When we first woke up this morning, our hearts dropped. The wind was literaly howling round the B&B, and the cloud was right down low over Loch Eriboll, the mountains had disappeared from view!
But the ride had to go on. An excellent breakfast, we can highly recommend the B&B, was enjoyed before we set off. We set off with all the weather proofs on, the wind and rain in our faces as we headed on down Loch Eriboll. My Dad has decided I’m quite mad, as I found a certain peverse joy in battling the elements and enjoying the full wildness that you only find in the North Scotland.
As soon as we turned the corner at the end of the Loch, however, the experience changed. The wind was now at our backs and continued to be for most of the rest of the ride. Unfortunately, this made no difference to the gradient of the hills, and shortly after leaving Loch Eriboll, we started up a 1 in 6 gradient in parts for almost 5 miles of climbing. I was quite pleased that I managed to keep pedalling all the way up.
The scenery today has continued to be spectacular with wild moorlands, a view of deer again at the side of the road, and crossing the causeway at Tongue.
We’ve finished up our ride at Reay, famous for the fast breeder reactor. Another great little B&B find, the Linkside, who even rustled us up some tea as there was nowhere in the village to eat.
Tomorrow we ride to John O Groats, and then on “round the corner” to Wick the start of the last leg of our journey down the East coast. We may well be passed by a large number of cyclists heading in the other direction doing the Deloitte Ride Accross Britain. It will make a change from today, when we haven’t seen any other cyclists.
Ride Stats
Started: 11 Jun 2010 10:13:14
Ride Time: 5:29:52
Stopped Time: 1:37:25
Distance: 53.41 miles
Average: 9.71 miles/hr
Fastest Speed: 41.29 miles/hr
Climb: 3491 feet