DAY 9 - LAIRG TO JOHN O'GROATS - 98 MILES

After the efforts of day 8 - day 9 was going to be a challenge, given the previous exertions on our legs.

Garrie and Hanna set off early as usual and John T kindly dropped us off at the place we had stopped the previous evening and miles past the hotel and we made our way out of Lairg for the last day of the trip.

In comparison to previous days, the weather was just right! The roads narrow and quiet (apart from the sheep) and the terrain beautiful but not too undulating. The only obstacles proved to be the sheep. In one hilarious incident they ran in front of us for about 500 yards, before peeling off to let us by.

In no time at all we had reached Betyhill - the first view of the sea since Cornwall. The scenery from the hotel where we enjoyed a quick coffee and some snaps for the album (photos to come) was again breathtaking. The best news however was that we were now heading west to John O'Groats for the rest of the journey and the wind would be in our backs all the way. It even warmed up enough to take of the jackets and legwarmers - a sight last witnessed around Shrewsbury!

The pace of life seemed to get slower the further north we got and so the time taken for lunch was much longer than we would have liked. However, undeterred, we mounted the bikes for the last time and flew round the last 20 miles to John O'Groats. The team all wore their L&G Investment Management shirts for the last day and it was fitting that we all came over the line together in the sun to bask in the glory of the achievement.

We shared champagne and beer and happily made our way back to Inverness to spend the final evening celebrating.

Little did we know that the gravest danger lay ahead of us as the taxi driver (Stig from Top Gear) flew down the A9 as if his life depended on getting there.

The beer and curry afterwards was well received, however, there was little energy left to do anything else, so after another couple of beers we headed off to bed happy in the knowledge that we had (finally) made it!!

It was fitting that we reached the target amount of sponsorship on the last day and we would like to thank all our sponsors and the drivers for giving up their own time to support us.

Same again next year? - not at the moment!

A DRIVER'S PERSPECTIVE

Over the last week, I have update this blog with my own experiences and those of the riders on the epic journey. However, Richard Jacklin - driver extraordinaire - has provided his view on his few days driving the van. Richard's experience is shown below:

A driver’s perspective.

I volunteered to drive the support van for two days from Shrewsbury to Carlisle.

For my two days the team split into two groups. In the mornings Garrie and Hannah would set off an hour before Craig, Crawford and Nigel. This meant that they were up to 15 miles apart, and so my job was to shuttle between the two groups. At times it felt like herding cats.

It goes without saying that the cyclists need the van there as soon as possible if there is any problem, such as punctures or if it starts to rain and they need their waterproofs. My instructions from Hannah were "Richard, if it starts to rain, find me first."

The cyclists are burning 5,000 calories a day, and so an important part of the ride is a large lunch and a large evening meal with snacks in between. I joined in enthusiastically, even though my day was spent sitting in the driver’s seat, and so I am now on a diet.

I spent two days with five people who impressed me immensely with their guts, determination and spirit. I had a great time, and will never forget it.

Richard Jacklin

DAY 8 - BRAEMAR TO LAIRG - 127 TOUGH MILES!

Injuries: 1

Punctures: 2

We woke in Braemar somewhat apprehensive that we were now facing the most challenging day of the trip - Braemar to Lairg.

The weather forecast was also not great, so it was with some apprehension that we tucked in to our breakfast. As usual Garrie and Hannah managed to get out and on to the road and the others spent many minutes faffing for Britain and we managed to eventually get on our way at about 8.25am.

We were immediately in to a couple of quite challenging climbs and the rain also paid us a quick visit. And so the apprehension grew. We then moved in to the most challenging climb of the trip so far - the climb up to the ski resort of Lecht - about the same altitude as Glenshee - 2000 ft but even steeper climbs of 20 percent and in to a howling wind.

The rest of the country no doubt basking in sunshine as we moved to low single digit temperatures - snow remained on some of the higher peaks! Somehow we managed to get to the top. However, Marcel injured his achilles on the most strenuous part of the climb and that was the end of the trip on the bike for him, sadly. He did manage to keep a brave face and helped John T fantastically for the rest of the trip on the support van.

At the top we had the usual stripping of excess clothing to cool down followed by putting the gear back on again for the chilly descent. As we worked our way down the heavens opened and at the coffee stop at Timintoul we had the first delay of the day waiting for some sort of break in the weather.

Eventually it came and we were on our way again, however, progress was slow for the next couple of hours due to the number of times we had to stop under the trees during the worst of the rain. We then hit the A9 - probably the most dangerous road in the UK for cyclists (and drivers). The further north we go the faster they seem to drive! We agreed that the best course of action was to take detours on to the side roads, some of which were long and hilly and we did not reach Inverness till after 5. Crawford then had 2 punctures in succession and our ETA for Lairg was now looking to be well in to the evening. We were approaching seven hours in the saddle with about 50 miles to go. The good news was that the rain had stopped and the roads to Lairg were quiet and beautiful.

