Injuries, family and sunshine
Trip Start
Jul 08, 2008
1
5
16
Trip End
Jul 25, 2008
Barcaldine,
Scotland,
United Kingdom
Sunday, July 13, 2008
This cycling makes one think about food quite a lot so we homed right in on the Morrisons café which had full Scottish breakfasts complete with sliced sausage and tattie scones. It was great to arrive somewhere with civilization at last, unfortunately this meant lots of trips to Boots the chemist for ointments and bandages for Bamo (he pulled off an amazing maneuver by managing to get a knee support which coordinated with the rest of his cycling kit) and a trip to the hospital for Chris (who's knee was seriously beginning to play up)
Bamo on the beach
. In Fort William my sister texted and said they were waiting at Barcaldine for us so that made it pertinent that we actually got there so we (Phil, Carl, Kev and Anthony) left Stuart and Chris to go to the hospital.We got as far as Balahulish before all the traffic as backed up for miles. I cycled to the front and unfortunately we had come across a fatal head on collision which had closed the road. Eager to press on we started walking along the beach...until the helicopter ambulance flew in low and fast and just about landed on top of Carl on the beach. The traffic queues were miles long. It was a real surprise when we got to the end of the queue to find my sis and Iain waiting on us with their bikes ready to cycle the last 17 miles to the campsite. So the gauntlet was set; could Simon beat Iain on his 100% carbon fiber cycling machine...in the end he was very kind and never actually demonstrated what he could do but we had a lovely undulating cycle to the campsite. The views were amazing and the sun shone for us.
The campsite was top and even gave us lads free accommodation as we were cycling for charity (thank you Barcladine Caravan and Campsite.) It was so nice to have some nice weather at last that allowed us to chill out by the tents rather than getting dressed into out one set of evening gear in the toilets...(yeah, even Bamo only had one set of evening gear).
Once again Angie and Iain excelled themselves knocking up an amazing load of pasta for tea and serving it with beer and champagne. Thanks guys.
The unfortunate downside of the lovely weather was that the midges came out in force to eat us alive. In the end everyone ended up walking loops around the campsite talking as sitting down was just sole destroying after such a good day in the saddle.
Day 4
Fort Augustus to Barcaldine
Miles 64.43
Average 13.7
Hours on bike 4.42
Max speed 31.4
Total distance 276.74
