In 2022 I tried to do the NC500 in 5 days, but had to abandon after day 2 due to an injury (not cycling related). So finally I was here to do the trip over 7 days with Pedal Britain. The only slight concern I was very ill (possibly covid) a couple of weeks before. a lateral flow test showed positive, but the test control line didnt show. However I tested clear the day before I travelled by train to Inverness.
First day's cycling let me know I didn't quite have my top end anymore, but still managed a good pace. The second day was over Bealach na Ba a tough alpine like climb. It started well, but a slipped chain took a while to sort out. by the time I got to the summit it was chucking down with rain. this made the descent less than ideal. A quick brew stop at the bottom and I was off before I got cold. Although I made it to the end of the day, i was starting to feel ill, most likely gunk off the raod slashed up on to my water bottle.
I only managed to cycle the next two mornings as I was unable to keep food down. and the 5th day I didnt ride at all. However this meant I could properly recover and the last two days provided some excellent cycling in good (for the most part) weather.
Pedal Britain are great tour operators, they transferred my ike up to the start and back after the holiday. they put on brew stops and/or organised hotels/cafes for stops and lunches, and they ferried our luggage each day to the hotels so we didn't have too much stuff on out bikes.
Despite missing out on some riding I rode the main parts up the west coast that i had been looking forward to, including the Bealach na Ba climb. The rest of the group were a good friendly bunch with a vaired backgrounds which. Thanks to richard for staying with me most of the way, and heres to Doug who had only cycled round cambridgeire before and discoverd hills for the first time.