Smoo Cave

We've weebled along single track roads to Durness as near as we can get to Cape Wrath. Just outside of Durness is Smoo Cave formed through natural erosion. The old winch used to be used to haul fishing boats above the high water mark.

Dunnet Head (by car!)

Glad to arrive at Dunnet Head by car in strong winds and rain. It's less tacky than John O Groats and offers fine views of the Orkneys and the Old Man of Hoy.

I've had some complaints about a missing picture of Dunrobin Castle so here it is now.

Job Done!

Sue cycled out from John O Groats to meet me and we completed the trip together. I think I deserve another bacon buttie!

Many thanks to everybody that has donated and provided support and encouragement along the way. I think that once I have collected my sponsor money we shall have raised over 7000 pounds.

We travel now along the North Coast to Bettyhill for a night in the Farr Bay Inn. Then on to Durness before heading south along Loch Shin.

Anyone for Cape Wrath to Dover?

Watten.

Just had 13 miles of single track road with nothing but sheep and open moor. Now in Watten and hope to meet Sue for final leg to John O Groats.

Remote!

No traffic for last 10 miles!

Dunbeath

12 miles of horrible hills north of Helmsdale. Bacon butties in the first tearoom of the day at Laidhay. I look tired!

First drive on the left sign! Arrived Helmsdale.

This area really is busy with tourists. I've lost count of the number of coaches and camper vans that have passed. Arrived in Helmsdale in record time. 71 miles cycled.4 hours 25 mins in the saddle and and average of 16.1mph. It'll be hillier tomorrow and that will slow me down.

Helmsdale is an old herring port and the local fish is recommended. Our B&B is grand and run by a chef from Lymm. Bathtime now as my legs seem to have a fake tan.

Hoping for a dry final day tomorrow.

La Mirage

Choices for food in Helmsdale are limited. La Mirage tries to get ahead with crazy window displays and cuddly bears holding fish. The décor inside is decidedly pink. The "as seen on TV" sign did it for us and we went to the pub instead.

Porridge for breakfast.

Dunrobin Castle.

Dunrobin Castle is just North of Golspie and even has its own Railway Station. The castle has magnificent views across the Moray Firth toward Lossiemouth. Definitely in camper van country now. Only 20 miles to go and happening across a few more E2E cyclists.

Lost wife of Dornoch!

I'm in the nice Luigi Bistro sipping tea but where's my wife? Apparently Sue's waiting for me 3 miles away. Dornoch is very nice and after food we shall cycle together along the coast. Making good progress with average speed above 16mph so far.

Excited!

Been making excellent speed since Nigg and have seen my first sign for John O Groats just before Dornoch. :-)

Cromarty Harbour

Whilst we await ferry repairs, here's a picture of Cromarty Harbour. Nice RIB! (One for the divers out there).

Cromarty - Nigg ferry

Another late start due to a lost contact lens and a puncture! Ridden 22 scenic miles along the Black Isle to Cromarty. Not sure when the ferry is leaving though as there's a man welding bits on to the ramp at the front! Macaroni pie for lunch!

It's not raining! (yet!)

Inverness wakes up. First stop today is Cromarty and the famous ferry :-)

Secret of our success

When it comes to long distance cycling, your worst enemy is saddle soreness. However, it can be avoided with the application of certain "products", such as the one pictured. The instructions state that you should apply with a light massage "in the case of bicycle riders, specifically to groin and buttocks". It works!

Late night blog.

10.30 and we have only just eaten our tea! That might be something to do with the fact that I under estimated both distance and total ascent involved in today's ride. We have cycled 87miles and over two 450m passes. The descent to Inverness was excellent even though we had to opt for the busy A9 in the dark and rain. Mark managed to catch the sleeper train with just enough time to spare for a pint of guiness.

One more reason for our slow progress today was Mark and his four punctures! I managed to get a my only puncture just as I arrived at the hotel. Theres a job for the morning!

On my own tomorrow with another big day cycling to Helmsdale. I have been warned that it is hilly!

A couple of thank you notes . . . First to the chaps at bothy bikes for use of their bike wash and also to Paul's work coleague for this evenings accomodation in Inverness.

