Yip yip yippee its a cyclists life for me...actually I would rather not do any major cycling for a couple of days if that is OK. By the end we had got to 1155 miles or so. That'll do pig, that'll do.
We arrived in John O'Groats yesterday and were jolly happy to have finished. More on that later.
We left Pitlochry on Wednesday on the national cycle trail that the lovely people at Escape Route bike shop told us about. And a top tip it was too!! Almost all off road all the way to Schlod along some really well maintained tracks and the old A9 road. It felt slow going at first but that was due to our old friend a strong headwind. Then we were whizzing along, often next to the A9 (but happy not to be on it). We stopped for a microwave toastie at a garage after Pitlochry (nothing but gourmet cuisine on this trip) and then carried on all the way to Aviemore via a rather nice cafe in Duchmonster/Dormenster I can't remember the name. We tried to stop for lunch in Kingcraig but they didn't have anything edible or drinkable (boo hiss). Off to Schlod and came across the hostel as if by magic. The hostel was really really nice, the kind owner chappie had a check over of our bikes for us, we watched the BBC weather forecast with interest, chatted to a German vet who had been travelling around Scotland on holiday, and then retired to bed.
Thursday - Schlod to Rogart. Day started well after a breakfast of potato cakes (suprisingly good for breakfast). Continued on the national cycle route via Culloden fields all the way in to Inverness for coffee and tea at Mr Tesco's. Unfortunately the trolley-driver must have taken a disliking to Helen's bike as he rammed the trolleys up against our bikes which lead to Helen's break and handlebar being trapped in the trolley stack. Ignoble end for poor Jet? We managed to free it after some mild-moderate swearing and not a little brute force. Then onwards, over the Moray via the road bridge. I had never experienced the joy of pedaling as fast as I could just to stop going backwards. The wind over the bridge was not the most pleasant of experiences, but at least there was a cycle path so we were a bit protected from the cars. Got over the bridge and admired each other's wind blown faces and mad Bridget Jones style hair. Onwards with yet more strong headwinds. Crossed another bridge into the wind with less of a space between bikes and cars - wind slightly to the side now which was even less fun.
Lunch at Invergordon (scampi and chips after a wind-blown morning on the bike is always good). Yet another massive bridge and I think Helen caved to the wind pressure and walked this one. I got to the other side and couldn't even see her, and then saw an ambulance driving my way to go onto the bridge. Luckily I then saw the still luminous glow of Helen's yellow jacket heading towards me at which point I got out the Jelly Babies for a celebratory sugar boost.
Onwards to Rogart and the Sleeperzzz backpackers. We were staying in a converted train carriage - one of the old fashioned style carriages with individual compartments. Quite an interesting place, and still an active station. Went out for dinner at the local pub and I refueled with Venison Rob Roy followed by a toffee lumpy bumpy. Tasted as good as it sounded.
Awoke to a sunny morning (ish) on Thursday, and decided that we should try and make it all the way to John on Groats (just over 80 miles). Helen sealed the deal by booking and paying in advance for the Youth Hostel at John O'Groats. No pressure then. Set off along the A9 which is always a bit scarey at the best of times. Stopped off for a bacon sandwich en route before the serious business of the day began. Made good progress until we started going a bit inland from the sea at which point some more serious hillage began. An Indian family told me they 'really appreciated my effort' as I cycled up a hill past their parked car, and then they offered to email Helen the picture they took of her as she puffed her way up the hill too. I have a feeling that my toffee lumpy bumpy gave me speedy wheely power today as I was storming up some of the hills (that or the knowledge that we had to get to John O'Groats and it was our last day). Lunch at Lybster before a big push on to Wick. Stocked up with some dinner for the evening (haggis, tatties and neeps to be followed by treacle sponge and custard), plus a celebratory bottle of cava and a mini bottle of whiskey to toast our arrival at John O'Groats.
Some fool went and put a big hill just before John O'Groats - bad planning I say. Then a breeze down into the town for a series of photo calls. Firstly at the signpost welcoming you to John O'Groats then and the post which marks the end of the route (but you have to pay to get your photo taken and for them to put a sign into the signpost...we made our own signpost with our arms). Drank the whiskey, danced around a bit, chatted to the small crowd of passers by who were intrigued as to what two nutters were doing with bikes and t-shirts worn over their waterproof coats (our charity t-shirts which we felt we ought to wear). Got our forms stamped, bought some postcards, generally pondered on the enormity of it all and then set off to the hostel.
WE DID IT!!!
