So Many Cows

Thanks to Pudology for being our sponsor for the day for the penultimate day.

Day 12, second to last day. Was a slight today at the start with a tyre needing replacement but we still made good time. There was a lot of excitement in the car today when John O’Groats was signposted, we really are getting closer now. The other street sign ‘Frustration causes accidents’ did make as chuckle though.

I did in fact fear for our lives at one point today. It was on stop 4 when Jenni and I were pulled up in a lay by. There was a cow there so Jenni decided she’d attempt to talk to it. Her ‘moo’ made the cow be completely transfixed on us, then it started moving towards us. Jenni took a photo of it of course. Then two more came along, moving very close to the fence. I was very wary at this point, even starting the engine. Then another two came along, Jenni and I looked at each other. The final straw was when the bull came along the side of the fence, we decided it was definitely time to find a different pull in spot.

Boredom did set in slightly today, Jenni and I resorted to taking selfies. They were not attractive at all. We also discussed how it’s been such an amazing physical for trial for Mike, while for us, we’ve just been sat in a car getting fatter.

Last day tomorrow, very exciting but what Mike has cycled we basically have to drive back, which is going to be long in a one litre Toyota Yaris with three people in and a bike. I doubt we’ll even be able to hit 60 mph. This is when you start wishing us luck not Mike.

Riders bit

As Ruth says, not the best of starts. Was an overnight slow one, but really hadn’t gone down much so it was almost tempting just to pump it up a bit and press on, until I saw that the PSI was down at 25, there definitely was a problem. Rather than just swapping wheels, as this could be done before setting off, checked the inner which seemed fine, so gave it a bit more air which must have blown the little prick out as the tube started hissing like a hissy thing. So, change it, right decision made and just a delayed start.

Pretty sure that I will have picked this up on one of the rubbish cycle paths alongside the A9 yesterday. It would seem that the fishwoman doesn’t ride a bike or Scotland’s cycle paths would be better in quality and signage. In fairness though, no worse than those south of the border thanks to Eton boy and previous incumbents of no 10. Cycling still not a very high priority.

For some reason though, this slight setback had made me somewhat anxious and the ride to the first stop was largely giving myself a pep talk. In that leg, I think we hit the highest altitude that we will do, 1,650 feet, but it was quite a steady up so not too bad.

Went past Clava Cairns and Culloden Fields (who won that one?), Inverness tricky to go round, fun cycle path over the Firth of Thingy. Still not feeling too bad, but not a lot in the legs and the smaller hills in the later stages were hard work. Tomorrow will not be fast!

Was really lucky dodging the showers until the last 3.5 miles when it dumped big time, but could have been much much worse. More snow on hills as we came through, it isn’t warm.

More kindness from the people we meet on the way as the lady serving us at breakfast again wanted our details to follow and donate.

Eat and sleep.

How do you get 4 elephants in a mini? 2 in the front 2 in the back.