Contin to Kinlochewe

Day 2 of GWC S3 Projects 2009

The Team Kit

Today would be our first real test on our cycling tour of the highlands. Our destination today was 32 miles away: Kinlochewe. We would be cycling on the main road today but it's not exactly the busiest road in the world!

It was another fine day and there was hardly any wind - great for cycling. It had been a rather chilly night in the tents and when I woke there was a heavy frost on the ground. The kids were super efficient at getting up and putting the porridge and brews on. We soon had the tents down and the van packed up and were on the road by 9am. Only a few minutes down the road and we stopped to take in the sights of Rogie Falls. We led the kids down the forestry tracks to the suspension bridge to take in the view of the falls. It was well worth the short stop and I'd recommend it to anyone who is passing through the area.

Rogie Falls

Onward now, and we turned left onto the A832 just after Garve. There was a bit of a climb up to the up along the shores of Lochluichart, before a sweeping downhill section through Grudie. A few of the kids had their chains come loose on the first climb - most probably due to making the schoolboy error of changing gear with the chain under pressure. Nothing serious though and all was soon well. The road surface was of very high quality and I was informed that it was a relatively new road and that the previous incarnation was described as quite horrendous by both Lewis and Pete. We had great views of the hills as we pounded along the approach to Achnasheen in a good rhythm.
John got on his bike and joined us for the run into Achnasheen and Pete took up the driving seat of the van, as he was suffering a bit with his hip. We paused for lunch at the train station and tried to find some shelter from the relentless heat. It was clear that some of the kids were suffering in the sun so Jane whipped out the suncream again.
Heading off, we had a nice downhill run next to Loch a' Chroisg before a long climb up to the top of Glen Docherty. We all took a breather at the top of the climb and for a bit of a briefing about what was to come next.

Me and Lewis having a natter at the road-side

JD Setting off

Great Setting

We were faced with a rather steep run down into Kinlochewe and we were a little concerned that some of the kids wouldn't treat it with the safety and respect that it deserved! So we set them off one at a time in a staggered start in the hope that they would be sensible!
We needn't have worried though, and we all made it to Kinlochewe Bunkhouse in plenty of time for tea. I have to say that I hadn't slept in a three-tiered bunk bed before, but it was perfectly comfortable... apart from JD snoring!

One of many views

Parked up for the night

Distance for the day: 32 miles

Total Distance so far: 50 miles
Route for the day:

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