Sunday 25 September 2011

Day 13. Sat 27th Aug. Fort William to Evanton. 86 Miles.

Loch Ness

Ever since this ride was a figment of my imagination two years ago. This was the day I had dreamed about doing. Along the CALEDONIAN CANAL and LOCH NESS. I'd envisaged the beauty of my surroundings and the majesty of BEN NEVIS towering above the landscape.
So today I was going to enjoy.
After another agreeable evening with my friends at the Alexandra Hotel, we gathered after a bountiful breakfast to hear today's brief. Even after being told by Tony and Ken that mine and Jane's bikes were not suitable for a part of the loggers road at CLUNES and that we had to skirt around it adding 8 miles to our already high mileage of 78 Couldn't dampen my spirits.
The thought of all the mountain views and cycling along the Lochs had my juices flowing so I was eager to get going. We set off at 8.30 and after a couple of miles were climbing over the  CANAL and riding through the beautiful undulating valley at TORCASTLE with the canal to our right and views of a cloud covered BEN NEVIS.



Ben Nevis
We got to GAIRLOCHY and headed right, back over the canal and along the diversion which was a smooth road eventually meeting the A82 at the COMMANDO MEMORIAL. We stopped there for some photo's, just over an hour into the day. Dave and Jenny and in fact most of the others in our group had decided to stay on the A82 for 50 miles before turning off onto the A833 at Drumnadrochit. So it came as no surprise when we were taking photo's to see Christine go past head down not even pausing to take a look at this wonderful memorial.






We set off after her and eventually caught her up at the top of a long climb where to our surprise we found all the other cyclist taking a breath. Forgetting for a moment that we had already done 8 more miles than them. I couldn't  resist the long descent so we flew down leaving all the others in our wake as we kept up a good pace along LOCH LOCHY. eventually crossing the Loch at the LAGGAN SWING BRIDGE. Continuing on to INVERGARRY. Jane and I used now to doing 50 miles before first stop, pressed on. The weather was fine and warm again with no wind. Can this really be Scottish Weather? After a brief cut inland at INVERGARRY  we headed along LOCH OICH and eventually got onto the CALEDONIAN CANAL. Through my months of preparation this was the part of the ride I had been looking forward to the most. Always imagining what it would be like to cycle along the GREAT GLEN. I wasn't disappointed. Although at times because the tow path was so lumpy I found myself concentrating on the path to avoid the large stones and craters rather than taking in the views.

Loch Ness
We got back on the A82 at FORT AUGUSTUS and as soon as there was a clearing in the tree line, stopped to take some photo's of LOCH NESS.




Urquhart Bay Drumnadrochit
Along Loch Ness





First stop today was DRUMNADROCHIT three quarters along the length of LOCH NESS. As this was the August bank holiday weekend the Highland Games were in town. Lots of costumes and kilts on show. Also lots of tourists.
We stopped off at the Glen Cage Cafe' which had a rather dour Scotsman manager who informed us that if we were eating outside we had to order outside through the hatch! So we walked away from the counter where he was , went outside and he took our orders at the hatch!!!
After the smallest pot of soup ever, a Coffee and a Red Bull. I was ready for the sharp climb out of town. We were preparing to leave when some motorcyclists took an interest in our bikes. They had also ridden from Fort William and were amazed that we had just cycled the 51 miles to get there.
We were just saying our goodbye's when Sunni and Chris rocked up on their £5000 bikes and matching outfits. Catching the motorcyclists attention again.  The hill out of town was very steep. I was glad that I'd had the Red Bull for that extra injection of caffeine. As I watched Jane pull away from me again. At the top of the climb we were passed by Tony in the van catching us up for only the second time on this trip. We had a quick chat and carried on, safe in the knowledge that our kit would be waiting for us in EVANTON when we reached the hotel. With the promise of clean fresh clothes and not the scrumpled up ones stowed away on my bike.
We had views down to the BEAULLY FIRTH on our right as we approached the surprisingly populated town of DINGWALL and views to the CROMARTHY FIRTH and the long road bridge across it.  We took the cycle path out of Dingwall which had a short sharp climb and gave us even better views of the road bridge and beyond.

Cromarthy Firth road bridge


On the cycle path  4 miles outside of EVANTON we were absolutely astonished to find Christine. Legs crossed leaning on a fence munching away on a rather large french stick.
She reminded me of Bugs Bunny chomping  on that roll. When he is always getting the better of Elmer Fudd. Well slap my thighs and call me Elmer. I just don't understand how she  got passed us. I know we stopped at DRUMNADROCHIT but that was 25 miles ago. She can't have stopped at all since we passed her just after the Commando Memorial 65 miles before!
Hats off to her. She's a woman of few words and obviously fewer stops so after a very brief chat we excused ourselves and proceeded cursing under our breath.
We got to Evanton and met an annoyed Tony. Who was frustrated at the lack of help he was getting unloading the bags from the Novar Arms Hotel/Pub staff. The bar was packed with bank holiday drinkers, so we went to our very basic rooms. Freshened up and came down for a deserved pint to wait for the others to arrive. Jane sinking two pints of Guinness!
Jenny and Dave arrived an hour and a half later. Quickly followed by Caroline and the boys.
The rooms were pretty sparse and ill equipped at the hotel but the evening meal and subsequent breakfast were OK.

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