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
10 comments:
Well done you! Am sorry it's all over - have enjoyed reading your daily progress. Safe journey home. (Bet you're planning the next one now aren't you?!!)
Blimey, that guest house looks more like something out of Father Ted! Are you sure you're at John O'Groats, and not on Craggy Island?!
Well done lads and by that i mean all three of you(mustn't forget Andy. I have enjoyed reading the ups and downs. Tim
Well done Andy - proud to call u my brother-in-law. U did really well. Wot next - finish the kitchen or cycle from San Fransico to New York????
sorry wot was Anne's reply to that - didn't quite catch the obscentities!!!
Lol The Jeanius
Congratulations on crossing the finishing line!
How will I while away the hours at work with no blog to read???
When's the next one then???
Hats off to Cycling Team superb effort great blog. I notice that the finish is timed just right to get home for the start of the Rugby World Cup, Football Qualifiers, and the last one day Cricket international or is that just coincidence.I'm sure when you get home given the efforts of the last two weeks you can put your feet up with a beer in front of the TV !! :)
Congratulations on finishing what you set out to do, with I am sure a few laughs on the way. Martin and I have enjoyed the blog and look forward to hearing about some of the unprintable moments in due course.
Well done boys, I'd knew you'd do it!!!!
Good effort all round and no doubt I'll see you Vince next year for the Bristol to London and Andrew I'll see you at work soon.
Stonking effort, well done Jezz.
Well done boys. A tremendous achievement by all three of you.
A special mention for Andy's contribution in supporting the ride, with excellent blogging and some fine photography along the way.
Congratulations on your achievement. We're enormously proud of you.
just to let you know that there will be no "next 1" for Andy (Smith) yet as he is not allowed out to play with young Vincent until he has finished building the other half of my kitchen!! a note excusing him can be obtained fromhis wife upon asking!!
And Vince i do believe you told Julie in a text you sent on about day 5 that you would be selling your bike, she has kept the text just to warn you!!
Serously though well jdone all 3 of you and am immensely proud of you all.
See you soon
Anne now the proud wife!!
xxx
Post a Comment