Day 12

Wednesday, June 21
Inveraray to Fort William
125km

More Scotish rain.  Lots of Scotish rain.  Still nice scenery, but too much rain.  I can't decide whether its everyone who comes to Scotland, or anyone who doesn't come here that is crazy.  I can certainly see strong arguments each way.

I was tired today and had a sluggish ride.  I had a headache and felt a general malaise throughout.  Roe took the opportunity to, as she proclaimed when we arrived in camp, "kick my butt today".  She sped of into the distance a few times and then waited for me by the side of the road with a big grin on her face.  I didn't have the energy to chase.

It was raining as we left camp so we wore our full gortex outfits: jackets, pants, gloves and booties.  It was cool today as well, which actualy made it more comfortable to be cloaked in our warm rain gear.  The rain was very heavy for most of the ride, but we stayed dry and cool.  Other than our hands.  We need better wet weather cycling gloves.

The route was much simpler today.  Only 3 sheets of instructions versus yesterday's 10.  There were several long stretches without changing roads.

Out of Inveraray we climbed into some lush green woods and around a tall mountain before decending to Loch Awe.  Our first of many views of Loch with misty mountains behind.  There was even a small castle by the Loch to inspire photographs.

Riding around the Loch was very very windy again.  We were blown all over the road and had to concentrate to stay on the bikes.  Not quite as bad as yesterday's decent, since we were on flat ground, but close.

At 57km we stopped for a snack at a small Tea Shop.  That's when the rain really became heavy.  And it stayed heavy.  Lots of wind too, which again blew us all over the road when we crossed a bridge just past Connel.

The next 40km or so were a bit miserable, as the rain was heavy and Roe kept showing me how much more energy she had by sprinting away from me.

At 100km, Ballachulish had more nice views of Loch and misty mountains.  The rain even eased a bit.  We grabbed some sandwiches at a gas station and kept riding.

As we arrived in Fort William, the sun finally came out (and washed out all the rain) so we saw Scottish mountains in the bright sun for the first time.  It felt a bit unnatural, like seeing a nightclub with all of the lights on.

Hopefully I will have more enery tomorrow.  Three more days.

Roe's comments:
Cold and wet all day.  Nice flat terrain made it a easier riding day.  Gusting wind required all of my concentration to stay on my bike and riding a straight line.  I had tea biscuits at "The Robin's Nest".  They tasted just like my mom's.  Dropped half my sandwich at the gas station.  Was really mad.  Desert tonight cost me $10. Not worth it.  Camping tonight beside the tallest mountain in Britain, Ben Nevis.  Looking forward to seeing it tomorrow under blue skys.