The Modern Bicycle.

The Modern Bicycle by Charles Spencer (1876).

“Having been frequently requested by a number of bicyclists to furnish a detailed account of the trip from London to John o’Groats, the longest on record which has ever been undertaken, and being one of the four members of the Middlesex Bicycle Club who succeeded in accomplishing the whole journey, I have great pleasure in inserting the following notes taken by myself on that occasion.”

~ The Modern Bicycle – Charles Spencer (1876).

Cycling in England & Scotland.

Journey from London to John O’Groats.

This updated version of famous ex-champion London gymnast Charles Spencer’s pioneering book from 1869, “containing instructions for beginners; choice of a machine; hints on training; road book for England, Wales, &c, &c,” was part of “Warne’s Useful Books, for the Country or the Fireside” series.

Containing a comprehensive list of 245 routes with their mileage, under the section “The Bicycle Road Guide”, it also features an 18 page chapter providing “the detailed account of the trip from London to John o’ Groats, the longest on record which has ever been undertaken,” in June 1873, by four members of the Middlesex Bicycle Club on their Thomas Sparrow machines; Mr. Charles Spencer (48 inch wheel), Mr. W. Wood (52 inch), Mr. George Hunt and Mr. Charles Leaver (both on 46″ wheeled machines)

Attracting a crowd of thousands at their departure, extensive daily updates of “the boldest project in bicycling yet attempted” appeared in newspapers throughout Britain during the fifteen days it took them to cover the estimated 800 miles (“a very moderate estimate when the winding of the roads is taken into consideration, to say nothing of the continual ascents”); the Dundee Courier correctly doubting that not all of the starting party would achieve such a distance, writing “Of course it is not likely that they will all accomplish the entire journey, many only start for the sake of good fellowship, and for the purpose of seeing what distance they can run.”

Leaving London for Scotland on the Great North Road, we follow the famous route closely, passing through the historic towns and old coach staging points covered by the four Middlesex cyclists – many of which still offer glimpses of how they might have looked back in 1873.

Although Spencer helpfully gave great detail of the many places visited, “as it is intended in a great measure as a guide to those intending to travel the same roads,” we have opted for the adjacent (but much longer) quieter roads and cycle paths, where available, to avoid what are now very busy A-roads, dual carriageways and motorways, choosing the same hotels, where possible, or others which remain from 1873.

Indeed, the route became the very first designated A-road in 1921, the A1, with parts widened even further in more recent times to become the A1(M) motorway, with many of the towns, villages and farmsteads from 1873 either disappearing completely or now inaccessible to cyclists.

28 years after this ground-breaking ride, The Great North Road was also covered by Charles G. Harper in his two 1901 cycling volumes, “The Great North Road, the Old Mail Road to Scotland”, which became the inspiration behind BBC journalist Steve Silk’s 2021 book, “The Great North Road: London to Edinburgh – 11 Days, 2 Wheels and 1 Ancient Highway.”

While it is possible to split many of the rides over more than one day, or even combine two day’s efforts, we have stuck to the schedule covered by the Middlesex cyclists in 1873, which was more focused on record breaking than sightseeing. For that reason, we would certainly recommend allowing an extra day or two to enjoy many of the attractions and sights along the route, including Edinburgh and the Beamish Living Museum of the North, near Chester-le-Street, for example; this incredible open air museum offers a great insight into what life would have been like, back in the day, for those early cycling pioneers and even includes a historic bicycle collection.

READ THE 1876 BOOK ONLINE

BUY STEVE SILK’S 2021 BOOK

Journey from London to John O’Groats.

Day 1.

0 km ~ King’s Arms Hotel, Kensington, London.
4 km ~ Knightsbridge, London.
9 km ~ Camden Town, London.
11 km ~ Kentish Town, London.
13 km ~ Highgate Archway, London.
16 km ~ East Finchley.
22 km ~ Whetstone.
25 km ~ Barnet.
29 km ~ 🍺 The Duke of York, Potter’s Bar.
35 km ~ Bell Bar.
43 km ~ (🏰 Hatfield House & Gardens).
44 km ~ St Etheldreda’s Church, Old Hatfield.
48 km ~ Stanborough.
50 km ~ Lemsford.
55 km ~ 🍺 The Wellington Inn, Welwyn.
59 km ~ Woolmer Green.
66 km ~ Stevenage.
70 km ~ Graveley.
79 km ~ 🍴 The Old White Horse, Baldock.
100 km ~ Biggleswade.
107 km ~ Beeston.
116 km ~ Tempsford.
122 km ~ Wyboston.
121 km ~ Eaton Socon.
127 km ~ Crosshall (Easton Ford).
130 km ~ Little Paxton.
141 km ~ 🛏️ The George Hotel, or Lion Hotel, Buckden.