Gan te see me neebs

Cars in the garage needing a clutch cable so I think it could be a good time to be on my bike. Where can I go in the last days before I’m Chile bound?
I thought I’d better try out a couple hundred miles with bike fully laden. So it’s from Strontian to Airlie to see Eddie and family and then back (Airlie is between Alyth and Kirriemuir). Well I say I would start at Strontian but I actually started in Fort William because Eilidh-Ann was a bit scared I might get ran over on the A82 between Corran and the Fort so she gave me a lift – hasten to say it was fine coming back. So I set off and headed in Lagan direction where the rain got heavier and I got closer to its origin. Spirits were high; I was making good time and no wind to blow me back down hill. On reaching Laggan I went up and over to Dalwhinnie and joined the cycle route 7 which follows the A9. From Dalwhinnie it’s only about 6 miles up hill to the Drummocter Sumit then it’s a great gentle down hill ride all the way. By the time I reached Killiecrankie twas getting late so I found a nice wee wooded spot the pitch the tent. 80 miles covered felt hungry and tired so I obeyed my body.

Next morn it was a bit frosty and sleep had been a bit patchy but that’s camping for ya. Cooked some breaky, drank tea and as I was packing up there was a wee flutter of snow. Thank god it was only a we flutter, it cleared up again by the time I reached Pitlochry where you are gleefully welcomed by the sign “Pitlochry in Blood Welcomes You.” Well that’s what I thought it said as I whizzed past it, it actually says bloom not blood. Eddie had phoned the previous night and suggested that I should take a rather idyllic route from Pitlochry. He would then meet me half way. I didn’t realise this would be up yet more hills. Thankfully at the top of a hill usually, it goes down again. There was a quick moment of ecstasy on a steep decline into Straloch. Another phone call to Eddie to check the best route would then take me up another dammed hill, much cursing of Eddie there after. Anyhow I hit the wall and push the bike up the last wee climb. Met Eddie by the Drumderg wind farm and we sailed on down to Aylth. In Aylth we stopped for soup and tea in what can only be described as an inside out cake. From there it was only 5 miles back to Eddies. That journey was about 40 odd miles. Washed pots and pans, had a bath, drank wine, watched “The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford”.

What lay ahead the next morning was a far more pleasant ride. After looking at the map and studying the contours I went back to the A9 via Dunkeld. Eddie joined me on this section. Before he turned back we had lunch at the world’s famous stovie place, The Taybank Hotel owned by the folk musician Dougie Maclean. I had a tasty Cullen skink plus poached egg stovie. Cheerio Eddie see you in 4 months. Went to the chemist to by some deep heat to rub on my back. I remembering my father was caked in that stuff when I was a youngster, take a deep breath and it burns yer lungs. Ahh lovely. Preciding North I calvinistically accepted the penance for the enjoyment of the ride down from the Drummocter Sumit. A wee northerly wind and a bit of rain and sleet became a bit of a chore. The weather brightened up as I got close to the summit and I was desperate now to find somewhere to camp. At last at 7.30 there was a flattish hummock opposite Loch Garry. 70 miles


Set off at 8.30. Good weather for cycling. It was pretty easy going from then on although I was feeling a bit weary and my bum was in need of a firm needing. I got to the Corran Ferry by 2pm feeling pretty chuft. The last task was Windy Brae through Glen Tarbert, well after a bit of auto pilot psychosis I was back in sunny Stronny in no time. That was about 70 miles. I would say this is my last big cycle before Chile so I hope to see you there.