Bravehearts and World Champions

I took part in the annual Braveheart Cycle from my home town of Kilmarnock yesterday. The Braveheart Fund was launched in 2003 by former British champion, Motorola professional and Giro d’Italia survivor Brian Smith. Its aim is simple: to raise the funds to allow young Scottish cyclists, be they roadies, trackies or mountain bikers, to fulfil their potential.

I was doing it with Tony and Danny who I completed the Etape with earlier in the year. We took it at a casual place so we could stay together and enjoy the chat.

Danny, Tony, Lone Biker

Highlight of my day was meeting World Champion (CycloX, Mountain Bike, Track and Road) and Olympic Road Race gold medallist Marianne Vos. Truly one of the greatest cyclists of all time. I was also fortunate enough to meet Tour Legend Sean Kelly as well.

Marianne Vos and Me

Callander Date

I headed to Falkirk for my first Cyclocross race of the season. Really enjoyable course, even if I did manage to fall off on a straight!

It was nice and fast with a few greasy hills and bends to make it interesting.

Felt a bit out of practice and that may account for the 70th place at the end of the race but at least I had good fun and I'm still looking forward to the next race.

The Bike Cave

Just a quick lookat my den (cube is away for minor repair). It is now resplendent with some posters I found from my childhood.

Glentress Red and Blue

I headed over to Glentress for some MTB action today. I sometimes forget I was (am?) a mountain biker originally. Its just that with the price of petrol, the constraints on time and the ease of road biking to your door and back mountain biking has taken a back seat over the last year or 2.
Anyway I took the opportunity to don the baggy shorts today and had a blast completing most of the Red Route and then heading back up to do the amazing Blue descent.
The route is slightly more entertaining now as you have people zip wiring above and below you as there is now a Go Ape there.
I took my own sandwiches for lunch. I used to look forward to some scran at the Hub but alas it is scandalously no more and the newer franchise in its place is over priced and underwhelming. Nothing will ever rival the Hub's millionaire shortbread or nachos.
Anywhoo, take a look at my route below. Sadly the photo is a stock photo as I forgot my phone to take pictures.

Monday Morning Sunshine

On holiday this week so I made a happy return to some cycling. I have been off the bike for 2 weeks with a hateful cold and too much study for non-successful interviews. (Side note: I have more insightful thoughts while cycling than trying to study so might hit the roads instead of the books next time I have an interview.)
As this was a ride of recovery I decided on a mostly flat-ish cycle. Apart from the bump that is Dundonald Hill I was successful and got my legs and lungs back into working mode with a 40 mile cycle to Barassie, along to Irvine then back through Kilmarnock to home.
Tired, but feel a bit more ready for my first cyclo-cross race of the season next weekend at Callander Park in Falkirk.
Great weather. Although it was cold you cant beat an almost windless sunny day for a cycle, especially on a day and time you are normally at work!