Cycled:105.2km / 5hr48min / 18.13km/hr
Monday September 23
We began the day with an early alarm clock and lofty goals of cycling the full length to Stornoway. With the promise of good weather and a great carb loading dinner last night, things were looking good. The Isle of Harris and Lewis are very different from the Uists. The land is hilly and lush. The coastline is a combination of beautiful sandy beaches and rugged, jagged cliff/rocks. It was easy enjoyable riding with undulating hills and some incredible sunny moments. The real work began on the steady climb up and into the clouds before descending into Tarbert. With nary a stop, it was back to work with an arduous steep graded climb out of Tarbert, again. Looking ahead on the road was daunting, the clouds were dark and heavy, sitting low in the hillsides. Knowing that whether you dilly dally up, or just put your nose down and go for it... only your own steam will get you there.
On the first climb I felt a pop and heard a hissing sound emanating from my back wheel. The start of my troubles. Unload the bike, flip it over and inspect the tire to find the tread was laminating. I've worn through a tire! I'm a bona fida cycle tourist now. Maybe. After fixing the flat, Madalene advises that I ride it as I normally would....so I did... but... I am not going to lie, the rest of the ride I expected disaster. Fifty km's later and about 10 km out of Stornoway there came another explosion. Pop! Hiss! Thud thud thud. Another patch. I need a new tire ASAP! We made it to Stornoway, our destination for the day, the 3rd largest city in the Highlands, and a town with a bike shop! .
Feeling like a reward was justified, we went for a pint. Which turned into a most delicious Haggis and blood pudding dish mmmmmm, then the best onion rings EVER, and then fried haddock and chips courtesy of HS-1. .
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| Best onion rings ever. |
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| Haggis and blood pudding at HS-1 in Stornoway. |
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| The haggis approaches... |
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| She chews... |
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| Oh no! |
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| Oh wait, its really good! |
