Friday 30 October 2015

Day 4 Kirkhill to Kytra Locks

First puncture
The plan was to join the Great Glen Way at Abriachan then follow it all the way to Fort Augustus, 60km away. Expected to arrive early afternoon........took a little longer than expected. Downhill to Inchmore, then up Knockbain Hill, through South Clunes to the GGW, quite a grind. Weather still good though. The full Great Glen Cycle Route is now extinct. The section between Fort Augustus and Inverness now goes along  the roads on the east side of Loch Ness, so it was no surprise to have to lift the panniers and Horse over the first gate. The road was pretty rough, and I had the first puncture of the trip on the descent to Corryfoyness. It wasn't bad going though and the road tourer coped, though I did dismount during one step descent where I met three bikers with knobby tyres and hybrids pushing the other way. I had a coffee in Drumnadrochit, checked out the Loch Ness submarine, then headed up the path beyond Lewiston where some muddy sections had the wheels spinning. The way then joins a minor road, where I noticed the bike computer was showing zero for the day. I couldn't work out what had happened, then realised that as I'd collapsed onto the handlebars dry-retching I'd lain on the computer and zeroed it!
Tracks near Drumnadrochit
 The road to Grotaig was a relative delight, then it was off road again on some lovely single track through the forest, all fine on the road bike. There were great views of Loch Ness. Then the track split into two options: the high route and the low route. I picked the high route on the grounds that I'd do less climbing. Mistake. The path reared up and there was a bit of pushing before the descent to Invermoriston, also not easy due to the numerous open drainage channels, and brakes that had gone on strike. Boot rubber was gainfully employed. The River Moriston was looking very picturesque with the autumn colours.
The ascent from Invermoriston was somewhat taxing, before reaching a forest road and easier going. Another High Route-Low Route choice had me wisely opting for the latter, though there were still enough hills to bring me to the edge of despair.  Then it was down to the loch side and into Fort Augustus where I went straight to the campsite in anticipation of good food and beer. It was shut. No wonder they hadn't replied to my queries.

The Loch Ness submarine
Darkness was fast approaching, so I wolfed down some fish and chips then headed off along the Caledonian Canal in the dark. I almost came to grief as a startled deer bolted from the canalside across the towpath, and was very happy to reach the Kytra Locks camp a few k's from Fort Augustus.
I put the tent up in double quick time, then asked a lady who was walking her dog if there was a water tap nearby. She was staying in a holiday home right on the locks, so offered water and a cup of tea as well. I gave her my "mug", which made her laugh. It was a plastic one litre measuring jug! I was completely bagled; it had been a really tiring day, with a lot of climbing and some muddy sections that were difficult to cycle. I was really pleased to have only pushed a couple of hundred metres.

Day stats 64km 1566 Metres of ascent
Off road 39km 
A road 4km 
B road 2km 
Unclassified road 19km