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The days are just getting better and better now, and I’m learning so much more about myself and what I’m capable of. My top speed was 34.7 and I covered 107 miles.

So, after a wonderful evening with my wonderful parents, my sweet wee ma fuelled me up with a carb loaded breakfast then I was on my way to central station to meet a fellow cyclist, Neil Mckie who responded to my offer for anyone wishing to join me on a cycle to gourock. So, cycled 100 yards away from home and I had the most excruciating pain in my left Achilles tendon. I have never experienced pain like this before so this was a bit of a worry for me.

So, getting the train from central station back to Kilmarnock, my uncle came along to see me off which really lifted my spirits! After a shaky start with directions, Neil and I covered 40 miles along the beautiful west coast of Scotland with my tendon still screaming for attention. Although he was zipping way ahead of me, it was encouraging having someone to try and catch/keep up with, and was a nice reminder of how tough a solo ride along the uk really is! Anyway, after 40 miles, I was on my own in dunoon, setting a course for a place called Taynault, 60ish miles away to meet a lady who contacted me via my blog on behalf of an organisation called “Oban concern for Palestine”.

So, after around 10 miles, my left knee started screaming for a bit of attention as well, on top of this was the weather. Now, here’s an idea of the rain I cycled through. First, you get a wee drizzle, then you get light rain, heavy rain, then Scottish rain! I was soaked to the skin, and my left leg was close to falling off! I pushed through until Inverary which was 7:13pm, and was told I had about 25 miles to Taynault. This was very hard to deal with in the rain. There were nice bits where the rain was off, and I even managed to nip into Loch Fyne restaurant to sample a lovely milky oyster.

Anyway, back to the cycle.

It was starting to get dark at 8, and I was SO close to calling into a b&b I saw with a vacancy, around 20 miles before taynault, but I felt this urge to get there, and not let the two people down who were waiting for me. The rain wasn’t showing signs of calming down, and the hills were steep, but what got me through this was knowing that I have the luxury of a hot shower waiting for me at the end of this, and a good meal. No matter what I’m going through, it will always end on a high, and again, I am aware of how lucky I am that I have such comforts, when others don’t.

Also, the views cycling through Argyll Forest Park, Loch Fyne, Loch Awe and other roads were STUNNING! Sun set whilst a wee bit of adrenalin rushing through me (after an energy gel) was incredible! Light was low, energy was up and I kept charging on to the very end. Felt great when I arrived!

I think I’ve written too much, but I want to end by saying I was greeted upon my arrival in Taynault at 9:30 by Joy and her sister Doreen who were worth the hard cycle for! Thank you for the great meal, great chat and your hospitality! I will now pass out, and look forward to more pain tomorrow, oh yes!