Day 16: Brora - John O' Groats (67 miles)

We were very excited as today proved to be our last. I had light panniers and Sicknote had none. We knew that it was going to be a hard day, especially the first 30 miles.

Ever since we embarked on this crazy journey, I have been warning about "Berriedale Braes". "Can't be that bad" "we'll see".

We had a gentle warm-up with the hill at Helmsdale, 10 miles in. Then we met a couple of JOGLErs who had just climbed Berriedale (13% and 1.5 miles long) and warned us about the crazy descent and then worse climb.

We were both delighted to conquer this beast and then the climb at Dunbeath (10%). We sailed into Lybster where Helen suprised us and took us to lunch at the Portland Arms (highly recommended). Who was also there? The two lady fellow end-to-enders and their rather large entourage.

It seemed to be only a few moments later we cycled into Wick and, just when we thought that our record of having had a donation every day would be broken at the last, a mystery lady donated to Sicknote as he waited outside TESCO's in Wick (other supermarkets are not available....not here anyway).

On our cycle in from Wick, Hamish McLean (soon to be father-in-law of mine) was at various points along the road to take action photos of your two intrepid saddle-sore 40-somethings. We were determined to ensure that the supported bikes of the fellow LEJOGers wouldn't pip us to our destination so we put the feet down and sailed along the Caithness coast to.......JOHN O'GROATS!!!!

What a feeling it was to cross the line and to discover that we had just broken the 1000 miles cycled barrier (1002.5 miles in the end). We were met by a reception party, my much-missed son Aiden being guest-of-honour.

We also were delighted to meet Fathead and Pinhead who had just finished before us. There was also a group of 8 others who also just finished...with a pipe band to lead them in! Shortly afterwards, the two ladies arrived to the pipe band also.

A well-earned botle of bubbly was shared with our reception party and Fathead and Pinhead (who, incidently, dubbed us 'Richard and Judy' as they couldn't remember my name!). Those boys still had 16 miles to do to their destination of Castletown, before cycling to Dunnet Head the next day, the true most Northerly part of Scotland.

A lady who was around at the finish also spotted our vests and donated to our cause.

Our bikes were loaded up and we headed back to Reiss where my future parents-in-law treated us to a welcome cup of tea and home comforts prior to a celebratory curry that night!

Day15: Inverness - Brora (62 miles)

We set off in the rain feeling good after a restful sleep and a great brekkie. We cycled over three picturesque bridges (Kessock, Cromarty, Dornoch) and the scenery was fabulous. We stopped off in Evelix for a warming cup of tea and met another 2 end-to-enders who (supported) were cycling for the injured soldiers of Afghanistan. We also met Joyce and Margaret who donated.

We decided to stay off the A9 as much as possible, so we made a detour to Evanton to have a cup of tea. Much to our surprise, we met Fathead and Pinhead. We shared our accommodation in Sennen with them and also started out on the same day. Those guys were cycling for Multiple Sclerosis Trust and Macmillan Cancer Support. They stood out as they both had colourful mohicans in their cycle helmets. They had planned to do the ride in 16 days, one less than us, so were a bit suprised to see them. They were with a bunch of lads doing the ride in 10 days with some VERY expensive looking bikes and a support minibus.......with spare bikes in! We were all a bit soaked and so we invaded one pub where the boys had arranged hot drinks and cakes and kindly invited us to join them.

They came from Inverness and the Central Belt, so were raising money for charities in those areas and had raised over £20000!!!! Well doen them. As they departed, they said: -
"see you at the finish?"
"What time will you be there?"
"About 2 o'clock"
"You'll no' be seeing us at 2, more like 6 for us"

I lifted one of their bikes......weighed about the same as my right shoe.
"It's a bit heavy 'cause it has full water bottles on it" was a remark
"Riiiiiiggghht. I thought it felt a bit wieghty to me"

We left all the boys and lunched across at Invergordon in THE cafe. Not much choice here apart from, eat here or don't eat!

We had a pretty flat day today so it was easier and enjoyable for it. We arrived in Brora and had dinner with Helen (my beautiful fiancee, as I'm instructed to call her)who had come down from her parents house in Reiss, 3 miles north of Wick.

We stayed at the Sutherland Inn at Brora and, as we arrived, we got talking to Lesley, a waitress arriving for work, who donated. Helen then took the majority of our luggage as tomorrow is our last day!

Day 14: Fort William - Inverness (71miles)

We got off to a great start today...downhill. We both then realised that we had worn our brakes down. We popped off to see Ben at Nevis Bikes (honest!!). Radar got his brakes tightened and Sicknote asked for his front brakes to be tightened. After this had happened, his front wheel sligthly caught but he was reassured that it would be alright later. 42 miles later, Sicknote is complaining of tiredness, then checked his brakes and his front brake had increased its grip during the day.

So, he'd been cycling with his front brake on. But he never mentioned it once after that.........EVERY 10 MINUTES!!! We did not have the correct-sized spanner, so we were lucky enough to meet Helen and her colleague in the Loch Ness Youth Hostel who had everything we needed.

Sicknote without front brake on, what difference in his speed? Negligible.

We reach Inverness late on and Radar find it very difficult to find his sister's house. In all fairness, he'd never approached her house from the West before and there was a completely new road layout and complex. Was Sicknote sympathetic? Not really, when I reminded him that she lives up a huge hill in Milton of Leys. That's about right.

