Attn: CC Ecosse 21 Feb

[ACS]

I am thinking about doing the 34 miler. Had a bad time on last week’s Audax, 66 miles, 3806 feet of climbing got under 6 hours (disappointed was hoping for nearer 5.30), took until Wednesday to recover. The day was cold, the last part 200m of the Rig vertical, and I do not think I took on enough fluids, live and learn. Would I do it again? Course I would, great event, no need for route map plently of other riders to hang off the back of.

The last RT I took part in was more like a club run, fast boys to the front, what you cannot keeps up! Quote “if you can talk you are not trying hard enough!” I was chewing the stem at the time trying to hold on half way up the Glenfoot climb and my definition of 'talk' does not include 'grunting' while trying not to to cover my overshoes with vomit.

May just drop off the back if it becomes ‘competitive’ and get back in time to suck the tea bag dry. I’ll be the haggard one on the Tricross with a Brooks saddle.
Andy

 

[Noodley]

The day was cold, the last part 200m of the Rig vertical

I did try to warn you....

I'm nowhere near fit enough for anything just now.

Maybe soon.

 

[ACS]

I did try to warn you....

I'm nowhere near fit enough for anything just now.

Maybe soon.

I had your very words ringing in my ears. It was just that last bit, slight right hand bend then up, but I will know for next time.

 

[kfinlay]

SB I've been told it will be a bit like a club run but there be quite a lot of guys not 'racing' or 'competing' including a few from my LBS - you may well see me talking to them at the start - they are a good easy going bunch so you would get on well with them, I'll keep my eyes open for you but I do get easily distracted at these things.
Looks like it will be cold early on but get better as we ride a bit like today really. Me and my mate may try and keep up with the quicker guys once they go but will see how the legs (and bum ) are doing on the day. And at the end some nice grub and soup

 

[ACS]

I can recommend the The White Chimneys Cafe in Pitscottie as a filling station. At the Pitscottie crossroads straight on, 25 m on the left. You can get your Sunday paper as well. Bonus!

Great place to rest your bones if the cold gets to you.

 

[kfinlay]

Sounds like a good RV location too although maybe a bit out of the way for anyone outside of the Kingdom! I'll be okay in the cold - merino base layer, long sleeve jersey and outer shell, gloves winter Bib longs and I'll be fine I had 2 layers on when we had the RV in Milnathort back in October, see you there buddy,

 

[kfinlay]

Well got up this morning to -6C temps and frosty roads but at least no

Met up with my mate and got along to see that many others were up for it too, all ages from 13 to about 70 by the looks of it By this time it was -2C and the roads clearing nicely but dangers on parts the sun hadn't reached.
The runs were split into 4 groups, fast guys went first on the 64 miler, then the steady paced guys on their 64 miler, next the 35 milers (including me ) and finally the MTB guys on their 35 miler.

The course started nice and steady and even got a few cheers along the way and lots smiles. Our group was about 15 or so I think, I mixed a bit and had a chat to a few guys - all in all a great bunch. The group was well organised with one guy doing main organising, keeping things together with the occasional stop to let some catch up. There was one main climb that wasn't steep but steady and maybe 2.5-3km long. I didn't know the road so just got into a steady rhythm so I knew I could keep going to the top - got up there about 5th (had about 400m to go when the first guy got to the top).

Not long after the first climb we had a long steady decent and had to watch out for ice/slush in the road. Unfortunately I didn't keep an eye out well enough and while running just behind and just on the outside right of my mate suddenly hit a large patch of slushy ice right in the middle of the road on a gently left hand bend - I didn't see it until the last second so had no way of avoiding it - tried to keep it steady but the front jumped sideways and off I slid. Tried to control it a little more out of instinct that skill so I didn't have a hard landing as were were doing about 20-25mph. Got up straight away the bike seem ok, no major damage, just a scuff on my bars and pedal so very lucky. Me? I had ripped my longs at the knee and side of my thigh - nothing serious just a bit of road rash and few wee cuts. Pics HERE
Had a couple of other VERY close shaves and so did one or two others so it was one of those days to take care. Anyway jumped back on the bike and led the 3 of us back to the main group.

The rest of the route was quite undulating with no major climbs just a few short ones with nothing too steep some good scenerly too but had to be ever watchful of the road.

We all had a good safe run back, with the group splitting about 14 miles from the end. Me and my mate John got caught out chatting when we realised the quicker guys were about half a mile up the road so we got working together to real them in, each taking a turn in front. Thought that they wouldn't be going too hard due to the type of ride especially as we caught them making the best gains on the inclines. Was well chuffed as I've never been on a ride like this before and even overtook one or two on the run in who seemed to have lost their legs a bit. During the last mile I was running at the front and had a wee chat with the guy who had been constantly in the front group and did best on the main climb, he had asked me how I was and I told him my legs were fine - it's usually my bum bones that are giving me pain (but not today ), was surprised when he said he was knackered and needed to get more miles in this early in the season!

Got back to base and lots of lovely grub - 3 types of soup, stovies, sandwiches, cake, fruit loaf, hot cross buns, fresh juice, rolls - what a great spread they laid on for us. We got the best choice too as our group was first back so all the better but there was so much there was plenty for all.
Would just like to give a big thanks to all those who helped with the organising and I'll be making it a part of my cycling each year but next year it's the long fast ride (I hope ).

Sorry for the long post but you did ask

 

[ACS]

Apologies for my non appearance. Got a call last night to say one of my many brothers in law had been an emergency admission to the Southern General in Glasgow, so the run out had to be set aside for all the right reasons.

Good report by the way.