The Final Stage

At just about 6:20pm, they made it to the finish line.

Riding into the car park, perhaps expecting the party of German tourists from Lands End.

Families were there to welcome them with a glass of champagne.

I've been hugely impressed by all their effort and achievement.

Well done Boys.

JP

Dernier Bulletin Francais

L'étape numero 9 qui nous à conduit de Invermoriston à Altnaharra fut assez difficile. Il a plu beaucoup et les vent étaient plus forts que jamais. La température....j'en parle pas!!!!. Il faut dire les choses comme elles sont, c'était une étape de montagne..!!!

Nous sommes arrivés à Altnahrra vers 20H30! La proprietaire du B and B nous à fait à manger le soir car it était trop tard pour trouver autre chose. Nous sommes allés nous coucher en s'assurant que les fenêtres étaient bien fermées car l'endroit est infesté par les moustiques...

La dernière étape commenca par une trentaine de kilomètres de descente, le long d'une rivière parcourant le paysage magnifique des Highlands. Nous avons pu voir beaucoup d'oiseaux de proie et également beaucoup de biches et chevreuils. Le reste de la dernière étape fut rempli de collines avec un vent de face exceptionnel!!!! A 30 kilomètres de l'arrivée le cable de mon derailleur s'est cassé! Heureusement nous avions un vélo de rechange!!!!

Nous avons atteint l'arrivée vers 18h20. Vicky, Sheona et les enfants nous attendaient, beaucoup d'emotion avec un petit verre de Champ!!

Et voilà, l'aventure est terminée. la priorité maintenant c'est le repos........

A plus

Bruno

Stage 3 into Thurso - bike failure

Just as the boys were on their way into Thurso, the derailleur on Bruno's bike stops working. The cable has snapped awkwardly.

Fortunately, we had a spare bike and just outside Dounreay power plant the exchange was made.

On into Thurso to meet up with the families.

JP

Melvich - Counting bites

So I'm sat here at Melvich counting midge bites, 9 so far, and a couple pull up into the car park and step out for a blazing row.

Lot's of "Did", "Didn't" stuff before a quick hug and off they go again.

You couldn't write it...........

JP

Day 10 - The final stretch

Well the final day is here and the boys set off, dodging midges, to complete Stage 1 and a bit of Stage2.

A puncture is delaying them but should be in Melvich for lunch.

Sheona, Cam, Vicky Lexi & Luc should just be touching down in Inverness and hopefully we'll meet in Thurso for a tea-break.

I've had an interesting drive with Malcolm. Malcolm was at the side of the road with a broken wheel and hitching a lift bound for Thurso. Despite the 'outdoors' aroma, we had a great chat for 25 miles and I hope he gets his wheel fixed.

JP

End of Day 9 - Altnaharra

Our B&B is just around the bend...... well about 3 miles away but just as remote.

Thanks to Mandy for the welcoming cup of tea and the warning about the midges!

They are everywhere after the rain.

Dinner was at 10:00pm but still daylight.

They collapsed into bed and dream of finishing tomorrow no doubt.

JP

Stage 3 & 4 - Middle of nowhere

According to the map and our route, this is a village centre.


I'm just waiting for the boys to arrive for a Mars bar stop.

You can see them riding into the village. Much better to cycle and avoid jostling with the traffic and the queues!

JP

Stage 2 - High and not dry

Stage 2 up around 1000 feet before descending to Ardgay and Bonar Bridge.

Horizontal rain and the odd glimpse of sunshine. Massive contrast to England's weather.

They'll be here soon for a tea-break and some warmth. It's really quite cold here. Feels like 12 or 13C!

One mad fool is fishing in the middle of the Bonar, you can just pick him out next to the memorial! (Bottom picture)


Anyone coming up for the Finish Line celebrations should wrap up warm and prepare for potentially biblical rain.

JP

Stage 2 Begins

They've just had lunch, Beef Stovies, and have left for Stage 2.

