Scotland 2005

Wednesday - Then there were two!

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Nick, a friend at work, asked If I would be interested in a trip around the west coast of Scotland late September, with his buddy Bill. I took a look at the proposed route and arrangements. The trip was around 1000 miles over 5 days, including 4 nights staying in some very interesting accommodation! a quick call to the wife to get the O.K., and I was signed up!

This was Bill's proposed route, starting clockwise from Scotch Corner (bottom right) on the A1, then North up the West side of Scotland to the top at Durness. Over the top, and back down the middle to Scotch Corner again. Looks good to me.

On the day before the big trip, Nick was fitting a new centre stand to his R100RS, Bill had made up a super pair of mounting bushes in stainless steel. The new stand was fitted, and Nick went for a test ride...

Ten minutes later Bill got a call from Nick "Hello Willam! can you come and pick up my gps and radio, I've been knocked off my bike"

Bill drove straight round and found Nick on a stretcher having a neck brace fitted by the ambulance crew, a car had turned right straight in to Nick, his bike was totalled (as was the car). Nick had a broken shoulder bone, four broken ribs and a broken ankle, the young lady driver was in deep shock. Fortunately the accident was witnessed by two Police cars, but Nick was definitely out of the race :(

I just couldn't believe it when I heard, but Nick had insisted we carry on with the trip as they'd carried him off on a stretcher...

So there were just two bikes that meet up at Scotch Corner services on Wednesday morning, Bill and myself. Much weather watching had taken place in the preceding week and I decided to risk it and leave my handlebar muffs at home as the weather over next next few days looked good (ha! more fool me).

We made good progress, first across the A66 to Penrith where we picked up the M6 North. For a motorway this section's not at all bad, it's not too straight and it goes through some excellent scenery.

Our second stop for fuel and refreshments was at Happendon Services (multimap). we parked up by the Oasis burger van where we had an excellent Cheese Burger and coffee, but nether Bill or myself could understand a word the lady behind the counter said due to her heavy Glaswegian accent, we just smiled and nodded politely :)

We pressed on through Glasgow's heavy traffic and over the Erskine bridge (no toll for bikes) then on to the A82. The further North we went the duller the weather became.

After Coffee and buns at Glendarroch Tea Room in Luss, we stopped and took pictures of Loch Lomond.

Close to our destination, we stopped for a final brew and refuel at the Green Welly, Tyndrum (multimap) it still has separate bike parking and the bucket and sponge to wash your visor, well done Green Welly!

Finally, at 17.20 and 233 miles, we arrived at our first nights accommodation, the West Highland Way Sleeper, a hostel right in the middle of the railway station at Bridge of Orchy, and just £13 per night! (multimap)

We just got there just in time, as we were locking up the bikes in the station car park it really started to rain!

After sorting our selves out and meeting the other guests, we went back down the lane for an evening meal in the Bridge of Orchy Hotel, It was very nice (if a touch expensive). After the meal and a few drinks we went back to the hostel and settled down to watch The Blues Brothers on video, I'd forgot just how funny that film is :)

 It was raining hard outside, and watching the film I'd quite forgotten where we were, when a train crept ghost like by the common room window, it was the Fort William - Euston night sleeper, whacky or what!

Bed time, and these were our bunks stacked three high! we were the only guests in this bunk room, (there are two I believe) so it was easy to select the bottom two bunks, even so it was difficult to get in the bunk due to the low head room, but once in, it was very snug and warm.

It was eerie listening to the wind moaning around the station during the night, but after struggling to get in the bottom left bunk, my main concern was not needing to get out of it again during the night, I would probable have ended up finishing the night on the floor!

Today route and 233 miles travelled.

Garmin trail and waypoints download for today

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