Day 14 - 2nd June - Altnaharra to John O'Groats

The final day was neatly split into three parts:
The route started with a gentle 24 miles down from Altnaharra to Bettyhill on the coast and was typical of the terrain since Lairg the previous day, i.e only traffic were camper vans, touring motorcyclists, occasional delivery van and very occasional flock of sheep causing the only hold-up. More views of empty roads and these were just ideal for the touring cyclist.

 

 

 The coast is reached at Bettyhill

The middle 30 mile section was the hilly part but the thought of finishing, a fair bit of adrenaline, and knowing that Laura and Paul Fairley were travelling from Durness (i.e. behind me) that morning meant that progress was rapid (for me). The middle section was more great open rolling roads with little traffic. While the hills were quite long, they were not steep and the descents made up for the uphill effort.   

 

 Rain started around Dounreay where the terrain eased and the Fairley crew sped past just before Thurso. Thurso was time for a last pie and sausage roll which gave more than enough calories for the final 20 miles to John O'Groats.

 There was still time to pass some beach-side scenic caravan sites around Dunnet Bay and then totally switch off for the last half hour or so.

 

 The rain also kindly stopped and it became almost balmy as John O'Groats became in view. Strange feeling over the last 5 miles and almost didn't want it to end but the daily routine was coming to its conclusion . It was great to see Anya, Austin, Paul and Laura at the finish and that final roll up to the sign-post was a once in a lifetime event - great thoughts for the t-shirts and medal too.

 

 The evening was topped by stunning sunset over Stroma and the Orkney Isles beyond and also surprise sight of a passing pod of orcas.

 

Thanks again for all the comments and support and for the support driver to the gang who cycled from Oxford, thanks for the £20. Finally, thanks to my superb wife Susan for the encouragement to train and plan........and the two weeks of annual leave used up 😊.



Day 14's route on Relive is here