Day 4 the big finish

I got there! Many thanks to all of you for your amazing support.

A big final day deserves a big blog post. Eccentric planning on my part meant today left me with a fairly ambitious 185 miles of pedalling. I didn’t tell people just how many miles were on the cards today in case they tried to talk me out of it.

It was hard to set off at an early hour with rain outside and wonderful hospitality within. Thanks to Ged and Bernie for a lovely stay!

I managed to steel my resolve and set off towards Dingwall. I saw some giant oil rigs looming jn the firth at Alness, then a road closure lead me off on a diversion of several extra miles.

The rain really picked up as I entered Bonar bridge. I made a tactical tea stop and it cleared.

On to Lairg, then picked up very remote single track road for nearly 50 miles to the north coast. Much nicer than the A9, the shortest distance used by a lot of end-to-enders. Quite testing though, and by Strathnaver I was getting fed up – stiff headwind while riding, stopped in calm spot and got absolutely devoured by midges. Now sporting polka dot legs. Also realised at this point that I’d left the map in the tea room at Bonar Bridge. (Rachel, if you’re reading, I’m very sorry!)

Finally came out to main road and saw sign proclaiming 55 miles to John O’Groats. Simultaneously encouraging and sobering. Good to know I was well on my way bit already had 130 miles in my legs. Shortly afterwards had the worst tea stop ever, a blow to morale.

The road along the coast to Thurso was quite aggravating – very up and down. One minute you’re swooping down switchbacks at 40mph, the next you’re struggling to claw back up the other side. I began to feel my secret plan to do it all in one last big day was foolish and doomed to failure. I set 7pm as my cutoff for Thurso. If I arrived later than that, I’d admit defeat and extend my trip by half a day. I then backed off the pace a bit and enjoyed the scenery. I was soon passing the nuclear power station at Douneray, now a big cleanup operation but still hiring apprentices for another decade’s work.

Much to my surprise I got into Thurso at 6pm. A following wind had built up through the afternoon and sped me along. This cycle trip has really reminded me of the power of the wind! So time to fortify myself with fish and chips, check into the worlds dingiest but friendliest hostel, then off up the road to do the final 40 miles.

Dunnet Head, the northernmost point, looked more dramatic. And it was closer. But I forged on ahead to John O’ Groats.

When I arrived, I could see all the touristy bits but no sign! I chased down a young lad on a lawnmower who explained that they take the sign in at night. That means they can charge a pretty penny during the day for people to take their photo.

I got a photo of sorts and headed off for the final 20 miles back to Thurso in the dark. Before too long I was showered and having a well earned lie down. Now for a long train journey home.