Good brekkie, and off into the home straight, although clearly not at a sprint. Tired after yesterdays efforts and with a vague sense that I didn't really want to rush the day.
Pootled up to Dunnet Head first to complete my trip from the most southerly, at Lizard, to the most northerly point on the mainland, which was well worth it, with some excellent cliff views there.
Pootled up to Dunnet Head first to complete my trip from the most southerly, at Lizard, to the most northerly point on the mainland, which was well worth it, with some excellent cliff views there.
I've almost ..
Although I had to beware the scary, and the cute, Highland cattle ...
Completed Lizard to Dunnet Head ! ..
View from Dunnet Head
Continued on at my reluctant pace but this picked up as a dirty great rain cloud approached across from the West. Quickly changed plan and decided to get to John o'Groats and get my pictures taken asap before the rain set in. This worked, just about. I found John o'Groats slightly more pleasant than Land's End, but couldn't bring myself to pay the £9.50 for the piccy with the 'famous' sign, so cobbled together a picture of bike with sign. Luckily a kind chap took a picture of me outside of the rather closed Groats hotel on the 'FINISH' line.
At the Finish line ..
Which I hope is proof enough that man and machine had completed the journey !
John O'Groats pics:
The £9.50 sign pic, taken in a huff and on the cheap ..
Met a couple of couples there who'd completed the same trip. Both seemed to have experienced worse weather conditions than myself - although I guess you notice the bad weather even more when you're camping - so I felt rather lucky in that respect. But both couples were happy to have made the trip and we compared notes on floods, winds etc.
Enjoyed a celebratory Panini (?) and Scone & Tea.
Popped to Duncansby Head - which was very spectacular - and then struggled back to Thurso into probably the worst weather conditions yet, but which had come at the right time !
Stacks of birds and things at Duncansby ..
Treated myself to a proper restaurant meal, and later a bottle of Ardbeg whisky. Didn't drink it all at once of course !
My work here was now complete, and I felt happy to have completed the challenge ( something which I'll probably appreciate more as time goes by ), but sad to have finished.
Thanks to all family and friends who's provided support, however large or small. Thanks to all the friendly, helpful and interesting people who I've met along the way. And thanks again to everyone who's kindly made a donation to the PDS - you've done a fantastic job.
Stats for the day:
Mileage 52.8
Total Mileage 1,181.5
Heads visited 2
Groats visited 1
Stacks spotted 2
End of ride 1
Final Stats & Facts (possibly):
Total mileage 1,181.5
Longest days mileage 91.9
Shortest days mileage 0 (rest days)
Average daily mileage, including rest days 51.4
Average daily mileage excluding rest days 55.8
Highest Av. Speed 13.2 ( also the longest day, from Arlingham to Penkridge)
Lowest Av. Speed 9.4 (from Liskeard to Credition - Cornwall into Devon)
Highest point 589 metres ('Fleet Moss' just south of Hawes)
Islands visited 2
Ferry crossings 7
Floods waded through 1 (Powick, near Worcester)
Distilleries visited 3
Breweries visited 1
Place name, that I noticed, most often encountered 'Ham'
No. of completely rainy days 1
No. of days obviously riding into the wind 4
...........
Here's to the next trip
Highest point 589 metres ('Fleet Moss' just south of Hawes)
Islands visited 2
Ferry crossings 7
Floods waded through 1 (Powick, near Worcester)
Distilleries visited 3
Breweries visited 1
Place name, that I noticed, most often encountered 'Ham'
No. of completely rainy days 1
No. of days obviously riding into the wind 4
...........
Here's to the next trip
Final amusing sign appendage ..
What with the rain, rain and more rain, it ..
... have been beneficial to develop ..
2 comments:
Well Mat, in view of some of the weather you encountered, perhaps some gills would have been an excellent idea!
Interesting to know.
Post a Comment