The participation ride 2006 - post-ride analysis and comment

Stage 11 - Track and Map - Hamilton to Arrochar

The drabness of today's first stage was compensated for by this one. This stage was where the amazing scenary of Scotland started but I had to get through Glasgow first.

I decided to head for Glasgow on the main roads and then turn left as soon as I could after crossing the River Clyde. This took me through parks and onto the National Cycle Network that goes to Loch Lomond. This was superb except that it took me through a poor part of Glasgow where the path was strewn with broken glass. It was here that I picked up my third puncture and wrote off a tyre in the process.

I left the cycle path after about 10 miles due to lack of signs and took the main road the rest of the way to Loch Lomond. Once I hit the Loch the sceneary was fantastic all the way to Arrochar. I didn't get there until 9pm but I'd phoned ahead and my landlord and ladylady to be had ordered me a meal before last orders at the Village Inn. Arrochar is a beautiful place and my accommodation looked straight out over Loch Long.

A day of two halves: the rush through non-descript scenary to Hamilton followed by the beauty and slower pace of the Lochs.

Download log file (text format): S11D07p.log
Download track file (Magellan MapSend format): S11D07p.trk

Second of two stages today
Distance (miles): 51.24
Saddle time (hh:mm:ss): 4:01:57
Average speed (mph): 12.70
Max speed (mph): 26.3
Cumulative distance (miles): 726.53

Notes:
Click on the images above to see them full size.
For details of how vertical profiles were derived from log files and the structure of the log files see this posting.

Stage 12 - Track and Map - Arrochar to Bridge of Orchy

This stage started gently and then climbed into Glen Coe. Again a fantastic ride will amazing scenary. But this impression may have been coloured by the fact that this was my shortest stage of the ride. A mere 30 miles! I ended up sitting down for lunch at around lunchtime!

Download log file (text format): S12D08a.log
Download track file (Magellan MapSend format): S12D08a.trk

First of two stages today
Distance (miles): 29.43
Saddle time (hh:mm:ss): 2:13:22
Average speed (mph): 13.24
Max speed (mph): 26.5
Cumulative distance (miles): 755.96

Notes:
Click on the images above to see them full size.
For details of how vertical profiles were derived from log files and the structure of the log files see this posting.

Stage 13 - Track and Map - Bridge of Orchy to Fort William

The problem with this stage and others through Scotland is that there is a picture that needs to be taken at least every 5 miles and it is difficult to be disciplined and keep cycling.

Some of the mountains still have a hint of snow on top of them.

This was an easy day with a total of only 70 miles covered. This set me up nicely for the 120miles planned for tomorrow (my birthday).

Download log file (text format): S13D08p.log
Download track file (Magellan MapSend format): S13D08p.trk

Second of two stages today
Distance (miles): 40.34
Saddle time (hh:mm:ss): 2:54:11
Average speed (mph): 40.34
Max speed (mph): 13.90
Cumulative distance (miles): 796.30

Notes:
Click on the images above to see them full size.
For details of how vertical profiles were derived from log files and the structure of the log files see this posting.

Stage 14 - Track and Map - Fort William to Drumnadrochit

It hadn't occurred to me until I got to Arrochar (Stage 12) that the lochs are virtually at sea level. It's obvious when you think about it as there are not mini Niagra falls at each end where they meet the sea. This is shown by this vertical profile. I get to know when a hill was on its way because the road tended to bend away from the loch side.

Today was my 50th birthday! And what a way to spend it cycling from one side of the lochs to the other up the Great Glen. It was feeling good - and this was reflected in the highest average speed for the whole trip.

The icing on the cake came when I was flagged down by Jean and Rob. I didn't know them but they are fellow Moultoneers and had been following the blog. As they were in the area they thought they'd try and intecept me. This was such a nice surprise. They bought me an ice cream and coffee in Drumnadrochit and sent me on my way. Thanks guys. >more

As things were going well I decided not to stop for lunch at Drumnadrochit. Instead I started the next stage and stopped for lunch in Beauly.

Download log file (text format): S14D09a.log
Download track file (Magellan MapSend format): S14D09a.trk

First of two stages today
Distance (miles): 50.59
Saddle time (hh:mm:ss): 3:23:07
Average speed (mph): 14.94
Max speed (mph): 28.9
Cumulative distance (miles): 846.89

Notes:
Click on the images above to see them full size.
For details of how vertical profiles were derived from log files and the structure of the log files see this posting.

Stage 15 - Track and Map - Drumnadrochit to Brora

The climb out of Drumnadrochit was tough. I'm glad I hadn't just eaten lunch! I passed Graham and Stephen, fellow cyclists, whom I'd met in Drumnadrochit and we agreed to meet up for lunch in Beauly. I then pressed on to Brora. The wind was serious and not with me. the scenary was undramatic except for the long bridges across the Firths.

