LEJoG 82

Day 21, to Glencoe

Last night heavy rain was forecast, so I decided to start my ride at 7AM. Today is another day that I am riding alone. From time to time I met up with Paul, who was waiting in a lay-by with his car – and a vital warming flask of coffee (thank you, thank you Paul!). That really cheered me on as I climbed up to the Glencoe pass in driving rain and heavy traffic.

Day 20, to Crianlarich

Goodbye to Frank and Lorraine Smith of Sunnyside Bed & Breakfast, after enjoying a sumptuous breakfast of porridge, kippers and scrambled eggs with lots of extra bits (fruit, cinnamon, juices etc). Thank you also for your kind donation of £20 to Refuge. Next time I’m in the area I’ll make a bee-line for their B&B.

Day 19, to Alexandria

The Sustrans route looked easy to follow all the way from Glasgow to Loch Lomond. To reach it we went through the elegant gates of the park opposite the SYHA hostel where I slept last night, and then down such a steep slope that I bottled out and pushed my bike. After that we had to negotiate a network of streets where, despite Paul and his Garmin, we had to constantly ask for directions until the start of the Sustrans route was located.

Day 18, to Glasgow

We regretfully left the Days Inn with its hot baths and yards of shelving on which to arrange our things, and who even welcomed our bikes inside. I now encountered another cyclist with a loaded bike – very heavily loaded.

Day 17, to Abington

There was a huge cooked breakfast waiting for us in Amanda’s Kitchen (at Broadlea of Rob Gill bed and breakfast, where I stayed last night.) It was an amazing spread, including the usual bacon and eggs, mushrooms and tomatoes etc., but haggis and black pudding were also on offer for the more adventurous diner. There was no square sausage.

Day 16, to Kirtlebridge

I have arrived in Scotland, which is my most exciting landmark to reach (so far).

Day 15, to Penrith

We had a lovely breakfast with fruit yoghurt and other delights and then off, in trepidation, to get over Shap Fell – which is over 1,500ft of ascent, so whenever I gained height it was dismaying to have to go downhill again.

Day 14, to Kendal

I’m slowly advancing north and it’s so interesting to hear the music of the english language ever changing as it evolves from West Country through The Midlands, Lancashire and the north before turning into Scots – perhaps that’s the way that a new language is born.

Unlucky Day 13, to Bilsborrow

Off to a daunting start as we crossed a busy roundabout over the motorway to Birmingham. Away from all that, we began to cross Warrington, where the rain started to fall heavily. Our planned distance today was a bit longer, so both of us were keen to do a little more of the journey on A roads (and especially since most of them had cycle paths).

Day 12, nearly to Warrington

Last night was memorable, I stayed at the Tudor House Hotel in Market Drayton. It is a perfectly restored Tudor building – you can even see the wattle and daub walls through a glass panel. Best of all, my bike had a safe place indoors and in my pretty bedroom there were lots of delicious shortbreads to snack on. It’s run by Katie Stevens, a super woman who manages to run the place single handed. If you are going to Market Drayton don’t miss this place!