The Not-So-NC500 - The last day and beyond

 WORD OF THE DAY

Inspirational (adjective) something that motivates mentally or emotionally. Like cycling through the Highlands. Or a great quote... “You’re off to Great Places! Today is your day! Your mountain is waiting, so… get on your way!” – Dr. Seuss

Portmahomack > Inverness
Emma's Strava Effort

The last day of the trip is here. Boo-hoo!

I don’t want this trip to end. And I don’t want to leave this gorgeous bed.

We momentarily consider booking another night as we have a day to play with, but decide to crack on after some deeeeelish coffees and a big feed. Leaving just before 11am, we had a pretty flat day ahead of us and the weather was being kind, so we ploughed on, making one stop at The Highland Farm Café. The coffees and toasties were yummy, but the stop had a bittersweet taste to it as just over the horizon was Inverness, which marked the end of the trip.

Pushing on, we had one more quick and punchy climb, then it was downhill all the way to our hotel. We managed to fit in one more spat about directions – Hamish wanting to steadfastly follow his Wahoo (other cycle computers are available) directions along the busy A9 and me, actually looking around and seeing that the dedicated cycle route into the city took you along some quieter roads. I honestly nearly left him there, but after heated negotiations we followed the cycle route signs to town.

We arrived at our hotel – The Columba Hotel, Inverness – at just before 4.30pm. I mean I don’t know what I was expecting – crowds lining the streets showering us with congratulations and confetti – but it felt like a strange anticlimax finishing our trip on the banks of the River Ness, tired, bikes fully laden, taking a few pictures of ourselves to commemorate the moment (obviously, no pictures, it didn’t happen) and then simply checking into our hotel room. And just like that, the trip came to an end.

Once in our room, I started sulking. Like a mardy toddler in a cramped car on the way back from Disneyland. Now we would have to return to London and normal life would resume. I just wanted to do another lap!

We headed out for a drinks and some food to cheer ourselves up. Hamish made us traipse up and down Inverness to find himself a spot that served Guinness. Princess.

The next day our train wasn’t leaving until after 8pm so we had a whole day to play with. I wanted to do a lap of Loch Ness (a 60-mile round trip), but Hamish was facing a big bike trip to Belgium a few days after we arrived back so wanted to rest his weary legs (not really fair IMO, but whatever you want darl…). So we biked the eight miles to Loch Ness. En route we started chatting to a guy who was passing us, bike laden with panniers and camera slung around his neck. We coaxed his adventure out of him: he was currently on his way from London to the Outer Hebrides and was having a ‘down day’ doing a loop of Loch Ness. Madman. He hadn’t even bothered to check how far it was. I was very tempted to join him on his adventures…

Once we reached the gigantic Loch, we plonked ourselves on the pebbly beach for hours, munching down on a packed lunch and having a nice, chilled natter before we headed back to London. It was a lovely day and we only saw two other (mad) people, having a dip in the chilly waters.

That night we boarded the Caledonian sleeper once again – it was no more comfortable the second time around – arriving back to London at just after 8am. We both had meetings booked in for just after 9 so we raced back to our WFH desks, picking up our boxed-up camping equipment from the flat foyer on our way up. I managed to squeeze in a shower and washed away the remnants of the trip before my meeting, and  we were straight back to it, memories of our recent adventure settling into the background.

That week Hamish sternly instructed me to “properly!” rest my legs, “that means no runs or cycling at all Emma!” (alright mum…). Meanwhile he packed up his bike once more and went straight off to Belgium for a three-day bike trip with his friends. Liberty. Left alone in our small, claustrophobic flat, I felt very hard done by. I suppose this is why I started the blog. I wanted a bit of a debrief and Hamish left me with no one to bounce my thoughts off.

Key Learnings (there were many more but I don't want to bore you more than I already have...):

• Scotland is proper lush.
• Don't scrimp on kit and equipment. Buy right, buy once.
• Do an overnight test run before the big trip. 
• A great rain jacket will keep a semblance of a smile on your face even in heavy downpours.
• Keep your feet dry as far as possible.
• Stay hydrated (even when you're getting pummeled with rain).
• Keep your pockets and your belly filled with high quality snacks ALL DAY LONG (I never struggle with this one).
• If you're going with a friend/partner/cycling chum make sure you love 'em. Not everything will be easy.
• Pack as light as possible but don't stint on socks.
• Ensure you carry out the proper mechanical work before you leave. If you're not sure on anything, take it to a professional (not you, Hamish!).
• Don't be afraid to readjust your plan en route. The unexpected throws up some great experiences.
• Take loads of pictures.
• Get out there - you won't regret it!

I loved every minute of the trip. Even fumbling our way through broken gear cables, constant low-hanging clouds and an unsuccessful attempt at being proper camping adventurers. I’ve caught the bug.

I hope you’ve enjoyed reading about it, triumphs, failures, sore bums and all. I hope there will be many more trips to write about soon. For now, if you have any questions, suggestions or just want to reach out for a chat – please slide into my DMs or drop me an email at birdonabike.blog@gmail.com. Lets get out on our bikes and explore!

Thanks for coming exploring with me! 
Have you got time for a little more? Click here for the Tour de Yorkshire

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