Alison and Alison and the art of re-tyrement

Distance 60.4 miles Ascent 1008 metres Seaview Hotel John O’Groats Our last day. We started and finished the ride in rain. Well it has been quite a year. Have cycled over 2,600 miles in all kinds of weather. Experiences have been shared with friends old and new and there has been a lot of fun…

Distance 45.7 miles Ascent 542.8 metres Our penultimate day. We make our way through the Highlands, along the banks of Loch Naver to the coast. A 30 mile cycle. We can polish that off before coffee time now. What hills? We are proper cyclists. Or thought we were until another group of LEGOGers arrived at…

Distance 59.25 miles Ascent 786 metres It happens to the best of us. We followed our guide out of Inverness and into an industrial estate. Round the estate, out, back in again and out again. The cycle path had been rerouted but Peter found the way out for a spectacular ride along the banks of…

Distance 56.1 miles Ascent 881.8 metres A lot to see on our journey today. It was a day of Scottish history and famous landmarks. Onward through the Highlands tomorrow. Not so keen on the word ‘high’. Will endeavour not to hold the whole group up by leaving iPad and toiletries in my room tomorrow. Oh…

Distance 60.1 miles Ascent 1684 metres Midge report: no bites. The possibilities are that both Smidge and Jungle Juice work, we are cycling too fast for them to catch and bites us, unfavourable weather conditions or they don’t find me attractive. Happy with any of these alternatives. Will continue with the investigation. Our bed for…

Distance 39.4 miles Ascent 715 metres A relaxed ride in sunny weather through the glorious Scottish countryside. We are in midge country. Jungle juice v Smidge. Yesterday decided to do a controlled trial. Jungle juice one side of the body and Smidge on the other. Result no bites. The 16mph winds may have been more…

Distance 57.33 miles Ascent 974.8 metres

A rest day with no cycling. Walking 8 miles The promise of a laundrette fell through as two machines were broken. First job of the day was to catch up on the washing. I have previous experience of drying facilities but have to admire John’s new airing cupboard technique. Hang wet clothes in wardrobe, put…

Distance 83 miles Ascent 1928 metres Radu our guide says if it is not on Strava it didn’t happen. No one believes my Strava statistics. My top speed yesterday was recorded as 52 miles/hour. It is on Strava so it did happen. There is a general belief that my Strava is inaccurate. Tosh of course.…

Distance 62.1 miles Ascent 1461.5 metres Time for bed. We have an 80 mile ride tomorrow. Good night