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Day 12 Glen Coe to Loch Ness
Thursday - 60 miles
Glen Coe is one of my favourite destinations. I had fond memories of it from last year and it didn't disappoint this year either. Fortunately we had no rain to speak of yesterday and the sun came out for decent periods.
I left Glen Coe for Loch Ness at around 8.45am with Rob and Dan. We set off at about the same pace and only stopped to take photos of some of the lovely scenery on the lochs. The ride had a few hills but was mostly good running and no wind to speak of. Usually in heading from South to North you receive the benefit of a tail wind but this year there has been either a headwind or no wind at all.
It was a lovely days ride. I lost the two boys for a while as photo stops added a minute or two to my journey but caught sight of them again as I came into Fort William. At this point I decided to make the most of the opportunity and stopped for a mashed banana bagel! Very nice it was too, and a large hot chocolate. The tummy won't be completely gone on my return. I can't imagine why.
In 2009 Ruth and I stopped for lunch at a lovely pub in Invergarry and I just about remembered where it was. I'd told the boys about the excellent Haggis there and lo an behold we met up and all enjoyed a Haggis lunch. Outstanding, just as last year. There is Haggis and then there is Haggis. This was the later.
42 miles down and only 18 to go for me, but Rob and Dan were cycling on to Inverness so they had 40 more to ride and Rob didn't look too pleased at the prospect. 12 days in and no rest days for them. They're tired. I'm not surprised. If I hadn't broken the journey something would have broken in mr I'm sure of it. They're doing well plodding on. Only 2 more days and it's over.
I lagged a little behind but soon caught up as both boys had pulled up at the side of the road. Rob's bargain bike, £100 reduced from £250 at Argos had buckled a wheel riding over a bump. This was the second buckled wheel for Rob. Fortunately I had a spoke key handy and was able to re-tension enough of his spokes to make the wheel rideable. No brakes on the rear but rideable and that's what was required! I have a suspicion that Robs bike will be adding to the North Sea's habitat for marine life very shortly after he reaches John O'Groats.
The hostel at Loch Ness was as lovely as I remembered it and still run by the very charming Christine from France. A warm welcome and a friendly hostel is a great thing. It's amazing how many Europeans come to work in the SYHA hostels for the summer and when you ask them why they all say how much they love Scotland.
So it's off to Carbisdale Castle. I'm well on the way having done 23 miles. More tonight and then a final long ride to the finish and a meet up with Rob & Dan to celebrate. Even with a two day break in Stirling, it's been an adventure. With Tom, friends made along the way and wonderful scenery. I don't think I'll be saying yes to anyone kindly offering to ride it again, next time I'm going to the South of France. Monte Carlo to Cannes. That's much more like it! :-)
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