MONDAY 21 JULY
85 MILES 1140 METRES
Yes, folks this was how it should always be. Set off from Glencoe under a cloudless sky, with the looming ramparts of Glencoe proving an awasome opening hour or so. The drag up Rannoch Moor wasn't too bad, and there were lots of sweeping downhills to make up for the 1000 feet ascent. The views down south were tremendous, all the way across Rannoch Moor to Schiehallion on one side and the Bhucaille and Black Mount on the other. We literally zoomed past Bridge of Orchy and down into Tyndrum with more great views of Ben Dorain etc. and Ben More/Stobinian. Turning left at Crianlarich we had a nice straight level run across to Lix Toll, before the short sharp climb up to the head of Glen Ogle, where we latched on to the cycle path along the old railway, getting us away from the traffic and on to a lovely downhill cycle path to Balquhidder. Here we enjoyed a brill lunch in the sun with lashings of lemonade and ginger beer and "doorstopper" sandwiches that lived up to their billing at "The Old Library Teahouse". We stayed on the cycle path all the way down to Callander, alongside Loch Lubnaig glistening in the warm sunshine. We headed back on to quiet scenic country roads from Callander through to Deanston and Doune. It was back on to busy fast roads after that for the last 8 miles into Stirling, where we found the Hostel was at the top of a steep hill!! Bike owner Gordon came over with Sue to meet us for a lovely Thai curry and to check his trusty steed was being well looked after. He brought a new skinnier and more puncture-proof front tyre and, after a near deafening blowout when putting it on, this proved perfect.
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