I recently received an email from a dedicated mountain biker that reminded me that not everyone who is thinking of cycling end to end is a committed road cyclist but that they might need to learn to become one to complete the tour.
This is not necessarily true. Many have completed the ride on a mountain bike and it would certainly be more comfortable on the off road sections of my own route.
On the whole though, the ride would be easier on a road bike. So below is a quick video, suggested by my correspondent, as a good introduction to road cycling (it is sooo true):
