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!