Robjh's wee tour of the Highlands

[robjh]

Don't forget to tape a radio to your handlebars like @Glow worm

I'm trying to cut down the weight, I don't need extra ideas of things to take!

 

[snorri]

I have extra clothes in case of cold weather

It's getting warmer for sure, I noticed the last of the winter snow had melted off my local Ben earlier this week .

 

[Dave 123]

You've left space in the panniers for roadside courgettes or haggis then?

 

[robjh]

You've left space in the panniers for roadside courgettes or haggis then?

I've heard you have to cycle fast to catch the haggis in the wild.

 

[Pat "5mph"]

Just take light waterproofs, it's so hot here now (for our standard) that it is better to get a bit wet than to boil in the bag.
Take a light windproof gilet for the hills, this and a long sleeved baselayer is enough if you like to set out very early in the morning.
It has been very hot from around 10am till late at night.

 

[robjh]

Just take light waterproofs, it's so hot here now (for our standard) that it is better to get a bit wet than to boil in the bag.
Take a light windproof gilet for the hills, this and a long sleeved baselayer is enough if you like to set out very early in the morning.
It has been very hot from around 10am till late at night.

But Pat, you're in sunny Glasgae, that's almost the tropics compared to where I'm going.
Nonetheless, I think you may be onto something. Ignore the rain here, but just look at those temperatures

(exits to retrieve a layer of clothing from the bottom of a pannier)

 

[robjh]

Loaded and ready to go. Where did all that stuff come from?

 

[midlife]

Empty bottle cage mounts...... saving weight ?

Shaun

 

[coffeejo]

Just take light waterproofs, it's so hot here now (for our standard) that it is better to get a bit wet than to boil in the bag.
Take a light windproof gilet for the hills, this and a long sleeved baselayer is enough if you like to set out very early in the morning.
It has been very hot from around 10am till late at night.

(exits to retrieve a layer of clothing from the bottom of a pannier)

I predict that winter will be arriving significantly ahead of schedule this year.

 

[Mollydoo]

I've just bought my return train tickets to Inverness for this Sunday 31st July, so now there's no going back.
After a protracted struggle with Virgin East Coast website and customer services I have reserved cycle spaces as far as Edinburgh. This was so convoluted that it defeated the booking staff at my local station.
I've booked a £13 bed in a hostel in Edinburgh for Sunday night. It may be great or I may be kept awake all night by partying multi-national teens, but it is central, it offers bike parking and gives me a chance for a bit of sightseeing in Scotland's capital.

Then next day: no-one has been able to tell me if my onward train ticket to Inverness will be valid after a break of journey, so I will either carry on by train to Inverness, or make new plans. Either way, the adventure really starts there.

I've got a tent with me and some anti-midge stuff, but have found the Scottish Independent Hostels website which might be life savers on rainy or bitey nights. As for destinations, I'll be heading north-west, and hope at least to cross Bealach na Ba, and could conceivably reach Cape Wrath. Or not. I have 10 or so days and no need to fix my plans too far in advance.

Anyway, just off to start packing.

What an adventure love the idea of having no real fixed plans. Are you on your own, with just all your kit on your bike? So you are just stopping as you need to overnight. Sounds great, keep us posted

 

[Rohloff_Brompton_Rider]

I hope you have a good time and going by fab foodie's experience of hostelling you've chosen wisely.

 

[Hill Wimp]

Have a great time Rob, looking forward to hearing about the trip and seeing the photos.

16 degrees sounds a bit Arctic for a wimpy southerner like me

 

[AnneW]

Have a great time! Looking forward to hearing about your trip.

Avon Skin So Soft is as good as it gets for midges. But the best thing you can do is get a good bite cream, coz sure as eggs is eggs the little blighters will win. It doesn't stop Scotland being wonderful though.

Enjoy

 

[robjh]

Have a great time Rob, looking forward to hearing about the trip and seeing the photos.

16 degrees sounds a bit Arctic for a wimpy southerner like me

I'm counting on the rash from midge bites to keep me warm

 

[robjh]

Now on the train to Edinburgh, using the free wifi, Virgin is good for something after all. Approaching Newark and it's very flat here.
Only 8.3 miles ridden so far, from home to station.
Now, where 's that refreshment trolley?