Most scenic way LE to Severn Bridge

[blackrat]

Why not take your bike to Penzance packed and unpack it there. Must be a shop or a member or two to help reassemble. It's surely not too difficult to do?
If your up in the Highlands on a Sunday you won't get shop support!

It would have been my first choice, but as far as I can determine I can not take my bike box on either the train to Paddington or the train to Penzance. More investigation is required, and you are right about bike shops in Penzance, three as far as I can make out in the vicinity.
However, I really do not need any help either assembling or disassembling the bike, I just need somewhere to leave the box to use on the return journey - hence 'CyclingRunway' at Heathrow.
I'm going to see if I can post a pic of my bike-in-a-box. Be back in a mo.

And here it is, packed ready for the stuffing on my tiled floor.

 

[blackrat]

Slight change of plan at the top end. I had booked a taxi from John o' Groats to Inverness - pricey at 300 quid - but if I add a day to the trip, cycle to Wick down the lovely A99 - it's almost like the ice cream - and take the 12:34 train, (gets there 5:08 PM) stay overnight in Inverness - lovely city but no time to visit - and I can get the 9:40 train to Kings Cross the next morning as per schedule. Maybe 100 quid including hotel or even less by camping out on the platform.

 

[Ajax Bay]

Best o' luck getting your bike on that 1234 on Friday. Bike reservation strongly advised (book now but be aware it's first come, first hung and the staff won't kick the first rider/bike off).
Cue whining about Scotland going to the dogs!

I'll offer you another wheeze (but not clear on planned arrival at JoG).
Ferry across to Orkney (either JoG > Burwick or Gills Bay - St Margaret's Hope); ride to Kirkwall (30km/20km); have a great supper, cycle the 3km to the ferry port (N of town); catch 2345 ferry to Aberdeen on Friday 20 September (arrives 0700 Sat 21st).
https://www.northlinkferries.co.uk/booking/departures/
Train from Aberdeen: 0752/0952 (9 hours to London; much more chance of a bike slot)
I have done this (on the autumn equinox also!), albeit I boxed my bike at an Aberdeen bike shop (by arrangement, they had saved me a box) and flew down to Heathrow (my ticket allowed a bag of clubs or a bike).

packed ready

I'd remove the RD and tape in the rear triangle. Also take/bring a spare mech Hanger.

 

[Ming the Merciless]

packed ready

I’d include some wheels. Plus dropout spacers.

 

[blackrat]

I’d include some wheels. Plus dropout spacers.

I'll try to find the pic with the wheels inside as well.

 

[PaulSB]

I know this doesn't effect anyone else reading and using this forum, but this on the BBC site just now:

"After the four-day strike, Border Force staff will then work to rule and refuse to work overtime from 4 September until 22 September."

Is causing me to seriously question maybe I should take my touring trips in this country and not bother with Britain anymore.
I'm due to land at Heathrow 9 September and leave 22 September. I recognise maybe the delay might not be long, but timing is everything with getting a taxi to a bike shop near Heathrow to have it unpacked and reassembled, then Paddington Express into London and train down to Penzance - all booked and paid for.
Frankly, I don't know how Brits put up with ths crap all the time. Does anyone in Britain acctually want to work? It seems to be a lot of sniverling and whining coming from government sector workers. I wonder why?
Rant over, back to the normal programme.

This post keeps coming back to me and does concern me a little for your sake. As I understand you land on September 9th, fly out on the 22nd. You plan to arrive in Penzance on the 9th and I presume start riding on the 10th. If you fly out on the 22nd, you must finish in JOG by the 21st.

I believe the "average" routes vary between 900 - 1000 miles. Let's call it 950, that's 80 miles a day.

I don't know our comparable abilities or ages. I describe myself as a good, club cyclist. Ten years ago, aged 60, I rode home to Bordeaux. One morning I didn't wake till 9.30am, normally I rise 5 - 6.00am. I was done. I rode 40 miles that day. My schedule of 75/80 miles a day was blown for the journey. Have you factored rest days in, major mechanical, awful weather?

My impression is, if the journey to Penzance is an example and so tight you may not have done.

 

[Jameshow]

This post keeps coming back to me and does concern me a little for your sake. As I understand you land on September 9th, fly out on the 22nd. You plan to arrive in Penzance on the 9th and I presume start riding on the 10th. If you fly out on the 22nd, you must finish in JOG by the 21st.

I believe the "average" routes vary between 900 - 1000 miles. Let's call it 950, that's 80 miles a day.

I don't know our comparable abilities or ages. I describe myself as a good, club cyclist. Ten years ago, aged 60, I rode home to Bordeaux. One morning I didn't wake till 9.30am, normally I rise 5 - 6.00am. I was done. I rode 40 miles that day. My schedule of 75/80 miles a day was blown for the journey. Have you factored rest days in, major mechanical, awful weather?

My impression is, if the journey to Penzance is an example and so tight you may not have done.

I did it in 8 days ok it was hard but do able.

Looking at the bike he's using he's not hanging around so 10 days is doable. Ok he could get a serious mechanical or a hurricane or a illness but that's the risk....

 

[PaulSB]

I did it in 8 days ok it was hard but do able.

Looking at the bike he's using he's not hanging around so 10 days is doable. Ok he could get a serious mechanical or a hurricane or a illness but that's the risk....

Yes, I agree it's doable, not by a rider at my level but certainly many. 12 - 15 members of my club have ridden RAB, some more than once, so I've heard their stories.

One year myself and a buddy rode out to support some club members. This meant sitting on the front for 50 miles holding the pace at an average of 15/16+. We were absolutely totalled when we pulled off to head home!!!! We thought we were turning out to ride along with friends, have a chat, shoot the breeze......

 

[blackrat]

Yes, I agree it's doable, not by a rider at my level but certainly many. 12 - 15 members of my club have ridden RAB, some more than once, so I've heard their stories.

One year myself and a buddy rode out to support some club members. This meant sitting on the front for 50 miles holding the pace at an average of 15/16+. We were absolutely totalled when we pulled off to head home!!!! We thought we were turning out to ride along with friends, have a chat, shoot the breeze......

I had the bike - it weighs 16 lbs - completely overhauled with new cassette, cranks, chain ring, chain, tyres (Gatorskins) etc. before packing away. Not expecting any mechanical issues. 100 miles a day is okay, longest ride in one day was 254 miles, frequently do 300k's - 190+ miles - so all in all, I'm okay.
I'm not saying I wouldn't mind company, but not many want to share the joy.

 

[PaulSB]

@blackrat Excellent. Good luck. 👏