Day One J.O.G to Tain 86 miles - all nervous I went to find the photographer to have the obligatory photo done. He wasn't there but four other cyclists were getting ready to go. I asked if they were going to Land's End one of them replied "Yes, you must be Gordon." I thought my reputation as a crack cyclist had preceeded me until they pointed out there were some people from Cornwall looking for me to see me off. It was a great surprise to see Sara Schofield's mum & step dad there and it gave me a boost before the day got started.
So I had the pictures taken with Kate & the kids and with Carol - my big adventure was just about to begin. I stroll down to the road from the sign, lift my leg to get onto the bike and kick my flag of St Piran off! The coolest way to start the journey - not.
I fix the flag get on the bike ( nearly fall off again as people clap and cheer me away) and that's that the start to my big adventure off up the hill out of John O Groats towards Wick.
I can't stop grinning all the way through the deserted roads. I love Highland Cattle and there was a bucket load of them in a field near Wick. One of them was huge, so I said "Alright big fella" only to have a man in the field say "Yes thanks, you?" Note to myself check there's no-one else around when talking to animals!
Talking of beasts, Berridale Hill was bad. It had started raining, I had already climbed up out of Dumbeath and then after 50 miles I had to climb that hill. It's no worse than a hard hill in Cornwall, but it took a lot out of me not what you'd call a gentle start.
I was too late to get into the Glenmorangie distillery but Kate did the decent thing and bought me little bottle - she's good to me!!!
Job done 86.9 miles - 5hrs 53mins - 14.74mph average.
Day 1 Day 5 Day 8 Day11
Day 2 Day 6 Day 9 Day 12
Day 3 Day 7 Day 10 Day 13
Day 4
So I had the pictures taken with Kate & the kids and with Carol - my big adventure was just about to begin. I stroll down to the road from the sign, lift my leg to get onto the bike and kick my flag of St Piran off! The coolest way to start the journey - not.
I fix the flag get on the bike ( nearly fall off again as people clap and cheer me away) and that's that the start to my big adventure off up the hill out of John O Groats towards Wick.
I can't stop grinning all the way through the deserted roads. I love Highland Cattle and there was a bucket load of them in a field near Wick. One of them was huge, so I said "Alright big fella" only to have a man in the field say "Yes thanks, you?" Note to myself check there's no-one else around when talking to animals!
Talking of beasts, Berridale Hill was bad. It had started raining, I had already climbed up out of Dumbeath and then after 50 miles I had to climb that hill. It's no worse than a hard hill in Cornwall, but it took a lot out of me not what you'd call a gentle start.
I was too late to get into the Glenmorangie distillery but Kate did the decent thing and bought me little bottle - she's good to me!!!
Job done 86.9 miles - 5hrs 53mins - 14.74mph average.
Day 1 Day 5 Day 8 Day11
Day 2 Day 6 Day 9 Day 12
Day 3 Day 7 Day 10 Day 13
Day 4
