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Last Friday I’d tried to buy an
advance rail ticket for me and my bike to Edinburgh. It was 11:30am
when I called at Chorley Railway Station to buy a ticket but the
ticket office was shut so I drove to Leyland but the man in the
ticket office didn’t seem to know what he was doing saying the first
three trains on Monday didn’t have a bike space. I had to buy a
ticket for the 09:58am, which was much later than I wanted. I cycled
in to Preston and the Virgin train arrived on time. |
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The journey went well until the final
approach to Haymarket, the station just before Edinburgh Waverley.
My next train to Perth leaves Edinburgh at 12:35 and we were delayed
so long I would’ve missed it. When we did eventually get moving
again I got off at Haymarket as the Perth train called here. |
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Over the
Forth Rail bridge |
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The train arrived at 12:40 and
fortunately there were no other bikes on it. Unfortunately it was
one of those carriages with a box compartment which can only take
one bike. It was so narrow I had to take my panniers off to get the
bike in. It was a pleasant ride and we reached Perth in warm
sunshine just before 14:00. |
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I cycled through Perth to the bank of
the River Tay then over the bridge that was designed by John Smeaton
and opened in 1771 though the bridge plaque said 1866. Straight
across the bridge the road started up a steep hill and the climb
continued for about 2 miles over Kinnoull Hill. |
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Smeaton's Bridge over the Tay |
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Smeaton's Bridge over the Tay |
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Smeaton's Bridge over the Tay |
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Over the top the lane took a winding
route but still had nice views across to the River Tay. Eventually I
descended to the A90 which I crossed by a bridge. Although on roads
I was on the number 77 cycle route but there was no cycle lane and
the road was a succession of long straight stretched with fast
traffic. It was uncomfortable riding with the cars and trucks. |
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The weather was warm and sunny but I
had a slight head wind. I crossed the railway crossings a few times
on my way to Invergowrie. |
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Thankfully I reached the cycle track
which mostly followed the pavements. I passed Dundee Airport then
followed the river bank where I had good views of the Tay Railway
Bridge. It was nice to ride along the River Tay then under the
bridge and its impressive curve out into the wide estuary as it then
straightened up. Then ahead was the road bridge which looks very
dull in comparison. |
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I soon reached the Tesco store where I
bought 2*2lt of water at 17p per bottle. |
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Sweep of
the Tay Rail Bridge |
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I rode to the
RRS Discovery ship in dry dock then continued along the path and
cycle track then under the road bridge. I followed the roads for a
while then the cycle track went through the dock area. Way marking
was poor and it would have been easy to miss it. At a secure area
the track went through secure metal gate that opened automatically.
At the far end of the track was another secure gate which was shut.
A sign said it opened automatically but it didn’t. I found a button
to press to open it then continued along the coast |
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Claypotts Castle looked impressive up ahead and I made a short
detour to have a closer look. It was built around 1570. The followed
urban roads for a while then along by sand dunes and then inland by
the railway. It was now a dedicated cycle track between the railway
and Ministry of Defence firing range and army camp. Wen the track
widened with a grassy area wide enough for a tent I stopped and set
up camp. The trains were very noisy and I could also hear the shouts
of marching instructions in the army camp. |
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Whittle Wanderer
