Paper Maps

I purchased a 20 year old road atlas on eBay ...  Philip's Navigator Scotland. I'm thinking not much has changed in 20 years for the kind of orientation I would benefit from using a paper map. 

I marked up my intended routes in yellow highlighter and will bring just the pages I need in a waterproof map case. Should be a good backup to the GPS and maps  on my Android Pixel.

The pages I will using are:

Here's an example of Map 65:

I'll have to read maps and keep my tires properly inflated all by myself:

I will have my maps read to consult ... but won't be riding Reynolds 531 on this ride 

Change of intended bicycle

I was beginning to think that life would be simpler if I rented a bicycle in Glasgow to use on this adventure. The logistics of packing and shipping, as luggage, a boxed bicycle (which I have done several times in the past) seemed a bit daunting.

So, for a mere 200 quid, I have reserved a very nicely equipped Ridgeback Vanteo from https://gearbikes.com/ . It'll have a rack for my panniers and a toolkit.

While I would have rather brought and used my Raleigh, I think this will be a bit more stress free.

J Arthur Dixon's Loch Lomand and the Trossards

 Found this tourist guide from the 1950s or 1960's ... now scanned.

I especially like this description and photo of the Duke's Road, which I plan to cycle:

Sketch of the Trossachs -A Postcard

 Another source for navigation

Perhaps this will be part of the experience?

 

Aberfoyle or Aberfoil?

The recommended ride for day one from Callander is a loop around Loch Katrine, deep in the heart of Rob Roy country. While taking the ferry from Stronachlachar for Trossachs Pier is recommended, I think I'll ride the full loop through Aberfoyle and Three Lochs Forest Drive. I'll see the full loch on my ride westward.

Classics Illustrated discussed the planned meeting between Rob Roy and Francis in the glens at the "Clachan of Aberfoil". I've got to check that out.

Good luck charms ready

 While on my Raleigh, I ride with a 1971 UK New Penny in my tube repair patch kit for good luck. 1971 is the year the Raleigh was manufactured, and the first year of the New Penny which was introduced for UK currency decimalization.

I've add a 1966 1 shilling Coin (the final year the shilling was minted) to add more good luck. This one is the Scottish version. With decimalization, the Shilling was valued at 5 New Pence for a while (until 1991) until it was removed from circulation. 

Here they are, along with patches for the English YHA (Youth Hostel Association) and the SYHA (Scottish Youth Hostel Association).