LEJOG Day 9

Total Miles Today - 82

Dornoch - Golspie - Brora - Helmsdale - Wick - JOHN O'GROATS!!!!!!!!

Beautiful morning today. Watched sunrise over the sands at Dornoch, then set out early, determined to make it most of the way to Wick before lunch. Slightly anxious about today - not just because we've ridden for 8 days without a break - but we've met several people on the site who've shaken their heads & warned us about the hills we've yet to do. Coastal roads are making us think of Day 1! Weather was perfect, blue sky & sunshine, light headwind. Made really good progress up to Helmsdale despite several hills, then began a 4 mile continual climb up over the biggest peak. Finally made it to the top to be greeted by a great steep descent back down the other side (50 MPH +), but then were confronted with yet another climb of 1 in 6 for 1.5 miles up a series of switchbacks that wouldn't have looked out of place in the Alps! Having run out of water en route, and discovered that there are NO shops between Dornoch & Wick, salvation came at Lathay at the museum & Tea rooms. Massive thanks to the ladies there who filled our bottles for free. Further thanks to all those on the Shearings Coach Trip who very kindly donated to our charity, having followed our progress up those hills! Scenery incredible all day - bright blue & flat calm sea, rolling hills covered in heather, sheer cliffs, isolated sandy beaches.We pushed on more quickly than expected, and arrived in Wick with our support crew still behind - they had been given the morning off to have coffee & explore Dornoch! Rather than stop for lunch, we decided to push on to the end, and took our last right turn with the signs telling us only 13 miles to go! This challenge doesn't make it easy, with the last 4 miles consisting of another steep sustained climb for 2 miles over the very last hill, then the joy of a 2 mile descent all the way to the finish line. Our support crew had overtaken us with around 6 miles to go, and were installed with cameras waiting for us to cross the line arm-in-arm! Such an incredible sense of achievement to have made it - with today's miles done in less than 6 hours of riding despite the climbs! So, at last, after 8 1/2 days of pedalling, we've reached our goal. Really glad we're finishing here rather than the tacky theme park that's Land's End! We drove up to the lighthouse, and with a stunning view of the top corner of the British Isles & the Orkneys beyond, cracked open the champagne & enjoyed the sunshine! Camping in Wick tonight, then off to Inverness tomorrow. Please keep reading / commenting as we'll be doing a summary & updating each day with our photos over the next few days!

LEJOG Day 8

Total Miles Today - 100

Gairlochy - Fort Augustus - Drumnadrochit - Inverness - Alness - Tain - Dornoch

Amazing start to the day. Sun rising over the hills lighting up Ben Nevis watched from the commando memorial statue just outside Gairlochy. Beautiful ride along the entire length of the Caledonian Canal - Loch Lochy, Loch Oich & Loch Ness. Coffee break in Drumnadrochit. Great views of the lochs with cloud & mist on the water for the first hour. Flat calm water on Loch Ness with a single boat on it which we managed to out-run from one end to the other! Lunch stop on The Black Isle just north of Inverness at very scenic truckstop (not), then over the various bridges to head out onto the east coast. Obligatory stop-off at the Glenmorangie Distillery, then one final crossing before a short run out to Dornoch overlooking the beach & the sea. Feels great to be this far, with only one day to go. Looking at the road map, we're onto the last page! Really sinking in what we've achieved when we look at the UK map on two pages together! Planning on an early start tomorrow, trying to get somewhere near Wick for a late lunch, then the final 17 miles to the finish line & long-awaited champagne!!