Still Running Just and Just a Bit of Cycling by moose10

After a decent trip up to Inverness we were met by a cold wet and grey Scottish day, our taxi van for the trip upto John O'Groats and our support van with Kev and his wife Jo. On the trip up I was more than plsantly surprised at the terrain despite 2 or 3 climbs the majority of the route was pretty cycle friendly. After arriving at our quirky B&B we set about rebuilding the bikes and getting ourselves sorted forthe next day. Then it was off out for an evening meal  and a bit of a getting to know you session.

The one thing I haven't mentioned is the stunning scenery we drove through and the peace and quite of the whole area very relaxing pity we've got a 900 mile + bike ride ahead of us.

Fri 09.06

I was up at about 6 ish and full of nerves,excitement and trepidation in equal measures. I decide to go for a short walk and was once again plesantly surprised to be greeted by clear blue skies and no wind and I justed tried to soak it all in for a few minutes. After a good old breakfast we set of for our starting point some 3 or 4 miles away. To be honest JohnO'Groat's was pretty uninspiring but still managed to get the pictures done. And then we were off.

Conditions were ideal the roads were quite the skies were still blue and we even had a slight tail wind. This cycling lark is easy !!! After a couple of hours we stopped for our first coffee stop of the day and the topic of convesation was 'this isn't as bad as I thought it would be and just trying to take in all the views'. Pretty soon after our stop we came across the climbs and whilst I could give a good account of myself on the uphill sections  it soon became apparent that my self presevation skills would mean that I would be bringing up the rear on the downhill bits.

Before too long we were stopping once again this time for lunch and as we had made such goo progress we decided to have a steady afternoon and try and get to our overnight accommodation in one go, which we managed to do. We stayed in a bunk house which was more than adequate for our needs. Then it was a case of getting into a routine ie sort bike, recovery drink, shower, wash dirty kit and prepare kit,snacks and kit for the next day before heading out for an evening meal and a couple of socialable pints.

Stats for the day 2 punctures.

108 miles covered, 6 hours and 3 minutes in the saddle, average speed 17.9 mph

 Sat 10.06

 Once again a lovely start to the morning. After yesterday’s slightly stingy sunburn lesson, decide plaster the lotion on from the start. Riding conditions were as per yesterday pretty damn good. We set off at a steady pace and once again the roads were good and quite flat. That was until we hit the A833 towards Drummadrochit and the only big climb of the day that just seemed to go on and on and on despite not being overly steep it seemed to an age to get to the top. But believe me the view was almost as good as the long downhill section.

Then time for a quick coffee stop before heading down and along Loch Ness. I’m not sure if it was my ignorance or naivety but I didn’t realise just how big theLochwas and we were certainly privileged to some stunning scenery. One of the many Steve’s had friends who ran a small B&B inFortAugustusso he wanted to call in and see them and to our surprise they had kindly layed on a great lunch time spread for us which was very much appreciated by all concerned. The sight 9 highly tuned athletes in Lycra obviously didn’t do much for Nessie as she was no where to be seen, can’t possibly think why.

After leaving Loch Ness we headed towardsFortWilliamon the A82 which ran along the very picturesque Loch Oich and Loch Lochy. A quick stop atSpeanBridgefor yet more photo’s at the Commando Memorial. Now the scenery was being to change with the hills and mountains of Glenco coming to the for and of courseBen Neviswith its snowy peaks. After another coffee stop atFortWilliamwe son arrived at our accommodation, which another take on the bunkhouse theme and suited our needs perfectly.

After carrying out our standard end of day bits and pieces it was off to the bar for some well earned carb loading. By the time we all got together it became evident that John from the running club was struggling with his ankle but he was confident it would be ok after a bit of RICE treatment.

Day 2 Stats -2 Punctures and 1 broken gear cable.

91 miles for the day, 5 hours 15 mins in the saddle and an average speed of 17.3 mph.

 Sun 11.06.

