I was joined all the way today by Alasdair and Pete from Ronde cycle club for a very enjoyable pedal to Crianlarich. The first bit of the ride to Kelty was quite familiar from regular club runs, including our regular scoot over the Forth Bridge and up to Cowdenbeath. We even met some clubmates out doing a secret early morning training spin.
We stopped for a well earned coffee and cake at Powmill, then a remarkably speedy haul up Glendevon and a brilliant descent to Gleneagles where apparently there was a bit of golf on… From there we picked up a brilliant back road which went last the ‘Rapha Therapy Centre’ – one for the aficionados of a certain reassuringly expensive cycling brand. Perhaps somewhere to have a quiet lie down after shelling out a mint on a pair of socks?
After a fortifying lunch at a very busy wildlife centre we whizzed down the hill to Comrie, then picked up another back road along Loch Earn, where we saw a mini hydro scheme, before tackling a pretty big climb up Glen Ogle. Thanks to Alasdair for tapping out an impressive but matchable pace all the way. We put the hammer down for the last 15 miles or so, Pete in particular swooshing along in his new aero helmet. I’d attempt a description but only a photo can do it justice!
Great to get to Crianlarich at the impressive clip of 17.5 miles an hour. Chainganging along with Pete and Alasdair made a huge difference. You can spin along at 20 but it feels like 15 if you each share turns at the front. A bit like using lots of intermittent renewables to provide a constant power source. Tomorrow I suspect will be considerably steadier!
things that might have been otherwise 