Speaker at our meeting of 30th September was club member Findlay McLaren - without doubt the adventurer of the club. This time his talk was about the challenge of tackling the first third of An Turas Mor, described as a ‘non-technical’ cycle ride through the wild heart of Scotland, which stretches 353 miles from Kelvingrove Museum to Cape Wrath in the far north. With 26,984ft of hills - and off-road using cycle tracks, old railway beds, forest tracks and mountain passes.

It all started with a ride from Pittenweem to Leven, then train to Glasgow and a short ride to Kelvingrove. A circuitous route including mudbaths and rain led to the first nights camp just short of Drymen. With wet tent and sleeping bag, having found the panniers were not sufficiently waterproof!

And then onwards for four more days via the Rob Roy Way, Aberfoyle, the Dukes Pass, Boulders and hidden streams, Strathyre, Lochearnhead, Killin, Glen Lochay, Brig O’Baiglie 

What we heard was a story of rain, mud, midges, headwinds, diversions, a collapsed bridge, poor route directions,  broken spokes, a worn out wheel rim, wet camping. And hills. And some sunshine. 135 miles  covered in 5 days; then Rannoch Station and a train home.

Findlay told us that he is now working on plans to return for a second stretch and with lessons learned about reducing the weight carried - and investing in some lower gears! 

Following questions an awestruck vote of thanks was proposed by Eric Govan. What an interesting talk - what a challenge and what an adventure.