Finished!

Well folks, we're back home at last!

An early start on Monday morning saw us pedalling up through Bettyhill by lunchtime. Strong nor'westerlies meant we were exceedingly glad to turn Eastwards, at least until we saw the size and steepness of the hills between Bettyhill and Thurso! Luckily, one of us is now very fit and had no trouble with them. We met up with Elaine and Fergus in Thurso (when we phoned Elaine to see where they had got to on their journey up to see us, it turned out we were almost in sight of each other), and decided, much to Jamie's disgust, to camp in Thurso and complete the last 21 miles to JoG on Tuesday morning. It transpired that it was not finishing that Jamie was desperate for, but the opportunity to do a 77 mile day!

On Tuesday morning we set off (complete with all our equipment - Jamie was determined that this trip was to be unsupported!) for JoG with instructions not to get there before 12.30 since Peter, who lives on Orkney, was coming across on the small ferry to JoG with his daughters to help welcome us. With this in mind, we deviated from the (flat) route to visit Dunnet Head, the most Northerly point on the mainland. A mere extra 10 hilly windy miles to round off the trip. We arrived at JoG at 1.15 to a heroes' welcome, complete with banner! Fergus had made this banner (with a little help from mum), so after a photo-opportunity, all retired to the cafe for much-needed grub.

After a round of the souvenir shops we waved goodbye to Peter and the girls and set off Southwards (in the car - we're not that stupid!), stopping for a huge meal at a pub in Tain, and getting home fairly knac... er, tired, at 11.30pm.

And that, as they say, was that!

In due course we'll add more photos to the blog, so come back in a few days and you should be able to see a more illuminated version of events.

Many thanks for all of your comments and support. These have been relayed to us by Elaine and it has been a great help at times of steepness/adverse winds/rain/all three.

They've finished!!

I received a text just after 2pm which just said "We've made it!"
No others details - watch this space tomorrow
So well done Lad & Dad from Sue & Geoff

The last full day North!

Only forty something miles today, despite the lack of hospitality stops! Riding into the teeth of the wind slowed our gallop again but we plodded on through the flow country to reach Altnaharra. From here our route begins to turn east so should be a little easier (we can dream). A spot of wild camping tonight, alone except for two million midges. Tomorrow we head up to Bettyhill and across to Thurso. Looks as though John O'Groats will be reached on Tuesday some time.
Elaine and Gus travel up tomorrow so blog probably won't be completed until Wednesday when we hope to be home.

North-Westerlies!

A good start to the day with a cooked breakfast courtesy of Tim and Shanti and we were on our way again. A short hop to Dingwall where we met Ian and Natashya for coffee - this cycling is becoming very civilised! We stuck to the A9 to Tain and found a camp site just past the bridge over the Dornoch Firth. Some fairly flat cycling but with wonderful headwinds! Off into central areas tomorrow - maybe it will be Tuesday when we make the end if these winds keep up?!

Leaving the cities behind!

Elaine and Gus back on duty as bloggers here. Met up with the boys in Carrbridge for lunch today, on the way back from our holiday. Both doing fine.
Crossing the Forth Bridge on the cycle way proved interesting - finding the way on to it especially, with bikes routed to travel down the bike track on a slip road going the opposite way from the motor transport! That may have freaked Mike but not as much as crossing the bridge got to Jamie. He felt as though he was riding along something altogether flimsy that was clinging to the side of the main bridge! Too much water seen through too many spaces! Once safely back on dry land a scenic tour of Perth whilst trying to find the way out led to Dunkeld and a much needed recovery night.
Next morning up through the Pass of Killiecrankie (cue for a song?) to Blair Atholl for lunch. Then a wee nip over the Drumochter summit to Newtonmore for a night in a B&B and a 'treat ourselves out' meal as we're soaking (again!).
Friday sees us heading up to Carrbridge to meet up with the other half of the family for lunch and on to Inverness where friends have joined us to camp for the night. The luxury - tent already up and tea cooked for us!
More friends to cheer us on tomorrow and its looking good for John O'Groats on Monday evening and a celebration with yet more friends and the family there!

Brief update from temporary support team!!

Mike & Jamie will be near Inverness tonight (Friday 27th) and will probably finish about Monday night.
I have passed on messages from those of you hoping to meet them (Ian & Natasha and Pete & Donna) so I expect Mike will be in touch.

Sue

Over the Forth!

Mike and Jamie here, in an internet cafe in Queensferry.

From Newby we had another 50-odd mile day to the wonderfully named Bush of Ewes farm north of Langholm. Back in Scotland, yippee!

We decided to stay on the A7 since traffic was light and gradients easier. We managed 61 miles to arrive at Lothianbridge campsite on the outskirts of Edinburgh and a handy chipper.

Spent all morning getting round Edinburgh to Queensferry and the bridge. It's a lot easier by car!

Onwards and upwards - we've now done nearly 700 miles!

