Today was always going to be a day of 2 halves, the morning riding up the side of Loch Lomond followed by an afternoon climbing up to and crossing Rannoch Moor. The road up the side of Loch Lomond is one of the main roads to the north of Scotland however it is windier than most local B roads as it makes its was between the loch and the hills. Given that August is in the middle of the holiday season we had to compete with holiday makers heading north, whilst most people gave us plenty of space they were often forgetting about traffic coming south. One motorcyclist came within an inch of leaving paint from his helmet on an army truck and a Spanish driver had defiantly forgotten that he had a caravan behind him as after passing us he pulled right back in sending the caravan skyward as it hit the curb - he passed us again later in the day and did exactly the same thing!
We also met two lads who had started from Lands End just after me last Friday fixing a puncture - it was their fourth in two days. I have been very careful not to mention the p word at all least I be jinksed by it. We left them just as a car pulled up to wait for two other cyclists, also riding from end to end all be it with an unfortunate delay due to injury. The first two lads soon caught us up, we did consider riding with them however given the second half of the day we opted for our own pace. This was to be the second of many meetings with these lads, the only other people doing the ride I was to meet until the last day.
Reaching Tyndrum and the start of one of the days two big hills we opted for ice creams at the Green Welly Stop before starting the ride up to towards Bridge of Orchy. Looking at a local OS map on the wall I noticed that the height gain was not going to be that much for the first hill however from driving it we still thought it would be tough. Riding up past the snow gates we found to our surprise and pleasure that we floated up the climb and before we knew it we on the long descent down. Maybe ice cream should be made compulsory before all major climbs?
This left the last climb of the day up on to Ronnoch Moor, this was harder however still not as bad as we had been fearing and the layby near the top that is home to a piper etc. for the tourists was soon reached. Derek celebrated this with a drink whilst I had a cigar! Once onto Rannach Moor itself the views were outstanding and we could see the Kings House - it would have been impolite not to stop! After a pint all that was left for the day was the roll down Glencoe past Sir Jim Savile's house to Glencoe. Passing the youth hostel we saw he two lads from this morning again mending a puncture.Stats for the day
Miles 79
Average Speed 13
Max Speed 39
Pubs Visited 3 - we did only have drinks in 2 due to the lack of bar staff in one!
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