Not much going on at JOG, no one around, no one serving in the cafe and the 'official' signpost that you have to pay for was empty! So after a quick photo we cracked on to Tesco's in Wick to get some irn-bru (when in Scotland..).
The A99 and A9 were easy going with a few climbs but nothing like Devon and Cornwall. The first 70 miles or so were pretty remote with no real shops and only fashioned petrol stations.
On one of the descents we came across queueing traffic, where a lorry had taken the bend going up the hill too tight, had ripped out the barrier and got stuck with most of its wheels off the ground. Luckily we were able to scoot round as it was being winched back on the road.
We got soaked through to the skin just before lunch in a heavy downpour, but by the time we stopped in Helmsdale at 75 miles it was drying out.
As we went to set off again we had our first mechancial issue as Will noticed a broken spoke. We didn't have much choice but to press on and luckily passed a hardware shop in Golspie that seemed to sell everything including spokes. A short delay to fit it then off we went. Keen to make up time Will went into time trial mode and powered on, with me hiding in his wheel and doing the odd short turn!
The scenery started to change as we started to cross some of the many Firths that litter the coast. Before long we were in Tain, home of Glenmorangie Whiskey. Too good an opportunity to miss, we went to the distillery for a bit of tasting!
The down side was that after 3 drams (bewteen us!) It was hard work to get going for the last 40 miles. The last 30 miles were pretty miserable, it poured with rain and my 'no need to put on waterproofs it will pass in a minute' turned out to be an error. The road got much busier and visibility was poor so was a slog.
But soon enough we got into Inverness. Travelodge had called to say they couldn't fit us in, but had got us a room at the Holiday Inn next door and upgraded to a free breakfast! Bit of a result as our travelodge room was only £50 and holiday inn is £170 and they had free newspapers to dry out our sopping shoes!
It was a relief to get into the warm room as we were both freezing cold and very hungry. The hotel was well placed with pub next door for dinner and a tesco nearby. We were thinking of the cinema, but were too shattered!
Tomorrow we climb up through the Grampians....
Total distance cycled; 142 miles
Time cycling: 8 hours 38 mins
Average speed: 16.4 mph
Total ascent: 1900 metres
Max speed: 43.1 mph
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Hey, well done lads!!! I'm way impressed! Wishing you success and good weather today!! Sue
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