Day 8 - Fort William to Dornoch

Extra padding for Ally
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Day 9 - (Glasgow to Dornoch)

Dawn breaks on Fort William. The boys wonder when this ordeal will end. All roll out of bed onto the floor and are transported to a bustling breakfast bar for the most important meal of the day. A six year old girl helps Zia get the top of the rice krispies tupper wear container.

Heading North, the wind is kind for once and swift progress is made to the Commando Monument at Spean Bridge. Poignant memorial garden for Commandos has been added, and is a scheduled stop for the cyclists. A few moments reflection is followed by more le pumping towards our goal.

Findlay loses his 100 percent record and comes last in the second stage of day 8
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Ally's backside trauma has now reached epic proportions. Sheila has been researching long distance cycling aids and produces a sanitory towel for Ally's potential relief.

Unfortunately, it is not the brand that allows the wearer to go skateboarding, horse riding or most importantly cyling, so Ally passes.

Today at Drumnadrochit sees the most horrendous hill any cyclist anywhere will ever or has ever attempted. The sign warnned of a 15% gradient for a mile. What they did not say was mountain goats were refusing at the bottom. All three made it up by hook or crook (in Ally's case the number 37 and room for bicycles). But it takes a heavy toll as legs are heavy for the rest of the day. Lucky then the total of 108 miles is a pb for all three.

The next stop, our laddies are looking forward to the refreshments provided by Jack and Sheila. We roll into Fort Augustus car park, as arranged, and scout the horizon for our support crew. 20 minutes later, Jack strolls over and asking if we "like his new jumper, have we been here long". As long as you look sharp don't worry about us Jack.

Ally's weariness is quickly forgotten as he takes the call from the Sunday Herald, who want to take our photos at the stop. Zia's only worry is whether or not Costa Coffee do haircuts or not.

The scenery, which has been for the most part stunning, moves into breathtaking as we speed along the banks of Loch Ness. Despite advanced notice of our trip, Nessie, like Adrian, is a no show.

All three physically heave at the propect of malt loaf.