Loch Doon and Gelntrool

I enjoyed one of the best days I have had on the bike last weekend. On a crisp sunny day I put the bike on the roof and headed to Dalmellington. I was growing a bit tired of my local roads and needed a break and also the local roads in East Ayrshire are terrible. I parked just of the main road and headed up the side of Loch Doon before taking the forest drive over to the Glentrool road. I decided to climb the Tairlaw and head to Gelntrool as it was such a great day.
The visitor centre at Glentrool is open again and as a result I was able to have a great coffee and the best brownie I have ever had. (salted caramel flavour)
I headed back over the Tairlaw to take the climbing over the 1000m mark and headed back to the car via Straiton and Dalmellington.
I think I will do more drive and bike days. It keeps it refreshing and allows cycles to further a field roads less travelled.

The Longest Season and Super Quaichs

The longest cyclocross season ever just ended. The usual Scottish season finished before Christmas but a new mini series, The Super Quaich" started with a slightly different format. No age categories but A and B races based on ability and placings earlier in the season.
I really liked this format as it gave me something to race for. I have improved in fitness and skill over the years in CX but I'm never going to win in the seniors and was losing motivation so the B races gave me a reason to race and I pushed harder in them than normal races.
I  missed the first of the series at Rouken Glen as the ankle was still healing but I made it to round 2 at Rozelle PArk in Ayr for the Doonbank Trofee where I was actually in the A race. It was a total mudfest and no matter what race I was in I would not have enjoyed it. there was no part I enjoyed slogging through thick clay for an hour.

DOONBANK TROFEE

The next round was in Kirkcaldy for the Beveridge Park GP. I was in the B-Race for this but raced hard, despite almost missing the start, to finish 20th which I was really pleased with. It was mucky but I managed it all on one bike and a small park road climb offered me a chance on every lap to power past the field.

Last up was my first entry into the Dig in the Dock which to be honest is the best race Ive had or been involved in. Its a great course and suited me perfectly. I managed a solid 18th place and I am sure a gridding would have gained me a few more places. I was also lucky enough to win a KASK helmet in the rider number raffle at the end.

Dig in the Dock