Tuesday, June 4, 2013

Day 10 Moffat to Luss, Loch Lomond...93 miles....767 miles to date

Today's journey took us out of beautiful, peaceful Moffat through Abington, Blackwood, Chatelherault Country Park, Glasgow, into Loch Lomond. I am staying just north of Balloch in a small village called Luss overlooking Loch Lomond ( Loch = lake). After a rough night (up at 1 am with my head in the toilet) I had a shaky start to the morning. I was not able to eat breakfast and felt weak starting out. However, the flat grades along with just eating bananas and granola bars and drinking lots of water helped me recover. We started up the Clyde River valley. Very barren with forestry and wind farms along the way. It was an unusually warm 84 degrees, and the sun was shining all day. Stopped for lunch and a sandwich at Chatelherault Country Park, a great expanse overlooking the City of Glasgow. Then teamed up with the group to navigate the difficult path through the City of Glasgow that stretches over 17 miles. Fortunately they have great bike paths by the river and canals. In Glasgow I saw a Clansman in full uniform performing for a wedding. Did not have chance to get his photo though. The final part of the ride for the day was up the Fourth and Clyde Canal up to Loch Lomond wherethe scenery is spectacular. Completed 93 miles from 8:45 am-6:15 pm. Burned 3961 calories and climbed 2,269ft.
Ran into Dave Buck, from Jackson, MS. who decided to come up here for a quick vacation. Enjoyed a nice dinner with him at the Loch Lomond Arms Hotel. Completed exhausted by the end of the day and hit the sack early.

Wind farms up the Clyde River basin leading to Glasgow

Looking back on the valley floor we had just ridden up from.

On the road to Blackwood

Stopped here for lunch at Chatelherault Country Park

The downtown City of Glasgow. 

The Fourth & Clyde Canal

Loch Lomond from Balloch

Luss Harbor


A cottage in the early evening with the mountains in the background

Loch Lomond Arms Hotel (small Inn) where I'm staying tonight.

Tomorrow off to Glencoe. Short day but many hills to climb.