Our first day of cycling in Scotland began well. From the B&B we followed the Solway Firth, past Caerlaverlock Castle and Nature Reserve before heading along the river to Dumfries.

We picked up a sandwich each from a deli, replenished battery supplies and then got a bit lost on the way out of town... We did get to see the local rowing club out on the water though.

When we found the main road out and headed for the hills, the climbing was easy and the scenery fantastic. The down hills were long and winding and the area remote enough to make it a surprise to see a building or be passed by a car. We stopped in a small town around 15 miles from Ayr, only to find the cafes and most of the shops closed. It was Saturday afternoon and the place was a ghost town. We headed for the co-op to replenish supplies and energy before setting off again for Ayr, thinking it would be our best bet for somewhere to stay. Making good time to the coast and feeling good we thought we would head further north to Irvine.

However when we arrived we found not much in the way of accommodation. Irvine is only a few miles from Ardrossan where we planned to catch the ferry the next morning, so despite sore bums, we phoned ahead for somewhere to stay and headed on. The light and my energy levels were beginning to fade, making this last stretch difficult work. Luckily just before it got properly dark and just before I collapsed over the handlebars of the bike, we made it.

104 miles done, we celebrated with an Italian meal and two pints of cold Peroni... Real Ale is becoming difficult to find up here...

Sarah Staniforth Hi guys sounds like you are doing very well!! Not long now!! Best of luck with the rest of your journey!! :) x

Sep 19, 2010

Denz Cant believe how fast your getting up there Guys. Well done!!

Sep 20, 2010