PSSSHHH PSSHH Psshh psh psh psh psh

Yup, that's the sound a inner tube makes when it's just been skewered by a broken bottle whilst going through an underpass.

Strathaven to Luss (by Loch Lomond): 53 Miles

We rode as a group for virtually all of today, mainly for safety in numbers - the route taking us primarily on cycle paths / canal towpaths / old railway lines etc through Glasgow, Clydebank and Dumbarton and close to some of less salubrious parts of town (see top of photo). As it was on narrow and bumpy paths we were generally just pootling along for the first 40 odd miles and it was whilst pootling through a Glasgow underpass that I got my first puncture of the trip.

Not a very inspiring days ride all in all, just cruising past lots of built up areas - it's the only route up unfortunately, barring a major detour. I was surprised at how regenerated the Clyde is, I was expecting it to be a lot bleaker than it was. Still a small amount of shipwork going on and some derelict areas as you head out of town but much of the riverside is now exhibition halls, hotels etc. Had lunch at Scotland's "finest fish and chip shop" (actually an old ship, moored on the river) before heading back out of the populated areas and part the way up the side of Loch Lomond to Luss, a pretty little village spoiled by the nuisance of jet skis buzzing about in the Loch.

Am trying my best (and failing) to fend off a cold, so early night tonight and see what tomorrow brings.

Stats for the day:

Time spent cycling: 4hrs 44mins
Average speed: A pootling 11.1 mph
Max 31mph
Number of broken bottles dodged: 453
Number of broken bottles not dodged: 1

Love to all