So, the calendar rolls over yet again… what will it be this time? Will RabH decide to test the 7000 mile barrier?
The answer is yes and I still have a couple of weeks to add to my 7018 miles, when Dave posted this at the start of the year I wasn't so sure if I could get there as I had a lot going on but losing my brother in April just inspired me to get out and enjoy myself as much as possible! Life is too short to wallow in self pity...
A rare calm and mildish day came along so a ride over the Campsie Hills was my plan, I was shocked to discover my last ride there was way back in August! I made my way down the back roads to Falkirk, hitting over 44 mph down the big descent into Glenn Village, then down into Bonnybridge where I crossed the canal!
I then headed north into Denny and made my way up the big climb into the Carron Valley, part way up I spotted some Highland cows in the field so I stopped for a couple of photos!
I was glad to make it to the top of the climb and was looking forward to the flatter parts along the valley, the River Carron was flowing extremely fast so I was sure they had opened the dam at the Carron Valley Reservoir!
The geese were taking advantage of the flooding...
The road is in great condition for the most part!
I wasn't wrong about the dam...
Then I got a huge shock as I made my way along the valley, they had felled a huge amount of trees and it looked like a completely different road!
The road was wet after heavy rain yesterday but there was very little flooding!
I was hoping the reservoir would be flat calm but the wind had picked up a little in the afternoon, not that it was choppy or anything but I was hoping it would look like glass!
The sun was trying hard to break through, it never really got there but it made for some nice photos!
The first proper descent in the valley!
Soon after I enjoyed a massive and very fast descent!
This was looking back up the hill I had descended, the photo doesn't do it justice!
I was nearing the bottom of the valley and getting ready to tackle the big climb over the Campsies, a look across the valley at the road I would be climbing very shortly!
It starts off with a very steep twisty part, I stopped for a few photos before continuing up the next steep part!
Another couple of miles up the climb I stopped for this photo and decided it was time to get my head down and get home before darkness just after 4pm, so this was my last photo!
I was now looking forward to the awesome descent down into Lennoxtown, despite some very wet parts due to run off from the very sodden hill and it was an absolute blast! I arrived in Lennoxtown and headed east for Milton of Campsie before turning south towards Kirkintilloch where I passed the 7000 mile mark! I then joined the back road to Twechar and east towards Cumbernauld, then I joined the cycle path to Lenziemill before heading up the big climb from Luggiebank to Wattston with only 5 miles to go over the back roads to home! Once again I made it home just before darkness fell, another brilliant day on the bike!
Tomorrow is looking very similar to today so I'm going to make it 2 days in a row with the remainder of the week not looking too clever...probably just a 50 miler this time!
I grabbed a screenshot from my phone...
Yes I am very fortunate to be able to ride all year round, I feel for you guys that have to sit it out for months!
