It was a bit fresh this morning hence all the gear.  I left Tarbet heading for Bridge of Orchy.  This was hard going with lots of climbing and the usual poor road surfaces.  The scenary is spectacular in all directions.  No rain at all today which was a bonus. 

I soon had to stop and take off a layer as it was hot climbing the black mountains.  Lots of traffic and narrow roads didn't make me feel too comfortable.  In a weird sort of way I'm really enjoying the long tough climbs because there is a massive sense of achievement when you reach the top.  At the very top was a fella playing the bagpipes!  The views were simply stunning again.  It wasn't sunny but the light was great and the sky was fairly clear.

I put in an extra stop after the Black Mountains due to fatigue.  I had a bite to eat at Glencoe before pushing on to Fort William.  Fort William is the base camp for Ben Nevis....... that got me thinking, which you have plenty time to do on a bike, maybe my next challenge..........  Then I realised I was a bit delirious and thought that I had better concentrate on finishing this challenge before I even contemplate another.  I had a power nap at Fort William, and didn't want to get back on the bike.  Almost a refusal, but I got on and set off for the last leg to Fort Augustus.

The mind plays tricks on you when you are tired.  I was convinced that this should be flat (ish) as it went across the Great Glen.  Wrong again.  I followed Loch Lochy and Loch Oich and then there were a couple of mean climbs before Fort Augustus.  I had to stop a couple of times to relieve the pressure on my legs and backside.  This flat (ish) leg still involved over 1000ft of climb.  Sure you get to go downhill the other side but it can get really cold on the descent, and the wind seems to whistle across the Loch and into your face.  I was convinced that something was wrong with Pablo as I seemed to be putting in a lot of effort but not really going very fast.  I still managed the fastest average of the day on the last leg (14.5 mph).  In a training run I would have been upset by this speed but on the back of 700 miles in 7 days I was quite pleased. 

I checked Pablo over, all seems fine.  I think I was just tired.  I was considering selling the bike after this is over but I'm not sure I will be able to let him go, trusty friend that he is.  All is well with the Sat Nav.  Since I reversed the firmware upgrade it has been awesome again.  The battery now lasts all day, it takes me to where I want to go and is back to where it was.  A fine piece of kit, I never doubted it for a second.

The campsite is great and we treated ourselves to supper out tonight.

Notice that I'm not putting any weight on my left leg.  It still hurts like hell when I walk or stand on it for too long.  I'm blaming the climb into Clifton on day 2.