Day 3: Taking the high road

Aviemore to Pitlochly (65 Miles)

Last night I had an important decision to make. One of the dorm inhabitants was attempting to set a world record for loudest and arrhythmic snoring. I had to decide whether to throw my pillow at the guy, risking being without a pillow for the rest of the night or continue as it was. Fortunately, one of the other guys in the room was going through the same thought process and made the decision before I did. The pillow was launched across the room, missing the guy and landing behind his bed, completely out of reach of the thrower, rendering him pillowless for the remainder of the evening. No way I was making that mistake, so I decided to put my music in and was soon back asleep.

Despite the snoring, I slept fine and woke ready for another day of cycling. I decided to replicate yesterday’s winning formula and again started with a massive full Scottish breakfast. The first two thirds of the day would see me climb up and over the Drumochter Summit, this also marked the highest point on my whole route down the UK. The climb was not particularly steep or long but for almost the first time on the trip, the cycle track was not a great standard. It was little better than a dirt track, which meant that climbing was slow. Eventually I did reach the incredibly unspectacular summit and began the long decent which lead out of the Cairngorms, passed the Bruar Falls, through the wonderfully named Killiecrankie and into Pitlochly, my destination for the day.

Ecstatic to be at the summit

I arrived at just passed 4pm, had a pre-dinner, then a full dinner and then set off to the campsite. Fortunately, this time there was plenty space for my wee tent at the family run Milton of Fonab campsite. Rain was in the air, so I quickly put up my tent (it’s been almost four years since I last put it up, but it’s pretty simply), hoped in and got ready for bed as the rain began to bounce of the tent. Shortest day so far but probably the toughest with the hills and road conditions, still feeling good and ready for tomorrow. Weather forecast: Rain.