Day 14 - The Crask to John O'Groats, 82 miles (89 with detour to Dunnet Head)

Our final day! The initial ride included a spectacular section out of the Crask, past Altnahara and alongside Loch Naver through a beautiful area known as Strathnaver. We skirted alongside the river Naver to Bettyhill and excellent views over the Pentland Firth. From Bettyhill we had a difficult hilly section along the coastal road to Thurso and then Mey to regroup in a pub and take the final 7 miles together. A few of us also took a detour to Dunnet Head the most northerly point on the mainland (John O’Groats is the most north-easterly).

Our final morning was misty but no rain.

A dramatic skyline

and threat of rain.

Altnahara where half of us stayed.

Loch Naver

This was a stunning ride with the Loch to our right.

After 26 miles we arrived at our final brew stop of the whole trip.

Our final jelly babies...

We met with the main coastal road and our faithful National Cycle Route 1

Pentland Firth

...and the sea! The north coast of the mainland.

Having travelled due north through the bleak moorland and the Crask, we then followed the more populated coastal route.

The road went on and on...

...and on.

54 miles of up and down. 

Initially, it was exciting to see the sea.

But the 'rolling route'  rolled and rolled.  "Undulated" 

we were told. But the undules were huge and landscape  featureless.

Five of us took a detour to Dunnet Head, the most northerly point on the mainland.

On the way we met Hannah. She was building a log cabin with her partner using local materials.

The view from their future log cabin was lovely.

She was very pleased that the local Scotch pine had such tight grain indicating a relatively slower growing and stronger wood.













Her uncle and mother-in-law were helping to treat with fungicide/insecticide.

Peter and I arrive at the 11th hour at Dunnet Head, needing to get to our final rendez vous by 4pm

Dunnet Head lighthouse

Old Man of Hoy out in the Orkneys

When we arrived at John O'Groats and a piper and bubbly had been laid on. Many of us were tearful and exhausted.

The piper was organised by Sean's sister and husband who travelled alongside for the final days.

Yes!

No punctures, no significant mechanical problems for most of us.

We had been so lucky with weather - just a few drops of rain on the last day and an occasional shower on the trip

Farewell celebratory meal

with obligatory mushroom dish for the vegetarians.

Statistics
Distance 89 miles (82 if missing detour to Dunnet Head)

Lovely descent to coast then large 'undules' and long drag to our final destination!