There is a monster at Loch Ness. It is not, however in the water. It is the 1500ft "hill" cyclists have to climb to get around the south end of the lake. The only other option is to cycle the most dangerous road in Scotland. The mountains Loch Ness cuts through plunge down to the water line and keep plunging. Loch Ness is so deep that the water temperature is always within two degrees of 43F. When cycling its length, it seems large enough to have tides.
The towns of Scotland don't think the natural beauty is enough. There are annual contests for the best town gardens. There are rose gardens galore. There's also 187 whiskey distilleries, perhaps for winter activities.
Because of the ferry schedule for the gear trucks and charter flight timing, Odyssey had an extra day in Aberdeen, Scotland, the Granite City. The residents there "experience a higher background [radiation] than normal because granite contains many radioactive atoms."(p 116, Francis, Dick, Second Wind, Michael Joseph, London, 1999)
I remember how so many of the track racers in Seattle who had been to the world masters championship in Manchester, England, came back with kilts. I thought it would be fun to get one in Scotland. I even picked out a tartan pattern - Davidson modern. When the salesman mentioned fitting, I realized that it would be foolish of me to get one that wouldn't/shouldn't fit when I got home. Then he mentioned the basic price of 275 pounds or $415 just for the kilt! Add the belt, pin, etc., and you've looking at $600 easy. I have to assume that the track cyclists bought "off the rack" at Kilts R Us. Maybe I'll have to find one cheap in Vancouver BC. I never dreamed they'd be so expensive. A complete outfit (including jacket) is 699 pounds or $1100!!!!!
Instead, I had real fish & chips, and mushy peas at Ashvale Fish House in Aberdeen, the restaurant which won the award for best fish & chips in Scotland and the UK for most of the 90's.
I watched the Tour de France on British TV in Aberdeen in a bar filled with Odyssey riders. We were watching live coverage, not some highlights. The bar erupted when American, Lance Armstrong made his move away from Marco Pantini on the last climb and took over the yellow jersey. It was a different way to watch the Tour - much better than American TV highlights and long commercials.
Happy Trails,
Bruce