Day 17: Helmsdale to John O'Groats (Thank you)

Alan - What can I say apart from thank you. I wasn't really sure what to write in this post. The more I thought about it the more it started to seem like an Oscar acceptance speech. In the end I decided that I should just stick to the point and talk cycling (I have a feeling at this point that everyone is pressing PgDn to get to Matt or Elayne's section ).

A few people at the beginning of the holiday asked what weather I would like. The strange thing was that I didn't want perfect cycling weather (not too hot, dry, very light breeze) instead I wanted a complete mix and that is what we got (The moral is be careful what you wish for). Down south we got burned (see the stripy blog), in Bath the heavens opened (see blog), on Rannoch Moor, the full works which in my opinion left only one thing which was a full on head wind. The wind was pretty strong yesterday, but today it was mad. The day started with good old fashioned hills. The plus point was that when going up you were shieilded from the wind by the hill, but then coming down the other side you had to cycle just as much to keep moving. After 15 miles of hills, I was told that it flattened out which on any other day would be great. Today this was just an opportunity for the wind to really get a hold of you. Just keeping the bike moving forwards was an effort, whilst at the same time fighting to keep on a straight line. Then on one stretch I manged to get to 13 mphwhen a gust of wind grabbed the bike and said No! and I came to a sudden stop,

I got to lunch at about 22 miles in and met with Matt and Elayne had a sandwich and set off. I decided then that it was time to just get finished. The next 32 miles were a case of just grinding out the miles watching them tick away on the cycle computer. Only stopping to put my jacket on when the rain got too much or take it off when the rain stopped for a minute. With 6 miles to go, the final climb started and went on and on and finally with 3 miles to go I crested the top of the hill and as met by the sight of the Orkneys .... fantastic. Took the bike up into top gear put my head down and set off downhill into the wind and rain into JoG. Going at full pelt putting in all the strength I had using every gear I managed to get over 16mph, pathetic. If I had stopped I'm sure I would have been blown back up hill and most of the way to Land's End (If there are ever the promised south westerly winds, people must sprint to the finish and find themselves across on Stroma before they realise.). An eternity later I arrived. Then realised that the end was further on, got there, was directed towards the sign by Matt and Elayne and fell off. After all these miles I didn't wamt to disappoint my loyal audience.

So that's it. Not yet for the blog since we want to write a few summary blogs and post some more photos in the next couple of weeks, but that is it for the ride. Would I do it again. Yes. Not the same route, but I would. I will also be revisiting various parts of the country and would recommend it to everyone. If you can afford the time, do it over a longer period and use the extra time to see more of this great country.

Finaly, I will spend a couple of lines thanking everyone for all the calls, comments, emails, sponsorship (we can't check from here but apparently it's gone up massively), support along the route,champagne at the end (hic), cakes and everything. So now the question is what next ... ouch !! .... I've just been hit.

Matt- Well an odd day for me. It was great to make it from one end of the country to the other even though I could not finish on my bike. The sight of the Orkney's appearing as we crested the last hill was fantastic.

I did enjoy being out of the wind and rain in the car and to see Alan cross the line after all the effort against the wind today was fantastic..

I would like to add my thanks to everyone for their support, comments , texts, emails and of course sponsorship. It really helped me get through the days when the cycling was tough i.e. hilly..

Many thanks to Elayne for her excellent support and help. Particularly when I need ed to visit the hospitals. We could not have done the trip without her.

Finally thanks to Alan for persuding me that this trip was a good idea. It really was great and I have enjoyed the challange and I would reccomend it as fantastic way to see the UK.

I will be back to fill in the gaps on the bike and maybe add in a trip to Orkney to round things off.

Elayne: Final B&B report. Sea View Hotel has not ever heard of customer service. Think they could do with some training. I guess I could offer to do it when we come back with Matt. Checking in was a bit of an effort and getting someone to open the champagne (thanks very much, greatly appreciated!) took forever.. Room is OK, but small, and shower tray installed the wrong way round, so it fills with water and overflows when you have a shower. There is a suggestions box in reception, which might not be big enough.

Matt is now asleep in the bar. Neither he nor Alan have mentioned our new friends - met Ian today and Matt and I did a sideways trip to Wick to try to find him a new tyre, without success. Note to fellow end to enders, do not have anything wrong with your bike when you get to Wick, as the only bike shop still there is mostly a toy shop and completely useless.

We also met Eric and Robert, two lovely cyclists from around Manchester, who are due to finish tomorrow. Also watched another cycllist finish, who's done the trip on his own in just 10 days - amazing!

Time for bed now. Sorry we haven't called everybody - have tried everywhere in the hotel to get a signal without success, but will catch up with you all tomorrow when we start the journey south. Will be in Edinburgh tomorrow night and then travelling home on Wednesday.