Day 13 - Moffat to Edinburgh. 63 miles, hilly bits 3000 ft.

When you’re not thinking about what to eat, you’re wondering where to pee. We’re not so far into this that we don’t hope for a proper loo, but most of the time it’s any verge or field - sometimes even out of sight. Like the ditch above.

So when we stopped outside a fire station and a fireman came out to make sure we were okay, I hoped his conversation would include an offer of their facilities. It didn’t. Instead he told us about the cyclists who had a pile up outside his station and ended up in hospital. And the 80 year old volunteer fireman who cycled LEJoG in 7 days, sleeping at fire stations en route. Given our intention to do the trip in 17 days, he wasn’t making friends. Until he started to discuss the route. Whereupon Alan, our route master extraordinaire, pricked up his ears and next moment had disappeared into the station with him.

When he finally emerged, our route had changed. Shorter, less hilly, but best of all it was on a road surface so smooth our bikes felt as if they were floating on air. And we could finally pick up some speed. So that even though today’s ride was heading for two hours longer than the previous, it felt easier.

Today’s lessons:

1. Take directions from a fireman. They know all the shortcuts.

2. The best roads are smooth as liquorice.

3. The right way can be the wrong way.

4. Always stop for award winning bakeries.

Thank you and goodbye Dumfriesshire and Lanarkshire.

Goodnight.