“Let me be clear,” announced Bruce when I interviewed him for this article “although I class myself as a sportsman (some people in Bangkok might dispute this claim!!) cycling is not a sport I particularly enjoy and, indeed, I need a very strong reason to get on a bicycle.”
In fact, Bruce’s motivation to undertake this trip this trip from bottom to top of the UK trip came from Taiwan. The summer before last he was asked to make a three-month business trip to Taiwan for Mazars.
Having had to endure strict quarantine for the first two weeks on arrival, he was then released onto the streets of Taipei simultaneously as it entered a complete lockdown for the first time.
Bruce had planned to tour Taiwan by car in his spare weekends but then found that a Thai-based international driving license is not valid in Taiwan.
With a long weekend looming and literally nothing to do, eat, or see in Taipei he borrowed a bike and took a train (only passenger in the compartment) to Hua Lien, the start of a 200km coastal ride down a beautiful stretch of the East Coast of Taiwan.
With almost every hotel restaurant or guest house shut it was a real ‘Lonely Planet’ experience, but Bruce enjoyed it so much he then spent the next five weekends completing the cycle of the perimeter of Taiwan – some 1,200kms.
This Taiwan tour gave Bruce both the inspiration and confidence to tackle the UK’s famous ‘Land’s End to John o’Groats’ challenge, or in his case, cycling from the southern tip of the country to its most northerly point.
Having recently retired after working for 35 years in Asia, he felt that this would be a great way to rediscover the UK, get really fit, as well as raising money for the Bangkok-based Beaumont Ruam Pattana school in Chaiyapum, a cause close to his heart.
Bruce spent three months planning the trip using around 200 ordinance survey maps to ensure that he never had to use a main road once. It meant that the route he chose was 1,730 km, about 200km longer than the more conventional routes, but of course a lot more interesting.
The whole route was then put on Kamoot software. There were many added and unexpected benefits too. The scenery was much more stunning throughout the trip than he had expected.
Bruce also managed to reconnect with a lot of friends around the world and gave a daily update to more than 100 people that was full of many beautiful pictures and interesting discoveries on the journey. He also met, and in some cases stayed with, old and new friends along the way. In the end it was a job not only well done but also very enjoyable.
Having had to endure strict quarantine for the first two weeks on arrival, he was then released onto the streets of Taipei simultaneously as it entered a complete lockdown for the first time.
Bruce had planned to tour Taiwan by car in his spare weekends but then found that a Thai-based international driving license is not valid in Taiwan.
With a long weekend looming and literally nothing to do, eat, or see in Taipei he borrowed a bike and took a train (only passenger in the compartment) to Hua Lien, the start of a 200km coastal ride down a beautiful stretch of the East Coast of Taiwan.
With almost every hotel restaurant or guest house shut it was a real ‘Lonely Planet’ experience, but Bruce enjoyed it so much he then spent the next five weekends completing the cycle of the perimeter of Taiwan – some 1,200kms.
This Taiwan tour gave Bruce both the inspiration and confidence to tackle the UK’s famous ‘Land’s End to John o’Groats’ challenge, or in his case, cycling from the southern tip of the country to its most northerly point.
Having recently retired after working for 35 years in Asia, he felt that this would be a great way to rediscover the UK, get really fit, as well as raising money for the Bangkok-based Beaumont Ruam Pattana school in Chaiyapum, a cause close to his heart.
Bruce spent three months planning the trip using around 200 ordinance survey maps to ensure that he never had to use a main road once. It meant that the route he chose was 1,730 km, about 200km longer than the more conventional routes, but of course a lot more interesting.
The whole route was then put on Kamoot software. There were many added and unexpected benefits too. The scenery was much more stunning throughout the trip than he had expected.
Bruce also managed to reconnect with a lot of friends around the world and gave a daily update to more than 100 people that was full of many beautiful pictures and interesting discoveries on the journey. He also met, and in some cases stayed with, old and new friends along the way. In the end it was a job not only well done but also very enjoyable.
 | >> Days one to three Lands End to Taunton Castle Day One. Leaving Land’s End on June 18. Little did I know this would be the most gruelling day. The worst hills of the trip - rain and dropping and losing my phone on Bodmin Moor after nightfall. Day One. Never have I been so happy to see a prison. After a local farmer helped me find my Thai phone on Bodmin Moor, I arrived here, the Bodmin Jail hotel, a few minutes after midnight. |
>> Days four and five
Taunton Castle to Worcester
Taunton Castle to Worcester
Day Two. Desolate Cornish back road.
