Dunoon, Ardentinny, Glen Finart, Hell's Glen,
Rest and be Thankful, Loch Lomond, Balloch, Dumbarton, Glasgow,
Scotland. (4 day bike-pack) Sat 13 Nov - Tue 16 Nov 2021
Last night's clear evening was gone by morning. Mist and drizzle
obliterated the view and my hopes of packing away a dry tent
were dashed. After packing the pannier with my tent felt
incredibly heavy. I was on my way around 9am and left a misty
wet camp area behind. The campervan that was near me last night
had already gone.
Mist and drizzle at Shepherd's Point
camp.
Leaving camp 1
Glenfinart bus turning circle.
I continued up Glen Finart along the single track road and was
surprised to see a bus turning area and wondered who would catch
a bus here. Further along the road was another bus turning area
in an even more remote area. It wasn't long before the road
started to climb steeply and far too steep for my fully loaded
touring bike. The mist and drizzle obliterated all views as I
pushed my bike to the summit. I freewheeled most of the descent
down to join the main A815 road by Loch Eck. The rain had eased
and it was a pleasant easy ride along the loch side. I left the
loch behind and continued to the descent to Strachur and then
reached the sea loch of Loch Fyne. As I continued NE the time
was approaching 11am so as today is Remembrance Sunday I stopped
by the road and stood in silence for 2 mins at 11am.
Timber lorry in carved in timber.
Further along I came to a wood carving of a timber lorry carved
in timber which is the first time I've seen anything like it.
The road began to climb as I left the loch behind. At Ardno I
turned right up a single track road toward Hell's Glen. Again
there was a lot of pushing to get to the summit. The descent was
partly through dense trees but some areas had been felled and
cleared. At the bottom I turned left onto the B828 and began to
climb through the deep valley. At first the gradient wasn't too
bad and I continued steadily upwards. It was a single track road
with plenty of traffic. Once again the gradient increased until
I had to push again. It was very dismal in the gloom and rain
and I eventually reached my planned camp area. I was above the
Rest and Be Thankful but I didn't want to descend to the
viewpoint as I didnt know if water would be available.
I was near a phone mast and decided to camp hereabouts as
there was a good stream coming off the hill. The only place for
my tent was amongst some deep heather and far from a good pitch
but it's all there was. I got my tent up before the heavy rain
started and continued through the night.
