RabH
Well-Known Member
I tried to do this ride back in March but stupidly left my batteries behind, so with perfect weather today it was time to put things right! My plan was to ride inland to St Andrews and then take the coast road all the way to Burntisland and back inland to Knockhill Racing Circuit which was only a few miles away from my car! It was a frosty start but the bike was in the car and we were headed for Powmill where my ride would begin! By the time I got there it was 4C with no signs of frost and I had this for a view to begin my ride!
From Powmill I used the main A977 road to Crook of Devon and the traffic was too busy for my liking, so I took the back road towards Cleish and then turned north through Coldrain and rejoined the main road at Balado! From there I only had to use the main road for just over a mile and I was glad to get on to quieter roads through Kinross and on to Milnathort! I then joined the main A91 to Gateside, thankfully this road was much quieter and the scenery wasn't too shabby either!
At Gateside I turned on to the quieter road that passes through many villages and eventually leads to Newburgh, it starts with a big climb and then its an awesome 2 mile descent! I stopped at Newburgh for a break and a snack and grabbed a couple of photos of the River Tay!
From Newburgh I had a 10 mile ride to Cupar on one of my favourite roads, lots of ups and downs and twists and turns and amazing scenery!
The road crosses over the main A92 Edinburgh to Dundee road and really ramps up at this part, this photo is near the top of the climb looking back down!
Cupar is always busy and today was no different, less than a mile and I was on the back road to Pitscottie which was busier than normal due to road works on the main road to St Andrews! It wasn't too bad though, it starts with a big climb for 4 miles and then a lovely 6 mile descent! I arrived in St Andrews at midday and was ready for lunch! There was an easterly wind blowing off the North Sea which was bitterly cold, I managed to find a nice sheltered part to enjoy my lunch which was purchased from the harbour cafe!
The harbour took quite a beating from the big storm and the peir has been closed ever since!
I had covered 48 miles at this point and had light winds all the way, until I arrived in St Andrews where there was a 15-20mph easterly blowing! I had a 10 mile ride into the wind out to Crail on the coast road and then it would be a nice tailwind down the coast! I stopped near the top of the climb out of town for a couple of photos!
The coast road is mostly smooth so great fun to ride, I passed Boarhills church and grabbed this photo!
The tiny harbour at Crail!
I hugged the coast as much as possible and stopped at Leven for a break, where I took this photo of the beach!
My next stop was at busy Kirkcaldy, the esplanade was very busy with walkers enjoying the sunshine and it wasn't anywhere near as cold as St Andrews!
A couple of photos from the esplanade!
I continued down the coast through Kinghorn and passed the holiday park at Pettycur Bay, the beach was looking amazing here today and it was sheltered from the wind! Its early in the season so it was a bit deserted...
I then continued down into Burntisland where it was time to start the real climbs and turn inland, the climb up to Mossmorran Wind Farm is a real beast! This is part way up looking down at the bay at Burntisland!
Then its a nice descent before the big climb up to the wind farm, I passed Stenhouse Reservoir on the way down!
From Mossmorran I turned west towards Crossgates with the wind right at my back for just over 3 miles and it was mostly downhill so it was great fun! Then I headed north to Hill of Beath which is a big climb, then the road plunges steeply down into the valley where I hit 43.8mph! The road then leads to Kelty and the 100 miles appeared on my gps just as my second battery dropped to 20%, as I was changing the battery a car pulled up and asked if I was okay! It was the local minister who spotted me from the church and thought he would make sure I wasn't in trouble, that was nice of him!
So I was now on my 3rd battery which had a 97% charge and I only had 12 miles to go, with a lot of climbs coming I was able to crank the assist up! From Kelty I turned west up the big climb towards Knockhill, I was looking forward to the descent after passing the circuit! It didn't disappoint!
I took a few photos on the way down, the weather was just glorious!
A short time later I arrived back at the car buzzing after a fantastic day on the bike, I was pretty tired by now and enjoyed the aircon on the way home!
