After a revitalising night at Mum’s (thanks Mum), today promised to be good. Tough, but good. We set off pretty early, and in effort to preempt anymore bike shenanigans, made a beeline to Helensburgh cycles to get Matt’s bike, and in particular his gears the once over.

The weather was absolutely fantastic and this would only add to the stunning day’s cycling we had ahead of us. Today was all about making up into the Highlands.

We cycled out of Helensburgh along the Gareloch, past the peace camp, and the reason for the peace camp, Faslane submarine base. Climbing shortly after the base, we made our way over to Loch long. The geography changing with every pedal stroke.

We stopped for a quick bite in Arrochar and then made the short pass across to Tarbet and back onto Loch Lomond side. The A82 will be our path for the next 150 miles or so and although it is a busy road – was actually fine to cycle – only a couple of hairy moments encountered all day.

At around 30 miles in we started climbing proper, up to Clianlarich, then up to Tyndrum. The geography becoming more spectacular and more mountainous all the time. After Tyndrum, more climbing. Over to Bridge of Orchy, up into Rannoch Moor and then finally down to our campsite for the night in Glencoe.

It was a spectacular day, with the only drama being acted out by Scotlands stunning scenery. It feels good to write an update and say that. Today was proper progress – and these pictures say all that needs saying.