Entering the twilight zone ....................

Another cracker of a day and all the promise of a superb autumn evening. What better way to celebrate harvest season but with a twilight outing on the 'tractors'. The Ironman, fresh from international duty,accompanied by BIgman set out for one of Fife's most iconic ascents - Col du Cleish with its chiselled out cliff faces as you ascend the north face complete with hairpin bend (one).

The sun was beginning to rest for the day as it hesitated on the barley fields before turning the country side golden as it hid behind fields before disapperaring from view.

A role reversal took place with the pair swapping clothes. Well, not literally, The Ironman was resplendant in winter longs and full waterproof jacket and winter gloves. The Bigman, instead, went for teh summer look with shorts and fingerless mitts and no waterproof.

The plan was to kit up with full lights and do 4 climb repetitions of Clesih. This means climbing 2000ft, equivalent of 66% of Table Mountain which is day one of the Cape Epic and a distance of 40k which is twice the distance of the Table Mountain climb prologue stage on day 1.

It was great to be out on such a perfect night. The lights of Kinross sparkled as they viewed Perth and Kinross from teh crest of Cleish.

Somewhere out there, The Fit One, Santiago, and Junior II are forming a tandem posse with the Talking Tandem charity crew. It is a great night for cycling.

The Fit One sinks a square sausage

Today, the Saturday training run had its own peleton including an international field. The Ironman, The Fit One, Bigman, The Duracell, and The Wee Yin (formerly known as Mrs Bigman, and a guest appearnace from overseas by The Gasman.

As the peleton headed out to climb Mont VeKnockhill there was a lot of smur around, and it was pretty dreich. The weather may have been damp however the spirits were not dampened with lots of chat amongst the group as they interchanged cycling partners. Even the passing motorists were plaeased to see a bunch of cyclists out riding with one going so far to give an elongagted blast of his horn with digit dexterity a feature of his celebratory waving. No idea who he was, nor the reason for his excitement however it is good to see so many happy people on the road!

A strong westerly blasted the peleton along to Loch Leven's Larder where The Fit One devoured a roll masking a square sausage, to build carbs for the tough cycle back over the North Face of Col du Cleish.( This was supported by a Scotch Pie at half time at the Scotland game in the afternoon)

The Gasman, The Fit One and The Ironman were all a bit adventurous sporting summer shorts for such a foul day. Having ascended the North Face of Col du Cleish, the peleton took up their positions for the race section back to Dunfermline. The Fit One found himself at the front, known as a strategic gaffe so early in the race. The pace was pedestrian when the Duracell broke for the front on the Dawes creating a wind vacuum in his wake.The Ironman was next to take the lead ramping up the pace. The Fit One found himself boxed in as the finishing line moved into view.

The Ironman engineroom called for more steam however it was not to be today and the sprint snuffed out. Bigman cranked up the pace and from a boxed in postion it was always going to be difficult for The Fit One to build the pace to chase down Bigman. The Gasman and The Wee Yin looked on with amusement at the antics of the aged!

Despite the early damp weather, the banter was great as everyone looked forward to vitory this afternoon. A great day out.

PS George Burley did not phone the Duracell

Duracell in late Scotland call up ...........maybe!

It was the Thursday night footie and Bigman was making a guest appearance to boost the numbers. As it turned out there were eleven players and so Captain Duracell selected the sides with him and the Bigman making up the bulk (literally) of the five man side. After 30 mins, one could be forgiven for thinking Berti Vogts was back in Scotland in charge of a five a side footie team.

The side of five were getting a pasting! And then, there was a penalty and the Duracell realised 'they are handing, the ball, to me' to steal the lyrics from a famous song.With all the guile and poise of a Wolverhampton striker, he sent the keeper the wrong way leaving a wide open goal. In keeping with true Scotland fashion he slammed the ball over the bar!

But this was a moment that changed the game. You could be forgiven to think the boys went on the loose 20 - 0. Mais non! It all game together. The team were inspired by Captain duracell and went on to score 11 without reply, winning by three goals.

Needless to say the other side were devastated.