Very wet and looks set to continue. Next stop - Ardgay.

JP

Weather

Have a look at the weather at the Loch Lomond Scottish Open Golf showing on BBC TV.

I just heard the conditions described as "atrocious". I can confirm that.

Just heard they should finish this stage at 12:30.... about 3hours 20 mins since starting.

JP

Day 9 Stage 1 - Dingwall

Now sat in Dingwall town centre car park waiting for the boys following a 35 miles stage. I think that will have been the toughest stage so far with a brutal climb, rain and a long open country stretch.

It is cold and wet, so much so that I have the heater on in the van.

Today is the last full day with 93 miles scheduled and the forecast is for steady rain for the rest of the day. I am sure they'll be glad to get to Altnaharra this evening.

For the Shipping Forecast fans, the route passes Cromarty. Now we know where it is...... and why the forecast is so often 'Poor'.

JP

Bulletin Francais

Salut à tous!!

J’écris cette mise à jour depuis un petit village d’Ecosse qui s’appelle Invermoriston. Cela se trouve sur les bord du Loch Ness. Je n’ais toujours pas vu le monstre!!
L’étape numero 5 s’est bien passée. Cela fut une étape physique avec une montée d’environ vingt kilometres pour atteindre le sommet de Shap et rejoinder notre domicile pour la nuit à Penrith.
Etape numero 6: De Penrith nous nous sommes rendu à Cumnock aux portes de L’Ecosse. Dure étape car il y avait des vents très fort dans l’après midi qui nous ont retardé.
Etape numero 7: De Cumnock à Crianlarich, nous sommes maintenant en Ecosse. Nous avons parcouru les bords du Loch Lomond avec des paysages superbes, mais un avec un peu de pluie également.
Etape numero 8 :Aujourd’hui, comme je l’ai mentioné un peu plus haut, nous avons eu des vues superbes , notamment durant notre ascension de Glencoe et durant la traversée d’une jolie ville, Fort Augustus. Toujours beaucoup de vent et de pluie….
Demain l’étape 9 nous enmenera de Invermoriston jusqu’a Altnaharra, au coeur des Highlands. Je crois que la pluis sera toujours au programme….
A part cela tout va bien, toujours en forme bien qu’un petit peu fatigué!! Mes genoux fonctionnent toujours, je pédale meme pendant mon sommeil…..


A plus

Bruno

Stage 4 done and dusted - and so to bed

So they finished at 7:20pm and the guest house was on the route so no need for a pick up at the end. Lovely ride next to Loch Ness. They still have half the Loch to negotiate but it's so beautiful and picturesque making it a joy... as long as they can forget about their legs.

Down for a meal at the only place in town but we're all done in so back and in bed.

To minimise cost's we are all sharing rooms, sometimes four to a room.............. now on our 9th night and it's all starting to feel a bit Morecambe and Wise.

Hopefully, no oversleeping ........ Bruno's alarm went off at 7:00pm tonight(!). No wonder we had a lie in..

JP

Stage 3 Done

Stages 2 and 3 have been spectacular for the views and the sudden cloudbursts!

Van now quite ripe!

Stage 4 to come, just 10 miles and Loch Ness, a monster ride..... (sorry!)

JP

Stage 2 - Spean Bridge

Sat in the rain in a Little Chef car park in Spean Bridge waiting for the boys. The Whisky Museum has a cafe but perhaps a little too early in the day!

It's been rain on and off, like flicking a switch. One minute sunshine the next absolute downpour.

I think their stamina is being tested now on Day 8 so good food and drink stops are a must. Although we are at the foot of the Cairngorms, the next stages should stay flat..ish.

Stage 3 on up to Fort Augustus and then Stage 4 into Invermoriston - a total of 29 miles from here. They won't start until about 4:40pm so should finish around 7:00pm depending on the 3/4 stop.

