“Did you do that for us?” asked the two walkers. “No”, I replied. “What you just saw was a genuine controlled crash”. 

 

The incident referred to happened on the steep slopes of a mountain between Glen Coe and Kinlochleven. I had been enjoying the descent, concentration at 100% as I picked my route through the rocks and ruts. Just prior to encountering the two gents making their way up the hill, the trail conditions changed suddenly. A rocky outcrop caused the track to drop and fade. The routing was now a matter of going wherever gravity dictated. My bodyweight shifted forward, too far forward for my liking. At the same time this was happening, I broke my concentration to assess the fact that the two walkers were suddenly in front and below my position. Brakes on, but to no avail.

The wheels were losing traction and the wet rock surface was not helping matters. I knew in an instant that measures would be needed to resolve the situation. I locked the back brake, causing the bike to slide out from underneath me. At the same time I was hastily unhinging my shoes from the cleated pedals and beginning to look at where I might disembark from the bike. Remember that this was all happening very quickly and on a steep rocky surface. Somehow I managed to drop the bike, leaping clear of the tubing, wheels, etc. and returned to earth on my feet, running. A few hops and skips later and I was stationary again, surveying what had just happened.

 

The walkers were surprised by my sudden dismount, and I doubt they had any inkling as to what had just happened. But once we had a chat and I explained the circumstances they were more much aware of the challenge that off-road cycling presents.

 

They made a comment about whether I planned to go far. I answered that I was busy riding from Land’s End to John O’ Groats, offroad. The response did my ego a whole lot of good. Phrases like, “complete nutter”, “wicked” and “good luck” all served to dust me off and get me back on my bike.

 

Over the course of the day I noticed how the moment my concentration went anywhere other than thinking about the immediate I became prone to small errors of judgement that resulted in wrong choices. Not sure what to infer from this in terms of life beyond cycling!

 

As for the day’s ride, we were driven to the starting point at the Glen Coe Ski Station. It was pouring with rain, cold and very windy. We rode along the road for a while in order to warm up, and then began our assault on the mountain pass above the Kings House Hotel. This would take us all the way to Kinlochleven and a welcome tea break at the Ice Factor, an indoor climbing centre complete with a squash court sized refrigerator that produces an ice wall for climbers to practice on. Paul, being the ice climbing type, did not want to leave the premises. Just before we reached Kinlochleven, Paul’s chain snapped. He freewheeled a mile or so downhill into the town where we then had the task of repairing the broken link.

 

Once we did get away we worked hard to regain altitude for the run into Fort William. It took a while, but did give us a good view of Glen Nevis. Tea again, and then shopping in the bike shop. Then we set off along the Great Glen Cycle Route for our final destination, Fort Augustus. It was 30 miles of Loch side cycling, and the terrain was very easy to contend with, bar a few steep uphill’s. We were also cycling alongside the Caledonian Canal, and I found it amusing to be pedalling alongside ocean going vessels.

 

Stuart was there to meet us at the campsite and we enjoyed a good vegetable pasta bake with rice pudding and apricots for dessert. Everyone was in bed by 10 p.m.

 

The promise of day 20 is that the going gets easier as we head towards JOG. Perhaps it will be an earlier end to the day than we have had thus far.

 

Gavin