Thursday 27 June 2013

Ashwell and Benington - CTC Ride

Nice day again, more cloudy but manageable wind.

Decided not to go to Hauxton since I'd just be coming back the same way, and happened to intercept the group on the way to Bassingbourn.  Big group out today, about 16. On to Day's at Ashwell for a cuppa and slab of carrot cake, yum, eaten on the green down the lane from the shop.


Continued on through quiet country lanes to Benington where we were able to sit outside for lunch. Mike CC upset with the stroppy lady in the kitchen, vowing we shouldn't come here again.  Even so, nice salmon baguette even it did take some time to arrive.

Came back along more quiet lanes, stopping at the church in Anstey because someone had been told about the special stained glass window dedicated to the wartime air force people flying out of nearby air strips.


Just beginning to rain a bit on leaving so a fairly quick ride back via Barley and Fowlmere.

Waresley to Hemingford - 25 June

Wowsers, a nice sunny day and another chance to show off the suntan on the legs.  Have to say it does look a bit silly where the tan stops abruptly where the shorts start.

Met Sue at the top of Malton Lane and enjoyed the route through Wimpole and up and over Hatley Hill.  Big gathering on the terrace at Waresley, people convening from far and wide for the bargain basement coffee deal.  How on earth do they make money on the loyalty card that offers free tea or coffee, plus top-ups, for 2 years, all for just £8.

Eight on the long onward haul, not that long and a nice quiet route to Hemingford Grey. Took Jacob's suggestion of using the track for the latter bits, taking a wrong turn at one point, hence the spike on the map. Nice panini for lunch in the courtyard, spot the difference in the pics.



Left the group soon after getting back onto the bikes, heading down through Conington and Knapwell.

Comfy 55 miles, no ill effects from the LEJOG exertions and nice to be back in the saddle again.  Also have to secretly admit, nice to be in flat countryside again!


Sunday 9 June 2013

Day 14 - Last Post, Arrival at John O'Groats

Set off from the Crask in at 8.45 for the long final stretch to John O' Groats. One missing? Yes, Tony up at 5 am for a 6 am start while the rest of us slept on.



Lovely quiet route along a one lane road across the now quite austere landscape on the way to Bettyhill. Passed in bursts by the DeLoite bike event, supposedly 700 bikes starting out on the reverse trip to Land's End. Lots of high fives and 'well done lads' from them as they whizzed past.

A few other spectators along the way .....


First sights of the Atlantic soon after then a turn right along the flat top of Scotland. Took in the northernmost point of Britain at Dunnet Head with views across to Orkney.




Met up with Matt and Helen on the tandem and rode together for the last 7 miles to JOHN O'GROATS, after a 92 mile day's ride. Add 20 for Tony who'd gone to the end and come back to meet us.



Checked into the Seaview Hotel for the best hot shower yet and a celebratory binge before we all fell asleep.


Saturday 8 June 2013

Day 13 - Inverness to Crask Inn

Would you believe it's dry and sunny again. Waking up gets harder every day but still managed our usual 8.58 start from Inverness.


Big obstacle in the form of the Kessock Bridge just leaving Inverness, made worse by road works. Started negotiating the single lane going north but a lorry driver gesticulated that there was a path on the other carriageway. Took lives in hands to hump the bikes across and over the barrier.
Cuppa stop at Evanton in a forbidding looking bar that turned out to have a very chirpy batman and seats outside at the back. Soon after met a real live version of a classic Aussie who'd just started chatting to another solo biker. Turned out they were called Roy and Royce.


On along roads with spectacular views that the camera couldn't adequately capture ....


.... to Bonar Bridge and lunch stop.



After fuelling up at this 40 mile stop we continued north with the countryside beginning to look quite different, fewer trees and more craggy with some Aberdeen Angus cattle and hundreds of sheep. Single lane road much of the way from here but with passing places and respectful car and motorbike drivers.

Turned a corner at the 66 mile mark to find our night's accommodation, the iconic Crask Inn run by Kai and Mike. Really quaint old place, no mains electricity, Internet ('ha ha') or television, and barely any radio. Bizarrely, quite good mobile reception though.





Tried a pint of local brew and Highland Park whisky, then sat down to a very welcome and tasty 3 course dinner. Great day, dry and mainly sunny, almost no wind.


Thursday 6 June 2013

Day 12 Glencoe to Inverness, Two Days To Go!

Non stop sunshine and my longest ever daily bike ride, 85 miles. Rare sighting of the Hanman bird to start before his daily migration.


Splendid scenery along the cycle track beside Loch Leven before it ran out into the A82. Then a bit bumpy and traffic bound up to Fort William where there were some very odd looking characters.


Then diverted off the A82 onto the B8004 which was delightfully peaceful, with great views of Ben Nevis. And guess what, decided to stop for a cuppa after the regulation 25 miles or so. Nice picture of Birthday Boy with Ben looking over his shoulder.


Swept on along an amazing towpath between the river and Caledonian Canal on the way to Fort Augustus and the very welcome van.


