The day started with some fine drizzle first thing but this soon lifted to leave a terrific sunny Sunday. And it was a great day which everyone seems to have enjoyed but this will be a fairly brief report as I was dropped by Aylth so missed all the action.

As every year it was the usual course Lochee >Perth >Newburgh > Lochee
With the 70 mile route doing a detour via Blairgowrie.

Across the two groups there was over 55 riders taking part

The 70 group left at 10 am with the 50 mile heading out at 10.15.
The idea being that both groups should end up back at the club around the same time.
Normally the 50 mile group will be caught around Newburgh and this year was no exception. As usual a few hardy types will jump on the back of the fast group but seldom last long.

But back to my run.
70 miles in three hours thirty minutes. Average heart rate 156, max 178. I was riding my super light LOOK 585 which is just a dream to ride. Sadly the bike is better than the rider!

Left with the 70 mile group of some fifty odd riders with Brian Sproul on the front.
He had just returned from a weeks training in Majorca so he was on the front and setting a good pace. The first section leaving the town means the group always gets the odd split due to roundabouts etc but every one was back on by Muirhead.

We went through Newtyle at a fairly comfortable speed but it didn’t last. As we approached the five roads roundabout approaching Aylth the speed was up in the high twenties – going up hill.

Even though I didn’t want dropped this early there was little I could do about it. Just not enough speed in the legs. So I knew I was in trouble as we got to the top of the brae and the left turn that brought the strong wind right on to your nose.

It was on this stretch that I teamed up with Steve and Kevin and together we tried to pull them back but the harder we worked the further they moved away. By the time we got to Blairgowrie it was clear we would never catch the 70 milers so thoughts turned to at least catching the fifty group.

The next stage from Blair to Scone and Perth is a series of long drags and descents. Our group of three was joined by Eric for a spell, but as he insisted on telling us how to work a chain we moved on fairly quickly.

The next stage is a short spell through Perth and out the back via the harbour. There is just one short and very steep climb out of Perth which just reminds the legs of what’s to come.

Coming out of Perth and heading along to Newburgh Kevin’s rubber band had stretched to the limit and snapped. So it was down to me and Steve. Although, believe it or not, Kevin we did sit up for a bit. But we new the next section of long drags requires you go at it at your own pace. So it was heads down and just get on with it but by now luckily the wind was on our backs so we made a good pace. Even had enough breath to share the odd comment on how great the River Tay looks when the suns out. By Wormit I think I was staying on the front most of the time but in fairness Steve was on his winter bike with mudguards etc. We kept the pace up until heading across the road bridge central footpath towards Dundee we caught the back of the 50 milers and felt we’d done enough and sat up.

Back through Dundee to the Lochee Boys Clubs and soup, sandwiches, cakes, coffee and lot’s of reliving a great day in the saddle.

Ali