Day 15 - Made it to Edinburgh

The last day we cycled up from the Scottish Borders arriving at the Western General Hospital to a welcoming crowd of supporters and families. To our great surprise, Maggie and Tom Abraham had both medals and framed awards which were presented. It was great to have got home safely and with a successful ride round Scotland. Our families were pleased to see our safe return!! We faced going back to work but the final charity ball was still to be held on the following Friday. The team are deeply grateful for all the sacrifices our families, Maggie and Tom made for the Wee Cycle to happen. We will remember the 'Wee Cycle' forever!

Day 15 - THE FINAL DAY

We have started the day with another hearty breakfast, with a fairly easy day in sight, we are looking forward to finishing our challenge and getting back to our families and friends. We plan to arrive at the Western General at 3pm.

Day 14 - Arrived in Hawick

We set off from Dumfries, via Locherbie, where we almost got lost again. We headed via the Tibetan Centre climbing steadily through the Eskdalemuir Forest and pushed onto Peebles to make the final day an easier finish for our weary bodies.

Day 13 - Arrived in Dumfries

We started off the day with some bike maintenace where 3 pairs of tyres and tubes were changed following 2 blowouts. We quickly warmed up with a big climb towards Kilbirnie, and then proceeded to get lost in Kilwinning ! We admired the Ayrshire countryside and continued onto Dumfries through rolling countryside. Arriving exhausted at Rory and Sally Young's, they cooked us up a barbie, and we retired early to prepare for the next days cycle to Hawick.

Day 12 - Arrived in Largs

Today is a part rest day. We started off the day with good weather and a short cycle to Loch Gair. The Abraham's, Tom and Maggie, picked us up in their wee boat, where Rodge, Sasha, Angus, Mark and Duncan took a cold plunge into Loch Gair.

We had a good lunch and whilst Mark was enjoying the scenery of the Kyles of Bute ,the rest of us fell asleep on board. Tom and Maggie, treated the team to a fantastic meal at Finns Restaurant in Largs that night, and we slept on board preparing for the next day. A great way to spent a recovery day.

Day 11 - Arrived in Inverary

Ann Sweeny took great care of us at the Braemar B&B helping wash and dry all our cycling gear. After a good nights sleep, with subdued spirits we started off from Fort William late morning and got back on track. We faced another steep climb in to Glencoe, followed by a descent down to the beautiful Glen Orchy, where we stopped to admire the many scenic waterfalls.

We carried on to Inverary into bright weather finishing a long but safe day cycling.We stayed in great accomodation in a converted church at the The Newton B&B.

Day 10 - The Accident

On entering Fort William in heavy traffic, we stopped suddenly at the traffic lights, and the pack started to bunch up. There was a pile up and Kevin, lost his grip and fell off his bike into the middle of the road, with a serious impact on his shoulder against the road. We recovered him to the side of the road, and administered First Aid, and took him to A&E in Fort William. The Doctor confirmed a fractured collar bone, and he had a badly cut eyelid. His dissapointment was considerable, and felt by the rest of the group. Mark drove Kevin to Perth to meet up with his Family.

Kevin, whilst dissapointed with the fall, took the accident with good grace, and wished us all luck on our continued journey around Scotland

Day 10 - Arrived in Fort William

We left Dornie under sunshine and cycled up the Great Glen under overcast weather, but luckily dry roads. The roads were busy and we faced some challenging climbs on the way to Invergarrie, where we stopped at the Hotel to meet up with Rodger's in-laws, Shirley and Stewart. After lunch we ascended to Spean Bridge, and progressed onto Fort William. As we entered Fort William, about 3 minutes our end point, on stopping at a set of light, we had a bad accident.

Day 9 - Arrived at Dornie

After a snoring night in the Hostel (Sail Mohr Croft) in Dundonnell, our day started with thick porridge, black coffee and rain. Passing Loch Gairloch, we climbed steep hills, all of us soaking wet. We carried on until we got to the Applecross decision point at Kinlochewe, where, for safety reasons, considering the decent and the terrible weather, we decided to avoid this route. After lunch in Kinlochewe, we started off our best climb yet (700ft over 4 miles). On the decent, the rain started to soak through the plastic bags covering our feet ! Arriving at the Lochcarron Hotel, we had a snack and continued on next to the picturesque Eilean Donan Castle, where we had B&B arranged.

Day 9 - Applecross awaits

It rains again this morning as we are about to set off to do another 8500ft climb. Applecross awaits!

