{"id":13386,"date":"2014-07-16T15:33:52","date_gmt":"2014-07-16T19:33:52","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/tourdebocrie.com\/?p=13386"},"modified":"2014-07-16T15:41:56","modified_gmt":"2014-07-16T19:41:56","slug":"day-19-wednesday-july-16-edinburgh-to-perth-scotland","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/tourdebocrie.com\/?p=13386","title":{"rendered":"Day 19. Wednesday, July 16 – Edinburgh to Perth, Scotland"},"content":{"rendered":"

Something between spitting and rain greeted us when\u00a0we pushed off at 7:15 this morning. \u00a0For two miles we weaved our way through the many buses that serve to bring the droves of workers into the city to begin the day. \u00a0One turn and we were on a bike path,\"DSCN9064\"<\/a> able to relax a little and notice that it was quite chilly outside (55\u00b0), but the rain had stopped. \u00a0We enjoyed the path\"DSCN9070\"<\/a>and small roads for over an hour.\"DSCN9071\"<\/a>We passed many fields of sheep,\"DSCN9075\"<\/a> filled with grouse\"photo\"<\/a> and an beautiful home.\u00a0\"DSCN9081\"<\/a>then a climb over the mile long bridge\"DSCN9092\"<\/a> that crossed the River Firth of Forth and to breakfast. \u00a0A quick pedal into town and we found a little shop\"DSCN9098\"<\/a> with only three tables; one saved just for us. \u00a0We enjoyed\u00a0the best Scottish breakfast (no Black Pudding, but we did have Haggis)\"DSCN9099\"<\/a> cooked by the cheeriest Irishman we’ve ever met. \u00a0\"DSCN9101\"<\/a>As seems to always be the case when our bellies are full, we climbed…..for twelve miles. \u00a0The climb, though difficult, was beautiful through the forest. \u00a0\"DSCN9124\"<\/a>From our high ridge, we could see a mist over the valley below. \"DSCN9129\"<\/a>\u00a0As we began to drop, the mist got wetter and colder. \u00a0Halfway down we had to stop to grab\u00a0our raincoats, as much for warmth as to stay dry. \u00a0At the bottom of our long and cold descent was Kinross, there we ducked into a coffee shop for cappuccino and a most incredible toffee and banana cake; just what the doctor ordered to warm the soul. \u00a0As we left, the ceiling was lifting, \"DSCN9134\"<\/a>the temperatures had jumped 10 degrees and there was a breeze blowing the clouds away.\"DSCN9144\"<\/a> From here we were either slowly climbing or\u00a0rolling down the hills,\"DSCN9158\"<\/a> fascinated by the play of clouds and sun on the hills in the distance.\"DSCN9140\"<\/a> \u00a0One very long climb served up one fantastic (40mph) descent (though Travis would not like it),\u00a0\"DSCN9157\"<\/a>\u00a0At the bottom or our two mile drop, we met Catherine and Nicolas on a bike holiday from Belgium.\"photo-7\"<\/a> \u00a0We rode with them for a few miles \"DSCN9174\"<\/a>and then caught them again in Perth. \u00a0They had more miles to cover, so we said our goodbyes, though we may run into them again along the way. \u00a0We checked in as the clouds were once again building.\"DSCN9177\"<\/a>Before we headed out for a walk about town<\/em>, we had a quick drink?? \u00a0Apparently, still trying to warm up or just getting in the Scottish spirit a shot of whiskey with a beer chaser.\"DSCN9179\"<\/a>We walked the couple of blocks to the River Tay\"DSCN9189\"<\/a> and then to dinner. \u00a0The 51 miles were tough today; a good night’s rest is much needed. \u00a0\"photo\"<\/a><\/p>\n

\u00a0Shout out to Simon at Sustrans, great advise on the course and very well signed.<\/p>\n\n\t\t