Lands End to John o'Groats

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Lands End to John o'Groats Traveler
LEJOG Day 27 - Fort William to Fort Augu
September 26, 2022 in Scotland ⋅ ⛅ 11 °C
A scenic ride along the Caledonian canal and Loch Lochy & Loch Oich leading to the southern end of Loch Ness.

Dodged rain showers throughout the day, but a very pleasant (mostly flat) dirt/gravel track following the Great Glen Way.

Slightly better weather meant we think we saw Ben Nevis (it's not a 'pointy' peak so it's hard to identify)!

Minor detour to the hamlet of Achnacarry, where the Chief of the Cameron clan (Cameron of Lochiel) still lives in the castle.

Fun Fact: During WWII, Achnacarry was the location for one of the toughest commando assault training courses - it always used live ammunition (with some recruits losing their lives) and some of the feared sections were the 'death ride', the 'Tarzan course', the toggle bridge' and the 'night assault landing'.

Distance: 55 km. 400m AscentRead more
TravelerLoving the photos.
9/28/22Reply
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Lands End to John o'Groats Traveler
LEJOG Day 28 - Fort Augustus to Invernes
September 27, 2022 in Scotland ⋅ ☁️ 7 °C
And just for something different - a 10km climb to start the day.

The route followed one of General Wade's military roads, built mid 18th century, by the British Government to control the areas which had risen up in the Jacobite rebellion of 1715.

We were expecting a rough gravel track, but were pleasantly surprised to find that it was now a minor road with a new tarmac surface - and very few cars.

Very cold at the top but a great descent down to join the Loch Ness shore line near Foyers (and warm up in the only cafe on the whole route.

The rain showers kept drifting in and out - but a real bonus was the full rainbow.

Happy to get to Inverness after being smashed by heavy rain just 2km from our rest day accommodation.

Distance: 55 km. 750m AscentRead more
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LEJOG Day 29 - Rest Day - Inverness
September 28, 2022 in Scotland ⋅ ⛅ 8 °C
Inverness is small - only 47,000 population. Interesting stone and gothic style buildings.

Finally spotted a random piper - busking in the mall. Whiled away some time in the most fabulous second hand bookshop - Leakey's. A real treasure trove of pre-loved hardback books, maps and all sorts.

And of course - bike cleaning & maintenance rounded out the day for Gaylene, Geoff & myself.

Greg, however, took himself on a 12hr bus tour that went out to the Isle of Skye and other places! We are impressed by his energy!

Distance: 0 km. 0m AscentRead more
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LEJOG - Day 30 - Inverness to Tain
September 29, 2022 in Scotland ⋅ ⛅ 14 °C
Once out of Inverness and over the Kessock Bridge it was a lovely cycle along the northern shore of Beauly Firth then Cromarty Firth. Lots of cattle, sheep & productive farmland with the countryside looking very fertile.

In the distance we could see various North Sea oil rigs that had been towed in for maintenance or decommissioning.

Weather was fine with hardly any wind and we arrived in Tain, home of the Glen Morangie whisky distillery. Perfect timing- as we were able to join the last tour/tasting for the day.

Very interesting history and operation. Founded in 1843, it remained a private company until 2004 when Moët Hennessy were the successful purchasor following a frantic bidding war.

Distance: 66 km. 545 m AscentRead more
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LEJOG Day 31 - Tain to Altnaharra
September 30, 2022 in Scotland ⋅ ☁️ 13 °C
A wet, wet, wet day of traditional Scottish weather made it tough going although we were fortunate to have light semi favorable winds in the morning.

Skirted around Dornoch Firth and then got a misty rain obscured view of Carbisdale Castle as we crossed the Shin viaduct. Carrying a heavy bike down slippery metal steps is an art form I have not yet mastered!!

The 30kms between Lairg and Altnaharra were cold, wet and windy with open barren landscape (which is probably why there was a wind farm at the top of the long climb).

The rain stopped for the final few kilometers and my enthusiasm returned with the long gentle downhill knowing a warm shower and dry clothes was within reach! I found it hard work today.

Distance: 75 km. 590m AscentRead more
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LEJOG Day 32 - Altnaharra to Melvich
October 1, 2022 in Scotland ⋅ ⛅ 12 °C
Lovely cycling today - I think we out-cycled the few showers that were around. Rolling hills, great back roads and views.

The hills continue to be covered in bracken, mostly turning brown now Autumn is here. Some heather, but very little still in flower. Lots of gorse bushes and found one with a lovely display of late blooming yellow flowers.

As we approached the northern coastline near Bettyhill & Farr Bay we got our first glimpse of the Atlantic and as we cycled east we could also see the Orkney Islands on the horizon.

Distance: 62 km. 690m AscentRead more
Traveler very stark on the landscape.
10/1/22Reply
That looks amazing! [Meriel Griffiths]
10/2/22Reply
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Lands End to John o'Groats Traveler
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LEJOG Day 33 - Melvich to John o'Groats
October 2, 2022 in Scotland ⋅ ☁️ 14 °C
Final Day!!! And we've completed the End to End!
• 1,865 km cycled
• 19,350 m climbing (a bit over two Mt Everests)
• 28 days on the bike
• 5 rest days

Fast cycle to Thurso, to make sure we arrived for our Wolfburn whisky distillery tour. A small independent operation where everything is done by hand. Informative tour followed by a tasting of 4 of their whisky's.

Fortified, we headed off for the final section. Grazing land morphed into windswept open fields. Mist and light rain (but a nice WSW wind) pushed us along straight (uninspiring) roads to the official signpost.

Wet but happy! Job well done!!

Distance: 66 km. 550m AscentRead more
Traveler congratulations to the four of you on this incredible journey. Can only imagine the elation of completing such a mammoth endeavour. Celebrate accordingly. So how far do you need to ride to start the trip back to more civilised areas?
10/3/22Reply
Traveler We organized a van pick up for bodies & bikes from JoG to Inverness. Then train to Glasgow. Today train to London
10/4/22Reply
I will try to read all the trip comments ( missed a few) before I ask questions. Looks like a great trip [Bruce]
10/5/22Reply
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Trip end
October 3, 2022