Day 8 started with a gentle 300 yard cycle to the ferry which took us from the north tip of Arran to the mainland. Weather was dry the whole ride and at times the wind helped us except the last 10 - 15 miles. The scenery was again breathtaking or maybe it was just the hills we were climbing that made us gasp. Rob informed me that a wise cycling sage once said that on these rides you morph into a 'cycle fit' stage during the ride but I think I have just morphed into a cycle wreck. I need to remember that Rob also believes you get better phone reception sticking your phone in a beer glass and that if you hold the iPad against your head then the signal is stronger!
My saddle woes continue and today I rode with my mountain bike saddle. Needless to say I will not be riding with it again! During a short pit stop yesterday I discovered that the inner metal sleeve that my seat post slides into on the carbon frame has sheared off so there is nothing holding my seat post in the frame! The clamp stops it sliding down but now the saddle can slide around 360 degrees. We have a spare bike in the back-up vehicle BUT it is a wee frame.
Our lunch break was a long one since we met up with old friends, Andrew and Fiona who we had not seen for a few years. It was good to catch up on the gossip and Helen and I could have easily stopped for a lot longer.
The day 8 destination was Ballachulish and the Loch Leven Hotel is well located. Again we do not have decent wireless or 3G so no pictures.
Day 9 is the penultimate day and is a 102 mile ride to Allness which is just past Inverness. This means in one day we will ride from the west coast Scotland to the East coast. It is also going to be a very wet day and we have a massive 1250feet climb bang in the middle of the ride.
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