Tandem Route Summary

Day 1; Lands End to St Austell (Saturday May 31st)
Lands End – Penzance – Helston – Truro (Lunch) - St Austell
52 miles 

Day 2; St Austell to Moretonhampstead (Sunday June 1st)
St Austell – Lostwithiel – Liskeard – Tavistock (Lunch) – Dartmoor – Moretonhampstead
59 miles (111 miles) 

Exeter Hog Roast Party (Honiton) 

Day 3; Moretonhampstead to Taunton (Monday June 2nd)Moretonhampstead – Tedburn St Mary – Crediton – Tiverton - Shillingford  (Lunch) - Taunton
49.3 miles (160.3 miles) 

Day 4; Taunton to Bath (Tuesday June 3rd)
Taunton – Bridgewater – Glastonbury – Wells (Lunch) – Radstock – Bath
56 miles (216.3 miles)  

Bristol Ploughmans Party (Chipping Sodbury) 

Day 5; Bath to Pershore (Wednesday June 4th)
Bath – Stroud – Cheltenham (Lunch) – Eckington - Pershore
55.4 miles (270.7 miles) 

Shepherds Pie Tandem Bash (Pershore) 

Day 6; Pershore to Telford (Thursday June 5th)
Pershore – Worcester - Bewdley – Bridgnorth (Lunch) – Ironbridge – Telford
50.9 miles (321.6 miles) 

Day 7; Telford to Warburton (Friday June 6th)
Telford – Whitchurch – Tarporley (Lunch)- Weaverham – Lymm - Warburton
54.4 miles (378 miles) 

Almost Halfway BBQ (Warburton) 

Day 8; Warburton to Lancaster (Saturday June 7th)
Warburton – Leigh - Chorley – Garstang (Lunch) - Lancaster
67.8 miles (445.8 miles) 

Day 9; Lancaster to Carlisle (Sunday June 8th) Lancaster – Kendal – Shap (Lunch) - Penrith - Carlisle
66 miles (511.5 miles) 

Day 10; Carlisle to Sanquhar (Monday June 9th)
Carlisle – Gretna – Annan – Dumfries (Lunch) – Sanquhar
70.3 miles  (581.8 miles)

Day 11; Sanquhar to Glasgow (Tuesday June 10th)
Sanquhar – Cumnock – Kilmarnock – Kilmaurs – Stewarton - Glasgow
59 miles (640.8 miles)

Celebration of Deafblindness (Glasgow City Centre) 

Day 12; Glasgow to Bridge of Orchy (Wednesday June 11th)Glasgow – Balloch – Loch Lomond - Tarbet – Ardlui (Lunch) - Bridge of Orchy
64.2 miles (705 miles) 

Day 13; Bridge of Orchy to Fort Augustus (Thursday June 12th)
Bridge of Orchy – Glen Coe - Fort William (Lunch) - Spean Bridge – Fort Augustus
63 miles (768 miles) 

Day 14; Fort Augustus to Dingwall (Friday June 13th)
Fort Augustus – Drumnadrochit – Beauly (Lunch) - Cononbridge - Dingwall
60.8 miles (828.8 miles)  

Day 15; Dingwall to Bettyhill (Saturday June 14th)
Dingwall – Bonar Bridge - Falls of Shin – Lairg – Atnaharra (Lunch) – Bettyhill
70 miles (898.8 miles). 

Day 16; Bettyhill to John o’ Groats (Sunday June 15th)Bettyhill - Isauld – Thurso – John o’Groats
51 miles (950 miles) 

End of the Road Lunch (John O’Groats) 

Detailed Tandem Route

Day 3; Moretonhampstead to Taunton – 50 miles (Monday June 2nd)

From Moretonhampstead, we start by crossing the river Teigh and continue straight over at the cross roads to climb from the river valley. The road leads out of the park boundary into Lanley before descending steeply into Brook. A further climb leads to a left turn that crosses the main A30 and continues into the town of Tedburn St Mary. The winding route continues North along small lanes to Venny Tedburn (Court Barton). At the T junction 1 mile on turn right and continue to a cross road where a left turn leads you over the river Yeo and under a rail bridge to join the A377 into Crediton.

