We had a bit of a false start today. Over the last couple of days my bike has been making some terrible noises from around the bottom bracket. Bloomin' annoying, not only for me but my fellow riders. A quick look on Google revealed a bike shop in Dingwall. So at 9am the trio set off in search of said shop. I say search as Dingwall is a one way system and if you miss a turn you have to go round again. Shop found and shop keeper said he could take a look but it would be an hour. Relevant texts were sent to our tour leader and the support explaining that we would be somewhat late. We found a cafe and and sat in the sunshine waiting for feedback on the state of the bike. It turns out that the bottom bracket is perfectly serviceable, so it must be the chain (I have brought a spare chain but it was on the van). Thank the shop keeper and we were on our way. Again sent a message to the van to let them know we were around an hour and forty five minutes behind schedule.
Knowing that on previous days we the slower riders we given an hour headstart and we caught and passed them before the first feed stop meant we had to ride a little quicker than usual. Leaving Dingwall the scenery wasn't anything to write home about. We did get a great view of the Cromarty Firth. We followed the B9176 which gave a terrific view of Dornoch Firth. As the descent was a long sweeping there wasn't time time for any photos. Just before the feedstop I saw another one of these
John and Jordan rode on. As I was taking the picture a woman who was riding her bike, loaded with panniers and holding a map ask if the road I came down was a steep hill? She was headed for Inverness and didn't want to follow the coast road. Looking at her bike and everything on it is aid the coast road would probably be her best bet. It turns out she was riding from John O'Groats to Lands End (JOGLE), self supported. As I knew the feedstop wasn't far away and Steve & Dianne wold be waiting at the feedstop. I wished her well and off I rode to get cakes and biscuits!
We learnt that we were now only about forty five minutes behind eveyone. One thing for it a chain gang! We would hold a constant pace and each do a mile,on the front and then peel off. This is what we did for the next 24 miles. Although John did struggle on his turns in the last five miles. What didn't was that we could see a large rain storm coming in over Loch Shin. Driving winds and icy cold rain pelted us for about 10 minutes. First we caught Spencer, then Connie, followed by Kash and Paul. The rain dissipated and the sun came out. We arrived at the feedstop at the Crask Inn approx 10 minutes behind everyone else. It was noted and we were congratulated on making up the time. In the chatter we discovered by leaving an hour later we had missed a rainstorm. While everyone companies of icy cold rain we spoke of glorious sunshine and favorable winds.
Sandwiches and more biscuits scoffed we were on our way. At this point the landscape changed giving us amazing views. John and I took photos which allowed Jordan to speed of in to the distance (trying to beat the van to the hostel).
Every corner just gave jaw dropping vistas. I wanted to stop and take photos every 100 yards.
Long sweeping descents through the valleys followed by a long steady climb to reveal yet another giant mountain rising up. Just amazing landscape.
It wasn't long before we could see Tongue and the hostel sitting on the edge of the estuary. If you're not sure where tongue is...
Much of the discussion at diner tonight was about tomorrow, our final day. The plan is for everyone to meet and the 60 miles mark and we all ride in to John O'Groats together. Should be interesting g given the difference in speeds between us all. While they sort that out John and I are panning to ride to Dunnet Head. The most northerly point on the UK mainland. It will take us 20miles out of out way but hey, when is the next time I'll be this far north. We just hope the weather holds up.
Tomorrow John O'Groats and the finish!
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