1922 hrs .... Pitlochry

All arrived in Pitlochry by 1830 hrs after the 82 miles trip from Inverness. A great day and much drier that yesterday............

1720 hrs.....

17 miles to go..on long easy downhill cycle path.... Have met up with James...the full 10 Super Heroes are riding together for the first time...

1629 hrs.....

30 miles to Pitlochry.....great mountain scenery....

1140 a high point........... on the A9 to Aviemore.......

Ian failed to stop for this photo which is why he isn't in it...........

1351 hrs. Kingussie for lunch.....

What a great day so far - the sun has been out and the wind (although there) is not a patch on the gales from last night. Beautiful climb from Inverness up to Cairngorms, and have just come down through Aviemore and am lunching in Kingussie.

The kind proprietor of Gilly's Kitchen has provided us with free soup. James' earlier reports were that the flapjacks were good too. So now we have a big climb out of here and then downhill into Pitlochry - hopefully getting a tail wind.

Have also to report the yoda-esque wisdom of Thomas this morning who picked me up the floor with - "Dad if you can do one day, you can do two days; If you can do one mile you can do two." Those words got me out of my morning malaise!!!

Photos coming later....

0945 hrs...Goodbye Inverness

Set off from Inverness...all still a bit weary from yesterday's epic battle against the wind.... But that's what happens if you cycle behind Captain Underpants..... 86 miles to Pitlochry ....

08.32 - Pork Loaded and Ready for Action

Received wisdom on endurance events suggests the practice of carbo loading - brown bread, perhaps some muesli washed down with an isotonic sports drink. This rider, (Mr Incredible) is flying in the face of this with an all-pork start to the day. Whether this fuels a showcase cycling effort through the hills of Scotland or sees me crying in a layby 3 miles outside of Inverness remains to be seen but I can confirm that I strongly suspect tears.
Spirits are high, pork has been loaded, I am ready for the open road....

2256 hrs............. end of a very long day.....some random photos

all taken by Jeff & photo Pete on the 122 mile run from John O'Groats to Inverness....

Well done on completion of first day!

What a day! Punctures, potholes, breakdowns and galeforce winds.....But you all made it! Brilliant work to all of you in such hard conditions. Keep up the great riding and know that lots and lots of people are thinking of you all the time. Ali would be delighted with day one. He loved a challenge and you've certainly all had one today. You've all achieved and that is superb. Go for it! Love Kate and Claire xxx.

2045 hrs .......... arrived Inverness......

All arrived safely at the hotel in Inverness after 120 miles.......... very hard slog. Got to rush to get food before restaurant closes.....will post more details and photos later tonight.....

1818 hrs....

Inverness 19 m to go.....Covered 100 miles today....everyone knackered.......

1645 hrs.....

Sitting outside the Co-Op in Tain....support car has failed to start.... Tim & Jeff have gone back to mend it... 32 miles to Inverness....

1555 hrs....

Crossing the Dornoch Firth...... 38 miles to Inverness

1508 hrs......

Rain has stopped.... 48 miles to go to Inverness

1301 hrs...Helmsdale.......................

the last of us have reached Helmsdale for lunch after a very wet 80 km...... Various punctures but everyone is in high spirits.....

0730 hrs....... Departure from John O'Groats............

0839 hrs..... Wick

Stop for snacks at Tesco.....Raining nicely.....25 kilometers out.....

0700 hrs .... Superheroes off to battle summer gales

Well the day has finally arrived - with out exception can say we are all very excited. Reports on the bbc weather of winds gusting to 84mph on brings out the deeper superhero in us all!!!

866 miles to go, and today we take off 120 of them. It will be a challenge - and nothing that is beyond us.

Ali will be with us and helping us up any hill that feels too much. Bring it on....

Right we are off for JOG photos, then departing. Aim to be on the road at 0700.

0400 hrs .......Some team members can't sleep.....

Some Super Heroes are awake at silly O'Clock.......... The walls of the Seaview Hotel in John O'Groats are very thin..........Someone (Zorro) is snoring.......... Three hours to go to the first day of Ali's Big Ride.......120 miles to Inverness...........

1951 hrs..... Jeff to appear on Radio Surrey in the morning

Team leader Jeff will be taking part in a live interview on Radio Surrey at 0720 hrs tomorrow morning (Friday) live from John O'Groats just before the big departure. So listen in on 104 or 104.6 FM

1920 hrs.... All bikes prepared......

With the arrival of James and Chris in the support car all the bikes have been re-assembled and are stored and ready for the 0730 hrs start...... Now off to the John O'Groats Hacienda for a night of top disco dancing.....

1530 hrs.... The team begins to arrive at John O'Groats.........

8 out of 10 riders check in to the Seaview Hotel (Chris and James are heading this way in the Honda support car). Kate's parents Ian and Immy are also here at the Seaview...................... Next up bike assembly..............

0920 hrs..........Super Heroes arrive in Inverness...........

We have arrived in the Highlands.......Currently breakfasting in the 'Filling Station' cafe next to the railway station..............Traditional Scottish breakfasts all round...................... Catching a train for Wick which will take 4 hours, then a 16 mile bus ride and we will be in John O'Groats!

2142 hrs ........Late News.................

The new Cromarty Ferry is still not ready........................... (http://www.cromarty-ferry.co.uk/) this makes the already monumental first day truly mental as the distance is now 130 miles...............

2100 hrs ...80% of the Super Heroes on board the Caledonian Sleeper head north

As Ian,Immy, Chris and James head north in the support cars the rest of the super heroes board the Caledonian Sleeper from Euston.................. Everyone gets an early night to save energy for the Big Ride (!)

Good luck to you all.

Just wanted to say good luck to all the cyclists and support team. Jeff and I are comforted a great deal by your support, enthusiasm and continuing efforts. Thankyou. Ali would be proud of each and every one of you. Let's create a wonderful legacy for him and have an amazing experience at the same time as raising as much money as possible. Keep going. You can do it! See you in Cornwall. Katexxx.

BBQ send off for cycling super heroes

We had a lovely, sunny and indulgent launch BBQ on Saturday with the heroes being presented with their new cycle tops - don't they look the part? The kids loved their t-shirts too. We missed you Captain Underpants! Ready, steady and they are off.................

Good Luck!

Love Mrs Thing x

Mayor Boris Johnson supports Ali's Big Ride from City Hall

Captain Underpants (AKA Peter) cornered Mayor Boris at City Hall who joined a long list of famous types to wish us well on our 866 mile Big Ride.....