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David says:
From Kilmarnock to Tarbet
We had pleasant and relatively traffic free run into Glasgow via the A77 which has been superseded by the M77.
It was baking hot in Glasgow so we didn't hang around (there is a shortage of shady spots around the science museum. Plant some trees please).
Having the route on the GPS has made getting through towns (and cities) easy. We did the next section from Glasgow to Balloch last year when we followed the NCN7 from Carlisle to Inverness.
It seemed shorter (disused rail lines and canal towpath) this time. There were plenty of folk milling around in Balloch so we thought it would be best to book accommodation in the tourist office. We have a B&B in Tarbet. Before leaving Balloch Drew gave £5 to the local, professional, chancer with a hard luck story to recount. Note to self - Drew is a seriously soft touch.
The route from Balloch to Tarbet is on a "dedicated" cycle path. The first few kilometres are ghastly - the surface is cr*p and it is essentially a pavement running alongside the A82 which was full of thundering, screaming cars, lorries and motorbikes.
As well as the noise from the traffic there were folk out with their disposable BBQ (and buckfast?) burning holes in either the grass or the wooden picnic benches. Piles of plastic bags full of empties presumably left over from Sunday. We are really grateful we didn't travel this section yesterday -Sunday.
Eventually the path left the A82 and you could appreciate the loch and hills but it always found its way back. Awful surface - worst yet on any of the cycle paths we have used - my barbag support broke on one unannounced high kerb on the path. We eventually fixed it after I had thrown my belongings all over the path looking for my repair kit. Folks - the southern end of Loch Lomond is a place to avoid.
Stats:
Distance 103km, ascent 311m, max speed 35.4km/h, moving time 5hrs 49min, moving avg 17.7km/h
- comments
Anthea Symms Dear Chaps, well done, you're doing brilliantly. Don't forget the Avon Skin So Soft spray for midges, put it EVERYWHERE, remember when Peter didn't, Drew, when we were last in Scotland?! Gill will fill you in if you've forgotten! Take care, we are with you in spirit. Love, Anthea and Peter
Jenny Have been amazed by your progress Drew and little bro. and loving the illustrated blogs - any chance of coming back on the East side for our evening entertainment. Last push now. Power to your pedal. Jenny x
Pamela and Jonathan Hi Dave, Why does it not surprise us that the worst cycle path is in Scotland? We need to get our placards out. Jonathan reckons that the best part of the journey had to be Cornwall, before you crossed the border into England! I think the best is yet to come (quality of cycle paths excepted!). May the sun shine on you again (but not too much of it!).