Safely through Glasgow, the boys are now enjoying Loch Lomond!

From Gretna to Abington.  Well the first tub of chamois cream is coming to an end, however fear not I have two!  Anyway enough rubbish, first stop the old Blacksmiths Shop. No one there to take a picture of the happy couple, so onto Lockerbie then on a B road along side motorway to Abington. Noisy but progressive though dull, but included a 10 mile climb just after we stopped for lunch. Not sure what Chris had but he hammered first 3 miles, (must have thought he’d seen a white fiver in the trees!).  I for my part had second puncture of the trip. Very tedious.

Stats:  53.8 miles  5hrs 03  10.6 mph  2336 elevation.

From Abington to Balloch.  Early start to day as 68 miles to cover. Wet and misty early on but cleared by 11.00am.   Good run to Larkhall and route around local country estate (like Parton Vrane!) to be confronted by 100’s of kids on bikes (local event).  Great to see. On then to Hamilton, not easy to navigate, and then Glasgow which proved to be easy. First faller of the tour today, just to let the Standard sweepstakers know!  Through and on to Clydebank, then down canal towpath to Bowling, along disused railway line, (why did I need to use the word disused?!) to Dumbarton then along riverbank to Balloch and the bonny bonny banks of Loch Lomond (we know a song about that, don’t we Johnny!).

Stats: 67.8 miles  7hrs 01  9.68 mph  2381 elevation

If you would like to support Chris and Andy’s sterling effort causes, please click here to sponsor them, or you can drop by the butcher’s shop in Portscatho and leave any donations with Tom.