Skyriders first ton

We changed the route slightly to suit more people: http://www.mapmyride.com/ride/united-kingdom/-lothian/377127515281493513
Headed off at 8.30 after some peanut butter on toast, loaded with a couple of new bars, homemade flapjack and some nuun tablets to try. Apparently electrolytes are up there with oats and scones.

We had a bit of a stop-start first 40km until a couple of slower riders dropped off. In hindsight it was actually a pretty good tactic to start to the day, as there were a couple of short sharp and long slow climbs to contend with and we saved a whole lot of energy on those (blether and bike comparing) stops to regroup.

I couldn’t believe it when we were approached Innerleithen for tea and a scone. Already!? I’d not needed to eat much at all in those first couple of easier hours, which is not like me, so was fair excited at the prospect. I’d give it a 6 out of 10 on the scone-o-meter. Only because they tried to fob me off with a cheese one instead of fruit; which would have just been plain wrong.

Reinvigorated and on the road again, we caught sight of some mountain bikers on route to a big glentress event. Wouldn’t fancy taking one of them up the etape!

Peebles was a blast from the past and it was then I realised how far we were from home. Felt like quite the adventurer :)

We worked well as a group, taking turns at the front and working with the wind, until he group got smaller again at the 100km mark at Penicuik. Then there were three and we headed back home (for them at least) back to West Lothian. The tiredness kicked in for Nic (our little grasshopper) at that point. I felt for her; the most she’d done so far was 100km. It’s that point where everyone just gets their heads down and the chat dries up. But that girl is determined! I encouraged her to keep eating small amounts and drink her flat coke and she perked up a little.

My longest up till now had been the caley etape (130km), so I started to feel the fatigue set in about 150km. We should’ve had a proper lunch! I’d pretty much eaten everything I’d brought so I just willed my legs to move until I was reunited with the car and my big-bag-of-biscuits-of-oaty-goodness, hooray!

We were very proud of ourselves and I set off home for a big bowl of lentil soup, pork chops, roast tatties, chocolate brownies, ice cream, hot chocolate… and a big bowl of cereal before bed. I love this cycling business!!!