Day 11 – Strathy to John O Groats – 40 miles

The last day and a short belt to John O’ Groats along the Atlantic Coast line. 

Initially billed as a time trial the premature celebrations of the night before and the pouring rain made the initial 20 miles quite a toughie. The undulating coastline was hard on tired legs already feeling the end in sight and yearning for a much needed rest. We passed by Dounreay and regrouped on the East side of Thurso and cycled the last 15 miles together looking out Across the Atlantic and the Islands. We were greeted on the approach to the John O Groats with horns, ratchet and cheers. My parents, wife Penny and Mother In law Pam had come up  

 the night before to see us home and joined with Lucy to greet us across the finish line. We even had a ‘well done Belters banner’.

The feeling was great especially when we met two cyclist starting out doing it the other way!

We celebrated in style with a magnum of Champagne before loading up in the van and heading down to Fort William where we scheduled a stopover and few ales to toast our journey. I have to admit we were very, very, very drunk!!!

Thank you to all who have supported us along the way with sponsorship, words of support and even turning out to cheers us on and tell us we are mad. It’s been a great trip, tougher than expected but also far more rewarding and enjoyable. Jenko’s already planning a Jogle ride carrying full kit, I think he’s on his own with that one!

Day 10 - Conon Bridge to Strathy -101 miles

I might have mentioned we were excited about our last big day but a little nervous. As it goes it was the second toughest day of our trip and the first day the wind did not favour us. The elevation chart says it all really:

We set of from Conon Bridge with a long forgotten rallying call, ‘don’t worry Stilly, its a 100 miles toady, but just think of it as two big hills some flat another big hill then some coast line’. We’ll soon be there’! I was making my way up the third of what I would classify as a big hill before I lay eye’s on what was really the first of today’s big climbs. In total we climbed just under 6,500ft with twelve category 4 climbs!!

Yesterday I lasted 45 miles with the forward party, today it was just under 45 minutes. I’m sorry if I am coming a bit predictable, but yet again today’s the views were both outstanding and breathtaking. I actually laughed out loud coming over the crest and seeing the viewing platform high up above Bonar Bridge.

I caught up with the team again at our mobile feed station at 30miles just before crossing the Kyle of Sutherland over a food bridge. I managed to stay with the team hanging off the back until the Shin forest and its open moorland. Having suffered strong head winds all day which Jenko had taken the brunt of it started coming at us from a angle. Despite travelling in a line we were all doing the work. For those watching the Le Tour this year it was reminiscent of Team Saxo Banks breakaway which saw then claw back some time from Chris Froom. For those that didn’t it doesn’t really matter, what does is that I used these wind to my favour an found myself at the front passing kit with a look of ‘WTF’ before amazing myself by being allowed, permitted and more importantly able to take a turn on the front. Needless to say my turn was soon up after 20 or so minutes and I was quickly dropped like a used energy gel wrapper because I was unable to keep the pace up as they passed on the sheltered side of me. This was really inevitable as the final large climb was getting closer and closer!!

When it came it wasn’t a steep accent but a long and slow slog up onto the High Highlands. Barren and desolate they are also beautiful, mesmerising and give you an open sense of freedom on a bike. Really enjoyable. 

Even with rain chasing us the back drop evoked memories of an old favourite film, ‘Highlander’ and I ambled alone happily taking it all in. So with Connor being asked ‘if you’ll do this to me forever’ Freddie mercury singing in the background ‘who wants to live forever’ and the Krugen claiming ‘there can be only one’ my thoughts turned to the races up front for KOM. It turns out there weren’t any and an amnesty was called such were the difficulties of the gusting wind and tiredness of the legs. This makes Jelly KOM and Jenko overall leader in my book, but I’m sure this will still be debated.

After 30 minutes of wind and rain I’d long tired of Freddie and put him back in his sleeve to gather dust for another 20 year and began grumbling at the blue sky just to my left over Ben Loyal where it seemed I was being followed by an acme rain cloud! Then miraculously I was joined by a mysterious dark rider who cut a fine figure on the road in front. I soon realised that it was my shadow which I hadn’t seen for some time and enjoyed the sun and wind on my back for the next 10k into Tongue where we stopped for lunch with a view of the Atlantic. We’ve now made it from the south coast of England to the North Coast of Scotland in under 10 days. 

The final 20 miles was a coastal slog up and down some testing little climbs to our stop for the night at Strathy. The heavens opened, coupled with thunder and lightning which was concerningly close but nothing could dampen the spirits that this was really the beginning of the end and we’d all made it. Safely in the bar Jenko’s eye’s turned to the top shelf and impressive array of local Malts. The quick 40 miles tomorrow might be more of a challenge that we thought!

Day 9 – Loch Leven – Conon Bridge – 90 miles

A much needed lie-in this morning was appreciated by all. We said goodbye to Jenko’s parents and were on the road for 9 am. A shortish day today (only 90 miles, ha ha, never thought I’d say that!) The extra rest and shorter route saw a fast pace being set and for once I was happy to keep up and enjoy the ride albeit from the back. If I ever needed fresh legs to kick in it was for the final few days so I was very grateful. It was also very lucky because I (and we as a group) experienced our first major mechanical issue.

