Day 1 Dunnet 2 Brora

JOHN O'GROAT TO LANDS ENDJOGLEBIKE PACKINGGRAVEL BIKING

11 Jun

As we left the Hotel, I couldn't help but smile at the weather forecast we were given on the phones. It will be 16 degrees and sunny...clearly the Scott's sense of humour, as it was cloudy and more like 6 degrees....however I was later going to have to eat my words. Now we were, until a week ago, supposed to come down through Wick onto the A9. But having looked at the hideous hills at Berriedale, I looked at a different route. Boy was I glad I did, as we turned off the the A836 onto the A897, it was like God appeared and drew back the curtains releasing the sun (eating my words, as it now must have been 16 degrees) and he gave us 39 miles of absolutely stunning single track road to ride on. Every corner was another wonderful view. And to top it all I bet we weren't even passed by 39 vehicles for the whole 39 miles!
On top of that we were getting sung to by the sheep, singing baa's in tenner, baritone and soprano as we cycled along the road. Then there was a baa that had Colin and me turn and stare.... it sound like the poor sheep was being hideously violated!
I spy road kill (sorry kids) some of you may have read the blogs from September last year and remember me ticking off a list. Well today two new additions (sadly) an Otter and a swift :-( On a happier note we saw our first Highland cattle.
I doubt the whole trip we will come across a better road than the A897, oh thank you A897 you have been splendid.
I can't understand why all JOGLE and LEJOGers don't take that route as they are really missing a massive treat and avoiding a massive hill...bonus

Strava route

· Day 1

Day 1 supplement

A few additions from yesterday I forgot to mention. First off we saw our first to LEJOGers, struggling up a hill we were going down. They had that deranged mad staring smile, that you knew meant "are we there yet!"
Secondly a recommendation for the Inverbrora B &B. Malcolm was a star he put our bikes to sleep in the sheep shed, with the sheep, who were merrily singing them off to sleep. The rooms were really excellent.