Back home after 1066 miles

Its been nearly a week now since I finished my journey. My last day of cycling was  Wednesday when on a damp morning I cycled up to Dunnet Head the most northerly mainland point and then onto Wick where I stayed over night before I caught my plane home. The flight was not without adventure. Wick airport is the smallest airport I have ever been in with a distinct lack of planes and staff trying very hard to look busy. At last we took off at 12.30 in a very small SAAB aircraft which was so noisy I wished I had ear defenders. After a bumpy trip we landed in Edinburgh about an hour later and I had to wait till about 8.50pm in the evening before I flew onto Exeter airport. I met Alison in the arrivals hall and it was good to see her and be home again. The sky was clear and starry, I felt very peaceful and relaxed. In my 19 days of cycling what lessons did I learn? Firstly even when things seem difficult they don't always stay that way and if you keep going you eventually arrive.That there are many good and kind people out there who are willing to help especially if you give them a chance( and are wet and covered in road grime!) The news would make you think otherwise but I never found that to be the case on my journey. Most people could do what I have done, I was just lucky enough to have the opportunity.  My journey will stay with me for the rest of my life, it has profoundly effected the way I think about things and see life, hopefully for the better.Sometimes since I have been back I dream that I am still cycling on the road to JOG. I have woken up several times with a great sense of relief to find that I am not! I will still go out on the bike twice a week for my 25 mile training rides in the Devon lanes as way of relaxing and keeping fit. On my journey I lost 9lbs in weight and my belt was on the last notch! Lastly I would like to say thank you to all who so kindly sponsored me, I very much appreciated it. Thank you also for coming with me on this 1066 mile journey, knowing  that you were supporting, helped me get there!

Helmsdale to John O Groats - 52 miles

Well this was it the last day of real cycling and I woke to a wonderful sunny morning and after a good breakfast set out for John O Groats. I had been warned about two problems along the way. Firstly after 2 miles there is a long grinding climb from sea level up to 700ft. Once this is negotiated the Berriedale braes have to be tacked. This is a 13% climb up a steep hairpin bend for about three quarters of a mile. Fortunately my level of fitness was such that I had no problems with either of these challenges and got to the top relatively easily. Also after the hills in  Devon and Cornwall nothing can be that bad! The rest of the day was easy riding along the coast with blue sea on my right and heather and Cotton grass on my left. I had company for 48 miles of a fellow cyclist called Terry and it was good to share stories about the journey and life in general. The road then rose as I neared  John O Groats and the clouds grew darker. As the top of the hill was reached I could see right across to the Shetland Isles and the island of Hoy. I then rolled down into John O Groats and crossed the finishing line. I could not believe it was over. Its strange when I started out on that first morning I was not sure that I would finish. The weather was bad the terrain was hard and my mind was not right. After the wet Sunday two days later I could have given up. Why didn't I. When I look back on it I couldn't because the Journey was too important for me, I knew it would change my life if I let it and persisted. So that's what I did and it became as much a spiritual journey as a physical one. Also as the days passed my fitness improved and cycling became relatively effortless. I have met many interesting people along the way, most of them extremely kind and helpful. I have visited some amazing places, but as Dorothy said to Toto in  the Wizard of Oz, there no place like home. Lastly I would like to thank Alison for her support and clean clothing after the deluge on day 3. Also for the jelly babies, that she gave me that kept me going. My father was a greater cyclists than me and in part he  inspired me to undertake this journey. I often thought of his cycling exploits  and as I travelled along the way he was "with" me on the journey.. 
I fly back from Wick tomorrow lets hope I don't get caught up in the airport strike, I would hate to have to cycle home!

Inverness to Helmsdale - 68 miles

A fine but grey start to the day as I set out through a busy Inverness up the A9 and across the Beauly Firth over a large suspension bridge. The road then climbs up over the Black Isle and then heads for the east coast of the North sea which it hugs all the way up to John O Groats. I had the unusual experience this morning of freewheeling down hill for about three miles and I though "well this is easy". It did not last long as we then returned to the ups and downs of the coast road. Normal service had been resumed. I met a large group of end to enders today who were returning back to England by cycling through Ireland, better them than me! I passed them again on the road later on and did not see them again. As you get further up the coast you start to see  oil rigs out to sea and it comes as abit of a surprise. This is wild windy countryside with lots of birds of prey on the wing. I have also seen lots of Hooded crows hanging round with other members of the crow family. I also met a very fit 72 year old cyclist who was cycling form Essex to JOG. He was a retired Baptist minister and so we had lots of things to talk about on the way. He had problems with his disc brakes so I left him at Golspie at the cycle shop to see if he could get them repaired. Tomorrow involves some very difficult climbing for the first four miles so I think some pasta and an early night is required!

