The day in numbers
- 52 miles
- 3hr 44min in saddle
- 13.9 mph average speed
- 42.5 mph maximum speed
- 2,707 feet of climbing
- 3,467 calories burned
We had a very good evening last night with Mahesh, even if the hotel does seem to struggle with the concept of a “vegetarian”. We should have guessed this beforehand, as there can’t be a hotel anywhere in Scotland with more dead animals per square foot of wall! That said, it’s a great hotel with lovely food and staff.
The final day started bright, but cold. It also started with about 20 miles of mainly uphill riding. For every 13% descent there was its evil twin waiting at the bottom for the long, slow climb to the top of the next peak. It was slow, slow going but nice to have the ocean views on my right hand side to complement the gorse, heather and hills on my left.
We stopped for a quick snack at Wick, before heading off for the final 15 miles to JoG. Lots of cyclists were heading in the other direction, at the start of their journeys. I hope they have as much luck with the weather as we’ve had.
The last few miles sped by, and I reached JoG at around 3pm. After hugs and high-fives with Joan it was off for the obligatory photos by the first/last signpost. Not sure the photographer was cut out for a customer-facing job, but we eventually got the souvenir pics to bookend our collection from Lands End.
So it’s done! Far more enjoyable than I expected, and a lot easier on the body than I had feared. It also reminded me that we have truly varied and spectacular countryside in England and (especially) Scotland. Would I do it again? You bet I would!!
Joan’s bit
I was pleased to see the weather was good for Stephen’s last day. I stopped at a little harbour at Latheronwheel to take some pictures, which nearly ended in disaster. I’d climbed up some rocks and slipped (the signs were right, it really was slippy !), smashing my camera on the rock. Although covered in slime my only concern was the camera, which thankfully was just fine.
After stopping for a snack in Wick, it was off to follow Stephen for the final stretch. It was very different scenery to recent days and lovely to see the sea again. The last few miles seemed to go really quickly and I was over the moon that Stephen had made it in one piece.
We had pictures taken, a quick snack and then set off to look for Puffins. They were difficult to find (we could only see a couple), and to make things worse I’d taken the camera bag with the dead batteries and ran out of juice !!
We then drove back to the hotel for a lovely meal, our last of the trip.
Postscript – The journey in numbers
- 916 miles
- 66hr 16min in saddle
- 13.8 mph average speed
- 44.1 mph maximum speed
- 39,657 feet of climbing
- 60,143 calories burned
- 1 broken spoke
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- Stephen & Mahesh
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- Joan & Friends
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- Trophy Room
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- Leaving the hotel
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- Down before up
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- Pretty view
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- Speeding along
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- There he goes
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- Almost there
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- Job done
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- Puffin hunting
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- Found one !
