However, this cycle/walk is on walkhighlands, which means that it is not any of these things
It sounded like a good idea...
So, we got the train down to Lochwinnoch and cycled up to the Clyde Muirshiel visitor centre, which was mobbed (don't blame everyone - the weather was beautiful). We then left the tarmac and headed off on the mine track, which we've never done before (been up Windy Hill loads as a wee kid, though). The views were unexpectedly good.
- Windy Hill on the right, Glasgow behind
- Glasgow and the Inverkip power lines
We reached the end of the track and had a look around the mines.
- The old mines
- We managed to get past the grey fence, but then we were stopped by this amazing one
We then said bye-bye to the track and ploughed on over the moors - how hard can it be?
- I think the word 'ploughed' was a tad optimistic!
- This is my 'I'm going to die' face
The trudge up the mountain gave us an insight into the very obvious reasons that humans use tracks to get around, and that bikes usually stay on them.
However, we did eventually reach the top of the Hill of Stake (gosh, I could have gone some steak up there
)- This is when dad gets you to smile for the camera when it's the last thing you feel like doing
- We got our first views out to the south-west of Arran and Cumbrae
- Misty Law is the furthest away one - guess where we're going!
- I really doubt this photo has ever been taken nor will be taken anytime soon with bikes in it
- Busy
- Neil Armstrong on the moon has nothing on us...
However, when the time did come to head off and embark on the 3km of hell to Misty Law, it wasn't as bad as we thought it could be...
- A path!!!
Unfortunately the path was not fantastically good and rideable, and I sunk into a bog up to my knee, but it was relatively easy going to Misty Law relative to what we had done to get up the Hill of Stake.
- The Hill of Stake is behind me
The sun began to set and the colours were amazing.
- Glasgow
- Ben Lomond and his mates
- More Glasgow
- Dad's 'beat that' face
We headed down the back of Misty Law to have a snack, begging that the track that could save us and take us to Lochwinnoch did actually exist... (you know how you get that niggling doubt even though you were absolutely sure when it didn't matter so much...)
- It did!!!
The track wasn't good quality at all, but we didn't care about that, because it was amazing fun.
- Splash!!! (Only took us 3 goes)
- The setting sun and a sheep?
We seem to be really good at finding sheep in really cool photos
It was great fun heading back down to Lochwinnoch, and when we made it onto the tarmac, that has to be close to the fastest I've ever been on a bike?
It was a shame that it was time to go home
- River Ayr Way tomorrow though!
Can we just make a final apology to all the people on that train with the people who smelt of bog
.