The Duracell is staying in tonight. Just maybe George will give him a call for the Macedonia game tomorrow.

Bigman's gone mad.....

The plan was to meet up for an hour. The day looked promising. The sun shone all morning and it was looking good for our 2pm rendevous to take on the Carnock Epic course....

I got up early and jumped onto the treadmill - it's great having one in the house cos you can run in whatever you fancy - today it was my boxers. Not got the physique of a greek olympic athlete....yet! So with my interval session done I headed off to the office knowing that I'd get out later on the bike. Intervals are where you alternate between fast and steady pace to raise your heart rate and increase performance.

As I mentioned it was muggy and warm - good news. The bad news came at about 1:30 - rain - not just any old rain but heavy downpours of the stuff. Bit a mixed summer so far. I wonder what has happened to the promised scorcher! So I called the bigman and suggested that we delay. I suppose I wimped out, a pathetic effort from one who is aiming to take on the Cape epic next year.

No wimping for the bigman - he stormed out on the knockhill loop in the rain. The weather is no barrier to a man on a mission. Given the sheer quality of the downfall including some lovely thunder and lightning (Although that may have been the big(mad)man blasting through Carnock in Back to the Future stylie!) I was stunned he set off. Mind you, he's so fit he probably was able to dodge the rain!

Tomorrow's a new opportunity and I plan another run - a steady tempo session and a spin set on the bike.

The back wheel has been delivered to the shop for a new (aero dynamic) spoke and I ordered a new Shimano compact chainset for the Trek. I don't think it will make a huge difference but it might make me think I'm better on the hills....

I finally weighed myself post holiday and I'm under 14 st and given the number of cakes I ate in Brittany some sort of miracle has occurred! Croissants must be a weight loss aid after all.....

Conquering the Col De Carnock

The Fit One rocked up to the house at the back of six tonight. Changed and ready to roll out on an extended Saline loop.

It was the best day of the year with the car temperature peaking at 27deg - it was cooler at 6pm but still just fantastic. You can imagine why the europeans from warmer climbs enjoy biking so much because tonight was a joy. If the bigman had been with us even he might have donned short sleeves and no gillet! But then again maybe not....

We set off and climbed up to Saline, the easterly wind blew us down to Forest Mill. It was magic - a warm breeze and we were flying. We turned up to Clackmannan chatting away, ignoring the speed and enjoying good craic. We were surprised that we were moving as fast as we were giving we weren't really trying.

When we turned into the wind it didn't seem so bad so we kept the speed on all the way back to Cairneyhill via a new loop along the coast that The Fit One knew. I'd not been that way before but it was really scenic and a nice alternative to the main road.

Through Cairneyhill we turned to face the Col. The Fit One nervously flicked at his gears. He cycles with a 54 big ring on the front - a serious big ring. The guy in Hardies bike shop told us recently that you would need to be travelling at over 40mph to need more than a 50 big ring. So you can imagine the speed the Fit One can generate when on the his big ring flat out.

Anyway, back to the gears. His front derailleur has been jamming and he's not been able to change down to the small front climbing ring. The col was getting closer. The Fit One looked over and said 'I'll just have to do it on the big ring' - I knew that if he did this feat he would become a local legend but kept my mouth shut....

The col was approaching, the big ring was straining and The Fit One was flying.

At the bottom of the hill you can look up and see the white house at the top of the hill - it seems a long way - with this in site I heard a crunch and a yee ha from behind - the Fit One had changed gears.

We turned over the cycle path and crossed the bridge, took the final turn and started the climb. A pretend 4 wheel drive appeared behind - you know they call them Freelanders - for people that think they want a four wheel drive but end up with a big car. The car squeezed past the Fit One and then drove up behind me. I had decided to rip up the hill and was kicking the bike from side to side taking up a fair amount of road. Next thing I knew there was a blast of the horn and the guys pushed past forcing me into the grass verge - I was really hacked off - if he'd waited it would have cost him all of 30 seconds but he couldn't wait. At one point I thought I might get hit by the car but fortunately he missed.

