Day 0 | Orientation Day

At 8:30 a.m. I cross the bridge over the River Ness and start exploring the area on foot. As the largest city in the Highlands, Inverness is about the size of Fredericton and it’s packed with culture. I stop for breakfast at Wild Pancakes.

From there I walk to the bike shop in search of a new helmet. I had lost track of how old mine was, and I learned recently that they’re supposed to be replaced every five years. The sticker inside my current helmet says 2014, so I’m well overdue for an upgrade.

I check out of my hotel at noon and get a taxi to the other hotel where the tour will start. My first priority is putting the bike back together. The wheels, handlebars, pedals and saddle all had to come off to fit in the travel case, and now they have to be put back on, ideally in precisely the same position so as not to affect my riding. If the seat or handlebars are too high or low, it can lead to pain in the knees, back or shoulders.

At 6 p.m. I get to meet the other riders. Paul and Fiona, who will be leading us on this trip, provide a briefing on how it’ll work each day. We’re welcome to ride at our own pace, but it’s a good idea to time our departure so we reach the arranged lunch stop when the van will be there. In other words, I may need to leave later than I’m accustomed to.

There are only 11 of us doing the ride, eight Brits and three Canadians. They have to cap it at 12 because some of the places where we’ll stay are too small to accommodate a larger group.

A fun fact about this hotel, built in 1856, is that the staircase was the inspiration for the one in the movie Titanic.

At the moment, someone is playing bagpipes outside on the street.

Tomorrow we ride to Strathcarron, a wee hamlet west of here.