LEJOG Day 12 John O'Groats

That's it then it's done!

This morning was an easy ride of only 30 miles in total. After breakfast we met up in town, the group was split between two hotels last night, and headed off. 

From the start it was fairly clear people were looking to get stuck in to the ride as we shot off, with the wind behind us, at speeds in the low 20's, must faster than usual. 

We first visited Dunnett Head where we didn't hang about as we could see a nasty rain storm heading towards us. 

From Dunnett Head we moved onto a pub a couple of hundred meters from John O'Groats where we grouped up for the big ride in. I managed to get in relatively untouched by the storm but Mark got caught behind some cows being herded along a road and got much wetter. 

The final few meters were riden as one big group and then we had the obligatory photos and bubbly. 

After a quick change we were onto a bus and off to Inverness and the celebration dinner. 

Phil was waiting for us at the hotel so we had couple of pints then went for a walk into town. 

Tonight's dinner was a pleasant affair, quite a few riders had already left but all of my group were there so we had a good meal followed by some brief speeches and were presented with a t-shirt and certificate. 

So that's it then, all done. We've had a great experience, very tough at times but always enjoyable. I would recommend Discover Adventure as a touring company, the staff were generous, helpfull people and the food, accomadation and support was first rate.

I've had a great time and Mark, once over the lurgy, has enjoyed his trip. We are both glad to be going home but I know that as far as I'm concerned this won't be my last cycle trip, hopefully some with Mrs C as well, I'm not so sure Mark will be so keen to go on another!!

Thanks to you all for your support during our adventure and a special thanks to Phil for coming all this way to pick us up. 

So for now it's Onwards and Southwards!!

 

LEJOG Day 11 Brora to Thurso

 Day 11 dawned grey and a little damp, so it was a fairly downbeat group this morning. The forecast was fairly good though so it was a case of just getting wrapped up and getting on with it. 

We started off along the A9 which runs along the coast. It's a beautiful view but the road is quite busy and when you throw in some wind and drizzle it's not much fun. 

After about 10 miles we turned off the main road at Helmsdale and headed inland and up onto the higher ground. About this time it started to brighten and the rain stopped which cheered us up a lot. 

The road soon narrowed to a single track and steadily climbed away from the coast into some beautiful countryside. 

We climbed, on and off, for about three hours with a break for lunch at the top followed by a steady ride into the wind all the way up to the valley head and popped out on the north coast west of Thurso. The scenery was beautiful, at times you could look in all directions and not see anything other than nature. 

Once back on the Coast Road we finally got the wind on our back and flew into Thurso and into the hotel for a nice early finish. I've been for hair cut and Mark and I have seen the sights of Thurso, which took about 10 mins and now we are rehydrating in the gay bar in town!!

So all we have left is 30 miles in the morning to Dunnett Head, the most Northerly point in mainland UK and then onto John O'Groats and theadventure is over. 

Today's stats. 65   860m climbing. 

Onwards and upwards !

LEJOG Day 10

Another good day in the saddle. 

Last nights accomadation was a bit basic, 6 of us in one room and the usual boy type stuff made for a bit of a laugh. Unfortunately one of the guys went for a loo break during the night and managed to pull over the bunk beds and trap himself. After a good laugh we helped him get free and went back to sleep but to be honest I don't think either of us got much sleep. 

Breakfast was ok, porridge, bacon and eggs with juice etc cooked by the staff and then we all pitched in to get the dishes done and the rooms cleaned up before we headed off. 

Today's ride was split into two parts.  Part one was stunning with rides along Loch Ness  and then we headed up a 1.5 mile climb of up to 20%. Once up on top of the moors the view was stunning and the smell of pine and heather beautiful. We shot along through some lovely country stopping for coffee in Beauly then on into the Muir of Ord and to Dingwall for lunch. For me it was the best bit of riding of the whole trip. 

After lunch we had a diversion 
due to roadworks and then headed to Tain and then unfortunately onto the A9  for 30 odd miles, which although reletively pretty was very busy. After a quick stop at the Glen Morangie distillery  we arrived in Brora and a nice posh hotel. 

Dinner was very pleasant and we have hit the sack early to try to catch up on sleep. Tomorrow is only 65 miles but we might get wet. 

Today's stats. 98miles. 166 climbing. 

