The last day

I’ve finished. What elation, what an achievement, what a disappointment John O’Groats is.
Early breakfast and away from the hotel turning left (away from the braes of Berriedale) and up the finest 45 miles of single track in Scotland. Gentle climbing, smooth downhills and beautiful scenery.
Two small showers of rain did not dampen our spirits and a free coffee from the very nice lady at the Forsinaid Hotel helped us on our way. The wind was slightly in our faces as we headed north but was not strong enough to hold us back and when we turned right at the top of the glen the wind was then behind us.
Loads of scenery and wild life to be seen along the way and once we topped the country there were fantastic views of the Orkneys and the cliffs of Yesnabey.
We finally made John O’Groats at 4:30 (after dumping bags in the Thurso hotel) and tackier place I could not have imagined.
Linda and Callum arrived very shortly after us and as soon as we could get the bikes loaded we left.
Celebratory diner at the Pentland hotel was enjoyed by all and Callum presented me with an engraved glass plaque to commemorate my journey.
This has been the best bike ride I have ever done and I would like to thank everyone for their support and assistance especially Linda for letting me go.
Until the next time.....

The penultimate day

Thanks to Kirsty for a huge meal last night, it fair set us up for the day.
The penultimate day. Starting from Ron and Kirsty’s with some company for the first time on the trip. Liam and Martin were up bright and early and the bikes were all prepared. The weather was looking good although the temperature was definitely lower than yesterday.
We set off at a good pace through Beauly, Muir of Ord and on to Dingwall where I managed to replace my broken mirror and bike lock that I left at Oban youth hostel. Back on the road again and we headed north again taking the Struy road over the hill. The traffic was much quieter as we climbed the hill but as we did the rain began. It was a lot colder than any of the rain I have experienced so far and very luckily it was only a shower.
We took a single track road from the top of the Struy towards Tain and the Dornoch bridge.
Lunch at the Tall Pines restaurant was a welcome recharge for everyone and we were soon on the road again with a great improvement in the weather. The scenery did not disappoint, and with the afternoon sunlight shining off the sea there were some stunning views.
Taking a short breather before Doll we met up with Ron and Kirsty. After that we had a short run (11 miles) to Helmsdale and a welcome coffee at the Timescan museum and Gallery.

Short hop to Ron's

For once the BBC got the weather forecast spot on and I hope they are right for the rest of the week as they have predicted.
I awoke this morning having had an extra half hour in bed, to a nice leisurely breakfast and then set out at a very sedate pace knowing that I only had to cover 33 miles to get to Ron’s.
Continuing on from yesterday I carried on up the Great Glen. As I cycled, the sun began to break through and then the clouds slowly disappeared. There is a slight breeze picking up now but as I am inside Ron’s house I am not too concerned.
Last night, due to the “Lock Inn” being really busy, I shared a table with a young French woman who was touring Scotland for five days. We talked for about an hour and she seemed a very interesting person. She lives in Paris but used to stay in Arcachon where we were on our summer holidays. Turns out she works for “The laughing cow” and puts on sponsored events and sailing competitions. Anyway, this morning I stopped at Urqhuart Castle to take a picture and I bumped into her again, I think she was so please to meet someone she knew in a foreign land.
Turning left at Drumnadrochit and then up the hill, and what a hill it is. I have to admit to pushing the last part. But, once at the top the road over to Kiltarlity is a really nice cycle. For those of you that said I was doing this in the wrong direction (i.e. uphill) then I have to tell you that you are wrong. In this direction the scenery just gets better every day. I can’t believe I only have two days left to go. I’m beginning to wish that Scotland was just a wee bit longer.
Martin is on his way up from Brechin and Liam will be home from school shortly so we can then look at our route for tomorrow. It will be nice to have some company for the last two days.
Speak to you again tomorrow.

Pictures for day 11

Oban to Fort Augustus

Another dry day! When I woke at 7 o’clock it was raining steady, but by the time I had packed and had some breakfast it had stopped. Although it was overcast all day it was dry and a fine day for cycling.
78.04 miles of fairly easy cycling, not too many hills, mostly along the edges of the sea lochs or the Great Glen canals and lochs. I even managed 4 miles of off road long side the start of the Caledonian canal. This was the same route that we took when taking part in “Maggies Monster Bash”. I had thought the that the bike would be okay for this stage as it is a well surfaced track however after short distance I realised it would be easier and more comfortable back on the road so that is what I did.
There were a number of tarred cycle tracks around Ballahuilish which were very nice and very smooth.
On the approach to Laggan I was passed by over a million pounds worth of super cars, DB9, Porche, Labourgini, Masserati, Atara, Lotus they were in three groups and appeared to be from all over Europe.
I have to admit that I cracked at the end of the day and decided that a B&B would be so much better than the hostel. So for n extra £5 I have my own room in a lovely house. Bliss
Just seen the forecast and apart from some showers tomorrow morning the rest of the week should be dry and sunny for the North of Scotland. Yahoo.

Day ten photo's

These should have added with the other blog but didn't

The road to Oban

Probably the nicest road cycle route in Britain, Arran to Oban. The weather was excellent although there were one or two showers but most importantly there was no wind.

The views are astounding, both along the road and out to sea. I did not take too many photos.

There are really cool houses all along the coast, some of them look as though they are out of Kevin McLeod’s “Grand designs”.

Anyway, tonight is my last ever night in a youth hostel. Last night in a small hotel I had my own room, a double bed, coffee and biscuits in the room and a full cooked breakfast, free WIFI access and all for £25. Tonight I am in a dorm with 4 bunk beds which look like they got them from an NHS mental hospital in the sixties and sharing with a canoeist who I think has been let out for the weekend. There are no electrical points in the room at all and no bunk lights. All for a saving of £4. Tomorrow I’m off to an independent hostel and if it is anything like the one in Chester then I will be looking for a B&B.

75 miles planned for tomorrow and hopefully the scenery will be just as enthralling heading up the coast to Fort William and then the Great Glen to Fort Augustus.