LATEST NEWS The Eagle has landed ! We rolled into J O'Groats Friday afternoon (28th), 12 days and 1030 miles after leaving Lands End. We started in bright sunshine, we ended in bright sunshine but in the middle we encountered conditions as severe as anything I have ever experienced on a bike before. Sods Law, naturally, dictated that the foulest weather coincided with the most topographically demanding stages. Up the Trough of Bowland and over the Pennines on days 6 and 7 and then again on day 10 when we had to tackle the Cairngorms, were particularly grim sections containing a good number of sustained gradients greater than 15% to overcome in high, gusting, sometimes gale force winds and torrential rain. The wind chill meant we were all forced to don full winter gear but it was barely enough. At the top of Shap Fell my heavier team mates insisted I let the back-up transport take me down the mountain as they feared for my safety in 70 mph winds having seen me twice blown off my bike on the ascent. Then at the top of the infamous "Devil's Elbow" (which we, thereafter, renamed with a different part of the his anatomy!!) at Glenshee, I again had to take a ride and be ferried to Braemar, at the bottom of the mountain, to buy some more effective gloves as my totally numb hands would have been lethal on the alpine-like descent. It didn't help, of course, being aware that down in the south it was for the most part warm and sunny! I reckon this side-tracking caused me to miss 30/35 miles (mostly downhill), so I think I can reasonably still claim "mission accomplished"; I was perfectly fit enough to go on on those occasions but there was the wider picture to consider - namely, the effect my circumstances and actions would have on the peace of mind and well-being of the others. My heartfelt thanks go out to everyone who has supported me both morally and financially and to the Old Ports lads who allowed me to share their trip and who looked after me so thoughtfully and thoroughly. You all made, and continue to make, a difference Les