15 May – Father & Son

I was so lucky to start Stage 11 with a fantastic group of well wishers and the Forth Rail bridge as such an iconic backdrop. I am very lucky to have such amazing friends and family supporting me.

In particular, I was delighted to see Mike and Lauren, Jess’ dad and twin-sister. They thanked everyone for their support and wished the four cyclists well.

As we left South Queensferry, we were 44 meters above the Firth of Forth crossing the Forth Road bridge within a few minutes. With fantastic views of the Islands of Inchcolm.

In 1497, Edinburgh City Council passed an act that made Inchkeith and some other islands in the Firth of Forth a place of ‘compulsory retirement’ for those suffering from syphilis. They were instructed to board a ship at Leith, Edinburgh nad once there, ‘to remain till God provide for their health’, which in all probability meant a slow and agonising death.

As we cut through Inverkeithing and the eastern suburbs of Dunfermline, we used the shared use cycle path National Cycle Route 1.

Tracey met us near her home and took some footage of us making a gentle climb.

She joined Ian and Ali later as we made our way through the pleasant cycle path and old disused railway line at Townhill Park.

The climb to the brow of the Cleish Hills was rewarded with fantastic views of the surrounding countryside including the Loch Leven.

The above picture was taken by another group of road cyclists who were ‘enjoying’ a series of hill climbs.

The descent down the other side towards the Crook of Devon was great fun. I chuckled when I heard David squealing with delight at the speed we were gathering as we headed downhill.

We took a break at Kinross for a tea/coffee and tasty cake ‘fuel stop’. Paul and David were riding to Kinross with us and then heading home. David’s son Keiran was playing in a football Cup final for Bo’ness and understandably wanted to be there for him. It was great having Paul and David join me for part of my LE2JOG journey and I know they were keen to support me and experience a bit of it with me. Thanks guys.

That left two Wallaces to push on for the next 20 miles up to Perth, known as ‘The Gateway to the Highlands’. This is an important historical city because Scottish Kings were crowned in nearby Scone Abbey. Our route continued up the gentle climb through Duncrievie and Glenfarg and we enjoyed the 2 mile long descent down Balmanno Hill and into Bridge of Earn.

We rolled into the city centre and I was keen to continue my pub lunch experience! I asked a local to recommend a pub with a beer garden (so we could keep an eye on the bikes) and she suggested ‘The Twa Tams’, ironically on Scott Street. I saw the sign outside saying ‘The Twa Tams’ but I must have had tunnel vision as I was only looking for a beer garden and we inadvertently rolled into the next door Mexican ‘Two Chihuahua Gringo’s’ diner 🙂

Our host gave me a taste on an American Pale Ale. Lovely jubbly! My Dad was sensible and stuck to Coke. A little later (having consumed quite a bit of my strong beer) I nipped to the toilet. As I came back, I managed to smack my forehead of a low ceiling!?@$1?!!! …… As the tweety birds inside my rattled brain dissipated, I was able to focus on the sign where I banged my head that said MIND YOUR HEAD – LOW CEILING. Doh!

The stupidity didn’t end there. As we left Perth, this slightly inebriated navigator manage to take us SOUTH. The climb back up the hill to correct our location sobered me up though and we were able to find the National Cycle Route 77 heading towards Bankfoot and Dunkeld.

We were rewarded with stunning scenery and the sun began to break through the clouds on our final leg into Pitlochry.

We rode the old A9 for a large part of the second half today. The final 10 miles involved a series of cycle paths and very quiet country roads. These were mainly gentle rolling hills with the occasional cheeky climb or steep descent. It was a great day of cycling and we had been on the bikes for over 7 hours, arriving in Pitlochry around 6pm.

We approached the T junction that meets the town centre High Street, just as I was about to work out where our overnight accommodation was located. I heard a female voice calling me name. I had to do a double take when I saw my friends David and Val, who had seen us off at South Queensferry 9 hours earlier. I was gob-smacked. They were intending to spend the day in Perthshire and they thought they would surprise me. This was a lovely surprise and was great reward for reaching our destination.

My Dad and I checked into a twin room at the very comfortable Rosehill Guesthouse (he claimed the double bed and I ended up with the single. I bowed to seniority) and we headed out for a cracking bite to eat at the busy Old Mill pub in Pitlochry town centre.

It was great spending the day with my Dad and sharing this experience with him. The only downside was, at 71 years of age, he is much fitter than me, so he was often 50 yards in front of me waiting for me to carry me, my heavier bike and 20 lbs of pannier contents up hills. I have huge respect for him doing the whole stage today and I enjoyed his company. What a great day. Thanks Dad

Today’s trivial facts

NO. OF MILES CYCLED TODAY :    73

MOMENT OF THE DAY:   So many wonderful friends and family meeting us at South Queensferry and wishing us well and my Dad, Paul and David joining me on today’s stage.

WEATHER:         Dry, cloudy, a cool breeze, 13 degrees

FUEL: I ‘fuelled up’ and ate well for breakfast, mid-morning coffee and cake, a ham salad roll and pint of IPA at the Mexican diner in Perth, Snickers bar + water

SONG OF THE DAY: Father & Friend – Alain Clark    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RbqF6Xv1mNU

% of FUNDRAISING TARGET REACHED:  79% (Thank U for sponsoring me)

SUNDAY’S STAGE 11 DESITINATION: Aviemore, Highlands (65 miles)