patience".
(Mr McFarlane)

Okehampton, Devon (4th encounter)

"At times things seem impossible, even insurmountable but with sheer determination are achievable" (Poet Laureate, Richard, who at the age of 38, whilst running a business, was struck with menangitis and unconscious for 4 days. Richard could no longer do his work in sales & retrained as a coach driver.)

Exeter, Devon

"Follow your nose. When you can smell scrumpy and pasties, you're getting close. [-But I'm going the other way!] Ah yes, well spotted. Do a quick u-turn and keep going until the air smells sweet with the rich perfume of heather and porridge and the men wear skirts and ??"

(John Sage)

Newton Abbot, Devon

"Text me the postcode for the teepee at Welsh Bicknor. Then the Sat Nav will magically return your bags to you on Wednesday" (Saar Yaniv)

Okehampton, Devon (3rd encounter)

Spray Lube onto inside of nipples on rear wheel.
Should free up any seized ones.
Good luck
Tim,
Moor Cycles, 6 the arcade, Okehampton
www.moorcycles.com

Okehampton, Devon (2nd person I met with whilst there)

"The point of a piece of music is not to get to the end of the music. But if you don't get to the end, you haven't achieved the point of the music"

Okehampton, Devon (1st encounter)

Enjoy this cathartic experience. Come to the tribunal with an honesty that will let due process take its course. Good luck. x
(Owner of the Bed & Breakfast)

Launceston, Cornwall (8th encounter)

Do all the things you want to do while you are young because when you're retired you can't: especially climbing mountains

Launceston, Cornwall (7th encounter)

Enjoy your trip, lots of luck but take care -I'm sure someone would miss you!
Don't push it if you are tired.

Launceston, Cornwall (6th encounter)

We hope you enjoy the experience; we certainly did! It will be well worth it when you get to the other end! Good luck and I hope you have better weather than we did.
Ian and Marion
P.S. We did it the other way because we're cornish!

Launceston, Cornwall (5th encounter)

Don't put off doing til tomorrow what you could do today.
best of luck

Launceston, Cornwall (4th encounter)

Paul, take care how you go.
Nice to meet you.
All the best & Good luck.
Colleen

Launceston, Cornwall (Focus DIY and Gardening)

Don't break your thumb and try to write advice. Oh and ignore Rob, have a pint wherever you feel like it.
Good luck!
Oli

Launceston, Cornwall (Homebase)

Keep at it! And on your way, cycle past the [illegible] of The North and have a pint in Newcastle.
Good luck!
Rob

Launceston, Cornwall (1st encounter)

"Keep right on to the end of the road!!
Though the road be long
let your heart be strong
-keep right on to the end
(Janet & Peter Penney)"
[Peter sang the whole of this song into my voice recorder as well -the link is in the sidebar of this website]

Bodmin, Cornwall

"What lies behind us and what lies ahead of us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us" (Landlady, Barley Sheaf)

The first advice given (in the vale of Avalon?)

10th May 2008. Big Wave Guru since 1971. My advice to [sign for Pi i.e.2] boys cycling from Lands End to John O-Groats is big things are achieved by taking small steps.
(Al -the Big Wave Surf Guru)

The only entry I intend to write

The rest of this blog (www.iwantyouradvice.blogspot.com)is for the words of people who I meet and who respond to the words: "I want your advice". Just in case no one ever asks for my advice, here it is, in five parts:
1) When you dislike or don't understand someone's behaviour, two of the questions you might ask are: "By what process can we come to understand each other better?" & "To whom, or to what principles, are you accountable?"
2) Whenever you want to communicate something to somebody, make sure that you are listening.
3) No one is right. Everyone is right.
4) The biggest challenge of the journey is letting go of the ego at the optimum moment. [To which a friend has already replied "Ego is functioning perfectly all the time. If you make ego the enemy then you are carrying the enemy with you forever."]
5) Above all, be generous and wise in your actions and appreciate the generosity and wisdom of all.