Day 12 Glencoe to Inverness 92 miles...918 miles to date

Today I had an adventure beyond the journey that was already planned. My route today began in Glencoe through Fort William, Achnacarry, Laggan Locks, Fort Augustus, Loch Tarff, Dorres and Inverness. What should have been an 83 mile route ended up being 92 miles. The weather again was beautiful reaching a high of 82 F. From Glencoe I left at 8:45am and crossed Loch Leven north to Fort William and then followed the Caledonian Canal. At Achnacarry I took a wrong turn and went high up on a lumber road overlooking Loch Lochy instead of taking the road along the side of the Loch. I ended up going five miles before hitting a dead end and having to retrace my steps. I did see my first deer (for this trip) on the trail. After getting back on track, I stopped for lunch in Fort Augustus being serenaded by bagpipes. Then I climbed 51/4 miles to Loch Tarff -100 ft to 1,300 ft. I had to walk towards the top. As I got back on my bike my gears locked and I fell on my left side on the road. Luckily there was no traffic behind. I gashed my left arm, but no other injuries. I had wet wipes in bag, cleaned up and headed on my way. This was mile 50 and I still had 40 miles to get to Inverness. The rest of the ride was uneventful, mostly downhill along the General George Wade road into Inverness. I arrived in Inverness at 6:15pm. I had originally booked at the Loch Ness Inn, but changed plans today after realizing it was too far out of Inverness. Enjoyed an excellent dinner at the Riverhouse Restaurant, and the company of the bike group, helping David (with the group) celebrate his birthday.

On the way out of Glencoe looking over Loch Leven

Same photo looking North over Loch Leven

Crossing a bridge looking back to Glencoe

Looking North over Loch Leven

Another beautiful garden along the route

Arriving in Fort William...how's your Gaelic

Canal lock

Ben Nevis..the tallest mountain in the U.K.

Loch Lochy

The path I took before realizing I went the wrong way

Barge at Fort Augustus

Bagpiper performing at Fort Augustus. Too hot to wear his bearskin headwear.

Loch Ness.... Who can see the monster?

Heading downhill towards Inverness going 34mph

Inverness Castle across from my hotel

Staying at the Place Hotel in Inverness tonight.

Two more days to go! Tomorrow off to Altnaharra.

Day 11 Loch Lomond to Glencoe.....59 miles....826 miles to date

 Today was by far the most spectacular scenery I've seen to date. My journey started on Loch Lomond  

and went to Ardlui, Crianlarich, Tyndrum, Loch Tulla into Glencoe. After a great nights sleep, and a hearty vegetarian breakfast( yes, there is such a thing), I took off at 9:15 am and rode up the left side of Loch Lomond on a bike bath. It's 27 miles the entire length of the loch and the views are spectacular. I could not believe how clear the water in the loch is.The sun was out and the loch calm....picture postcard perfect. From Loch Lomond, I climbed up into the Western Highlands where the mountains are still snow covered. The clouds came in and I was fortunate to have stopped at a lunch spot in Tyndrum when it started raining. It was a brief shower and didn't rain the remainder of the day. However the wind did pick up, and made the latter climb before descending into Glencoe very tiring. Dave joined me for an ale at Clachaig Inn when I arrived around 4:15pm. Later we had dinner overlooking the loch in Glencoe at the Glencoe Hotel. Climbed 2,959 ft and burned 2,600 calories.

Loch Lomond

Looking back down Loch Lomond from the hydro-electric plant.

Ascending the Highlands as the weather turned.

Stopped to listen to the bagpipe player. He was in the pub a couple of hours later after collecting his tips. Have video but couldn't figure out how to upload.

The Clachaig Inn where I'm staying tonight.

The view from my window.

This photo I took at 9:45pm Sun sets at 10:15pm tonight. Tomorrow long day on to Inverness.

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.

Day 9 Keswick to Moffat...73 miles...674 miles to date

Compared to the rest of the journey, today was relatively uneventful. Our route today took us out of Keswick, along the flank of Skiddaw, through Dalston, Carlisle, Longtown, Lockerbie, and into Moffat. 

Started off the day making a wrong turn adding 2 1/2 additional miles and some steep hills to maneuver. Enjoyed pea soup and an egg salad baguette sandwich with tomato and watercress at Crumbs in Dalston. After getting through Longtown, I stopped off at Bikeseven. Shane was able to make a quick adjustment on my derailleur, and I was quickly back on the road.( Need LEJOG help, contact www.shane@bikeseven.co.uk or (0) 1228 792497. Did not have chance to visit the Lockerbie Memorial where 288 people died. Tonight the Inn is taking care of doing my laundry. It will be nice to have clean clothes for the next few days.

Today I climbed 4,022 feet and burned 3,437 calories. Tamar won't recognize my body. Zero fat, all muscle.

The Inn at Keswick where I stayed last night was in the heart of downtown.

Leaving Keswick this was the view on the way out of town.

Over the mountains near Bassenthwaite Common

There were four ( not two) sheep staring me down as I rode by. They were sitting on top of the hill and I swear they were saying there goes another sucker who just got lost.

This one posed for this shot. It was literally standing in front of me  20 ft away for several minutes waiting for me to take the photo.

On the descent, the city of Carlisle is in the distance to the left over the river Eden.

The Carlisle Castle

Some gypsies I ran into along the road. 

Leaving England and entering Scotland. 

Standing with Mc......something or other in the lobby of the Inn. Do you know the Tartan? Looks like it's my size. I'll sneak out in the middle of the (k)night, ( no pun intended), and try it on for size!

The Inn on Main Street in the heart of downtown. Comfortable and modern amenities.

Sharing great food and company with Nick's tour group over a few pints at the Balmoral Hotel, right across the street from the Annandale Arms. Nick Mitchell is first on the right.

Notice everyone is still smiling. Had a hearty meal of lamb, neeps, tatties, yorkshire pudding, peas, carrots, gravy and treacle pudding for dessert.

Tomorrow off to Loch Lomond via Glasgow. 

You may have noticed I raised the goal again, now to $20,000. Let' s see if we can coach some friends or family to help reach the new target! Anyone?