Bicycle Ride Around Scotland

Day 1 - Glasgow to Androssen (40 miles)

Best:
-riding my bike away from the airport in Glasgow
-eating my first fish and chips in the park under the sun
-finding the bike path around the busy streets

Worst: -setting my tent up at 2 am in the sand

After my 24 hour lay over in Chicago, I was excited to finally make it to Scotland...after setting my cycle up in the parking lot of the airport, I triumphantly rode off into the sunset...I was very happy to realize that I could comfortably ride with all my gear on, as I had not had time for a test ride before I left. I decided to try to make it all the way to Androssen (40 miles) even though my plane had gotton in much later than expected...luckily it stays light much later in Scotland, and I only had to ride the last few hours in the dark...at around 12 am I finally made it to Androssen, found a nice deserted spot on the beach, and being too exhausted to pitch my tent, i just layed my sleeping bag on the ground and went to sleep...at about 2am the wind picked up, and I found myself almost completely buried in sand...I layed their for a while debating on whether or not it was worth it to set my tent up to only sleep for a few more hours, but with the sand constantly whipping me in the face, I quickly came to the decision to set my tent up. Here are some photos of the first day.

Day 2 - Androssen to Tarbert (28 miles)

Best:

-Falling asleep in the bath at the Tarbert hotel

-My first full "Scottish Breakfast"!

-Eating cold ravioli from a can by the side of the road

-Malt vinegar and salt on my french frys

-Scottish bacon...so thick and salty!

Worst:-leg cramps while sleeping

-the never ending 10 miles to tarbert

-paying 12 dollars for the worst hamburger

So, I woke up at 5 am to make the 6 am ferry to the island of Aran...I was starving and was able to order a full scottish breakfast on the ferry, complete with haggis and blood sausage. My legs were extremely tired from yesterdays 40 mile ride, but the scenery was so amazing, I soon forgot about my legs...until the massive uphill and then I pretty much just wanted to die. Aran is built like a volcano, you go up, and then you go down...the down hill was amazing...I got up to over 40 miles an hour, full scottish breakfast and all. A great day of riding. After getting to Aran, I had to wait an hour or so before taking the ferry and making my way to Tarbert. The uphill had been a real killer, and my legs were about done before I even started on the last 10 miles to tarbert. Needless to say, it was a long 10 miles, and I nearly collapsed into the first hotel I found. My legs were so sore, I decided to take a bath, and apparantly fell asleep for about an hour. After the bath, I wandered downstairs, ate some food in the bar, went back upstairs and went to sleep. An excellent 2nd day. Here are the photos...

Day 3 - Tarbert to Killmartin (24 miles)

Best:

-Fast drying clothes

-Riding on the bank of the Loch-Eating a twix

-Free camping in Killmartin

Worst:

-Sore

Best cycling: out of Tarbert around the Loch

Best moment: coming upon the two horses grazing in the pasture below the castle

2nd best: eating fish and chips while reading in the bar

Realizations while riding: Going fast on your bike just to get from place to place, one might as well be driving in a car. Traveling from goal to goal, from place to place by x amount of time, makes this type of traveling pointless. A person carries their thoughts, beleifs, and ideas with them while they travel. If one travels quickly, all these things remain intact. When one travels slowly, the place has time to affect them. Ideas and beleifs may slip out of the knapsack to be replaced by others...on a long enough trip, goals will change over time if one is being affected by the journey. I think the ability to stick to something is an invaluable gift. However, I think if it overrides inspiration and true desire, then it can be a negative trait. I think the ability to change direction, to start new, to do different than you have done, is an even rarer trait and more difficult to achieve than the former.

Day 4 - Killmartin to Oban (38 miles)

Best:
1. Cheese and onion pastry
2. Garlic and Rosemary kettle chips
3. Extreme downhill out of Killmartin
4. The sun shining most of the day

Worst:
1. 20 dollars for camping
2. Dropping my film behind the wall
3. Smelly man on the bottom bunk at the hostel

New realizations: Bar food is expensive and not that good...better a cheap restraunt or small storeLeg fatigue: 50%