The Plan - 12th to 22nd August 2021

3 mates from South London, members of Penge Cycle Club and relatively new to gravel riding, decided to spend our summer holiday cycling the 'Great North Trail' from Derby to Cape Wrath, self-supported. Kate Vergette, the female powerhouse and time triallist, Emma Porter, race machine. And James Hanscomb, the elder statesman of the group. Our plan was to cover the 800 mile mix of off-road and trail over 11 days of hard riding with a mix of wild and campsite camping and a bit of hotelling thrown in when we needed a treat. We were under no illusions that our plan was ambitious and may have needed to be flexible.

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