Day 13 - Thursday 21st May
Rest day in Edinburgh staying with my son, Simon, at the Officers' mess, 3rd Battalion Rifles, Redford Barracks. No cycling but went into town by bus!
Rest day in Edinburgh staying with my son, Simon, at the Officers' mess, 3rd Battalion Rifles, Redford Barracks. No cycling but went into town by bus!
Day 14 - Friday 22nd May - (Edinburgh) Kilmarnock to Lochgilphead
A day of 10 parts
1) Set off 0650 to cycle to Edinburgh Waverley station.
2) 0730 train to Glasgow Queen St
3) Cycle to Glasgow Central
4) Train to Kilmarnock
5) Cycle to Ardrossan
6) Ferry to Brodick, Isle of Arran
7) Cycle across Arran
8) Ferry from Loch Ranza to Claonaig
9) Cycle to Tarbert
10) Cycle to Lochgilphead.
A very varied and interesting day. Cycling across Arran was great - up to 650 feet but beautiful scenery. Loch Ranza is lovely (I remember sailing in there nearly 20 years ago). Unfortunately I hadn't booked accommodation in Tarbert and it was their annual regatta so the picturesque town was heaving and full hence stage 10. The last 14 miles were glorious - level alongside Loch Fyne with a following wind. I arrived at Lochgilphead at 6.30. It was run down and dead. It seemed the only accommodation was the rather tired Argull Hotel - £32.50 and no breakfast on Saturdays! However the evening meal was good. Walking round later I came across a reasonable looking guest house just round the corner - oh well next time!
Stats: Distance 57.3 (plus 5 in Edinburgh) Cumulative 679.6 Moving average 11.7mph Time moving 4hr 54min. Start 0950 End 1830
Day 15 - Saturday 23rd May - Lochgilphead to Barcardine (North of Oban)
I followed the cycle route alongside the Crinan Canal, a lovely path with a following wind, then turned north at Bellanoch. This all brought back memories of sailing holidays - past Ardfern, Craobh Haven and Arduaine with lovely coast views Then I had my first (and only) puncture beside the loch. In a quiet cafe behind Kilmelfort post office i had a fish soup and then the rain started. It was very heavy and cold in Oban for nearly an hour whilst I sheltered in a bus shelter. I set off in light rain across Connel Bridge to meet Antony at Benderloch and another 4 miles to the camp site at Barcaldine and a warm welcome in his campervan. Apart from the rain it was a lovely ride with 3 climbs of 650, 550 and 400 feet.
Stats: Distance 52.7. Cumulative 732.3 Moving average 11.0 mph Time moving 4hr 47min. Start 0830 End 1730
Day 16 - Sunday 24th May - Barcardine to Fort William
My shortest day! Another grey day but peaceful night in Antony's van. Wonderful ride following the lochside most of the way with no climbs and a following wind but the road got busy after Ballachulish. It was a short day, perhaps just as well as the rain started just as I arrived at Glen Nevis camp site. The ascent of Ben Nevis was called off - too cold, too wet, too windy and the wrong clothes.
Stats: Distance 34.0 Cumulative 766.3 Moving average 12.5mph Time moving 2hr 44min. Start 0905 End 1205
Day 17 - Monday 25th May - Fort William to Muir of Ord
My longest day! There was heavy rain on the camper van roof so there wasn't much enthusiam for the 8 o'clock start. The rain eased a little but kept on all day mainly as fine drizzle except for half an hour mid-afternoon. I started out on the Caledonian Canal tow path. It was gravel and good at first but later deteriorated - the Great Glen Route - great for walkers. I eventually joined the A82 at Kilfinnan after adjusting the front brake which had worn in the gravel and the wet. I was grateful not to have any punctures on the rough track - slow going. The A82 was faster but busy and it was a relief to turn off at Drumnadrochit alongside Loch Ness. The climb out on the A833 to 850 feet was steep and I walked for nearly a mile. I should have stopped at Beauly, a pleasant little town, but went on to Muir of Ord, not so nice, where after 3 attempts I found an excellent B&B right next to an hotel for a meal. I arrived wet from head to foot but received a good welcome.
