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Stage 2 - Day 2 Pitlochry to Killin 63.16Km
Day 2 started with me crossing the River Tummel and heading south east towards Logierait. For those of you who've done the Etape Caledonia this is the last few km's before the finish. And because I was riding in the opposite direction I was only too glad to be descending THAT Kicker rather than ascending it. Having negotiated that, it was onto the NCN7 in the direction of Aberfeldy, tracking the River Tay.
The NCN7 is all on road at this point but it's thankfully quiet and I made good progress towards Kenmore where I stopped for a coffee at https://www.taymouth.co.uk/on-site-facilities/courtyard-deli.php . The staff were friendly and welcoming. I also met this fella there too...
If you have the time and if it's open then the https://www.crannog.co.uk/ is well worth a visit. I was short on time tho' and pressed on in the direction of Killin. I was rewarded with quiet roads and incredible scenery as I made my way along the South Tay road. That said, it's a hard stretch with lots of short steep ramps - you can go from 50Kmph to 10 Kmph in a matter of seconds. Still when you get views like this - (the obligatory stunning Scottish hill clouded over every 5 minutes or so) it's well worth it!
I rolled downhill into Killin and was glad to get a seat outside the https://www.fallsofdochartinn.co.uk/ where I ordered a sandwich and a well deserved beer. It's a great spot for catching your breath and people watching.... although it's busy. The Falls of Dochart are spectacular and rightly draw the crowds. The narrow bridge over the falls mean it's something of a bottleneck. It's worth the extra minutes though to enjoy the scenery. Here's the Stage 2 Day 2 Map.
Stage 3 - Day 2 Killin to Grangemouth 88.52 Km
After lunch I headed south west towards Glenogle. It's a steep climb as you start to head south down the glen and you'll be glad you fueled up in Killin at this point - or at least I was! Be careful when crossing the A85 here as you must do to follow the NCN7 south. It's a busy stretch of road, but once over that you are onto perhaps my favourite bit of gravel in the whole of Scotland.
The section of the NCN7 that passes through Glenogle is majestic. You are high above the road, going downhill along an old railway line. The highlight of which is crossing over the Railway Viaduct some 30m above the glen. This section comes to an end as you encounter some hairpins on the decent and you can see Loch Earn at this point, so try not to get carried away with the scenery!
After that, I continued on the NCN7 towards Callander. It this point the route varies from rail track to single track to land rover track. All of which should keep you interested. Just before Crossing the A821 you'll pass under the shadow of Ben Ledi, which dominates the skyline north from Callander. Here is Ben Ledi from Callander
Callander is another great place for a stop with coffee shops, chippies and Co-Op - should you need to resupply. If you need any bike related spares then Wheels Cycling Centre is just a short ride off the main drag on the Invertrossachs Road http://www.wheelscyclingcentre.com/
After Callander I struck south east heading for Grangemouth, largely all on quiet roads that I've known since I was a kid. If the legs are a bit heavy then you could swing into the
Kings Park for a rest https://www.stirling.gov.uk/planning-building-the-environment/the-environment/parks-in-stirling/kings-park/
If you have a bit more left in the tank then beyond Stirling you can follow the River Forth to Grangemouth and visit a number of tourist attraction such as https://www.nts.org.uk/visit/places/bannockburn/ or https://www.nts.org.uk/visit/places/the-pineapple
I chose to finish my ride that day by going past the Kelpies. There's a café there and visitor centre with all the required amenities that you'd expect. http://www.visitfalkirk.com/things-to-do/family-days-out/the-kelpies/
Here's the Stage 3 Day 2 Map.
Second Day Score Card (Stage 2 and 3):
Distance Travelled - 151.68Km
Height Climbed - 1,223m
Time - 6hrs 57 mins
Lone Pipers - 1
Crannogs - 1
Pints - 1 (Falls of Dochart Inn)
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