The Duracell duels with Range Rover

With the Ironman tapering down for his Nessie Marathon next week, a flattish route was the venue for today's outing on the road bikes.

With The Fit One unavailable for team selection today, the posse was made up of some old favourites. Santiago has not been on his bike since the Col du Carnock International meet at the end of August but has now got over his disappointment on not achieving a podium position. Similarly, The Duracell returned to the saddle with the posse for the first time since the Col du Carnock meet. It feels like so long since the Marathon Man last came out with the posse, that it was probably around the time some bloke was talking about taking a giant step for mankind. Bigman and The Ironman made up the complement.

What a cracking day. A stiff breeze out of the west would make it a challenging push out to the wild west. Stirling and the Corrieri's Cafe was the target destination. The sun was shining brilliantly and the temperature was racing up to 17 degrees. Bigman was taking no chances and went for full winter fleecy longs. Santiago has missed the changing season and was resplendant in summer gear. The Duracell had full change of clothes for all seasons in his saddle bags.

The Ironman joined the posse on the cycle track to Clackmannan having done a wee 4 mile jog to warm up before coming out. The banter along the cycle track to Clackmannan was tremendous as the pairings changed enabling each rider to catch up on what had been happening in the lives of others. The watching dog walkers tipped their forehead in recognition of the posse as it passed by. Perhaps they are part of the 650 highly intelligent blog watchers reading these pages. Many people of all shapes and sizes, ages and sports were represented on the cycle track today. The sun has that affect on people.

The miles sped past as the posse chatted their way to Stirling with limited race activity. Well not until the smell of fresh coffee reached the nostrils of the Duracell. The Duracell is a renowned connosseur of fine coffee and after the last roundabout he drove his spurs into the Dawes and over a 300 yards distance wound up to warp 9. Santiago was shaken as the wake from sonic waves washed by. Bigman spotted the move and slotted into the wind tunnel The duracell had created. In reality, he was sucked in as he was following just behind as warp power was achieved.

The traffic was moving slowly ( around 25 mph) and so Bigman 'road the wave' of a transit van all the way to the cafe.

It would be inappropriate to report who ate what. Suffice to say three of the posse enjoyed a fine hot segment Apple and Caramel tart doused in vanilla ice cream to build carbs for the return journey.

A decision was made to return by a different route. The posse would climb to Fishcross and ride along the ridge towards Coalsnaughton. The views acorss the Ochil mountain range was superb with Castle Cambell near Dollar looking magnificent as it clung to the hillside. On the way though Fishcross a young and impatient driver rammed his fiesta (complete with go faster tinted glass windows, bazooka looking exhaust pipe, and AC/DC blasting out the sun roof)(at least he has good taste in music)in to first gear and put his pedal to the metal. The smell of burning clutch took Bigman back to Alpe d'Huez with lorries and busses wrestling with the gradient.

Why the need to rush, when there is so much to look at. No time to stand and stare ..........

The Famous Five turned onto the link road across to Forestmill Cafe which includes a slight rise before you reach the cafe. With the exception of the entry to Stirling the ride had been peaceful with limited bursts of testorone induced acceleration. Santiago was about to change all this. As the climb arrived he eased to the front. Bigman sensing the increased urgency moved to match the pace and effortlessly tracked Santiago up the climb. The Marathon Man, showed his lack of match fitness by claiming to not recognise a race was taking place! He missed the signs.

As The duracell approached the junction with the Saline road he shared a wee tip with The Marathon Man about how to beat the junction without losing momentum. Unfortunately on this occassion a 4 litre Range Rover was approaching from the West. Having a rapid risk assessment, The Duracell concluded teh likelihood of the Range Rover coming off worst in the duel wa slight and not one to be banked upon. The Duracell wisely gave way.

The climb over to Gowkhall was a gentle affair with the scenery being inhaled. A great day out covering 45 miles through some of Scotland's finest scenery. Great to be out with such a fine group