We took it very easy today, not by choice as we hoped to stage an even couple of days, but with the camping predicament yesterday we were left with little or no option.

The route started at the Craven Arms and then we encountered a number of inclines through Ludlow, Leominster, Hereford, Callow, Kingsthorne, St Weonards and Llancloudy. We then passed into Wales and through Buckholt, Dixton and Monmouth, where we diverted out to Dingestow.

We arrived at camp Dingestow quite early in the day and were greeted by my Uncle Paul, I’m very lucky with family and friends, he’s a great relative and a very good friend and in some ways helped forge my career. When I was a mere tadpole I remember visiting places where he worked with my Dad, and he would simply create the most delicious culinary delights out of what seemed like thin air, ten minutes of gentle mixing, stirring and baking, and out would pop the most incredible dishes. I was always amazed by the feat and wanted to emulate him. Paul and my Aunty Sue are great company and my gang always enjoy spending time with them, nothing is ever an issue, they love kids and are always easy going.

Anyway, we arrived and he whacked on a brew, some bacon and within minutes we were scoffing a double helping of sandwiches, and yes they were delicious. I spent a little time on my bike, servicing the brakes, gears and chain, things start to loosen after seven hundred miles or so. After servicing the bike I started on my knee and achilles, I’d been doing the daily rub with deep heat but gave it a severe massaging to stimulate the healing process, it hurt but I’d benefit later.

With the afternoon off we piled into Paul’s car and experienced the exhilerating phenomenon of driving fast again, it was great going at forty plus but the route we had riden took only seconds in the car, and it made me feel a little dejected. We popped to the local Waitrose to stock up on provisions, with staples acquired we returned to camp.

The last camper van had moved and we had finally cleared the corner we were based in, not even the kids were riding passed us now, time to clean my kit I think.

We enjoyed a sumptuous pasta meal and copious amounts of fluid, and completely obliterated I hit my pit and snored for Britain.

Distance cycled 56 miles.

Time 5 hours 24 minutes.

Heart rate average 116 beats per minute.

Calorie expenditure 2,864.

Fat percentage of energy during exercise 55%.

We left late in the morning and headed back to Ayr, only three miles, it seems that everything around Ayr is three miles away even if it is ten miles away, anyway, we headed out east on the A70 which is a peaked road running across the lowlands towards Cumnock. We stopped for a brew and chat with the locals before heading south again alongside the River Nith to Dumfries. From Dumfries we endured the rain and diverted to Lochmaben near Lockerbie where we camped for the night.

Distance cycled 71 miles.

Time 8 hours 26 minutes.

Heart rate average 119 beats per minute.

Calorie expenditure 4,703.

Fat percentage of energy during exercise 55%.

We left around 07:30 and headed up through a valley ascent to the Black Mount range, at a height of around twelve hundred feet this was the highest by far. The views were just stunning, numerous rocky out crops cutting through flat and open heathland, quite windy but worth the effort. The route continued south through the Bridge of Orchy and Crainlarich where we stopped briefly for the best meal so far, a bacon roll and chips, courtesy of platform 1 and 2 of Crianlarich station.

The next stage took us south west through Glen Falloch, Inverarnan, Ardlui, Inveruglas and Tarbet. This route was particularly nice, steady progress was made along Loch Lomond and I remembered to say ‘Hello’ and wave at Peter and Julie in Kinlochard near Aberfoyle.

I enjoyed the next stage along Loch Long which was not only quiet and gently undulating but it was also very very scenic. At the next water break I then joking remarked about a make believe hill just after Arddaroch and short of Portincaple, which unfortunately came true and nearly exhausted all three of us. The following stage was watered down, literally, with a rain soaked approach alongside Gare Loch to Kilcreggan.

We jumped on the ferry to Gourock where we had one of the best Indian’s ever, totally sodden we were not only brought in from the cold and wet but also all our bikes and clobber. Very gracious hosts who made us feel very welcome and fed us with delight, such nice people the Scots.

We then got a little long sighted, tunnel vision and clouded judgement mean’t the stage to Largs became a desperate race to Troon. This took us along the A78 through West Kilbride, Saltcoats, Irvine, Prestwick and eventually Ayr, because we miss understood the distances and couldn’t bed find camping facilities anywhere between Troon and Ayr. We also lost our key maps on the A78 which also made things a little more difficult, but we pressed on regardless, and the dash ended happily enough at around 22:00. The reward was actually a great campsite with outstanding facilities.

Distance cycled 132 miles.

Time 13 hours 3 minutes.

Heart rate average 123 beats per minute.

Calorie expenditure 7,956.

Fat percentage of energy during exercise 50%.

I will forever remember this as William’s day. After consuming breakfast made by my friend Alex, I then beat him at Super Mario’s carting on my first attempt before we headed south west to Muir of Ord, Beauly, Milton and Drumnadrochit. This route took us through a hilly and twisty landscape with a glorious drop towards Castle Urquhart and Loch Ness. Our first soaking achieved now we stopped to enjoy the view and gather the usual snaps. The route along the loch was picturesque with numerous gentle inclines. We stopped at Invermoriston to make our brew and massage those aching limbs.

