LEJOG day 6

Another day, another ton+ miler ahead of us. Rain. Looking out of the hotel room as we headed down for breakfast did not make the day ahead appear to have much promise on the weather front. Regardless, breakfast was consumed, complementary coffee from the proprieter was well received by the coffee fans in the team. Our host, Ian from the Towenhead Hotel, was generous enough to get up and make breakfast early as well as offering us complementary coffee and cake and even knocked £50 quid off the stay just for us – nice one!  End to Enders get this establishment on your accomodation list – a great team who really went the extra mile.  Truly appreciated by all.

By the time we got out to the van to pack our gear, the rain had pretty much stopped, so we got on the bikes and headed off.

playing on the B7037

The road ran alongside the motorway (the old A74 – great fro cycling as it’s almost car free), and we made solid progress, only stopping to switch to waterproofs on/off and the essential occasional toilet stop. The few hills were long and steady rather than anything to tax us, so the miles flew by, and before long we had reached Abington. The rain was still on so a quick coffee stop was called for, the van parked up next to a bike friendly hotel, the Abington. We dived in, coffee, hot chocolate and scones ordered in swift measure. The chap who served us fired on the heating to help us dry off, so bonus points to them.

hi tech camera discussions distracting M & C from scone scoffing

Second scones? Moi?

Second scones ordered and demolished, the rain easing off, we headed off again, traffic quiet roads all the way, our trek only broken by the inevitable jackets on/off and toileting.

Galston was soon reached, our lunch stop for the day with extra company in the form of Mrs Bryan and his dad, Charlie. A quick scout around town and we settled on the Aroma cafe, piled in and ordered soup, sandwiches, baked potatoes and similar fare, coffees, cappuccino and irn bru.

happy team well fed, with Stephanie and Charlie

The friendly staff swept into action, providing our grub with only minor issues on a coronation chicken panini, quickly sorted (and eaten by us anyways). And then cakes. Oh what cakes – baking heaven.  Excellent lunch.

The Aroma cafe crew

G-train shows the ladies how to make a real Italian coffee

Mrs Brian had brought more cakey to see us through the next few days, which were loaded onto the van and our goodbyes said.

Essential cakey supplies replenished

On and up we went, the hill out of town not posing any issue, the weather clearing up as we went. Over the top and down, now on familiar roads round Stewarton and on to Paisley, and the finest descent of the week – a great speedy downhill from the Glennifer Braes into the town. We filtered through town, out onto the Erskine bridge, where Gio got his second puncture of the trip.

G-train puncture #2

Puncture soon changed, and only a few miles to our end point, we moved on, mixing with the rush hour traffic along the A82.

Young Davo was meandering along behind the group when Turbine offered to tow David and Big J back to the main group.  Turbine nearly got a toe in a delicate place as Young Dave motored onto the main group.

Keeping it tight, we climbed the road through Dumbarton, Alexandria and Balloch to the nearby youth hostel. As we turned in to the driveway, a surprise was in store – Mammy Mary and Davo’s kids Emma & Lucy with friend Olivia, along with Mark and Cameron waving flags and cheering our arrival.

the gang with Mammy Mary

Our two day domestique, Mark D was thanked all round for his help over the previous 2 days and we said our goodbyes (with a few nipping to the pub to see him off properly) as we said hello to his ‘stand in’ for the last few days, friend Michael M who’d arrived to drop his bag.

Pub. Dinner. Blog. Day 6 done.

[garmin link will follow!]

Quote of the day – “I was never out of the big ring” (most of us, but in reality I reckon we all used the wee ring once or twice)

Food of the day – tough call between the Townead Hotel breakfast, Abington’s scones and the fine Aroma cafe – my suggestion, take in any of them if you are in the area

Blog fan of  the moment – Fino!

Fino (right) with Big Irish Stevie (would also be our #fan if he could use the internet)

Downer of the day – Gio’s puncture only 10 miles from home (noisy bridge with no 3G)