Cycling to John O’Groats: Bicycle Touring Great Britain

Cycling Great Britain, Bognor Regis to John O’Groats bicycle tour in September 2014, Garry’s second tour of the year. Not quite the classic Land’s End to John O’Groats cycle ride. But then Garry does like to be different.

Garry had spent much of the year in and out of the hospital after an operation on a prolapsed disc back in March. But now Garry had finished all appointments and was fully discharged from the hospital. And was free to go bicycle touring once again.

This was to be a sort of continuation of his last tour in July, his Southwest England ride. There, after reaching Land’s End, Garry headed north towards John O’Groats. Even though he knew he had no chance of making it that far. So now Garry was going to complete his Land’s End to John O’Groats ride.

Rather than go all the way back to Land’s End, Garry decided to start the tour from his home in Bognor Regis. So, in early September, Garry set off for Scotland. And in less than two weeks, he arrived in John O’Groats. Which, to be honest, was a bit of an anti-climax; there was nothing there! Just a hotel, campsite, visitor centre and the iconic John O’Groats signpost. It probably didn’t help that the last few miles had been in the rain. But Garry had enjoyed the ride up through Scotland; it was very picturesque.

After his disappointment with John O’Groats, Garry checked into the hotel rather than the campsite, any excuse!

After a good night in the hotel, talking to other cyclists, who were also a bit disappointed with John O’Groats, it was time to head home. Garry hadn’t thought this far ahead. But after talking to other cyclists, he found out there was a train station 20 miles away in Thurso. And after a couple of changes, Garry found himself in Edinburgh, where he boarded the Caledonian Sleeper to London.

Garry arrived in London in the early hours of the following morning. And after a short bike ride across London from Euston to Victoria, Garry boarded his last train. And walked through his front door at around 9.30 am.

An enjoyable tour despite the disappointment of John O’Groats with 777 miles cycled.

If you want to find out if Garry’s away touring at the moment and check his location, visit the Where’s Garry page.

Bicycle Tour Photos

Garry’s Route

Follow & Support

If you’re enjoying the ride and want to fuel Garry’s next mile, you can always support him by buying him a beer. Or subscribe to his blog and follow him as he travels around on his bike. As a subscriber, you’ll be among the first to receive news and updates on future tours. And, of course, you can always follow Garry on social media: Facebook, Bluesky, Threads, X, Instagram, YouTube and Pinterest. Garry’s also on Flickr, where you’ll find pictures from all his tours, along with regular photo updates that he generally publishes each month.

If you want to find out if Garry’s away touring at the moment and check his location, visit the Where’s Garry page. And after thousands of miles on the road, Garry’s condensed everything he’s learned into one place. So if you’re planning your own cycling adventure, read his reality check on long-distance touring.

Garry McGivern is a solo, self-supported bicycle tourist and the creator of Travelsonabike2. Having cycled over 70,000 miles worldwide on his trusty bike, Passepartout, Garry documents the reality of long-distance travel. Follow along for updates, gear insights, and the daily highs and lows of bicycle touring, whether he’s camped beside the road or in the luxury of a hotel. Join Garry on the road, and be inspired to start your own adventure. Read more.