The eye of the storm.

Southern Scotland has been lashed by New Year storms. They have caused widespread power cuts, cancelled New Year's firework celebrations and sea kayaking trips. We decided to go mountain biking in Galloway today.



The Eye is a 13 metre stone spire beside the Black loch in Galloway.



It was not just power lines that had been brought down.



We had a steep ascent of 500 metres.




Followed by a blast down a forest track to a section of public road. I got up to 54.3km/hr on the track.



Then more off road stuff on the Old (very old) Edinburgh Road.





It was wetter than sea kayaking. My one mistake was thinking I could keep up with my daughter and her friend! Good for burning off seasonal excess though!

Added 3/01/07:



The Eye is one of a series of sculptures that make up the "Art in the Galloway Forest Park" project.

Frustrating day off!

Yesterday we got a long view to the Gulf of Corryvreckan (of whirlpool fame) from the top of Fire Tower mountain bike trail near Lochgilphead. I had arranged to go sea kayaking today with my daughter and Jim Wallis. A forecast of clear skies light wind and slack water in the Gulf at 11:10am today had me planning a trip out through the Gulf and back round Scarba and Lunga.
Unfortunately another mountain bike run beckoned. On the way home we stopped at Arrochar and climbed high into the hills below Ben Ime before several breakneck descents (almost literally) to Glen Loin and back to Arrochar.



Battered and bruised, I had to cancel our sea kayaking trip. So I will just need to savour our first trip through the Corryvreckan in May 2006.



I have only been out mountain biking 5 times this year. I have lost count of the number of spills. I have hurt my shoulder twice and have decided to invest in some body armour. Perhaps I should stick to sea kayaking instead!

What a lovely day to clean my bike.