well i smoke twenty a day, and a fag break makes a great excuse to stop pedalling for a bit. you really could do it - 30 miles a day on a bike amounts still amounts to less than five hours in the saddle daily for an unfit person. at this time of year you can space these hours out how you like, its daylight round the clock up in the isles. admittedly the trip i mention is perhaps too much for a 13 year old, but start with smaller bike trips, and within a couple of years you'll both be raring to do it, no probs. or hire a tandem and go now. doesn't fit on a train though..

all the best

t