Despite our best efforts to reserve bike space for the return journey three weeks previously, the exercise had proven inconclusive due to our thoroughly un-integrated rail service.
So at eight o'clock on Saturday morning, we received the good news at wick station that the bikes wouldn't be allowed on the train!
Things were looking pretty grim as we had another train to catch from inverness at twelve and no chance of making it via the next train. An extra night in Scotland beckoned.
Who do cycling hero's turn to when they need a saviour of their own?
The guard at wick station said he knew of a man who could do a job for us and hit the batphone.
Step forward Ronnie of Millars Wick and his bike trailer for hire! I must admit to being a little sceptical when our 68 year old knight in shining armour pulled in at wick station in his kia seddona. Images of driving miss daisy and a 30 mph crawl along the A99 while the clock ticked down played back in my head.
Ten minutes later, my doubts were extinguished as our 106 mile taxi ride took on the look and feel of a test lap at the nurburgring as ronnie started bombing down the windy single carriage ways at a scenery melting pace, expertly cutting the racing line and overtaking other cars. Turns out that ronnie likes his motors, having had a career as an army ambulance driver and a Focus Sti in the garage at home. Also turns out that he used to be partial to 180 mile bike rides to glasgow and edinburgh back in the day. How is it that everyone that we seem to meet on this trip is tougher in the saddle than us?
Ronnie beat the train by an hour and a half. Nice driving!
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Well done lads! Wat a brilliant trip you guys had! great Blog along the way too, cheers for sharing!
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