Anyway The Fit One managed to share a word of encouragement with him and he had his window open so hopefully he understood a concise and clear message about his driving skills.....

We reached the top and glided back down to Carnock. It had been a fab ride 45km in 1:30 - a good average speed with a few decent climbs in excellent conditions with good company.

Hopefully out again tomorrow......

Gillespie Wheelers....

At the fabulous Loch Leven's Larder yesterday......

The rogue's gallery, from the left - the new wheeler, Fit One, Santiago and the Bigman.

The Un-named alias joins the peleton

After yesterday's brilliant experience, the Bigman received a text from an alias yet to be named inviting him to join him on a bike ride this morning. This could not be refused. It would have been impolite, more sun was forecast, it would have been madness. At 9.00 we met at the home of the unnamed alias who recently purchased a new Carerra road bike and agreed this was a day to visit the coffee shop with the finest views in Perth andKinross - Loch Leven's larder. We blasted up through Townhill so fast I can hardly remember the hill. The heat in the sun kissed our unshaven legs as we pounded into the easterlywind. A couple of Lejoggers were making their way over the Cleish. One was walking with his bike. The Bigman lifted the worried burden from his brow by letting him know he was only 25 years from the top. He returned a reluctant smile. He was carrying a sleeping mat on the rucksack on his back. Having recently done Lejog in 62 hours, Bigman knew his journey had some tales that best remain untold.

They flew past the Birdwatching cafe at Vane farm and up to Scotlandwell. What awesome scenery we have in Scotland.

In short order they arrived at Loch Leven's larder. Bigman flashed his loyalty card which was met with an appreciative smile. Bramble and Apple pie was on the menu. Yahoo! They made it a double. Mrs Bigman phoned from her work during the rest and he shared the views across the telephone. Something must have happened with the signal as he appeared to get cut off abruptly.

As they started back on the road, Bigman could smell the intrepidation oozing from the unnamed alias. The wind was their friend, however he had not yet made an acquaintance with the Cleish and The Bigman was once again aboard the Madone.

The unnamed alias is an experienced marathon man and knows the value of breathing. One key strategy he shared was to focus on breathing out. Apparently the other half of the respiratory pattern takes care of itself if you get the first half right! Just goes to show you are always learning!

A good climb was had by all and we breezed down the other side. It is great to cycle in Scoland.

Duracell's Galaxy struggles at warp speed

After a focus yesterday on building upper body strength ( otherwise known as cutting the grass and weeding the clay patch in the garden), it was back to business as usual today....... at least for some of us. An hour in the gym followed by muscle relaxation in the sauna before dashing back to join TheDuracell and A N Other for a 40 mile circumvention of Loch Leven including a stop off at my favourite Perth and Kinross Cafe - Loch Leven's Larder. After an arduous climb over Mont VeKnockhill in a sweltering 18.5 degree heat, we swiftly shifted up a gear aand cruised around the loch gazelle like. The Duracell on his Dawes Galaxy breaks through the wind with all the finesse of a bull in a china shop.

Talking of breaking wind, I have to ask what is the Ironman doing dining out in Edinburgh restaurants when there is training to be done?

The silence of the Earl Grey and mixed berry pie on the veranda overlooking the lochside was only shattered by the sound of The Fit One calling to advise me to watch the Cape Epic Felt video on U-Tube and be afraid!!!!

It was good to get back out on the bike with the Duracell. I was reminded how long it had been when he expressed surprise to see the new Kinross High School almost finished. It had been a field when he had last cycled past this way.

I need have no fear about his commitment and fitness for our forthcoming Highland Adventure - 350 miles traversing the wild mountains of Scotland before heading south along the mountainous west coastline from Ullapool to Fort William and onto Killin befor returning to the Kingdom. ( More of our Highland Adventure to follow - don't miss next week's blogspot)

He climbed the Cleish as if it was a mere pimple in his way, before accelerating to warp speed on the downhill section. The rear mudgard did not cope well with re-entry to sub 1000ft and will need repairs by the Wingman before the Duracell takes once more to the air.

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? :-)