Day 1 - Sunshine & Showers

Just to prove that we did start at the very top.

We're going to ride 'this far'

Anyway, day 1 started in glorious sunshine and the main pre ride debate was whether to bother to take a jacket....

Glorious sunshine at the very top of the country

As is tradition on 1,000 mile rides, we all set off at a much to fast pace helped by Team Cadbury whose train we tagged along on with Claire and I doing no work whatsoever but learning about freeze drying coffee.  The scenery was superb and I'm on the verge of actually liking the countryside. Although true to form, the highlight was Betty Hill which despite the name was a fantastic beachbreak with glassy 3 feet surf.

The terrain soon got lumpy though and the 600 riders were probably spred over 20 miles with the EDF Energy crew about mid pack.

We were soon climbing hils like this

Then after 70 miles of glorious sunshine, it started to rain at about 2pm and my decision not to travel light paid off as it is now 8pm and still raining.

Anyway, we finished the 104 miles and 2,000 metres climbing in 6 1/2 hours at a more than respectable 16 mph - tomorrow will be a lot slower if we want to actually ride the full 9 days. 

Apart from the Cadbury boys, thanks to a couple of Addeco guys, BA people (riding free Olympic liveried Pinarellos - take note Tony) and the man of the day Mustafa from Sizewell (62 years of age with no training) who took us home for the last 10. Although Andy, also from Sizewell finished a bit ahead of us.

And, whilst we are camping (in the rain), the food is fantastic...

Food glorious food

  

Although, after the first night, signs went up this evening saying 'one desert only' but luckily there was no enforcement.

Tomorrow, we continue through the Highlands to Fort William and Ben Nevis...