JP

Day 8 Stage 1 - Rain showers and Glencoe to come

They started off at about 9:20 after a minor over-sleeping incident. Well, Bruno and I were tired!

On to the mountain stages now with Glencoe to
be conquered. The weather keeps closing in and you can see how low the cloud is.

It seems like all four seasons cycle round every 20 minutes.

It is very wet with squally showers beating down followed by bright sunshine!

This is a 35 miles stage and we'll end up at Ballachulish for lunch in the visitor centre.

Here you can see Maverick and Goose chasing down Viper just ahead.

They have my utmost respect for completing this stage.

JP

All done for today

The boys deftly avoided getting caught in the Trossachs(!) when they decided not to carry on and eat into tomorrow's schedule.

7:30 at the hotel, footie and a pint or two.

Nearly there but lot's of rain to come I fear....................

JP

Day 7 Stage 1 Complete - The Boys Are Back In Town

The countryside has gone for a few hours whilst they negotiate Glasgow, Renfrew and soon the bridge.

All arrived safely and the wind was behind them. Still dodging the rain successfully.

There's a theme appearing today. I looked in the rear-view mirror this morning whilst on the way to Stage 1, ALL three of them were asleep........ sorry, "Power napping".

On next to Loch Lomond with possibly the best views of the entire trip.

We're also looking forward to the Hotel/Pub/Bar/Grill, at Tyndrum, where we are staying tonight......... ticks all the boxes!

JP

Day7 Stage 1 - on to Renfrew

After a great night's kip and spokes repaired, the boys left Cumnock at 9:25am for the 38 miles to Renfrew and lunch.

We stayed in Kilmarnock so had a 20 mile trip from B&B to the start. It's made for a later start but they are doing fewer miles today. 87 across three stages.

JP

All here - safe and sound

That was a very long and tiring day for them.

JP

Sat in Cumnock

I'm waiting at the end of the stage for the boys. I drove their route and it was very windy. Rocking the van.

7:50pm and Mike's here, now waiting for Clive and Bruno.

JP

Stage 4 begins

They have just left Sanquhar bound for Cumnock - 16 miles.

It's 6:45pm so it'll be just past 8:00pm when they stop. We'll eat straight away before heading off to find the B&B in Kilmarnock somewhere.

JP

Stage 3 - Roadside Caff

As expected, the end of Stage 2 was just a road. We've set up a quick field kitchen and made tea. Hobnobs are great and we've now found the Mars Bars!

They have gone off at 4:45pm for Stage 3. 19 miles and into Sanquhar.

I'll meet up with them before they go off for Stage 4. This will be a late one as they are a few hours behind.

JP

Day 6 - Stage 1 Complete

Caught Bruno trying to cheat by bringing a substitute. We noticed that she didn't reach the pedals just in time so he's had to continue with Stage 2.

Stage 1 was a long 4 hours with a GPS error taking them off course resulting in 8 miles further.... they covered 43 miles!

We are now in Scotland and the Queensberry Hotel was the only non-fried eatery so became an easy choice.

Bruno has broken a spoke. They start off on Stage 2 and I go off to get a new one.......... little knowing that they come in different sizes.........

I now have 6 spokes of all different sizes and thanks to Wullie (yes Wullie) of Wheels Fargo we can repair it tonight.

Stage 2 started at 2:00pm

JP

Day 6 - Into Scotland

Had trouble getting a signal so the blog has had to wait. Now online again.

The boys left Penrith at 9:05am for a 35 mile Stage 1.

The weather is still holding with perhaps the odd shower to come.

B&B was excellent with a cellar to lock up the bikes. Sadly, Penrith has few food choices on a Monday night so we had a not very nutritious Fish and Chips.

I've been shopping for chocolate Hobnobs and milk as this afternoon's tea break will be in the middle of nowhere.

JP

Round Up

Today, they have mostly been cycling.

JP

Stage 3 Shap ........... Tick

They made it to the top at exactly 6:30pm.

