Monday 26 July 2010
Friday 23 July 2010
And suddenly it was over
The final day - and true to form it was a good little challenge. 6am
up and out to change the pedals on marie's bike so I could wear my
cleats - but I could not get them off. A guy sharing the room who
writes travel reviews - nice fella - grabbed his bike and was off -
cue some swearing and competitve nature getting to me. So I set off on
the dream ride - a 1980's ridgeback, full pannier's, front and back
mudguards, bell and handlebar basket - I looked like postman pat but
slower -the old girl did not like the hills. I cycled bare feet - my
cleats kept slipping off so I couldn't get any power through. I'd been
told there were some climbs out of helmsdale - which was an
understatement - it was a brutal 35 miles made worse by the fact I
couldn't put the seat any higher so my knees were bent and swelling by
the minute. The scenery on the way was impressive - the sea glistening
in bright sunshine - while I couldn't help buy think what do people do
who live up here? There are no shops, garages or industry - there
seemed to be a lot of people fiddling with their houses, mowing lawns
etc - but nothing that makes Money - it really looked as if
subsistence living is still alive up here. The houses are so small too
- and spaced at about 1 to every 2 fields.
up and out to change the pedals on marie's bike so I could wear my
cleats - but I could not get them off. A guy sharing the room who
writes travel reviews - nice fella - grabbed his bike and was off -
cue some swearing and competitve nature getting to me. So I set off on
the dream ride - a 1980's ridgeback, full pannier's, front and back
mudguards, bell and handlebar basket - I looked like postman pat but
slower -the old girl did not like the hills. I cycled bare feet - my
cleats kept slipping off so I couldn't get any power through. I'd been
told there were some climbs out of helmsdale - which was an
understatement - it was a brutal 35 miles made worse by the fact I
couldn't put the seat any higher so my knees were bent and swelling by
the minute. The scenery on the way was impressive - the sea glistening
in bright sunshine - while I couldn't help buy think what do people do
who live up here? There are no shops, garages or industry - there
seemed to be a lot of people fiddling with their houses, mowing lawns
etc - but nothing that makes Money - it really looked as if
subsistence living is still alive up here. The houses are so small too
- and spaced at about 1 to every 2 fields.
Reached Wick at 11am in serious pain - so stopped at the local bike
shop - and although he didn't hire out bikes I managed to talk the
owner into lending me his for a couple hours. Wick is a very strange
village which is dominated by bakery's - all sellingthe exact same
stuff. Copious amounts of make up is also not an option here but a
necessity.
12 miles to go - various little villages came and went with one
sticking out - positioned next to an oil refinery, where clearly the
wealthy riggers were investing in property - unlike the locals , some
of whom seem to live in converted sheds. The last rise was pretty
uneventful until I saw the 3 mile sign and after a 300 metre climb
crossed the brow of the hill and could see John o Groats and the
islands beyond - it could not have been sunnier. No sobs of joy, just
a good feeling and certain amount of relief! I was gutted not to still
be on my bike - the last few miles were perfect cycling terrain - but
also that it got me so far and would have made the trip if I hadn't
rode it like a mountain bike. Had the photo taken ( it was good to see
fearne cotton had been there ), had a chat with some people about
their trips and next plans - saw a bus and was away - 10 minutes all
done.
Reflection will come In time I'm sure but all very muddled right now -
like it seems strange it's Friday.
Train back to Helmsdale - which even though only 30 miles away takes
1hr40 - fish and chips then 8am train to Inverness before 9.40 am
Sunday train home
All in an incredible 7 days I will never forget
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Winterbotham Darby & Co Ltd
Thursday 22 July 2010
Helmsdale - by the Skin of my teeth
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
This email and any attachments may be confidential and/or subject to copyright or other intellectual property right protection. If you are not the intended recipient of the email, you are not permitted to use or disclose any information contained in the email or any attachments and we request you notify the sender and delete both the email and any attachments. Thank you.
Winterbotham Darby & Co Ltd
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
This email and any attachments may be confidential and/or subject to copyright or other intellectual property right protection. If you are not the intended recipient of the email, you are not permitted to use or disclose any information contained in the email or any attachments and we request you notify the sender and delete both the email and any attachments. Thank you.
Winterbotham Darby & Co Ltd
Wednesday 21 July 2010
all maps now uploaded for last 4 days
you can see the incline of yesteday over the top......leaving now to get breakfast in Inverness @ 9.30
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