We arrived in John O'Groats yesterday and were jolly happy to have finished. More on that later.
We left Pitlochry on Wednesday on the national cycle trail that the lovely people at Escape Route bike shop told us about. And a top tip it was too!! Almost all off road all the way to Schlod along some really well maintained tracks and the old A9 road. It felt slow going at first but that was due to our old friend a strong headwind. Then we were whizzing along, often next to the A9 (but happy not to be on it). We stopped for a microwave toastie at a garage after Pitlochry (nothing but gourmet cuisine on this trip) and then carried on all the way to Aviemore via a rather nice cafe in Duchmonster/Dormenster I can't remember the name. We tried to stop for lunch in Kingcraig but they didn't have anything edible or drinkable (boo hiss). Off to Schlod and came across the hostel as if by magic. The hostel was really really nice, the kind owner chappie had a check over of our bikes for us, we watched the BBC weather forecast with interest, chatted to a German vet who had been travelling around Scotland on holiday, and then retired to bed.
Thursday - Schlod to Rogart. Day started well after a breakfast of potato cakes (suprisingly good for breakfast). Continued on the national cycle route via Culloden fields all the way in to Inverness for coffee and tea at Mr Tesco's. Unfortunately the trolley-driver must have taken a disliking to Helen's bike as he rammed the trolleys up against our bikes which lead to Helen's break and handlebar being trapped in the trolley stack. Ignoble end for poor Jet? We managed to free it after some mild-moderate swearing and not a little brute force. Then onwards, over the Moray via the road bridge. I had never experienced the joy of pedaling as fast as I could just to stop going backwards. The wind over the bridge was not the most pleasant of experiences, but at least there was a cycle path so we were a bit protected from the cars. Got over the bridge and admired each other's wind blown faces and mad Bridget Jones style hair. Onwards with yet more strong headwinds. Crossed another bridge into the wind with less of a space between bikes and cars - wind slightly to the side now which was even less fun.
Lunch at Invergordon (scampi and chips after a wind-blown morning on the bike is always good). Yet another massive bridge and I think Helen caved to the wind pressure and walked this one. I got to the other side and couldn't even see her, and then saw an ambulance driving my way to go onto the bridge. Luckily I then saw the still luminous glow of Helen's yellow jacket heading towards me at which point I got out the Jelly Babies for a celebratory sugar boost.
Onwards to Rogart and the Sleeperzzz backpackers. We were staying in a converted train carriage - one of the old fashioned style carriages with individual compartments. Quite an interesting place, and still an active station. Went out for dinner at the local pub and I refueled with Venison Rob Roy followed by a toffee lumpy bumpy. Tasted as good as it sounded.
Awoke to a sunny morning (ish) on Thursday, and decided that we should try and make it all the way to John on Groats (just over 80 miles). Helen sealed the deal by booking and paying in advance for the Youth Hostel at John O'Groats. No pressure then. Set off along the A9 which is always a bit scarey at the best of times. Stopped off for a bacon sandwich en route before the serious business of the day began. Made good progress until we started going a bit inland from the sea at which point some more serious hillage began. An Indian family told me they 'really appreciated my effort' as I cycled up a hill past their parked car, and then they offered to email Helen the picture they took of her as she puffed her way up the hill too. I have a feeling that my toffee lumpy bumpy gave me speedy wheely power today as I was storming up some of the hills (that or the knowledge that we had to get to John O'Groats and it was our last day). Lunch at Lybster before a big push on to Wick. Stocked up with some dinner for the evening (haggis, tatties and neeps to be followed by treacle sponge and custard), plus a celebratory bottle of cava and a mini bottle of whiskey to toast our arrival at John O'Groats.
Some fool went and put a big hill just before John O'Groats - bad planning I say. Then a breeze down into the town for a series of photo calls. Firstly at the signpost welcoming you to John O'Groats then and the post which marks the end of the route (but you have to pay to get your photo taken and for them to put a sign into the signpost...we made our own signpost with our arms). Drank the whiskey, danced around a bit, chatted to the small crowd of passers by who were intrigued as to what two nutters were doing with bikes and t-shirts worn over their waterproof coats (our charity t-shirts which we felt we ought to wear). Got our forms stamped, bought some postcards, generally pondered on the enormity of it all and then set off to the hostel.
WE DID IT!!!
1 comment:
I was also staying at Sleeperzzz last Thursday! I was the one chasing my son around outside the Pittentrail Inn while you were enjoying your Venison Rob Roy. I wish I'd had a chance to chat to you. Congratulations on completing the trip :-)
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