We've made it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Day 14 ~ The Final Spurt ~ Dunbeath to John O’Groats 38 miles
They’ve made it!! With minimal argument or cross word, Vince and Andy have managed to cycle 943 miles from Lands End to John O’Groats (245,180 rotations of the pedal ~ approximation as Andy claims he isn’t sad enough to have counted them all!) and I don’t think they took a wrong turning once. And believe me that must be some sort of record.
A bland day’s cycling with some fairly boring stretches into a strong wind so they were delighted to roll into our destination at 12:40 Thursday 6th September 2007 14 days after setting off from Lands End. The most remarkable feature of the whole adventure in this most dispiriting of summers was the fact waterproofs hardly featured at all. Even today when it rained on me in the van they in truth were not quick enough to get wet with the brief shower being over before they caught it up. It also has to be admitted that there can be few more depressing places in the UK than our starting and finishing points both which have clearly had their heydays long ago. However they served their purposes in enabling this (foolish) dream being achieved!
After some time for reflection I’ll put our thoughts of high and low points on these pages so don’t give up looking yet! Thanks for joining us in their adventure and for all of you have provided support in whatever fashion ~ well just thanks. (More cake would have been nice as the Morrisons Rich Fruit cake we had to purchase had unfortunate side effects!)
P.S. It has been said on many occasions that time spent on reconnaissance is very rarely wasted and this has proved to be very true. The time and effort that Andy our stoic Driver, Map reader, Paparazzi and gofer has invested on this adventure has been invaluable and allowed us to make good progress. Andy has been able to record our journey both in picture and in word and we are both deeply indebted to him. A BIG THANK YOU.
Vince and Andy

penultimate ride

Day 13 : Dingwall to Dunbeath 77 miles
After previous nights a less splendid visit to Dingwall campsite, with trains making their way to Wick passing fairly frequently in the early evening within yards of our pitch, the town redeemed itself on leaving this morning. Well at least Ross County Football Club did whose ground was a stones throw from the site by letting us pose by the pitch for the morning photo shoot and the lady receptionist passing over a donation to the causes.
The lads set off on what was to be their last long day with the idea of making the final ride into John O’Groats a doddle of 38 miles ~ lightweights!!! I set off a personal visit of my own to visit Kiltearn Burial Ground, overlooking the Cromarty Firth, to visit the grave of my sister-in-law’s brother tragically killed in a car accident at too early an age.
I then caught Vince and Andy up in order to hear their moans when they met up with 2 minor climbs of 747 and 500 feet ~ did they curse but they had to make the most of it as they’ll find it dead flat tomorrow.
Vince and Andy did say they actually found the much maligned A9 a pleasure to cycle for both scenery and road surface. One problem I did find with the van was it demonstrated an alarming desire to swerve to the right when I passed the Glenmorangie Distillery ~ could be a problem on the return drive!

In search of Nessie

Day 12 : Onich to Dingwall (84 miles)
A long long day with none of the grandeur of yesterday, although in other circumstances you might have thought it was impressive. However for Andy the day promised the highlight of his whole trip with a pilgrimage to the Commando Memorial at Spean Bridge. He stood in silent contemplation holding back his emotions, fully supported by his colleagues as you would expect!
Fairly overcast all day and both Andy and Vince found it hard going, or any rate a long day. Mind also cursing me, now nicknamed "The Assassin" when after 60 miles they turned into 15% climb for three quarters of a mile, though Andy is questioning the parentage of the cartographer on that distance. Then none too chuffed when I told them there was potentially another 80 mile day tomorrow, though as I explained this was their fault for wanting a gentle relaxing morning ride into John O’Groats Thursday.
Also have to say the campsite tonight is not in same league as those of Sunday or Monday. And then to top it all, the warden made my day by asking why I wasn’t getting the senior citizens discount (over 55 I hasten to add) but overall he worked a flanker on the night’s cost by treating Andy and Vince as backpackers!
And to top it all did half the length of Loch Ness but only saw green cuddly Nessies!

Apologies

Hi all.

A couple of days posts but unfortunately I discover the number of photos you can include with each posting is quite limited so here's a couple more I've sneaked in from yesterday. Keep up comments please as lads have two very hard days today and tomorrow ~ and the cakes have run out so if you could courier some up it would be appreciated!

