lejogginaharris

Day 28, to John O’Groats

Last night we stayed in Sandras Hostel in Thurso and Pascal turned up to ride the last stretch of Le-Jog so we did some pre-celebrating by having a curry at The Pride of Bengal.

I could hear the wind howling around the hostel as soon as I woke, and it seemed alarmingly blustery. Of course, we were close to the sea. I now met with Jen Holden, who is about my age, and also a cyclist (although on mountain bikes, and she’s also a climber.) She moved from Lancashire to live here whilst in her seventies – and instantly began to learn Gaelic. I liked her immediately for her enthusiasm.

Day 26, to Bettyhill

Breakfast this morning was the winner, it was sensational! I enjoyed porridge, with heaps of fresh blackberries, strawberries and blueberries. Haggis was also on the menu as well as lashings of bacon, egg, mushrooms and tomatoes. In fact, the works.

Day 25, to Altnaharra

The typically Scottish hotel where I stayed last night was fun. Every time I stay at a nice place I think that it was the best. The day began warm and sunny and, having had a breakfast of porridge, scrambled egg, tomatoes and mushrooms, I set off along the still quite busy A836. After seven miles, at Lairg, it transformed into a single track lane which was rough. The weather became progressively colder, even feeling wintry, as I continued – but it was the most beautiful ride over the moors.

Day 24, to Invershin

I made a mistake yesterday in my blog. I thought that today would be an easy day – and it was perhaps my hardest yet. I think I must have been a day out – because tomorrow really is going to be an easy day!

Day 23, to Inverness

This morning Paul set off in the car, and I followed on my bicycle (rather more slowly) down a sunlit lane. Intermittent showers, but still with plenty of sunshine, was the pattern for the day. At Fort Augustus I saw the impressive site of the road bridge swinging open to let the boats down the canal.

Day 22, to Invergarry

Glencoe hostel was utter heaven. I fuelled up for the day ahead on a breakfast of porridge (in great quantity) with spoonfuls of peanut butter in it, which I washed down with lots of lovely coffee.

Day 21, to Glencoe

Last night heavy rain was forecast, so I decided to start my ride at 7AM. Today is another day that I am riding alone. From time to time I met up with Paul, who was waiting in a lay-by with his car – and a vital warming flask of coffee (thank you, thank you Paul!). That really cheered me on as I climbed up to the Glencoe pass in driving rain and heavy traffic.

Day 20, to Crianlarich

Goodbye to Frank and Lorraine Smith of Sunnyside Bed & Breakfast, after enjoying a sumptuous breakfast of porridge, kippers and scrambled eggs with lots of extra bits (fruit, cinnamon, juices etc). Thank you also for your kind donation of £20 to Refuge. Next time I’m in the area I’ll make a bee-line for their B&B.

Day 19, to Alexandria

The Sustrans route looked easy to follow all the way from Glasgow to Loch Lomond. To reach it we went through the elegant gates of the park opposite the SYHA hostel where I slept last night, and then down such a steep slope that I bottled out and pushed my bike. After that we had to negotiate a network of streets where, despite Paul and his Garmin, we had to constantly ask for directions until the start of the Sustrans route was located.

Author: lejogginaharris