Molly and I both had the opportunity to practice a new skill during today’s ride … the fine art of Sheep dodging. While biking uphill, in fact way uphill into a p-Scottish Highland valley where we are spending the night, we often found our way forward blocked by the local residents!

Down by the sea, families were out and about enjoying the fine weather. Mr. and Mrs. Gray Goose watched over the kids. (even though rare to see in the Duluth area … believe this family might be Greater White-Fronted Geese).

Read more about Molly and my three week bike tour of Scotland …

Molly’s impressions of our trip via her blog:
https://superiorfootprints.org/tag/scotland-tartan-cycling-tour/

Our daily bike trip diary via Crazy Guy on a Bike:
http://www.crazyguyonabike.com/doc/ScotlandTartanTour

Photographs: (edited after returning home … real bird names added)

1. The fine art of Sheep dodging on a bike
2. A Scottish Highlands vista. Will eventually climb the mountain in the distance
3. Gray Goose Family 1 (Graylag Geese)
4. Gray Goose Family 2 (Graylag Geese)
5. Our route through yesterday … 451 miles biked … not flat!

And the John James Audubon cycling tour through Scotland continues. Today’s new bird was found when beautiful song attracted my eyes to a nearby treetop. Amazingly, singing just before supper I found the Caledonian Rust-Throated Canary. Given spring is making itself obvious on the Isle of Harris in the Outer Hebrides, this bird was obviously in search of mate! Same challenge as yesterday for my readers!

On the cycling side of the equation, we were thrilled to only deal with huge climbs and steady headwinds of 30 mph (much stronger gusts). To reach Harris from Lewis we had to climb a very tall mountain pass. When the headwinds for a short period blew across our route of travel, I was actually blown off the balance point of my bike. Thankfully, I was able to kick out of my pedals and avoid a fall. In addition, while trying to bike downhill at one point I decided to test the strength of the wind. Even though the downhill was reasonably steep, while trying to coast down the incline, the wind was able to blow me to a complete stop. I weigh 185 pounds; thus Isaac Newton was trying to help to no avail.

Photos: (edited after returning home … real bird names added)

• Caledonian Rust-Throated Canary (European Robin)
• 1/2 way up the mountain
• Our route through this evening

Continuing my bicycle journey as the Scottish John James Audubon, as I discover new birds (at least for me) Molly and I create names for our feathered friends. Thus, while starting out cycling in The Highlands a few mornings ago, the famous Black and White Highlander bird was spied.

After discovering this bird we rode down out of the Highlands to the port of Ullapool. Thankfully we arrived for our ferry to the Outer Hebrides before the rain began. We had wanted to catch the evening ferry because the advance forecast was for very strong winds. The combination of those winds, and ferry rides are never good news for Molly. As it turns out, our caution was well founded as now that we are on the Outer Hebrides Islands, the winds are screaming down out of the North in excess of 30 mph. The forecast actually noted gusts above 50 mph.

You may access our trip diary via the Crazy Guy on Bike Portal. In addition to reading our trip diary, try clicking upon the “Journal Link” in the top menu bar. You will access folks journaling about bike trips all over the world.

I am also am including another photograph of the Funky Petite Penguin. In addition I am issueing a challenge to my readers … be the first to comment with the real ID of the Black and White Highlander!

Finally, Molly and I stayed at an amazing hostel last night on the west coast of one of the Outer Hebrides Islands. See the photographs, but our lodging was in a beautifully restored 150 year old blackhouse village. The view out to sea was not bad either! Cheers.

Edited after returning home … real bird names added: Pied Wagtail and Oystercatcher