Day 14
Route: Thurso to John O’Groats
Distance: 20 miles
Time: 1 hr 10
The smell of freshly ground coffee wafted up the stairs of Number 4 B and B in Thurso to wake the slumbering support team, as their Scottish fry up was being lovingly prepared in the homely kitchen down below….the same cannot be said of the early morning wake up call to which residents of Sandra’s Backpackers were treated too. The noxious smell of old, greasy chip fat is unpleasant at the best of times, but first thing in the morning it proves an even more offensive pong. Still, nothing could dampen our spirits at this point and we happily chomped through the variety of Tesco Value cereal, jam, bread and milk provided in the inclusive Continental Breakfast served at Sandra’s (and when I say serve, it was self-serve). With the last applications of Udder cream applied, our favourite lycra outfits selected (or for Camillo, his CF T shirt, kindly worn for the last 5 days of the trip in support of the cause. Much appreciated of course, but cycling downwind of him proved an interesting experience to say the least) and panniers packed for the last time, we hit the road. We were warned by the kindly hostess at the B and B no to be disappointed by John O’Groats, and given she was a local, from Thurso, we approached our final destination with trepidation. The rain had stopped thankfully and we made it to John O’Groats in good time, meeting just outside the town to adjust hair, lycra, tubey grips for the big photo shoot. Jerry and Sue were waiting, champagne in hand, at the finish line as we dismounted our trusted iron steeds for the last time below the John O’Groats sign. People have said it would be an anti-climax finishing, but I wouldn’t agree with that. Reaching the iconic white and black signpost kept us all going up the fierce Cornish Hills, the sleeting rain in Carlisle, the loss of map pages/team mates/White Van Man. The champagne was consumed speedily before we took shelter from the fierce northern winds in the End to End café, and celebrated some more with coffee and scones. It was with some sadness that we took the wheels of our bikes, packed them safely away into the White Van, peeled the Lycra off and put of civilian clothes. 7 hours later we were back in Fife, and it all seems like a bit of a dream. I don’t know that any of us really believed we would complete this challenge, particularly after we lost our team leader on the first day, and after day 5 when we still seemed to be in the bottom corner of England, Scotland and the end point seemed a million miles away. The trip would not have been possible without the help and support of a number of people, and I would like to take this chance to thank everyone who has donated to our two charities. We have raised over 4000 pounds for CF, an incredible sum as I had originally thought 3000 was going to be hard to achieve. Joss has raised over 600 pounds for Cricket 4 Change and a further 300 for CF. So thank you from all of us to everyone who has donated. And of course Jerry, our trusty support crew, who was there to take us to hospital, provide interesting and varied cups of warm/tepid/boiling beverages, calm Katy’s at times irrational temper, and provide a never ending ream of facts and stories over breakfast/dinner/lunch. Mama Eccles for providing various delicious cakes as sustenance en route and for driving up to meet us over the finish line, as well as spreading the word for our fundraising in Fife and beyond. The Dooley’s and the Whites who provided home cooked meals and comfortable beds en route. To Mike Faulkner for mentioning us in his blog and raising support for the cause. Our star guest riders, Lucy and Mary, who provided a much needed release from each other’s company and a cycling companion for Katy at the rear. And of course Rosie, my original partner in crime who helped, in fact managed/arranged/organised, the majority of the trip. She booked hostels, hosted team meetings, joined the CTC to get a route, planned training rides, booked trains, attended to Boot Camp sessions in Balham and acted as accountant (we all still owe her money I am sure). So watch this space for CFCycle take 2 in 2012, as anyone who know Rosie will understand that when she says she will do this next year, she means it wholeheartedly. It has been an incredible journey, one which has taught me to appreciate road surfaces, udder cream and the slim fit of lycra. Thank you again, now it onto bigger and better things – Iron Man anyone…….
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