Wed: Thurso to Bonar bridge
Good B&B(current leader) (we're scoring these as we go along, the one who booked the losing establishment will pay a penalty)
Fine weather, occasional shower BUT force 9 head winds which are adding considerably to the challenge.
Rolling route out of Thurso, Fab Scenery, glimpses of excellent beaches but no brazilian bikini-clad volleyball players spotted. (sadly)
on to Bettyhill where carbs were taken on. It's only at this point that we finally turn South! By now a pattern begins to emerge: a maverick breakaway group:Chris/Julian leaving only John and Jeremy in the peloton. (sagely saving themselves for the sprint finish)
Rode alongside Loch Naver ("excellent scenery" Jeremy) Through Altnaharra (coldest place in UK) LONG climb over mountain pass and eventually crested the peak expecting the reward of an easy descent only to find that it was almost as hard as the climb due to wind! Finally to Bonar Bridge B&B (Jeremy offensive to landlady)
take on more essential carbs at local purveyor of liquid nutrition.
Miles:86
total mileage:131
yellow jersey: Chris
Thurs: Bonar bridge to Aviemore
Straight from B&B (Current standing, equal last place) into long climb (difficult with a full english sloshing up and down the oesophagus) The peloton tried to out-manoeuvre the leaders by leaving 15 minutes before them, however, the natural order was restored after about an hour.
Now comes the rain.. and plenty of it, aided and abetted by the (head)wind. This obviously added to the "challenging" nature of the undertaking. This and the fact that today's route has the greatest cumulative ascent of all the stages. (1200 metres)
Despite all this, Jeremy is still waxing lyrical about his excellent route
All in all, a tough day necessitating the taking on of more restorative carbs in the evening.
Another load of washing done tonight (cleanliness is next to godliness)
Anticipating tomorrows stage (a long one) having seen the weather forecast...
Miles 76
total miles 207
yellow jersey: Chris
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