DAY 4: Temp: 4C. Mileage: 75.6. Average mph: 13.1. Top speed: 30.2mph. Cycle time: 6 hours. Total miles to date: 313.
AFTER a hearty breakfast of sausage and beans the lads packed up and started off.
Unfortunately after a detailed discussion to ensure we were happy with the route Paul and Adrian left the Crianlarich Youth Hostel turning the wrong way!
Natasha and I packed up the car, did a little supply shopping and started our journey the right way.
We were enjoying the stunning falls at Falloch about six miles away when we received a distress call informing us of their mistake.
We duly jumped into the car and travelled post-haste to collect them, 11 miles from Crainlarich.
We arrived to find them ogling several customised Land Rovers.
They were still in high spirits and had looked at the map to rectify the situation. But the mountains prevented any attempt to re-route.
Bikes repacked, we returned to Crainlarich and dropped the boys to start again, pointing them the RIGHT direction.
The weather down south, we understand, has been lovely.
Today it is 4c, showery and blustery. The ride along the West Highland Way beside Loch Lomond was beautiful.
Although the roads were very hazardous for cyclists. We stopped for a hot chocolate to Tarbet and were treated to a tune on the bagpipes by a Scotsman in a kilt.
A visitor asked if they could play, he was obviously well practiced and played a merry tune.
Paul tells us he bought Belinda a set of bagpipes for Christmas one year – we are expecting a rendition of something Gaelic when we return, Belinda!
Natasha and I met a lovely elderly couple on the banks of Loch Lomond at Firkin Point, walking their daughter’s Yorkie, Wee Sally. We chatted for ages and promised to send them a photo of Sally!
We all met near the end of Loch Lomond for lunch before the lads started their mammoth slog around Glasgow over the Erskine Bridge heading towards Paisley.
Wind howling, intermittent rain, rainbows and so much traffic compared to earlier rides. Natasha and I headed straight to our B&B in Mauchline, a lovely farm with a very welcoming family.
Heaters on, baths run the boys finally arrived at 7.15pm – very wet, tired and both relieved to have finished such a challenging day.