We left around 07:30 and headed up through a valley ascent to the Black Mount range, at a height of around twelve hundred feet this was the highest by far. The views were just stunning, numerous rocky out crops cutting through flat and open heathland, quite windy but worth the effort. The route continued south through the Bridge of Orchy and Crainlarich where we stopped briefly for the best meal so far, a bacon roll and chips, courtesy of platform 1 and 2 of Crianlarich station.

The next stage took us south west through Glen Falloch, Inverarnan, Ardlui, Inveruglas and Tarbet. This route was particularly nice, steady progress was made along Loch Lomond and I remembered to say ‘Hello’ and wave at Peter and Julie in Kinlochard near Aberfoyle.

I enjoyed the next stage along Loch Long which was not only quiet and gently undulating but it was also very very scenic. At the next water break I then joking remarked about a make believe hill just after Arddaroch and short of Portincaple, which unfortunately came true and nearly exhausted all three of us. The following stage was watered down, literally, with a rain soaked approach alongside Gare Loch to Kilcreggan.

We jumped on the ferry to Gourock where we had one of the best Indian’s ever, totally sodden we were not only brought in from the cold and wet but also all our bikes and clobber. Very gracious hosts who made us feel very welcome and fed us with delight, such nice people the Scots.

We then got a little long sighted, tunnel vision and clouded judgement mean’t the stage to Largs became a desperate race to Troon. This took us along the A78 through West Kilbride, Saltcoats, Irvine, Prestwick and eventually Ayr, because we miss understood the distances and couldn’t bed find camping facilities anywhere between Troon and Ayr. We also lost our key maps on the A78 which also made things a little more difficult, but we pressed on regardless, and the dash ended happily enough at around 22:00. The reward was actually a great campsite with outstanding facilities.

Distance cycled 132 miles.

Time 13 hours 3 minutes.

Heart rate average 123 beats per minute.

Calorie expenditure 7,956.

Fat percentage of energy during exercise 50%.