Been There, Done That!

Lack of a connection yesterday means that I’m writing this as we wait for our flight from Inverness to Bristol, the day after.

Morning sunshine at Betty Hill.

A glorious sunrise greeted us as we woke and it was not until we ventured outside after breakfast, that we saw the gathering rain clouds to our east and felt the strengthening headwind we would be battling against for the final 51 miles of our journey. Even this couldn’t dampen our spirits, with over 1,000 miles behind us in conditions ranging from the sublime to the ridiculous over terrain and road surfaces that thrilled and terrified, we were ready for anything.

All smiles as we set out, though the sunshine wouldn't last long.

Even so, it seemed that fate had decided our final day should be amongst the most challenging we’d faced, as the headwind became more ferocious, steepening every climb, lengthening every flat and preposterously, forcing us to pedal down hill on occasion.

I claim this land as my own!

At one point I spotted a sign, ‘John O’Groats 37m’ and decided to take a photo. Unfortunately it was on an uphill section and Frank, head down, pedals spinning furiously battling the headwind, rode straight into the back of me. There followed a few expletives unprintable here and an even better photo opportunity with Frank, just in front of the sign, still on his bike but in a ditch. Sadly, I was laughing too hard and Frank was too upset, to allow the shot.

Grinding out the final few miles as the weather deteriorates.

It was with a sense of relief that we reached Thurso and took lunch in a Surfers Cafe, it’s warmth and shelter being as much appreciated as the excellent food. JB looked almost too relaxed lounging across his sofa and it wouldn’t have taken very much to convince us to stay on here a couple of hours longer and avoid the worst of the weather. However, climb back on the bikes we did to cycle on a surprisingly straight and flat 5 mile stretch of road which would have been pleasurable apart from that incessant headwind. Spots of rain began to fall and as we reached Gill’s Bay, the heavens opened and a heavy shower soaked us, ensuring we would arrive at John O’Groats a little damp.

The GPS shows less than two miles to go (top right of screen).

As the final few miles approached it was hard not to keep looking at the GPS unit and counting down the hundredth’s and tenth’s. The more I looked, the slower the numbers reduced and it was only once we were into the final mile, and talking about our formation across the finishing line, that the GPS was forgotten.

Line abreast, we crossed the line together (yes, there is an actual finish line) having completed 1,073 miles, climbing over 60,000 ft (twice the height of Mt Everest) in the process. Then we began our celebrations, which is another story altogether. It has been an epic adventure, quite testing at times and rewarding through every stage. I feel very privileged to have had the opportunity to make this trip and it was a pleasure to do it in such wonderful company. I’m sure it’s something we will always remember, particularly JB who’s proposal to Jane by ‘phone (coward!), moments after we’d finished, was joyfully accepted. Apparently sharing a room with Nigel for three weeks had convinced him his future lay elsewhere, and who can blame him?

Job done!

If you’ve enjoyed reading the blog, please look to the right of your screen where there is a link to my sponsorship page. It would be a very satisfying and fitting conclusion to the trip if we could raise just a little more money for the charity I’m supporting. Thank you all for your comments and support along the way, it’s been greatly appreciated.

Steve.