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.