I apologise in advance for the length of this post and the fact that it doesn't count as "My Ride Today"!
On Saturday past, I had to log a qualifying ride for the October edition of the Imperial Century a Month challenge.
While I've been recovering from some ailments (and bruised ribs), I had run out of excuses and days.
Down on fitness and enthusiasm, I got the clever idea of letting the wind guide my strategy to ease my burden.
The weather forecast showed that there would be a steady breeze from the southeast, and so I devised a route. I would ride from Glasgow to Oban!
Route and plan finalised, on Friday night, I hopped on board the train to Glasgow. I stayed at a relative's house that night, and set off just before first light the following morning.
Within the first 4.5 miles, I was negotiating the town of Paisley when I hit a patch of cobbles covered in mulchy wet leaves.
Down I went, scuffing my knee and bruising my hip, but I at least avoided damaging the bike or re-injuring my ribs. Not the most auspicious of starts!
I sheepishly stood up, dusted myself down, and gave the bike a quick once-over. I adjusted my now-rubbing brakes, before gingerly setting off once more.
The sky was heavy with the threat of rain as I crossed the Erskine Bridge.
and some showers started as I joined the NCN7 at Bowling, where I followed it to Dumbarton before turning off to take the coast road towards Helensburgh.
Despite daybreak being well behind me, the sky sufficiently darkened on the approach to Helensburgh that I had to switch my lights on. Fortunately, the bulk of the rain stayed away.
(This was taken about 20 minutes after the worst of the black skies and it had significantly brightened by then).
Leaving the Clyde behind where it joins the Gare Loch, I rode past the Faslane Peace Camp and Faslane Naval Base.
I didn't stop to take any photos of the hideously expensive, enormous white elephant on the other side of the road. Generally speaking, I am a fan of not getting arrested by military police...
Riding alongside razor-wire fences and signs warning of armed guards for a few miles, I arrived in Garelochhead.
I paused to post "Armageddon outta here!" on social media before continuing. As I crested the Highland Boundary Fault and the first real climb of the day, I encountered two military trucks. I pulled over and let them past (I won't lie, the idea flitted through my mind that they were coming for me because of my post...
)
Heading down the far side of the boundary took me onto one of my favourite roads in the UK. The road between Garelochhead and Arrochar runs through the majestic Loch Long valley.
Inevitably, within seconds of entering the West Highlands, the heavens opened, and it started chucking it down.
Loch Long proved that its name is well deserved, and it was a soggy Edwardoka who squelched into Arrochar Tearooms for cake and coffee.
I waited for the weather to clear, as next up was the big climb of the day. While it's no Col du Tourmalet, the ride up Glen Croe to the Rest and Be Thankful involves mingling with busy arterial traffic on a ~4-5% climb for about 4 miles, and as a result is no fun at all.
It was with relief that I arrived in the car park at the top, where I thankfully stopped for a rest and took an obligatory photo or two.
A while later, with the hairy descent to Loch Fyne out of the way, I continued on the busy A83 road which rounds the head of Loch Fyne before heading south along the west shore to Inveraray, where I stopped by the loch side for lunch.
Lunch duly eaten, it was time to tackle the last big climb of the day; a long steady climb for several miles before the summit, followed by a gradual descent towards Loch Awe, and I was grateful that it was on a road that was far quieter than the A83 had been.
To my dismay, the quiet was not to last; the road I was on joined the main road between Crianlarich to Oban. The quality of driving took a corresponding dive. Some 10 miles of hellish interactions with other road users later, it was an angry and defeated Ed who rolled into Taynuilt.
It is a shame, because the road follows Loch Awe before passing Ben Cruachan and going through some pretty scenery.
Anyway, furious with the state of the traffic, I stopped at Taynuilt, and posting a large rant on social media that I shan't repeat.
After Taynuilt, the route left the main road, and my route and mood took a corresponding turn upwards. Shortly afterwards, a torrential rain storm started, and it's rather difficult to be angry when riding in such weather!
The road from Taynuilt to Oban was incredible. This stretch of NCN78 entails 12 miles of single track roads, through stunning scenery. As the road heavily features free roaming farm animals, every car I encountered was driven with care and consideration. To my amazement, after the storm passed, the sun broke out!
This entire stretch was the perfect antidote to the impotent rage I'd built up on the main road.
And so, it was an elated but tired Ed who rolled into Oban just before sunset, 11 minutes before the train I had hoped to catch was due to leave, and I finished the day on a high!
Strava Link: here
Some stats:
Distance: 103.4 miles
Elevation gain: 7,801 feet
Calories: 4,613
Moving time: 7:22:06
Embarrassing pratfalls: 1
Idiot drivers: innumerable
Considerate drivers: numerable
Cakes eaten: 1
Double espressos consumed: 3
Standing stones: 1
Sorry again for the length of the post!
