Day 21 - The End.

We had left ourselves with a relatively easy 37 miles to complete today. By 11.05 we were homing in on John O'Groats with a closing speed of around 25 mph. With a stiff westerly wind propelling us to our goal we were 5 miles from the end of our LeJog journey but up until that time we hadn't been overtaken by our support vehicle. With the frightening prospect of arriving at the finishing line with no one to greet us we took the only option - stop for an hour and have a cream tea!  

With sufficient calories to sustain us we set off again, hoping that Mum and Sarah had got ahead of us by now. The last few miles shot by, and the hovering tv helicopters gave away the position of our goal. As we fought our way through the crowds, and the Saxo Bank and Sky Team agents waving pro contracts and cheque books at us, we spotted the tartan ribbon of the finishing line being held by Mum and Nick - resplendent in his Lindsay tartan kilt (the crowds are just around the corner in the photo below, held back by the police cordon)

We posed for the obligatory "signpost" photos, unfortunately upsetting its owner by a part soaking with a wayward jet of champagne, and then made sure we had good photo coverage for the archives.

And so it was over, after 1051 miles. I'm sure we'll all reflect in our own ways in the coming days and longer, but our initial feelings are of great satisfaction and a sense of achievement. The memories will of course be of all the sights and landscapes along the way (and the weather) but as so many people will say, the deepest feelings and strongest memories are for the people involved. We have had so much help and support along the way and been touched by incredible acts of kindness and generosity. A special thanks for all those who have given so generously to the Parkinson's UK charity - every bit helps.
Thank you so much to Mum and Sarah, and to everyone who has helped us along the way...it is a humbling experience for the riders who have had the relatively easy task of jumping on a bike each day and pedalling for a few hours.

It's been an unforgettable experience.

To see Lands End to John OGroats blogs from other people  and a huge reference for potential End to Enders see:
http://www.pewseys.co.uk/index.htm

Day 20

With slightly fuzzy but well rested heads, Team Probert made a slow start to day 20. As the Clynelish distillery was just down the road, and we'd sampled the fine single malt the night before, we thought it would only be right to take a tour of the establishment this morning. After a fascinating insight into the process, and a wee swalley for the road, we set off again into the increasingly wild and desolate wilderness.

After a 10 mile blast down the coastal road, we arrived at Helmsdale, home of the surprisingly named 'La Mirage' - one of the top 6 fish and chip shops in the UK - It didn't disappoint. Mum and Sarah joined us to enjoy the feast then the riders set off with that familiar stuffed to the gills feeling.

The rest of the ride was a 40 mile trek on a single lane road, cutting through stunning Sutherland scenery. Every car we came across came with its own dedicated fishing rod rack, as the locals flocked to reap the harvest from the area's wild rivers. We passed haunting remains of the old crofting settlements - remnants from the clearances. The rain showers we could see on the distant mountains finally found us and soaked us through and just as suddenly stop for us to be bathed in sunshine.



As evening drew in, the sight of the van signalled our stop for the night and as always Mum and Sarah were unbelievable in their support work, putting up the tent as we headed to the inn next door to refuel on soup and ale alongside a whole host of other Lejogers. The support team have been brilliant throughout and deserve another mention before the adventure is over - thanks so much!

So we're poised at our final stop in the north coast town of Melvich, ready for our final day assault on John o' Groats. Stand by for an emotional day tomorrow! 

Day 19

We had a really comfortable night in the Loch Ness-side caravan and wandered down to the B&B house to a fantastic full Scottish breakfast served by our amazingly hospitable hosts May and Duncan McIntosh. Duncan kept us entertained with great stories of Nessie hunting, and other local wildlife. Again it was very hard to tear ourselves away but we knew we had a long ride today - 80 miles to Brora. As we left, our hosts invited us to put our overnight accommodation fees to our Parkinsons UK charity. Once again we were taken aback by the incredible generosity and kindness we have experienced from the people we have met along our journey - thank you so much again May and Duncan.

Our ride took us alongside Loch Ness and then over the hills to Beauly, Dingwall, and then lots of miles along the A9. After 45 miles or so we noticed a highway maintenance car pull in ahead of us and the driver leaping out to take photos of the LeJog team. Fearing some sort of obscure Highlands cycling by-law rap we were extremely relieved and delighted to see it was Nick Lindsay - Dad's friend from early Ordnance Survey days. We were on our way to stay with Nick and Jacquie at Brora for the night and Nick had come down to welcome us. We stopped just north of Invergordon, after 47 miles for a Shandwick pub lunch, and were joined by our support team. 

Our journey along the A9 brought us into contact with many other cyclists doing LeJog or JoGLE. As we approached Brora we started to see more and more signs supporting the team and guiding us to our final destination - the local LeJog supporters club had done a fantastic job.

After 80 miles we reached Brora and followed the signs to Sunnybrae. Mum and Sarah were there already and the sun was beating down as the riders broke the tape on the finishing line - yes, there really was a finishing line.