Day Three. Looking out over Exmoor.
Day Four. Cycling 10 miles beside the Taunton to Bridgewater canal.
Day Five. Severn Canal, Gloucestershire. Home for Stan and Rachel, who offered me a pancake “hot off the stove.”
Day Five. Another beautiful canal boat.
Day Five. Yes, I had really planned to go this way.
Day Three. Looking out over Exmoor.
Day Four. Cycling 10 miles beside the Taunton to Bridgewater canal.
Day Five. Severn Canal, Gloucestershire. Home for Stan and Rachel, who offered me a pancake “hot off the stove.”
Day Five. Another beautiful canal boat.
Day Five. Yes, I had really planned to go this way.
This Taiwan tour gave Bruce both the inspiration and confidence to tackle the UK’s famous ‘Land’s End to John o’Groats’ challenge, or in his case, cycling from the southern tip of the country to its most northerly point.
Having recently retired after working for 35 years in Asia, he felt that this would be a great way to rediscover the UK, get really fit, as well as raising money for the Bangkok-based Beaumont Ruam Pattana school in Chaiyapum, a cause close to his heart.
Having recently retired after working for 35 years in Asia, he felt that this would be a great way to rediscover the UK, get really fit, as well as raising money for the Bangkok-based Beaumont Ruam Pattana school in Chaiyapum, a cause close to his heart.
>> Days Six to Nine
Worcester to
Lancaster Roman Fort
Worcester to
Lancaster Roman Fort
Day Six. Another beautiful house.
Day Six. Beware local traffic.
Day Six. Cycling beside a railway line with
steam engine.’
Day Seven. Cliff railway at Bridgnorth, S
hropshire.
Day Seven. Thirty very serious fishing contestants
blocking my canal path at Market Drayton.
Day Seven. Accommodation for the night near Chester.
Day Eight. Crossing the Mersey to Liverpool by ferry.
Day Eight. Worth deviating.
Day Eight. Dropping in to pay my respects to Liverpool FC’s legendary manager Bill Shankly – “You’ll never cycle alone”.
Day Nine. Passing along another canal – this time in Preston.
Day Nine. Lancashire countryside.
n fact, Bruce’s motivation to undertake this trip this trip from bottom to top of the UK trip came from Taiwan. The summer before last he was asked to make a three-month business trip to Taiwan for Mazars.
Having had to endure strict quarantine for the first two weeks on arrival, he was then released onto the streets of Taipei simultaneously as it entered a complete lockdown for the first time.
Bruce had planned to tour Taiwan by car in his spare weekends but then found that a Thai-based international driving license is not valid in Taiwan.
With a long weekend looming and literally nothing to do, eat, or see in Taipei he borrowed a bike and took a train (only passenger in the compartment) to Hua Lien, the start of a 200km coastal ride down a beautiful stretch of the East Coast of Taiwan.
With almost every hotel restaurant or guest house shut it was a real ‘Lonely Planet’ experience, but Bruce enjoyed it so much he then spent the next five weekends completing the cycle of the perimeter of Taiwan – some 1,200kms.
Bruce spent three months planning the trip using around 200 ordinance survey maps to ensure that he never had to use a main road once. It meant that the route he chose was 1,730 km, about 200km longer than the more conventional routes, but of course a lot more interesting.
The whole route was then put on Kamoot software. There were many added and unexpected benefits too. The scenery was much more stunning throughout the trip than he had expected.
Bruce also managed to reconnect with a lot of friends around the world and gave a daily update to more than 100 people that was full of many beautiful pictures and interesting discoveries on the journey. He also met, and in some cases stayed with, old and new friends along the way. In the end it was a job not only well done but also very enjoyable.
Day Six. Beware local traffic.
Day Six. Cycling beside a railway line with
steam engine.’