After a quick bite with the van in a pub car park - it was heads down all the way to Lairg - Garrie and Hannah were already there and we headed off fortunate that it stays light till way past 10 in the north at this time of year. We arrived in the center of Lairg at 10 past 10 to discover to our dismay that the hotel was 7 miles south of the town center - only one thing for it - a pint at The Nip Inn while John could drive to meet us there with the van!

The 3 locals in the bar were somewhat bemused by the sight of 3 weary cyclists rolling in at 10.15 for a beer after nearly 14 hours on the bike and 127 miles covered. We enjoyed relating our tales of woe about the day and John T joined us for another and then got us back to the hotel for a quick snack and wearily off to bed.

Tomorrow: the final day of the epic - Lairg to John O'Groats! 115 miles.

DAY 7 - STIRLING TO BRAEMAR - 107 miles

Accidents: 1

Mixed weather awaited us on day 7 and we were joined by out last Driver for the trip - john Taylor - a very organised character and confident at the wheel of the van.

The strong wind was right on our tail for most of the day which was just perfect at the terrain was very mixed and more up than down. John T had an excellent start to his support role - however the van got a bit smaller again as he pulled out of a car park in Dunkeld, "I was attacked by a post!" The van now being perfectly symmetrical - scores down both sides.

Undeterred we moved on - stunning scenery and only light showers - however temperatures falling quite starkly as we got further north. The biggest climb of the trip beckoned though - the climb up to the top of the ski region of Glenshee. Well it was a nightmare for all, particularly the last three miles of a brutally steep descent. Sweating profusely - we all managed to crawl to the top only to be overheating and then a minute later freezing cold.

The trip down the other side was however the highlight of the trip to date - 40 miles an hour for about 5 miles down to Braemar. A turn right with a tail wind past Balmoral down to Balleter arriving at 5.00pm was a very welcome result for what could have been a tough day in the saddle. 107 miles in total. Just as well as day 8 is potentially the most difficult of the trip.

Tomorrow: Braemar to Lairg - 127 miles

DAY 6 - CARLISLE TO STIRLING - 127 MILES

Accidents: 2

It was a fond farewell to richard jacklin after two days of support driving - van totally in tact and he just about managed to stay visible throughout his two day stint. A warm welcome to Michael Hughes - craig's sister's partner for the trip from Carl isle to Stirling.

Well, the weather forecast proved to be spot on again - more bad weather. The day didn't start of too great. Despite being hungry - we were not doing breakfast this morning at the Premier Inn Carlisle. Undeterred, the group took off for breakfast in Gretna - the first town in Scotland. As we left the clouds just opened up as forecast and the sight of Gretna about 18 miles up the road was a welcome sight.

Sadly the local hotel doing all day meals decided that this did not include breakfast for a group of wet and hungry cyclists. Just at this point we had out first accident of the day - the van got a bit smaller as Michael pulled it out of the car park.

The bacon rolls at the local BP perked the group up and we set off in to the rain with full bellies. Nigel was, however, not on his best form as we pulled out if the BP and came off the bike at the roundabout - 2 accidents and it was not even 9.00am

The next 3 hours were just horrendous - heavy rain all the way to Abinnton services followed by a good 20 mins for all under the hand dryer. Fortunately the weather improved in the afternoon and we met Craig's mum and dad with a huge bag of tunnocks offerings in Lanarkshire followed by a slog up to Stirling to finish 7.00pm - 11 and a half hours after we left Carlisle.

Tomorrow - Stirling to Braemar - 107 miles

DAY 5 - Update

A bit short of an update for day 6 but to keep you all amused here's some video of day 5.

An update on day 6 and 7 as soon as I get it.

On the road - Crawford, Craig and Nigel



Garrie and Hannah

DAY 5 - PRESTON TO CARLISLE - 94 MILES

Punctures: 0

Accidents: 0

What a great day for cycling - perfect weather all the way to Carlisle. A dead easy route on the A6 so no need for Nigel to get his map out. We're thankful for small mercies!

Once again the south westerly prevailing wind was working in our favour. The pace was again fast as we had little to climb for about 40 miles. The only issue was the prospect of the 1400 ft climb to Shap - the half way point for the trip. Whilst that was a challenge - it paled in to insignificance compared to tough climbing experience in Cornwall.

The trip is now obviously a three stage event - each times three days - three difficult days, three easy days and ending with three difficult ones.



Richard Jacklin had to this point not put a foot wrong after stepping in to Himanshu's shoes, however he was nowhere to be seen on the climb to Shap and was happily tucking in to lunch as we arrived - nice one Richard - a mere blemish on what was a fantastic effort. He also picked up the tab over supper as well! Top man.

The remainder of the ride from Shap (why would you live there?) was a breeze - downhill with another tail wind. We arrived in Carlisle at an astonishing 3.00pm and Richard got the prime parking spot outside the hotel (not the best area of Carlisle though).

At this point, Crawford decided that he was feeling so chippa that another 100 miles to Glasgow to spend a night with the family on the way to Stirling would be a good idea. This meant a ride of 180 miles in one day - good luck mate ! Last seen heading toward Glasgow...will he make it?


Tomorrow: Carlisle to Stirling - 116 miles.