Final reflections on a great trip

I was very lucky with the weather. Only one cold wet windy morning out of 11 and a half days. That was going over Glencoe which was still amazing despite some difficulty. Even the Japanese tourists took their photos from the warmth of their coach. Some even photo'd me probably for the section marked "mad englishman" in their albums. Accommodation was variable, some of the Scottish youth hostels were in brilliant locations and this helped. Mechanically I did quite well a broken pedal which gave up near a bike shop and a broken spoke which I was able to replace. No punctures! No issues with car drivers. I think the big man parted the traffic for me on a particularly ferocious junction of the M5 and A38 near Taunton and got me through safely! Lasting good memories of the Norman Castle in St Briavels, Loch Ness, Tarbet, Shap and the first sighting of the sea at the top of Scotland. Met loads of great people along the way.  One awful bnb, one iffy but manageable, and the rest were fine. Some good food, some good beer and some good conversation. Hard work... Yes but a good worthwhile experience. Bye!

First celebration

John o'Groats is an underwhelming experience. Rubbish. A man in a kiosk stopped me taking a photo of the finish post saying it was copyright and he would take one for ten quid again a plastic sign! There is a free one further north on the ferry landing so thats what Ive posted here. Have now pedalled down to Wick to catch the 4pm to Inverness and begin the long journey home. Lots of highs from the trip and a couple of low points. Will gather my thoughts and make a highlights note from the train. Picture is of my celebratory drink in Wetherspoons Wick.

Photo opportunity. Its done!

Roy Orbison time!

Its over.. Its over ... Its over... Done, finished... Just off to speak with the press and photographers.
More later

The last stretch

And so onto the last part of what has been an epic journey for me. Around 34 miles from here in Reay to John O'Groats. I have had a very comfortable bnb, my hosts even took me by car to the nearest pub about 5 miles west. Today is sunny and looks wind free although I'm having a late start and haven't been out yet. I've been warned to stop at Thurso to buy food as there is nothing at John O'Groats and i will be cooking my own dinner in the yh there. Will try and re-book a train for today instead of tomorrow to start the long journey home. I'll be back on the blog when the job's done. Thanks for all your support throughout.

Day 11 finishes early.

It was so fantastic to see the northern coast of Scotland today and to follow it along towards Reay where I'm staying tonight. Earliest finish of the tour at 3pm after 62 miles so just sat and had a cuppa with my hosts and going out for a walkalong the beach shortly. With hindsight I could have finished day 10 at Altnaharra (there is one hotel) and left 75 to do today to the finish line at JO'G. So 11 days is probably the optimum time for me. But I have been lucky so far and left this gap at the end to deal with any issues along the way. So tomorrow it should be done by lunch time as its about 32 miles from here. Assuming I do it tomorrow, would love to see some of you out on Thursday or Friday when I'm home so I can thank you for keeping me going with all your messages.

Top of Scotland!

Just arrived for a lunch break in Bettyhill at the very top of Scotland! To see the sea for the first time was a moment to cherish! They have a sense of humour here - see sign on arrival!

Day 11 Lairg to Reay

Running total using the decimal points on the sat nav is 860.34 it should be another 90 from here which I am splitting over two days. Weather grey start but mild. Met a chap staying here who is going the other way. Todays route takes me through the coldest place in Britain last winter... Altnaharra then on to Bettyhill on the North coast.

Day 10 complete

When I planned my route for lejog i decided to give myself an easier closing quarter for the twelve day trip. This was to allow for any contingencies that might crop up. To give a buffer for any catching up. Having been averaging around 90 miles per day I have left 160 for the final three split of 70 then 60 and then 30 for the final day. So it was a pleasure to be all finished for the day shortly after 4pm today. 70 miles only today. Sounds pitiful! A hot shower a cup of tea and I'm recharged and ready for a pint and dinner. I am staying tonight in Lairg about 40 miles from the north coast of Scotland. I am close now but cant take anything for granted yet. there's still work to be done and some remote areas to be covered. Thanks Marty for your inspiring message! Time for eats now. Weather looks grey for tomorrow- as long as its not north easterly winds!

Edging closer

When you are travelling home from anywhere south you know when you see the signs for Scotch Corner that you are almost home. This morning two things made me consider I was edging closer. Firstly the names of Wick and Thurso - Scotlands two most Northern towns -started appearing on roadsigns from Dingwall onwards. Secondly I am onto the last sheet of my photocopy maps! Today was a beautiful start with hills of course from Loch Ness past Urquhart Castle through Beauly past Muir of Ord and onwards to Dingwall from where it became a battle into Nw winds fairly strong at times. Ive crammed in 57 before a break at Bonar Bridge. I am going to take a full hour off the saddle find a cup of tea before doing the last 15 of todays miles to Lairg. Thanks to sister Diane, golfer John, Ron and Therese for messages of support. I appreciate them greatly out here.

