Day 3 - John O Groat's to Carbisdale - 5th June

The day of reckoning arrives

See all where we have been and all Gavs Data at http://connect.garmin.com/activity/35902982 Just click on the link!

We left the youth hostel at Melrose after yet another huge hearty breakfast, and arrived amongst the madding throngs at John O Groats for around 10am, after a fairly uneventful start to the day!

The weather was fantastic, with the fog lifting as we arrived and sun shining. Even a set of Bagpipes played as we arrived!

A frenetic period of activity ensued to get all the bikes and riders ready for the photo shoot at 10.00 before the big off at 10.30. Just to make the start slightly more eventful, after having got everyones bikes sorted, tyres pumped up, etc with noone stood nearby Johns tyre suffered what can only be a 'major blowout', which resulted in the first of what is likely to be many punctures :)

(Officially this was not on the ride so it doesnt count :)

A big thanks at this point to Laonie's parents who had come all the way up to see us off :) - Fantastic!

After the pictures at the post, with a moments silence for those who had fallen by the wayside since the ride was suggested, everyone got lined up at the start for the all important big start.

The plan of all riding together for the first leg of the day as part of the big start, was foiled co-incidentally by the JOGLE leader who having had all the time in the world to prepare for it, decided as soon as the start was announced by Simon saying 'Bob lead the way', that he was going to break the mould and shot off at a rate of knots due to a pressing need to use the loo!

Lunch was at Dunbeath about 38 miles from the start with our first field meal from Princess and the gang. During lunch, Pete Savage got straight into road safety mode and managed to pass the message to a lady who just happened to have parked up. In the end she paid a pound to get away (Result!)

Having finished lunch, which handily was at the botom of a hill, 13 cyclists departed will full stomachs and water bottles only to have to tackle the rest of the afternoon! To make the experience truly realistic, it then proceeded to pour down for around 20 minutes to soak everyone.

To enhance the road safety message, unwittingly, our intrpid support team spread out along the route to support the cyclists, however managed to reduce the speed of hundreds of motorists by using one of the vans to video from. The sight of a van with people in hi-vis with a camera, on the top of a hill, follwed by a very visibly motorcyclist in full hi vis sat just next to it, encouraged hundreds to slow down (and brake!).

During this time Pete had managed to make his way (slowly) up from london, and had arrived in the middle of nowhere to join the group.

By the time the group arrived, 84 miles had been knocked off of the total, and a cracking start to the event! All riders were in between 5& 6pm, and its fair to say that some had had a hard day but ridden though to the very end!

Accomodation for the night was Carbisdale Castle, and very reminiscent of Hogwarts itself. A proper Scottish Castle, converted in to a youth hostel! Dinner was taken with everyone else in the dining room after a lot of hard work carrying bags a very long way and up and down towers (Well sort of) until everyone was in their rooms.......

A quick trip to the nearby local (took in some of the most impressive views across the river) and a bit local folk music was partaken of, before the trip back to find our beds.......!