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A clear starry night meant the
temperature was well down before sunrise. It was around zero but
shortly before sunrise at 7am the clouds began to roll in and for a
short time there was drizzle. |
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I set off under cloudy skies and
started the long descent. The forestry track was loose stone so I
had to keep my speed down. I reached a parking area which had
toilets so I was able to find a bin to dispose of my rubbish. At the
bottom of the descent I left the track to follow a path that headed
towards Loch Venachar. I reached the Loch and enjoyed the ride along
the cycle track through the woods. |
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I reached the road and followed it to
Callander where I left it to head along the cycle track through the
park area. There was also a large pay & display car park with a sign
threatening motorist for none payment. The gist was the car number
would be taken and the owner’s details obtained. I always think
these kinds of signs are anti social and give the message ‘we want
your money, not you.’ |
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The cycle track wound along the valley
bottom following the line of the old railway. The weather
deteriorated and thick cloud was just above meaning I didn’t have
any views. I rode along the west side of Loch Lubnaig and soon the
trail climbed high above the Loch. |
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Callander Graveyard watch building |
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Climbing
to the rail cycle track |
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Railway
route crossing the river |
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At Lochearnhead there was a very steep
section where I had to push the bike with difficulty. Higher up I
was able to ride in bottom gear to reach the high level railway line
route. As I cycled steadily upwards I thought of the steam trains
that would have pulled the carriages up. |
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Railway
route heading up Glen Ogle |
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I reached the impressive viaduct and
stopped to take a few photos. At the summit of Glen Ogle I joined
the main A85 road and descended back down to the south. |
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Railway
viaduct heading up Glen Ogle |
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The drizzle had turned to rain and I
was now heading into a strong wind. Half way down I turned into a
side track to investigate a rattle from the front of the bike. I
found one of the front pannier frame bold had almost come out. The
opposite side was loose as well. With bolts tightened I continued
down to Lochearnhead and turned left on to the minor road along the
south side of Loch Earn. It was a nice ride by the Loch and most of
the way it was flat and easy riding. |
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At the town of St Fillans I joined the
A85 for a while then turned off along a minor and quiet road that I
followed into Comrie. When researching the route to take the map
showed a track following the old railway. I followed a narrow path
for a while but it vanished at a bridge. There was no sign of a path
continuing so I rode back into Comrie and followed the minor road to
the south of the River Earn. |
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I stopped to investigate a stone
monument and mound by the road then continued in to Crieff. I called
at the CoOp to buy some water. 49p for 2lt again. I also fancied a
can of cider but at the checkout the lady scanned it and it came up
as 4cans and tried to charge me £4.99. I gave her the can back and
she gave me the £4.99. Outside I was packing my bike when a cyclist
came up to chat about cycling. He lived locally but was English and
moved here after his wife died and he wanted to be near his
grandchildren. The weather had improved and I continued my ride in
sunshine. Approaching the school I heard and odd noise from the rear
of the bike. I looked down to see my back tyre almost flat and a
large tack or pin sticking out of the tyre wall. |
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The
Court Knoll also known as Dunvoid.
It also contains a cist burial. |
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Unfortunately it was the back wheel
and this is the first time I’ve had to remove the wheel without a
chain tensioner and the Rohloff gears external box. I was concerned
as I removed the wheel and the tug tensioner fell out. The tyre came
off the rim quite easily and I replaced the inner tube with a new
one. Replacing the wheel was quite a fiddle. Eventually I was on the
road again and started to look out for somewhere to camp. I reached
a wooded are on my left and followed a grassy track into the woods.
I was close to the road but couldn’t be seen so pitched my tent for
the night. |
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Whittle Wanderer