Onwards and upwards!

LEJOG Day 9 Inveraray to Lagan

Another long but beautiful day 

Our morning dawned bright and calm with some beautiful views across the lochs and mountains. 

We left the hotel on time at 8 am and almost immediately we were into a steady climb out of the valley that went on for about 8 miles. We had a bit of an incident when some stupid idiot went to overtake our line of 4 and almost put an oncoming vehicle off the road. Horns blared and the offending driver got some abuse but no one was hurt. 

After the climb we had a long descent to Loch Awe and then on to Oban. 

After drinks we turned North East and headed along the shore of Loch Creren then back to the coast, heading towards Fort William. I was feeling it a bit in my legs at this point and was beginning to hang off the back off the group but they slowed a little and after a coffee stop I picked up a bit and we headed into a late lunch at 65 miles.  

The stunning scenery continued after lunch and with broken clouds the sun occasionaly managed to get on our backs a little and warm us up as well. 

We pulled over for another coffee break in Fort William and did a bit of people watching in the sun for half an hour and headed off to visit the Commando's memorial at Spean Bridge and then knocked off the last 10 miles or so along Loch Lochy to tonight's accommodation in a hostel. 

Tonight we are sleeping 8 to a room! With the staff cooking us a dinner. The hostel takes me back to my school days, having to make your own bed up etc, but it's clean and warm.  We have had a booze run so we should have a laugh tonight after the meal. 

Tomorrow we cycle alongside Loch Ness up towards Inverness. 

Today's stats 94 miles approx 6000ft climbing. 

Onwards and upwards!

LEJOG Day 8 Kilmarnock to Loch Fyne

What a beautiful day.

Although the promised sunshine didn't arrive and it stayed quite cool all day the weather certainly didn't ruin a great days cycling. 

We left Kilmarnock in good spirits and were soon bowling along good, flattish roads. It wasn't long before we were out in the countryside and heading towards Kilwinning and the coast road.  

From there we picked up a small but helpful tailwind and rode up the coast to Largs where we stopped at the famous Nardini's ice cream bar and got stuck in. 

After ice cream we blasted along the coast and caught the ferry across to Kirn and then onto lunch in a very beautiful botanic garden. 

After lunch we cycled along the shores of Loch Eck which was stunning and then after a short climb descended alongside Loch Fyne. 

The rest of the ride consisted of a circuit of Loch Fyne into Inveraray punctuated by a brief stop for oysters and Champagne (Mark passed on this and went straight to the hotel). 

Tomorrow is our longest day at 97 miles and starts with a 10 mile climb up "Heartbreak Hill" which is going to be an interesting challenge!

Today's stats. 83 miles. 650m climbing

Onwards and upwards!

LEJOG Day 7 Carlisle to Kilmarnock

Today was long and gruelling. We set off in cloudy conditions with the promise of sunny weather to come and into a gentle head wind.  Our route today was effectively due north from Carlisle to Kilmarnock with the odd bit of west thrown in, all of which meant we would be into a head/cross wind all day. What we weren't expecting was for the sun to stay in and the wind to strengthen during the day. 

Navigation wasn't a problem as we basically drove along the same road all day but unfortunately it was an A road so we've had some heavy traffic sections to deal with. 

Having said all of the above we were treated to some lovely rural scenery and some beautiful views across the coastal sand plains of the Solway Firth as we climbed and descended throughout the day. 

After about 10 miles we crossed into Scotland at Gretna Green. We all stopped for the obligatory photos and then got back on the road. 

Lunch was in a farmers barn and somewhat lacking in facilities but as the sun hadn't broken through all morning it had stayed quite chilly so the hot soup and pasta was very much appreciated. 

After lunch the scenery was just as pleasant but the road seemed to get a bit rougher so you had to concentrate to avoid some fairly big holes especially when the log trucks were passing you. 

After our afternoon drinks break the road began to descend toward Kilmarnock and quite a large group of us get really motoring along the now smoothe roads dropping into town at about 25/27 mph

Tonight's hotel is next to the Kilmarnock FC's ground and is very comfortable. I've had a long hot bath and we are now waiting to go for dinner. 

Tomorrow's route is a little shorter and involves a short ferry ride so that should be fun. 

Today's stats. 95 miles about 3000ft climbing. 

Onwards and upwards!!