Some afterthoughts and observations
We organised our accommodation for just the first few days, finding the rest as we went along, but frequently found it was the same story, little or no room at the inn. If I did the trip again I would certainly book more of the accommodation in advance, as there were a couple of occasions we were caught in a "no mans land" of easily being able to go on further but needing to start looking for somewhere for the night. Also try to get something at the top of a hill, it's much better to start the day with a downhill run :-).
We were on hybrid bikes with riser bars which caused my little fingers, in particular, to go numb after the first day (and they took 3 weeks for the feeling to return). I would have preferred to have done the trip on a road bike with the choice of different hand positions on the drop handle bars.
I did the trip over 2 weeks but I would ideally have liked to have taken 3 weeks, this would give me more time for sightseeing and to look in all those places/things that I passed, plus it makes for a more leisurely trip.
I flew back from Inverness Airport, and was intending to kip the night there. But the airport shuts overnight and doesn't reopen until about 6.45am so you'll have to sleep somewhere else if, as I did, you have an early flight to catch.
If you're lucky enough to be carrying your own luggage then pack as little as you can get away with. We had read this advice on other sites and thought that we had packed light but we soon jettisoned some nonessential stuff. Some of the hills can be very steep, and who needs to carry extra bits up them.
I was checking the next days weather report on BBC1 but "rain in Scotland" is a bit vague and not very helpful, after all, Scotland is rather large.
We met lots of people on the trip (particularly to fill the water bottles up) and, without exception, they were all really nice and friendly. It certainly restored my faith in people.
The photo booth at Lands End (and presumably the one at John O' Groats) didn't open till 10 am, which meant the landmark signpost has no signs on it until after then, which kinda spoils the pictures if you intend leaving early.
I found it very hard while I was on my own to stop occasionally and take some photos, despite riding through some stunning scenery. This could be a once in a lifetime trip, so stop every now and then to take lots of photos. It also helps if you keep the camera battery charged.
Never, ever, take the so-called "scenic route". This is just tourist board speak for some bloody steep and totally unnecessary climbs.
If you're collecting for a charity, try to get most of the money "up front" otherwise it can be harder work collecting it than doing the actual trip. We had got a large chunk of the money before going, so it only took about 3 weeks to get the remainder.
If you see a large, fast, low flying Tornado aircraft heading towards you - DUCK!
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