Day ten is labelled as the day of grumpy men. It's been the best day so far!
Why should we be grumpy? Fatigue possibly, but it's the roads to Hamilton are so bumpy. if you use a road bike you may not like the riverside paths either which went for 30 miles.
Today we have been on the best of tracks and roads; and the worst! A cycle path in red asphalt laid as if for a photo-shoot for Prince William! In contrast a dual carriageway where the tarmac was damaged as if by heavy industrial haulage. The first is so smooth; the second is uncomfortable for every degree of grip placed on the handlebars, and weight placed on the saddle.
The route was the simplest so far. The cycle routes 75 and 7 around Glasgow are really good quality. The only reason to dismount today was when you saw no way through the broken glass behind some of the old housing estates. Glasgow is glorious in the sunshine on the route we took, all the way to Loch Lomond. The old and new architecture and housing estates on the edge of the Clyde are worth a visit. To travel with my Aberdeen companion who knows some of the history and places was the icing on the cake. It made 80 miles seem easy. We were in beautiful Balloch by 1730. The lovely landlady is doing our washing.
Grahan also knows Balloch very well since he visits here each year. So he showed me the sights before taking me to a favourite eating venue. We will ride up on the western side of Loch Lomond tomorrow on what is regarded as the most scenic of all the days. And the forecast is as good if not better than today. It was comfortable in a short-sleeve top from lunchtime.
Thought for the day: What are the essential requirements for a Minister of Transport?
I think they should keep a log of how much time they spend on each form of transport, and express it as percentages to be available under the Freedom of Information Act. So you would know if they walked, cycled, used buses or trains, travelled in cars, planes and boats.
If a member of the Royal Family, or Alec Salmond, were to do the End-to-End, you can bet all the surfaces would be pristine and swept from stone chippings and glass. Prince Harry was talking about bringing the USA Warrior Games over to the UK. Those modified bikes/trikes could do a significant part of this course, but the surfaces would have to be freer of blemishes.
When everything else is considered, most of the route could not be faulted. After all the worst surface around is Eaton Bray High Street northbound. Unless you know otherwise?
Onward and upwards into the Highlands.
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