............ and the waters part for Bigman

It was a cracking evening on Friday and looked like a perfect opportunity to get in a few miles before the big ride out tomorrow ( Saturday) with Ironman. He has been training every day and likely to be in awesome form, melting the road before him.

Seemed prudent to take a light rain jacket with me, otherwise, it was summer kit complete with pockets full of enthusiasm.

On cresting the Mont VeKnockhill, the landscape change to dark colours. It was a mirror image of the dark clouds above. A shower had just passed by and the streams of water could clearly be seen further along the glen. The roads were wet but the sun was shining on Bigman and I could feel the warmth on my face.

Without the waterproof shorts on, my shorts were getting wet from spray and you start to get that wet nappy feeling. Not that I have had that experience for a while, however I am often reminded it will not be long until I return to that experience. Maybe I am just readying myself!

Turning up to Yetts of Mucchart the dark clouds look even darker ahead. No point in pushing on to fast. I dont want to catch up with these clouds. The roads are under water fresh from downpours, yet I remain dry. Several cars play at 'soak the cyclist' as a piece of light entertainment. They are so witty.Seems an bit of an expense just to buy a 4 X 4 with chunky wheels just so you can drive through puddles to soak bikers.

after climbing towards Milnathort, I shift the gear and hit over 30 miles per hour, wind assisted. And in an instant, Kinross is in sight, recovering from another downpour. Can I keep this up?

The climb over Col du Cleish was uneventful other than the clock on the Garmin was creeping towards the two hour mark. I dont know what it is, runners and cyclists all like to finish before the numbers get to the hour or half hour and so it was, I was keen to finish before 2 hours.

The route down the South side of Cleish was taken at pace. The journey down through Townhill had the same focus and as I drew up at the driveway the clock smiled back at 1 hour 57 minutes and 15 seconds. Mission accomplished.

55 kilometers travelled, 2200 calories burnt in just under 2 hours at just over 17 miles per hour including a 12 % gradient on the North Face of Col du Cleish. ............ and still dry.......... well most parts!