Day 16 – WE DID IT!!!

What can I say, 9 months of training, some excellent planning from John, and a certain amount of dogged-ness on all our parts, and we set off on the most excellent adventure.  I’m sure I’ll never forget it and I feel fairly certain the rest of the team won’t either.  It’s been an exciting ride in more ways than one and we’ve tackled the trek together.  We set off this morning from Wick thinking we had 18 miles to go, the road signs spelt out fairly early we only had 16!  still we enjoyed the morning, the sun was shining and the views were fantastic as ever.  I had a big muppetry moment when I realized I’d left my SD stick in the computer in the van – doh! It did mean it was only Alex left for the photo stops.  David’s phone had gond down in the rain in Glasgow, Jackies had put her’s in John’s safe hands, and I’d been muppet of the day.  We soaked up the last hour and a half in a mixture of excitment and sadness that it would soon be over.  Particularly as we got to the edge of Jophn O’Groats itself.  We were getting very excited then….        

We've arrived!

We stoppe on the outskirts of town, and then set off for the finish line…we had spent the morning coasting along the most Northern edge of the British Isles, not quite wanting to let it end so soon.  We took the final hill with brakes on fully so as to finish together as the team we were over the past two weeks.  We saw John through the car park jesturing madly to go around the road and finish over the right line.  Actually what he was doing was keeping us from seeing the special guests who had arrived for the moment.  We got to John, happy to have finished and he was there with his phone as he had been every day to capture us as we arrived at our destination.   Then from behind us came Chris, Roxanne, Alex and Jo, Jackie and John’s son’s and girlfriends.  Jackie dropped her bike and gave them all big hugs.  We then cycled over to a finish/start line that had been painted on the tarmac and had pictures taken there.  Just then I saw Simon walking across the way.  What a surprise, and waht a welcome. 🙂  The others had spotted him in his hire car coming up the hill as we were on the home stretch, but I was unaware that he was coming up for the finish.  It was great to have someone to welcome you…and take pictures.  Everything happened so quickly after that, there were people everywhere, including a chap called Paul who finished at the same time as us, but had walked the distance, taking 66 days.  It made me feel quite small really.  Maybe I should walk it next time!!!  Or maybe not.  Today we rode about 16 miles, in 1 hour 23 mins.  One of our quieter days!
  Here we are at the finish line enjoying the moment. 

Paul (walker), Alex, David, me, Jackie and John.

We had our official sheets stamped so we can send them off and get our official certificate.  John had champagne and trophies for us all which was quite a surprise and really exciting.    Simon helped take photos and get hot drinks for all who wanted them. There was so much going on at once, it was hard to take it all in. I expect it will take a few days to sink in. 

I’m feeling elated and deflated all at the same time, I want it to go on longer!   Simon drove David and I to Inverness and we took  Paul (the walker ) to Wick so that he could get a train to somewhere to get picked up.  It was strange being in a car and seeing the roads from the opposite angle and much faster! 

We have now had a fun night out, a curry which was yum and caught up with loved ones.  Tomorrow we are travelling back to Sussex by plane and by van.  We are hoping to back in the White Horse between 8:00 and 9:00 pm.  We very much hope to see lots of you then. 

I’ve got to thank Jackie for suggesting this adventure, being a top ride buddy and for dongle usage along the way, John for making it happen and being a brilliant coach, David for being behind us all the way and Alex for unlimited hugs and support and being a top photo taker, and for Simon for letting me have the time off for training and the ride itself and for coming to greet us at the finish. 
Thanks to to all of you for following us, supporting us, sponsoring us and generally being good friends through it all.   will be continuing the blog for a while….to update on post ride happenings, and hopefully for posting some more pictures of our travels.  Also I’m looking forward to going over my favourite time so the trip.  Come along to the pub or check out my blog too to see more.   

Funnily enough I’m a bit sleepy, so I’m going to sign off now, please keep in touch and let me know what you think.

Night night now,

Beth xx