Training Log Archive: Tullster

Inverness to Oban. Set off along the B road which runs south of Loch Ness. Nice road but into the wind and legs not too fresh. Decent climb up to the viewpoint before fort Augustus then fast downhill. Joined the A82 just as the rain started. Bit of a slog along the main road in the rain then attempted a back road which turned into a dirt track, so reverted to the A82 again and bashed on to Spean Bridge. This section wasn't nearly as bad as the A9, traffic not as busy or fast and the rain eventually stopped. Took a nice back road to Fort William then stopped for lunch there. The last section to Oban was good, fast road, not too busy. Got into a rythm of alternating 3km on the front and tapped it out at 30kmph for the last 70km. I was shattered for the last few km. Well earned fish supper.

Before today my longest day in the saddle was 95km or so... A bit of a step up! From Dunnets head we went through Thurso as far a Bettyhill (~40miles) then turned south on a B road to Altnahara. Here we joined the A road (still quiet with passing places). This section was tough, into the wind and a bit of a climb. Thankfully the weather was behaving and we stayed dry. Made it over the hill into Lairg and found a cracking cafe for lunch about 5hrs in. The ride after lunch took us along some cracking wee roads in the sun then a wee climb up over the B9176 eventually popping ou on the A9. The last stretch was tough along the busy A9 with a slog over the black Isle. Made it to Inverness in one piece. Ate a lot of tatties for dinner.

The beginning of a tough weekend and the start of Dan's John O Groats to Lands End effort. Train to Thurso in crackin weather then cycled to the B&B at Dunnets head. Into the wind and bags feeling heavy made it a tough start. Dropped off our stuff then popped out to the lighthouse at the most northerly point on the mainland. From there cycled hard out to John O Groats, quick photo then hard back to make it in time for some grub. A loosener for the legs!

Wee cycle out through Starthblane then over the crow road. Got caught going up the crow road by a guy Alan McKenzie who turned out to be on the Shettleston committee! So had a got craic with him and did the rest of the ride together through Fintry, Killearn and back to Strathblane then the wee hilly road and back.

Wee run out to Strathblane then cut through (steep hill!) and back via Bearsden. Lovely night. Legs feeling ok apart from left achilles which was sore from the start but didn't really get any worse and not too bad afterwards.

Left achilles very sore and stiff walking to work this morning...needs a bit of attention.