In the Spring of 1996 we were given the opportunity to live in Scotland for a six months so Eric could spend some time with a company design group located there. On the summer solstice we boarded a plane to the land of heather and moors and growing popular interest. We didn't really know what we would find, what to expect, but we packed our trusty bicycles anyway--you never know when they'll come in handy.

We were soon mired down in the details of making a new home; find a flat, discover the phone isn't touch-tone, buy sheets and towels, where is the supermarket? We did some sightseeing in Edinburgh the first week and found a flat in record time. Then we settled down to the business of settling down. Before we knew it, a month had gone by and the famed Edinburgh Festival was nearly upon us. A panic set in as we realized that six months could go by very fast and we might never get out of the city!

A cycle tour of Scotland sounded like a plan. The time was set for the end of September, just after the equinox. Much earlier would run into Festival, which we had determined not to miss. Much later would see the days getting to short and too cold for highland cycling. The Scottish Highlands Autumn Cycle Tour was in the works.