The End of the Journey ?

Put my tent up to dry, hung out all my washing and what happened? you've got it, RAIN. Never mind. The pain and stiffness has started to ease, the memories are of us climbing massive hills with ease, without breaking into a sweat, what does this mean !!!! Yes you've got it, I'm completely barking mad, also I'm loosing my memory. Before they come to take me away I have a few reflections about our journey i'd like to share, firstly thank you's. To all our families, without their love, support, understanding and encouragement we wouldn't have made it to the start line. Luke Gilliver for constructing an amazing website, and the updating of the website, many thanks Luke. M&G van hire for the loan of a van at the start and end of the journey. To Neil for forwarding the photo's. Dave Hancock for driving the van and his part in organising the Goldwing owners club escort. John Bates and all from the Yorkshire branch of the Goldwing owners club, you are all fantastic, kind and generous. To the other cyclists who joined us during the "you can be part of it" leg. To the couple who ran Forest View accommodation at Bryness for transporting Mick to a local cycle shop for spare tyres and inner tubes. The landlady of The Gun Inn at Ridsdale who allowed 3 drenched cyclists to dry their clothes in front of her coal fire while we ate her excellent lunch. To the owners of the Gallery Restaurantat Blair Atholl who donated £6 to the fund, the money saved by giving up smoking that very day. The lady at Newtonmoore who donated £20 to the fund. The couple at John-o-Groats who donated £5. To Henry, a really nice guy, who looked after us for two nights at the hostel at Helmsdale and then donated £5 to the fund. To the other end to enders we met en route, especially the group from Leeds, Wakefield and Dewsbury, a fantastic group of men raising money for the helping heroes fund. The 75 year old Scot who we first met in Tiverton on day 3 of our ride and then met again on the A9 in Scotland, what a gentleman. The group who were tavelling South who we met at Helmsdale. Thanks to all the very nice people who we met on our journey, and I'm glad to report that that was the vast majority of people who we met. As a threesome we have many happy memories, I would like to thank the other two for their amazing company, I think a special mention to Paul is warranted, he was chief mechanic, map reader and pace maker, many thanks Paul. We've seen some fantastic countryside, villages and cities. I've got some news to all of you Britain is brilliant, full of really nice people who go out of their way to help, don't allow yourself to think otherwise. Thanks to all who have donated any money, the two charities need it.

Well folks we've done it, a day early, two in fact, counting the rest day we have knocked two days off the scheduled 19 days and completed in 17 days of cycling. We cycled 957 miles in the 17 days an average of 56.3 miles a day. We are all back at our respective homes (thanks to Dave Hancocks careful and thoughtful driving) to have a well earned rest. I have a few thanks to make and a few stories to tell, but please forgive me due to tiredness I'll do that tomorrow, but an early thanks is to all of you who have helped/assisted in any way. See you all tomorrow. With loads of thanks, love and gratitude Graham

Photo gallery

The photo gallery is now up and running on the main website - check it out, tissues at the ready - its great!!

Cycle Ride Day 18

THEY HAVE DONE IT! WELL DONE TO MICK, GRAHAM AND PAUL.
They arrived at John O Groats at about 3pm today - and were cheered along by Paul's Uncle Michael and Aunty Eileen who travelled from Loch Eriboll in Scotland to be there - this was really appreciated so Thank you to them.
All are feeling dead proud and relieved its done, not to mention a little bit sore.
They will return to Wick tonight, and no doubt enjoy a beer or two, and return home tomorrow.

Cycle Ride Day 17

NEARLY THERE..... The cyclists have made brilliant progress and are on course to reach John O Groats tomorrow!!
The weather has changed for the better and has been warm and sunny today - only a few light showers.
They are ahead of schedule at Helmsdale, and have seen a sign that says 'John O Groats 55 miles'.
They are staying in a hostel tonight and have just been for fish and chips - in Scotland's best Fish and chip restaurant!!
Along the way they have met some really nice people, some of which have been mentioned in the blog or website.
They would like to say Thank You to a couple more people:-
Mairi Wright of Station Road, Newtonmore, Scotland - they met Mairi one nite and during conversation explained what they were doing, she then gave them £20 for the cause.
Also at Blair Atholl Chip shop a man had just stopped smoking the day they met him and he donated the money he would have spent on cigarettes to them.
Thanks to you both!
I think they are looking forward to finishing tomorrow.... hopefully the sun will stay shining for them. Good Luck x

Cycle Ride Day 16

The cyclists continue to make really good progress. We spoke to them at lunchtime and they were at Inverness, and planning to continue Northwards to a place called Dingwall. The weather has been good to them, with a following wind to help them on their way. They are hoping to find a B & B tonight though as it is quite cold with snow on the hills.
They have come across some more end to enders in Scotland, including a group on racing bikes with full support from campervans. They were staggered by our cyclists bikes, particularly by how heavy the bikes were with their kit on.
They are all confident that they will meet Tuesdays deadline for finishing.

Cycle Ride day 15

Sorry for the delay in writing this post.... I think mobile coverage is starting to get a bit scarce now. Mum spoke to Dad (Graham) but I haven't spoke to Paul. Friday was quite wet and windy (again!!) but they continued to make good progress... so much so that they are planning to reach John O Groats Tuesday morning and then travel back Tuesday, aiming to arrive home very late Tuesday.