Job done - Lands End to John O'Groats

So I finished all in one piece and back to work now !

Many thanks to everyone who followed my blog and to those who have pledged some money to the Oliver Fisher Charity.
I will be contacting you all very soon and once I have the money collected will be presenting it to the charity.
I will then let you all know the exact amount we raised and thank you all once again.

In the meantime, the blogging will stop, as too will the tractor spotting!

All the best to you all and I appreciate your contribution.

Russell

Saturday day 15, Bettyhill to John O'Groats

Distance: 64.79 miles
Average speed: 14.41mph
Max. Speed: 35.16mph
Time in saddle: 4hr 29min
Total distance: 1103 miles
Soreness rating of nether region: 0 out of 10 (sorted ! )

Final day and we immediately find the best bit of Bettyhill, that would be the road out! Not great place to stay.
Weather was gorgeous, no rain today, a first for us in Scotland. Along the coast road east aiming for John O'Groats, our final destination.
Past the Dounreay power station which is currently being decomissioned , the land will be ready for reuse in 2294, so I won't be buying land there.
Fifteen miles from John O'Groats and we make detour to Dunnet Head, which is the most northerly point on mainland Scotland. Just lighthouse at the point. Picture above. Once we ticked that off our list onto John O'Groats. Get there without trouble, hotel is all sectioned off an closed down some years ago. So, other than the car park and sign, not a lot else. It makes Lands End look like Las Vegas. Apparently their is start/finish line at the hotel, but we didn't see it.
Get the pictures taken to prove we did make it and off for glass of champagne to start the celebration.
Then on to Duncansby Head the most north easterly point past John O'Groats which nobody has heard of.
Just lighthouse there, but worth going to see, thd cliff face has Puffins an many other birds nesting there.
Back to John O'Groats and pack the bikes up.
Job done, I will post some thought and more pictures in the next couple of days.
Many thanks to everyone for their support and pledges. I will do an update on sposorship in the next few days also.
Currently at Inverness airport waiting for flight home.

Dunnet Head

Just got to Dunnet Head. Most northerly point of mainlad Scotland
15 miles to John O'Groats !

www.rwheeler.co.uk

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Friday day 14, Evanton to Bettyhill

Distance: 80.92 miles
Average speed: 13.28mph
Max. Speed: 31.53mph
Time in saddle: 6hr 5min
Total distance: 1039 miles
Soreness rating of nether region: 0 out of 10 (sorted ! )

The penultimate day and guess what, it was raining. The aim was to get all the way to the top of Scotland as far as the Atlantic Ocean.
Never use the words 'at least we have a tail wind' until you know the direction you would be travelling in for most of the morning. A lesson learnt I think.
It seems that more and more people within our group are taking tractor spotting seriously, as you ca see in the picture above, after cycling round one corner only to find another member of the group proudly on top of a somewhat delapidated Massey Ferguson.
Into the headwind we go and onto a pub for lunch, absolutely in the middle of nowhere. Strangest pub you will ever go in, using customers as extra staff, but not even loca'' customers, just tourists!
With 40 miles left to Bettyhill, the direction of the wind becomes somewhat better and the pace is a little better. My sense of humour is rather lost after seeing sign which say 26 miles to go, when I had it fixed in my mind, we had about 10 to go.
Clocked up the 1000 mile of the trip, photos above and saw the very first sign for John O'Groats.
Onwards to Bettyhill, which is something out of the wild west. One shop and one hotel and one pub whuch is part of the hotel.
All you an say is that the view from our hotel window of the atlantic is stunning, other than that, the place should be removed from the face of the earth. Not great place and hope I never see it again!
The last picture is from our hotel window.
Last day on Saturday, looking forward to it now being ovef. Had enough of living out of bags for two weeks, each hotel room having it's own quirks. Tomorrow will be job done assuming nothing goes wrong.

