RabH
Well-Known Member
I had one of those rare almost perfect days on the bike, everything just clicked and I had a blast from start to finish!
After a really cold spell our weather has changed to mild and wild, thankfully today was just mild with a 20mph southerly breeze blowing! My plan was to head north and climb over the Campsie Hills, I had this view of the Campsies after just a few miles!The road down to Cumbernauld is just incredible and with a 20mph wind at my back it was a very quick one, this set the tone for the day! From Cumbernauld I headed west towards Twechar, this road was closed for a while and I was hoping it would have new tarmac laid and I wasn't disappointed! It was super smooth and the final descent down over the canal was a total blast!
Another mile or so I stopped for another photo of the canal near Kirkintilloch!
From Kirkintilloch I headed north for Milton of Campsie and then west towards Lennoxtown in the foothills of the Campsies! From here I made my way north up the 3 mile climb with the wind helping me, I stopped part way up for this photo of the valley below!
I was looking forward to the descent now and managed 42mph down into the valley, I stopped for a few photos on the way down!
The descent was just incredible and soon it would be time to climb again just after arriving in Fintry! I headed north towards Kippen, its mostly smooth tarmac and very twisty and nothing too steep!
At the top of the climb I stopped at Loch Kameron for this photo!
I had an amazing view of the mountains to the north also!
Now I had the awesome descent down through Kippen to enjoy!
I stopped in Kippen for a break and a snack and grabbed this photo before continuing down the amazing descent!
Down in the valley I had my first flat road of the day, east towards Stirling on the A811 which isn't the best road for a bike due to the traffic but I was flying along and the drivers gave me lots of room! After 8 miles on the busy road I arrived in the city of Striling and it was now time to face a 20mph headwind all the way home pretty much as I turned south! I had covered 42 miles at this point and a good chunk of it was a tailwind so no complaints from me...
My first battery which is now 7.5 years old lasted for 45 miles and I only had about 26 miles to go when I switched to my second battery, so I had the luxury of an almost full battery and made the most of it and laughed at the headwind! I had this view of the Ochil Hills near Stirling!
I started my ride just before midday so I had to be careful and make sure I got home before dark so from Stirling I headed straight for Falkirk on the A9 and stuck to the main road all the way, then it was time to start the serious climbing up to Slamannan! Level 3 assist made short work of that, I don't use it very often and I sure enjoyed it!
I stopped for a couple of photos at the top of the climb looking north at the Ochils!
From Slamannan I headed west for home and the sun was now going down fast with 10 miles remaining, as I headed over the back roads to home I was blessed with this spectacular view to the west!
I arrived home just before darkness fell and just had enough time to wash my very filthy bike, it wasn't that bad until a mile from home where I came across a mud covered back road! I was on such a high after a brilliant day on the bike that it didn't even phase me, it was just incredible from start to finish!
It is only a 15 minute ride one way!
