Zwift - Z2 endurance ride 1.5hr on Deca Dash in Watopia

Errands 🏤

Zwift - Sweetspot ramps on Knickerbocker in New York

Zwift - Race: Ottawa TopSpeed Race on The London Pretzel in London

Main road tempo

A few weeks ago I rode around the Ochils lump, today I rode over it, repeatedly. A good forecast and a reasonable alarm got me out and spinning the legs just before seven.

I had loaded the bike with the luggage options I want for later in the year, even if they dont contain quite all the stuff yet. Still the bike was pretty fully laden. So this wasnt going to be a speed run, mind that was indicated by the 180 other miles on the clock commuting this week too. I'd also decided to try and take it a bit easier and capture a few more photos and videos - I posted a bunch of "stories" on Instagram see  - I want to do something like this for the the longer rides and PBP this year, keeping the folks updated with me and my progress. Anyhow back to pedalling...

It was a nice morning and the westerly wind started off light - I was to head as far west and then zigzag back. Nearly at Pitscottie I realised I hadnt connected the dynamo since having the bike in the car last weekend - not that I wanted it, but I didnt want the cables twiddling around - stopped and corrected that. The next bit I’ve done so many times recently, but I guess there are only so many ways to get out to horizons new!

I did pick a new way from Aberargie - through Dron and cutting off the Kintillo/Bridge of Earn bit - why haven’t I done this before, a revelation, stunning bit of quiet lanes. Through Dunning, for the first time today, the wind was picking up, average speed was annoyingly low for this early “faster” section, but I was trying to ignore getting bothered by that today.

I spotted the memorial thing just out of Dunning, read the witch bit, and decided it was something I wanted to check out. Maggie Wall burnt here 1657, huh (reading afterwards there’s a whole thing about it, and questions if she even existed).

Hopped back on the bike and headed for almost-Auchterarder, not on my hit list today. What was on my list was the out and back climb east of the A823. And it was a good one, quiet, trees, views, stream, rather good. Ticked off :)

Also new tarmac to my wheels was the cut over to the A823, again a good piece of road, worth missing Auchterarder for - noted that I’ll adjust some of my future routes, it’s always been on my mind that Auchterarder is a good stopping point. Mind I learned recently about the cafe at Braco that needs checking out too!

On to the climb to Glen Devon. Always a good one, and didn’t disappoint today. Another get in the groove climb like Glenfarg, must be the distance and steady gradient.

About turn and head back to Dunning through Dunning Glen. Another good one in a similar style. Quite a little sun trap this morning. Descending into Dunning - always get caught by this road, looks good but there are several joulting bumps that throw you around without notice. Anyhow, 64 miles covered, time for some refuelling. Today I was trying the Tee Room at Dunning Golf Club. Pretty good - will stop again. Had a pizza type thing made from a tortilla, think a cheese and tomato crepe. Decent selection of hot food, good proper coffee. Thumbs up.

Dragon time. Yep not much time to warm back up, but it warmed me up no end, ooft. Nice run over the top, Path of Condie and over for Milnathort. I’d packed a couple of posters to drop in at Heaven Scent about the MS ride. Rude not to grab a coffee and scone. Dispatched!

Back out and destined for Path of Condie again, up the steep bit this time, and having come down it I knew what was in store - it’s quite a ramp. Just before I got there though - a short sharp localised shower hit. Bleurgh. The climb was completed with a bit of huffing and puffing.

About turn and immediately into Rossie Ochil. Steep bits, rolling bits, steep bits, hard to get a rhythm on this one, but still not a car around it was lovely cycling country. My legs were making it known that the climbing was adding up. But rolling into Glenfarg this was when we stopped zig zagging and got on with heading homeward.

Final bit of new tarmac was the bit through Glenfarg and over the M90. Yeah, meh, added to the heat map that’s the thing :)

Kept it to the lanes, gravelly and tricky in places but much preferred to traffic a bit longer coming out on the Glentarkie road before hitting the A91 for a section. Then more familiar roads over to Kettle and Cults, New Gilston - where they’ve done a smashing job repairing the road surface (still doing a bit on the spur to Peat Inn, just about passable with super care and bunnyhop skills), Grange and home.

Smashing day. New roads added to the heat map. Climbs. I needed that. Incredible what a good ride does to your headspace. I’m happy with where I am with the miles, endurance, and bike setup. New stop is a 300k in the Borders, via a duathlon (probably) next week though.

Wind 10-21mph W.

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Richard Sanderson

All the hills over there ⬅️

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Zwift - Z2 endurance ride 1.5hr on Deca Dash in Watopia

Errands 🏤

Zwift - Sweetspot ramps on Knickerbocker in New York

Zwift - Race: Ottawa TopSpeed Race on The London Pretzel in London

Main road tempo

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