Day 8 - The Team

Day 8 - Arrived in Dundonnell

The extra miles covered yesterday proved valuable as the day started with very strong head winds.Kevin had an accident 8 miles into the ride when his tyre glanced off another rear wheel in the pack. This resulted in some cuts and bruises, and his rear mech was damaged and un-repairable. Kev bravely got back on the spare bike which was adjusted for him to get back on the road with the team. We continued up steep gradients, with very hilly terrain and ever-changing scenery in the most North-West coast.We lost time with this morning’s crash and we stopped briefly in Ullapool for a very late lunch. We still had 35 miles to cover, including the steepest ascent yet.The team managed the last section in good time, pressing on with an extra 5 miles after a nice 10 mile descent!We got back to the hostel after 8, and had pasta for dinner…The new drivers, Anna and Callum, spent the afternoon adjusting to our already perfected navigation techniques. It is now time for Duncan and Hervé to head home.Time for bed – another gruesome day awaits…

Day 7 - Arrived in Durness

Today started under scorching sun. This time, the team slapped on the sun cream. We made good progress between Strathy and Durness, going via Tongue. The scenery was once again stunning, and we picked a very small café for a quick lunch. Angus, who had been hard at “work”, missed the café and carried on. The Freelander was sent ahead to find Angus! He had already covered over 5 miles, and we had lunch by the roadside after the team had caught up. After arriving in Durness, we decided to do a further 20 miles. The weather was just exceptional and we didn't want to start the next day with a 1000ft climb. As a consequence, we ended up climbing 5000ft in the day.

Day 6 - The Discovery Hard at Work

Day 6 - Arrived in Strathy

The next day started off overcast. We headed towards John O’ Groats, arrived in dense fog and couldn’t see 2 metres in front of us. After a quick coffee, we headed to Thurso breaking briefly for lunch. On passing Dounreay the weather brightened up and we cycled passed stunning scenery on to Strathy Point. We arrived at The Bungalo B&B after 6, slightly sunburnt. Just in time to kick off a BBQ on the beach of ...well more pasta.

Day 5 - It's Hervé's Birthday!

Day 5 - Arrived in Wick

Happy Birthday to our navigator Hervé. We sang happy birthday over breakfast and dinner over some Co-op carrot cake and Champagne!

It was raining very heavily and the ground was sodden. The only route to Wick was an A road, crossing the mountains and rivers in fog and heavy rain. We decided it would be unsafeto cycle the 6 man team in these conditions. A decision to call off the day was made, as we intend to tackle one of the most challenging routes in Scotland...Applecross

http://www.edinburghbicycle.com/routes/route_applecross.html

In Wick, the Mackay's Hotel allowed us to dry off more kit, and gave us a great meal.

Day 5 - Mark destroy's the flower bed !

Day 4 - Arrived in Inverness

Great hospitality at Hamish and Moira Marshall's the previous night had us off to a good start. The day started grey, cold and raining. After a morning of cycling we arrived at Inverness cold, tired and very wet. We took a trip to Tiso's to drown our sorrows, and bought water proof gloves. No doubt the weather will be great for the rest of the trip. We then travelled to Tain where we received a warm welcome from the Isom's and Daisy the dog. Lesley spent the evening trying to dry all our cycling kit.

Day 3 - Arrived in Elgin

Started the day with full stomachs but soon burned off the calories by climbing 2300ft before lunch in Lumsden. After lunch, an agonising 2700ft foot climb made Duncan grumpy. Rodger tried to go mountain biking and failed miserably with a spectacular fall. Sasha didn't want to stop and wanted us to go faster....again Kevin wanted to go in single file...again Mark wanted to stop 3 miles from the final destination for a beer...again Duncan S asked for Scampi...again Hervé kept driving away each time we wanted to stop, and failed his telepathic test...again And finally... Thank you very much to the Kennedy's for the fantastic Scones. P.S. Sasha moves to runner up in the grumpy stakes...Duncan R is still at number 1.

Day 3 , Angus in tights !

Angus wore his tights... again

Day 2 - Arrived in Blairs, Aberdeenshire

Leaving Dundee we faced steep hills with a grumpy Duncan who drunk too much the night before. Fought against a head wind all the way up, which tired the thighs. Got caught in yet another hail storm. Stopped for Lunch, rolled into Shannanburn House tired and weary, great welcome and hospitality soon picked up our spirits.

Day 1 - Arrived in Dundee

Good day starting from the Western General Hospital with a great sendoff. We met a steep climb 10 mins from the Forth Bridge heading to Kinross. The Team were settling into a routine of rotating the load leading the pack. The roads were good but some drivers showed their annoyance with our Pace! Got caught in a hail strom half way across the Tay Bridge.

Day 1- and they're off

Dundee here we come.

Day 1 -The Cyclists, Edinburgh Western General Hospital

All geared up and ready to go.

Day 1 - Rodger hoping for a bigger bike

Red Bull gives you wings and hopefully a bigger bike for Rodger.

Training

A pic of Duncan, Mark and Rodge training hard one month before the ride. This pic was taken the day after Mark threw himself off a jump at Glentress,injured his elbow and wrist, and broke his mountain bike. 60 mile cycle the next day, now that's dedication.