Well today I was winging it for a number of reasons -I hadn’t booked accommodation in Wick, hadn’t booked return train ticket and could I finish it off today a day earlier than I predicted??
I decided if the weather didn’t interfere too much I might be able to finish it. I thought if I could catch the first ferry (8-30) from Cromarty to Nigg I should make it to Wick in time when the station was managed to buy my return ticket for next day. I had my porridge breakfast then turned myself inside out to get to Cromarty for 8-30 including the climb of fairy glen. I got there to find it may not be sailing at all and if it did it would be late – it hadn’t sailed at all the previous day due to the high winds. My choice was either to wait or retrace my steps meaning 36 miles on my journey. I decided to wait and used the time to book my accommodation at http://www.careysguesthouse.co.uk/ which had been recommended by several cyclists on CTC forum. The pilot eventually decided to give it a go(£5), late and took just me across to my namesake, Nigg on the other bank so I was off heading into a severe head/cross wind that was to batter me all day 😦 next stop Wick and I wouldn’t have time for lunch. Some of the hills combined with a headwind took me by surprise and were made the most difficult on the whole journey which included the climb out of Helmsdale and Berriedale Braes – at one stage some cyclists were climbing towards me almost as fast as I was having to pedal DOWNHILL 😦 By the time I reached Wick I’d made it in time to buy train ticket only to find I couldn’t get my bike booked on for the following day so booked another night at the Careys. It also negated the need to finish off tonight which would’ve been a 36 mile return trip on top of the 95 i’d already done. I’ll have plenty of time tomorrow for a leisurely jaunt up to the top and probably get conned for an official photo. A walk into town for dinner at Wetherspoons which offers consistently decent meals at reasonable prices and still no alcohol or spicy foods – checkout tomorrows entry 🙂
| Distance: | 93.24 mi |
| Time: | 8:14:45 |
| Avg Speed: | 11.3 mph |
| Elevation Gain: | 5,925 ft |
| Calories: | 3,051 C |
| Avg Temperature: | 54.1 °F |
| Time: | 8:14:45 |
| Moving Time: | 8:08:21 |
| Elapsed Time: | 8:59:27 |
| Avg Speed: | 11.3 mph |
| Avg Moving Speed: | 11.5 mph |
| Max Speed: | 37.6 mph |
Avg HR:45 bpmMax HR:142 bpm