The next stage took us further south through Fort Augustus, Invergarry and Spean Bridge, this followed a glorious gorge between the two cavenous mountain sides. Very beautiful although we completed this stage in a downpour, totally soaked we pushed hard passed the Nevis Range and to Fort William.

We then enjoyed fish and chips, and more in some cases, before making a dash to Glencoe.

Distance cycled 90 miles.

Time 9 hours 59 minutes.

Heart rate average 126 beats per minute.

Calorie expenditure 6,450.

Fat percentage of energy during exercise 50%.

We woke at 04:00 and after washing consumed our breakfast of coffee, baked beans, maccaroni cheese and tuna, fantastic combination and helps to kick start the day. The kit packed we were finally ready to depart at 06:00.

We rode around for a little while until Mark was happy we had passed the official start line, but once we were off we were off.

We followed the western road from John O’Groats to Dunnet Head, the pace was good considering we hadn’t completed any training days together and we racked off mileage in good time. The roads themselves were of excellent quality considering the batterings they receive, smooth and consistent, nothing like the uneven dug up banded offerings I’m used to down south. The route north to Dunnet Head was very scenic, hilly and very misty. We arrived in good time and enjoyed what little we could see. We remarked that we could have been anywhere for the shot but it felt good to have achieved our first milestone.

The next stage took us west through Thurso, Scrabster, Dounreay and Strathy where we enjoyed a dead end situation requiring a minor reverse manoeuvre. We stopped for water and enjoyed the hilly landscape.

The following stage took us through Bettyhill, renamed by me to Mount Carb this eight mile stretch of mountain range seemed to go on forever, many false peaks and seemingly very few downward stretchs. Feeling a little energy deprived I urgently scoffed one whole packet of shortbread, Rachel’s present, but the lesson was learn’t and I kept my intake regulated from then on in, little and often was much better than my training methodology.

After stopping for food and coffee we approached the Kyle of Tongue and the route south through the highlands. This for me was simply magnificant and my kind of place, I’ve been here many times before but each time it takes my breath away, the previous hilly landscape is replaced with a more open mountainous and cavenous landscape, indipersed with lochs and forest. We then followed Loch Loyal to Altnaharra and Strath Bagastie for a long and slow ascent and descent through woodland and open heathland.

We passed Dalchork and arrived at Lairg where we stopped for replenishment. The cafe was next to a campsite we sourced for that night, the hostess fueled us with food and advised us on local history, places to see and go, and chatted to us about the next stage of the journey. This gave us a massive boost and made us realise we could actually achieve our next target Dingwall. Although it was getting on for time the next distance was really achievable, light remains long into the evening and we were feeling good. So egged on by our new friend we set off for Martin’s.

We passed the Falls of Shin through Inveran, Bonar Bridge and Ardgay where we diverted up Struie Hill to Aultnamain and Achandunie. This stage was quite windy and we dropped the pace slightly before passing a beautiful waterfall on the River Alness, this was followed by a lovely long downward stretch which took us out towards Dingwall. The three mile stretch from Evanton lead to another three, and another three to the best reception you could ever wish for, Martin’s family.

A scrumptious dinner later we were lubricated and firmly bedded for an evening of relaxation.

Distance cycled 150 miles.

Time 11 hours 40 minutes.

Heart rate average 146 beats per minute.

Calorie expenditure 10,224.

Fat percentage of energy during exercise 40%.

The day started full of anticipation, a cocktail of nerve’s and anxiety mean’t the day couldn’t be ‘the normal’.

I finished work early and completed my final kit checks. I had added a few extra’s to the kit list that week and changed a few more, and I’m glad I had as they were to prove extremely useful later. The kit list squared I had repacked my kit for the third time before finally sitting back to relax with a large brew.

The balance was perfect, an even distribution of weight front to rear and side to side, the pack training had proven itself and the now the bike was ready to roll.

With all in order at work and home my mind was focussed on the task at hand, I said my goodbye’s and made my way to the station for the journey to Euston, with bike rack in tow! An on time service mean’t I arrived a head of schedule and so I enjoyed a longer gentle walk through the city to the terminal.

I received a phone call at 18:30 from Mark stating that David had suffered a puncture on the way home from work, and may be slightly delayed, I described my location and waited for their arrival. At 20:45 they arrived and we made our way to platform 15 for the sleeper to Inverness.

We had prebooked and reserved three of the six bike spaces on the train, but this didn’t seem to make any difference as following our immediate loading, several others arrived requiring additional non existent space. Evading that issue we located our seats and stowed our kit in the baggage rails, we too were ready to roll.

The train left on time and we had a comfortable journey to Inverness, the seats reclined slightly and plenty of sleep was gained. We were one coach away from the buffet car and enjoyed several refreshments that evening and the following morning.