Sunrise over Loch Ness

Its a beautiful morning here and this is heaven. My room faces directly out onto the Loch and the sun is picking out the ripples. The sound is only of the birds and the waters gently breaking onto the shore. I wish i could capture this moment and bring it home to the Bay! Today I have around 70 miles to do to Lairg. Will try to update later.

Day 9 pm report

The weather improved during the afternoon and the scenery was quite stunning. It is hard to imagine a more relaxing place. I should have stopped to remove my waterproofs but just cracked on. I was able to replace my reading glasses which had snapped in Fort William and also stocked up on more anti inflammatory tablets for my knee. It has been pretty good again so maybe its on the mend through sheer hard graft! Tonight I am miles from anywhere overlooking Loch Ness. No pub within reach so bought some corned beef, tomato soup and pasta at the yh shop and its all in one bowl now! Its just about edible - as dogfood goes. Well more washing to do then enjoy the serenity of Loch Ness. Nessie isnt here tonight- shes guesting for the Kittiwake Ladies Darts team.

Scotland bites back

I knew Scotland wouldnt take an English cycling invader gently and she certainly served up some weather to test my resolve. Starting with a climb out of Crianlarich in mist but by Bridge of Orchy it was streaming down and windy. The temperature dropped my fingers and toes went numb and the ascent up to Glencoe was arduous. However things improved as the sun shone briefly for an hour into Ballachulish. An hour later and a break for a soup lunch in Fort William. Its raining again! 51 miles cycled this morning should be 41 this afternoon.

Crianlarich to Glenmoriston (on Loch Ness)

After eight mainly hot days, today has started grey and misty and rain has fallen. Its mild outside so wondering whether to put the full waterproof gear on. Todays route should be 92 miles without so much map reading as yesterday. Just seen my first midgey of the tour perhaps a sign of things to come.

Off course, of course!

Imagine you open a tin of spaghetti and after warming it up you pour all of it on your biggest plate. Then to amuse yourself you try to get from one side of your plate to the other following one of the strands without touching others with your knife. It is exactly like that crossing Glasgow from south to north. Plus I cycled for five miles from East Kilbride towards Paisley on some A road where cycling was banned. Didnt know until everyone was tooting at me. Then to crown things I missed the Loch Lomond road and ended up in Helensburgh. However the route I took from there was inspiring! It was meant to be. So 9 hours in the saddle and 98 miles covered. Just having fish and chips in the Rod and Reel at Crianlarich. Knee ok today. Odd twinge but no real problems. Must go - food getting cold!

Good Friday

Happy Easter everyone. Yesterday was 83 miles for those checking their guestimates on facebook. Good nights sleep, nice day again today. Heading through Glasgow then along Loch Lomond to Crianlarich. Sat Nav is saying 78 miles today. Met a lovely couple last night who did this ride last year in memory of thier son Kyle Adams who died in Afghanistan. They had some great stories of their ride. May update at lunch.

World heritage centre New Lanark is tonight's bed!

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Tired and hungry!

An exhaustingly hot day has just ended at 6.15pm from an 8.30am start. The second half from Moffat was quite challenging and I was dealing with some fairly strong headwinds at times. Having made my bed at the yh I now need to go and wash two days clothes. The end to end solo is certainly a big challenge and I must get through these next five days. I am staying in a World Heritage centre tonight photo to follow. Love to all...

Lunch stop report. TC the mechanic!

Today started strangely lethargically as it felt I was cycling with my brakes on. Three miles from Lockerbie I discovered I had been as I'd broken a spoke and the wheel rim was hitting the pads. Nearest bike shop Dumfries but wrong direction. So I cycled for a while with the back brake released and took a look in Lockerbie. The break was on the back but not on the cassette side so I was able to twist and tug a new spoke through. Sorted!  Anyone who knows how useless I am at anything diy-ish will not believe I fixed it but I did feel thrilled to achieve that. My knee problem is quite a worry. Started playing up quite soon and this mornings 42 miles to Moffat have been quite sore. Thanks Marty and Ron for your suggestions and I will tweak my seat as you suggest. Hopefully can get another 35 done before resting it again. Moffat is lovely. Its red hot again.

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Hello Scotland!