Ironman gives it all .................... too soon.

For the first time this week, it was settled sky and the team was all available for our Saturday morning outing. Bigman, Ironman, The Fit One, and Santiago.

Bigman even took the opportunity to leave behind the winter jacket and longs but still took preventative measures to include the overshoes. In Cycling, there is only one thing worse than a wet shorts and that is wet feet.

Ironman was on the spare bike as he waits for a delivery of 'go faster' spokes and the Fit One is having a 'go faster' big ring fitted to his Scott and so they may both be at a disadvantage today. The bookies will sleep easy today confident that the clever money may not have been wisely invested.

They sped up Mont VeKnochill and out to Yetts of Muckhart and then up Glen Devon to Auchterarder. It was indeed a glorious day to be out amongst the hills and glens of Scotland.

A fine coffee stop at Kissa Cafe in Auchterarder and they were carbed up for the climb back up through Glen Devon. Ironman and Bigman had a good head of steam and zoomed up the climb at about 24kph with the chasing pack behind. Santiago and the Fit One were holding back as they will be taking part in the final stage of the Tour de France in Paris tomorrow so have have decided to hold something in reserve.

A short sprint competition took place as we approached the hotel. santiago had been looking good int eh earlier spreints and so he was kept in the dark about th finishing line Iromant hs foottal and spd in what he felt was an unassailabe lead. ah the impetuous nature of youth. So many before him, in their search for Tour stage glory, have gone too fast, too soon,. And so it came to pass, Bigman tucked in behind Ironman, with 20 yards to go eeked past him on the outside in time to cross hene much to the audible disappointment of the Ironman.

As the radio version of a replay took place over the next couple of miles, the pace lightedned to allow for recovery time before teh final climb of teh day back over Mont VeKnochill, our local Mont Ventoux. There was no LAnce, no Contador, the Schleks were busy and Bradley had anotehr important date and so it was left to Ironman, Santiago, The Fit One, and Bigman to fight it our for the polka dot jersey of the day. Fresh for his alpine altitude training camp the Bigman had teh metres in his legs to hold off the young pretenders.

77km covered at an average speed of 26kph is a good average given the climbs. Only slightly slower than their kindred spirits on the other Mont Ventoux!