An example of not having fun is riding a bike for 97 km directly into a 20 to 40 kph wind. In the rain. Well, a strong mist. Gets you wet either way so no need to split hairs about it. In any case, fighting for every meter is hard work, and the harder you push the harder the wind pushes back. This is head down, whatever it takes to keep pedaling monotony.
And the wind made it cold. Used gloves for the first time and also put long jorts back on. It’s an awfully good thing the whole trip wasn’t like this! It easily could have been.
Pretty sure I missed the highlights of Cairngorms. Through the mist and the gray I could vaguely make out a cluster of mountains to the south east. I did have some decent views, but nothing like what I was seeing a few days ago.
The riding for the first half of the day was on the NR7. It’s a patchwork of dedicated cycleways, smaller highways and frontage roads along a main separated highway. I’m glad it was there, but it wasn’t particularly great riding. Wind or not.
I stopped at a fancy little cafe in Dalwhinnie for lunch and a sanity check. It was a nice joint, bustling on a Sunday, with prepared artisan food, fresh sandwiches and cakes, and a little corner dedicated to emergency cycling gear like tubes and pumps and things.
While I was waiting for my order an older guy came over from a van with 2 bicycles on it. He mentions the huge cycling event that took place in Inverness the day before. 5,000 people rode around Loch Ness. (I had heard about it at a campground, but it didn’t work with my schedule.) He looks at my rig, shakes his head and says ‘heavy, I’m an ultralight type myself.’ So I punched him in the face.
Kidding! But I was in no mood for a comment like this and I believe I made as much clear. I got my order and left.
The last half the day was slightly less of a slog. I think the wind diminished somewhat.
Tonight I’m in a government run campground (Kilvrecht), just like a state/provincial park. It’s interesting to me that there appears to be so few of these on this side of the Atlantic. Half price at least of all the private campgrounds I’ve been staying in. And the warden is a super sweet lady.
Tomorrow I will start riding the Badger Divide. It’s a mostly off road route between Inverness and Glasgow. I missed an about half of it by riding through Cairngorms, including what would have been the biggest climb of the whole trip. Maybe this was on purpose ;). The description of the route says there’s some technical riding (ie really tough), and if I find those parts I’ll just as quickly find the highway. I’ve got 2.5 short distance days on it, so I think it’ll be just fine.
First day of inclement weather in Scotland after being there for 3 weeks, I’d say that’s pretty good. Hope the winds die down and the sun comes out for the rest of your trip. Stay away from the technical riding trails🤓! Love ya, Mom
Hi Chad,
Sounds like a really tough day without spectacular food as a reward. I’m glad you missed or avoided the big climb. The mountains continue to look really big.
Wishing you fair weather for the rest of the trip.
I laughed very hard at both long jorts and the face punch.
It’s interesting that the state-run camp was do inexpensive – Ontario Provincial Parks seem to gouge cyclists.
Exactly what I thought.
You realize how slow I read. Therefore, you must be so proud that I read all posts of this trip today; yep, all in one day- I’m impressed too. (This, too, admits – as we Mohrs must do – that I just today made the time to read what is always my favorite reading).
Nevertheless, what a trip thus far! The cycling widow and pic of the 25% grade have been some of my favs.
Happy the weather seems to have mostly been really favorable. And, only one hot sticky toffee pudding? What the hell is wrong with you?
It hasn’t been on the menu often 🤷♂️