Phew what a scorcher......

Fife was in all it's glory this morning. I'd been out for a wee 4 mile run first thing as the sun was rising in the east and I knew it was going to be a cracking day for a ride.

We met on the bike path at Carnock. A fairly full squad rocked up including Bigman, Duracell, marathon man and santiago. It was great to catch up with the boys and the chat shared our recent stories as we sped down to Alloa. Santiago and Marathon Man took most of the wind with Duracell and myself taking up rear gunner position as we took the benefit of the draft most of the way to Corrieries in Bridge of Allen.

The bigman was sharing a story from this months cycling mag which advised of the world record speed of 166mph. This seems impossible but it was done with a drag car leading a guy out. Apparently he'd tried trains and other forms but the drag car was the best option. It's amazing to think that the someone has achieved that speed. I get scared at 40mph!!!

The bigman decided to try and break the record on the way into the Bridge of Allen. He drafted behind our own drag car aka Duracell on the Dawes and then pulled out of the slipstream to sprint to the cafe. We soon discovered the reason for the sprint was to insure the procurement of a slice of caramel apple pie with ice cream - well they might have been running out. World records in the Gillespie Crusaders will created through the offer of cakes and coffee!

Corrieries is one of the great cafes on our route. It's a cyclist cafe come chippy with old classic cycling tops in frames on the wall. There is a great painting/print of a 50's race up the Col Du Galibier, one of the Bigmans conquests in the summer. I asked him if he had noticed that the picture show the guys nearing the top of the ascent on the big front cog!! Technology has moved on so much but the strength and power of the guys in the picture was awesome and inspiring.

We went back through Fishcross and back towards Saline. There's a wee climb as you close in on the junction with the main road. It's a classic sprint. To beat the bigman these days would take a colossus who is on form! Santiago, was in the great words of Clint Eastwood, feeling lucky. He wound up his bike and pushed his way to the front of the pelaton. The Bigman read the move and quietly moved into position for the kill. It was over before it started. Santiago had gone far too early. He will learn from the experience and come back a wiser racer next time out.

The journey home was bathed in autumnal sunshine. It had been a warm and refreshing run in the sun. We'd completed 60km at an enjoyable speed and caught up with good friends.

Cycling brings people together like few other sports. It's an individual event but the friends that you make with out training and sharing coffee are friends that you value. I tell the guys moving to Fife is one of the best decisions that I've made. They are a good bunch.