From Innerleithen to Edinburgh (Day 10)

The best ride of the trip!

Distance: 32.67 miles Elevation Gain: 1,694

We have done it!! We are sitting comfortably in the HIlton Hotel, Newcastle, back from where we started 10 days ago. We creak in more bones and ache in more muscles than we ever knew we possessed, but are so happy at what we have achieved. There were times in the trip when I simply wanted to be beamed up but sometimes in life there is no choice but to carry on, and how proud we both feel for doing just that.

The long slow climb up to the summit of the Moorfoot hills was amazing. It was a gentle climb which we enjoyed. The sense of isolation, of being the only ones around was intense. We have few pictures as trying to mount our heavy bikes on an uphill gradient is difficult. However we did manage a couple...

The awesome sense of isolation on the climb

One protective Mum!

We reached the summit, where the views were spectacular but the photos we took do not do it justice, We could see as far as Edinburgh 24 miles away. Then came the best bit.. a steep three mile descent before we peeled off onto cycle tracks, most of which were downhill , The route took us though some terrific cycle ways passing through beautiful cool woods, a refreshing change after the hot temperature today.

Pathway through the cool woods

We then cycled through suburbia until we came to the railway crossing the other side of the tracks from our final destination. Poor Bob had to carry both bikes up and over the bridge at Brunstane Station. How he managed this after cycling for 32 miles simply defeats me.

Bob had to carry both heavily-laden bikes up two lots of steps and down the other side.

On the other side of the bridge we were meeting Paul, our favourite driver, on the Costa Coffee patio. We stuffed ourselves with a delicious cherry cake and a cuppa. Paul arrived spot on time and promptly loaded everything up into his fabulous Skoda Superb and entertained us all the way back to Newcastle. He is a joy, and one of the most positive people you could wish to meet. He stopped on the Scotland/English border to give us a rest break and took photos of us both.

Two tired little people

Paul was the first and last face we saw from Saddle at the beginning and end of the ride, and his positive and fun personality, together with his knowledge of the whole area made the ride extra special. He is an asset to the company. To conclude for the night, here are my two Angels of The North...

My Angels of the North

I will bring the blog to a conclusion tomorrow. For now a glass of red wine is calling.

Thanks to all of you at home whose support and encouragement has meant so much to us both.

Distance cycled overall: 290.2m Elevation Gain: 11,600ft