Day 11 - Crianlarich to Glasgow

Our first wet day started with a long downhill and then progressed along the Loch Lamond Cycle Way an example of a cycle path done right. The rain couldn't spoil the joy of cruising down the smooth bike path next to the lovely lock Lamond. We stopped for lunch at a little restaurant where apparently we where on the menu because during lunch the midges dined glutinously on our tender legs. We then followed the picturesque tow path into Glasgow.

Enjoy our first attempt at uploading one of our GoPro movies.

Day 10 - Fort Willam to Crianlarich (90km)

Before departing Fort William, without paying for our B&B, we checked out the ruins of Castle Lochy  which was quite beautiful. We traveled 90km on the A82, a pretty busy road with no shoulder populated by lots of articulated lorries and coachliners. Because of our first meaty headwind and long twisting climbs we held up a lot of traffic quite dramatically. At first we felt bad so pulled over to let them past but quickly realised that the traffic was hardly going faster than our slow arses. At lunch at the lonely Bridge of Orchy Hotel we met some hikers doing the West Highland Way, a famous walk from Glasgow to Fort William over the moorlands and high country. All in all a cold tough day of riding in mildly challenging conditions.

Anne-Marie amongst the ruins.

Reuben makes a friend.

A view between two of the three sisters, big arse mountains we climbed up past.

Reuben showing what a week of full Scottish breakfasts will do for you.
PS. Yes that is a bag, mirror and GoPro on my handlebars.

Day 9 - Inverness to Fort William (105km)

After going to bed at 2am after the festival we had a sleep in a little before cycling South along Loch Ness, just a little hungover. As we were passing by the festival we popped in to the lost and found (no luck) and took some photos of the festival with our phones. Unbeknownst to us there was an organised cycle of about 700 cyclists that (mostly) passed us throughout the day. They too were making the journey from top to bottom but with support cars and no luggage to carry and those new fangled crazy racing bikes made of that dangerous "carbon fiber" stuff. They are doing 105 miles a day average which is quite a feat. The cycling was beautiful, following the length of Loch Ness and then Loch Lochy with a couple of nice 9% climbs. We detoured off the main road and followed a canal path which was very picturesque (and flat). Arriving in Fort William we discovered that although it's quaint to have every house have it's own name instead of a number, when it comes to locating you B&B on a 3km street after cycling 105km house numbers are a really good idea.

Half a view of Loch Ness after the sun came out.

Scotland is so pretty when the sun shines.

At the commando memorial.

Day 8 - Festival 1 - ROCKNESS!!!! (on the Loch Ness)

Transport from Inverness to the festival was by double decker buss, we got on to cries of Oggi Oggi Oggi Oi Oi Oi. Most impressive setting for a music festival ever, the view over the main stage stretched the length of Loch Ness. It was so lush and green and a lovely sunny day. It seemed like everyone from around the region came, 4 year olds to 70 year olds, most camping and attending the whole 3 days. It really was a weekend away with lots of stalls and even comedy. There was so much choice for food and drinks (the bar set up was impressive) and we never had to queue for a toilet. We enjoyed champagne and strawberries early on and shots of Rhubarb liqueur, we were very impressed by the whole set-up. The strange thing was most of the music was electronic music and we liked how the families and older generation enjoyed it. Steve Aoki was awesome, he really got the crowd amped. He spent more time standing on the decks geeing up the crowd and throwing things into the audience (4 cream pies, an inflatable raft and inflatable air matress, and spraying the crowd with 4 bottles of Moet) than DJ'ing, but he was a highlight. Fat boy slim put on an awesome show and  there was Skream and Benga and Example ended the night with an epic set.

Unfortunately there isn't any photos as Reuben enjoyed himself a little too much and lost the camera his sunglasses and all his self respect in the chaos.

Just there for 1 day, Saturday. Favourites....

A few pictures captured from outside the event the next day.

It was an overcast morning instead of glorious evening

They really do it no justice at all :-(

Day 7 - Rest day in Inverness (2km)

Bike repairs and bum recovery before Rockness tomorrow.

Day 6 - Bonar Bridge to Inverness (90km)

We had a fantastic meal at Crannag Bistro last night where we had the whole place to ourselves. The head waiter was a wealth of local knowledge and gave us tips on what to do the next day. On his advice we climbed Cadha Mor hill for a clear view from Carbisdale Castle to the sea. It was a tough challenge after drinking so much of his wine and whiskey the night before.
We then had an excellent personal tour of the Bal Blair Distillary and a tasting at Glenmorangie before catching the Nigg ferry for a final roll into Inverness against rush hour traffic.
Finding accommodation in Inverness was tough and we ended up sharing a single bed in a dodgy backpackers.

Leaving Bonar Bridge by Bonar Bridge.

The View from atop Cadha Mor hill

Whiskey at Glenmorangie.

Day 5 - Betty Hill to Bonar Bridge (95km)

Departing the Betty Hill Hotel after a delicious bowl of porridge we set off to follow the scenic route to Bonar Bridge, within 3km we took a hasty left-hander and unbeknownst to us headed off into the Sottish highland wilds. "Turn back, turn back" Reuben cried but his pleading fell on deaf ears as Anne-Marie insisted on forging on. The gently rolling country road gave way to a lumpy dirt track, cattle gates and mounds of cow shit would not deter us.  Sheep bounded ahead of us and many sand traps threatened to up end our weighty steads (Anne-Marie did take a face plant on hitting a particularly deep patch of soft sand but skillfully she managed to miss the minefield of sheep poo). After 7 miles of bush bashing we rejoined the glorious sealed road and continued on our happy way.

We stopped for lunch at the Crask Inn a unique pub lost in the middle of the Scottish Highland moors. Mr Peabody served us the only thing on the menu, Pea and Ham soup and fresh home made bread with a good pot of tea. Of the 50 or so cyclists we passed going in the other direction today we met the eldest over our lunch, averaging 85 years old this group of three stalwarts have nearly finished their 1200km trek from lands end.

The ride ended with a peaceful downhill past the Falls of Shin and pretty Carbisdale Castle into Bonar Bridge.

The GoPro captures one of the gates on the sheep track

And Anne-Marie bumping along on a smoother section.

The highlands are drier here than up in the moorlands

Grumpy at the Falls of Shin, we didn't see any salmon jumping today.