Stop press - Bettyhill arrival

Made it to Bettyhill. North coast of Scotland. View from our hotel window.
Town is like something from the wild west. Not recomended!

www.rwheeler.co.uk

GPSed Track "Day 15pm"

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GPSed Track "Friday am, day 14"

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Thursday Day 13. Fort William to Evanton

Distance: 84.6 miles
Average speed: 13.46mph
Max. Speed: 37.29mph
Time in saddle: 6hr 17min
Total distance: 958 miles
Soreness rating of nether region: 0 out of 10 (sorted ! )

Quick report as i am running late this morning.
Leaving Fort William was delayed due to the heavens above opening and dumping down all the rain god could muster.
Realising we could be waiting for ever, we decided to make a dash for it and get wet, very wet in fact.
First half of the morning involved a dirt cycle track alongside the Loch. This is when you realise that mudguards are great things to have on your bike, even if they do look a bit gay. Dave doesn't have any on his and looking at the perfect strip of mud and sand applied to his back was highly amusing.
Stopped at Fort Augustus for lunch, rain still hammering down. Decided big pudding was in order prior to setting off. God decided it was enough punishment for the day, stopped the rain, so off we went.
Went for a look at Urquart Castle, picture above. This is situated on Loch Ness and the castle the BBC uses as part of their adverts.
Started Nessie hunting, but nothing going on today. Not even a glimpse. Sadly dissapointed.
Onwards in the sunshine to Evanton, staying at a beatiful B&B.
Mileage quite high yesterday and brake blocks look as though they have seen better days now. Will they last for two more days?

Wednesday, day 12. Inverary to Fort William

Distance: 78.3 miles
Average speed: 14.85mph
Max. Speed: 33.35mph
Time in saddle: 5hr 16min
Total distance: 873 miles
Soreness rating of nether region: 4 out of 10 ( midges have bitten it )

Rain, rain and more rain. Did I mention that it rained. Decided the best thing to do was put the hammer down, no photos before lunch and only a brief coffee shop stop. Not that the ladies serving in the coffee shop looked very happy to serve wet customers.
Everything soaked, feet squelching and the rain didn't look as though it would stop.
45 miles done and luchtime. Waiter spent most his time mopping up around us. Finally, last 20 miles, rain suddenly stopped, sun came out and it was beautiful again. Into Fort William which i think is the last town we go through before the end.
Not so many pictures taken due to concern about getting camera wet.
Just 3 days to go, legs a little tired as this was the fastest average we have done so far.
Thinking of producing a caravaners holiday hotspot calender for 2010. Here's another classic. View not so good though.

GPSed Track "Wednesday pm, day 12"

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Dave looking cold, wet and unhappy.

Raining all morning, Dave is very wet!

www.rwheeler.co.uk

GPSed Track "Wednesday am, day 12"

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Tuesday day 11, Motherwell to Invarary.

Distance: 84.5 miles
Average speed: 12.37mph
Max. Speed: 37.29mph
Time in saddle: 6hr 49min
Total distance: 795 miles
Soreness rating of nether region: 1 out of 10 ( tough as old boots now )

The longest day so far for two reasons.

Off at around 9.30am and first job was to make it through Glasgow. The cycle route through the city pretty much followed the banks of the Clyde. In areas you can where money has regenerated the area, mainly in the city centre. However, some areas did not look good at all. Cycle path had plenty of glass scattered around.
Progress was slow and steady and not a tractor to spot. Eventually picked up the cycle track out of town
Got go the lunch spot around 1.30 and stayed a little too long. Left around 3.30 with still another 40 plus miles to go!
Once we got to Loch Lomond the views across the Loch's we cycled round were absolutely fantastic.
It seemed you could ride for an hour and still be alongside the same Loch. Simply stunning and great for sailing, my true hobby.
Got into Invarary about 7pm, with near on a seven hour total bike ride, an extended lunch break and 80+ miles done made today a hard but enjoyable one.
In the evening, sailing mate Paul Hignett who I've known for far too many years (near on 20 !) came to Invarary to see me. Really appreciate it. First time I've seen him drink coke, with no rum in it!
Kness hurt a little, but just another 4 days to go.
Finally, found the worst caravan with the best views ever, one for my brother. Oh yea, we're an exciting family!

