Thanks again to the QM, LCpl Simpson, and all the Guard room
staff at 3 Scots, The Black Watch, Fort George. A great night sleep after a
torrid days ride at Loch Ness. The plan had been for Christove to set up his
camera equipment next to the loch, get the world exclusive on Nessy, and sell
the pictures to the News of the World, so they go out in a blaze of glory, and
we raise lots of money for the charities. Unfortunately a no-show by the
Monster in all that rain. Fort George is
an impressive building, but must have cost a fortune when it was built in the
18th Century by George II.
Apparently it was paid for by taxing the Scots. No wonder they hate the
English. Before bed The Major left his
electric toothbrush on charge in the toilets of the Guardroom – at risk. What’s
the betting it visited the inside of a Scottish soldiers pants before
morning. Top tip from LCpl Simpson if
camping in Scotland and dealing with the Midges – they are everywhere. Light a
disposable barbecue, and place sea weed over it. They hate the smell. Top tip
if a cyclist. Don’t ride with your mouth open, or stop for more than two
minutes.
Up at 0500hrs, and after a muesli breakfast and cup of tea
from the back of the van, out of the Fort and back to our start position by
0700hrs. Driving passed the Golf course for the Scottish Open, the die hard
golf fans were just showing up. Let’s hope they have better weather today. As
we set off on the bikes the weather was overcast, but dry, with little wind.
Starting today at Inverness we took off up the A9 to our first stop at Alness.
Whilst the road surface was good, flat and straight, the scenery reminded us of
middle America, dull and lacking in imagination. We did pick up our first road
sign for John O’Groats – 108 miles!!
Having caught a chill
from the rain yesterday Dad started to feel ill. We call ourselves Broken
Bikers because three of the bikers have medical conditions. Dad has more
problems than most, and after a few more miles, aggravated by the chill, he started
having problems retaining any food or drink, from both ends. Whilst the scenery
started to improve at Tain, Dad’s condition didn’t. It also started to rain,
and the wind picked up, straight in our faces. After one of the few steep hills
on the last leg at Berridale we stopped outside the home of Jimmy and Marina
Rosie. Obviously seeing Dad in some distress they very kindly gave him some Imodium
tablets, which helped a little. A lovely couple, thanks very much Jimmy and
Marina. We are now moving much slower, with the support van with us constantly,
and the stops short but often. On one such stop Tango Man pulled up in a car,
returning from John O’Groats where he had finished at 1000hrs today (Tango Man
is one of the many solo riders we have met on route). As the afternoon
progressed the rain eased, but the wind increased, also cooling the
temperature. Now running on empty, but with guts and determination Dad
continued, and the pace actually started to increase. The scenery is now best
described as rugged but desolate, with plenty of run down farm houses ‘With
potential to the right buyer’. You have to be hardy to live up here. However,
Tonto then required an eyewash after getting grit in his eye, and just South of Wick, The Major had his third
puncture. With a change of inner tube but poor tyres, he then proceeded to pump
it up too quickly, nearly destroying both inner tube and tyre. Quick thinking by
Kneel, AKA Mario, AKA Vanessa, saved the day, and The Major rode the rest of the
day with his front tyre only half inflated.
In to Wick we are actually quite glad to see some degree of
civilisation again. Houses, shops, pubs, street lights, normal stuff we take
for granted, but not up here. Through Wick and with only 16 miles remaining
pure adrenalin had now taken over, and the speed again increased. 7 miles to
go, and Dad is still being sick. 1 mile to go, and we met the van outside the
Post office, removed our wet weather clothing, and rode the last mile in our
Help for Heroes/Starlight Cycling shirts, crossing the line together at 1900hrs,
Christove taking pictures, Maximus following on in the van. 12 hours to
complete 115 miles.
To be perfectly honest John O’Groats was a little
disappointing. We did arrive late, so no reception committee, and the place
quite bland, with a disgusting paint job on the building at the finish line –
even the locals don’t like it. But plenty of celebration and photos amongst the
team. We’ve made it; over 900 miles. We
met up again up with the 3 chaps we had met in North Devon on D+2 who also
finished today 2 hours behind us (well done lads). After a re-pack of the van and burger and
chips from the local chippy we are now starting the long journey back to Middle
Wallop.
Summary to follow.
well done glad you all finished ok from chris aka tango man
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