We had a welcoming committee awaiting for use, where Catherine Collins (my sis), Lesley and Emma (neighbours) all donated.

Home comforts were gratefully received and we appreciated seperate rooms. Bliss!

Day13:Arrochar - Fort William (72miles)

We had a brilliant stay in Arrochar. Mandy at reception, decided to cancel our booking and give us a 50% discount on our DB&B stay AND a couple of free drinks!!! Very generous and it was an excellent hotel with wonderful views and great grub. Thanks to all concerned.

We set off from Arrochar to Fort William and had a very tough run. High winds (meteorological) made it a slog of a day. We followed the A82 through Glencoe pass and the beautiful, but desolate, Rannoch Moor. Any time we paused from peddaling, we almost came to a complete halt, no free-wheeling.

We stopped for lunch at Crianlarich and we met Sheila Garman from Crianlarich who donated. After a hearty lunch we took deep breaths and set off to Fort William when, oh no!, my phone eventualy collapsed due to frequent soaking. So, nothing from it...zip...nada...no Google Maps/internet/blog posts etc. This proved to be a real pain and I had to recruit my beautiful fiancee(as I'm instructed to call her) to book us our accommodation.

We eventually trawled into the 'Lochview' B&B in Fort William, meeting the lovely Denise who discounted our stay (thanks Denise). We thoroughly appreciated Helen's work, but she managed to find a B&B on the steepest hill in Fort William!!

We popped out to the town (alive with tri-athletes) and caught a taxi back uphill. John, the taxi driver, asked about our trek and doanted the majority of the taxi fare. A TAXI DRIVER......WOW!

Day12: Cambuslang - Arrochar(45miles)

So, after an evening of milking his "bad knee", Richard 'Sicknote' Frost decided to grace us with his not inconsiderable presence and we are heading back to Cambuslang to continue our epic journey. I will continue tonight (if 'Sicknote' can stop his whining for 5 minutes!)

UPDATE....

Sicknote & I embarked upon our re-started journey in Cambuslang and met Stuart who donated after stopping on the Dumbarton rd. Getting through Glasgow was a real pain as I dont know the S.E. at all and my "google maps" went down for the duration. Much scratching of heads and wrong turnings later, Sicknote then dubbed me "Radar" for getting lost. (In my defence, he believes if you are Scottish, you obviously have streetmaps of the entire country lodged in your head!)

On a positive note, after we escaped Glasgow and its smooth roads (check for dislodged fillings later!), we had a smooth run along the West coast of Loch Lomond to Arrochar.

Beautiful scenery (although NOT 6 feet in front of me!) and Sicknotes' knee held up. Long hilly day tomorrow, we hope the team stays together and in good shape. Spirits high after much needed confidence boost.

Day 11:Abington - Cambuslang (36miles)

So, after a sunny start (for the first 30 foot), we turned right at a roundabout and hit the after-effects of Hurricane Igor!!! After peddling for 15 minutes uphill and not moving anywhere, we decided to put some effort in and completed our first mile when it was dark!

We have come to the conclusion that, whilst English rain is very wet, Scottish rain actually hurts! We were cycling at an sideways angle of 30 degrees with our left eyes shut and the left side of our face stuck (worryingly so) in a sort of painful grimace as we braced ourselves against Scotland's finest autumnal weather!

Frosty nearly crashed his bike in amazement as he saw some old boy walking up the high st, in howling gales and rain, with inly a pair of joggers and a t-shirt on!!!

Aye, the breed 'em hardy up herel

Dave's hands now resemble rigid claws and he had to have them prised from his handlebars by a pleasant burberry-sporting local with a crowbar. Frosty, meanwhile, was blessing his decision to take waterproofs. Although he was bemused as to how he could overtake Dave.....downhill.....while braking ("something isn't right here!!").

DISASTER!!!!!

As we started to defrost coming into Cambuslang, Frosty felt his knee ache and then..POW!...he couldn't bend it. Bugger! After some roadside osteopathy, we felt it was better to call it a day and take the train back to Stirling for some home comforts and R&R. All in all, we will see how his knee recovers. We are, effectively, 2 days ahead of schedule, so we may take what we need to let his knee recouperate. Watch this space.....

Day10: Carlisle-Abington(62miles)

After a good night in the hotel (makes SUCH a difference to get good service-thanks Rachel) today started wet......got more damp and THEN the heavens opened!

We gratefully crossed the border, leaving the Southern colonies. We stopped at Gretna Costa (other coffee shops are available). Frosty remarked how much he loved Scotland when he was "bloody soaking and I haven't even left the car park!".

Frosty's hitherto undiscovered passion for botany was unearthered when he was amazed at the propensity for the trees to grow parallel to the ground!

Horizontal rain and howling gales ALL DAY. We mean ALLLLL DAAAAYYYYY!

Abington felt like the end of the rainbow. Always just out of reach. Lunch at Lockerbie where we met Ian Smith, an escapee from the Rat Race, who kindly donated.

We met another couple of LEJOGgers. Although they were doing it fully supported (i.e. back-up vehicle and no panniers!). So, not REAL adventurers then!

Looking forward to some home comforts tomorrow, although the staff at Abington hotel were very welcoming.