JoGLE 3 : Fort William to Balloch

Fort William - > Glencoe - > Rannoch Moor -> Loch Lomond -> Balloch.

Below was our elevation profile for today. Looks like a face on its side. (Only joking but got you to tilt your head to one side).

Glencoe, site if the 1692 massacre, was an ominous place. We had just sped along 20 miles of flat with a long climb to go. Unlike Clan MacDonald we knew what fate was to come.

I unzipped my top a little and in a He Man like fashion pushed on up. Arriving at the top a little quicker meant I could take a few picks of the others as they came through:

That middle high section was Rannoch Moor. The wind was such that even the down hills required effort. 

Lunch was incredible at the Bridge of Orchy Hotel. Home made Scotch eggs (not actually Scottish, invented by Fortnum & Mason in the 18th century) with a soft yoke and a delicately thin breadcrumb shell:

We then descended like control rods into a nuclear reactor during a SCRAM (Safety Control Rod Axe Man) onto the West Lomond Cycle Path. Loch Lomond and the Trossachs are the only part of Scotland I recognise so far. We used to spend Easter at my paternal grandparents in Stirling.

Over the next few days I will be doing interviews with the rest of the peloton. So first in the series:

Small Talk in the Big Ring...

Today we are peddling in the peloton, chatting about chaffing and fantasising about freewheeling with... James Smith. 

James and I studied Nuclear Engineering at Imperial together. He is the first of many Rolls-Royce employee in this recurring supplement. He is riding a Lynskey Sportive, a "beautifully hand crafted titanium frame" with hand built Hope Pro2 Evo wheels.

Vital Stats:

Grew up in: Swindon, Lives: Ulverston,  H: 6'2", W: 85 kg, Age: 26 y. 

Top Trums: tallest and loudest freewheel. 

"Which has been your favourite day so far? "

"Today. I really enjoyed the wet morning. Head down in a line, everyone working as a group. Then having the sun braking through the clouds as we accented for our lunch was inspirational. Then our dissent to the beautiful Loch Lomond before the rain attacked us again for the run into Balloch."

Cycling into a driving headwind and rain "James why have you chosen the wettest day?"

"This is what summer cycling in Greater England is all about. I like it warm and wet, just like a ... cup of tea."

As this is your first bike tour what painful lessons have you learnt? 

"Yes, three: bring a handle bar bag, don't climb after a pint of Guinness and bring a second pair of boxer shorts. Though mine are merino wool. "

Best food?

"An heavenly open club sandwich for lunch today."