Route miles: 54.6
Total Miles: 949.5
Miles to go: 17 (plus 20 to Thurso)

Legs were quite leaden leaving Dornoch this morning but I always find the first 45 mins tough until the lactic acid kicks in.

A relatively short day leaving at 10.15 and arriving in Wick at 16.00 only troubled by the very steep hills at Helmsdale and especially Berriedale. The latter causes consternation for motorists let alone a cyclist with laden panniers and I have no shame in admitting that I pushed the bike up this section. Creation was perverse when they designed this contour and if the local authorities want to build a bridge over Berriedale then I'd gladly make a contribution.

Overtook three stocky lycra clad cyclists who on first impression looked like they were wearing wet suits. Had a chat with one of them and they were just coming to the end of an 8 day LEJOG trip. To be fair they had no luggage and were escorted by a support vehicle but personally I see no fun with a target of 125 miles a day. They looked absolutely spent and hasn't a support driver role got to be incredibly boring? Anyway I left them behind and focussed on Wick. Whenever cycling I always need to be thinking and regular mileage signs give me the opportunity to crunch some numbers and give an indication of when I may reach the next village or my final destination. Of course, map reading also helps focus the mind. Rhythm is really important too and in a good phase my legs just keep automatically turning with seamless effort. There are bad phases as well but knowing they will disappear, helps.

Tomorrow is my last day with 17 miles to John O'Groats before cycling 20 miles to Thurso to catch the 13.00 train to Inverness to meet Lynn who has just finished her Masters dissertation. Given the time and opportunity I would quite like to cycle home via the east coast of Britain but not sure that will go down well with work or Lynn. Another time perhaps.