Stats: Distance 71.6 Cumulative 837.9 Moving average 10.5mph Time moving 6hr 51min Start 0905 End 1815
Day 18 - Tuesday 26th May - Muir of Ord to Brora
A bright and sunny morning at last with a freshening west wind. I made excellent progress to the north coast of the Black Isle averaging 13mph with a following wind. The road climbed to 400 feet with lovely views across Cromerty Firth. On arrival at Cromerty - DISASTER!. The ferry I believed started in March did not start until 1st June. I tried all means to get across or get back - other boats (none), taxi (no answer), bus (not that way) so I had to cycle all the way back to the A9 into a strong headwind and over that 400 foot hill. From here on I followed the A9 except for a few small diversions where there was a suitable B road. The rest of the day to Brora was good fairly level cycling with a couple of sharp showers. My last night en route was in a pleasant waterside B&B with a warm welcome after the initial shock of seeing a tired and wet looking cyclist on the doorstep.
Stats: Distance 69.3 Cumulative 907.2 Moving average 11.2mph Time moving 6hr 10min Start 0850 End 1740
Day 19 - Wednesday 27th May - Brora to John O'Groats (JOG)
The final day! The wind was favourable to start - a westerly for the north east direction. I made good progress to Helmsdale then the coastal raod climbed to 750 feet dropping down to Berriedale then up the other side with a very steep hill and hairpin bends. Much walking! I adjusted the brakes for the descent and made good progress to Wick. Relieved to be in contact with Susan on her way up from Edinburgh. After Wick the road turned north and the wind became gale force. Occasionally the road turned slightly west and I had real trouble making headway - down to 5mph on the flat in places. I halted 2 miles from JOG and after about 15 minutes was overjoyed to see Susan appear over the hill in my car. The final run down to JOG and arrival was felt with much relief. After much celebration we motored to Tongue about 65 miles away for a much enjoyed 4 night break.
Stats: Distance 63.4 Cumulative 970.6 Moving average 10.8mph Time moving 5hr 53min Start 0815 End 1600
Overall stats:
Total miles en route: 970.6 (Plus 10 in Edinburgh)
Time moving: 86.5 hrs
Moving average: 11.2mph
Approx number of pedal revolutions: 290,273
A very varied and interesting day. Cycling across Arran was great - up to 650 feet but beautiful scenery. Loch Ranza is lovely (I remember sailing in there nearly 20 years ago). Unfortunately I hadn't booked accommodation in Tarbert and it was their annual regatta so the picturesque town was heaving and full hence stage 10. The last 14 miles were glorious - level alongside Loch Fyne with a following wind. I arrived at Lochgilphead at 6.30. It was run down and dead. It seemed the only accommodation was the rather tired Argull Hotel - £32.50 and no breakfast on Saturdays! However the evening meal was good. Walking round later I came across a reasonable looking guest house just round the corner - oh well next time!
Stats: Distance 57.3 (plus 5 in Edinburgh) Cumulative 679.6 Moving average 11.7mph Time moving 4hr 54min. Start 0950 End 1830
Day 15 - Saturday 23rd May - Lochgilphead to Barcardine (North of Oban)
I followed the cycle route alongside the Crinan Canal, a lovely path with a following wind, then turned north at Bellanoch. This all brought back memories of sailing holidays - past Ardfern, Craobh Haven and Arduaine with lovely coast views Then I had my first (and only) puncture beside the loch. In a quiet cafe behind Kilmelfort post office i had a fish soup and then the rain started. It was very heavy and cold in Oban for nearly an hour whilst I sheltered in a bus shelter. I set off in light rain across Connel Bridge to meet Antony at Benderloch and another 4 miles to the camp site at Barcaldine and a warm welcome in his campervan. Apart from the rain it was a lovely ride with 3 climbs of 650, 550 and 400 feet.
