RabH
Well-Known Member
I needed 82 miles to reach 1000 for the year and today was a perfect cycling day so I set off with the intention of bagging another imperial century! It was a frosty start with light winds for a nice change, the temp was set to rise to 8C which is really mild for February! I decided I would head for Knockhill Racing Circuit and then ride alongside the Ochil hills by cycling through Dollar and Tillicoultry in the foothills! I stuck to the main roads for the first couple of hours due to the possibility of ice on the back roads, I enjoyed lots of descending after reaching Shieldhill with the big descent down into Glenn Village being the highlight! I was gutted to see some road works on the descent and the traffic lights changed to red as I was building up speed, still managed 40.6mph though...
I then made my way out to the Clackmannanshire Bridge where I had a stunning view of the Ochil Hills for the first time in a while, they have been hidden by thick cloud for some time so it was nice to see some blue skies again!
I then took the cycle path into Kincardine and headed north to Forrestmill, on the way I had this view of the Ochils!
At Forestmill I took the back road to Saline, one of my favourite roads thanks to very little traffic and a lovely smooth surface! Nearing Saline I had another nice view of the hills above Knockhill circuit!
Then I had the big climb up through Saline and Steelend, I stopped part way up for a snack and a roadie passed and shot up the hill like it was nothing! I only stopped for a couple of minutes but didn't see him again, he was a fit lad...
At the top of the climb the road flattens out for a couple of miles before the turnoff for Knockhill when it was time to start climbing again, I stopped at the top of the climb for this photo! Its a cracking descent past the circuit here!
A short time later I grabbed this photo of the hill the circuit is named after!
Its a nice view down the valley also, the Ochil hills can be seen once again!
Another mile or so and another stop for a photo opportunity!
A closer view of the Ochils!
It was then time to enjoy the awesome descent down into Powmill, one of the main reasons I chose this route! From Powmill I continued north for Rumbling Bridge where I had another stunning view of the hills!
I then came across these lovely Shetland ponies, most of them ignored me...
I continued north into Yetts O Muckhart (a proper Scottish name)
and then turned SW for Dollar and then Tillicoultry where I stopped for a well earned lunch at 51 miles! I normally use the main road along here but I spotted a smaller road which passes through Glenochil and I was glad I chose it, especially with these views of the Ochils!I then continued west and took the road to Bridge of Allan, skirting the city of Stirling! I used a lot of cycle paths here to avoid the busier roads, the paths are in excellent condition thankfully and they were deserted which was a bonus! From Bridge of Allan I took the road to Doune which starts with a big climb, followed by a fast descent down into Doune! I was going to turn south here and take the quieter roads to avoid Stirling city centre but changed my mind and headed west to Thornhill and then turned south for Kippen!
I had some nice views of the mountains to the north on the road to Thornhill!
This is why I chose this road!
Its a massive climb up through Kippen but its followed by one of the best descents in the country! Near the top I saw a big squall passing over the mountains to the north, I actually caught the edge of the rain but it was mostly sunny!
I was approaching Loch Laggan when the rain started to fall again, a little heavier but it soon cleared!
I then had this view of the Campsie Hills!
Then I had this double rainbow!
The descent down into the valley was just amazing, the roads were bone dry thankfully! I arrived in Fintry where I turned east towards the Campsies, at this point I had just reached 82 miles and for a second I even thought about heading up over the Campsies but I came to my senses and chose the road past the Carron Valley Reservoir!
I'm glad I decided against the big climb, although I still had a tough climb the way I was going!
The Campsies climb would have been brutal!
The road past the reservoir is in great condition for the most part, this was a tough climb with almost 84 miles in my legs!
My last 2 photos as I passed the reservoir!
I was now looking forward to some nice descents on the road down into Denny and I had what liitle wind there was right at my back all the way down! After reaching Denny I headed for Bonnybridge where I turned west alongside the canal before turning south and heading up the back roads to Falkirk! I had a lot of climbing ahead once again and 100 miles came up at the top of one of the climbs! Once in Falkirk I took my usual road to Slamannan and then over the back roads to Longriggend and down into Caldercruix where I turned west for home! I arrived home around 17.45, having set off at 9am and I was completely spent!
What a day though, it will live long in the memory! I easily passed my 1000 miles, now 1038 and I also passed 37000 miles on my amazing bike which will be 7 years old at the end of March! 37094 to be exact, what a bike it has been!
I think I will sleep very well tonight... Also I'm almost certain I have never managed 2 imperial centuries In February before!
for whatever pace you want to keep. I tried to attach a photo or 2 but like mentioned here I will have to sort out the resizing thing . . .
