Wheeling to Wick

It was quite murky and dull in Golspie in the morning.  It felt like it could rain.  The night before a heavy mist had rolled in off the sea.    A delightful breakfast with a full range of cereals and fruits in addition to a choice of cooked breakfast.  As usual I chose the poached eggs.   Free range i was assured. Done perfectly and served with a smile.    No time for hanging around as I wanted to be on the road by 08.30     As it happens I did not depart this little coastal village till after 10.00  as I once again had problems with the bike.   Rear puncture with the new tyre and tube.  Seemed  odd.    I took it out repaired it and inflated.  Packed the bike and then it went flat again.  Took the tube out and it had failed along the seam.  I know you are thinking that it is the operator at fault, maybe pinching the tube. But no.   The very kind hostess told me there was a shop in the village with a bike repair department Lindsays. I walked there to acquire new tubes to save on time. No problem and I returned and fixed it all up again.    Just about to mount the bike and yet another flat.  I decided to wheel the bike to the shop and get some expert advice. My own little knowledge was dangerous.    Very kind young man took off the back wheel and examined tyre and tube.  It turns out that the tube supplied by the Inverness shop was wrong for the size of wheel and tyre  and I was inflating the tube too much thereby bringing about a rupture each time.  A proper sized tube sorted the problem and I could get on my way in the diction of Wick.  As I was  a Lands End to JOG rider he refused to charge me for his time.   What kindness shown again.   I was looking forward to flat run to Wick.   As it turned out some of the steepest short hills were encountered on the route this morning where the rivers flowed into the sea.  

There was one which had the steepest section of road on the whole trip. Another long two mile sweeping hill was thrown in for good measure to keep me on my toes or peddles.    The good thing, no further problems with the bike. Conditions were overcast with a light but very chilly northerly breeze.

I feel I must warn others who may follow by cycle or car that there are few if any services on this section of the A9.   I was looking forward to a stop or two as distance was not an issue today.  Just the 50 miles to cover. Nothing appeared around any corner and it was a dry old journey. Once into Caithness the mountains gave way to flatter terrain and an undulating road through to Wick. Eventually I found a tea room at Laidhay Craft Museum.  The lady was happy to serve us, I say us, as I had been joined for the stop by a cyclist going the other way, but we would have to sit outside as she was fully booked for lunch.   There is a business opportunity here for someone.   Following a cup of tea and a scone,  I wished the other cyclist a successful journey and got on my way with Wick a further 18 miles away.  It was time to speak with ride control and John A who was able to find me a hotel in Wick.   He secured a room at the Norseman, Wick's finest.    The last room was on hold for twenty minutes.   I booked it in double quick time.   At just before 16.00 good old Wick appeared on the horizon. What a sight.  I stopped for a drink and a Kit Kat and enjoyed the downhill couple of miles into the town.  The Norseman was easy to find.    

I will let the picture tell the story.  Very friendly welcome though and quite quickly I was in my room.  It had been brought to my attention that the blog for yesterday was not up.  After fighting to get a wifi connection the problem was solved.    Sounds stupid but the new shoes I bought for the ride are worn up and I needed to get into town and pick up a new pair.  I wanted to look my best for the end.  Perhaps have my hair done too would help!   I think the shoes were worn from the movement on the peddles.     The centre of Wick offered little in terms of choice.  There were a couple of cost cutting stores but no footwear that took my fancy.    Back to the Norseman for a wash and brush up.  On returning a large party of Americans had arrived.  They were probably "Doing Scotland" in a couple of days.   I am sure they will enjoy the delights of the Norseman.  Just before dinner I felt sure I could hear the pipes!   Sure enough adjacent to the hotel the Wick Pipe Band were being put though their paces.

Now in a Scottish mood, brought on by the music,  at dinner I decided that haggis was a must.  I chose the chicken option served on a bed of haggis. Very tasty it was too. No complaints and I could cut the chicken with ease.  You will not be surprised to learn that the Norseman does not have a baronial dining hall.  Back to my room to finish the chores, washing and drying kit etc.   A cyclists job is never done. Earlier in the evening I had spoken to the recovery team, John and Anne.  They had made it to Pitlochry in good time and were poised for the onward trip to JOG in the morning. They reported no punctures on route.  The plan is to meet at the end so John and Anne need to get ahead of me.   Hopefully your next read on the blog will be of a successful finish with pictures also.  This means I may need to kill some time in Wick.