Crediton 11.1 miles/11.1 miles (122.1 miles)

The A3072 leads you out of town and provides excellent cycling into Tiverton.
11.8 miles/22.9 miles (133.9 miles)

Leave Tiverton on the A396 passing the castle to reach a roundabout on the A361, continue straight ahead on the A396 to follow the course of the Exe valley. Continue for 5  miles before joining the B3227 to Brampton, turn left to cross the river Bathern into Brampton, at the T junction by the church turn right to follow the river course in the shadow of steep sided hills to reach Shillingford.

Lunch

The road continues more easily through Waterrow and Wiveliscombe and on to Taunton Deane. The road joins the A358 to reach a roundabout, continue straight ahead along a steep embankment into Taunton.
26.4 miles/49.3 miles (160.3 miles)
 

Day 4 Taunton to Bath (Cold Ashton) – 56 miles (Tuesday June 3rd)

Take A38 out of Taunton to Bridgewater.
11 miles/11 miles (171.3 miles)

From Bridgewater, stay on the A38 across the M5 (J23) into Puriton. Next, head across the Levels on a minor road that runs parallel with the A39, through a number of villages to Shapwick.  Turn left (north) to Westhay where you turn right onto B3151 into Glastonbury via Meare. There is a cycle route on the A39 from Glastonbury into Wells.
19 miles/30 miles (190.3 miles)

Lunch

Leave Wells on the B3139 (old Bath Road) to West Horrington on left and then onto Chilcompton.  Then take left fork, followed by 2nd left onto yellow rd (2  miles) into Midsomer Norton.  Then continue to join the B3355 to Paulton Church.  Then turn right onto another yellow to Radstock. Continue till you join the B3115 to Bath.  After 2/3  miles it becomes the A367 into Bath city centre.

Then head for the race course up Lansdown hill from the centre, passing the course on the left and continue to the A420 (ignoring signs to Wick).
26 miles/56 miles (216.3 miles)

Bristol Ploughmans Party (Chipping Sodbury)
 

Day 5 Bath to Pershore – 56 miles
(Wednesday June 4th)

Cold Ashton to Stroud on A46 through Nailsworth
25 miles/25 miles (240.3 miles)

From Stroud take the A46 along the Painswick valley to Painswick, the road continues along the wooded ridge that is the backbone of the Cotswold Way. A descent leads you into Brockworth then straight over the roundabout and through Shurdington and on to Cheltenham.
12.4 miles/37.4 miles (252.7 miles)

Lunch

(An alternative route is to leave Stroud via the B4070 then the A417, a mile further on the B4070 continues past Crickley Hill Country Park and the devils chimney on the Cotswold Way and into Cheltenham, this route is approx 3 miles longer and slightly more challenging).

Leave Cheltenham on the A435 passing the racecourse on the right, continue on to Bishop’s Cleeve, the road passes Oxenton Hill where you take a left fork onto the B4079 then through Aston Cross and Bredon where a right turn keeps you heading North on the B4080. Continue through Eckington then by the A4104 to Pershore on the river Avon.
18 miles/55.4 miles (270.7 miles)

Shepherds Pie Tandem Bash (Pershore)

Day 6 Pershore to Telford – 51 miles
(Thursday June 5th)

The B4082 leads North past Pershore station then left to the A422 to Worcester. The city centre can be avoided by following the A4538 to Tibberton at junction 6 of the M5 then to Martin Hussingtree when the A38 leads to the West of Droitwich to a junction with the A4133. This continues West to cross the A449 at Ombersley and rejoins the route at Holt Heath on the west bank of the Severn, the total distance from the A4538 to Holt Heath is 10 miles.
Worcester 8.1 miles/8.1 miles (278.8 miles)

From the centre of Worcester cross the river and follow the right bank North, a short climb leads you through the suburbs to the village of Hallow after 2  miles. From Holt Heath the B4196 runs parallel to the river Severn through small villages to Shrawley Wood before crossing Dick Brook, at the fork in the road turn right and descend into Stourport-on-Severn. A route avoiding Stourport-on-Severn would be to continue along the B4194 before descending to the right bank of the river into the South-west peninsula of the Wyre forest into Bewdley
Bewdley 14.3 miles/22.4 miles (293.1 miles)

