Today was Sunday June 2nd and the last day of my ride. I had 28 miles to go to John O’Groats and another 17 to Wick, where I was spending the night before taking the train to Edinburgh. It was a relatively easy day with 1,784 feet of climbing and 43 miles.

I packed up my tent and had breakfast. Jason took a few photos before I set off. I was excited to reach the goal but also a little sad that this fabulous adventure was coming to an end.

It was another sunny day and I had chosen a route that took me mostly along the coastline, but first I had to navigate my way through Thurso.

I had good views of Orkney Island and Dunnet Head at the beginning of the ride. It was so close that I wished I had more time to visit both, but that will have to be for another trip. Dunnet Head is the most northerly point on mainland Britain.

Although I was on what was supposed to be a path, I arrived at a gate blocking access through a farmyard so I rerouted through the grounds of the Castle of Mey. I had never heard of this castle before but I discovered it had been purchased in 1952 by the Queen Mother and renovated. The castle and gardens are open to the public from May until the end of September. Another place to visit on my next trip.

The reroute brought me on to the A836 which would take me into John O’Groats. Jason was waiting for me at the signpost ready to take some photos.

Jason and I had lunch at the cafe before he headed back to England and I continued cycling to Wick, where I would spend the night before taking a train back to Edinburgh.

The clouds started to build so the last 17 miles of my ride were chilly and I had a strong headwind. There was also quite a bit of traffic which I didn’t enjoy. Nevertheless, the east coast was beautiful and I stopped to take a few photos, including the amazing ruins of Keiss Castle.

I arrived at my hotel in Wick just before 5pm. I made a cup of tea, took a shower and celebrated the end of the ride with dinner in an Italian restaurant.