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Day 8 - Evanton to John O' Groats

We set off a bit earlier today, at 8am, and headed up the A9 towards Wick. The day started cold, windy (easterly wind) and ominously overcast. We went over a long bridge over the Firth of Cromarty and basically followed the coast line. The wind was very strong and when it started to rain, the conditions were quite scary on the exposed coastal road with the side wind. Toby passed us at around 20 miles, and thankfully stopped for a coffee. At around 50 miles, we stopped at a cafe, and met the driver of the other cyclists that we had previously met at Carlisle and Loch Ness, and the drivers were thinking of changing their route to cut inland to John O' Groats in order to get away from the strong wind. We worked out that we must be around 1 hour ahead of the cyclists - even though they had set off early at 7am - the race was now on! We decided to keep going along the coastal route. We passed by a couple of Whisky distilleries (incl. Glenmorangie) and then met Toby for lunch at Dunbeath, where we changed into our winter clothes. After a brief lunch we set off up the A9 and then hit two killer 15% hills, which in the rain and wind were tough going, particularly the one at Helmsdale. We got to Wick and then took the A99 to John O'Groats. The weather by now was horrendous, the coastal road hilly, and the scenery was really bleak and we were very exposed to the wind. By this time we were stopping regularly for energy bars and gels. However, after Wick we turned slightly and the wind was now diagonally behind us and we picked up our pace to a steady 30mph for around 10 miles! We eventually arrived at John O' Groats at 3.50pm, and met Toby (wearing a 'see-you-jimmy' hat). We were also congratulated by the drivers of the other team (who still had not arrived).

In total today we cycled 103miles at an average of 15.2mph, a maximum of 41mph and a total of 6hours and 42mins in the saddle.

In summary we cycled from Land's End to John O' Groats in a total of 881 miles, which is pretty good going as the signpost in John O'Groats said 874miles. It's quite a big island.

We would just like to thank everyone for their support, both with their sponsorship and also with the encouragement that we have had on the way. It has made a huge difference to us knowing that we were being so well supported.

We would also like to thank Chester Motor Homes for giving us 3 free days with the Campervan, Dave Hall (Exeter Camp Site) and Pat (Kendal Camp site) for allwoing us to camp for free and thanks to Andrew and Mary for their hospitality in Hereford. Thank you to Ali and Julie Carmichael for the first aid medication which turned out to be a blessing.
We would particularly like to thank Emma, Maria and Claire for their support and allowing us to take the time for this trip, and through the year with our training. We would not have done this without your support.

Day 7 - Glencoe to Evanton (Alness)

We set off around 9am, up Glencoe in spectacular scenery and swarms of midges (yes Will, there were swarms). Toby's self-assumed authority in midge entomology, was quickly questioned when the theories that midges only bite at night, don't come into the caravan and only bite when in swarms, were clearly not true. However, going up Glencoe was fantastic, and the weather was great. We cycled up to Fort William, passing Ben Nevis (shrouded in cloud). Next we went alongside Lochs Lochie, Oich and then onto Loch Ness. The weather was the best so far on this trip. During our lunch, we saw two cyclists pass by who had also left Land's End last Saturday (on an 8 dayer also), having also seen them near Carlisle the other day. We caught up with them after lunch, and pushed on to Inverness and over the Black Isle. At 90 miles, Ben 'hit the wall' and we needed to stop to take more food and energy gels, in order to get through the rest of the day. We crossed back onto the mainland, past the Black Isle Brewery, and with alot of self restraint, then onto the campsite in Evanton (near Alness).

The weather today was great, initially overcast then sunny and no wind. We finished the day off with a takeaway curry! That should keep the midges away. In total we cycled 111 miles in 6hours 40 minutes in the saddle at an average of 16.3mph. One more day.

Day 6 - Abington to Glencoe

Woke up early to a howling gale outside. Set off at around 9am to the 30mph south-westerly winds. The wind was getting us side-on which was a bit hairy for the first few miles as we were quite exposed. However, the road was really good (actually a disused road had been converted into a cycle path). We headed towards Strathaven then onto East Kilbride, Paisley and over Erskine Bridge in horrendous rain. The wind had died down, but the rain was very heavy. We met Toby for lunch after 65miles at Balloch at the start of Loch Lomond, and after the earlier towns/suburbs, the scenery was fantastic. During our lunch we did an emergency shoe and clothes drying session using newspaper and the gas heater. Despite the fact that it was conbtinuously raining, Loch Lomond was beautiful, and we cycled along it for around 25miles. After this we had some long climbs up, crossing several glens. Instead of stopping at the Bridge of Orchy as planned, we decided to push on to Glencoe, in order to make the next two days a little easier.

Meanwhile, Toby had some interesting experiences involving the campervan toilet cassette and a burst bottle of vegetable oil. After showering and changing his clothes, he was able to continue up to Loch Lomond. Once at Glencoe, his problems continued when he was 'moved on', forgetting that he had a kettle of water on the cooker, and in the panic of spilled water also managed to get the campervan stuck. Luckily the bar staff at the King's House Hotel rallied to the cause, and pushed the van out of the mud.

It was a very long and wet day, but with incredible scenery (after we had got past Glasgow). In total we cycled 122miles, with 7 hours 32mins in the saddle, with an average of 16.0mph and a maximum of 42mph. We had a great meal in the King's House with deer in the carpark.

The reception is not good enough to upload photos. We will add more tomorrow.

Photos 2

starting at land's end...

end of day 4 - Kendal

Day 5 - Kendal to Abington

Last night Richard (from Matt's work) joined us, and pitched his tent in the camp site for a wet and windy night. In the morning we set off around 9.30am (again difficult to get going) and headed up to Kendal, Penrith and Carlisle via Shap. The climb up to Shap from Kendal went on for approximately 10 miles, but the day was clear and the views spectacular. It was really good cycling. Richard was stung by a wasp under his helmet (serves him right as he had too much energy). At Carlisle we parted with Richard, and carried on up to the Scottish border at Gretna along fantastic deserted roads. The road ran parallel to the M74 and was really well laid out with a cycle lane and no traffic at all. In addition we had a good tail wind!. The rain eventually came just after Gretna and it was wet from then on as we went through Lockerbie and onto Abington. However the day was overall really good with fantastic views, great roads and helpful wind direction.

In total we cylced 113 miles at an average of 16.4mph, a maximum of 42.1mph (down Shap), an average of 70 pedals per minute and a total of 6 hours and 41minutes in the saddle.

We would just like to acknowledge that we have made good use of Ali and Julie Carmichael's kind donation of pharmacy first aid items, especially for Ben's wounds from his fall on day 1 and also general pain killers etc.