August 2009
2 posts
6 tags
7 tags
June 2009
93 posts
DAY 14: the final leg (and we both need new ones!)
The last day!!!! 55 miles on paper, 65 miles covered in total this day. We got on our bikes at the youth hostel in Helmsdale and set off for the afore mentioned hills we’d been so lovingly promised by anyone and everyone that knew them!!
We set off at our usual time, around the back of 9 and set off towards Wick. We had set ourselves a long first “half” if you can call it...
DAY 13: West of Inverness to Helmsdale
The penultimate day!!! For the first time on the trip we were in sight of the end and at this stage were fairly confident that (all major catastrophes aside) we would manage to achieve what we had set out to do and in the prescribed time frame.
We set off from Sandy’s (Kyle’s cousin’s) at the latest time we had set of from anywhere up to this point on the trip…(this may...
DAY 12 : ppppoooouuuurrrrriiiiiiinnnggggg!!!!!
Yup, pouring….a lot…..almost the whole way……not the best.
We got up bright and breezy at the hostel and even then it was raining heavy….its one thing getting rained on when you’re out on the bike but its another walking out into it from the word go. Takes a fair bit of will power, especially when the forecast is for it not to lift all day.
Anyways we got under...
DAY 11: a short jont!
This day was another shorty, in fact our shortest and easiest cycle yet….which after the hardships of the previous day, was very much enjoyed by us both. Again cycling up alongside the water (Loch Creran, Sound of Shuna and across Loch Leven just after Ballachulish) which provided more great views but again with it a whole load of rain.
This continued up to Ballachulish where we stopped to...
DAY 10: back to the mainland....
Up early, first people down for breakfast, good fuel up and out onto the bikes. There was heavy rain when we got up and all through breakfast but once we were on the road to the top of Arran it had cleared up a bit which was very much appreciated!
We knew we had the large(ish) hill on the way round to Lochranza so at least we were prepared for this one! We powered up it and enjoyed the downhill...
DAY 9: why does it always rain on me? Even when...
The title sums a part of this day up really, we cycle from Dumfries towards Kilmarnock and at around New Cumnock we got attacked by another thunder and lightening storm with PLENTY of rain! What’s annoying us that everywhere else we continued to cycle was bone dry and reports from friends/family in the surrounding area was of glorious sunshine!!!
We blasted up towards Mauchline where we...
Halfway(ish) memos......
Just a wee update to mention other things that have come to light and built up as the trip has progressed -
I came across 2 road signs I had never encountered before (more learning!) both were red triangle warning signs, firstly one warning of squirells and more randomly one that depicted ‘horsedrawn vehicles crossing’, neither of which I’d even heard of.
Next I should...
DAY 8: I'll take the low road, and I'll be in...
Our map Reading was incorrect! Day 8 was to be our longest day yet, 95 miles! From the Lake District to 10 or so miles north of Dumfries!!
It was a very eventful (and despite the long distance) a very enjoyable day. The weather was kind to us mostly for a start. Had some tough hills to start the day to get out of the Lakes but what goes up must come down and we had a fun downhill section passing...
DAY 7: nice roads, short day's cycling!
This was designed to be an easier day after the 91 mile slog the day before, and proved to be so (thankfully!).
We got up at our usual time to give ourselves all day to get there at a lesser pace than on our first 6 days. We decided to get breakfast on the road to save money and a bit of time so set off through towards the Lake District.
Once we got off the main road we had also finished on the...
DAY 6: many a mile but the sun had it's hat on!
First off a quick sorry for the delay on these last few days blog entrries and and photos, we have had ZERO 3G reception and have therefore had to try and store all our thoughts that we wish to write down in our heads for the last 4 days!
OK so day 6 was our long day as far as we were concerened from our map reading skills….we covered a massive 91 miles this day traveling from Oswestry to...