The Website for St George’s Church, Waterlooville and its Parish Magazine St George’s News
Wednesday 29th September – (Day 30) –
75.4 miles, 1526m climbing. Matt left campsite at Kinlochewe at 9.10am and cycled to Gairloch then along to Badcaul, Dundonnell and round to Braemore and on to Ullapool arriving at 3.15pm. Better day today some sun and a few showers but very windy.
Steve and I left at 9.15am to get to the Broomfield Holiday Park at Ullapool as they don't take bookings and it's first come first served from 11am. No problem getting in and have a lovely pitch overlooking the Loch. Have 2 nights here as Matt is having a rest day tomorrow.
Thursday 30th September – (Day 31) –
Rest Day in Ullapool. Not much to say today. Horrendous night last night - gale force winds - expected to find Matt's tent had blown away this morning!! Really heavy showers and very windy today. Managed to walk around the little town and a couple of walks along the Loch with George in between the showers. Forecast is pretty bad for the next few days.
Steve and I left at 9.15am to get to the Broomfield Holiday Park at Ullapool as they don't take bookings and it's first come first served from 11am. No problem getting in and have a lovely pitch overlooking the Loch. Have 2 nights here as Matt is having a rest day tomorrow.
Friday 1st October – (Day 32) –
96.2 miles, 2318 metres climbing but OMG the weather. We have now been in Scotland 14 days and only had one day when it hasn’t rained. Heavy rain when we got up so Matt was soaked before he left the campsite, then heavy showers all day and gusty winds and tonight is rain and very gusty winds. Matt doesn't mind the rain so much but the wind is a killer. He cycled from Ullapool to Elphin, then on to Kylesku, Durness and round to Tongue where we are staying tonight. Steve and I followed the same route which was on the NC500 with some stunning scenery. Part of it was on a single track road but it had lots of passing places. Had a very nice meal out tonight at a local hotel.
Saturday 2nd October – (Day 33) –
107.3 miles, 1918m climbing. Dry day until about 4pm when it poured with rain again. Really gusty winds all day making cycling challenging. Matt cycled along the A836 coast road to Isauld then cut across to Thurso and on to Dunnet Head, the most northerly point in the UK, then on to John o'Groats then on the A99/A9 through to Wick and on to Dunbeath where we are staying at the Inver Caravan Park.
Steve and I followed the A836 (NC500) coast road stopping in Thurso, passing Dounreay and then on to John o'Groats where we met up with Matt and then on to Dunbeath. A lot of the A836 was single track to start with with lots of passing places and we met up with lots of old sports cars coming in the opposite direction.
Sunday 3rd October – (Day 34) –
64.7 miles, 1,058m climbing. A hard day as it was extremely windy, very hilly and although it started off dry poured with rain again from 3pm. Matt also has a problem with some of his gears so we have had to add in an extra day as he has arranged to take it into a bike shop in Dingwall tomorrow so our campsite for tonight is at Evanton, Alness just 8 miles away. Hopefully it will be something simple. Matt cycled on the A9 all the way from Dunbeath to Tain then followed NC1 through Lamington to Evanton.
Steve and I followed the A9 all the way visiting Dunrobin Castle. The scenery along the way was stunning again.
Jane Cook
This account of Matt’s epic cycle ride is being serialised, and the journey will continue in the next magazine with lots more glorious photos of the UK coastline.
