Glencoe and beyond

Hello Blog-followers. Morris and I are now about 10 miles south of Fort William at a place called Ardgour (apparently the Travelodge in Fort William was fully booked ...... yes this is the May Bank Holiday weekend). It took a short ferry-ride to reach the hotel on the opposite side of the Loch (cyclists go free).

Just a word or 2 about our encounter with the kilted men at the Selkirk Office yesterday morning. This was the first time we'd met such folk by the way. As we strolled into the Office we were confronted by a couple of burly Scotsmen in traditional dress. One of them standing at least 6ft 6in, arms crossed, eye-brow raised, he held my gaze. I knew what he was thinking ..... "yes English lycra-frog-boy, I'm a huge fearless Scotsman in a skirt ..... this is not an amusing situation ...... if one side of your mouth dares the merest hint of a smile, I'll rip the jugular straight out of yer neck". I averted my gaze and looking down couldn't help noticing his thick healthy sporran ..... made from Englishmen's scalps no doubt.

Noticing that Morris seemed to have disappeared, I eventually found him cowering in the toilet. "Come out lad" I told him, "they've a surprise for us". We were led into a room with the 2 Scotsmen and initiated into the pleasures of kilt wearing. After much strapping and buckling we were presented to the ladies outside (they'd not been allowed to witness the initiation itself of course). Within a very short time we had fallen in love with the kilt and the power it bestows upon a man. We'd joined the clan.

So, back to today.
After spending a very pleasant night with Jo and her partner Patrick (who are now our support vehicle drivers), we headed for the Glasgow FCA Office on Sauchiehall Street and received a very warm welcome. Just as we posed for photos outside, a star from the Scottish soap River City turned up (sorry, can't remember her name, but she plays the part of a foster carer in the soap so I'm told).

Weather much improved from yesterday with a varied mix of sunshine & showers, but with far less headwind to contend with. We followed national cycle route 7 along the Clyde and out of Glasgow, loosing it around Dunbarton/Alexandria, but soon reaching Arden on Loch Lomond by road.

Next we followed the A82 beside the Loch all the way to the top, stopping briefly at Crainlarich, before pedaling up into the hills. Beautiful scenery, spectacular views, wild and remote except for the speeding traffic. We were making good time and our spirits lifted as the memory of yesterday's winds grew more distant. We cycled through Glencoe, with still a little snow to be seen on the mountain peaks.

So, we made it through another day and with just a couple more to go now there's a growing sense that we will indeed complete this heroic Cycle Challenge, come rain or shine (probably rain!).

I've followed Morris's example and fitted a little fabric box to the top tube of my bike (used to be known as a cross bar once upon a time). This it now constantly filled up with a variety of sweets (or carbohydrates as we altheletes call them). Morris has a preference for Jelly Babies (or, more accurately, Beef Gelatin Babies). Whereas I favour Azda Jelly Beans (gelatin-free by the way), Minstrals, Menthos, broken bits of chocolate and of course organic energy bar. It's a bit of a pick & mix. However, our latest thing is Tablet which within the first 12hrs of entering Scotland has become a serious addiction. We refer to it as the special stuff as they seem to sell the best home-made variety under the counter, including in butchers! It seems most civilised societies have developed a confection out of milk and sugar and Scotland's Tablet compares favourably with the world's best I'm glad to say.

Statistics for the day:
Distance = 99.5 miles
Average speed = 13.7 mph
Maximum speed = 39 mph

Roadkill-wise I saw 2 large deer, Morris says he saw 4. The odour preceeds these poor beasts (which you'd probably not notice inside a car).