Over the Clyde

Day 10 ~ Annbank to Ardgarten (82 miles)
Another day that started for Vince with a wheel change ~ this time a new tyre instead of just the tube. This after a night disrupted by Glaswegian trippers flying back all night from their holidays or perhaps it was another load of Iraqi doctors arriving. Also a wet windy night with 1 gust at about half six truly rocking the van ~ well it moved for me.
Then off they went for an arse numbing 40+ miles before lunch along the A77 and A78 up to Gourock to catch the ferry across to Dunoon. After a 20 minute ferry trip, during which a woman passenger seeing the sign on the back of the van came over and gave me £3 for the cause, we made landfall on the other side of the Clyde. Then the ride along Loch Eck started ~ truly magnificent with every corner producing another picture opportunity as the road hugged the waters edge. They kept asking me how many more miles to do today and I kept replying "only 21" as I was trying to play down the horror of a hill I knew was waiting round the corner. Eventually the truth dawned on them as they made their way to the top at "Rest and be thankful" only for them to be cheered by a fast downhill run for the final couple of miles to camp. And so then to the campsite sat on the banks of Loch Long ~ where also we found the curse of the day awaiting for us ~ BLOODY MIDGES!!!!!!

Day 11 Through Glencoe

Day 11 Ardgarten to Onich (Bunree camp site) ~ 65 miles
A great campsite last night (apart from the aforementioned little perishers) but the setting on the banks of Loch Long was fantastic. Again our sign came up trumps where another camper (Jim) came over for a chat and passed over £10 for the cause. Mind Andy was a little disappointed Jim didn’t offer to share his mackerel he caught fishing on the loch bank last night. This kindness (plus sustaining glasses of Laphroaig) was repeated at Bunree with a Mr David Duncan coming over with a £10 note (as well as whisky)!
As to the days cycling in totally glorious weather, it can only be summed up in the words of our cyclists who both declared that they doubted they would ever have a better day in the saddle in their lives!!! So much so that words are superfluous so just make do with a few photos, a small sample of the 112 taken today between us! I have to say it provoked much discussion choosing the ones to blog with the editor being overturned on 1!!!

Day 9 ~ to the West Coast

Day 9 Annan to Annbank (74 miles)
Day started with van all packed ready for me to drop our duo at the start point 6 miles from the site only for Vince to find he was a trifle flat in the rear. One repair later we set off and they started the ride near the quaint (?) Scottish village of Annan ~ have to say these towns make Wigan seem pleasant!
Off on back roads to Dumfries before joining the main A76 road to Kilmarnock, though fortunately we turned off before reaching that town. However they say the highlight of the day for them was cycling along the Nith River valley which ran for about 10 miles of this road. Overall a day of hard cycling in to a head wind (well that’s what they told me though the van cruised quite comfortably) with the constant threat of rain which never quite materialised.
Arrived at our campsite in the village of Annbank which is about 5 miles inland from the coast at Ayr ~ immediately discovered that we were on the flight path for Glasgow Prestwick airport, which some how didn’t feature in blurb I saw when booking the site. However the farmer who owned the site redeemed the situation by waiving the night’s fee when he heard of the lads charitable efforts.
Then another site resident came over for a chat and passed over another £5 for the cause, which is nice when complete strangers take interest. Humbling Vince said!
I must also say how much we all appreciate your comments so keep them coming ~ they do lift spirits when Vince and Andy get chance to read them.
Sending this at 10:00 at McDonalds in Ayr (tea only) as lads just set off for a long blustery ride up the coast. I must take opportunity to wish my brother Ian in Cincinnati a Happy Birthday. I trust he’s an avid reader as if not he won’t get my greeting!

Day 8 entered in a very wet Ayr

Day 8 : Selside to Annan (62 miles)
Just like Thursday a grey misty start to Friday’s venture. First a stop at a camping centre near Kendal for a replacement CampingGaz cylinder and then into Kendal to purchase some spare tyre, though not for the van this time. There at Bruce’s Bikes Andy tried to out blag the owner with tales of his Tour souvenirs (Axel Merckz drink bottle from 2007 tour) but was trumped by a piece of Paris Roubaix cobble, Paulo Bettini’s saddle and Bertolli’s cap ~ Smith threw a hissy fit and sloped off!
But the purchase of the tyre showed amazing foresight as climbing Shap (believe me a mere pimple at 1400 feet, though watching from the top it was 5 minutes before lorries did the climb to reach me) he suffered a blow out. Driver Swan was fortunately on hand to race down hill with emergency lights flashing to help affect a wheel change (editor: some poetic licence here I fancy!).
The benefits of the spare bike being carried (courtesy of Jon Bartlett) proved a time saving boost as Andy was able to swap wheels.
Then after Penrith I left the riders to go their merry way whilst I disappeared to enter yesterday’s details on the blog ~ that adventure has already been referred to but good old McDonalds rescued the day. Then I caught up with Vince and Andy again in Gretna. Unfortunately they have had a minor falling out and so the happy announcement I expected to make is not on at this time!
The day was rounded off with a visit back into England for a fish and chip supper in the town of Longtown 4 miles from Gretna. Well when I say fish and chip supper, some members of the crew did also add sausage and curry sauce but thank god the pair of them are sleeping downstairs!