Today we hope to cross the next ' barrier ', Drumochter. The forecast for tuesday looks grim so this may be an enforced day-off instead, for catching up with washing.
Our night in the Merryburn Hotel , Birnham was very good. Hilary the owner was very helpful, insisting that we bring the bikes into a function room.
The homemade steak pie really is, the steak is locally sourced and very tasty.
This was taken in the cellar bar while breakfast was had in the comfortable lounge bar at the front door.
The morning was bright and sunny and we were keen to get on the road hoping to make Carrbridge. This was going to mean our longest mileage yet of roughly 80 miles but we were confident of making it.
The route is mostly on the old A9 so mostly a reasonable surface. Ballinluig was our first stop for a cuppa and just as we were getting there we saw this old steam tractor towing a landrover down the A9.
Just before Pitlochry we came across an ancient monument - the Dunfallandy Stone. Its an early Pictish stone with symbols on it, from around 400 AD.
Pitlochry was hosting the usual coach tours and it looked like it would be a good day for the shops here. Blair Atholl has some nice picnic tables at the bridge over the Tilt and a wee cafe here beside the carpark. Pedalling onwards we passed busy Bruar on a road section still used to Calvine then it was off-road on the old-road making a long gradual ascent to Drumochter. We came across this small snake on the road.
On route we watched the Pylon builders rigging the new power lines, working at the ends of the pylon's arms. Its only then you get an idea how big these structures are. The human frame next to the Meccano one.
We spotted this interesting structure on the way.
It stayed dry all the way to the pass but then dark clouds gathering in the SW could no longer hold back and joined us for the rest of the day. For me, this point is the psychological barrier of the trip, the end of the beginning and the beginning of the end. For Julian it was the Forth Bridge.
Our celebratory 'snack ' was - egg mayo sandwich, banana, pork pie, bottle of fruit smoothie, picnic bar and slice of banana loaf. Thanks Jane.
We couldn't hang around, still 40 miles to go and the rain was not for stopping. I always thought the gradient was level to Dalwhinnie from here but I am happy to report it is downhill. There was a good southerly breeze too so we were able to do 16mph with little effort. However concentration was still required as there is a lot of loose grit and pebbles on the path.
5 miles south of Aviemore i heard a rubbing noise from the wheels. A first scan revealed no clues so i ignored it but it seemed to be getting louder. Better stop. Spun the front wheel, silent. Tried to spin the rear, seized solid. What? The brake was binding solid onto the rim. How can this be. Deflating the tyre and dropping the wheel out was the only answer. This revealed a split rim. Oh well todays ride stops here.
A few cars stopped to see if i was ok but thankfully the Snowdrop rescue service was alerted. A very kind driver, also Andrew, also a cyclist said he would stop on his way back if i was still stuck. He did. And kindly took my bike back to Carrbridge. He explained how the rims wear out with heavy braking and the occassional hole or kerb contact can weaken them. Well i've have had a few of all of these over 3 weeks.
So its wheel shopping tomorrow.
Val had collected my luggage and was now ready to head south to Linlithgow but not before showing me the stocked fridge for hungry cyclists. Thank you Val we had a lovely meal.
Julian completed the cycle to Carrbridge, putting in the highest daily milesge so far. Well done!
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