Fort Augustus to Inverness - 35 miles

A shorter ride today before a 70 mile ride up the east coast to Helmsdale. I will soon see the first signs for John oGroats when I leave Inverness. Today was one of those difficult riding days when it is hard to find a constant pace. This was mainly because of the heavy rain for most of the morning which made cycling unpleasant and the clouds cleared only as I left the mountains and neared Inverness. I took refuge in a bus shelter, had something to eat and sorted out my wet weather gear. I met a local giving her dog a walk and gave him a pat to get my "pet fix". Then headed off again onto the busy A82 that hugs the shores of Loch Ness. The Loch is very long and ever present so when it suddenly disappears it comes as a surprise, when you enter farmland and cities again.I find it hard to believe that in two days time I will be at John O Groats at the end of my journey.

Ballachulish to Fort Augustus - 47 miles

Off we go again on the road to Fort Augustus. Crossing the bridge at Onich proved interesting. It suddenly became amazingly windy and I was worried that I would be blown of my bike and then suddenly  my hat was blown off . Alison had made a cord with a crocodile clip to prevent me loosing  my hat, if such an event should occur and my hat flew out like a kite on a string and I was able to retrieve it again! It was just like being a kid again where your gloves are connected to each other by a piece of cord so you don't loose them. Eventually Fort William was reached along a rather busy main road. There is not much to see there so I hurried on and eventually found myself on a minor road to the north side of the Great Glen. This in contrast was narrow with passing places not that I saw many cars. It hugs the shore of Loch Lochy and then comes to an abrupt end. You then take what is called a forest trial through Clunes Forest for about 7 miles. This was something else, undulating, ever so bumpy, and full of swarms of midges. They were in your face and you could not stop in case your were eaten alive. After what seemed like an eternity I emerged out of the forest and arrived thankfully at Fort Augustus. A pleasant spot with good pubs and a beautiful backdrop of Lochs and mountains, just perfect!

Inveraray to Ballachulish - 67 miles

The placed that I stayed in Inverary was super, modern,clean and wonderful breakfast. Porridge followed by a salmon scrambled eggs. After loading up I set out in sunshine to head for Ballachulish some 67 miles away. The air was cool almost autumnal and this was not the occasion for stripping off. The first 8 miles woke me up as It was all up hill . I was glad I had not had the kippers! There then followed a up and down ride for the next 20 miles until I reached Connel. On the way however I saw two Eagles about 80-100 metres from me. It was wonderful to see them. Every 10 miles I eat and drink and this tactic seems to work really well. I eat a mixture of Milky ways, Snickers bars (marathons) and Jelly babies. When I finish this adventure I don't think I will want to eat anymore of these for a long time! I eventually arrived at Ballachulish about 3pm. Its a small place but is right next to Glencoe. Tomorrow although the weather is not so good, the journey is shorter about 42 miles up to Fort Augustus.

Ardrossan to Inveraray = 62 miles

I woke this morning and would you credit it the weather was dry! Cold though in a northern breezy sort of way that us softy southerners are not use to! I made my way very easily up the coast road that heads via Largs to Gourock to catch the ferry that goes to Hunter's key near Dunoon. A ferry had just arrived so I pushed my bike onto it and enjoyed the 20 minute trip, ignoring the safety procedures as with my swimming ability I would be a goner if it sunk! Off I got at Hunters Key and started the 40 mile journey to Inveraray. In just a ferry crossing everything had changed, we were now in some very wild countryside. I cycled mile after mile through the mountains not seeing very many people and eventually arrived on the opposite side of the Loch to Inveraray. It was a mile and a half away if I could have only ridden on water! Instead I had to go all the way around the loch a journey of 18 miles! On the way however I saw my first dead Pine Martin who was not careful crossing the road! After checking into my B&B had a meal at The George Hotel which was excellent!