I awoke in the hostel and got up for breakfast at 6:05. I was the only one there for a while, but later I was joined by Inge, another Roamer who’d come over from Belgium, and a lady from the Black Isle who’d been on a walking holiday in the Peak District. I had a decent breakfast and then set off through Edinburgh to the start at the Soderberg cafe in The Meadows, where after coffee and a chat from one of the Society trustees we set off, riding through the Meadows to some good cycle paths to the Union canal.
We rode on the towpath for a while, meeting a few early morning joggers and walkers, and shortly after leaving the canal we encountered our first navigational issue – a road had been completely closed with no way through at all. Fortunately some local knowledge was on hand in the group behind and they led us on a short diversion back to where we should have been. We climbed up onto the Roseburn cycle path, from where we could see Murrayfield Stadium, and followed paths and residential streets, past the impressive Dalmeny House to come to our first view of the Forth Bridges. I stopped for a couple of obligatory photos then navigated through South Queensferry to join the cycle path crossing the Forth Road Bridge, which gave superb views of the Forth Rail Bridge.
The group had fragmented by this point, with the fitter riders ahead of me. Once over the bridge the cycle path took us past Rosyth shipyard, where I spotted a swallow (or swift), to then follow a narrow downhill track riddled with tree roots which brought us out at a lovely scenic spot with great views of the Firth of Forth. We followed the water’s edge for a while before turning inland at Charlestown to head north, the distant hills giving some warning of a more challenging terrain to come. Riding up Rocks Road in Charlestown I passed a jogger who kindly offered to take my photo. Not long after this we joined a path running alongside the busy A985 which came as a bit of a rude awakening, fortunately it wasn’t long until we came to a roundabout and returned back onto quieter roads. The fields here were full of rapeseed in full bloom, the bright yellow flowers contrasting nicely with the deep blue sky, and I stopped for a photo, and as I did so Jason and Mike from the train up rode past. At Oakley I noticed a Co-op store and stopped for a drink and something to eat. Riding on through Saline I turned onto a Walking and Cycling Friendly road, passing some Highland Cattle at Solsgirth Home Farm where I also had to do a double take as I noticed there were some rheas and emus in a field.
After stopping for a photo I crossed the busy A977 and dropped down into Dollar, where my Garmin got into a twist over the route. Fortunately I met some other Roamers who had been into a cafe for a break and they led me to the correct way forward. This followed an old railway line, the Devon Way, which was a nice gentle ride through woods with lots of wild garlic, bluebells and some pink flowers I couldn’t identify. At Tillicoultry the route joined a path alongside the A91, with a short diversion away at Alva, before heading into the hills just after Menstrie. This started with a steep uphill onto a track that entailed much hike-a-bike, although with the rewards of some terrific views south over the River Forth and back towards Edinburgh.
Along the trail a small sausage on short legs (stoat maybe?) ran across in front of me, and I heard several cuckoo calls and saw a buzzard. The track ran downhill and turned onto a road which eventually came to the very busy A9 at Greenloaning. I crossed and headed on to Braco where I turned off, passing Braco Clocktower and former Free Church and continuing up onto a stony track where a strong wind was blowing in my face. The track proved challenging in places, leading to more hike-a-bike and wide open views, and further on it got rougher still. At one point I came across a gate that was locked shut, so had to lift my bike over and then climb over myself. Eventually I came to the Braes of Doune Wind Farm and here the track joined the gravel service roads heading downhill.
As I descended the open moor gave way to forest before the route took me through some farm fields to another locked gate at a road. The road was rolling, with the head wind sapping my already flagging strength, and it was with a little relief that I came upon my campsite at Keltie Bridge. I checked in, put the tent up and then headed to Callander Co-op for some supplies. Back at the campsite I ate, then showered and settled down to relax for the night. It had been a long and immensely enjoyable day, but now was time for rest and recovery for tomorrow’s instalment.
