Another (possibly) eventful journey

​I can’t believe it’s been over a year since the three idiots did their Lands End to John O’Groats journey. You’d imagine they’d have seen enough of each other and never spoke again. But…no! 

Some time in the depths of winter, with nothing better to do it seems, Pete went on a hunt for another adventure. Having failed to attract most of our mates for Lejog he looked for something shorter and less challenging. A jolly journey for spring or summer maybe?. He hit upon the relatively new Kirkpatrick C2C. It’s only 250 miles along the Scottish Borders. Nothing can go wrong. 

Well…

Holidays, grandchildren, marathon training, laziness, house building, Yorkshire county cricket matches, old age and infirmity all had a part to play.

Now it maybe didn’t help that Pete suggested riding to the start in Stranraer, and back from the finish in Eyemouth - making 250 miles into nearly 700 miles. He was quite happy to take these extras on the chin, or the saddle (with suitable padding), but the mere suggestion that they would have to arrange transport was excuse enough for some to look the other way. Dates were also a problem so, rather than a glorious trip in the height of summer, the lads are setting out in mid-september and hoping for the best - in Scotland!! They are idiots! 

However, this time there are four idiots. Pete, Steve and Andrew are being joined by Merv. Merv is a really useful chap. When the wind is in your face for miles, he’s quite happy to sit at the front for hours on end. When someone has a flat tyre he’s always on hand. Years of commuting through broken bottles in Gipton have taught him the benefits of speedy puncture repair. It was a matter of life vs death on the mean streets of Leeds, he says! He’s also a doctor so, if Andrew needs sensitive attention this time, Pete can join Steve pretending to be busy somewhere else!

The plan is to set out on September 14th. Four days to Stranraer, four days doing the Kirkpatrick trail to Eyemouth, three days home. Not all are doing the whole journey due to some of the reasons above, but it’ll be a jolly adventure and a lot of fun. Trust me, I know a doctor! His name is Merv. 

I’m sitting in my study looking at a pile of essentials - statins, ibuprofen, Sudocreme, arse plasters, magnesium tablets, glucosamine. Also a bit worried that the 21st century needs so many cables and wires to service Garmin, phone, wristwatch, bike gears, lights. Not sure I’ll have room for anything else in my panniers. Well…who needs more than one pair of underpants? It’s only 11 days!

Nothing can go wrong!