Did it in 2006, took 14 days with a day off in the middle. Can’t remember the exact details but we too wanted it to be scenic and had the target of as many modes of transport as possible.
Chain ferry and fisherman’s boat lifts in Cornish villages, by seeking out dead ends the roads are smaller. Cornwall is odd to cycle round, you know it’s beautiful but you can’t see any of it, it’s all hedges. Worth dropping down to the occasional beach to remind yourself. Pint in Bristol and wander about with the trendy young beautiful people. Crossed the Severn and into Wales to tick off 3 countries, bit of a meander round Symonds Yat. Caught up with all the sites in Yorkshire, then headed West and crossed the Mersey back into Liverpool, had a day off here and beer. Gretna for the obligatory photo. Carlisle was a foot deep in water.
Scotland we headed West-ish, wanted to see the big locks on the lochs (?) headed to the SYHA at Loch Lomond, got the boat ferry across the loch. Definitely stay at Carbisdale Castle SHYA, it’s awesome. We stayed at some seriously remote SYHA’s one was just a tin shed. Had a pint and a Sandwich at the Crask Inn which is 100% obligatory. Headed up to Tongue for mind bending sunsets and avoided the main roads.
Advice, Shropshire killed us, who knew it was hilly, I’d never been. Avoid Scottish towns, they are grey and weird. Villages or cities however are awesome. Fort William had the best pies.
Caught the sleeper home with a beer in Glasgow.
We hooked up with cycling minded friends on two occasions who joined us for their local leg, would have great to do this more, really enjoyable to share it with someone else.
Here’s the album, pretty self explanatory, it’s back to front if you see what I mean…
Flickr link
James