16 May – Into the Valley

I set off from Pitlochry just after 9am. My legs were stiff. The weather was dreich so I was wrapped up in my long lycra leggings and waterproof jacket.

Today’s stage is notable in that I enter Highlands region, which covers approximately a third of Scotland’s land mass, but has less than 5% of its population.

The early part of today’s journey started on one of General Wade’s Military Roads and continued through Killiecrankie, Blair Atholl and House of Bruar.

I made sure I was stocked up with plenty of sports drinks and I collected a filled baguette before setting off because there are no services or facilities over the next 20 miles through the Pass of Drumochter.

There was a spot of good luck today as I met a group of cyclists from Holland as we approached the long steady climb through the Pass of Drumochter. Whilst the natural beauty of this environment is unquestioned, I was so glad to have company and really enjoyed my new cycling companions conversation.

Jan & Inge gave up their jobs, sold their home and set out on a world cycling tour 57 days ago. They have travelled though Europe and up through England, Wales, Northern Ireland and now conquering Scotland. Next week they are flying out to Canada to continue with their global adventure. I’ve had a lot of positive words of encouragement and some people have said how much they admire my cross country cycle. But Jan & Inge have put all of that into perspective with their epic adventure.

My Dutch friends left me at Dalwhinnie, as they had pre-booked a tour of the local distillery. They were then going on to do some wild-camping. Brave souls!

I had hoped to meet up with an old school friend and bass guitarist in bands I have previously played in. Alisdair lives in Newtonmore, but when I messaged him he responded from his holiday in Turkey. Not to be deterred, I decided to stop there for lunch and call upon his local pub the Brae Hotel.

When I arrived I got talking to the owner, a friendly souff of England chap called Del, and I explained that I knew Alisdair and that I was cycling LE2JOG and wanted to pop in for a pint. I asked if I could get a photo of me and Del, so I could send the picture to Alisdair. Del said he would put the pint on Alisdair’s tab and insisted on sending him a personalised message within the photo.

I sat at the front door to keep an eye on my bike and ate my baguette while sipping my pint of Ossian (the best pint of this trip by a country mile!).

While in Newtonmore, I learnt that the town’s Camanachd Shinty Club have won the Camanachd Cup by topping the national league 34 times and the knockout competition MacTavish Cup, which they have also won a record 43 times. By comparison, Manchester United’s 20 wins of the English league seems rather modest.

My body is beginning to show signs of the 800 miles I’ve covered in the last 11 days of cycling. I’m feeling pain in my left shoulder blade running up to my neck. I think this is due to the body position I am assuming for 7-8 hours a day on the bike. Also, my right calf muscle started feeling tight today. These have started to give me concern as I head into the far more rural county-side for my final few days.

I pushed on and my onward journey passed Ruthven Barracks which was built by General Wade in 1720 to supress the Jacobite rising. It was recaptured by Bonnie Prince Charlie’s forces in 1746 and has never been reoccupied and has stood empty ever since.

The final 10 miles into Aviemore were predominately downhill. You would think that meant a gentle ride to my destination but this was not the case.

I am lucky in that I have not, so far, needed to use the great outdoor toilet facilities. That all changed this afternoon. I was hoping to make it to Aviemore but my stomach cramps told me otherwise. All straight forward so far, but I was wearing my full body lycra cycling gear. Now these things don’t have a convenient quick release zip / button feature. So I practically had to strip off to my knees and pray no one saw me. That bog roll I nicked from my digs on Day 1 finally came to the rescue! In that respect, my relief was two-fold 🙂

As I was rolling into Aviemore I was becoming increasingly concerned about my tight calf muscle. At the very point I thought to myself “What I need is a small ball so I can roll it up and down my caff muscle tonight” I passed the Rothiemurchus and Aviemore Tennis Club. There was a young lady gathering scores of tennis balls scatter across the court. I explained my predicament and she kindly tossed me a tennis ball for use later this evening.

I arrived at my digs at the High Range apartments around 5pm.

Today’s trivial facts

NO. OF MILES CYCLED TODAY :    62

MOMENT OF THE DAY:   Spending some time with my Dutch fellow bike tourers

WEATHER:         Started off showers and chilly, but turned dry and cloudy in the afternoon, 13 degrees

FUEL: I ‘fuelled up’ and ate well for breakfast, a tuna salad baguette and fab pint of Ossian + water

SONG OF THE DAY: Into The Valley – The Skids     https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9udxbvHiqGw

% of FUNDRAISING TARGET REACHED:  94% (Thank U for sponsoring me)

TUESDAY’S STAGE 12 DESITINATION: Alness, Highlands (65 miles)