Glasgow 2019
London to Rugby Friday Sept 6th 101 miles
Rugby to Wilmslow Saturday Sept 7th 100 miles
Wilmslow to Kendal Sunday Sept 8th 87 miles
Kendal to Dumfries Monday Sept 9th 79 miles
Dumfries to Glasgow Tuesday Sept 10th 91 miles
This was the longest and most ambitious ride so far. 12 people took part altogether, ably supported by Mel and Caroline in the Thrifty van. It was also the first not directly organised by the AAGBI. We even had to start from the Royal College of Physicians as there was a flood that closed 21 Portland Place.
The only really bad weather was on the morning of day 4 going over Shap into Penrith. But we were well set up after the meal of the ride at Pedro's Casa the previous evening.
Day 1 London to Rugby Sept 6th
After a couple of miles through West London, we join the Grand Union Canal in Paddington Basin, going through to Northolt. Then there is suburbia to Ruislip, finally reaching the countryside just before Harefield. Coffee will be in Little Chalfont, giving you some energy for a gentle climb to Wendover woods and a smashing descent to Aston Clinton.
Lunch will be in Stewkley followed by undulating countryside through Bedfordshire and Northamptonshire. There will be an opportunity for snacks in the village of Silverstone, before a sharp climb to Daventry and the final run to the Rugby Premier Inn.
GPS link here
Day 2 Rugby to Wilmslow Sept 7th
Another long day heading steadily north-west. After leaving Rugby, we go through Nuneaton to coffee at a farm shop just after Atherstone. It remain flat in the Midlands, skirting Lichfield and Uttoxeter, with lunch in the village of Abbots Bromley. It gets a bit lumpy north-east of Stoke, going into Congleton, where there may be a Costa, After viewing all the footballers' houses in Alderley Edge, we finally arrive in Wilmslow.
GPS link here
Day 3 Wilmslow to Kendal Sept 8th
Day 3 is probably the most urban part of the trip, but as it will be a Sunday, hopefully it will not be too busy. We go through Wythenshawe and Stretford, with a short amount of canal-side riding, to reach Bolton. Coffee will be at the Bolton Costa. Then the choice is quiet but hilly, or flat but busy. As it will be a Sunday, I have gone with the flat option. Lunch is at Garstang, just after Preston. Hopefully you will have the energy to appreciate the lovely countryside around Lancaster and the foothills of the Lake District, on the way into Kendal.
GPS link here
Day 4 Kendal to Dumfries Sept 9th
The shortest day of the trip also has the longest climb - Shap hill, just after the start. This rises to 425m over 10 miles, but after that it is downhill to coffee at Penrith and very flat rolling into Carlisle for lunch then along the Solway Firth to Dumfries. We do go on the A6 quite a lot, but it should not be too busy, and they are used to cyclists as it is on the commonest Land's End to John O'Groats route.
GPS link here
Day 5 Dumfries to Glasgow Sept 10th
The final day starts with rolling Scottish Borders countryside joining the B-road that runs alongside the A74(M) at 20 miles. There is a short detour into Moffat for coffee then we continue north parallel to the motorway. Lunch will be at the Cairn Lodge cafe / farm shop. Civilisation returns at Hamilton, where we join the Clyde Walkway for the last 20 miles. I am assured the Walkway is flat and well-surfaced... We finish at the SECC, where the conference is being held. There will be photos.
GPS link here
(Route updated Sept 1st)
