Day 1 – cycle to work with a loaded bike – having the usual why are my bags too full and too heavy – what should I have left behind – what have I forgotten – why do I have a huge bag of banana chips, cashew nuts and dried fruit with me that is probably taking up a 1/4 of the space in one of my panniers, etc etc.
Good day at work and then we are on our way properly. 1st wee hill between Stirling and Denny reminds me how unfit I am – then it’s onto the canal tow path and it’s a perfect evening for getting some miles under my belt – sun is out but not too hot, gentle breeze and no midgies – so perfect that I forgot to turn left and leave the canal at Auchinstarry to start heading south. I accidentally carry on to nearly Kirkintilloch – I could have turned left at Kirkintilloch and headed south from there but it’s much more built up and I reckon less possibilities for a wee bit of wild camping.
So it’s back to Auchinstarry, turn right and head south from there but not before having a blether with a fellow cyclist.
Didn’t get as far south as I would have liked but found a wee spot in some trees, near to a football stadium to pitch my tent for the night – dark coloured tent great for a wee bit of stealth camping – hi vis pink jacket not so much but nobody seemed to notice me putting the tent up.
27 miles / 1 wild camp / 1st item lost and / or forgotten – my cheese is in the fridge at work / 1st item broken – I’ve managed to break the mouth piece for my water bladder and lost most of my water in the process.
johnkeithwp
Getting away is sometimes the hardest bit… so well done! Looking forward to hearing about your adventures.