Mmmmm 5am!
Thats what time we both surfaced from our tents! A tad early, but that was the start of quite a few early mornings over the next few days.
Had a steady packup in the sunshine and by 8.30 we were back in New Abbey having a quick wobble round and taking a few more photos, this time of the Abbey.
Sweetheart Abbey at New Abbey
Then after a trip right through the centre of Dumfries (which we thought was going to be a ring road!) it was off onto the A711 to re-join the M74 near Moffat. As Glasgow got closer the weather really started to close in with dark clouds really threatening, but luckily not producing any soggy bits of water.
The motorways in and around Glasgow can be totally crazy - there is even a sliproad joining from below you and on the right!!!!! Whats that all about??? Anyway we managed to navigate the M74, M73 and M8 without too much hastle. Riding over the Erskine Bridge was as good as ever - and even better now its free - oh we like free 
Finally onto the A82 - which takes you the full length of Loch Lomond and beyond.
Loch Lomond was beckoning by now so had to pull over for a leg stretch and some photos - The loch was looking quite moody with all the low(ish) cloud and still wind
A Moody Loch Lomond
The break also gave the bikes chance to have a breather as they had been on the go from Dumfries
The bikes having a rest at Loch Lomond
Back on the A82 to take us the full length of Loch Lomond - this is a cracking road running right down by the Loch side in places. Its actually that close that at one point there are a set of lights to control the traffic as its only wide enough for a single lane which all adds to the fun of the twists n turns Not forgetting all the super wide German camper vans bimbling along at 5 miles/hour!!!!
The rest of the day was going to be on the amasing road that is the A82. Not really for its quality, but for the landscape it goes through. Next main stop was the Green Welly Shop at Tyndrum - Now yes I know its an odd name and an odd place to stop, but this is the first petrol station since Glasgow! So its a bit of a ‘honey pot’. There a bikes, bikes and oh yeh there are a few bikes.
This photo was actually taken on the way down to Callander, but you get the idea
Green Welly Shop at Tyndrum
It had been warm all day, but now the clouds had gone the temp was rising to a nice simmering point again.
Just after Tyndrum the road splits and the A82 goes off to the right through a snow gate and then the snow poles appear at the side of the road. This for me is where the road start for real. There are some amazing view as you ride below Beinn Dorain, Beinn an Dothaidh and then along the side of Loch Tulla before topping out on Rannoch Moor. And here the ladscape changes again.
looking out over loch tulla
sure this is what rob has just taken in the pic above
Time to push on over Rannoch Moor - One thing I remember about this section of the road was Robs head just going from side to side taking it all in. I just knew he had to be smiling such a big smile :-) Ive been on this road many times and I still have to smile as its just so……
rannoch moor
glencoe
more glencoe
even more glencoe
well why not
Ok so there are a couple of pics of Glencoe - As you go down the Glen to the village of Glencoe you have Aonach Eagach to the right with 5 or so Munro’s up there and to the left just so many Monro’s you have to stop and just try to take it all in.
There is (well I think) a really nice bridge at Ballachulish where you get a great view out over Loch Linnhe to the left and back to the Pap of Glencoe on the right so as you go over the bridge its a head left and right again. Shame we didnt just stop half way across to take pics
Since leavin Loch Lomond, the temperature had been rising all day, so by now it was well into the 80’s!!! But the end of the day was getting closer with every turn on the A82 - Ft. William
The A82 now runs right at the side of Loch Linnehe all the way into Ft. William so again some great riding was enjoyed. Rode into Ft. William at about 4 and still it was up in the mid 80’s so we were kind gettin a tad sticky :-| Decided to filll that evening so we could get off early in the morning, so had a quick fuel stop ot Morrisons (now thats so not very rock n roll is it!!!)
Because of the heat we just stopped at the first BB that looked ok - This could have been a mistake, but we just couldnt be bothered to go find another place. This B&B was kind unique in a couple of ways - Firstly the bloke (who shall be called Frank for this purpose - well Frank was his name!) was telling us the rules when he came out with…… ‘but I dont do breakfast’ - So we were at a bed and BREAKFAST and it was really a bed and TOAST!
The next gem Frank came out with was…… ‘The front door is always open, but its locked at 12′. Mmmm so to my thinking its not always open!
After the unpack and some well needed showers we hit the town! Now Ive been coming through Ft. William for many years now and two things happened that evening that I thought would NEVER happen.
- It was sunny and very very hot - and not too many midges!
- I saw some ladies sunbathing down by the Loch shore in bikinis!!! Now that I really never thought Id see at Ft. William
Got to the main street and decided it would be rude not to have a drink or few After sampling the delights of several local ale houses decided to call it a night with a healthy burger and chips (for me) and chips and fishcake (for rob) down by the loch then stroll back to the Bed and TOAST!!
Bring on the next day!
daily - 210 miles
total - 419 miles
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