Long old morning this one, but magnificent scenery. Since we were so far ahead of the others we decided to set off from lunch soon after they'd arrived, apprehensive about the coming 5.5 mile climb up the notorious General Wade Military Road. Puffed and wheezed up, meeting a delightful lady in a camper van at the top who made us ..... yes, guessed it, a very welcome cuppa.


Then a cruise down towards Inverness, give or take a few nasty hills just so we didn't forget who's boss.
Just the 2 more days to go then!

Wednesday 5 June 2013

Day 11 - Balloch to Glencoe

Heavy rain during the night so did the landlady bring the washing in, er no. Still, the radiator did a pretty good job. Gave the FEB a miss again infavour of smoked haddock and poached eggs. Set off promptly at 9 am.
Immediately joined the cycle track alongside Loch Lomond. What a cracking ride, superb scenery blessed with sunshine to allow us to see it at its best.


Then the track became the old road that those nice folk had bypassed by the new A82 letting all the mobile homes and motorbikes fight it out while we meandered along in sweet oblivion.
This was a place called Culag. Ah we'll, someone has to live here but life must be a bit rotten.


Quickly reached Tarbet and homed in on the caff selling tea and cakes. May seem like a lot of cakes being disposed off on this trip but hey, the old boiler is roaring away .



Eventually ran out of cycle track and rejoined the body jarring A82, also seeing ominous black clouds looming. They had the good grace to just about let us reach the sanctuary of the van at Tyndrum, 40 miles into the ride, before they sprung energetic leaks. Back in the cab for lunch lads.

Then waddya know, it stopped! Distinctly cooler now as the climb towards Glencoe started, see Christmas cracker hat contours below. Wonderful stark mountains all round that the road desperately tried to avoid but failed, at least doing its unlevel best for us.

Eventually reached the top, or nearly so here, caught in the act of more fuelling up. The observant will have noticed the jacket colour change, ah the joys of a support van when the temperature drops.


Then a glorious fast run down into Glencoe, past the vandalised Savile cottage, ending up at yet another smiley lady's B & B. Dash for the shower, Doc W won. At least it's my turn for the double bed tonight so a good chance to try it out instead.

Another 71 miles clocked up and just 3 days' cycling to go! But argh, it's the climb of all climbs tomorrow, after lunch at Fort Augustus.


Tuesday 4 June 2013

Day 10 - Moffat to Balloch, near Loch Lomond

What a lovely B & B, porridge and smoked haddock for brekkie then saddled up for 10 seconds, long enough for Martin to find puncture number two.

Said cheerio to wonderful Brenda and hubby Chris (no cuddles for him) and set off. Two routes says Nick, one flat, one up and over. No need to guess that the latter won. Not bad, either that or we're becoming super athletes.


On along the B7076 beside the A74M, dead quiet but what a shaker! Road like a long stretch of petrified prunes without the petrified custard to smooth the gaps. Okay for cars, murder for road bikes with 100psi tyres. 

Stopped off for obligatory morning tea at Happenden Services then whooshed on to the lunch stop at the wonderfully named Chatelherault Inn. Had arranged to meet Alan's B-i-L here but poor comms left him waiting at the main site, not the inn.  And he'd brought home made flapjack and a bottle of whisky for us! 

Then the run into Glasgow and the delightful cycle routes through the city. Nearly got it right but suffered a clash of the Garmins. Mental note, never trust someone else's routes cos you get all their mistakes for starters before making your own. Have to say the route along beside the Clyde was magnificent, emerging at Balloch and the nearby guest house. Hot shower like being hose-piped, didn't want to come out but lured by the singing kettle.

No punctures on the much vaunted puncture alleys of Glasgow but acquired a biker's chain tattoo as a souvenir.


That was all of 83 miles, done in glorious sunshine. Four days to go!


Monday 3 June 2013

Day 9 - Keswick to Moffat

Dry again, and warm, and hardly any wind. Hearty breakfast from the hearty landlord. Wouldn't want to cross him, quite short with Martin for using the fan heater to make the wardrobe into a drying room.

And off we go! And another Nick special, over Skiddaw not round it. Long pull up then a pause, then another steeper climb, then another ....... Finally reached the top where a bloke was flying his radio controlled plane, much to the confusion of the buzzard.


Powered down to Dalston and a tea break in the local caff. Bought pump connector in a splendid little bike grotto with a great character out the back fixing a mountain bike. Looks like a bike graveyard says I, no, more a bike rehab centre says he. And the pump connector, 'a round pound'.

On through Carlisle and not long after, The Scottish Border. Decided to go for some really original shots of the famous sign. Martin took the pics, where was Tony?? Off on a solo sightseeing tour again.


Then a short hop to Gretna Green where, would you believe, a wedding was taking place. This is a rare occurrence, only happens seven times a day.



Back in the saddle after a sumptuous lunch at the van, and 30 miles of fast cycling lanes beside the M74. Just a bit bumpy, make that another continuous bone shaking. Brief stop at Lockerbie for more tea. Then on to Moffat.

Arrived at Moffat at 5.15 to be greeted by yet another smiley landlady, armed with washing basket for the sweaty kit. Sorting out seven people's items will be interesting tomorrow. Superb bedroom and straight into a steaming hot shower, bliss.