The Other End - John O'Groats.

The end of this ride for Big C was just 17 miles away.  An easy morning as John and Anne were on their way from their overnight stop at Pitlochry.  It was all a question of timing.    The legs felt good and on retrieving the bike from the garage it had no punctures. That did not seem right. No problem to solve.  The Norseman breakfast was as full as you could want it to be.      I needed new footwear and decided I would stop at Tesco on the way to John O'Groats.  

The bike packed up with ease and I got on my way in good time.   17 miles is still a good bike ride to complete.  The legs were in fine fettle.  So off I went on the  A99 towards the final goal.    Tesco duly delivered an identical pair of trainer shoes but in Wick they were twice the price I had paid in The Diss Tesco before catching the train to Penzance just over two weeks ago.       The old pair were binned and I felt  would now be looking my very best at JOG.       In touch with the recovery team had them about 90 minutes away.    I decided to make my way to the end and hold off to ensure that there would be no problems.  Knowing my luck of late! 

 

Whilst mostly flat there were one or two little hills to get the legs going.    I had hoped that I would find a cafe to stop and have a a drink.  Once again, no cafe.   I diverted off the main road and made my way through a couple of villages to use up a little time.  I stopped, on the coast,  went down to the beach.  No facilities in the village.  There was a telephone box but even this was a little run down.   

The sun was out but a chilly northerly breeze was blowing so I decided to move on the bicycle a little closer.   I waited on a side road until I knew that John and Anne were at the End and then rode in to the finish and a great welcome.   What a drive they had made to be there.  So kind of them to come all this way to fetch me.

After a good few photographs  taken at the official end of the "End to End" it was time to pack the machine away in the car ready for the journey south and home.    A small number of trinkets were purchased and the opportunity for a coffee taken.    A short debate took place on whether we were at the correct place for the end of the ride.     What we knew was we were at the official end of the ride. 

Just behind my right shoulder it is possible to see the sign post for John O' Groats.  I resisted the temptation to pay the high fee to have my picture  taken there.     Anne had produced a great banner and we have pictures to put up later on the blog.  

With all pictures taken it was time to head south. With a steady run back down the cycle  route we made it a little way past Aviemore  to Columba House Hotel at Kingussie.   We have John A to thank for locating this hotel for us although when we rang for service from ride control he had decided to step down from his post.    Within minutes he was back to us with a place to stay. Lovely hotel under new management, a couple from South Africa.   Rooms perfect and the dinner also of a high standard.   Very reasonable price too.   If you are ever this way try this hotel.

I would like to thank everybody who has supported this sponsored  ride in memory of Shirley with all funds donated going to the Big C Centre at Norwich Hospital.      I do not know what the final figure raised  will be. I will report back very shortly on this blog site.  If you have donated please accept my sincere thanks.  It will mean so much to people who need Big C  Centre.  Shirley and I did now know we would need the Big C Centre until we did and it was there for us both.   It is a great cause please encourage others to help by donating.  A little is a lot and it all adds up. 

The ride could not have taken place without much support from my family and friends.  John and Anne who have been there throughout and there at the end of the ride to bring me home.   Naomi, Joseph and Thomas who have helped out with training and with the blog and giving sites.   Stephen and Polly who tracked me down on day one and gave me a bed for the night and a lovely meal at the  end of day three.   John and Debbie for their perfect hospitality on the first weekend and for "Ride Control" throughout.  Richard Durrant for joining the ride for three days and spurring me on.  To Chris and Lou and family for diverting so far out of their way to find us on the road at Burton on Trent.  Andy for joining me for dinner at Chesterfield  and my two brothers who came to ride with me into Leeds where I stayed with my son Joseph and Louise, his wife.          There were also so many messages and calls of support on the blog and by text and telephne and I thank you all very very much.