LEJOG day 11

A late start for us at 9am, despite the alarm going off at 5:30, there was mutual and yet unspoken decision to lie around. We used the back up Satnav, as the one yesterday had died from the rain.

Leaving Hamilton - some kind of industrial sculpture 

We picked our way along the slow and winding cycle route from Hamilton, but it got a lot faster once we hit the Clyde. 

David Livingstone bridge

11;30 saw us having coffee and cake at a Costa in the centre of Glasgow.  

Biscoff cheesecake 

Feeling refreshed, we started our way out of Glasgow on a disused railway which had been turned into an excellent cycle track through Clydebank.

Disaster struck as I picked up a puncture! Not a worry as I have spare inner tubes, but soon discovered that my combination of tyres and wheels are a really tight fit. After breaking a tyre lever, nicking two inner tubes, we decided that we needed professional help. Some of you may argue that you already knew that. We phoned a local bike shop and said  that we would be there in about 20 minutes.

My attempt at the worlds slowest puncture repair

Tracy carried my kit, whilst I had my bike on my shoulder. Not a good time for Google maps to start playing up, but it did, so it took a while for us to realise that the guy waving at us from across the road was Paul, the cycle mechanic. The shop, de'ils on wheels, had no signage and was situated in the base of a high-rise.

Paul was a lovely guy, so helpful. The shop specialises in refurbishment of second hand bikes and maintenance. It is also part of a charity that does subsidised repairs for the deprived families of the area. Paul sorted our puncture whilst we grabbed lunch from the local shop. He thoughtfully offered us the use of the loo, saying it's a fair way to Crianlarich! We were now 2hrs behind our (somewhat flexible) schedule.

My bike hits 15000 miles - number of punctures, 1

We bid our farewells and continued on the route to Dumbarton, before heading up the river Leven to Loch Lomond. 

Bowling harbour - since all signs just said "Bowling"...

...we both thought the locals were obsessed with lawn-bowls

By this point it was raining, which further dampened out spirits. We headed to Loch Lomond shores as  we saw on the tourist information map there were toilets and refreshments. Turns out it was a big shopping centre. We found a cafe and figured it now being 4:30, we could grab food, so we wouldn't need to worry about it in Crianlarich. The waitress took our order and we were looking forward to a warming bowl of pasta each. She returned 5 minutes later, to inform us that the kitchen had just closed. Thanks world!

We drank our coffees and continued on our way. By this time it was raining heavily, no longer dampening our spirits, but trying to drown them. We found a McDonald's where we decided to stop and eat - we really need to start using Google maps to see what is around us a bit more often. 

Sitting in McDonald's - only marginally less depressing than being in the rain 

We then headed north on the West Lomond cycle route still 33 miles to go and 5.30pm already. On any other day we would have beautiful views of the loch and surrounding mountains. Not today, the grey of the loch merged with the grey skies and the mountains were hidden in clouds.

West Lomond cycle path

Ben Lomond across the loch.

As we rode, the  rain at least eased off and we pressed on to Tarbet, where the cycle route ended and we rejoined the now sparse road traffic. We continued our solemn drudge uphill to Crianlarich, whilst being accosted by midges. We passed signs for waterfalls and viewpoints which on any other day...

We finally arrived at Crianlarich youth hostel at 8:45pm,  soggy but unbroken. Tracy was grateful for the ensuite (not available at the hostel in Ingleton). A hot shower and free tea and coffee restored both our humanity and positivity. Hopeful for better luck and weather tomorrow.

Distance travelled: 75 miles

Elevation: 3900 ft

Cake of the day: Biscoff cheesecake (We are currently arguing if cheesecake is a cake or a dessert. Tracy thinks it's a dessert, I think it is a cake, because it's in the name - feel free to contribute!)

Tracy whinge factor: 2/10 - a hill too far (T: given the rubbish weather and time pressure, I thought I was remarkably positive!)

Total distance: 779 miles