{"id":14228,"date":"2014-07-29T15:36:49","date_gmt":"2014-07-29T19:36:49","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/tourdebocrie.com\/?p=14228"},"modified":"2014-07-30T02:58:36","modified_gmt":"2014-07-30T06:58:36","slug":"day-32-tuesday-july-29-onich-to-kilmelford-scotland","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/tourdebocrie.com\/?p=14228","title":{"rendered":"Day 32. Tuesday, July 29 – Onich to Kilmelford, Scotland"},"content":{"rendered":"

Wind was howling and the bands of rain covered the hills \"DSCN0712\"<\/a>and that it just what we saw through our bedroom window. \u00a0We managed to load our bikes and pedal a couple of miles to the bridge\"DSCN0721\"<\/a>before the first wave of rain hit. \u00a0It was a quick shower, made cold by the driving wind. \u00a0As we traveled along the Loch Linnhe, \"DSCN0723\"<\/a>we watched the sun\"DSCN0731\"<\/a> and rain rush by on the other shore.\"DSCN0730\"<\/a> After seven miles, we connected with a bike path,\"DSCN0757\"<\/a> getting off the busy road, plus shielding us from the wind. \u00a0Rolled up and down minimal\u00a0hills, our tired legs feeling every\u00a0pedal push. \u00a0Rainbows were making sno-cones \"DSCN0748\"<\/a>out of the top of the rounded hills. \u00a0Though the temperatures remained in the mid-50’s, we had very little rain, \"DSCN0752\"<\/a>so it was a much more enjoyable ride than expected. \u00a0We passed many coves, filled with sailboats \"photo-2\"<\/a>and a castle dating back to 1320.\"photo-3\"<\/a>The ride this morning was beautiful, \"DSCN0769\"<\/a>even in the overcast skies.\"DSCN0777\"<\/a>Our\u00a0route had us on the edge of the Loch\"DSCN0788\"<\/a> and over narrow bridges.\"photo-4\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Three miles before lunch, tired and hungry having already put four hours in the saddle, we came to this sign.<\/p>\n

\"DSCN0795\"<\/a>\u00a0This sign was not kidding; our legs screamed their displeasure but got us up the (at least) 20% grades and into the city of Oban.\"DSCN0807\"<\/a>Lunch was delicious\"DSCN0814\"<\/a> and a good break. \u00a0After lunch, we only had 15 miles left,\u00a0little did we know it would be by far<\/em>, our toughest. \u00a0Just getting out of town was a climb, which did not stop for a couple of miles, taking us into the countryside.\"DSCN0816\"<\/a>Up and down hills, \"DSCN0830\"<\/a>none of them shorter than two miles and most of them longer, the incredible scenery \"DSCN0827\"<\/a>did little to comfort the fatigue. \u00a0Even after the fortifying lunch, we were spent. \u00a0Just before four, we dropped down a wonderful hill to our hamlet for the evening.\"DSCN0833\"<\/a>It was not long before we found ourselves “refreshed”\"DSCN0836\"<\/a>refortified
\n\"DSCN0839\"<\/a>and properly stuffed.\"DSCN0840\"<\/a>Amazing what 56 miles and six hours in the saddle will do to your appetite. \u00a0We had expected a miserable and tough ride, today, but without the rain and wind in our face, it was just Tough!<\/p>\n\n\t\t