The hardest day cycling I have ever EVER done. The rain began just as I got to John O Graots and then didn't stop. I had a few stops, at Wick Tescos (such value for money cafes don't you think?) and at Lybster Harbour (where I brushed up on my barrel making knowledge and the lovely lady in the cafe tumble dired my now soaking jumper). As I climbed back out of the harbour I realised the wind had now joined the rain, and the wind direction was opposite to me.
I swear that the journey was up hill all the way and with that wind, my muscles were screaming.
It is important to remeber, on long journeys like this that what goes down, must inevitably come back up and so with much trepidation (because I could see accross the valley) I navigated the mile or so 13% descent. The rain had stopped but the wind remained so I pushed my bike accross the bridge and never really got on again until the top of the hill.
After a slightly less steep climb I passed a group of cyclists sunning themselves (see, not only me suffering) and at the top of the hill talked to their companion. He gave me the best news I have ever heard, Helmsdale is in the next valley so, over the brow of the hill and I should see it.
I pushed on and reached the summit and there, after a scary hairpin bend (where a car with a trailer chose to overtake me), I reached Helmsdale. I swooped down the hill singing at the top of my lungs! I even had to stop to take a photo of the sign, never has one road sign caused so much joy.
The hostel is to be reccommended as apparantly is the chippy although I went to the pub!
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