Pushing boundaries; Finding joy. Sponsor me at https://givestar.io/gs/simon-2025
How is it the end of Day 7 already? It many ways, this journey has passed by really quick. In other ways, it's felt long. When I think back to being at John o' Groats, saying hello to Paddington and smelling the salt air, it feels like a lifetime ago. 869km done; 619km left to …
That's Day 2 of cycling from John o' Groats to Lands End complete. Breathtaking, brutal, wonderful! The journey up was an adventure in itself. It took ten hours to drive overnight to Wick, grabbing a couple of hours of sleep in the car somewhere near Aviemore, before a final 20 mile cycle in headwind to …
Only one day to go. I’m equal parts excited and apprehensive. I’ve always wondered if I’ve got a sub-4-hour marathon in me. Tomorrow I’ll find out. I’m still doubting whether I can hold the necessary pace for that long, as I shared in my recent 'Doubts' post. My ankles really hurt again (an ongoing issue …
12 Days | 1493km / 928miles | 15,555m Elevation Here it is. My John o' Groats to Land's End route, starting 15th May. For the majority, I have followed Ride Across Britain's LEJoG route, in reverse - with one major change: going around the Cairngorms rather than over them. Perhaps a slight compromise on views, …
Continue reading "John o’ Groats to Land’s End: Slightly Downhill, Apparently"
This week I completed my first trial ride for JoGLE - 190km and 2,757m of elevation across the Peak District over two days. I was so apprehensive going into this - not least because my bike weighs more than a moose and I’m using mostly untested gear. The route also included some pretty savage climbs. …
Continue reading "15 things I learned on my JoGLE 2-day trial ride over the Peak District"
That run was brutal. Six weeks out from the Manchester Marathon, and for the first time, I’m seriously questioning whether sub-4 is possible. Speed has never been my strength. My first marathon - London, aged 24 - took a year of training and still came in at 4:12. I was buzzing with that. Seventeen years …
It's suddenly feeling a lot more real, now that I have booked my way to the start line for my John O Groats to Lands End bike packing tour.Planning getting to the start of my solo, self-supported trip, from Manchester, took more effort than I expected! By sharing what I've picked up I hope it …
Continue reading "How to get to John O’Groats with a Bike: Train vs Courier vs Car Hire"
For most of my routes, I run locally and feel lucky to live on the edge of the Peak District in Marple. But very occasionally, if the distance and circumstances allow, I love long-distance running through places from my past. Call me sentimental, but it brings me a lot of joy, to reminisce along the …
Continue reading "Why I love running through places from my past."
I had a brilliant day out at the National Running Show, at the NEC in Birmingham, last week. Being mildly thrifty, I parked 3 miles away to avoid paying the £15 parking fee - then ran to the entrance, in jeans, which certainly got me in the mood! The show had passed me by until …
Continue reading "Highlights from my visit to the National Running Show."
Winter outdoor training can be tough, especially during the cold, dark days, but having an event calendar keeps me focused. Knowing my 'why' also keeps me going. It guides my training as otherwise, I'm not very good at committing to a routine! I have three key events lined up so far this year that have …
Continue reading "From Running to Cycling 1,000 Miles: My Upcoming Challenges"
Pink Tutu Adventures 