Day 21 Falls of Shin to Tongue (on top of Britain!)

Today’s miles 43, running total 966

The day we reached the northern coast of Britain! The day started ominously weather wise, but the light rain disappeared by midday to leave high cloud, light winds and a fantastic days cycling despite three long climbs to reach Tongue.

The cycle through what is known as the ‘Flow Country’ of northern Scotland was absolutely superb with far reaching views of empty wilderness: no cars, no villages, no sign of any human habitation, no noise and best of all….no mobile phone signal! The following pictures give a flavour of what the scenery is like:

cycling past arguably the remotest pub in Scotland: the Crask Inn

view from the Crask Inn with a Millennium post

in the Flow Country cycling towards Ben Klibreck

pausing for a break near one of numerous lochans

Just over the last climb of the day we paused above Tongue to take a picture of an important ‘milestone’ for us: our first view the northern coast of Britain. It seems a long time ago when we left the south coast of Britain (at Penzance on Day 1) some 960 miles ago.

at long last we catch a glimpse of the northern coast of Britain; the Kyle of Tongue

Tomorrow we head east along the top of Scotland towards John ‘O Groats a strenuous 65 mile cycle ride which we will probably split into two days.

Lejoggers Courteous Driver Awards

After 960 miles of cycling through the UK, we have decided to give awards to the best and least courteous drivers we have experienced as cyclists. The results might be of a surprise to you, the Blog reader:

Most Courteous Driver Award:

1.       HGV Drivers (the larger the HGV, the more courteous the driver)

2.       Motor Cyclists

Most Discourteous Driver Award

1.       Coach Drivers (especially in tourists locations: they give cyclists no room whatsoever and nearly wiped out Tommy on more than one occasion)

2.       People Carriers  ( and without being sexist, those driven by women, who are generally  unaware of cyclists on the road)