GPSed Track "Tuesday pm, day 11"

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GPSed Track "Tuesday am, day 11"

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What's all this for?

As you can probably guess if you have been reading this, I have not been taking things too seriously at times, and always happy to have a laugh about things, normally at my expense.
However, when I decided to do this trip everyone kept asking me for what charity?
If you read the original blogs you will k ow, for those who have just started reading them, let me remind you.
I am doing it for the Oliver Fisher Special Care Baby Unit which is at Medway Maritime Hospital.
This is where my twin boys were born 10 weeks premature and cared for until they were strong enough to come home. Without this support I don't want to think what may have been. Link to the charities website is on the right of the web page.
Above are couple of pitures of them when they were three years old. They are now six and big and strong.
So please, if you haven't sponsored me, please do so. All money raised will go to the charity. I have paid for all cost of holiday etc myself, so you are supporting the charity 100%
You can let me know your pledge by email, text or phone call, details to the right of the web page.
Thank you.
Russ

Monday Day 10, Ecclefechan to Motherwell

Distance: 87.32 miles
Average speed: 13.7mph
Max. Speed: 34.25mph
Time in saddle: 6hr 22min
Total distance: 710 mileS
Soreness rating of nether region: 8 out of 10 ( too much time in the saddle )

Lost in Wales - Found in Scotland.
For those who have been following my blog know that I lost my cycling
gloves a few days ago in Wales and was covinced a old lady was now using them as gardening gloves. Well, as you can probably guess by the title, they have returned and just in time. They had been hiding in my rain coat pocket which I haven't needed to use for a few days. First day in Scotland and out with the raincoat, thus my gloves were found, a little damp and smelly, but ok. There is no truth in the rumour that my bottom lip had a bit of wobble when I lost them!
So, today was a long one, with 85 to be done. First 25 miles was fairly straight forward and dry. After our first stop, the clouds were lack and we were entering tne Scottish Borders.
A choice was given to us, either use the A74 which followed the M74 to Motherwell, or take in the scenic detour, which would mean an additional 15 miles and a 5 mile hill. Choice was made, go for the tough one, flat roads are boring.
Once decision was made, the rain came in and delivered us with an early soaking.
A tractor which was cutting hedges nearly took me out, always a silver lining, it was Renault, not got one of those yet!
Spotted a field full of small cows, all looking perfectly form. My exciteme t overtook me and pointed it out to everyone, at which point it was explained to me they were in fact Goats. It was suggested an animal lesson from my kids would help me not look a fool again.
Speaking of which their sheep look scary and not like sheep at all. Was their a genetic experiment that wrong that we have't been told about?
Stopped for lunch at around 45 miles with just another 40 to go! All pretty straight forward really. The one good thing about climbing a big hill is tnat ypu have to coe dow the other side wnich was great in the rain.
Straight through Hamilton, see no redeeming features of that town to hang around, so straight into Motherwell.
In scottish words, I had a wee problem with a roundabout, which when exiting, I found myself in the middle lane of carriageway. Peda' hard was the only solution. Once I took refuge on the grass verge, I turned round to see another group of cyclists following me like lemmings. Oh what fun, lucky the Scottish drivers saw the funny side. NOT !
Finally into the country park where tea and cakes were ready for us. Well deserved I say.
Another 80+ day tomorrow, so refuel tonight.

GPSed Track "Monday pm, day 10"

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GPSed Track "Monday pm, day 10"

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Dave struggling to work out where we are going this afternoon. 45 miles done, another 40 miles to go.
Lashing it down !