Day Seven. Cliff railway at Bridgnorth, S
hropshire.
Day Seven. Thirty very serious fishing contestants
blocking my canal path at Market Drayton.
Day Seven. Accommodation for the night near Chester.
Day Eight. Crossing the Mersey to Liverpool by ferry.
Day Eight. Worth deviating.
Day Eight. Dropping in to pay my respects to Liverpool FC’s legendary manager Bill Shankly – “You’ll never cycle alone”.
Day Nine. Passing along another canal – this time in Preston.
Day Nine. Lancashire countryside.
n fact, Bruce’s motivation to undertake this trip this trip from bottom to top of the UK trip came from Taiwan. The summer before last he was asked to make a three-month business trip to Taiwan for Mazars.
Having had to endure strict quarantine for the first two weeks on arrival, he was then released onto the streets of Taipei simultaneously as it entered a complete lockdown for the first time.
Bruce had planned to tour Taiwan by car in his spare weekends but then found that a Thai-based international driving license is not valid in Taiwan.
With a long weekend looming and literally nothing to do, eat, or see in Taipei he borrowed a bike and took a train (only passenger in the compartment) to Hua Lien, the start of a 200km coastal ride down a beautiful stretch of the East Coast of Taiwan.
With almost every hotel restaurant or guest house shut it was a real ‘Lonely Planet’ experience, but Bruce enjoyed it so much he then spent the next five weekends completing the cycle of the perimeter of Taiwan – some 1,200kms.
Bruce spent three months planning the trip using around 200 ordinance survey maps to ensure that he never had to use a main road once. It meant that the route he chose was 1,730 km, about 200km longer than the more conventional routes, but of course a lot more interesting.
The whole route was then put on Kamoot software. There were many added and unexpected benefits too. The scenery was much more stunning throughout the trip than he had expected.
Bruce also managed to reconnect with a lot of friends around the world and gave a daily update to more than 100 people that was full of many beautiful pictures and interesting discoveries on the journey. He also met, and in some cases stayed with, old and new friends along the way. In the end it was a job not only well done but also very enjoyable.
Day Ten. Westmoreland village scene.
Day Ten. Pretty Westmoreland church.
Day Ten. Passing a cricket club on the way to Penrith.
Day Ten. Cumbrian farm buildings.
Day Eleven. Crossing the border into Scotland at Gretna Green.
Day Ten. Pretty Westmoreland church.
Day Ten. Passing a cricket club on the way to Penrith.
Day Ten. Cumbrian farm buildings.
Day Eleven. Crossing the border into Scotland at Gretna Green.
>> Days twelve to fiftheen
Lockerbie to Aviemore
Lockerbie to Aviemore
Day Twelve. Up into the Lowlands of Scotland.
Day Twelve. Beautiful Scottish countryside.
Day Twelve. Beside the River Clyde. “Maybe the high road would have been a better choice.”
Day Twelve. Sunset after the longest day’s ride. “There’s nothing wrong with Glasgow.”
Day Thirteen. Passing the Wallace monument near Stirling.
Day Fourteen. Another well-chosen cycle path – this time in Perthshire.
Day Fifteen. Dedicated cycle path for the next 30 miles.
Day ? Road and rail cycle path come together on the Pass to Drumochter.
Day Twelve. Beautiful Scottish countryside.
Day Twelve. Beside the River Clyde. “Maybe the high road would have been a better choice.”
Day Twelve. Sunset after the longest day’s ride. “There’s nothing wrong with Glasgow.”
Day Thirteen. Passing the Wallace monument near Stirling.
Day Fourteen. Another well-chosen cycle path – this time in Perthshire.
Day Fifteen. Dedicated cycle path for the next 30 miles.
Day ? Road and rail cycle path come together on the Pass to Drumochter.
 | >> Days sixteen to nintheen Aviemore to John O’Groats Day ? Road and rail cycle path come together on the Pass to Drumochter. Day ? Warning to cyclists on this stage. Day 16. Inverness Castle. Day 17. Sutherland, North Scotland. Happy to see the Crask Inn, the first building for 12 miles and my resting place for the night. Day 18.Caithness. Finally reach the northern coastline. Day 19. John O’ Groats. Made it! |
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