Electric Dreams

Loudoun's Cyclists started from Seafield in Ayr this weekend. It makes sense as you can get bored of your local routes and its good to freshen it up for a little while. We headed out towards Straiton for lunch before heading back into Ayr via the Electric Brae. Its basically a hill that thanks to an optical illusion looks like its uphil but its actually slightly downhill.

The weather was excellent and the scenery was spectacular on the coast. I had cycled to meet the group in Ayr so I extended the day by 60km but the weather was perfect for it.
Ayrshire is a good challenge for cycling especially towards the South. Its a constant up/downhill experience.
Good day though and my giant bag of Salt and Vinegar crisps well earned!

Commuting Routing

The commute to work isn't a very interesting blogging event but a route done regularly can let you know how you are fairing in the fitness and performance stakes.
Today's commute was good news then as I did the 19 mile round trip (admittedly with a days work in between the both halves) in 56 minutes. As time trialling goes I think I am getting better! Just wish the drivers on the A71 would avoid trying to kill me regularly!

Mountain Hikes and 3 Clean Bikes

As part of the Irvine Valley Walking Festival a mountain bike session is put on. The route takes in the back roads behind Newmilns and Darvel and the Whitelees Windfarm. Loudoun Academy's cycling group used this as their cycle so I tagged along.
2 things. 1. Much better weather than the same event last year where some of us had mild hypothermia (gotta love Scotland in May) and 2. 10am start time was much better than last weeks Etape start at 6:48am.
Pace was nice and easy which I was quite happy with (occasionally bleaching everyone on the hilss to remind them I'm King of them there Mountains), and a pleasant 34km ride was completed. One interesting stop to see a grave that is right in the middle of nowhere but has been saved from destruction in the middle of the wind farm  Whoever Euphemia White was I'm not sure she thought her eternal rest would have the whir of windmills in the background!
Anyway, Upon finishing the MTB needed a clean after it's too rare and outing. Next one should be the 50km marathon in Selkirk. I took the opportunity to clean up the Road bike after last weeks Etape residue still lay on its carbon surface and the CUBE got a deserved clean from its commuting duties.
All in all a good Sunday on bikes and faffing with them too!

Etape Caledonia

For my first Etape, nothing could've been better except maybe a little warmer. The weather was dry, the route was superb, the camp site was perfect, the company was good, closed roads are great and the atmosphere first class.
An early start time (6:48am) was probably the greatest challenge of the day but it was managed and the legs quickly het up on the move in big groups of cyclists.
It wasn't the hilliest route for a cycle in the Highlands but it did have its moments.
Really pleased with my time of 4hours 27minutes (from my Garmin). The weight loss and training is really paying off and having a stone less to carry up hills is a major bonus.

My official time was 4:40 but there was a toilet stop and queue for, which took 10-12 minutes as the natural rhythms of the body in the morning took hold near the second feed stop....better I cease this part of the story now.

Really looking forward now to the 50km MTB at Selkirk in June and hope the fitness keeps improving!

Mostly Commuting

Over the last two weeks the cycling has returned to mostly commuting and with my job sized back back to class teacher I am back with a shorter commute (and smaller salary).
Never the less it is a good quick route which gives me a chance to do two 10 mile TT's every day racing against myself. I am pleased that there is improvement.
Did go on the Sunday run with the Loudoun Academy group on Sunday though. Only a 30 mile loop from Darvel to Muirkirk then over to Sorn and Galston before returning home. Enjoyed clear roads on the Muirkirk stretch as the road was closed because of a bridge repair (did have to climb over/through work site).
All being said that's a couple of hundred miles in the legs in the last two weeks and with the 5:2 diet helping shift a stone I'm looking for a good time in the Etape Caledonia next week.