Day 4: Kinlocheven to Helensbury (via Glen Coe and Loch Lomond), 135k, 5 and a half hours

It started off like this (but only after Winnie hobbled back to his tent (over to you Sam):

Then this happened - listen out for the soundtrack. Lewis said made him feel all tingly! 

 

Then Becky got puncture no1 and we had a wild wee / stag break in the middle of some road works. Some discussion about whether the stag was in fact a reindeer - are there reindeers in Scotland? Dan contemplated doing his 5k while waiting, only 4k into the 120k ride.

The morning very quickly turned into this (below)… puncture no 2 for Becky (proper bad luck). Nothing was straight forward: inner tube too big, tyre too trashed, couldn't find the millimeter of damage, plaster needed. Dan and the bus ladies came to the rescue though... Dan also gave a nutrition lecture about soaked nuts while we were waiting.

 

 

And we were off (for the third time). Setting off through one of the best stretches of road in Britain: Glen Coe.

                                            

Damien and GH went for some boy time 

`````````````

After yesterday everyone enjoyed the smooth tarmac, wind in our hair, high gears, rolling decent and layers of hills on the horizon for 50k until lunch stop.

  

     

We were making good progress compared to yesterday and it continued into the afternoon. Gorgeous 60k of straight, smooth road hugging Loch Lomond in the sunshine. It really was special. 

Damien and GH over shot the turn off and added an extra 20k.  

Vicky, Becs, Sheltz and Tom rerouted too (nothing new there) and found a beautiful spot on Loch Lomond for a dip

  

Then this man arrived and gave everyone a boost. So good to see a friendly face!

  

Ev, Kate and Faith were absolute heroes today: mopping up after numerous bike calls; rallying around everyone at lunch; lending stuff out; collecting stuff from the buses; fixing phones; arranging accommodation; sorting breakfast; welcoming people home... and doing all the laundry!!!!! Plus much much more. We could absolutely not do this without you girls. THANK YOU. 

And thank you to everyone at home and who are supporting us. It really does help and go a long way to pushing us up the next hill. 

Weathersoons special and early bed. Looking forward to tomorrow!