From Land’s End to John O’Groats: How Alex Shanks Turned a Ride into a Remarkable Journey

What inspired you to take on such a challenging journey from John O’Groats to Land’s End?

This journey had been on my bucket list for a long time. I’ve done several multi-day cycles before, including the North Coast 500, which I absolutely loved, and I try to take on a physical multi-day challenge every year. I find them incredibly regenerative, both mentally and physically.

It might sound strange, but after riding over 1,000 miles I actually finished this trip feeling more refreshed than when I started. It just shows how powerful these experiences can be. Typically, the harder the challenge, the greater the reward, and this was one of the most rewarding yet.

Why did you choose a bike ride, rather than another type of challenge?

At the start of the year, I wasn’t in a great place physically. I’d suffered a back injury that had me in chiropractic treatment several times a week for months. I was struggling to get out of bed, to walk the dog, to play with the kids. It was a very humbling time.

As I worked through rehabilitation, I gradually got back to a place where I felt stronger, but I knew I needed to be mindful about the kind of challenge I took on. Cycling felt like the right choice. It’s low impact, which made it safer during recovery, and it’s something I had muscle memory for, making it a natural way to rebuild fitness without overloading my body. It became the perfect way to push myself, without pushing too far.

How did you prepare and train physically and mentally for the ride?

Physically, the preparation was relatively straightforward. Over a six-week period, I gradually increased both the distance and elevation of my rides to build endurance. I had experience with long-distance cycling before, so mentally I was comfortable tackling the longer mileage days, the longest being 110 miles on this trip.

What made this challenge different, however, was the consistency: cycling every day for 13 days straight. That was a first for me and felt quite daunting at the start. To manage this, I made a conscious effort not to think about the full trip, or even a full day's ride all at once. Instead, I broke each day down into manageable chunks of around 20 to 25 miles, the distances between breaks. After each segment, I’d reassess, rest, and plan the next phase.

This approach helped keep the overall challenge from feeling overwhelming. In fact, by staying focused on one segment at a time, the days passed quickly, so much so that the final day almost caught me by surprise.

Were there any unexpected hurdles in your preparation, such as injuries or logistical issues?

The only real hurdle during training was a crash I had on a wet day. I was going too fast into a corner, lost control, and came off the bike. Luckily, it wasn’t as bad as it could’ve been, I mostly ended up with bruises and scrapes, but I landed heavily on my shoulder, which became a recurring issue during subsequent longer training rides. It would often seize up, and I struggled to put weight on the handlebars on that side.

However, once the trip began, I was much more disciplined with daily stretching and shoulder mobility exercises. That made a big difference, and over time, the discomfort eased significantly, so thankfully, it didn’t affect the ride in the end.

I also managed to lose my bike light on the way to the starting line, which was more embarrassing than anything else. Luckily, I was able to replace it the next day, so it didn’t impact the trip, just my pride.

Can you share some of the high points of the ride — the moments that really stand out as highlights?

One of the major highlights of the trip was meeting up with Jane. So much of the journey had been inspired by her, so seeing her in person on the trip was incredibly meaningful. I was genuinely taken aback by how well she was coping mentally with the strain of her diagnosis and upcoming treatment. Her strength and positive attitude became a huge source of inspiration for the rest of the trip.

Another highlight was simply starting the ride. After all the planning and preparation, it felt great to finally get going and focus purely on cycling. The scenery throughout the journey was breathtaking, but a few places stood out; the dramatic coasts of Cornwall, the beauty of the Lake District, and (although I may be slightly biased) the stunning landscapes of the Highlands.

I was also deeply grateful for the kindness and hospitality I experienced along the way. Several local colleagues and accommodation hosts prepared home-cooked meals & care packages, which were such a comfort after long days on the bike. I couldn't pick a favourite accommodation; every place I stayed was fantastic and a highlight, I genuinely wanted to stay longer at each one.

What were the toughest or lowest moments along the way, and how did you push through them?

The longest day of the trip started off well, but about 30 miles in, I got a puncture, which turned out to be the first of five that day. As I later discovered, there was a tear in the tyre itself, which I replaced the following day. But for the remaining 80 miles of that day, I was constantly stopping to change or patch inner tubes.

The delays added up, and eventually I found myself riding the final 40 miles in complete darkness, much of it over steep and rough farm tracks, which made it incredibly grueling. I was on edge the whole time, half-expecting another puncture at any moment.

To make matters worse, one of my cleats broke, leaving my shoe stuck in the pedal. Every time I had to stop to open a gate or take a break, I had to hobble around with just one shoe on.

Instead of arriving at the accommodation around 8pm as planned, I finally rolled in after midnight, exhausted, filthy (particularly that one soaking sock), and starving. To my immense gratitude, the owner had made me a home cooked shepherd’s pie with a side of cauliflower cheese to heat up. Honestly, I could have cried with happiness when I saw it.

How did you keep yourself motivated during long stretches or difficult days on the road?

Yes, listening to music, and singing badly, was a fairly constant feature of the trip. I always enjoy the idea of someone out in their garden hearing me singing as I slowly pedal past. I’m not entirely sure why I do it, but it’s always been a good way to keep myself smiling on long rides.

Spending so much time alone on the road does odd things to you, I found myself mooing at cows, woofing at dogs, and making all sorts of other questionable noises. Let’s just say long solo days bring out some strange habits.

I also love foraging on these long trips, constantly on the lookout for apple trees, pear trees, wild berries, or anything edible growing along the paths. Spotting a ripe apple or a handful of blackberries became a genuine highlight and a great excuse for a quick break.

That said, it was easy to stay motivated with so many new surroundings. There was always a picturesque village, a stunning view, or a stretch of countryside to take in. And when I really needed to put my head down and focus, I’d stick on The Rest is History podcast, it helped pass the miles and kept my brain occupied.

How did people’s support (donations, messages) impact your experience?

The support from family, friends, colleagues and beyond had a profound impact on my experience. The donations and messages of encouragement were incredibly uplifting, not just at the start, but throughout the entire journey and even afterwards. Every mile felt like a shared effort, I really didn't feel like I was doing it alone. That continued support gave me strength when things got tough and reminded me exactly why I was doing it. It definitely made the experience more meaningful.

Looking back now, what did you learn about yourself through this challenge?

One of the biggest things I learned was how important, and surprisingly simple, it can be to stay calm and in control. Every challenge was met with a focused, almost serene mindset: “OK, how do I overcome this and move on?” There wasn’t really any other option.

The simplicity of the challenge itself helped: just keep pedaling, and you’ll get there. It reminded me of that line from Finding Nemo “Just keep swimming.”. The journey reinforced the value of focusing on one thing at a time, staying composed, and trusting that "This too will pass".

Is there anything you would do differently if you attempted it again?

Honestly, not much, I’m really happy with how the trip unfolded. I didn’t set overly high expectations, which meant I was able to enjoy each day for what it was, even the tough ones. That mindset made the whole experience feel very rewarding and positive.

That said, I’d love to have showcased more of the amazing properties from cottages.com along the route that I was staying in. It would’ve been great to shout them out more during the journey and show off more places people could stay along the way. But overall, the experience felt right just as it was.

About Us

cottages.com is your go-to destination for an extensive selection of memorable cottage holidays. With a wealth of experience spanning over 45 years, we boast a portfolio of over 18,000 holiday homes spread across the UK, catering to every budget. We're committed to maintaining a high standard of service to our customers by abiding by ABTA's Code of Conduct Our excellent Trustpilot rating reflects the high level of customer satisfaction we strive for. We believe in keeping things simple, so you can focus on making lasting memories with your loved ones from the moment you book with us.