The road ahead
Today was again warm, starting with a clear sky but with variable cloud cover throughout the day. We got away at 09:15 for an easy ride to Portree, the main settlement on Skye where we spent three hours shopping and lunching. Then we whizzed along towards Glen Brittle with the wind behind us and wonderful views of the spiky Cuillin Ridge in front of us.
When we were about halfway there, I became aware of a knocking sound emanating from my front wheel. On slowing down, it became apparent that a front brake block was striking a kink which had appeared on the rim. Not having much option, I set off again cautiously and the banging became more pronounced so I stopped again. At that instant, the inner tube exploded, ripping off nine inches of rim and propelling it into the road. I put the bike down and went over to pick it up, only it was too hot to touch. Next I inspected the damage. The wheel was wrecked and there was no way to continue. I phoned the bike shop at Portree on the off chance that someone could come out with a replacement - it was a one man business so no chance, but I established that they had a replacement in stock. Next I tried the hostel to see if the warden could suggest anything. I'd just got through when a couple coming the opposite way in a car stopped. They'd seen Rowan waiting at the junction a mile or so ahead and looking worried, and they'd recognised him from our lunch stop in the Portree café.
Somehow we crammed three people, my panniers and the bike into their car and they delivered me to the hostel, 13 miles on down a single track road - which was amazingly kind of them and helped me out of a tricky spot.
I checked the bus timetable on arrival.
There was a service to Portree at 10:00, returning late afternoon so I could
get to Island Cycles. As it happened, we spoke to a couple of people on a
walking course who had a rest day tomorrow and had decided to spend it in
Portree - so I had a lift arranged!