Day 10 Paisley to Glencoe

The hotel was serving carvery last night, so with the exception of the vegetarians we all tucked into the best meals we had eaten on the whole trip (after Omar’s of course!)

The hotel was quite an old building and because of that, a lot of the doorways and ceilings were very low. I’m 6 ft. 3in and I couldn’t even stand upright in the shower! In fact, this was the only safe way I could have a wash!

After the meal, everyone piled into our room to watch The Apprentice final. Bev went to look out the bedroom window at the waterfall, but didn't realise how close she was to the window pane and proceeded to headbutt it! One too many bottles of wine perhaps?!?! After a traditional Scottish breakfast-which was full of grease and cholesterol- we said our goodbyes and made our way out of Paisley, round the outskirts of Glasgow and over the Erskine Bridge.

The boys had got a bit of a head start, but we soon caught up with them.

Operator, Taxi to Dudley please!

After the bridge, it was the A82 all the way. In fact, we stop on this road until Inverness! The road started off as dual carriageway, but soon went to a single road. The surface was much smoother than yesterday. The lads said how tough it was riding their road bikes on such bumpy roads. I even found some of the roads uncomfortable, and I had the privilege of suspension! The lads have been treated to some flat roads with the occasional downhill. This, I think has boosted their spirits. It has been a couple of days now since they have cycled past me with beaming smiles like they have done today.

The weather has been very kind to us too. The temperature was up into the twenties, with a decent amount of blue sky to boot. It was the perfect weather to view and admire the Scottish scenery. Loch Lomond, in particular, was stunning.

                                               

                                          Unfortunately, not all the views were stunning!

A quick break at Loch Lomand

Then after lunch, we witnessed a miracle! Everyone stood with their mouths agape as Omar jumped on his bike and decided to cycle with the other four! Bev had donned her cycle gear too, and for the first time, there were six Castle Wheelers on the road together. I was still in the minibus, while Jo took ‘command’ of the little van. It was a beautiful sight to see them riding together, but unfortunately, it didn’t last long. 5.4 miles in and I got a phone call. It was Omar. ‘I’ve gotta puncture!’ I couldn’t help but laugh-you’ve got to!! I spun round and went back to him. He had agreed with the others for them to carry on while we fixed his wheel. Within four minutes, we had his wheel fixed and back on the bike. We threw it in the van and drove after the ‘pack’. I got in front of them, pulled up and threw him out. It was perfect timing, as by the time he got on his bike and started pedalling, the others had caught him and they were once again back in their six ‘man’ train.

The six Castle Wheelers

Is it getting a little bit too much for Tris?

A few miles later the road started to snake its way up a rather large hill. I pulled over at the bottom fully expecting Omar to put the bike back in the van. He’s not much of a cyclist, but he brought his bike along in the hope of doing a few miles a day. He hasn’t really done any training, apart from a couple of laps around the Wrens Nest in Dudley. So I was very surprised when he said that he was going to ‘give it a go’. And by heck did he! I gave him chance to get some of the way up before I drove after him, fully expected him to be waving me down as I rounded every bend, but I never saw him. I caught him just before the top. He did it! And I’m not ashamed to be eating some humble pie either, as I did not expect him to do it! But nevertheless he did and the whole team is very proud of him. It was obvious that he had got ‘the bug’, as he set off once more with the group.

Unfortunately, I think the poor guy is cursed. He got about three miles up the road before getting another puncture. This time on the front wheel. That was enough for him. The bike went back in the van and he returned under the wing of the support crew. He managed to find other things to occupy his time!

Bev took her support role to the extreme today. Dave is still struggling slightly with his ankle hence his pace is a couple of miles slower than the other three. Bev stayed with him and did a little over 50 miles on his back wheel. The other three were only ever a couple of minutes ahead and made regular stops to regroup. The plan was to stop at Glencoe, 85 miles from Paisley, then drive in the van to our overnight stop in Fort William. However, that plan went out the window when everyone got to Glencoe and felt good enough to do the last few miles to F.W.

In total, today was 103 miles, which is a mile more than the Aberdovey run. Apart from Keith, it was the furthest any of them had cycled in one day. The bonus to that is that it reduces tomorrows ride to Inverness to a ‘measly’ 65 miles. Easy peasy! It has also been our longest day in respect of the hours ridden; 7 hours 50 minutes. I think everyone will sleep well tonight! And what a place to sleep too! We are at Fort William Fire Station. It’s a little over three years old and full of ‘mod cons’. We have a shower cubicle each a big telly and plenty of room to spread out. The last few nights we have been quite cramped, but as we haven’t paid to stop anywhere, we’re definitely not complaining!

The Scottish weather did manage to give us a bit of a slap 6 miles from the end. A torrential down pour came from the coast and managed to soak everyone who wasn’t in the comfort of a van. But it failed to spoil the absolutely amazing views. This part of the world is beautiful and we have been very lucky to have witnessed it on a sunny day!

Finally, I feel it needs to be said once again;

Omar and Bev, you have both done a fantastic job today. You should both be very proud of yourselves and if anyone has their number you should let them know that too!

Posted by John.