Another pannier incident and some numb fingers

Good morning followers! Friday morning and we've just finished breakfast in our "absolute bargain" etap hotel! £36 for 3 beds anytime of the year! Beats £108 ibis or 79 travel lodge!

So here's the crack! Our planned stop was just outside of Glasgow as the many top2bottom blogs out there recommend avoiding it! So we were supposed to stop in Dumbarton! We arrived there in good time around, at around 9pm! Went into the travel lodge that we had actually booked for weds (they wouldn't swap it for thurs even when ringing in advance) and there was no room! So we decided to quickly head off for Glasgow 17miles down the canal! A nice cycle but it soon got dark! Then arriving in the city we were lost looking for hotels! So we finally got some directions for this ETAP place from a nice man in a nice hotel!

As were cycling across Glasgows biggest cross road. JONNY'S pannier decided snap of and shoot across the road, clothes and sudocreme everywhere, including on the side of taxis! Devastating! I was just glad it wasn't mine for a change! Then andy got another puncture (so much to puncture-less tyres). Then when we got our hotel room we got room no 666.












So yesterday went from being great! To be being a bit gash! From 9am to 9pm was great, the scenery coming from fort William was great up through the highlands and then cycling along loch lomand with the sun sitting low in the sky was very nice! I've got some great pictures
On the SLR.

























ANDY also wants all the guys following at the golf club to check this picture out of him on one of the greens at loch
Lomond golf course! (this is probably why we arrive late to most places, we see something we like n we go for a quick snap, even if it is invite only).






Now onto me! So for the last few days I have been moaning about numb fingers! Last night in the room I decided to google it! Turns out I have handlebar palsy! So a ten minute chat with my mum this morning has sorted it (she's some kind of doctor) I'll be dosed up on anti-inflammetaries from now on and my dad will be delivering some wrist splints on Saturday when we meet in Kendal !

Here's the description for those who are bothered:
Also known as ulnar neuropathy, handlebar palsy is actually an inflammation of the nerve that runs along the entire length of the arm to the hand. This nerve, which is also known as the ulnar nerve, provides for both movement and feeling in the arm and hand (e.g., it possesses both a motor and sensory function).

So why does this nerve have a tendency to become irritated during cycling? In general, the ulnar nerve becomes inflamed, usually either at the fingers, elbow or the wrist, when it has to absorb vibration and shock transmitted to the arm. (it can also flare up when the fingers, hand and arm are maintained in a fixed position for a long time).

The numbness will last up to 6 weeks and it is recommended that cyclist stop cycling!


One thing we learnt today: a vanilla slice does not exist in the highlands! Only Aberdeen Angus beef burgers which are very nice :)

And finally our feet our dry after a day of sunshine:






See you in Gretna when we hopefully break the border into England!

- Posted from my iPhone