Hey CoBi fans, we're currently in Invergordon, 23 miles from Inverness and about 104 miles from John O'Groats. We've had an awesome day today, helped by university challenge winner Harold, 16 year old Lee and long distance cyclist Mark. We were also joined by John, who incredibly has just finished Land's End to John O'Groats on his own (after his friend broke his arm within four miles of the start) in 11 days. As we left Helmsdale I was worried that our second night under canvas had taken it's toll as we struggled up the small but steep hill out of the harbour. However at the top of the hill, when I realised I'd left the brake on, our slower progress made sense. Boosted by the news that we hadn't completely lost our powers in Helmsdale we cracked on at a fair pace and before long we were at Dunrobin Castle, where the manager Keith kindly sat us by the fire and offered us tea, coffee and biscuits. He'd just got back from cycling in Tibet and Nepal to Everest base camp aged 61 so we believed him when he said he'd be on the bike down the A9 if he didn't have to work.
At our lunch stop John stopped by and offered to help, despite having just done LEJOG the other way himself. Two farmer's boys in Wick had told him they'd seen us go past and he cycled all the way from there to give us a hand.
Our next stop was the Glenmorangie Distillery, where looks of panic crossed the faces of several tourists leaving the vistors centre, as they feared they'd misjudged the strength of the whisky they'd just tasted. Very kindly, the Distillery let us photgraph Miss CoBi next to the giant vats inside and gave us a bottle of single malt that we'll auction off at the end of the trip.
Last few miles to Invergordon were hard because bums were sore and the road was flat and unexciting. Made it into town just in time to give a ride to Rob Maclean of BBC's Sports Scene in Scotland. We're incredibly lucky to be staying with Willie, who has given us tent, table and toilet space. Thanks to him and all our other incredibly generous supporters today, we couldn't have done it without you.
Day 1 blog will follow as soon as internet starts working on the computer again.
Thank
we struggled up the hill out of the harrb ou
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