From Bewdley the road continues from the cross roads by the church in the centre of Bewdley through the Wyre forest to the village of Kinlet, from here join the B4555 and continue into Highley, a high ridge now leads between two deep river valleys to Chelmarsh wher the road turns East before shadowing the course of the Severn valley railway into Bridgnorth.
Bridgnorth 14.5 miles/36.9 miles (307.6 miles)

Lunch

Leave Bridgnorth on the A442 along a tree lined route, cross the narrow bridge over the river Worfe to reach a roundabout turn takes you to a camp site in Ironbridge.
Ironbridge 7 miles/43.9 miles (314.6 miles)

From Ironbridge take the A442 dual carriageway into Telford.
Telford 7 miles/50.9 (321.6 miles)

Day 7; Telford to Warburton – 65 miles
(Friday June 6th)

From Telford, the A442 passes through open country side to Crudgington, after the village stores on the right, continue to Waters Upton where a long climb of almost 2 miles begins before levelling off along an avenue of rhododendrons, two sharp bends lead to a junction in the village of Hodnet where the A442 leads left at the top of a short hill. Pass by a church and take a sharp right by a distinctive timber framed cottage, a descent takes you into open countryside again and a long straight takes you to the junction with the A41, a left turn will take you into Whitchurch.
Whitchurch 26 miles/26 miles (343.3 miles)

From the town centre follow the signs for Warrington (A49) over a series of roundabouts to pass Hinton hall before entering the county of Cheshire. Pass a waterfowl sanctuary on the right then cross the Shropshire union canal, the road continues through meadowland and past the Cholmondeley Castle on the left, you then pass through Ridley Green, Spurstow and Bunbury Heath to reach the mound of Beeston Castle on the left, the route enters Tiverton where a short climb leads to traffic lights, follow the signs for Tarporley ignoring the bypass that circumnavigates the village.
Tarporley 15 miles/41 miles (358.2 miles)

Lunch

Rejoin the A49 with great views over the Gowy valley. You now descend into Cotebrook before climbing to the junction with the A54, continue on the A49 across a railway line and skirt the town of Weaverham about 2 miles west of Northwich.
Northwich 7.3 miles/48.3 miles (365.5 miles)

Continue on the A49 across the Trent and Mersey canal, the junction with the A533 and across the M56.  Now turn right onto the B5356 through Stretton and head on across the A50 and M6 to Lymm on the B5158 and finally across the A5144 to Warburton and Alison’s. 

Warburton 13.2 miles/61.5 miles (378.7 miles)

Almost Halfway BBQ (Warburton)

Day 8; Warburton to Lancaster – 67.8 miles
(Saturday June 7th)

From Warburton cross the Manchester ship canal and A57 and then take the B5212 towards Culcheth.  Turn right on the A574 to Leigh.  Go through Leigh, and take small roads to the A6, before continuing onto Chorley.
Chorley 28.5 miles/28.5 miles (406.2 miles)

From Chorley follow the Leeds/Liverpool canal and cycle safely through Chorley and Preston before joining up with the start of the

Lancaster canal and continuing to Garstang for lunch.

Lunch

Or stay on A76 from Dumfries
 

Day 11; Sanquhar to Glasgow – 59 miles
(Tuesday June 10th)

Leave Sanquhar on the A76 along the Nith valley, the route follows a steady course by the river allowing the traveller to indulge in the natural splendour of the valley. The A76 crosses Afton Wter before turning North at a mini roundabout to cross the Nith and on to Cumnock.
Cumnock 17.4 miles/17.4 miles (599.4 miles)

Leave Cumnock on the B7083 passing the hospital on the right a little way out of town, continue over the river and into Auchinleck and under the rail bridge to a roundabout and join the A76, follow this road through Mauchline over a rail line to the junction with the A719 before another junction with the B7073. Turn left and follow this road along the outskirts of Kilmarnock to Hurlford before joining the A71 at a roundabout continuing straight on to Kilmarnock centre.
Kilmarnock 15.6 miles/33 miles (615 miles)

Leave Kilmarnock on the A753 for Kilmaurs and continue onto Stewarton till you get to the B769 junction. Turn right and head down the old Glasgow road all the way into Glasgow city centre, avoiding the busy A77 and M77.
Glasgow CC 26 miles/59 miles (640.8 miles)

Celebration of Deafblindness (Glasgow City Centre)

