Dumfries to Arran
Mileage: 78
Cycling time: 5hr 43m
Total mileage: 611
Total cycling time: 41hr 14m
Come back rain, all is forgiven…After mistakenly thinking that today might just be an easier day we were sorely mistaken as a north westerly gale buffeted us virtually all day, bringing us at times almost to a standstill and certainly testing team spirits. Although our mileage was down on previous days we all felt there had been no less effort involved.
The sun was actually shining when we left Dumfries but that was about all we saw of it. It was almost all we saw of Richard too after he took a wrong turning at the very first roundabout….but have no fear, we just sent Captain Lance to track him down and do a few extra miles in the vain attempt that we might be able to slow him down (no such luck even though he did have four croissants for breakfast…).
After two hours in a wind tunnel we were well and truly ready for a coffee, although finding a cafe open on a Sunday was easier said than done. But we came up trumps in sleepy Sanquhar where we were memorably sent on our way by a group of old ladies going into church who were rather flustered by our lycra.
The afternoon was all about counting down the hours to Kilmarnock on the never-ending A76 (not something I would recommend) where for some reason I was particularly inspired by a Twix bar and found my climbing legs on the interminable straight roads. Sadly Kilmarnock wasn't quite as inspiring and after a brief stop we pressed on for our final destination, the port of Ardassan, from where we could catch the ferry to Arran.
A grateful hour spent reading the Sunday papers and getting warm on the ferry and we had arrived in Brodick, where we were greeted by no-cleat Janine and two-gear Kate who had been out cycling for the day themselves around the south of the island (although a cream tea was also involved).
Finally, it was onward in the team bus for our night in Blackwaterfoot and a super spot overlooking Kintyre – a view that made the A76 worthwhile after all. Tomorrow it is on to Oban for the boys, and some whisky drinking for the girls so whether the van arrives is another matter….