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Inverness here we come!!
I woke up late (again), and packed fairly quickly. The clothes were still damp, but would have to do. I had slept
very well but I knew it was going to be a long day; 55 - 60 miles, and was keen to set off.
There was no chance I could update my web page, I would have to do it in Inverness... I cycled back to the A9 and
confirmed what I had thought; It has been all up hill yesterday. I continued south along the A9.
The road at this point seems OK. It is wide enough for lorries and cars to get by, and they aren't going too fast.
When the road started to get windey and steep and I took advantage of a small side road which took me to the small town of Dornoch.
The town is lovely and the detour was well worth while. (I have photos) I went a little wrong missing the small road
that would have taken me onto the A9, and ended taking the A949 instead. This delayed me a little but not too badly.
I continued along the A9 and across the first bridge of the day. This was OK, with space for cyles, I had been worried that
some of these bridges might be a bit too dodgy. I continued on the A9 in the direction of Tain, which took me past
the Glenmorangie distillery! This is when things started to unwind. I had to take a look and ended up experiencing
the full distillery tour with a wee dram to finish. This led onto me trying 4 more. This was probably a delay I could have done without,
I ended staying 90 minutes, and didn't leave till 2pm.
I had decided at Tain to take a right turning which was a a short cut to Alness missing out the A9 all together. However I
missed the turning but saw a sign for 'Route 1' instead. This is a cycle route to Inverness, which avoids main roads, and uses cycle paths.
I though that I couldn't go wrong, and so didn't check the map. The route is obviously seasonal, cos it took me in the
wrong direction to Nigg. There must be a Ferry in Summer, but at this time of year, and I had gone 10 miles out my way for nothing.
It was now getting on, and I still had 30 miles to go, I figured I might manage six o'clock into Inverness.
I got back onto the A9 but then took the road to Ivergordon. This is safer, but longer. From this point on, all was OK,
I continued on the right route, but time was pressing on and it was starting to turn dark. I got to Alness for 5pm and stopped at Morisson's
for chocolate and water. I still had 20 miles to go, and six o'clock was looking optimistic.
Once I crossed the bridge south of Alness, I stayed on the main A9 to Inverness. To begin with it was alright, but as it got darker
and busier, it started to become a bit scary. It was a slow (over an hour) climb from the bridge, and I was getting very cold.
Finally, finally! it flattened out started running downhill into Inverness. I made good progess and left the A9 just over the bridge.
With Jon and Rosie's direction I probably only had 10 minutes to go. ( it was 8ish by now. )
It had to happen, bang, bang, bang, the rear tyre started pounding on the pavement; a puncture! The final stretch into town had been
along an overgrown cycle route, and I must have got a thorn in the tyre. I ended pushing the bike for a further 30 minutes.
I finally got to the hostel at 8.45pm. As you can imagine, I was done in. I had a quick shower, and went out for some tea (curry).
But by 10 o'clock I was falling asleep standing up.
So with with grim determination, I headed for my bed!!!
Speak to you tomorrow Phil
(I now have even more nice pictures, which I will upload when I have
worked out how to)
You can email me here. Send me
your comments and tips.
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