Day 12 Glasgow to Bridge of Orchy – 64 miles (Wednesday June 11th)

Head out to Balloch and Loch Lomond on the old railway line from the city centre
Loch Lomond 20.5 miles/20.5 miles (661.3 miles)

From Loch Lomond it is a straight route along the banks of the Loch on the A82, passing Tarbet (15  miles) and Ardlui.
Ardlui 23 miles/43.5 miles (684.3 miles)

Lunch

Continue along A82 to Crianlarich (8 miles) and finally one last hop to Bridge of Orchy.
20 miles/64.2 miles (705.3 miles)
 

Day 13 Bridge of Orchy to Fort Augustus – 63 miles (Thursday June 12th)

From the Bridge of Orchy, stay on the A82 all the way to Invergarry, via Glen Coe. 
23 miles/23 miles (728 miles)

Continue onto Fort William and Ben Nevis for lunch.
17 miles/40 miles (745 miles)

Lunch

Before leaving Fort William could visit Neptune’s staircase that was built by Brunel, this is a series of 8 locks that drops the Caledonian canal, some 90 foot in 2  miles to join the Irish sea at the junction of Loch Linnhe and Loch Eil.

Head back on the A82 past Ben Nevis (on right) to Spean Bridge (9  miles) then Invergarry.
15 miles/55 miles (760 miles)

Keeping on the A82, pass Loch Oich and onto Fort Augustus.
Fort Augustus 8 miles/63 miles (768 miles)

Day 14; Fort Augustus to Alness – 61 miles
(Friday June 13th)

From Fort Augustus you travel along the banks of Loch Ness to Drumnadrochit where the monster museum is housed.
27 miles/27 miles (795 miles)

From here you leave the A82 and continue West on the A831 for about 1 mile and pass through the village of Milton before turning sharp right on the A833, the road is steep and narrow, this part of the route is extremely gruelling after the Loch side road earlier in the day. The gradient increases to over 20%, the angle gradually relents into a upland wilderness of mystic lochs and rolling hills and cattle grids. The descent at first is steep through Glen Convinth and then eases, as the A833 joins the A862 which is taken left over the river Beauly, the A862 leads off immediately right to the town of Beauly
Beauly 12 miles/39 miles (807 miles)

 Lunch

The road continues North across the sediments of the Beauly Firth to reach the Muir of Ord and on to Cononbridge to cross the Cromarty Firth, continue straight over the roundabout to reach Dingwall.

Dingwall 8.8 miles/47.8 miles (815.8 miles)

Leave Dingwall on the A862 (or the old Evanton road) by crossing the rail line and continuing along the banks of the Cromarty Firth. Pass under the rail bridge to continue at the waters edge with views ahead to the main A9, join the A9 at the bridge then take the first turn left under the rail line to the small town of Evanton. Continue through the town to reach the B9176 turn off just before Alness.
13 miles/60.8 miles (828.8 miles)

Day 15 Alness to Bettyhill – 70 miles 
(Saturday June 14th)

Back onto the B9176, turning left and start climbing!  This route take a short cut across the headland that separates the Cromarty and Dornoch Firths, but the 1st mile or 2 is uphill till you reach the descent across the river Averon to reach a small gravel car park with a very welcome refreshment van. A more undulating route through the forested region now follows before the descent begins in earnest before arriving at the junction with the A836 and Fearn lodge (24 miles).  Turn left and continue along the estuary to cross the headland to Bonar Bridge.
Bonar Bridge 14 miles/14 miles (842.8 miles)

From here, continue up the A836 to Lairg (10  miles) with a small diversion onto the B864 to see the Falls of Shin on the way into Lairg.  Continue back on the A836 to Atnaharra.
Atnaharra 33 miles/47 miles (875.8 miles) 

Lunch

Turn right onto the B873 to Syre (11 miles) and finally back onto the A836 for the last 3  miles into Bettyhill.
23 miles/70 miles (898.8 miles). 
 

Day 16 Bettyhill to John o’ Groats – 51 miles (Sunday June 15th)

A straightforward run along the A836 across the top of Scotland, via Isauld (21 miles) and onto Thurso (31 miles/31 miles (930 miles)

And the last leg … Thurso to John o’ Groats!
20 miles/51 miles (950 miles)

End of the Road Lunch (John O’Groats)