In the evening, after the riders had been hosed down and made more sociable, we were treated to a fantastic Scottish themed meal from Nick and Jacquie - the centre piece being haggis, tatties and neaps. Our meal was washed down with coffee and then Clynelish single malt whisky - and we could see the distillery from our host's house!

Everyone can comment!

Have you just read about the LEJOG team's latest exploits? Are you inspired to leave a comment but feel baffled and confused by the complicated comments system? Well fret no more...Now commenting is easy and fun!

I've changed the settings so you don't have to log in or anything to leave a comment, just do it! I know it's a bit late with 2 days to go, but if you've got anything to say for any of the days just go for it, we appreciate the support!

Day 18

A day that ended with Dad realising he'd booked our Hostel for 26th June rather than July, started with him checking into Fort William hospital A+E to get his head checked after the crash. Enough said. He escaped with a clean bill of health but the medical team failed to find anything in there. It was Sarah's birthday, so our ride got off to a boozy start as we were treated to Buck's Fizz for our morning's hydration. After the birthday girl had opened her cards (thanks to all the senders) and Scottish themed prezzies, the riders set off.

The morning was a quiet ramble over a B road winding through pine forests, past fields of Highland cows, all the while in the shadow of the cloud-topped Ben Nevis. For sections the road hugged the Caledonian Canal with its crystal clear icy water, passing Neptune's Staircase, and finally leading us to our lunch stop: the Eagle - an old working barge converted into a floating pub. We weathered the storm that had been building as we tucked into jacket potatoes and local ale, then emerged into sunshine(ish) to pound out the final 19 miles with Loch Oich and Loch Ness as a backdrop.

Our plans to stay at Loch Ness Youth Hostel were brought to a halt by the aforementioned date mix-up, so with the support team safely installed in the hostel car park, the boys were forced to go in search of alternative accommodation. We eventually found it in the form of an old caravan, perched high in the garden behind a local B&B. There was no room at the inn, but the kind owner has let us hole up in their caravan and will be cooking up a breakfast for us in the morning. We even have Loch Ness views! And as a LeBlog exclusive we can bring you actual footage of the monster...

Day 17

Once again the weather continues to baffle. Another forecast of bad weather but after a slightly drizzly start the day was a real treat, and just as well because we cycled through the dramatic highland scenery of Glencoe.

Route finding was straightforward - follow the A82 to Fort William, not because we don't have time to meander the smaller by-ways, but because there aren't any. Our route took us north to Tyndrum, Bridge of Orchy and across Rannoch Moor. After a long Tourmalet - like climb (in as much as it was a climb) we came across a car park with great panoramic views, and a piper.

The road swept northwestwards in a roller coaster ride of long gradual climbs and descents, and then we got to the famous Glencoe. It didn't disapoint. Probably the best ride of LeJog so far took us between towering mountains, with tops peeping out between the clouds that scuttled past in the strong breeze. Blue skies and sunshine for most of the time were a completely unexpected bonus. It was so good to see this highland scenery in such perfect conditions, with big fluffy clouds casting dramatic shadows onto the steep slopes. We met up with Mum and Sarah at the Glencoe visitor centre, after 32 miles, and had a bite of lunch. We buzzed along beautifully slick tarmac for the rest of the ride, another 22 miles through Ballachulish, Onich, Corran and onto Fort William. We checked into the youth hostel while Mum and Sarah settled into the Caravan site just down the road. All of a sudden we realised we were only 4 days away from finishing this adventure.....we just might do it!!

Day 16

This morning brought with it a hugely significant achievement for the boys: The first complete night in the tent with no rain. The good mood continued as we lapped up a traffic-free, silky smooth road through forested glens and stunning moorland, winding between silvery lochs. The morning had a time-trial feel to it as we had a 10 o clock ferry to catch, or face a 4 hour wait for the next one. A punishing pace had got us within reach of the ferry with time to spare until a last minute decision to take a turning caused havoc in the team formation, leading to me ploughing into Dad and Greg toppling over me as he tried to stage a rescue. After we'd surgically removed dad from his bike, we realised we didn't have time to hang around and hammered towards Goruck, stepping onto the ferry just as it was leaving. Phew. As Dad started picking out debris from his grazes, he noted it was a lucky he'd shaved his legs to accompany the mini-kilt look a few days earlier.

After a couple of hours spent zipping along the undulating road that hugs the side of the magnificent Loch Long, we found an ideal spot to take on more local food in the shape of the Village Inn. At the waterside, surrounded by mountains grazing the clouds, we fed on jacket potatoes filled with haggis and 'neeps. The day also brought an unexpected first as we made contact with the support team on the road, and busted one of their secret tea-room stops. And another first: We're in a Youth Hostel tonight, which means food, comfy beds and Tour de France highlights. Ahhh! But the real highlight of the day came when Greg spotted some movement in the roadside ferns, and on closer investigation we found ourselves face to face with three magnificent stags, grazing in a glen. A typically Scottish scene and a really special sight, were all quite moved by the ecperience.