Barbs's Big Bike RIde

This year I have decided to stay and enjoy an English Spring. It has been a long time coming but at last it is here and I am off to explore my own back yard. Well actually travelling up the UK mainland as far north as possible before 21st June and see how close I can get to the Midnight Sun.


After my travels along the Camino de Santiago across northern Spain last September on my trusty old iron donkey, I have bought a lighter bike in the hope that I can get up a few more hills and by going from Lands End to John o Groats (LEJOG) I can avoid the killing headwinds of the Spanish meseta.


So here she is, we had a jolly naming ceremony on Saturday and hopefully the good friends, food and weather I enjoyed will carry me through to the farthest northern climes. Thank you all for a great send off, admirably topped off with one too many pints The Village Bike listening to Mojo Triangle.


And she is called Eleanor, isn't she beautiful, I hope I still have such tender feelings after 6 hours in the saddle, but probably only in the nether regions I fear.


The map link on the right will show a rough itinerary and route and I will try try to update with my actual route, if I can work out how and where I am as I go along, you know there will be little correlation but I will get there or somewhere in the end!


If you want an email update, submit your address in the box also on right and hopefully it will find its way through the ether to you.

Monday, 20 May 2013

On to Loch Ossian Monday 20th May

It was good to get on the road again, particularly as the sun was shining and the wind was mild.
I had to jettison the fleece in favour of a newly purchased light weight thermal in order to make space  for food, this hostel is off the grid and accessible only by train and foot, although Eleanor coped well on the track.
The road out took me passed loch rannoch so I threw a stick in for both jet and rannoch, it was surprisingly emotional, they must have been pleased to fetch them.
Then on to the train to loch ossian where the guard informed me that Scot rail have a great deal for the over 55s, $19 return to anywhere until the end of June, so I hope to get to mallaig tomorrow on the most picturesque rail trip, I may even pop over to skye whilst I'm there.
The hostel is self sufficient in energy via wind turbine and solar and the loos at least have doors. It has a cosy woodburning stove too.
Unbelievably is has vodaphone connection

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