The man with the iron mask.....

What a great day. My first time over Glendeveon.

The Bigman picked me up later than usual and we set off to Auchterarder. It was chilly first thing and the bigman was dressed in spring to winter kit with a minor concession by wearing shorts. He had more layers on than a Gordon Ramsay puff pastry.....

We set off at a brisk pace up to Saline, a couple of club bikers went past us and we grabbed a lift on the back of the train. That took us up to Knockhill. The climb seemed easier than usual and we were rocking along.

The turnoff over Glendeveon opened up a new road for me. It was tremendous ride up the Glen on a beautiful road with stunning scenery. We floated up to the top of the hill with wings in our legs. We hadn't stopped pushing and the blast down to Auchterarder was a pleasant respite if not a little concerning as we considered the climb back up.

I played golf up until a few years ago most weekends but even the fine greens at Gleneagles didn't have the attraction of they once had. Auchterarder is home to many cafe's and we picked on of the finest. Cafe Kris is home to a fine toastie and even finer apple pie with caramel topping. We enjoyed the luxury of an extra coffee before setting off on the climb home.

The bigman had talked long about the hill but in reality it was a piece of pie (possibly apple with caramel topping!) - the hill was over before it started - I reckon it was the good company but the bigman only had me for company so I don't know what powered him up the hill. We averaged over 20kph all the way up. The bigman couldn't believe it was over and took some convincing that we were at the top.

Once over the top I engaged my iron head and we really turned on the power. We pushed hard all the way back and the trip home reminded me of racing on the bike leg of the ironman. We climbed Knockhill quickly passing a couple of other bikers like they were stood still and were rewarded with the downhill back to Dunfermline.

Another cracking day with the bigman - big respect to him for keeping up an average of 33kph all the way home especially after completing 35 miles before he met me. The bigman is very fit.

The scenery, climbs and weather were fab but the highlight was still the apple pie!

For the record, the diet is going pretty well with today's weigh in showing a 4lb loss for the week. It's not taken huge changes but a lot of little changes and the iron wife has been a great support.

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.