The participation ride 2006 - post-ride analysis and comment: 10: Days 7-10

Stage 10 - Track and Map - Lockerbie to Hamilton

This was Luke's last stage. The original plan was to cycle to Glasgow station for the 2:50pm train. This is the last train that would connect with others to get Luke back to work in Norwich.

A combination of tiredness from the ride the day before and extremely hospitable hosts meant we left a bit later than we had intended. The route was uninspiring (along the A74 right next to the M74 - this played hell with the GPS routing!). It was also pretty windy and in our faces for alot of the time. This is captured in this video clip.

Anyway half way into this stage we realised that we were not going to get to Glasgow in time so we hatched Plan B. We decided to try for an earlier train from Hamilton which would connect with the Glasgow train. This stage now turned into a race a against time over the worse roads so far encountered. At one point I hit the most enormous pothole at speed and lost my GPS - it survived with a few dings and scratches.

We ran into Hamilton station with seconds to spare. I dumped my bike on one platform and ran with Luke across the bridge as his train was coming in. He dived on bike and all and he was gone . . . . emotionally very difficult for me! I was now on my own having had co-riders all the way from Bristol. Luke's departure is captured here.

Download log file (text format): S10D07a.log
Download track file (Magellan MapSend format): S10D07a.trk

First of two stages today
Distance (miles): 59.32
Saddle time (hh:mm:ss): 4:17:26
Average speed (mph): 13.82
Max speed (mph): 29.00
Cumulative distance (miles): 675.29

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.

June 08, 2006 in 05: Stages 6-10, 10: Days 7-10, 12: The Analysis | Permalink | Comments (0)

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.

June 08, 2006 in 06: Stages 11-16, 10: Days 7-10, 12: The Analysis | Permalink | Comments (0)

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.

June 08, 2006 in 06: Stages 11-16, 10: Days 7-10, 12: The Analysis | Permalink | Comments (0)

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.

June 08, 2006 in 06: Stages 11-16, 10: Days 7-10, 12: The Analysis | Permalink | Comments (0)

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.

June 08, 2006 in 06: Stages 11-16, 10: Days 7-10, 12: The Analysis | Permalink | Comments (0)

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.

June 08, 2006 in 06: Stages 11-16, 10: Days 7-10, 12: The Analysis | Permalink | Comments (0)

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.

June 08, 2006 in 06: Stages 11-16, 10: Days 7-10, 12: The Analysis | Permalink | Comments (0)