In 2009 I gave myself a 50th birthday present and took my bike to the UK for a 6-week trip. I spent most of that time in Scotland, riding from London to Edinburgh to Aberdeen and the Gold Coast, then down the Hebrides to the Isle of Skye. I took the ferry to Northern Ireland, road to Belfast and then went back across to Glasgow, and finally returned to London.

I spend the first 10 days on my bike crying because my ass hurt so much, but then I hardened up and really started to enjoy the scenery. It was fortunate that Scotland was so stunning because even after I got in shape, I did spend a lot of my time walking and pushing my heavily laden bike uphill through the Scottish mountains. Everywhere I turned there was some natural or architectural wonder. It was a wonderful tour, especially since I did it alone. Biking solo meant there were no companions to frustrate with my frequent photo stops, and I could take as long as I wanted to explore in any direction I liked.

I’d like to go back and do a walking tour (in truth, I don’t love to bike), but until then these photos will have to serve.