...onward upward

Miles: 84 (670 total)
Punctures: 2

Left Crawford (the real Royston Vasey) at 8.00. Mist and cloud for the first time so we had long sleeves and full-length Lycra - yum!

Another 20 miles of blissfully empty cycle track with mist clearing to another day of blue skies. Just south of Larkhall the road surface deteriorated to sub-Ryvita standard to further punish our poorly posteriors. Thankfully,we quickly found a lovely Italian coffee bar that provided food and entertainment to distract.

We made our way into Glasgow, somehow losing the A274. At one point our options were the M74 (cyclists not welcome), a landfill site, and the crematorium. We would have used the city map from the road atlas but Mr" Smartypantsweightsaverwewon'tneedthat" Howard had thrown it away. There, I'm glad I've got that off my chest.

With the help of two policewomen we were able to find the Clydeside cycle path and make our way to Kelvingrove where we met Charlie Sweeney, an old friend, for lunch. It was great to catch up with him, and the Museum looks great. All too soon, we had to saddle up and (when we could find it) we took the very scenic NCN cycle path to Loch Lomond.

On said route, and in a field between Dumbarton and Alexandra, Nick met with a 2mm Allen Key wedged Excalibur-like in the track. This led to puncture #1, #2 happening when he put the tyre back on. He said t is was just to make me feel better, so why did he wait a week?

Regarding the canus flange, Nick's seems to have sorted itself but mine is still troublesome. I would have a go at it but I don't want to strip thread so I'll just lubricate as needed.

The day's ride ended with a truly spectacular 18 miles along the West Loch Lomond cycle path to Tarbet. Awesome scenery, and mostly car-free. The nice man at the B&B has offered to do our washing (fool!)

Dining in highland splendour, off to Fort William tomorrow.