Without the right tools on hand to fix the issue and Jenko (our technical expert) looking concerned we thought we were going to have to pull out one of the spare bikes we’ve been travelling with. Thankfully no such measures were needed in the end but the van was called for and a lot of tinkering was done by a proud Jenko and myself, with Kit and Jelly overseeing proceedings. We were very impressed with the locals who asked enquired after us and even offered refreshments. So far I’ve been nothing than inspired by the Scottish friendliness toward tourists. I think I’ve enjoyed Scotland the most on this epic trip. 

Of again with average speed around 18 mph but more like 25mph at times. Through a bit of drafting I was able to lookup and enjoy the more than lumpy environment we are travelling through. There are some big hills out this way. Our route today took us along the A 82, a very busy road but our only option. It allowed us to traverse the Caledonian Canal which connects the West Coast to the North Sea.  We passed along Loch Lochy, stopping for refreshments at the Commando Memorial then through Fort Augusta and along Loch Ness. The later is an impressive stretch of water, however not for Jelly who asked ‘if it was around here somewhere’ after 20 minutes of cycling along its’ banks!

I was eventually dropped after three hours keeping up leaving Fort Augusta, which was a hive of activity with tourists from countries far and wide.  Along the banks of Loch Ness isn’t a bad place to be left and I enjoyed the scenery together with my thoughts, that is until I remembered a favourite kids show from my childhood. With the theme tune on a repeat loop in my mind ‘you can climb the highest mountain, you can go to Timbuktu, but you’ll never find a Nessy in the Zoo’. Sending me mad, I was suddenly desperate to rejoin the group. Sadly despite the songs promise I didn’t see Nessy at Loch Ness either although I’m still a believer and feel she’d heard of our ‘werrits’ and their newly sprouted fangs so was sensibly lying low for the day!

A small note on ‘werrits’, they are aggravated depending on the road surface texture. Kit works for a company that sounds like a road surfacing outfit, but he assures us it isn’t. He is however very informed on the properties of road surfaces particularly the aggregate used north of the boarder. Ask him about it, it riveting! Pleasantly it was mostly a smooth road day today.

 

Half way up Loch Ness we turned north. We stopped for lunch at Drumnadochit before meeting our very own Loch Ness Monster which was the final climb of the day. It was a beast! We fought hard at the front to get up it then enjoyed a fast ride down hill to the other side and into the highlands.

140 miles to go! Tomorrow is our last full day on the road before a 40 mile sprint on Monday. The profile for tomorrow looks really challenging so it’s been a few quick pints and early to bed, the weather will also decide how challenging this final leg will be and no one forecast can agree on what lays in store for us. Anticipation, excitement and dread are mixed together with the ambitions for the King of the Mountain trophy which will be settled tomorrow also. It’s Jelly’s to loose, but Kits now on his heels.

Day 8 – Arran to Loch Leven – 98 miles

We had an early morning ferry today within the first mile. The early pause in proceedings was very welcomed due to the local malt going down a treat last night (Arran Malt 12yr old well recommended). 

The ferry took us off Arran departing at Loch Ranza and dropping us back on the Scottish mainland at Claonaig. It was clearly the early commute ferry and a few locals captured the eye! Conversation as with most mornings turned to the ‘werrit’ situation! I’ve avoided this topic out of politeness and common decency. However, it would be amiss for a blog about a 1,049 mile bike journey not to mention the pains created where the body meets the bike. Jenko has endearingly named them his ‘werrit’s’ so he can discuss them in public without offence. Nothing more needs to be said on this topic besides Jelly suggesting this morning that he thought his might have grown teeth! This was met with silent nods of agreement and empathy.

The Scottish weather we all hear about paid a visit last night and did not bode well for today. A big drop in temperature and the almost guaranteed soaking we could really do without seem sure to provide a challenging and drawn out day. Magically the rain threatened all day, but despite a few quick showers, it never materialised leaving us with another visually stimulating ride though outstanding countryside with a moody and electric backdrop.

Today’s route took up a rollercoaster like trail over hill’s, Loch’s and Glens passing through fishing ports such as Tarbert and Lochgilphead before a fast and exhilarating decent into Oban where we all joined up for lunch. The best was still yet to come and we were treated to amazing views from every angle going over the bridge at Loch Crecran.

Having put Jelly on the pedestal yesterday for King of The Mountain, Kit stepped up and knocked him clean off today. An outstanding performance and one he is very proud and vocal about. The banter about this is still fast a furious. Jelly is claiming a lack of form down to illness today but outright ownership still his. Kit is mentioning ancestry and links to the Clan McLeoud as a source of his new surge of climbing prowess. Jenko is playing down ‘this (guaranteed) one off occurrence’ and has presented Kit with a medal for the ‘most improved rider’! This was neither taken nor given as a compliment.

Jelly Suffers at the back for once

Kit leading the way

We were very appreciative of the great support on the road today in the form of Jenko’s parents who joined us in Arran last night. Also our support driver, Lucy Jennings, was around every corner to ensure we had what we needed to continue our journey with no demands or agenda for herself, this is despite it being their (Lucy & Paul’s) 10^th wedding anniversary today. Congratulations guys. I think Paul is deep in the debt stakes for this one! And we are all very grateful.