Middle aged woman on a bike
I was determined that this would to be the last day. The final push to the end. There were just over 200 miles to do, so there was going to be no more sleeping until it was over. No further hotels would be booked, I would ride through the night, and be finished by 6.37am.... Continue Reading →
My mood felt better than yesterday, but sunshine tends to have that effect. I knew I was heading towards home, and I was determined to enjoy the day. It wasn't long before people started appearing in laybys to wish me well. Some people flagged me down, to talk to me, but for others I rode on past, with an attempt at a cheery wave. ack on track, I started looking for a cafe for some breakfast, and I was in the mood for a full English to see me on my way. Soon I came across a lovely cafe by a river...
I had only gone a few miles, not even as far as Penrith, but it was clear I needed this energy boost early on. I should have tried to sleep for longer in the camper, but when you know that time is ebbing away, and you've woken up, something in your brain tells you that if you are awake then you should be moving forwards.
I slept for a few hours and decided on some personal care before I set off......I carefully attempted to prise them off - not an easy task with no running water, and in the confined space of a very full van. In the end to fully remove them, I had to pull!!!!! It brought tears to my eyes, and I can only imagine how red and sore the patch had become...
As I left John O’Groats at 8:30 am, I was looking forward to having a mighty tailwind but it was not to be. There was a fierce cross wind, and although slightly favourable, the gusts threatened to throw me off my bike on several occasions. I was convinced that the wind was trying to kill me, and despite the sunshine, it was freezing cold and brutal.
What followed for the next few hours was quite a surreal riding experience although it's one though that I'll never forget. In this remote and distant corner of the UK, I felt more like a real adventurer than at any other time in my life.