Our final day !

We said goodbye to The Crask Inn with all its midges biting madly, but having had a great night. What a unique place.

So we continued our journey up the A836, a single track ‘A’ road through the wilderness north of Scotland. The sun was shining, blue sky, fantastic scenery. It was a superb ride, along the side of wass slLoch Naver, which in the still of the morning gave reflections of the mountains like glass. It was an incredible ride. So many photo opportunities that progress was slower than expected, but what a journey.

Eventually we reached Bettyhill, on the northern shores of Scotland. Upon reaching the coast though, the mist immediately started rolling in, and the next part of the journey was once again in thick mist.

The landscape had changed too, to a more barren and bare one. Eventually the sun emerged and the afternoon was spent mainly in glorious sunshine as we travelled along this most northern of coastlines. Unfortunately though, the wind had turned to an easterly, and we battled against a strong headwind all the way along to John O’Groats. This slowed us down and made us even more weary, but eventually at around 6.30, as a group, we cycled into John O’Groats together.

Met by cheering crowds (well, Kenny’s Inlaws), we gathered for the compulsory photos before loading up the van, and starting our journey home.

An epic journey of 970 miles. It has been an incredible time. Mostly good weather, lots and lots of good humour and banter, a real camaraderie built up between all who participated, but mostly a great cause (St. Monicahs), that needs our continued help. If you have not done so yet, please please contribute and sponsor us on-line.

www.stmonicahs.co.uk

We decided to get an early start today as we had over 85 miles to ride, so we left Carrbridge Youth Hostel at 7.30am, while it was dull and overcast. An early start for Davy on his birthday !

Inverness was 23 miles away, but fortunately it was a relatively easy 23. Again beautiful countryside, easy roads, shadowing the main A9 mainly. Into Inverness and over the bridge to meet up with Shaun immediately on the other side.

The first group arrived and saw Shaun looking out over the Moray Firth. He quickly pointed out the dolphins swimming just a couple of hundred yards out from us. Plus a seal bobbinng around as well. What an amazing sight.

Past Inverness we continued north eventually into Dingwall, and along the Cromarty. All the time the cloud seemed to be getting lower and lower, with the odd spot of drizzle. It was when we then started over the hills towards Bonar Bridge that the weather got worse. We went higher and higher and quickly lost ourselves in the clouds. At one point the visibility was down to about 20 yards, with rain falling and very difficult conditions, but we all made it through, dropped down on the other side and gradually the day brightened from that point on.

In fact as we went further north the weather got better and better and the sun started to shine through as we got to Lairg. The last 12 miles upto The Crask inn were just breath taking. The scenery had been lovely so far, through lots of glorious rivers and valleys, but once up on to the highland plateau it is just breath taking. Wild open space. Mountains in the back ground. A real wilderness with striking beauty. We pedalled along in silence mainly just in awe of the beauty of this place. The far north of Scotland is just in another league to the rest of the UK, because it is just so different.

Along route today we had great views of curlews, plus sight of red squirrel, Golden Eagle, weasel, grouse and lots more.

We ended our day arriving at the Crask Inn, somewhere in the middle of the highlands, on the A836. Set miles from anywhere else it is just a unique experience. A time capsule from years ago, selling wonderful ale and great traditional food. Being Davy’s birthday, a card and present was presented, happy birthday sung, and an odd pint drunk.

Being, in effect, our last night though, during our meal at the inn, we sat around the table, reminiscing, giving out awards, and just talking about what a wonderful experience it had been thus far. A great bunch of people, a wonderful cause, a terrific experience. Thank you Lord.

John O’Groats tomorrow

Brodies hostel in Edinburgh is not to be recommended. While we had a bed, it was the noisiest and worst place we have stayed at so far. A water pump just above our ceiling was going all night.

So we were glad to leave Brodies behind, but sad to leave Kenny behind. Some excuse about a conference in Edinburgh meant he had cycled as far as he was going to, so after waving us goodbye, he went off to a luxury hotel, large breakfast and comfort !!!

Unfortunately the rain was falling when we woke, and continued virtually all day long. The morning especially was foul. Everyone got soaked through, cold and down. At the first break, many had to change clothes, blankets were wrapped round to keep warm, hot drinks all round. Gradually the rain slowed as we progressed but it was a very tough day, and everyone was exhausted at the end of it.

The Forth Bridge was particularly difficult. Torrential rain and high winds just as most of us crossed it.

Nevertheless it was of course an eventful day as always. Brian, another friend of Davy’s, joined us for the days cycling from Edinburgh to Pitlochry.

Even in the rain and low cloud, Scotland is beautiful. Lots of wide, fast flowing rivers, with mountainous backdrops. Often stunning views. Low cloud covering the tops. Dunkeld was beautiful. Just outside of Dunkeld a Red deer with its fawn appeared and disappeared quickly in front of us.

Today’s route often followed the main A9 up into the heart of Scotland, but we mainly cycled on b-roads shadowing the main route.

Rays front tyre today bit the dust, having been worn down to the canvas, so eventually the inner tube blew. Daz came to the rescue, cycling back nearly five miles to take Ray a new tyre that he had only bought that morning, knowing his old one was severely worn.

As this group entered the high street of Pitlochry, a bagpipe started playing welcoming them to the town. The Pitlochry Backpackers Hotel seems so much more helpful, warm, clean, reassuring, comfortable and friendly than Brodies !

After a fantastic night at Low Luckens, where everyone seemed to sleep well, and we had had the opportunity to use the washing machine, the fire, and the very soft beds, it was soon time to leave.

We woke though to pouring rain, low cloud and a very dull day. Undeterred, we donned waterproofs and set off. Being in the middle of nowhere meant we had to locate the track going in the northerly direction we needed. Unfortunately, we turned too soon, found our way up a grass track that led to nowhere. Was this really the way to John O’Groats ???

Eventually the road was found and so were the hills. More ups and downs, in rain and low cloud. For some, this was the most difficult morning so far. Cycling in waterproofs that are almost as wet inside as out is not fun. A change of clothes for many at the first stop !

Gradually though as the day unfolded, it got a little brighter, but heavy showers still seemed to appear.

It wasn’t long before the Scottish signs appeared, with much rejoicing from Kenny. Most of the rest of us missed them, but soon enough noticed the midges. Yes, we were in Scotland.

The Scottish borders were beautiful. Lots of wide, fast flowing rivers, full and brown with the soil off the hills. Today it was the turn of the Oyster Catchers to serenade us as we passed through the valleys. A few hard climbs, but compensated for by sweeping downhill runs. Even in the wet they were great.

Bob, Ray and Jon managed to change a tyre on an Audi car, whilst cycling along, and then had the opportunity to change an inner tube on their bikes. Davy too falling to the dreaded puncture. Six between the group so far. Ray, once again, managed to fall off his beast !

Most of the groups managed to stop for coffee and cakes as well. One of Davy’s friends joined us for part of the day and was a welcome addition to the ride.

As we got closer to Edinburgh the uphills all became down hills, and we all sped into the city, and through it, onto a church where we were leaving our bikes for the night, before finding our hostel in the middle of town. After a curry, Davy took most of us to his pride and joy, the Brew Dog pub. One of only about 6 in the UK, we were forced to taste their unique and delightful beer. What a way to finish a day !