Day 12+2 (Saturday)

Deb came to meet me on Wednesday ( to take me home on Thursday) and we stayed at the Bridge Hotel in Helmsdale. If anyone is in the area and wants somehere great to stay and to eat, the Bridge Hotel was absolutely one of the most delightful places I have ever stayed. Everything was good; the room, the bed, the welcome, the service, the dinner (fantastic but you probably need to like game), the breakfast, the views, and the location.


So on Thursday morning I set off expecting similar roads to Wednesday: gentle hills and undulations. The road to Jo'G out of Helmsdale is a steep (about 1:12) 3 1/2 mile climb. Just the thing to get the blood flowing after a good breakfast. About 3 miles later there was a very long and fast descent into Berriedale (lovely). But inevitably followed by a 1:7 climb for about a mile. After those two little beauties the rest of the route to Jo'G was fairly easy.

Deb met me in Wick where we stopped for elevenses. The heavens opened just as I got there so the cafe was a welcome shelter. Again as I left the cafe I had to shelter under a tree for a five minute heavy shower. But after that the roads were a bit wet but no more rain before John o'Groats.

I tried to savour the last few miles to J o'G and when I got there Deb was ready with the champagne.




There seem to be plenty of other people who do this trip on bikes. I saw quite a few heading out for Land's End whilst I was riding in, and when I got there, three lads from Ross on Wye had just finished a three week ride, and another (supported) pair had done the journey in just seven days.


After a spot of lunch in the cafe I just had to ride the 15 miles to Dunnet Head (now in the rain but with no luggage) to get to the most northerly point on the mainland. There wasn't much there except the lighthouse there so Deb took a photo and we drove down to Kingussie, just south of Aviemore for an overnight stop before retuning home on Friday.









It has been one of the most satisfying and enjoyable challenges I have ever attempted and if you have ever even half considered such a thing, you will never regret doing it, but you might regret not doing it.





I would like to thank a few people for their help and support in making my dream a reality:
Roger for taking me to Land's End and making sure I started out ok
Deb for putting up with me during all the planning, for the B&B stop-over in Chesterfield, and for making the long trip to pick me up from the top of this island.
Eddie and family for looking after me in Newcastle (let me know when you are doing LE JoG yourself Eddie!)
John and Mike for traveling a lot of miles to meet me in Inverness
Everyone who has contributed (or pledged to contribute) to either Ashgate Hospoice or Macmillan Cancer Support. You will help to make others' lives better.
To all of you who have had such kind words and encouragement.

THANK YOU