Set off from aviemore 7.30 looking forward to the gentle downhill
cruise to Inverness - or not - as it's 25 miles continual climb until
a 2 mile drop into town. The knees do not like the cold one but while
in my head down state I missed that the flip flops had fallen off the
back - so I now have cycle shoes only. Quick stop in Inverness which
seems quite nice - asked at the train station if any bike space for
Sunday had become available - No and they won't take it unless it's
fully broken down and bagged.
The sun came out and spirits were high - looking forward to the
amazing views I'd heard so much about - it is incredible in the
majority. An hour in and just passing invergordon when the fun started
- spoke 1 going as I swerved a pot hole - I'd been here before and
didn't like it! Stopped at a garage asking for a bike shop- they told
me it was 7 miles back so I decided to bash on..........until 1 mile
later another went and the wheel buckled - so much that the wheel
wouldn't turn - que panic stations. Carried the bike half a mile back
to a pub where Despite walking in in full Lycra, camel toe the lot,
the lady was so helpful. She told me of a legendary local man in his
70's who is renowned for doing 50 miles a day on his bike - he used to
also have a repair shop 7 miles back. I tried calling his number but
it was disconnected, then tried the shop in his village and they
hadn't seen him so took a chance, left the bike at the pub, took the
back wheel and got a lift with a lady who had been lunching in the pub
and took me to his door. His name is Kenny Ross and I was in luck -
his original flying Scotsman roadbike was outside and he was in the
garden - I'd heard he was slightly eccentric and perhaps he is - but
he's first and foremost one of lifes true gentlemen. His garagehas
piles of tyres, bikes, frames and a 100 year old vice - which he
didn't hesitate clamping my shimano wheel into. He's a craftsman -
knows his stuff but he had me in stitches - he was looking for a spoke
nipple in a tin with about 200 in - all different shapes and sizes -
but every time he found one that didn't fit, he'd just put it back in
the tin........then pull the same one out again about 5 mins later.
Anyway - eventually we had two dodgy old spokes in and he'd managed to
straighten the wheel. Said my goodbyes and tried my hand at hitch
hiking for the first time - with no success after 20 minutes I called
a cab for £8. I got back on the road and all seemed to be ok - with 55
miles to go I pushed on - obviously a little too hard as sure enough
the spoke I got in Perth went. Sounds a boring story but for sure
living it was worse. I really thought it may be over at this stage -
so close as well - but I wasnin the middle of nowhere and getting
cold. So I steadied and kept going - 15 miles later another one went
- unbelievable. The last 3 hours were done at 12.5 mph, weight on the
front handle bars, no swerving and watching the pot holes - I made it
to Helmsdale at 9.45pm. Helmsdale is like something out of Monarch of
the glen - i hope to get some good pics tomorrow.
My bike is done - I can't take it any further as it's making some
horrible scraping noises - but luckily marie, who runs the hostel, has
offered me her bike tomorrow - and the trip is saved. Off at 7am - 55
miles - I need some good luck please
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