Ollie Hayward’s Epic GBDuro 2021 Ride on His Reilly Gradient
What do you do when you are a 25-year-old bloke with time on your hands before starting your dream job? Hang out with your mates down the pub? If you’re Ollie Hayward, you pack your Reilly and cycle Lands’ End to John O’Groats. Ollie completed the ride in a staggering 146 hours, 20 minutes and 8 seconds, finishing second at GBDuro 21 — just behind endurance legend Mark Beaumont.
I caught up with Ollie a few weeks after his epic ride.
Congratulations Ollie, how are you feeling?
Physically, I’m almost back to normal. My body still feels tired — my body clock was shocked.
Why did you want to do GBDuro 21?
I’ve been racing on a road bike since I was 16 in elite races across the UK and Ireland. I’ve done cyclocross, mountain biking and 24-hour events, but I wanted something longer. I’ve always wanted to ride Lands’ End to John O’Groats. Once I signed up, my goal was just to finish.
Did you have a plan for the ride?
Not really. I made a list of shops along the route with their opening times so I knew where I could get food and water.
You’re super organised…
(Laughs) Not really. I only finished building the bike on Thursday before the race started on Saturday. The list was my friend’s idea.
How does GBDuro work?
There are four stages. To stay in the race, you have to reach each checkpoint and complete the stage within 72 hours. The first checkpoint was a field in Wales with a food tent; the next two were village halls where I tried to dry my kit. I had no idea of my progress and preferred it that way — I didn’t want to know how long I’d been cycling or how far was left.
How was the ride?
It rained for about eight of the ten days. My biggest regret is that my bags weren’t waterproof inside — my sleeping bag got soaked. When I finished, I asked one of the helpers to go to a charity shop and buy me dry clothes! On some stages, I just rode straight through. The 1 am–4 am window was tough — I nearly nodded off once — but once dawn came, it was fine again. Caffeine chewing gum helped a lot.
How was it riding alone?
It was horrendous being on my own for all of it!
What were your low points?
I had a nightmare in the Yorkshire Dales — I called home and said, “I’m broken.” I found a YHA to dry my stuff and get warm. It was only 40 km from the end of the stage.
Why didn’t you give up?
I thought, if I quit now, I’ll have to ride to a train station and sit freezing on the train home regretting it — so I might as well carry on. Even when I was exhausted, I’d eat something and feel better.
Are you one of those nutters who just keeps on going?
(Laughs) Yes — failing isn’t an option.
What was the best bit?
Stage 3 — riding through Scotland. I did it in around 25 hours, the best I’ve ever ridden. Scotland was all new to me, and that kept me going.
How did you find the Reilly Gradient to ride?
I ordered the T47 frame in mid-June and it took six months of trawling eBay to find the parts. Riding the bike was the easiest bit — even over rough Welsh rocks!
What advice would you give bikepacking newbies?
You don’t need to go far — local trips can be just as rewarding. Expand your boundaries slowly. When I started, I picked a big event and didn’t know what to do, which was scary. There’s no right or wrong way — try it all and find what works for you.
What’s next?
I’m not doing GBDuro again — I’d feel pressure to beat my time. I might go for The Highland Trail next.
So, you start a new job on Monday — will you find time to ride your bike?
I ride a lot. Not many days go by without me on a bike.