A 6.30am start, bleary eyed I climbed into a taxi to take me to Luton airport ('a fantastic place to get away from'). My flight took me up into Inverness, as far north you can get on standard low-budget airlines in this country. It was raining in Luton so the cabin smelt a little damp after we walked to the plane, but thats a bank holiday in England for you!
Up in Scotland I collected my bike and put it together in a corner of the airport building. It reminded me of when I put my bike together in a park in New York, just with less homeless people asking if I was setting up a lemonade stand! Next I rode the 9 ish miles down to Inverness train station to catch my train to Thurso. Luckily the weather was a lot more pleasant north of the border, and the ride was fairly straightforward. Inverness has even tried to put bike paths and lanes in, some of which are even smooth! I arrived at the station with over an hour to spare so had a spot of lunch. A sandwich and an Irn Bru.
As the train pulled out of the station the sun burst through the clouds and showed off some of Scotlands magnificent scenery. If the weather stays this good the whole way down I'll be very happy.
Unfortunately the further north we got, the more of the infamous Scottish Highland mist we saw. Once in Thurso it was fairly grey, but not too cold at least. I got off the train and onto my bike to cover the last 20 miles over to John O'Groats on fairly quiet roads. Only the occasional gust to contend with.
I rode past Dunnet head, Britain's most northerly point, and along the coast to find the Seaview hotel at John O'Groats. I've got a bunkroom to myself (so far) which is a little outdated, but cheap and as close to my start point as possible! A pub lasagne and local 'Wildcat' ale and then off to bed ready to start the challenge fresh tomorrow.
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