Day 16 - Somewhere in Uist (55 kms) - " We surrender" !

Where did it all go wrong ? Maybe it was my choice of dry bike lube in Aberdeen anticipating sunshine or maybe it was not listening to the climate change gurus when May / June are the 2 best weather months in Scotland or maybe just slightly possibly it was listening to Monika when given the option to tour she chose Scotland and its scenery rather than the mild warm sunny climate of France ... I wonder !

We decided on a late breakfast after yesterday's heroics and timed it perfectly to head out into the pouring rain to start the day. After about 15 rain soaking kms we decided to try and rest in one of the few bus shelters we'd seen and congratulated ourselves on our decision when within 15 odd minutes the rain had passed through bringing periods of blue sky.

Our joy was short lived as although the rain had stopped the direction we were now heading was straight into the feared Outer Hebredian wind. On an Island where recorded wind temperatures exceed 100 mph 45 mph winds may not sound so severe that is unless you try and cycle directly into them !

For 6 relentless hours this is what we did, it was without a doubt some of the toughest cycling conditions I've ever cycled in.

I'd told Monika that cycling on Uist would be good as it was relatively flat and this bit was true as i was rarely moving out of the middle ring but the wind succeeded in dragging us down to walking pace and at times was strong enough to bring us to a complete stop.

Small comfort now that the sun was out revealing the lovely scenery of this island a low lying connection of lochs and swamps giving it a picturesque view.

Hardest though was cycling on the single lane roads with cars waiting patiently at passing bays ahead forcing you to double your effort so as not to delay them.

With a total absence of trees it was impossible to get any form of relief and even lunch was taken in the car park of a supermarket sheltering by a picket fence.

We only had 70 kms to cover but by late afternoon with only 20 kms to go we know knew we weren't going to make our destination which at the rate we were going was still some 4 hours away !

After much cursing and with our marriage on the line I made the call to stop at the next b&b we saw - that in itself a big ask as wed passed few houses in last couple of hours .

Eventually I spied one by a road turn off. I turned sideways to wait for Monika behind me and quickly disappeared into the ditch with the wind blowing me and the bike over

Recovering the little dignity I had left i signalled to Monika that she should pull in and negotiate with the b&b owner - all I can say is that knees on the ground with outstretched arms pleading is a damned good bargaining ploy !

The owners were lovely enough to take us in as well as run us down to the nearby pub some 15 mins away where we mealed and thanked ourselves for not having cycled on as the wind was now not only stronger but the rain was once again bucketing down !

We didn't even care too much that the pub service was lousy bringing us out our main meal only 5 mins before our b&b owners were due to come back to pick us up - the next table were offered free deserts because of the slow service which we would have also gladly accepted if they could have posted them to us en route !

Back at our b&b we were thankful to have survived the day going to bed dreaming about those amazing winds - all i can about the day is that I'm glad I'm not a lip reader as I could see Monika's mouth going all day but in the wind thankfully couldn't hear a damned word !