Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
spending a single penny is an impressive feat, and riding a completely inadequate bike the
entire way took it to the next level.
Perhaps I was being slightly masochistic, but then isn't anyone who undertakes a phys-
ical challenge? That's the whole point of it being a challenge; pushing yourself mentally
and physically beyond your comfort zone.
I think Ben also felt slightly threatened by The Falcon. He didn't just want me to get a
better bike to speed things up; he wanted me to get a better bike to put us back on level
terms. He saw The Falcon as something that would upstage his achievement.
I didn't see it that way at all. It was simply a personal challenge of mine to keep The
Falcon for as long as I could. I had wanted Pinky to make it all the way to the top of Scot-
land too, but Ben traded her in at the first opportunity.
Benwasnotparticularlyfitorathletic.Theclosesthegottophysicalexercisewaswalk-
ing to the pub at the end of his road. For him to even attempt to cycle 1000 miles was re-
markable in itself. He didn't need an inadequate bike to make it even more impressive.
We said goodbye in the car park, which was surprisingly emotional. Not because of the
car park, you understand. Being reunited, albeit briefly, with our family had given us both
a sense of security and familiarity. The thought of going back into the unknown was sud-
denly quite daunting.
After they had left, a lady in a long, floaty dress came running across the car-park to-
wardsus,aswewereclimbingontoourbikes.Shewasinherearlytwenties,slightlyhippy-
ish and very giggly. She was clutching a huge sandwich bag full of chocolate bars and
sweets.
'Hello, sorry to bother you,' she said. 'I hope you don't mind, but I overheard your con-
versation in the pub and I gather you are cycling to John O'Groats, but you're not allowed
to spend any money?'
'Hi. Yes that's right,' I said, a little shocked as it appeared we had our first ever stalker.
'Don'tworry,I'mnotstalkingyou.Mycarwasparkedinthiscarparktoo,andIwanted
to give you this bag of sweets. I thought it might come in handy.'
'Thank you. That's amazing.' I said, as she ran back across the car park. The bag was
stuffed full of fun-size chocolate bars, flapjacks and sweets. Ben and I gawped at it like a
couple of children at a tuck shop.
'You're welcome. Good luck!' she shouted back.
We ate several bars there and then to make up for our measly lunch and then agreed to
ration the rest over the next few days.
I hope what I am about to tell you fills you with as much anger and disappointment as it
did me.
Let me set the scene for you. It is Christmas Eve, almost three months after we com-
pleted the trip (Dammit! I hope I haven't spoilt the ending for you). Ben and his family
Search WWH ::
Custom Search