Loch Ecke

Sunday 26 March
A trip in the wet. As part of the Glasgow City Council ' On Yer Bike Trips' programme. We set of from Bellahouston Park at 9.30 am. The weather In Glasgow was dull but fine. As we drove north it got worse and even more. By the time we got to Arrochar, discussions about what we be doing began to focus on short trips. By the time we arrived and the Benmore Gardens coffee shop we had decided to get on the bikes no matter what. The coffee and scones set us up well. We all dressed in full wet weather gear set of up the western side of the Loch. It is a dirt track, forestry road all the way from Benmore to Glenbranter some 10 miles plus farther on. There were a few small breaks in the weather so we did manage to see some good views although they were all a very wet and cloudy looking.
More by default, than an active decision we were on the main road heading south and back to Benmore. The main road was not all busy. We did adopt a defensive cycling grouping with myself sitting out from the others, one of whom was a little apprehensive about road cycling, most of the way.
It is obvious by the amount of road kill that this is a fast road for traffic and would not be advisable for cycling in the high season.
After removing our soaked outer shells another visit to the coffee shop with 20 plus very wet miles under our wheels and arriving back at Bellahouston at about 17.00 pm. A wet trip but every one enjoyed it. Colin.