 Day 3 and yet another clear sunny start to the day but it was noticeably fresher than previous days. Again the first few miles were rather pleasant as we rode alongLoch Levenbut it soon became clear that John was still suffering with his ankle. Before too long we started to climb up through Glen Coe and I made the decision to stick just in front of John and help out on the climb and to fair to him he just got on and got it done, once again the climb seemed to go on and on before it plateaued out and the wind hit us. The section across the top of Glen Coe was pretty tough and I’m not sure why, whether it was the wind, the increase in traffic or just general fatigue but I was desperate for a coffee stop. We stopped in lay by that had some yet more stunning scenery and its own piper queue for yet more photos.

After the toughest section to date and the much needed coffee and cake boost it was back on the A82 towards Crianlarich and then on towardsLoch Lomond. We had a great lunch at a pub on the banks of theLoch, first time for Haggis. As the A82 was becoming increasingly narrow and even busier we decided to tweak our route and headed along Loch Long. Again the scenery around both theseLoch’s is simply stunning and really does need to be seen. Then we hit Helensburgh and time for a stop before we navigated our way intoGlasgow.

This was the first big test for the Garmin. As we approached the outskirts it was evident that we were going to be stop/starting a lot of the time due to the number of traffic lights and the Garmin was having great difficulty in keeping up with our progress. It did how ever offer us an alternative using a cycle route. However after deciding to take the cycle route option the Garmin went a little bit loopy and wasn’t going to play. So basically we were lost. After what seemed an age and asking numerous locals we managed to get ourselves back on our original route which took us to our Travel Lodge for the evening’s accommodation.

After the normal post ride rituals we all got together over our evening meal and it was evident that John was struggling big time with his ankle and was constantly icing it. Paul was also suffering with his knees and he too was busy icing as well. My knees were also beginning to complain a little as was my rear end. Time for the Sudacream me thinks.

Day 3 Stats- No punctures or breakdowns

103 miles for the day, 6 hours 46 mins in the saddle and an average speed of 15.2 miles.

 Mon 12.06.

 After the problems we had getting intoGlasgowwe made the decision to get on the road early and to let the Garmin guide us out of the city, as a result we were on the road by 06:45. But it soon became quite evident that John was really struggling with his ankle and for the first time on the trip we started off with very cloudy skies. The Garmin however was doing the business and we managed to get clear ofGlasgowand intoHamiltonwithout any more hiccups. By now John wasn’t in a good place so we stopped to see what could be done for him. After several phone calls and a great deal of consideration John made the decision to call it a day and head off in the support van to our overnight stop at Penrith to try and get some treatment. I personally was absolutely gutted for the guy not only because he’s a good mate but he was one of the main instigators of the whole trip and had organised and arranged all of the accommodation for everybody throughout the experience.

So after loading up with enough provisions and supplies to last the day we set off on the B 7078 which runs parallel to the M 74 and was probably the worst road surface we used during the whole trip it was horrendous and wouldn’t have done John’s ankle any good at all. We also suffered 3 punctures in less than an hour on this road; Ian had 2 punctures in a matter of a couple of hundred yards. We were also missing the support vehicle that would go ahead and find and arrange suitable coffee stops. After coming across two closed down ‘Truck Stops’ we finally came across a service station. Now whilst I wouldn’t normally stop at one of these robbing B!!*£%&’s but it was very much a case of needs must.

So after a massive morale boost we set off towardsGretnaand of course the English /Scottish border. By mid afternoon our support vehicle had returned from taking John to Penrith and he had managed to get a physio appointment for later in the afternoon. By now the road had improved significantly and despite a slight head wind we made good progress for the rest of the day despite stopping for a coffee and photos atGretnaand yet more piccies at the border. After successfully navigating throughCarlislewe met with John in Penrith who had just got back from the phsio. After some ultrasound treatment and strapping the ankle he was confident that John would be ok to continue with the ride. Another Travel Lodge and yet more post ride rituals including yet more Suda cream and then out for our team meal.

Longest day done and dusted.

Day 4 Stats 3 punctures.

121 miles for the day, 7 hours in the saddle and an average speed of 17.2 miles