Relieved and fresh to press on into Penrith.

JP

Stage 1-2 Tea break

Stopped at Garstang for a tea break.

They've had a headwind and the last route was a bit agricultural, nearly through a potato field.

This morning's stages weren't huge but you could sense everyone was thinking about Shap and the big climb this afternoon.

They will be halfway at the top of Shap.

JP

Just starting Shap

It's 4:30pm and they have just gone off for Stage 3 and Shap!

I think about 2 hours from here to the top.

This is THE big climb.

Good luck

JP

Day 5 - Nearly Half Way

Waiting now in Garstang for the boys to finish Stage 1, 34 miles. They departed at 8:40am so should be here about 11:25am for a tea break.

We had a quiet night in Southport, mainly due to it being shut on a Sunday but also because they didn't get to the hotel until about 8:40pm. They are now having cold baths every night followed by hot showers. I'm not providing massages!

The hotel was very helpful and set aside reception to secure the bikes overnight.

This morning we got chatting to Freddy, now retired, and we'd like to thank him for his donation. We've met up with all sorts of lovely people, interested and supportive of the ride for charity.

It will soon be half way to John O'Groats............ just about as they climb Shap!

JP

Bulletin Francais

Salut à tous!

Depuis la fin du premier jour je n'ais pas eu le temps de poster autre chose. John s'est occupé de la mise à jour en Anglais et je suis sure que vous appreciez.
Nous somme maintenant à la fin du 4 me jour....!!!
La deuxième étape nous à conduit de Okehampton à Bath (environ 145 kms). Etape numero 3, de Bath nous nous sommes rendu à Craven Arms (150kms).
Aujourd'hui (Dimanche) nous avons voyagé de Craven Arms jusqu'à Southport qui se trouve un peu au nord de Liverpool (160 kms)
Demain étape numero 5 qui nous conduira jusqu'à Penrith!! Un peu fatigué mais tout va bien. Il y a une grande colline (shap en Cumbria, petite montagne!!) ce sera un test...


A plus


Bruno

Ferry across the Mersey - not for Pacemakers

The boys couldn't get a ferry until 6:30pm so won't land until about 7:00pm. This will put them behind for the day with 19 miles to complete. Should be at our hotel by 8:30ish.

The hotel is a bit of a contrast to last night's Elizabethan manor. One room designed by Lewis Collins and the other by Larry Grayson.

JP

Stage 3 Complete

Just heard that the boys have completed Stage 3 (5:30pm) and are at the ferry terminal.

Stage 4 up to Southport is another 19 miles. It's bright and breezy and the little rain that came today was over lunch. Hopefully we've missed the big rain for now.

There's a big WSW blowing so it may help but it is also swirling around so the final stretch could be a challenge. Could still be a late one depending on ferry and the wind.

The van is now just outside Southport and about to find the B&B.

JP

Stage 1 Complete

Long 1st Stage is now done and they stopped at the Horseshoes for a tea-break.

They've had a tail wind and the next stage looks more down than up.

They'll meet up with the van at Picton near Chester for lunch and then push on to Liverpool, the ferry across the Mersey and then Southport.

They've just arrived at 2:30pm.

1 hour 40 mins for 25 miles.

JP

Who needs GPS?

Day 4 - Stage 1

Day 4 begins after a very pleasant night at Wilderhope Manor, an Elizabethan Manor and estate.

No TV, no phone, no Internet, no mobile signal........ great breakfast.

37 miles for Stage 1, they left at 9:00am so on to Tilstock for a tea break at about noon. All doing well and still no injuries.

They are burning 8,000-9,000 calories a day. (about 180 slices of bacon!)

It seems incredible that we'll be in Southport tonight!

JP

Day 3 Ends - Beautiful countryside

They finished at 8:05pm after a very long day just north of Ludlow. Everyone tired but healthly and happy.

The views on this stage have been breathtaking.

On now to the hostel, food and bed.

JP