Day 1

After breakfast of poached eggs and toast the boys set off from Bannatynes Inverness at about 7.30am.

Although it was drizzly and slightly windy the weather was not too bad to start with. However by late morning that was all to change!! Wind and rain all the day, accompanied climb after climb!! At one point we thought we were only about 50 metres from the Pearly Gates!!!

Soaked wet through the boys pushed on for home. A warm coffee was delivered by support driver Harry, although Sean was shivering so much he couldn't actually drink it safely!!!

Anyway we made the 108 mile leg and were greeted by the Bannatynes team
In Aberdeen!!! Fed, physio-ed and watered, we're all tucked up in bed and getting some rest before doing it all again tomorrow!!! Hopefully this time in the dry-if our shoes and gloves ever dry out!!!!

Oh nearly forgot our trip to Dallas!! But unfortunately no Pammy or Sue Ellan!!!!

Arrived in Inverness and ready to go!!!

The ride up to Inverness was very pleasant with a wee coffee and carrot cake stop in Pitlochry. On arrival in Inverness we dropped our bikes off at Bannatynes and had a coffee with their Regional Manager, Paul Johnson.

After a quick bag drop and a shave we headed into town for a fabulous pre event meal at the Mustard Seed restaurant.

Early beds for all now, as we are leaving hotel at 6.20am to head to Bannatynes for breakfast and then eventually head off at 7am!!!

One of our posters in Bannatynes Stepps!!

Getting set for the off!!!

Busy morning for Sean and Des as they work hard at clearing their desks etc and get bags packed etc before heading north to Inverness.

There seems so much to take including obvious stuff like cycle and running gear but also all the techy kit and luxuries like shower gel etc!!!

Whilst we are both feeling nervous the general feeling is one of getting started -we are dying to get stuck in (although not sure we'll be saying that by Saturday night!!!)