This morning we bounced out of the van into the rain and set off for the hills knowing that according to the designers of our route today is the last of the really long days. But, instead of riding the whole segment, Stuart met us at a lonely place on the side of Black Mountain and ushered us to Onich for a get-together with Eleanor and family.

 

They are caravanning there and invited us to a Haggis evening. Paul, being a vegetarian, will have something different, white pudding?!

 

As part of the day’s highlights we stopped in Crianlarich for tea at the railway station tearoom. Paul had last been there 10 or 20 years ago, and commented that, other than the waitresses, nothing had changed. The stop included a cheese toastie and a piece of carrot cake.

 

We needed the energy because it was only moments after we left the station tearoom that we met our new friend and companion for the remainder of the journey to JOG. This newcomer, The West Highland Way, will be the route we follow for most of the time we have left. Paul had preconceived ideas about the WHW, thinking that it would be steep and rocky. For the first few miles it was exactly that. Then things got better and the terrain under-wheel became altogether more rider friendly, excepting for a 10 km stretch of Drove Road made of cobbled stones. I was lucky enough to have rear suspension between me and the bumpy surface, but that did not make as much difference as I would have hoped for.

 

A further stop at Tyndrum saw us indulge in coffee and a share of a large plate of  vinegar soaked chips.

 

Then it was back to the trail and a wonderful stretch of downhill action that saw me riding very fast and furious. At the bottom of the hill we stopped for a sandwich and during the conversation realised that we had just passed the 1000 mile mark. A quick photo, and then back to the trail – that was the best we could manage by way of celebration. It’s hard to believe that a 1000 miles would be equivalent to cycling to Naples or the the far side of Poland.

 

I conserved my cycling energy for the final bit of the ride - up Black Mountain - and the bumpy descent to the White Corries Ski Centre.

We eventually met Stuart near there at around 3.45 p.m., the earliest time we have finished since the beginning of our adventure. We drove to the Mountain hut used by Paul (he is a member of the mountaineering club known as the Rucksack Club). It was located on Loch Leven and had spectacular views.

 

We were to have stayed there, but the invitation to Haggis and a camp pitch just over the road from Eleanor proved to be too strong an argument. Instead of the cosy luxury of the mountain hut we are once again sleeping in the campervan. Not that I am complaining at all - in fact I prefer sleeping on the same bed if possible. It seems to take me a night or two to get comfortable, and too many changes mean insomnia.

 

As I write this blog entry we are in the van awaiting the signal from Eleanor to go over to her caravan for dins. Outside it is absolutely pouring with rain, so much so that we cannot see the loch just a hundred metres from the van, never the mind the mountains surrounding it.

We are drinking a dram or two – Glenmorangie 10 year old whisky. We expect to be offered a few more wee drams in a few minutes time. Bad news, given that tomorrow morning we need to go back to do the section of mountain trail we dodged this afternoon.

 

Tomorrow, day 19, was meant to be an easy hill followed by a ride along the length of the Caledonian Canal to the beginning of Loch Ness. Now it is a large mountain climb, descent, followed by an easy hill, the canal, and a ride on the Loch Ness monster, alias, hangover.

Julian, Eleanor’s husband, has just swum over to tell us that dinner is 10 minutes away…  please pray!

 

(Postscript – The evening went well, lots of food consumed including fine Haggis and whisky and drambuie and pudding. We showed a selection of photos and video footage of the ride thus far. Thanks Eleanor and family!)

I am back in my bed in the van, ready to go to sleep.

 

Gavin 

 

BY THE WAY -  I have finally gotten around to realising that people are leaving comments – thanks to all of you – it was really enjoyable to read what you have said in response to what we are doing and for the humour, etc. I upload the blog using a mobile phone as my link to the internet and it is tedious and fairly expensive, hence my lack of reading your contributions. Nice one!