Stats: Distance 52.7. Cumulative 732.3 Moving average 11.0 mph Time moving 4hr 47min. Start 0830 End 1730
Day 16 - Sunday 24th May - Barcardine to Fort William
My shortest day! Another grey day but peaceful night in Antony's van. Wonderful ride following the lochside most of the way with no climbs and a following wind but the road got busy after Ballachulish. It was a short day, perhaps just as well as the rain started just as I arrived at Glen Nevis camp site. The ascent of Ben Nevis was called off - too cold, too wet, too windy and the wrong clothes.
Stats: Distance 34.0 Cumulative 766.3 Moving average 12.5mph Time moving 2hr 44min. Start 0905 End 1205
Day 17 - Monday 25th May - Fort William to Muir of Ord
My longest day! There was heavy rain on the camper van roof so there wasn't much enthusiam for the 8 o'clock start. The rain eased a little but kept on all day mainly as fine drizzle except for half an hour mid-afternoon. I started out on the Caledonian Canal tow path. It was gravel and good at first but later deteriorated - the Great Glen Route - great for walkers. I eventually joined the A82 at Kilfinnan after adjusting the front brake which had worn in the gravel and the wet. I was grateful not to have any punctures on the rough track - slow going. The A82 was faster but busy and it was a relief to turn off at Drumnadrochit alongside Loch Ness. The climb out on the A833 to 850 feet was steep and I walked for nearly a mile. I should have stopped at Beauly, a pleasant little town, but went on to Muir of Ord, not so nice, where after 3 attempts I found an excellent B&B right next to an hotel for a meal. I arrived wet from head to foot but received a good welcome.
Stats: Distance 71.6 Cumulative 837.9 Moving average 10.5mph Time moving 6hr 51min Start 0905 End 1815
Day 18 - Tuesday 26th May - Muir of Ord to Brora
A bright and sunny morning at last with a freshening west wind. I made excellent progress to the north coast of the Black Isle averaging 13mph with a following wind. The road climbed to 400 feet with lovely views across Cromerty Firth. On arrival at Cromerty - DISASTER!. The ferry I believed started in March did not start until 1st June. I tried all means to get across or get back - other boats (none), taxi (no answer), bus (not that way) so I had to cycle all the way back to the A9 into a strong headwind and over that 400 foot hill. From here on I followed the A9 except for a few small diversions where there was a suitable B road. The rest of the day to Brora was good fairly level cycling with a couple of sharp showers. My last night en route was in a pleasant waterside B&B with a warm welcome after the initial shock of seeing a tired and wet looking cyclist on the doorstep.
Stats: Distance 69.3 Cumulative 907.2 Moving average 11.2mph Time moving 6hr 10min Start 0850 End 1740
Day 19 - Wednesday 27th May - Brora to John O'Groats (JOG)
The final day! The wind was favourable to start - a westerly for the north east direction. I made good progress to Helmsdale then the coastal raod climbed to 750 feet dropping down to Berriedale then up the other side with a very steep hill and hairpin bends. Much walking! I adjusted the brakes for the descent and made good progress to Wick. Relieved to be in contact with Susan on her way up from Edinburgh. After Wick the road turned north and the wind became gale force. Occasionally the road turned slightly west and I had real trouble making headway - down to 5mph on the flat in places. I halted 2 miles from JOG and after about 15 minutes was overjoyed to see Susan appear over the hill in my car. The final run down to JOG and arrival was felt with much relief. After much celebration we motored to Tongue about 65 miles away for a much enjoyed 4 night break.
Stats: Distance 63.4 Cumulative 970.6 Moving average 10.8mph Time moving 5hr 53min Start 0815 End 1600
Overall stats:
Total miles en route: 970.6 (Plus 10 in Edinburgh)
Time moving: 86.5 hrs
Moving average: 11.2mph
Approx number of pedal revolutions: 290,273
