Day 6 - 29th May

Edinburgh - Galashiels (40 miles)
Today I paid the price for yesterdays comments as I was soaked to the skin by the constant rain! I decided that today was a 'lets just get there' kind of day so I did very little appreciating of the scenary or local attractions. However, I would like to show my appreciation for 2 things: -
1) I needed some essentials repairs to the bike this am and Derek at Blackhall cycles in Edinburgh was a star! He replaced the bottom bracket on the bike and was a great source of advice. He is one of those fantastic mechanics that will do anything to help and allows you to take an interest in what he is doing.
2) The staff at the 'Laird and Dogs' Hotel who gave me a warm welcome, some pale ale, a lovely steak pie, useful route tips and some money for Macmillan. I could have stayed there all day!
For those who have shown an interest in how I am keeping the blog updated I am using a combination of internet cafes, friends and family (who I have stayed with) and Lucy who posted my first day's news after we spoke that evening. No high tech gadgets.

Day 5 - 28th May

Dunkeld - Edinburgh (68 miles)
Today took me through the lush green countryside of Perthshire (see photo).
Perth itself is somewhere I could easily have spent all day. It has a sense of history and grandeur about it. Sadly a sandwich stop was all I could manage with another 50 miles ahead of me.
Eventually I linked up with National Cycle Network Route 1 (NCN1) fondly known as 'Coasts and Castles'. NCN1 is the longest NCN route and took me smoothly through Dunfermline, accross the Forth bridge and in to Edinburgh. Cycling is well supported up here in Scotland and I was impressed by how many comuters I saw on my way into the city centre, all with there own versions of the very stylish 'High Visability' gear us cyclists choose to adorn ourselves with.
Now I am making my way through more populated areas I have found that having a touring bike is a bit like having a baby in a buggy. Suddenly, everyone feels its OK to chat to you and ask you about your bike trip. I particularly enjoyed one toddlers successful attempt to engage me in a conversation about his new bike and how it compared to mine whilst we were at a pedestrian crossing, all to the amusement of his mother.

Lastly I would like to mention that it has remained dry and fairly sunny for me over the last 2 days and from the variety of depressing text messages I have recieved, am I right in thinking that I'm the lucky one? Who'd have thought it eh! You're all welcome to join me if you want. I'll await the replies.

Day 4 - 27th May

Newtonmore to Dunkeld (54 miles)
I'm sure I will look back on today as a highlight in many ways.
The Highlands continued to impress their grandeur on me. After a climb up to Dromochter pass (approx 1600 ft and pictured here) a magnificent view opened out before me. And of course whatever goes up, must come down - Yipee!!
The sun chose to shine on me most of the day which always lifts the spirits.
The legs felt like they were beginning to develop some stamina and my back and bum provided me with no problems despite many hours in the saddle.
Tomorrow the beautiful city of Edinburgh awaits me with the prospect of being greated by some of my family (aunt, uncle and cousins) and not having to sleep under canvas.

Day 3 - 26th May

Inverness - Newtonmore (61 miles)
After a long and wet climb out of Inverness the sun came out and the landscape transformed into snow covered mountain tops and beautiful glens and lochs. Sustrans have worked really hard on this bit of route and so most of it was traffic free or on very minor roads. On a bike is definitely a fine way to enjoy the tranquility of this part of the country.

A fine meal awaited me in Kingussie. They served me my huge plate of pasta with a side order of chips and potatoes. Talk about having carbs with your carbs. Either they knew I was cycling a long way or my reputation preceeds me!

Day 2 - 25th May

Helmsdale - Inverness (73 miles)

I got chatting to the owner of the Bannockburn Inn in Helmsdale last night as she kindly agreed to do me a plate of chips and cheese with a ham toastie despite it being long gone 10pm. They are keen Macmillan supporters and have an interesting approach. Whenever anyone looses at pool they have to put 50p minimum in the Macmillan pot before they have a cigarette and another game of pool. Apparently its very successful. A kind of insurance policy I guess.

Today was another long day punctuated by emotional highs and lows. When my legs were aching and the hail was lashing into my face I felt a deep despair and was close to getting the train to Inverness. Thankfully there were moments on quiet and flat country roads in the sunshine when I felt like I could cycle forever. That probably comes as no surprise but I was struck by the extremes of the emotional rollercoaster and the speed of the ride. I'm sure these highs and lows are familiar to anyone who partakes in endurance sports but as someone who doesn't they were quite challenging.

The picture is of the Moray Firth that was my companion for the first half of the day.

Loch Fleet and Cromarty Firth are much more gentle than some of yesterdays landscapes. Much of the area (and particularly the Black Isle) are very fertile and so there is a patchwork landscape comparable to the rolling hills of the south of England but combined with the beauty of the the lochs and firths.

Tomorrow I head for the highlands with a distillary around every corner! Good job really because there is a distinct lack of real ale (or anything that resembles it) up here.

Day 1- 24th May

Wick - John O Groats - Thurso - Melvich - Helmsdale (95 miles)
Despite the almost constant heavy grey cloud and fine rain (yes, it was 'that fine rain' that gets you really wet!), it was a fantastic day. Somehow it seems appropriate to experience this bleak and windswept landscape in less than ideal weather conditions, as it is part of what has made it the way it is. I have not visited this part of the country before and am struck by both the harshness of it's geography and the warmth of it's people.
This will probably be the longest ride of this trip and I am tired but very satisfied.

The Big Ride!

In 4 days time I will be leaving for a John O'Groats to Lands End bike ride.

I will be travelling up by train and will be cycling most of it alone carrying all my gear with me. I am camping most of the way but do have a few friends to stay with en route.

I think this is going to be a fantastic time of meeting people, seeing places and taking some time out to reflect on life.

As you will see from my profile, I have an interest in 'End of Life Care' and I am raising money for Macmillan Cancer Support. I am hoping that my interactions with people along the way may give me an insight into how people feel about dying. Dying comes to us all but in the UK it is rarely talked about and I am always interested in why this is and how we can change that.

If you want to know more about the work of Macmillan Cancer Support then visit their site at www.macmillan.org

I am hoping to post regularly onto this blog during my trip so do keep an eye on it.

Here is my planned itinerary: -

May 23 Travel up to Wick (nearest train stop to John O’Groats)
May 24 John O’Groats to Brora
May 25 Brora to Inverness
May 26 Inverness to Newtonmore
May 27 Newtonmore to Dunkeld
May 28 Dunkeld to Edindurgh
May 29 Edinburgh to Galashiels
May 30 Galashiels to Longtown
May 31 Longtown to Thirlmere
June 1 Thirlmere to Lancaster
June 2 + 3 Rest days
June 4 Lancaster to Appley Bridge
June 5 Appley Bridge to Ellesmere
June 6 Ellesmere to Bishops Castle
June 7 Bishops Castle to Llanthony
June 8 Llanthony to Bristol
June 9 Bristol to Cheddar
June 10 Cheddar to Cullompton
June 11 Cullompton to Davidstow
June 12 Davidstow to St Agnes
June 13 St Agnes to Lands End

Thanks to everyone who is supporting me with sponsorship or company and shelter en route.
If you wish to sponsor me and haven't had chance yet then send a cheque (payable to 'Macmillan Cancer Support') to:-

Macmillan fundraising team
Room CP01
Level C
Rotherham General Hospital
Moorgate Rd
Rotherham
S60 2UD

And if you want to 'Giftaid' your donation then include a slip of paper with your name, address and the statement ''Please Giftaid this donation''

Watch this space!