Henrikdoc

Another beautiful day began and we were ready for the off UNTIL Hisham noted his flat tyre. The first -and only flat of the trip- . After the change of inner tube we set off.
“Clicking”on Hisham’s bike still there. 🧐

Surprised by the coastal hills that appeared in front of us for the first 50 km (scenes just too glorious to be able to capture them on camera )

we had the sea on our right and the hills that plateaued out on our left for the whole day

Needed to take the NC500 sign!

Lunch stop at the Clan Gunn memorial

Followed by a short spontaneous rendezvous for coffee with the support team about a mile further on.

“Clicking” on Hisham’s bike seemed to be getting worse !

The terrains became flatter and after a bit of “through and off”, we decided to slow down for the last 20 km or so after cruising through Wick. Bessie overtook us, honking her horn (and nearly missing the turnoff to JOG.

Nearly there…….

5 km to go

“Cars back”…. You go ahead Hisham….. click , click, chain came off….. can’t seem to get it back on….keeps slipping off and not engaging ….. goodness , the smaller drive ring has become completely disconnected from the main ring……. And it looks like the large ring is a bit wobbly too!!!!😱😱😱😱😱

We txted the support team …. Might have to walk the last 5 km . Thought of alternatives….

? Bungies hooked to Henrik’s bike and tandem ride to end (it was pretty much downhill bar one shallow incline from there on) …..

? Hisham borrows my bike , cycles to end , support team drives back to me for me to cycle last 5 km , we cross line together (we knew the main peloton was at least 30 minutes behind so we’d be within legal time to finish – that’s a cycling comment for the non cyclists amongst you) ……..

So….

Hisham walked to top of small incline and somehow managed to engage chain onto large ring AND keep it in one gear AND pedal without it coming off AND get up the hill!!!! 👏👏👏

Support team came to check all ok . 👍

We rolled across the line TOGETHER 🚴‍♀️🚴‍♀️💥💥

(Thanks for medals , Jo)

WHAT AN ADVENTURE !

Massive thanks to support team

AND even bigger thanks and gratitude to all who have encouraged and sponsored me.
Now over £2000 incl gift aid raised for WPCC, and more for Yeldal Manor (Hisham’s charity).

Absolutely honoured and privileged to be able to do this .

1050 miles , 77 hrs + in the saddle over 17 days cycling, 67000 ft climbing, lots of 🥯🍰☕️🙋‍♀️🍯🍎🍓🫐🥑🥪🥟🍪🥛