James Skinner
Joined: 03 Feb 2008 Posts: 121 Location: Blantyre
|
Posted: Mon Jul 30, 2012 11:38 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Great day out on the bike,
Alex B, George J & myself chose the 68.5 mile route, and with over 300 riders taking part there were plenty of wheels to follow, and as per usual the sportive started like a road race.
With a 3 minute start on us there was no sign of the first group, apart from the water bottles, glasses and gel wrappers, we concluded they must be going like the clappers.
The route went south from Ayr, by-passing Maybole on route to the climbs of the Screws and the Nic-O-Balloch.
The climbing and descending was fantastic, although the rain started at the foot of the Nic-O-Balloch, and came on again going over Tairlaw, making the descent to Straiton a little slower than normal.
The feed station in Straiton provided a welcome stop as did the shelter nearby, once fed and watered the rain subsided and we headed out over the moor to Dalmellington where me met Allan Moonie riding the other way.
The section from Dalmellington to Patna carried a bit of traffic, so a couple of long spells that Jens Voigt would be proud of, soon saw us return to the quiet roads for the last hour.
Well done to George for riding the distance on his brand new bike, and not getting it dirty, and Alex for getting a picture with Graeme at the finish.
A great event on some perfectly smooth back roads well organised by Charlie Milarvie, and plenty of banter from Graeme Obree as usual.
|
|