Northern exposure

I’m prepared to take the risk of the unknown, figuring it can’t be as bad as taking on Snake Pass. Can it?

I come to a fork in the road and stop. I’m tired. My kit is still damp from a morning of such rain it made my time in Scotland look sunny, and I want nothing more than a hot shower and to lie down. I have a decision to make. Turn left and keep following the planned route knowing I have another 90km and 1,000m of climbing to go, or turn right and take a short cut to the finish, saving 30km but with little idea about the lie of the land.

A battle rages in my head as a steady trickle of cars passes me by, little voices pulling me one way and then the other: ‘It’s cheating to take a short cut.’ ‘You’ve got nothing to prove to anyone.’ ‘You’re meant to be taking the scenic route.’ ‘It’s still an amazing ride no matter which way you go.’

On it goes until eventually