The corners of Scotland

[Matt2matt2002]

Hi Cycladelic.
Please contact me nearer the time of you trip.
I'd be very pleased to help out and or put you up for a night.
I am 18 miles outside of Aberdeen.
Perhaps not the side of Scotland you will be visiting?

I have done parts of the West coast so please keep in touch.

Matt

[cycladelic]

I'd be very pleased to help out and or put you up for a night.
I am 18 miles outside of Aberdeen.

Matt

That's very kind of you, Matt, but we'll be heading west from Inverness, over to Applecross and via the high pass. After that it's the off-road trail from Connor towards Fort Augustus, over the 800m-high track south and then west to Fort William. We'll ride on the west shore of Loch Etive and the final leg is beside Loch Lomond on the West Highland Way.

If you feel up to some more adventure, bring your tent. I've allowed 8 days.

[Matt2matt2002]

I go to Fort William from time  to time and yesterday found out I can take by bike and myself for free from my home to Inverness.
So, yes, it is a good posibiity for us to meet.
Please give me some dates nearer the time you are here.
Matt

[Matt2matt2002]

Quick update folks.
First the good news and then the even better news.

On Friday I will take that bus I reffered to in my previous post, from Inverurie to Inverness ( free since I am 60 and a half).
Then cycle down the East side of Loch Ness to Fort William (70+ miles).
2 nights in a hostel at the foot of Ben Nevis.
Will pop up  (& down!)  Ben N. and then watch my wonderful daughter complete her triathlon. ( swim near Edinburgh, bike to Glenco and then run to Fort Bill via Ben Nevis ).

Reverse for me on Monday.

Sounds good?
You bet. But then it gets better.

Just saw my boss and he agreed to give me 6 weeks off for my planned 4 corners of Scotland tour.

Had to have that in place before I could commit to the trip.

More details to follow nearer set off date.
July 4th.

Matt

[jags]

Matt your boss will surly get to heaven.

[Matt2matt2002]

Matt your boss will surly get to heaven.

I nearly leaped over his desk and gave him a hug.
But I draw the line somewhere.
 

[jags]

 

[Matt2matt2002]

Just lost a posting I started here. So, in brief. Tour under way. Starting off in Shetland. Hit the most northerly tip but then disaster struck. Front chain ring stripped of grip. Worn cogs would not turn chain. Happened all of a sudden. Is this common. No warningat all. Loaded bike may have BRI g it on?
Second bike shop in town after a 2 hour bus ride had just one ring that would fit. Slightly larger than my 32 so he had to adjust the EBB.
Looks like its worked so that show rolls on.

Great weather, great folk and great scenery.
 

[Andre Jute]

Glad to hear you're sorted, Matt, and underway again. Half a day wasted finding a chainring must be better than many alternatives.

[Templogin]

If you had rung me Matt I would only have been able to offer a 50 tooth, but at least you would have been going downhill faster!

[Matt2matt2002]

Thanks folks.
Chain ring holding out although there are gaps between the chain and the ring. Dan has advised me that the chain (an old one) will have stretched and not sit well along the cogs.
It does not skip and pulls well so will keep it on until back at the ranch.

Tour continues. Did at 92 mile ride down from the top of Scotland - Thurso, to Lairg. Lovely countryside.
Then a hop across to Ullapool and caught h ferry to Stornoway.
Lady in the info office had a Nomad herself.

Then a run down to Leverburgh and a 3 day wait for the boat trip to St. Kilda.
Very frustrating since both boat tour companies cancelled due to various reasons.
Decided to cut my loses and head across to Skjye where another company sails from.
But he's not going until the 23rd!
I'll hang around here for awhile decided what to do.
I'll climb the highest Munro later in the week. That should kill one day!

So good to be out on the road, either camping or hosteling

And so good to have a back up team here for technical support.

Np pictures yet due to computer access probs.

Matt

[macspud]

That's a shame about the delay to the trip to St. Kilda.
There is free access to computers/internet at the all highland libraries, the nearest library to Uig is Portree, 14 miles by the main road but much more scenic round the coast road, there are some beautiful walks, one particular being the Quiraig.

[Matt2matt2002]

Many thanks.
The libraries have been a god send while away. I have used them in Lerwick Portree and Broadford. Plus several more.

I now find myself on the Isle of Eigg at a music festival.
Quite by chance. I met a guy going there as I took the ferry to Mallaig. And I thought, why not.
Excellent island with great beaches and scenery.
And there is free music until 4 am!
Ouch.
Raven behaving superbly.
Let's hope I do.
Matt

[Andre Jute]

Many thanks.
The libraries have been a god send while away. I have used them in Lerwick Portree and Broadford. Plus several more.

I now find myself on the Isle of Eigg at a music festival.
Quite by chance. I met a guy going there as I took the ferry to Mallaig. And I thought, why not.
Excellent island with great beaches and scenery.
And there is free music until 4 am!
Ouch.
Raven behaving superbly.
Let's hope I do.
Matt

You headbanger, you!

[jags]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NK45dJotWvQ
matt is enjoying  music like this.
well i hope he is.


jags.