Bringing the bike to Scotland has been a great success. I have discovered areas I would never have had reason to visit on a climbing trip and rediscovered areas I thought I knew, experiencing them in a brand new light. Now with camp Stocker located in Tyndrum I had the chance to rack up some more miles on yet more new ground.
Tyndrum sits straddles the West Highland Way, or rather the West Highland Way passes through Tyndrum and is home to the famed Green Welly Stop “The Perfect Spot for a halfway stop!” My route started from the GWS and followed a short section of the WHW to the Bridge of Orchy. From here it diverted west in to Kinglass, a flat, wide open valley that ambles down towards Loch Etive.
The route profile had looked inviting, with no major climbs involved I was looking forward to just a damn good ride out. Singletrack followed the river Kinglass, running parallel for most of its length. The track was grassy, a boggy middle section was short lived before turning to land rover track by Glenkinglass Lodge.
Fast descent led to the shore of Loch Etive, there wasn’t an angle that didn’t cut an amazing view. In contrast to the scatter and clatter of rubble on the dirt track my treaded rubber made a slow soft rumble on the warm asphalt. Although on road the final section is surprisingly hilly and made a good job of draining my remaining energy. An eagle soared high over the loch, ok I can’t be sure of that, it could have been a raven but as I approached the end of the loch the powerful outline of Ben Cruachan dominated the southern skyline, that I am sure of.
Genesis iO 32/18. 57km.