Day 9: Our shortest day, Peebles to Perth, negotiated Edinburgh, had great views of the Forth Road & Rail bridges before crossing north. Arrived at our hotel at 3.30pm - won't happen again so I enjoyed updating all contacts on progress & encouraging support.

Reflections to date:-
I am now at the end of day 9 with just four to go - I could say yippee but with this long distance cycling you learn to take each day as it comes. Each has its mental and physical ups and downs and the next few days also look to have the best and the worst Scottish weather can throw at us.

Lessons so far: this is very very hard and it feels harder as I am with a group of experienced cyclists who are used to a days spin in the mountains for fun. I may be fit but not cycling fit in the way they are.....that said I have grit and determination and my body is holding up well - considering one guy was out for 2 days with extreme soreness and one very fit lady for the first time in her life experienced an asthmatic response due to the level of exertion required and had to rest for a day!
Food is a real issue - even though I am exercising hard I cannot eat and don't like anything if it is too dry and hard to swallow - I am eating everything I don't normally - fried eggs, fried bread, white toast, nothing sweet, I am addicted to crisps - or is it the salt. It's also been hard to keep hydrated as I have to stop to drink rather than do it on the move - sometimes you forget.
Every day I am exhausted and pour myself into the shower or a bath - eat then sleep - then start again!
My neck ache has been a constant pain until I cracked a few stretching and moving tips from one of the elite today - so I hopeful for tomorrow!
On the real positives - and I hate to say this - the bike and its tyres remain 'injury free' !