That was about the most interesting thing in the morning, the road itself was straightforward and uneventful. The east coast being mildly interesting but not very spectacular. Berridale Brae was about the best part, although it involved a steep descent followed by a long and steep ascent to get back out. The valley looked pretty though and the sun shone for about the only time that morning so I probably should have taken a photo. Most of the day we spent apart as there was no chance of getting lost and I find it very difficult to cycle uphill at Sam's speed. It feels good to be out on your own in a fairly empty place and after two weeks together there really isn't a great deal to say. I waited at a pub in Lybster with a pint of Guinness as he caught up and we rested for a while as pubs seemed to be few and far between and I would have liked to have stopped earlier.
This was the best view, maybe, nearly:
Then, after 16 days and around 100 hours of cycling, it all went downhill. I settled in behind Sam somewhere after the little village of Blackness deciding that it would be best to stick together as we headed for a meal in Wick. About two minutes after I had done this he slammed the brakes on, despite the road being empty, and I crashed straight into the back of his bike. The exact reason for stopping so suddenly is unclear despite the obvious need for a wee, I expect it was simply that he likes to make the back wheel skid. Either way I was extremely unimpressed and began shouting as soon as I removed the handlebar from my leg, then I removed myself from the bike and gave him a shove whilst still shouting. Had this been the first time I think I would have a lot calmer, but with basically the same thing happening the day before I coulnd't quite believe we were in the same situation again.
After a minute of letting off steam I got back on the bike and left him behind. If I was able to relive that incident I think I would have done exactly the same thing though, it was clear over the previous two weeks that he didn't listen to what I said so if I used a much louder voice maybe the message would get through. Of course it was an accident and accidents do happen, but one thing you certainly do not do when cycling along with someone else is to slam on brakes without warning unless absolutely necessary as it is downright dangerous. Had it happened one more time I would have instantly called off the rest of the trip, absolutely no doubt about that.
Long before I arrived in Wick I had calmed down and was happy to carry on as before, but Sam arrived 20 minutes later still bristling. Complaints were made about how I was treating him, and they certainly had a basis, but I would have been more annoyed at myself if I didn't have a shout than if I did. If someone puts your health in danger through stupidity it is best to point that out so it doesn't happen again. And it didn't happen again, Sam's bike-handling improved a fair bit after the first two weeks and stupid mistakes were for the most part cut out over the next 20 days.
We had a pretty poor meal in the Wetherspoons in Wick then headed off towards John O'Groats. For the first and possibly only time on the trip Sam was way out in front and had stopped at Jo'G for about 15 minutes before I rolled up. No point going to fast on a full stomach. This was definitely the nicest stretch of the day as the sun came out and the wind died down. I was really hoping it wouldn't die out completely as as Easterly wind, such as we had battled for the last week, would be really convenient tomorrow.
John O'Groats is a really unexceptional place, but anywhere this week that we could see properly and weren't getting wet or cold doing so was fine by us. The showers at the campsite were fine and we had already eaten so there was no need to do anything else before going to sleep.
Day 16 review
mileage = 85
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