GPSed Track "Monday am day 10"

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Tractor update

As promised, here is. The list the world has been waiting for.
The tractors that have been spotted on route. A picture above show the McCormick International, quite a find I tnink you will all have to agree!
1. John Deere
2. Leyland
3. Case
4. Massey Harris
5. Massey Ferguson
6. New Holland
7. Valtra
8. Kubota
9. Deutz Fahr
10. McCormick International
11. Ford
12. Claas
13. Zetor
14. David Brown
15. Fendt
16. Valmet

Day 9. Kirby Stephen to Ecclefechan

Distance: 73.6 miles
Average speed: 13.12mph
Max. Speed: 36.07mph
Time in saddle: 5hr 36min
Total distance: 623 miles
Soreness rating of nether region: 2 out of 10 ( healthcare working )

So today we travel out of England a d into Scotlands, not so many hills, but mileage quite high.
Weather starts off lovely and warm and knock off 20 miles easily before stop at the local cafe come tea room.
Five minutes after the tea break the heavens opened and we get drenched. Fellow cyclists, who could only be five minutes ahead and behind, it transpires later, they missed all the rain. Our own personal rain cloud, how lucky we are.
Stop off at a farm an got great picture o a Peacock in full action, have chat with the farmer and he provides us with useful fact of the day. That is, Peahen's are very bad mothers and let their offspring fend for themselves when they need help, so farmer man has to help out.
60 miles of the day gone and finally make it into Scotland. A big sign is what I expected, but no, just small bridge with river to denote the border. Pictures have to be taken as this is quite significant, altnough we still have six full days of cycling in Scotland.
Mother, as you will sea, I have changed my cycling shirt now and wearing new vest and underpants, so please don't worry about me!
I had never been to Scotland before, so was surprised to see the sun shining bright. The last 10 miles to the end for the day was really hard work with a strong headwind, started to struggle. But you wouldn't want it to be too easy!
Eighty odd miles tomorrow, best get some energy drinks down me. Hope the bar serves John Smiths!

GPSed Track "Sunday pm day 9"

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GPSed Track "Sunday am day 9"

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A new spotter in town!

Katy our map reader waa feeling somewhat left out with Dave spotting birds, me for tractors, what an earth could Katy spot.
A long hard thought in the way to the pub and we've come up with postboxes.
Here's an easy one to start the collection!

A request from my dear brother.

As most of you know, my brother is keen caravaner, liking nothing more than to get away from all the hustle and bustle of Hatfield and travel as far as Bushy some weekends.
He called me yesterday to admit that he is little out of his depth when it comes to spotting steam trains, tractors and birds and wanted to be a little more involved.
So, here's one for him. Hopefully not too difficult to start the Sunday morning off with.
I'll keep my eye out for more during the next week as i wouldn't want him feeling isolated and unloved.

Stop Press - Two new birds spotted to add to the list.

Well, more like one new bird and one that Dave forgot on his original list. These are;

40: Rook
41:Wheatear

I'll be compiling a list of my own shortly, those of the different makes of tractors i have idetified on route. Yesterday was a fruitful day for spotting!

Saturday, day 8, Clitheroe to Kirby Stephen

Distance: 57 miles
Average speed: 11.08mph
Max. Speed: 37.29mph
Time in saddle: 5hr 9min
Total distance: 549 miles
Soreness rating of nether region: 6 out of 10 ( medical attentio needed. good woman required for massage. Offers welcome!)

Today was absolutely fantastic in every way. Weather was superb and the views outstanding. Never been north of Manchester, other than a day trip to the Lake District over 20 years ago.
Above are few pictures of the route we took, including one of Dent which is the quaintest villiage you will ever visit.
Rolling hills was the order of the day. I reached a new maximum speed of 37.29mph, Dave was overwhelmed by his new max of 42mph, only to be beaten by someone else in the group hitting just over 50mph. There is a claim that the reading was unfair as there was an abundance of potential energy that could be converted to kinetic energy!
Although we did only 55 miles, the hills were plentifull, with the one out of Dent being a true monster. Made all the hills so far, so this was going to be no different. Head down and go and hope no to blow a gasket. Got to the top after about a mile, i think the gradient is about 17%.
Rode into the campsite where we have tea and cakes around 5pm an onto our b&b. Staying at The Manor House, which is a beautiful old building with great proportions.
Greatest sight of the day was seeing a old boy managing to tow a wheelbarrow behind his bike. Pleaae god, don't let him overtake me on route.