After our rest day in Belfast, which went by all too quickly, we were up early the next morning. We loaded our duffels into the luggage van at 5:10, then headed out on our bikes to the ferry terminal, about 1/2 hour away. Once aboard, we were treated to a nice breakfast during the 2 1/2 hour journey. We rode off the ferry into a light mist. and 2 K down the road TDA had a snack bag ready for us. They knew it would be a long time until we got to lunch. Greg and I stopped later in the morning to eat our yogurts, and I couldn't find mine. I must have dropped it in the parking lot where we got the bags, and I heard later there was a "yogurt incident" - yogurt squirted everywhere!
The ride that day was just beautiful! It was misty/rainy for only a couple of hours, then we actually might have had a little sunshine. At first, it seemed to me that the terrain was rougher and wilder than Ireland, but in the afternoon it was more like Ireland. We had some very steep climbing, with, of course, the fun downhills. Coming into lunch, everyone was wet and feeling chilly, so the hot soup was more than welcome! After lunch, the climbing began in earnest.
Although we were cold and wet at times, and really struggling up a few of the climbs, I felt such joy to be here! We had some fabulous views, and we are feeling very fortunate to be here!
Our overnight was in Ayr, a small seaside town with a big public beach area. Can't imagine anyone ever going into the water! It's a very pretty town. One thing that struck us was the number of chimneys on the buildings. You'll see them in one of the pictures - so many!
The next day we rode to Glasgow, 83 K. For much of the day we followed National Cycle Route 7, a combination of cycle paths, quiet roads, and canal towpaths. In the morning we passed by lots of golf courses. The roads have all been lined with many kinds of wild flowers, and on this day we through a couple of areas where sweet-smelling wild roses lined the road. We also caught whiffs of wild onion. It was a sunny day, lots of headwinds, but very pleasant and interesting, and much flatter than the previous day.
On our 3rd day of riding, heading into Edinburgh (pronounced Edin-broh) we were totally on canal tow paths.
The first part of the day we were on the Forth and Clyde towpath, and later we were on the Union Canal towpath. The canals were built in the mid-1800s, to connect Glasgow and Edinburgh. However, the railroads arrived and made the canal system obsolete. For the Millennium, Scotland decided to revive them by re-connecting the 2 systems, and reviving the towpaths for public use. Where the Union and the Forth and Clyde met, there is a large height difference. A system of 11 locks had been used to get canal boats up and down this steep climb, but the locks had all disappeared as the land had been sold. So a national engineering contest was held to figure out a way to raise and lower boats between the 2 canals. The final result was an engineering marvel called the Falkirk Wheel. It is almost like a ferris wheel: imagine a bottom car that fills with water, then a boat goes in,and the gate goes up to contain the water. Meanwhile, at the top of the wheel there is another "car" that fills. When the 2 cars are balanced in weight, a small motor and a series of gears raises 1 car and lowers the other. The Wheel has become a huge tourist attraction, and we were lucky enough to see it in action when we got there.
The Forth and Clyde path was just gorgeous! We had a nice sunny day (still a little cool), and we saw lots of canal boats our enjoying the water. The path was wide and smooth, and the riding was easy. However, the Union path, although more interesting at times, was much more stressful riding.
The path gets a lot of use, and a lot of it is quite narrow. The plants and bushes (and stinging nettles!) brushed our legs a lot, due to the narrowness of the path and the need to make way for oncoming bikes or people. There were many, many bridges over the canal, that were not built with the need for a wide bicycle path underneath, so the path going around the bridge abutments was very narrow, sometimes bumpy, sometimes had cobblestones. We dismounted and walked them several times, but probably should have walked more! One of the interesting aspects of the path was that the canal was raised in an aqueduct in 3 places over deep valleys. There was also a 3/4 mile long tunnel, dimly lighted, wet and slippery. We started riding through it, but when Greg hit the wall (just a few scrapes), I decided to walk it. As did most of the other riders! The path got us into our hotel with almost no traffic, so that was wonderful.
We've a good rest day in Edinburgh. Greg and I would like to come back. There is much more to see than we have time or energy for! We didn't get into the Castle - it was all sold out and I hadn't thought to get tickets ahead of time. There are tons of tourists here!
Tomorrow we have a long day: 80 miles and the hilliest day yet. It should be sunny and nice though!
Love to all! Thanks for your notes and comments. We love reading them!
Rosemary
2024-06-01
I am so impressed with the history and detail in your travelogue. It must take a lot of down time to do this. Thanks!
sally k
2024-06-01
I love Scotland and you describe it beautifully.
Yvonne
2024-06-01
Nicepics. Sounds like a goid trip.
Cat
2024-06-01
I don’t even know how to comment on your journeys anymore. They are so absolutely amazing and I feel like I live vicariously through you two. Your adventures are so inspiring and warm and creative. Yay you two!!!
Rae
2024-06-02
That’s my home territory that you’re in - Ayr, Kilmarnock, Glasgow - sure wish we were there with you.
Eva
2024-06-02
Love reading about another tour you two are enjoying. The Falkirk Wheel is something I want to see!
Patti
2024-06-02
Love the bicycle and all the sculptures. Thanks for sharing.
Mike J.
2024-06-02
Breathtaking scenery!
Gail
2024-06-07
Fabulous photos!