Leavin' the toons behind

Friday morning we hauled ourselves up out of Chorley and skirted Blackburn for lunch at Whalley. The autumnal weather and beginnings of the Forest of Bowland hills take their toll. Progress is slow! Slaidburn Hostel provided a welcome oasis for the night for us and hoards of other soaking cyclists.
Saturday saw us across the Forest of Bowland, slowly! Quote of the day is "This would be beautiful in summer!". Into the cafe at Bentham - bliss. A hilly, wet ride took us to Newby, near Appleby for the night and back to camping, much to Jamie's delight. A 50 mile day again, despite the wonderful British summer!
Blog may be a little thin for the next few days as chief writers (Elaine and Gus) are off for a wee break themselves. Mike and Jamie will try to update somewhere but it should be business as usual next weekend by which time we'll hopefully be getting on to home territory!

Chow time at Chorley. 19 July.

This blog has been hijacked today (with the owners' permission!).
We expected to meet the intrepid travellers near Warrington, but as a result of their best mileage to date, we had to head on up to Chorley, where they were roughing it for the night in a Premier Travellodge. Mike says it was the best shower he's ever had!
Obviously he's not working Jamie hard enough as the lad had enough energy to run back to the room when Dad forgot his wallet; and then enough breath to talk non-stop through the evening. He occasionally had to be interrupted and reminded to eat some of the adult size gammon, two eggs and chips in front of him (followed by ice-cream as illustrated).
They must be close to half-way by now!

Sue & Geoff

Back in our stride

We made Leominster for lunch on Tuesday, mended a puncture on the trike in Ludlow and still made it to Much Wenlock to camp the night. The legs are definitely feeling stronger. Yesterday we headed along some lovely country lanes to Market Drayton. Here we took an unscheduled tour of the town whilst we tried to find our way out. The right road at last. Woah - sun in our faces, I think not. Right road, wrong direction! Eventually we turned the wheels northward again and rode to Nantwich for the night. Camped on what was basically a front lawn, surrounded by children's swings etc. - well looked after, including a wee collie bitch in case we missed ours too much!!

Just plodding!

Off the plane at Bristol, back to the bikes and thanks to our hosts for looking after them. A confusing ride around a quiet Bristol (thankfully we crossed it on a Sunday). I'm sure it was the map that had the wrong cycle-way number not my post wedding celebration head! Once across the Severn Bridge we inched our way uphill to the castle that is St. Braivel's youth hostel. This morning, after replacing Jamie's gear cable as he was rapidly losing gears yesterday, we rode on to Ross-on-Wye for lunch. A few more sharp hills on the small lanes brought us to south of Hereford and tonight's camp site. Great to be camping again - Jamie says the smell of meths, from the Trangia, will always remind him of this trip! Two shorter days due to hills and post wedding itis. Tomorrow, maybe some larger roads to get some miles under our belts after a good night's sleep.

A Weekend off!

Tiverton was bereft of accomodation, so after going from one b'n'b to another, we ended up in the opulence of the Best Western hotel. Luxury!

Next day - Tiverton to Axbridge, near Cheddar. 50 miles, but across the Somerset levels for the last few miles. Bliss. Level ground is greatly underrated. Camped at a farm campsite, who wouldn't accept any payment.

Today - Axbridge to Bristol, where a very kind family are looking after the cycles while J & M fly to Glasgow to attend Phil' and Charlott's wedding. Flying back south on Sunday morning to resume pedalling. Flying time Bristol - Glasgow 50 minutes. Cycling time at least 50 hours. Oh, well.

Back after the break!

Bye-Bye Cornwall!

Took to the more main road yesterday for a while, in the hope of avoiding the steepest of the hills. It worked. Found a camp site near Bude with all mod cons, including the very necessary SHOP. Jamie was starving!! A good night's sleep and we were going well today until the chain on the trike broke, "Oh dear!" said the man pedalling at the time. Soon fixed and made it to Tiverton for the night, 57 miles and still going strong.

Oh, those Cornish Hills!

Two days of up hill, down dale through Cornwall. You can't even get a fast run down the other side as the hedges are high and the lanes narrow! Beautiful though. A night spent at the friendly Falmouth Backpackers and a visit to Ice (the makers of the trike) made the detour to Falmouth well worth while. Heading for our first camp site at Columb St. Major, east of Newquay. Supper will sure taste good.

7 miles and counting!

The rail strike called off we had a great journey down - Haggis, Neeps and tatties and a good night's sleep. Penzance to Land's End is a bit lumpy but fine weather egged us on. St. Just youth hostel really welcoming and a chip supper in the village square at chequered clothed tables in the evening sun rounded the day off just fine! Here's to tomorrow!

The best-laid plans...

Gang aft aglay!

When do we get the train? Friday 6th July.
When is the 24 hour rail strike? You guessed.

This leads to something of a quandary. If we make (expensive) alternative plans, and they call off the strike, it's money wasted. If we leave it 'til the last minute and they don't call off the strike, we could be up the proverbial creek. Possibly the best bet is to reserve a hire car for the 6th on a one-way hire to London, since our Saturday train to Penzance will, I assume, be running. If it's not needed, we can cancel it, hopefully without incurring charges. I'm really looking forward to an overnight drive from Aberdeen to London!

Watch this space!

Preparation

May 2007

Preparation is now under way. Sleeper train from Aberdeen to London is booked for the evening of 6th July. A 2 berth cabin for £19 each - not bad! YHA hostel booked for 7th at Land's End.
CHAS have let us have a template for a sponsor form, and publicity material. Now all we have to do is get some sponsorship!