The drive to our start point at Killin was 52 kms away from Pitlochry taking us along narrow roads ( H doing his best to avoid the stone walls) through Abberfeldy and on to beautiful Loch Tay.
The route is referred to as 80 kms of cycling nirvana and Kev & I were both keen on giving it a go despite H's healing hip bone severely restricting his leg movement !
Our first 10 kms was a relatively easy ride along the Nth side of Loch Tay before we turned off for the real challenge a solid 4-5 km clmib up to Lawers pass providing for fabulous views back down to the Loch.
As luck would have it despite there being very few cars around we timed the steepest and narrowest section just as 2 cars came from opposite directions causing us to dismount and curse simultaneously !
Reaching the pass brought its own microclimate changing conditions from being relatively mild to damned cold with strong winds causing us to dive for our jackets.
In the conditions the 180 degree backdrop of Mtns with numerous waterfalls was like that of a brooding, sullen entity capable of turning extremely nasty with little warning !
Following a short journey around the lake which serves to help generate hydro power for the area, we launched into an fantastic descent on a winding single track road taking us out of the Lawers national park at the Bridge of Balgie into the incredibly stunning Glen Lyon the longest enclosed glen (34 miles) and many say the most beautiful in the whole of Scotland,
We were gob smacked as we rode through its midst past isolated cottages in the shadow of these powerful mountains whose mood seemed to be ever changing with the fast moving weather clouds.
Along the way we passed a traditional Scottish wedding in a small village will all the men dressed smartly in klits I suggested to H that he should try wearing one back in Melbourne but he reckoned it's work enough shaving his face without having to do his legs and as for a man's brazillian .. no way !
We eventually cycled out of the Glen to Kenmore at the head of Loch Tay a lovely 16th C town with the reputed oldest Inn in Scotland (1532) and about the dearest cokes we have bought anywhere in the UK !
Cycling to the start of the south side of Loch Tay we were amazed to actually see a few hardy individuals actually swimming in the loch ... we froze just watching them !
The final 25 kms were alongside the Sthn side of Loch Tay this time though we were constantly descending and climbing over undulations with teasing views of the sparkling Loch and the surrounding Mtns.
We finally arrived as we started in a passing rain shower to the falls of Dochart a lovely way to enter Killin and complete an absolutely stunning ride that is as good as it gets anywhere.
Tomorrow we move further closer to Inverness scouting for another ride or two before we head south again with just over a week to go on our trip.
P.s. Finally we can admit to being Australian after a much improved showing in the 3td test - the hammering in the press over here has been merciless !
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