Today I was mostly following the kerb of the A9...
Kind of cool start to the day – got up, packed and made breakfast before anyone else in the Hostel had stirred. Nice view from the hostel.
Left at 8 o’clock and had a nice ride along the shore of Loch Ness (no monster sightings) before heading off to Beuley – up a 15% hill, which came as a shock to my body after 2 days without anything so steep. Continued through Dingwall (banoffee pie), then on the A9 – a long and boring road, with the wind working mostly against me. Stopped at a cafe to continue my investigation of all things cake related – a hazelnut and strawberry Pavlova. Passed the Glenmorangie distillery, which may have been interesting if it wasn’t for the fact that whiskey and I are like Clark Kent and superman - we cannot be in the same place at the same time. If I drink whiskey, it comes straight back out of my nose. If Campbell was still around, I am sure that he would have wanted a sample (of the whiskey, not my nasal contents).
I eventually reached the firth of Dornoch and my first sign to John O’Groats.
Crossing the bridge, there was a massive crosswind and motorists suddenly seemed to start driving like nutters – not sure if it is a local custom or something, but consideration to cyclists suddenly seemed out of vogue. I finally reached Helmsdale – a strange little village where there seem to be more pubs than houses. Helmsdale hostel is lovely – an old school gym converted in the 1960s. Very sociable, with both the residents and staff being really chatty.
I am looking forward to finishing tomorrow, but I am concerned about going cold turkey from my cakes...
Day 9 – 93 miles covered Average speed - 11.8mph Max speed – 38mph
Ride time 7h50 Total mileage – 923 miles
State of mind – looking forward to tomorrow
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