Scotland is Awesome

What a cracking day yesterday. Scotland is an awesome country to see on a bike. The sky without a cloud, Loch Rannoch a shimmering deep blue, and the mountains multiple shades of green. There was a bit of an easterly wind however The Ironman 'enjoyed' a tailwind all day.

The primary purpose of the trip was to get personal with the two larger clims up to the Queen's View and also over the Schehallion Shoulder. They welcomed us back with open arms! The Queen's view was scaled with surprising ease. The sign indicating 100yds to go appeared in short order and the glide downhill with awesome views towards Schehallion ove the Loch Tummel were some of the best I have seen anywhere in Scotland. My plan to count the pedal strokes as we climbed Schehallion failed miserably as I lost count at about 536 with a significant chunk of the hill still to go. The Ironman blasted up the hillside and it would not have been wise to be on his wheel for that section. The Fit One was in good climbing form at this point and easily accelerated up Alpe de Schehallion, the mechanical challenges already consigned as a part of history and folklore.

At this point my back started to have a couple of twinges. It could have been the energy gel packed in the rear pocket which would have been better consumed if only I could have manage to break into the pocket. It will need to be fingerless mits for raceday if I expect to take on food. As you reach the watershed before you drop into Aberfeldy, the view is breathtaking. we are indeed fortunate to have such a beautiful landscape on our doorstep. Each of us felt we had failed in the eating department and so the last 20 miles was a bit of head down and grind it out. But not to the point of failing to enjoy the silvery Tay meandering alongside the road with white stoppers every now and again, as boulders sought to trip up the flow. Majestic.

The climb out of Logierait is more of a challenge on raceday as a hundred or so riders who have enjoyed the full width of a closed road squeeze sardinelike into a single track road on an estimated 1 in 5 climb. I recall bleeting sheeplike last year to lighten the sense of humour failure of some of the more serious participants demonstrating some unfortunate bike rage.

75 miles done in an elapsed time on 4hr:15 and the body weight has now dropped to 13st 10lbs.

In summary yesterday reminded me of the camoradory of cycling. Chatting as you ride fast in the peleton. It is a sport about racing against yourself whilst encouraging all around to achieve everything they can on the day. Encouragement of others cost nothing however brings great reward to everyone. It was a great team to be in yesterday and everone was a winner in their own way.

PS Anyone got tips to get stains out of leather car seats? :-)