Westie overnight

About a week ago I got an email from Finbarr to say that he was coming over from Ireland to do the Westie, leaving on thursday night and had bought a ticket for the sleeper train from FW on the Friday. So the die had been cast. I couldnt let him do it on his own so I enrolled trusty Al too. And the weather just got better, so that was a huge bonus.

Unpacking Finbarr’s bike we discovered the gears werent shifting correctly, the hanger was bent, with no spare hanger, we made the minor adjustments and Finbarr announced he doesnt use the granny ring anyway, oh yes he will I thought. Fed and watered we left after 8 and headed out into fantastic late evening sun full of smiles, banter and legs spinning. We had just put our lights on for the descent down to the bridge at the start of the climb over Conic, when Al got a flat from no where he thought. Tube replaced about to set off, tyre flat again, so that is Al’s tyre allowance used. The casing was checked again but Al thought it may be the tyre leavers because it was so tight. We managed to get the tyre on with our hands and this time it stayed inflated. This was a low point and certainly lowered our confidence. Finbarr had gone on ahead and we caught up with him at the top of Conic having 40 winks. By the time we had come off along the ridge our spirits were boosted, but not before Al took a bit of a tumble. During the next section it became clear that Finbarr was the strongest and no granny ring, he just cruised up the inclines, no stress what so ever. I was bringing up the rear and beginning to run on empty. This was despite eating and drinking regularly. So when we came to the hikey bikey bits I had barely the strength to carry the bike over the rocks Then Al’s lights failed, or should I say my spare set as his had already expired. Fortunately we were nearing the head of the loch and the path is more ridable and it was beginning to get lighter. We stopped for a re-fuel at the Inverarnan campsite and we had cracked it, we hoped. We were treated to a lovely sunrise over Crainlarich and then a fantastic breakfast at Green Welly Shop. The Climb out of Tyndrum wasnt too bad, by the time we got to the climb at the back of Bridge of Orchy it was getting hot. Sunscreen and skin so soft being applied in equal amounts to our stinging legs from the battering along Loch Lomond. We didnt see Finbarr again until we got to https://viagrarxhere.com Kingshouse for another re-fuel. The Devils Staircase was cleared and then the fun descent began all the way down to KLL for another fuel stop, only to be greeted with another mysterious flat for Al. Again I was trailing behind on the climb out of KLL and then Finbarr began asking asking ‘are we nearly there yet’ as we approach the last climb though the trees before dropping down into Glen Nevis. Meanwhile, Al was clearing all the techy stuff on his hard tail.

So yes we made it 22 hrs strangley the same time as last time, at least I havent got any slower. Thanks for a great ride guys, I couldnt have done it with out you.

more photos here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/chrisbj/sets/72157631037208070/