My connection seems stable at the moment , so if your sitting comfortably is shall begin.
Part 3.
As I waddled out of McDonald's after some much need carbs and coffee, I picked my way through Inverlocky housing estate and on to the Grate Glen Cycle Way. You cross the River Spean on the old Army Bridge, a bit of a rickety affair. It was busy with pedestrians and locals commuting to and fro, until I had crossed, the ramp at the road end was closed and there was not a sole about, so I had to fully unload the bike and carry everything up two flights of stairs. Sense of humor fail followed! *##@** Thankfully the campsite was only around the corner.
The Locky caravan and camping park is a good site, with good facility's and Highland wifi and very reasonably priced too. I checked in with my sister who was looking after dad and he was not well, and she was not on form either! She has been very ill over the last year too.
Tent up, stove lit and made a brew, phone on charge, shower and bed. Next morning, sunshine and lots of it and no wind
, The camp was not full and having a pick nick table to myself I rearrange how I had things packed. It made the steering lighter and the handling improved.
Early Morning Ben Nevis
A misty river Spean
Now well over a full day behind managing only 32 miles the day before, I was going to take it easy, open mouth insert foot!! This turned out to be the toughest day of the whole tour. Making my way to Neptune's staircase on the Caladoinan Canal and follow the cycle path to Gairlochy at the bottom of Lock lochy, and decide when there witch side I would pass the Loch. I would be coming back this way from Millaig so it mattered not witch way I went. WRONG!
Looking west from Neptune's Staircase
Same place looking east.
Lord Of the Glens
From Neptune's Staircase to Gairlochy is flat and level and I made good time and on to Clunes.
East up Lock Lochy
Between Gairlochy and Clunes there is a series of Information Boards.
There is a Monument to the WW2 Commandos not far from Gairlochy on the A82 witch I was hoping to visit on my second pass.
From Clunes to Kilfinnan was a struggle, a hard rough granite track and very steep. This is a cycle path? this was total and utter torture I got some strange looks from the riders on their mountain bikes
Lord Of the Glens catching me up. I was hoping to make Laggon Locks to see hear going through but that was not going to happen at 2 MPH!
Finally at the end of the rough trail. 18 miles in 3 hours not bad but it was not over yet.
By the time I got to Laggon locks, the Lord of the Glens was well past. I pushed on down the side of the canal until I found a clearing, in the sun and time for lunch.
I stopped at the store at the Well of the Severn Heads to resupply, something for dinner and milk. Coffees and porridge for next morning as it was going to be a wild camp. And all they had left was a 4 pint carton and far too much to carry or need. I pressed on to Invergarry and the slow long slog to the top of Glengarry.
Looking east and Loch Garry
I made many stops on the way up it was hard going and the wind had swung to the west and back in my face.
At the very top over looking Glen Loyne and tied out and very very swetty. I had a good brake hear, drank the last of my water, forced down last of my chocolate. Too windy to brew up and no milk. Jacket on as I was now getting could. Helmet adjusted and a good check over the bike and bags to make sure every thing was secure. From hear to the junction with the A87 was exactly 4 miles on newly laid road
down hill time
Head down and off I went, WEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE 200 m of decent, as a moral booster I switch the GPS over to KPH I was so excited I forgot to time the decent, when I hit 55kph it was time for some brakes, the junction was rapidly approaching. phew that was a lot of fun.
It was short lived, turning left on to the A87, a steady 50m climb in just over 1.5 miles on a very poor surface and back into a strong westerly finished me of for the day, it was getting late and time to find a spot to camp.
Loch Cluanie Dam and home for the night, the westerly wind kept the midges down. I had a full 3G signal in the middle of nowhere better than I get back home.
This may be coming over as a tail of woe, I can assure you that is not the case. Up till this point it had been tough and hard going but I was loving every minuet of it.
Last installment to follow.
Andy
