John O'Groats to Lands End

Follow me on a cycle ride from 'End to End' with Maps, Info and Tips

Welcome to the Down the Lane 'Extras'
Supplement features & Articles to the Down the Lane Website              

JOGLE route - Invergarry to Ballacluish

Day Six of my end to end cycle ride

View of Loch Linnhe
Loch Linnhe, just by the Ferry Harbour

They're a keen lot in these Hostels, I was the last one to leave! But, I had no guilt about it, I had 40 or so miles to do, relatively flat and hopefully with some enjoyable views. The only problem, the weather which was not kind to me for much of the way.

I left in pouring rain and this was made worse when the traffic was stopped a few miles along the road whilst four Yachts passed through from Loch Oich to Loch Lochy. The rain got worse and worse and was made worse by the fact that on uphill stretches I seemed to be forever passing signs saying 'Slow Down'. There were some glimpses of scenery and those were really nice. On top of the hills just before Spean Bridge I passed the Memorial to Commanders and there happened to be some sort of Service going on, so I went and paid my respects

Suddenly the rain stopped and I enjoyed a long freewheel stretch down to Spean Bridge where I stopped for a good half an hour just to settle down after the rain.

From there it's a pretty clear and safe run through to Fort William, this was spoilt only by the fact that Ben Nevis was not seen in it's entirety.

Down to Fort William then and a stroll with the Bike through the town itself, which is fine for the Tourist, but for the damp Cyclist passing through didn't have enough signs up saying 'hang around a while'. The Loch side however was very pleasant, so I stopped and had a Coffee with the added entertainment of a load of Germans dressed in Kilts!

After that it's again a fairly flat route alongside the beautiful Loch Linnhe before a zig zaggy approach to the bridge leading into Ballacluish, the gateway to Glencoe

Ballacluish is beautifully set amongst the mountains and right on the edge of Loch Levan, the mirror image of the Mountains on the other side of the Loch are stunning.

Luck would have it that I was in the only Scottish Village where the Pub was shut for a re-furb, but luckier still was that the Bed and Breakfast was right opposite the Co-Op where I could get a ready prepared Salad and some other things not so much of a healthy nature for dessert!

It was nice to stroll around after my Meal and wander alongside the Quarry, then venture further along the Loch. The following morning was to be for me, 'The Big One', Glencoe!

JOGLE - Spean Bridge
Spean Bridge, more Tourists but a pleasant stop

Cycle Path north of Fort William
The Cycle Path going past Ben Nevis (behind cloud) and towards Fort William

JOGLE - 200 miles completed
200 miles - Ballacluish

Bridge at Ballacluish
The bridge approaching Ballacluish


_____________________

End to End
Articles
The Route and Diaries and finally..