I arrived in Brora in good time and had a fantastic 'birthday dinner' in the hotel across the harbour from where I was staying. Best Sirloin Steak I have ever had.

Download log file (text format): S15D09p.log
Download track file (Magellan MapSend format): S15D09p.trk

Second of two stages today
Distance (miles): 69.05
Saddle time (hh:mm:ss): 4:57:29
Average speed (mph): 13.92
Max speed (mph): 43.4
Cumulative distance (miles): 915.94

Notes:
Click on the images above to see them full size.
For details of how vertical profiles were derived from log files and the structure of the log files see this posting.

Stage 16 - Track and Map - Brora to John o' Groats

The last stage! 65 miles to go! I couldn't rush off this morning as I had to wait for the Post Office to open so that I could pick up a spare tyre that Pashleys had organised for me.

I arrived at the Post Office at 8:50 and my heart sank. there was a queue of about 15 people outside it. But I needn't have worried, they were all waiting for the bus to Inverness which arrived at about 8:55. So I was first in the Post Office when it opened and was greeted by the grumpiest Post Master you have ever met - hopefully he warmed up as the day went on.

I strapped on the tyre with good old 'zip-ties', disposed of the packaging and was on my way. It was overcast but still dry. I'd only encountered a few spots on rain once in the whole trip. This was just south of Hamilton and was so insignificant that we didn't even stop to put jackets on. It was over in 10 minutes.

Shortly into the ride, really angry storm clouds appeared inland. They looked so bad that I was convinced that the illuminated screen ahead was a severe weather warning. But it wasn't. I passed the clouds to the west with feeling any rain. The light was amazing and there were lots of photos to be had. Like this one >more.

I didn't have to get to John o' Groats until 4pm when my colleague, David was going to meet me so I took lots of photos and sent them into the blog as I went (see the posts dated 7/6/06).

Anyway, I finally free-wheeled into John o' Groats at about 3:15pm feeling quite pleased when a voice said "Hello Simon". It was my Dad! A fantastic surprise. So we freewheeled the last bit together. Him on his Brompton and me on the Moulton. When we got to their camper van Mum had a duck egg omelette on the go. The perfect end to a fantastic 10 days.

Would I do it again? Yes! When I can have a webcam connected to my cycle helmet transmitting pictures and sound live to a blog!

Download log file (text format): S16D10.log
Download track file (Magellan MapSend format): S16D10.trk

Only stage today
Distance (miles): 63.74
Saddle time (hh:mm:ss): 5:06:15
Average speed (mph): 12.48
Max speed (mph): 46.4 (highes of the whole trip)
Cumulative distance (miles): 979.68

Notes:
Click on the images above to see them full size.
For details of how vertical profiles were derived from log files and the structure of the log files see this posting.

7/6/06 - Day 10 / Stage 16 - Brora to John O'Groats

 

 

 

 

This stage: 68 miles
Cumulative: 929 miles
Distance to go: 0 miles

The starting point for this stage is:

Selkie Bed & Breakfast
Harbour Road
Brora
Sutherland
Scotland
KW9 6QF
01408 621717

Lunch: not yet fixed

And it will end at John O'Groats!

To find out how to join this stage click here.

[Page amended on 7/5/06]

6/6/06 - Day 9 / Stage 15 - Drumnadrochit to Brora

The second stage of my 50th birthday!

This stage: 72 miles
Cumulative: 861 miles
Distance to go: 68 miles

This stage will start after lunch at Drumnadrochit.

It will end here:

Selkie Bed & Breakfast
Harbour Road
Brora
Sutherland
Scotland
KW9 6QF
01408 621717

To find out how to join this stage click here.

[Page amended on 7/5/06]

 

6/6/06 - Day 9 / Stage 14 - Fort William to Drumnadrochit

The first day of my birthday!

This stage: 50 miles
Cumulative: 789 miles
Distance to go: 140 miles

This stage will start here:

The B&B
81 Alma Road
Fort William
Inverness-shire
PH33 6HF

It will end at lunchtime around Drumnadrochit. Suggestions anyone?

To find out how to join this stage click here.

[Page amended on 7/5/06]

5/6/06 - Day 8 / Stage 13 - The Bridge of Orchy to Fort William

Approximate stats
This stage:
Distance: 40 miles
Max altitude: 1150 ft
Cumulative:
Distance: 230 miles
Max altitude: 1150 ft
Distance to go: 692 miles

Note: these graphics cover stages 4 and 5.

This stage will start after lunch around The Bridge of Orchy.

It will end here:

The B&B
81 Alma Road
Fort William
Inverness-shire
PH33 6HF

To find out how to join this stage click here.

[Page amended on 7/5/06]