Economic downturn hits the Shire

It was an Indian summer and Junior I was travelling with friends from Aberdeenshire (known as the Shire for Hobbit fans)for the weekend before the Cockbridge road is closed for the winter. The Ironman is basking in Belgium and so it was only The Fit One and The Bigman available for team selection. With such a cracking day, they decided to head for the metropolis of Auchterarder and Cafe Kissa where the cakes are monstrous equalled only by the welcome.

The Fit One had been out re-hydrating last night and the 'benefits' were slowly kicking in. The pair lamented on the weather this year compared to one year ago when the LeJoG team handed over the baton in Hawick in a very very wet night. It was a good climb up and over Mont veknockhill to meet up with Junior I and his mate, known as The Cav Man. The climb up Glen Devon is always pleasant with the Cav Man commenting that the hills look like Telly Tubby Land! Clearly the dark nights in Aberdenshire lead to much re-watching of DVD's until the new stock arrives in the spring. Although he has a point, the landscape is familiar. The run down Glen Devon to Auchterarder was superb with the river flowing fast by our side. Golfers were out on Gleneagles in shorts and the locals were watching a football game topless. Now this is a good indication of real heat when the men of Auchterarder 'cast clouts before May is oot'.

A doze of carbs and we were soon on our way. But not before the deep pocketed and short armed men of Aberdeenshire claimed to have come out without money. Indeed it is a disease spreading faster than swine flu, as the Fit One had already caught the bug by Auchterarder! After checking whether there were any dishes needing washed, the Bigman paid the bill and we were allowed to leave. Returning may not bring such a monstrous welcome.

Junior I was living up to his podiun silver position on the International Col du Carnock meet as the guys started the climb back up Glen Devon. He was out of the seat and pounding the pedals as if a fiver was fluttering in the wind ahead of him. The Bigman, some years his senior, tucked in behind for the drag. The pair worked well togeher and soon wound in the 3 mile climb. At the top they waited for the chasing pack before gliding down past the loch and on to Powmill, base camp for Junior I for the weekend.

The climb over Mont Veknockhill was most enjoyable with the view across to Wallace monument at Stirling one of the finest in Scotland. As Bigman and The Fit One sped towards the crest, The Fit One claimed to be too tired to race to the crest today. Now Bigman has travelled far and wide, however never come down tthe clyde in a banana boat. And so it came to pass, the whirring noise of quickening tyres as the Fit One increased his pace, but alas, at the critical moment, a crash of gears meant momentum was lost and the climb belonged to the Bigman, at least for today.

A great day, great company, and great to meet The Cav Man, a new member of the growing band of Epic Caper characters!