When we left Torridon morning we were thinking that an “A” road, rather than the coast road would offer some relief from the endless ups and downs. Rookie error! In fact “A” road means “a” road, literally with passing places. However the terrain was gently indulating, the scenery fantastic and the legs needed bedding in so who was complaining?! The 60 mile ride felt like it was going to be relatively pain free after the previous experience, so much ao that we felt we had time to stop for a cheeky coffee at the whistle-stop cafe. Very rinky dinky both outside and inside, with local artworks, storming coffee and a very fine array of cake, some of which was purchased for “laters”! Ie post the next random intense gradient, – like we needed an excuse to eat cake! The would-be “A” road wound theough valleys, past locks forever undulating but with some fabulous views. Frequently B&B ( bleak and barren), but interspersed with beautiful lochs to which photos do little justice.
Lunch in Gairloch was perfect, great service and fine cycle fayre in a cafe at the bottom of a fast decline with more great views over the loch although with rain coming in views were becoming blurry…..The big issue with consistently eating at the bottom of a “down” is that after feeding you are always subjected to an “up” and up it was! The gradient was severe enough to prompt a brief rest half way up just to ensure lunch remained in. Not that it had been excessive by any means. Bagel, cake, fizzy drink to drive hyperactivity and a coffee to make sure. From thereonin the relatively easy undulations of the morning gave way to more extreme versions of the same and as the day progressed, these became more exaggerated with steeper and longer slopes as our legs became more and more tired and our destination (too small to be shown on the GPS), seemed to be at the end of a loch which were now battling to get down given the strength of the headwind. Eventually we found the little hamlet that is Camusnag and despite not having an address, Mrs Ross B&B was clearly signed. Time for a peoper cup of tea!
There and Back: 