And We're Off!

Day 0, 4th sept 2014, (with a wee bit from the travel day)

I've doubted my sanity several times about calling this day 'zero' (as have others!...). I suppose during the planning it didn't quite seem like it was going to be a full day of riding in the right direction. It was always going to be a day about getting to the start, the essential achieving the 'JOG' bit of the JOGLE, without which the rest of the trip would just be a 'LE'. 
And so it proved to be..

We had a great time on the sleeper train after it pulled out of Euston, having said our goodbyes to Tracey, Andy and Jo. A note for those uninitiated in traveling by sleeper trains: if you have a berth, then the tickets give you the right to use the first class lounge. We availed ourselves of this facility. John H discovered they had some Whisky Miniatures so we decided to try a couple.... As we were to comment later, the advantage of getting older is the extra experience we can bring to a ride like this - we've learnt the things that are and are not good to do..... yet we still do things we shouldn't. Actually, we were very restrained and went to bed at a reasonable time, having decided to get a breakfast on the train.

We got up just after 7am. John H had not had a good night, but John C and I had. Breakfast was delivered by our guard who informed us we were running a bit late, which became a bit later as we had to wait for a train to pass (as it was single-track) at Dalwhinney, where we had a great view of the Cairngorms, still with patches of snow this year. Eventually we moved off and on to Inverness where we arrived about half an hour late, with a comfortable amount of time until our train to Thurso. It was running and expected to leave on time. Two of us headed out quickly to get some food for the day, then back to get the bikes loaded up (3 turned out to be a bit of a squeeze for the space, but we managed).

The train journey north was a real mix, a bit hot and stuffy, long, but with some great views. The problems started at Invergordon, where we had to wait for a south-bound train that was running a bit late (single track issues again). Then because we were running late we ended up having to wait 45 mins at Helmsdale. We were then informed that the train was no longer going to go on the spur line to Thurso, but just straight to Wick. Map time! After a quick look we realised that we could get off at Georgemas Junction and still only have about 22 miles to John O'Groats. The only difference would be that we had intended not to carry our full luggage. So this is what we did, leaving Georgemas at 15:15 (with John H managing to bang his, fortunately helmeted, head twice in the platform sign) and heading out across country. We reached JOG just after 5 pm after great views of the Orkney Isles and Dunnet Head. Photos were taken at the Start, which has charged immensely since we were there 10 years ago - much more commercial and corporate. Then off we went, back the way we cam initially, then on the main road. We decided not to go to Dunnet Head as it was getting dark and threatening to rain.As we got close to Thurso, we had to put lights on. John C had retained a remarkably accurate memory of where we were staying, so we got straight there with no fuss by 19:30. 

Sandra's Backpackers Hostel is a very basic place with worn mattresses but plenty of facilities for the outdoor minded, so on the whole we would recommend it. We headed out for food and ended up at the Bistro on the corner of the main street. Great food, if a little short on portion size (that could just be a cyclist perspective though!). Back to the hostel and straight to bed and sleep.

Stats for the day
Distance 41 miles
Average speed 13 mph (max 33)
Total climb 475m
Energy expended whilst cycling 2000 cals