Rob's Ride 2nd to 17th May 2015

A day of mixed fortunes. I had a great day. There was lots of climbing, over 4000 ft but the weather was kind and the views were brilliant. 

However Terry Backup was very busy as two members of the team had bike problems and Terry was dispatched with bike on top of the car to the bike shop in Dumfries. Meanwhile reserve bikes were put into action. 

In the end everyone made it to Dumfries and the Premier Inn that was awaiting us.   Today’s group selfi.   Abi and her dad Nigel. 

 Max and Nigel relax at lunch in Balmaclellan. 

  Lorraine and me on the ferry. 

 Setting sail.    Group selfie with Abi’s selfie stick  Ardrossan 

 Lorraine and I see a photo  opportunity  with a lovely man in a skirt.   Another man in a skirt. 
  Lunch is served.   Carl the Man With a Van and Terry Backup. 

‎70 miles today from Fort Augustus to Taynuilt and every single one of them the cold and pouring rain (sympathy please). After 20 miles, I thought my whole ride might be over when I had a problem with my bike chain and malfunctioning jockey wheels. This was due to the bike falling over on concrete and bashing them and also me cross-chaining too much! However, Antonius and Adi fixed it for me and when it happened again later I repaired it myself (  cheers please) by taking the wheel off and fiddling with (technical term) various bits. The whole party has again completed the whole day – over nine hours on the bike (more cheers please). Every evening there’s a big rush – drying out, stretching, eating, getting the route loaded on my bike satnav (which often goes wrong), and deciding what to wear for the next day. And every morning there’s another rush to get out. So I’ve asked my masseuse/supporter/gopher/husband Terry to draft this blog. Blame him if you think it’s not up to scratch.   By a Loch (again)!  And another Loch!

What a contrast to yesterday! The sun shone and the scenery was fantastic. 

Went down through Inverness and along Loch Ness. 

A long day though of 77 miles with big climbs totalling over 5,000 ft. Pretty exhausting and a 10 hour day. But we all did it!

Coffee stop in the sunshine.   

With Pip and Lorraine and Terry Backup.

 Day 4 will be a hilly 80 miles and the forecast is for heavy rain all day!

Set off at 9am. Bitterly cold, raining and 40 mph wind gusts. The most challenging day of mind and body that I have ever experienced. Hail, sleet and driving rain all day plus horrendous cross winds and headwinds. Feet and hands were blocks of ice and despite waterproofs I was soaked through.  

 A long day in the saddle of 8 hours but we all made it! 
 

Sorry for the delay. No Internet or cellular phone connections until end of day 2. 

We set off from John O’Groats at about midday having driven up from Inverness. Very cold but a beautiful day and the strong tailwind helped us manage the hills. As it is the  

 Scottish Highlands there were a lot of them!

There is a great team spirit and we had a very nice evening at the Tongue Hotel.  

The group all together for the first dinner.

Now in Inverness.  Bright and sunny but cold and windy also.  Everyone arrives tomorrow.

Terry and I arrived in Penrith yesterday evening to stay overnight at North Lakes Hotel and Spa.

Next stop Inverness where the rest of the Rob’s Ride team will join us having flown up.