#lejog day 12 - Tain to John O'Groats

I am sitting here (slightly tipsy, it has to be said) in somewhat disbelief if truth be told.

It's 12.55 am and I've just completed a cycle ride (and accompanying night out) from Lands End to John O'Groats.  Who would have believed that? Not me, that's for sure!!

Honestly, all of you beautiful people who have read my ramblings, messaged me, phoned me and donated to my justgiving don't realise how important you've been! I've had some crap days but you've all brought me through it.  Especially Anna and the boys with their daily video calls and messages.  I couldn't have made it without all of you!

So to cycling.  Today was a pretty standard day with some horrible climbs in the middle.  I just about managed to avoid the rain before lunch, and as a team we rode through the afternoon and Headwinds together.  I'm not much of a cyclist but there's no one I'd rather be out on the road with.

Today's route was pretty non-descript.  Turned left out of the hotel, stayed on the road for 51 miles and then pretty much stayed on the next one until the end. We regrouped about a mile out from JOG and all 36 of us cycled the last bit together which was awesome & emotional!

At the finish, it was great to see some familiar faces! The support crew and some friends and families were there waiting for us with champagne which was very welcome after 12 days!  Once we had our obligitary photos at the sign, myself, Matthew & Alec bought some beers at the little shop and had a drink overlooking the harbour and beyond - bliss!

The evening consisted of another 3 course meal (I'm going to miss those!), a little presentation and speeches and plenty of drink 😂.

So that's it! Next stop is Inverness airport and a flight home! Can't wait to see my family!

Thanks everyone!  Chapeau!

(Penultimate) #lejog day 11 - Aviemore to Tain

So we've completed the penultimate day.  A nice day from Aviemore, through Inverness, lunch (near to) Dingwall before arriving at a very "traditional" hotel in the small town of Tain.  It's a cross between charming, classic and granny-esque.  It's ace!

Today was quite a steady day, over 72 miles and quite possibly the most fun I've ever had on a bike!  Our group, which has two guys who were in group 4, and four of us who were in group 2 have had an absolute scream today and managed to achieve two "stage wins" - first to the morning rest stop and first to the hotel.  We were feeling good, pressed on and managed our highest average speed of the trip so far - while having a great laugh!

Again there was some amazing scenery, lochs and mountains with vistas as far as the eye can see!  Went along side Culloden Battlefield (ish), down into Inverness (another great view) before some nice rolling countryside out to Tain after lunch.

Once we were about 10 miles away from Tain and hadn't been overtaken, we decided as a group to really push flat out and see if we could get to the hotel first (which we did).  Tomorrow won't be pushing as hard as that but it was great fun!!

So tomorrow brings us to the final day of cycling as we head to John O'Groats!!  Can't quite believe we've made it this far and we certainly wouldn't have made it without Martin, Marilyn, Andrew, Charlotte, Leanne and Scott - our amazing support crew.  They've given so much of their time and energy to allow us to do this and we are all eternally grateful!

It's an 85 mile day tomorrow which includes pretty much turning left out of the hotel and staying on the same road for 51 miles!  Can't wait to get there all together and hopefully a great sense of accomplishment!

Photos from today:

Our bunch love a puncture.

View from the bridge out of Inverness

Tain

Tain

Tain

Tain

Tain

Out hotel

Our hotel room

Our group 4/2/3b/f£&k ups 😂

Today's route

#lejog day 10 - Pitlochry to Aviemore

Well, we've made it to double figures and there's only TWO days left!  Can't quite believe it!!

Today was the shortest day out of all the days.  Only 56 miles in all.  The good news kept coming too - today was our first fully dry day!  It was probably one of the, if not the most scenic too.  Lots of rugged countryside, nice quiet roads, railway lines and rivers.  Passed right past the Dalwhinnie Distillery, but didn't stop for a wee dram.

Some gentle climbing, and just as gradual descents led to a nice relaxing cycle and we got to the hotel nice and early.  Our group was the first to the morning rest stop and in to lunch too.

A lovely hotel - MacDonald Aviemore Resort. Had a little stroll in town for a look about and a coffee before back to the hotel for dinner in the Italian restaurant.

Tomorrow is 72 miles to Tain, with a lunch stop in Dingwall.  I haven't checked yet, but I assume it's going to be wet and/or windy at some point lol.

Photos:

Today's route

Lovely scenery today

First group to The Highlands

Had worse views from a hotel room!

Welcome to Aviemore

Did a bit of train spotting too

Aviemore station

Dalwhinnie Distillery

Our group of rejects 😂

First to lunch stop - 2nd stage win of the day!

Our amazing support crew, without whom we would not be where we are today!! Big love for these guys!

#lejog day 9 - Livingston to Pitlochry

Day 9, and we almost had a dry day!  Had a fun day today plodding on at the front of the group, kind of leading the way.

Not long out of Livingston and we were in some nice remote countryside.  A steady day with some lovely scenery, a few climbs and little villages and towns.  It didn't take too long before we saw the Forth Road & Rail Bridges in the distance which we were due to cycle over.  (Another cool thing to tick off the list to say we've done on this trip!)

Cycled through Perth which was where the first rain shower came, but didn't last long.  Carried on through what seemed like a park but had a golf course either side of the path.

Made it to lunch in a lovely bar/restaurant in the village of Murthly called Uisge Bar.  If you happen to ever be up this way (especially cycling) I'd recommend it!!

Quite a short afternoon which was a nice cruise alongside the River Tay and up a few climbs before arriving in the lovely little town of Pitlochry just as a rain shower arrived.  Only 10 minutes before we made it to the hotel!

We had a stroll up to a bar to watch the Villa game and have some dinner then had a nice walk around the town and down to the dam before back to the hotel. The Fishers Hotel - very nice, classic Scottish hotel.

Looking forward to tomorrow as it's the shortest day of the trip so far at only around 56 miles.

Thanks for perservering with my ramblings - especially you Matthew! 😂

Photos:

The bridges in the distance

The famous Forth Rail Bridge

Anyone for heights?

Another county ticked off!

Some lovely scenery today

Found these chaps in the pub - just for a change 😂

Tonight's dinner - Haggis, Neeps & Tatties

View from Pitlochry Dam

Lovely evening for it!

Our team - heading for John O'Groats!

Today's route

#lejog day 8 - Lockerbie to Livingston

This entry for day 8 is a day late, due to a recreational evening out in Edinburgh...

A relatively short day today, but with a keen wind blowing about.  Only about 68 miles with some long steady climbs.

I really should write this every day to remember the detail because one day is blending in to the next at the moment.  I can tell you it was windy and wet after lunch and I was in a hurry to get to the hotel to get the train in to Edinburgh for the evening to meet an old school friend.  Nat runs a lovely little boozer called The George IV Bar on the George IV Bridge, just off the Royal Mile.  If you're ever in town, call in and say I sent you lol.

Pictures:

The route

Edinburgh

The castle upon the rock, in the rain

The first of many, which I regretted in the morning

Shots? Oh dear.

Couldn't do this ride without these guys 😘