Day 11 - After the storm

So, was it the calm after the storm? Not quite but the winds had subsided considerably.

We bought a local paper to read about the storm and discovered that where I had been cycling was one of two counties that were worst affected. The strongest gust recorded measured 114 mph – as I said before: no wonder it felt drafty.



A small shower on it's way !!



Dad kindly drove me out to where I’d abandoned yesterday to save me an extra few miles. On the way over he made a comment about light showers being the order of the day. When, after the first five minutes I was soaked through and frozen again, I managed to think of a few choice responses to that statement!

The weather eased soon and I got to cycle in a beautiful, tree lined lane alongside Loch Long. Soon after that it was all along the side of Loch Lomond with thankfully few caravans or lorries trying to get passed.

On the whole the rain held off but there was the odd ‘shower’ (ancient Scottish word for monsoon!). The worst of it was that you can see them coming from miles away. Gradually the view ahead of you gets less and less as each successive hillside becomes shrouded in mist. Then the sun goes out and the wind picks up – that’s your cue to make sure all waterproofs are properly done up as you’re about to cop it, big style !!

Had a spot of bother meeting up with the ol’ man as his phone went on the Fritz so I’d done the best part of 40 miles before joining up. As we continued north, the landscape gradually became more open which unfortunately meant the return of wind. Soon after Tyndrum the weather really got going again but treated me to an as yet un-tested form of precipitation: hail.  All I could say was one word – Owww! For a couple of such storms I hid under trees but later, up on Rannock Moor there was precious little to hide behind. It was just crouch down and wait for it to pass.



Hail storm on Rannock Moor

I also passed a different type of victim to the wind here. All day I passed trees cut up at the side of the road that had been hastily shifted following the overnight storm. Up on the moor though one poor family lost their camper van which was blown over off the road. I’m amazed more caravans weren’t lost as several were weaving all over the road as they made their way passed.

I finally got to the head of Glen Coe. I’d been really looking forward to this part as the scenery is so dramatic and it would be several miles of continual downhill. Thanks to a raging head wind again there was no chance to survey any scenery. I was hunkered down, trying to make myself as small as possible and had to peddle every single metre of that downhill stretch. Bet Colin never had his special hills going down !!!

Finally got into Fort William and decided to do an extra short leg to the Ben Nevis visitor centre so I didn’t have to do it in the morning before climbing the hill. Managed to take a wrong turn at first and as turning round I got my first puncture of the challenge. Quick change egged on by some OAPs in a coach and the day was done. Just over 100 miles in the end.

Time to get ready for Day 12 – the biggest of the challenge !! Having checked the weather reports, my best chance of good conditions would be to go up early - assuming I can wake up.

Must say a quick thanks to Premier Inn as they let me use their tumble dryer so I could hand wash a load of kit and get it dry. I think the ol' man was pretty relieved !