Sat 27th July 2019 - Jack Taylor - Contin, Loch Meig, Marybank

Headed south on Saturday for a road ride with Brian. His road rides usually consist of quite a lot of dirt or gravel roads but he assured me that this time it was to be quiet tarmac roads out to the dam at Loch Meig.
This was our second plan as the first was a loop taking in Cromarty and the Neigg ferry but unfortunately the heavy rains that lasted most of the morning meant a slight change to the other direction.
Despite the rain we were determined to get a decent ride in as Brian is heading back to Oz in the next couple of days as he has some family stuff to take care of and will be gone for at least three months and most likely more. So we needed to have one decent ride in as it would be the last for a while and certainly the last together this summer/autumn.
The weather was still pretty dark and overcast when we headed out to Contin but the clouds were breaking up and it looked like it would be pretty nice. The temperature was still pretty warm which meant the roads dried off quickly. We left Contin and headed off along the eastern side of the river towards the small Luichart power station before heading west towards Loch Meig.
The roads were all singletrack roads and pretty much rolling hills, short sharp climbs with the occasional longer climb along the way. It was only after turn west that the road had a few short sharp climbs coming in quick succession which took us from the river level up to the dam crossing at Loch Meig.
Across the dam wall and then back along the western side to much the same roads. This road eventually opened out once we passed Contin on the other side of the river as we made our way to Marybank before crossing the river and heading back to Contin on the main road to Ullapool.
It was as usual a great relaxing ride and these roads were perfect for the weather too. About halfway round the sun was fully out and the heat was ramping up but with the narrow road having shade along most of its route from the tall trees made it a pleasure in the heat.
The Jack Taylor rode superbly as usual though there was a fair bit of creaking going on near the end which I am sure is coming from the bottom bracket, so either a bit of tightening and lubing needed there but otherwise it was the usual sweet ride.  This is still in it's cobbled together spare parts guise which will soon change into something a bit nicer I hope and especially as I have the Jack Taylor ride down in the midlands soon.
Sad to see my good mate leaving for so long but it wont be long and he'll be back. hopefully he will get some nice warm riding in while I start to need to wrap up for cooler times.

Jamie