Day Zero To Day 02

Day 00 - The long way to the top!


6.30 the alarm sounds. It's Saturday the 28^th of April and this alarm call is waking me up so we can get up and go catch a plane. This is the first day of our John O'Groats to Lands End adventure after all, and later on we will be meeting the support crew (Mum and Dad) at Inverness airport. I drag myself out of bed, shower and then wake up Alex. I spent the day before largely faffing around the house making sure that everything is ready for our trip. Alex came back the day before and we had a wonderful and relaxing evening with Emma, and enjoyed a Roshni's curry sinking several beers (maybe followed by a few glasses of whisky).

Everything is going fine so far. I complete my final pre flight preparations before we leave the house. Are all the lights off... yes, are all the electrical appliances off... yes, are all the windows locked... yes, back doors locked... yes, are all the lights off, yes I know they are off but I had better check again. I'm slightly paranoid when it comes to these things! We get to the station and everything seems to be going OK until we get to Clapham Junction. The train to Gatwick simply doesn't arrive and then seems to disappear from the information boards. After 15 worrying minutes, the train eventually leaves London Victoria late, and we are back on out way again.

Beer and cooked breakfast in the morning... champion!

Our first port of call at Gatwick, the duty free! A few bottles of whisky later it's off to the Whetherspoons where Alex and I tuck into a cooked breakfast and a few pints of London Pride, and why not? We are after all going on holiday! More disaster befalls us when the plane gets parked at the wrong gate, and we are finally called towards the plane 20 minutes before it's supposed to take off. It's raining in Gatwick, really raining heavily. Oh I hope it doesn't rain like this on us on the ride.

It's rather minging at Gatwick

Meeting Mum and Dad at Inverness we are pleasantly surprised to see that the weather in Scotland is really rather good. Sun, some cloud, and a mild breeze coming from the north east (yes that's right folks, that's wind on our backs). We stock up on booze at Majestic and it's onwards and upwards to John O'Groats in the van. Despite how far north Inverness is, it's still a good three hours to get to the top. We pass Dingwall, the Dalmore distillery, the Glenmorangie distillery, and mile upon mile of breathtaking scenery.

The roads closed. On approach to Wick, we find ourselves diverted down a single track road with sporadic passing spaces. A queue of traffic builds up behind us, and as we approach on-coming traffic on numerous occasions we find ourselves unable to move on account of the stupidity of other motorists. Still we eventually get there.

John O'Groats is quiet, and there isn't much to say about it as there isn't really anything here. We are sitting in the van looking out over the North Sea, with views of the Orkney Islands and Scapa Flow. We have had dinner, and as we sit here I am thinking of the adventure to come over the next few weeks whilst Dad and Alex are pouring over the maps and route instructions. We have many many miles to cover in the saddle, but I feel no nervousness as this is simply a wonderful evening, and I hope for more like this. I can't wait to start!

Sunset over John O'Groats

Day 01 - John O'Groats to the Crask Inn

Alex and I are woken up this morning by the sunshine beaming in through the tent. A good sign indeed. Better when Alex opens the tent to have a look outside and he can't even see a cloud in the sky. Certainly a very good sign considering that back home it's torrential rain and by the sounds of things near gale force winds! With barely a hint of a breeze in the air we pack up, have breakfast and get ready. When Alex and I are ready to go, everyone heads down to the seafront. Mum and Dad armed with cameras, Alex and I with our bicycles. It's time to start our 1050 mile ride south. 

Team Parsons all kitted up

With not too much fanfare (as there is very little that John O'Groats has to offer) we set off at 8.50 am. The ride out of John O'Groats is relatively straightforward. In fact it's one of the easiest in terms of route finding, with only one page of instructions. Turning right opposite the Seaview Hotel in John O'Groats the coastal road pretty much takes us all the way to Bettyhill. With the exception of a few traffic lights at Thurso, there are no junctions or turns to worry us at all. The views are breathtaking and the road only undulating moderately (i.e. still some hills to irritate the legs). The only major hills to worry us mind are on the approach to Bettyhill. As Mum and Dad eventually pass us in the van at about the 40 mile mark, Alex and I hit the first major climb, passing two girls near the bottom who are riding a tandem. It's getting hot in the sun so Alex and I are having to strip off the layers (and yes believe it or not put on sun block).

Alex and Stuart depart after lunch

At 47 miles we meet Mum and Dad for lunch. A sandwich and a cup of hot chocolate later we depart down a quick decent into Bettyhill where we swing south and take the road inland towards Altnahara and the Crask Inn. We have to get to 600 feet, so over the next 30 miles we gradually ascend upwards through some of the most remote terrain in northern Scotland. Mum and Dad catch us again on the outskirts of Altnahara, where they agree to meet us at our destination. On the way out of Altnahara we have about 8 miles to do to the Crask Inn, and annoyingly some quite steep hills to ascend. 

I know that I am getting tired and I can tell that Alex is too, as both of us are very quiet by this stage, no longer saying much. Another tell-tale sign is when a rider steps up in the pedals more often to try and get comfortable in the saddle. I see Alex doing it and I am too. Thankfully it's not far to go. We top the last hill, and we know we have barely a mile left to go. We are somewhat crestfallen when we see another hill in the distance with the road snaking over it and no sign of the Crask Inn. No need to worry though as a few hundred yards later we see the Crask Inn ahead of us, merely hidden down a dip in the hill. 

Surveying the hill ahead - at Altnahara

Looks like they won something? 80 miles done!

Mum and Dad are there in the road cameras in hand. It's time to shower change and eat (and drink beer!) As it turns out the two girls on the tandem that we met earlier have had difficulties with their bike, and Mum and Dad went to the rescue and are holding their heavy kit so they don't have to carry it. They arrive at the Crask Inn an hour or so later, grateful for the support. In the Inn later on over dinner we enjoy a wonderful evening of food, drink and conversation. They are also doing John O'Groats to Lands End in the same time that we are, so hopefully we will meet up on the way down. Who knows there might even be a glass of Champagne for them at the finish too!

Day 02 - Crask Inn to Dingwall

It's still sunny this morning, but by the time we have had breakfast there are some rather dark clouds looming towards the south, the direction that we are planning on going. We set off bidding farewell to our new friends (whom hopefully we will meet again on the way down) and ride towards the horrible looking weather.

Leaving the Crask Inn - the most remote pub in the UK

Onwards and upwards... into the rain! :(

The road south of the Crask Inn is relatively merciful in descent, however there are plenty of logging trucks using this single track road. If you see one coming, you have to get out the way fast as they don't take prisoners! Thankfully we get to Bonnar Bridge unscathed where we cross the river and head to the other side of the valley. It's not raining yet, but as we ascend the painfully steep and long ascent up via The Struie the first few rain-drops start to fall. Thankfully we meet the van at the top and get a chance to have a cake and hot chocolate as we shelter inside out of the rain. We only have 20 miles left to do at this point, but the rain is not easing up so we have to don our waterproofs and get pedalling.

There are a few more ascents to do but nothing as big as the first climb up The Struie. Certainly a small consolation to our current predicament. As the rain hammers down mind you it is somewhat depressing. I muse to myself to stop complaining and keep pedalling. Eventually we arrive in Dingwall and meet up with the van at the campsite. After a welcome shower we get the chance to get some laundry done and then have lunch, tea and a slice of Emma's Cake (which is delicious, thank you Emma). If there is time this afternoon we will be off to the Dalmore distillery, and then off to the pub down the road to see the footie. Another day finished and a little bit closer to Lands End! 

Cheers