Batting over the Water

Decided to give ones legs a workout yesterday, because after a 18 yr break, I need to keep reminding them how to peddle. I set off in the direction of the Clyde, and climbed out of the "Bowl" that is Milngavie, heading for the Erskine Bridge. Having crossed over to "the other side" i.e, south of the river, I took the road through Erskine, and then turned right towards Houston. This area is very flat, a pleasant relief after the hill climbs of earlier, and I made good time, as the initial 6 miles had taken 26 minutes! In Houston I turned left passed the chippie, which was sadly shut, and then entered Crosslees, from there, climbed the hill into Kilbarchan village. Stopping there for a sandwich and a cuppa with a friend, Scotlands Leading Bridal and Evening Wear Design Emporium (Thank you for my lunch) I topped up my water bottle, made my farewell and returned home by the same route. The last leg of the trip from the A82 into Milngavie was tough, at 33 miles my legs had had enough; and I took a short break to drink and recover before tackling the hill. That was conquered with more ease than I had expected, and I coasted back into Milngavie, wheezing but triumphant! At a T junction in Milngavie, A smell awakened my senses.... It was gorgeous! Really sweet, you could taste the goodness in the aroma.... A guy about 50ft away had opened a can of Energy drink! My fatigued mind had homed in on the closest source of glucose available! I would have mugged him for it, but I did'nt have the energy to get out of my peddles! So, a much slower ride out, and in two parts, the first 17.5 completed in 1hr 18 mins, the return leg, about 1hr 40! This was followed by some exceptional cramp at about 3am this morning, but all in all, with the light breeze and lots of sunshine, a very enjoyable ride. 35 miles or for you metric types 56 km. :-)