Legs holding up well but have wrinkly hands from a whole day riding in the rain.

So thanks to room service we have been fed.
Good night!

Sleeper train

The Caledonian Sleeper train from Inverness is ace! I really recommend it to anyone travelling between the Highlands and London - or in my case, Preston! Fab (and cheap) dining car and comfy private bed - very civilised indeed! Simon is now cycling the final 2 days alone (with regular support from Sue of course). I have to go back to work and family. The wind may be against him, as it was today, so all the very best Simon for the rest of your journey. I know you will do it. Who knows - maybe the rain will even stop!

Slochd pass

Our final big climb of the day before Inverness. At over 400m the Slochd Pass was good to get behind us.

Carrbridge

The old bridge in Carrbridge is a lovely sight but you can't cross it any more. Anyway we were in abit of a hurry by now to get to Inverness in time for the sleeper train and my way back home. We made it with 30mins to spare.

Aviemore fuel stop

Quick cuppa in Aviemore opposite the very pretty station.

Bike wash

Quick stop at the very helpful Bothy Bikes in Aviemore. I had four (!) punctures today and Simon had one. So we bought an inner tube and some patches an later uses them!

Lots of water everwhere

One thing about all this rain: you get impressive rivers and streams.

Mobile tea lady

A happy meeting en route with Sue and her magic flask. Much appreciated cuppa in the persistent rain.

Wee dram

Another fuel stop. Who could resist a free sample... Or four? Not us!

Blair Atholl to Dalwhinnie

1.15 and we have only managed 25 miles in the pouring rain. We were glad to see Sue in her mobile tea shop 10 miles along the A9. We have now arrived in Dalwhinnie having climbed to an altitude of 457m along the way. Interesting sign! Urban myth? Or just clever marketing? You decide. Needless to say we are in a tea shop!

Wee dram

Who could resist free samples of single malts and liqueurs? Not us, anyway! We stopped at this covenient roadside attraction and made the most of it for ten minutes until a coach party arrived. As the photo shows we felt rather blurry afterwards!

Tuesday part 2

Cut off in my prime on that last entry. Route today takes us past famous House of Bruar and along the A9 to Dalwhinnie Distillery :-). Then through Kingussie and on to Aviemore. From there we pass through Carr Bridge and in to Inverness. Sounds easy but there's 75miles and some long climbs to conquer. I hope its stoped raining!

Tuesday

Legs are slightly weary this morning. Today's r

Pitlochry

Nearly the end of Monday's ride here. THe cycle route takes us over a suspension bridge in to Pitlochry. Time to put lights on because it is becoming duskish. Not far to go to Blair Athol.

Teashop where time stood still.

Birnen is a tiny place but has the best teashop in the world. The place is unchanged since the 1950s. Tea is served on best china by a lovely old lady in bone china. Scones are accompanied with home made jam. It was nearly 5pm when we arrived and we still had another 30 miles to do. The shop was also featured in a national savings poster campaign :-). Next stop Pitlochry.

Wet wet wet.

Gretings from the Forth Road Bridge! We've had a gentle start to the day with Beth, Thomas, Sue and Paul joining us as far as the bridge. Weather is damp and the bridge very wobbly! 65miles to go.

Perth

Arrived in Scotland's ancient capital and the banks of the "Silvery Tay". Seems like a nice city with some impressive civic buildings and a fine bridge. Now on into the The Highlands!

Hungry!

Cycling requires fuel and we were getting low when we reached Kinross.

More beer

For Paul, in this case.

Beer break

In the Grassmarket in Edinburgh at the end of a great day's ride.

Goodbyes.

Here in Edinburgh we say goodbye to Andrea and Gavin and Paul and Christine. Its been great cycling as a group and great to have their support. Onwards to Blair Atholl tomorrow. First curry of the trip tonight.

Edinburgh

66 miles completed today. The Tweed valley is beautiful. This picture is taken at Edinburgh castle. Time to go for a beer!

West Linton.

We have arrived in West Linton which has a very nice clock tower. Only 15 miles to Edinburgh. Time to check out the local ford.

Wet feet!

West Linton Ford.

Paul demonstrates his ford crosing technique.