It can't get any better than this - Full tilt down Glen Tilt. The fabulous Glen Tilt.

Even the early morning start at 8 am, or the fact that both Gary and Ryan were late, or even getting cold standing about couldn't dampen the excited, nervous feeling of tackling this great run.

In total there was four of us on the run -Brian, Ali , Ryan and Gary sadly Robert Muirhead called off with the cold.

We pulled up outside Blair Atholl hotel at about 9.30, where upon Gary immediately began to look for more food. For some reason he didn't think six rolls assorted sweets etc. would be sufficient. His desperation began to make me question if my rations of 1 banana, 1 jordans cereal bar and Snickers would get me through the day! The next big decision was on what to wear.

It felt like shorts would be good but this is Scotland, we're heading for the wilds and my legs are embarrassingly if not blinding white. But hay! I'm a hardy mountain biker so shorts it was. What a fine picture we must have made as we set off -Brian with his camel back and Gary with a camel front. As the only one who new what a compass looked like or owned one I was navigator for the day. As most people will tell you heading into the hills relying on your memory to find the route is a big mistake, especially as on this run there are passages where there is very little sign of any path. On at least one occasion my fellow bikers were extremely reluctant to follow my navigation but as I just kept going they had to follow.

This was one of the few occasions when I was on the front being badly let down by legs going up and a complete lack of bike skills going down. Anyway back to the start which could be the hardest part and at the time it definitely feels it. You're just out of the car, your not fully awake and after five minutes the road leaps skyward. It was at this point that Gary discovered that training with his 7 year old son was probably not the best preparation for this run. If we'd allowed him I think he would have packed within the first mile, he certainly spent a fair bit of time examining the tarmac, but a helping hand from Brian got him to the top and to the first of many gates you have to climb over.

After the gate you're on to dirt track the kind that goes up and then up again. At the next stop, which was just after the track began to level out again, Gary realised he'd dropped his shades at the the first gate. As we looked at Gary sprawled out on the ground struggling to breath we realised if he went back he wouldn't return. So after enquiring as to their value Brian offered to go back for them while we settled down to share Ryan's jam pieces. Brake over and Brian returned we set off again the track for most of the way is excellent and in the dry condition fairly fast but of course all good things come to an end. The map says turn left at the old farm buildings and there should be a path that traverses the side of the hill.

Could we find it? Could we hell! Supposedly about two thirds of the way up the side of the hill we struggled through the heather only to eventually give up and head down to the river running through the glen and a far better path not on the map. From the end of the glen you're back on to good track and it's going down, so you reach Glen Fearnach and the just under half way point fairly fast. The next section of the run varies rolling tracks where each nip leaves your legs working just that bit harder to stonking climbs that open up to wide vistas. Then your up and down hill and round bend on good fast Track. Eventually you come to Pink houses at the end of Glen Fearnach and you turn back on yourself and head down the same glen on the opposite side. This is where the track disappears as the ground becomes very wet/marshy. One final river crossing, we all got our feet wet but a lone rider coming the other way was technically nearly perfect and rode across. We had a short brake before the final section. The path starts off pretty ropy but after about a mile and a half opens up in to Glen Tilt and an excellent Landrover track the whole way back to Blair Atholl. What a rush charging down the Tilt, your wheels kicking to the left and right, your arms are pounded, your teeth rattled in your head, and all at 18-20 odd miles an hour.

Even when it's stopped your still buzzing, over 6 hours in the saddle and some 36 miles covered. At the end my computer read 32.5 miles the difference being accounted for by the distance you have to carry your bike. 2 bike chains snapping, one bashed knee, legs a mass of minor cuts and abrasions thanks to the heather, and several unintended dips into various icy rivers - Fantastic! We got changed, headed for the shops and stuffed our faces with cakes and chocolate. A magic end to a magic day!