Early in the morning, and having been put off hostelling for life, I escaped the Bank street lodge and headed down the road to tesco to buy my breakfast. Having filled up for the morning, I rejoined the A82 to follow it the rest of the way along the loch to where it meets the Irish Sea. It was similar to the end of yesterday's ride, fairly flat and gently winding.
Around the corner and I started to head towards the Glencoe mountain range for my climb for the day. The views were incredible, and I dont blame the coach losds of tourists stopping at every available parking spot along the route for photos! Massive rocky mountains either side of the road that climbs steadily up through them. Not too much of a punishing climb, it didnt drag on too much because of the insane views.
Once at the summit, the wind really picked up, and I cooled off very quickly on the long descents. I seemed to be heading downhill for most of the rest of the day, with only the occasional small hill to top.
Sticking with the A82, I rode the length of Loch Lomond (famous for its fish) before a small bike path started alongside it. I ended up having to change between the bike path and the road where the surface conditions got too bumpy. Parts of the bike path were fine and smooth, whilst others were unbearable on a road bike.
The end of the loch dropped me into a small town called Alexandria, where I joined a blissfully smooth cycle path (Route 7) along the river Leven, that lead down to the river Clyde. Through Dumbarton and still on the cycle path, I deviated from my planned route to follow the bike path all the way into the city centre (why can't all bike paths be this good?).
Lucky, I managed to get a room at the easyhotel, owned by the orange loving, cheap flights flogger, Stellios. Its a no frills tiny room, where even the tv remote is an optional extra and the sinks are (you guessed it) orange!
The Italian just next door served me with a foccacia bread stater and another big bowl of pasta. Piling on the carbs! A little walk around some of Glasgow's sights and I saw the legendary Danny Macaskill jumping bollards in town, very cool! Tomorrow, I head back across the border into England!
Miles today: 103.7
Total miles: 285.7
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