The Return......

Got up this morning and so pleased not to be on the bike, I really do have a personal issue with my saddle now, it is certainly not my friend!!

Have a lovely breakfast and packed up my bag ready to make the trip from John O'Groats to Inverness where we are flying from tonight.  Boarded the bus which promptly broke down after about 30 miles, so sat on the verge awaiting a replacement bus.  At least the bike didn't break down on the 1,000 mile trip.

Will have a couple of hours in Inverness before my flight at 6pm this evening.

Twink and Miles are meeting me at the airport.  I am certainly looking forward to a nice bath and a night in my own bed....!

Day 14 - (Crask - John O'Groats) - 84 miles today......... 7.02pm  ......

I HAVE FINISHED..............!!!!!

A very long day, a lovely morning but a heavy 50 miles this afternoon into the strong winds, elated to be here and the scenery is breathtaking.  We waited for everyone to catch up before we road in.  Champagne waiting for us here, lovely warm sunny evening and hopefully the bar is well stocked. 

2 Things I am looking forward to tomorrow, 1 seeing Twink, 2 not getting on a bike!


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I have been writing this blog on Dad's behalf with him dictating the day's activities.  I have just spoken to him and he is shattered but over the moon to have finished.  He has asked me to convey his absolute thanks to everyone for the support he has received.  He has already tucked into 3 glasses of champagne and I would expect there will be quite a few more tonight.  I will add some pictures as I am sent them.  Thank you all again. 

MG

Day 13 - (Inverness - Crask) - 66 miles today - A cloudy start from Inverness and as we gained elevation the visibility was very poor. After lunch the sun broke through and the temperature climbed. Became very hot as we rode through logging country. Need to watch out for logging truckers. They don't take any prisoners!!!  Unfortunately we did have one casualty today, one of our number suffered heat stroke and had to be taken off the ride for safety. A real shame as she was so close to finishing.

The country side here is amazing, I am so close to the road, all the way.....!

So near to completing the ultimate achievement. I still feel good and I am riding strongly, my fitness has grown over the ride. Only problem I have is the hate / hate relationship I have with my saddle!!

A day of undulating riding but with a couple of significant climbs thrown in. Everyone is looking forward to tomorrow. The final leg!

And the weather looks good too, thankfully! To make it  'perfect' we could do with a strong westerly wind but not until after mid day.... I am not holding my breath!

It is a long ride tomorrow but I am sure it will fly by. Some slower riders are starting a couple of hours earlier tomorrow so that we cut the time spread between the first and last riders to arrive at a pub 6 miles from the finish, pleased to say that I am riding, and have been throughout, in the faster pack.

We will all meet up at the pub and ride the final few miles to JOG together. A nice way to finish this memorable event which we have shared.

Thank you all for the e-mails and comments I have received this week, I feel very strong knowing I have so many people rooting for me back home, thank you.

Looking forward to bringing Twink back here soon -

A slight lift as well today in that Miles got Mike Tindall to tweet my blog and Virgin Giving page to over 41,000 followers... awesome.  Some new viewers maybe!

Day 12 - (Glen Coe - Inverness) -  Only 3 days to go...!  Another day in paradise. Sun shining and warm: an early briefing got a long day started. 82 miles and lunch at 48 miles making it a long morning. Spectacular countryside as we followed Loch Leven north. Crossed the Caladonian canal
and headed north.

After lunch we had a chance to ride what is classified as the most significant climb of the whole tour. Only 7 out of 24 took the climb (including me!!) and those who did were rewarded with absolutely spectacular vlews.

Loch Ness

Now in Inverness. Two days to go. Everyone now optimistic that they will finish. Tomorrow is a short day. 67 miles and graded moderate.

The whole team is feeling the effects of the last 12 days back to back riding but the difficult days seem to make the overall team stronger and more supportive of each other.

In summary, a long day with a very tough climb but one more step towards completing LeJog.

 

 Ben Nevis

River Ness

Day 11 - (Loch Lomond - Glen Coe) - A shorter day classified as moderate. 66 miles through some of the most beautiful country side in the whole event. 16 miles of cycle track alongside Loch Lomond led to some more rough Scottish road surfaces up to lunch taken at Tyndrum.  Pic of Loch Lomond at Dusk.

Aftet lunch we climbed through the Trossocs enjoying the views of the Grampian Mountains around Crianlarich and the Bridge of Orchy and then on to Glen Coe . A final glorious decent into Glen Coe Village ende an excellent days riding. Weather hot and sunny! Got through 5 water bottles today, hard work!!! 

Day 10 - (Moffat to Loch Lomond) - 82 mile day, longest so far (and I feel it!!) but relatively flat after and early climb.  Road surface was even worse than yesterday (Alex Salmon needs to get some tarmacers out!).  Excellent lunch stop where we ate sandwiches in the wedding function room of a hotel called The Avon Bridge Hotel in Hamilton, classy!

Soon after lunch we joined a cycleway that took you through Glasgow, most of it alongside the River Clyde into Loch Lomond.  Here are the lifeboats hanging over the Clyde -

B&B is very nice tonight in Balloch called 'Time Out', very apt as I shattered!

A very nice welcome from the owner Cathy.

Day 9 - (Keswick - Moffat) - 72 miles today, Tough day.  After only 6 miles we climbed 1250ft to get here. A difficult climb with several 15% to 20% gradients..... there were no mountain goats around so had to climb them myself!

Significant day as we entered Scotland.....!!

Weather was excellent. We set off to a slightly cloudy start that soon burnt off, through the tail end of the Lake District towards Carlisle. First day in short sleeved cycle shirt and shorts plus sun cream!!  Fantastic.

Road surfaces in Scotland are awful!!  Rough and potholed. Shakes you to the point where hands go numb.......pity my backside can't go numb!!  
The B&B is good in Moffat and we managed to get some washing done, thank goodness as people were beginning to avoid riding behind me, a message I think!

 Early night needed as tomorrow is a long day of 82 miles through Scotland.