North coast cycle day 1: Ullapool to Stoer

By bike bus to Ullapool and on into a day of contrasts; a delightful dry sweep through Coigach, remembering hill days past and plotting hill days still to come, then a soggy slog round the coast road to Lochinver. Food stops ended hurriedly, pedalling into the drizzle, fumbling bars with midge-blackened hands. When Suilven appeared briefly it was as a half shadow against the mist.

Beer and pies in Lochinver provided a welcome chance to dry off, only to become soaked once again on the short ride to Stoer. We watched the diving gannets until the mist started to permeate the tent, forcing us to batten down the hatches.

The photo is of the only good view of Suilven we got all day - on a placemat in the Lochinver Pie Shop.

Hopefully a drier day awaits tomorrow.