At 2.20 pm we finally ran out of land to cycle on and found ourselves at the last signpost on mainland UK. After 5 hrs of the worst weather on the entire trip John O'Groats appeared through driving rain and howling gales marking the end of our adventure. Not much to report about todays ride except to say don't rush here on holiday! A surprise bottle of chamagne awaited us from Liz which was a great way to end.
Tonight we are sharing our hotel with the BBC Top Gear team who are starting a race to Lands End in the morning - we are thinking of challenging them on our bikes but looking at them we don't think they're up to it!
We've had a fantastic trip and are so grateful to have arrived safely with no falls, accidents or even a puncture between us. We have been overwhelmed by the generosity of those who have hosted us and have greatly appreciated all the comments, texts and calls along the way.
It has been a privilege to do this trip in support of Thembalisha and our hope is that in some way we've been able to make a difference to some other lives.
For those who like statistics:
Total mileage 992.77 miles (including our ride to start at Lands End we've actually cycled 1003)
Total climb approx 50,000 feet
Max speed 36.9 mph
Average speed 9.5 mph
Total calories 61,626
We plan on uploading pictures from the trip to this blog over the next few days. we will keep this blog open for the next challenge, whenever that might be!
Over and out!
Chris & Louise
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Friday 5 June 2009
Thursday 4 June 2009
Day 19
Our first 10 miles today were wet and cold as we headed up the main A road north from Lairg - single track all the way!
This has been the most isolated part of the entire trip, even the sheep disappeared and our only company has been the occasional logging truck. A real highlight was coming across The Crask Inn - the second most remote Inn in the UK. They served us up some wonderful coffee and shortbreads and fuelled us with stories of other travellers-it was hard to leave.
Lunch stop today was beside a tiny Church of Scotland church in an equally tiny hamlet, it was beautifully maintained with the door always been kept open. We thought we were all alone until we saw the herd of Red Deer grazing just behind the church - it was a great sight.
Around 4 pm we eventually saw the sea and it felt quite an achievement to have reached the northernmost coast at last. Our overnight stay tonight is at a lovely little Inn in Strathy where we are preparing for our final ride to John O'Groats just 40 miles away on Friday morning. The weather forcast for our last day looks diabolical but we're nearly there!
We also realised today that if we include gift aid then we have almost reached our fundraising total! Thanks so much to everyone who has already sponsored us, its really a motivation to pedal up the hills!
Distance from Lands End 948
Sent using BlackBerry® from Orange
This has been the most isolated part of the entire trip, even the sheep disappeared and our only company has been the occasional logging truck. A real highlight was coming across The Crask Inn - the second most remote Inn in the UK. They served us up some wonderful coffee and shortbreads and fuelled us with stories of other travellers-it was hard to leave.
Lunch stop today was beside a tiny Church of Scotland church in an equally tiny hamlet, it was beautifully maintained with the door always been kept open. We thought we were all alone until we saw the herd of Red Deer grazing just behind the church - it was a great sight.
Around 4 pm we eventually saw the sea and it felt quite an achievement to have reached the northernmost coast at last. Our overnight stay tonight is at a lovely little Inn in Strathy where we are preparing for our final ride to John O'Groats just 40 miles away on Friday morning. The weather forcast for our last day looks diabolical but we're nearly there!
We also realised today that if we include gift aid then we have almost reached our fundraising total! Thanks so much to everyone who has already sponsored us, its really a motivation to pedal up the hills!
Distance from Lands End 948
Sent using BlackBerry® from Orange
Day 19
Our first 10 miles today were wet and cold as we headed up the main A road north from Lairg - single track all the way!
This has been the most isolated part of the entire trip, even the sheep disappeared and our only company has been the occasional logging truck. A real highlight was coming across The Crask Inn - the second most remote Inn in the UK. They served us up some wonderful coffee and shortbreads and fuelled us with stories of other travellers-it was hard to leave.
Lunch stop today was beside a tiny Church of Scotland church in an equally tiny hamlet, it was beautifully maintained with the door always been kept open. We thought we were all alone until we saw the herd of Red Deer grazing just behind the church - it was a great sight.
Around 4 pm we eventually saw the sea and it felt quite an achievement to have reached the northernmost coast at last. Our overnight stay tonight is at a lovely little Inn in Strathy where we are preparing for our final ride to John O'Groats just 40 miles away on Friday morning. The weather forcast for our last day looks diabolical but we're nearly there!
We also realised today that if we include gift aid then we have almost reached our fundraising total! Thanks so much to everyone who has already sponsored us, its really a motivation to pedal up the hills!
Distance from Lands End 948
Sent using BlackBerry® from Orange
This has been the most isolated part of the entire trip, even the sheep disappeared and our only company has been the occasional logging truck. A real highlight was coming across The Crask Inn - the second most remote Inn in the UK. They served us up some wonderful coffee and shortbreads and fuelled us with stories of other travellers-it was hard to leave.
Lunch stop today was beside a tiny Church of Scotland church in an equally tiny hamlet, it was beautifully maintained with the door always been kept open. We thought we were all alone until we saw the herd of Red Deer grazing just behind the church - it was a great sight.
Around 4 pm we eventually saw the sea and it felt quite an achievement to have reached the northernmost coast at last. Our overnight stay tonight is at a lovely little Inn in Strathy where we are preparing for our final ride to John O'Groats just 40 miles away on Friday morning. The weather forcast for our last day looks diabolical but we're nearly there!
We also realised today that if we include gift aid then we have almost reached our fundraising total! Thanks so much to everyone who has already sponsored us, its really a motivation to pedal up the hills!
Distance from Lands End 948
Sent using BlackBerry® from Orange
Wednesday 3 June 2009
Day 18
We left the lovely home of our generous hosts Rob & Gwen this morning and travelled through the Black Isle to Cromerty where the Nigg ferry whisked us at a very leisurely pace across the bay to continue our journey north.
We stopped to chat to a group of men in full lycra also heading to John O'Groats with industrial strength support vehicle carrying all luggage and offering full catering services. It made us feel rather smug having carried our own gear most of the way!
The scenery is changing as we head further north appearing wilder and more remote and its not now really getting fully dark at night. Tonight we are staying in Lairg, pop 800 in an amazing converted croft, home of our hosts Greer & Moira, complete with peat fire, stunning views and a jacuzzi!
The end is finally coming into view and tomorrow will be our last long ride over 62 of some of the most remote roads in the British Isles. This has been an amazing trip but we are now feeling ready to finish when we reach the end of the road (literally) on Friday.
Distance from Lands End 891 miles
Sent using BlackBerry® from Orange
We stopped to chat to a group of men in full lycra also heading to John O'Groats with industrial strength support vehicle carrying all luggage and offering full catering services. It made us feel rather smug having carried our own gear most of the way!
The scenery is changing as we head further north appearing wilder and more remote and its not now really getting fully dark at night. Tonight we are staying in Lairg, pop 800 in an amazing converted croft, home of our hosts Greer & Moira, complete with peat fire, stunning views and a jacuzzi!
The end is finally coming into view and tomorrow will be our last long ride over 62 of some of the most remote roads in the British Isles. This has been an amazing trip but we are now feeling ready to finish when we reach the end of the road (literally) on Friday.
Distance from Lands End 891 miles
Sent using BlackBerry® from Orange
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