Cyclist John on abbey adventure
Weathering the storm on 200-mile route
Last summer, one of the founder members of the Coupar Angus Cycling Hub, John Palfreyman, set out on a five-day, 200-mile cycle across Scotland.
During a very wet few days, he cycled from Arbroath Abbey to Iona Abbey, taking in the abbey in his home town of Coupar Angus en route.
John first got the idea for the trip a few years ago.
He explained: “I published a book of cycle routes in and around Coupar Angus and it generated a fair amount of interest.
“We have more people in the town on bikes, we have cycle clubs, a cycle workshop and lots more.
“So I started thinking that perhaps a cross Scotland cycle route could bring visitors into the town, but needed to develop a theme for such a route and
John headed over to the West Highland Way above Bridge of Orchy, meeting a walker who had lost his boots along the way
work out whether it could be done on minor roads or off-road, and how long it would take.”
John went on: “Following a discussion with Mike Strachan from the Forestry Commission, we came
up with the idea of the Three Abbeys Cycle encompassing Arbroath, Coupar
Angus and Iona.”
John started his fact-finding adventure on a sunny but windy day in Arbroath last August. He headed south towards the village of Kirkbuddo and on to Inverarity, Glamis and Newtyle before arriving at Coupar
Angus Abbey. With the first day under his belt, John set off from Coupar Angus on
the second day of his trip, which was both wet and windy. He headed for Murthly where he picked up a cycle route to Dunkeld.
From Dunkeld, he followed the cycle route along the river, under the road bridge and up onto the west side of the A9, making it to Aberfeldy by lunch time.
The sun shone on John for the afternoon which saw him take in Fortingall, McGregor’s Leap and Glen Lyon on to the Bridge of Balgie.
After a night camping with his support team - his daughter Lisa and the family campervan - the third day was the start of the off-road cycling.
He headed up along Loch Lyon, past a crane blocking the road at the power station, and over to the West Highland Way above Bridge of Orchy, meeting a walker who had lost his boots along the way.
John said: “Although the day began with sunshine, Wednesday was the day the rain started. The weather went downhill rapidly and by the time we found our campsite at Tyndrum I was wet through. Despite the wind and the rain though the scenery was excellent.
“But much worse was to follow weather-wise!
“More rain was forecast for the Thursday and it delivered in bucketloads. I cycled from Forest Lodge, on Loch Tulla, over to Oban. It rained nearly all of the day.
“After one mile I waded through a stream where a bridge had been washed away and got soaked up to the top of my thighs. Then I found a bridge around the corner which was a replacement for one that had been washed away.
“I also lost a pannier along the way and had to re-trace my tracks to recover it.
“That all set the wet tone for the day and, despite quite magnificent scenery, my main aim was to get somewhere dry and warm for lunch. The smokery at Inverawe fitted the bill and also offered an easy, if wet, route across the river running out of Loch Awe.
“From there it was a fairly simple, if still wet, cycle to Taynault and the cycle route over to Oban - and fortunately, a campsite with a tumble dryer!”
The last day of the trip started with the ferry to Craignure on Mull
followed by around 36 miles over the Fionnphort and the wee ferry to Iona.
John said it was a simple day’s riding in terms of the route but that the incessant rain and the cold must have made him look exhausted; at least one van driver stopped to offer him a lift.
Although grateful for the offer, he politely declined, continuing in his quest to reach Iona Abbey.
He said: “The abbey on Iona is very impressive. It was my first visit and you really get a feel for the determination which must have been necessary to build the abbey in such a remote place.
“All in all it was a great trip, a little under 200 miles and a tremendous variety of scenery. Is this a route that could catch on? I hope so and will be doing my best to find ways to deliver it over the next few years.” • Coupar Angus Cycling Hub
development officer, Grant Murdoch, is cycling 1500 miles around Scotland next month to raise money for a cycle skills track for the town.
See www.cacyclinghub.com for details.