Day 13 - Lucky for some

The original plan for today was to leave early so that I could get to Brechin ready for a lodge meeting. That wasn't going to happen now so we decided a lay in was order of the day; especially after the exersions of yesterday. So it was a slower start than normal and later breakfast (8am !).

My enthusiasm for the day was not great as it was already raining well although at least the wind was very light. After more procrastination I finally got going at 9am and headed off for the infamous Tomintoul to CockBridge road that crosses the Highlands. After the 3 Peaks, this was just a little extra fun for me as I've always wanted to cycle this road.

This morning however, I would have given anything to not be on the bike again. The rain, cold and fatigue had finally got to my brain and body and for the first time I really wished I wasn't on the road again. I think that I had underestinated how much energy I had used yesterday as from the off I felt lethargic and hungry (even after 6 Weetabix and loads of toast). After 5 or 6 miles the joints began to ease and I started shovelling gels and drink down. I carried on doing this at the first stop and it seemed to help hugely; suddenly I was able to cycle again !

Soon got to Tomintoul where Dad made a hasty detour to the whisky shop to purchase a bottle of his favourite type. It was whilst leaving the village that I met Grant, a fellow cyclist out training to do John O'Groats to Land's End in a few weeks time.

We cycled together chatting for the next 10 miles as we approached Lecht Summit (one of the biggest climbs of the day). He helped me a great deal by getting my head off how much my body hurt and thinking about much more positive things.
By the summit of the climb he was done in though having had a hard day already and also being frozen to the core. How he survived with bare ankles I'll never know !  We plied him with gels, drinks and a warm car seat and he soon started thawing out. To help him get nearer his destination for today Dad then took him, with bike in the boot, to where our paths parted. It saved him at least an hours cycling - thanks Dad on his behalf.

The views from Lecht Summit were spectacular, out across the miles of Highlands that spread out below. The views were in fact of the same callibre as those from each of the summits I've been to:

OK, so who pinched The Highlands ??

And I have to say that the wind chill on top was trying hard to compete with that on top of Ben Nevis. To be fair, there were some good views today when clouds cleared at times. A bit hazy but still very special. On the picture below you can also just make out the road in the distance climbing over the next ridge. At least there were a few miles descent before the Anglo-Saxon began again.

Pretty soon after this descent I was through the second village that I came to this road for. If you don't know what I'm on about then you're clearly not, nor ever were a TOG.

The rest of the afternoon was net downhill so was pretty quick and my legs were loving it again. Any small climbs were back to being fun and I was able to attack them, standing up on the peddles. It meant that I loved every minute of the afternoon as much as I disliked every minute of the morning.

As I descended, the scenery gradually changed and became less moorland and more cultivted farm land. I also got to cycle alongside the Rivers Dee and Ess late this afternoon, another change of scene but equally beautiful.

A good way to end the day and I'm now looking forward to the last day tomorrow and the completion of this challenge (the physical bit anyway - but hopefully not the fundraising). Only 48 miles to go and I can sleep for a week !

Tune in same time tomorrow for the thrilling conclusion .........................

"Time for bed" said Zebedee