Our unsettled weather continues, I was in 2 minds about going out as there were squalls pretty much everywhere despite the forecast showing just light showers!
I eventually decided to go for it around 11.30am, the temp was a pleasant 12C and there was a 20-25mph westerly wind blowing! I made my way down the amazing back roads to Cumbernauld with the sun shining at this point, grabbing a couple of photos of the Campsie Hills on the way down!
From Cumbernauld I headed south towards Kilsyth where I passed over the canal and stopped for more photos!
At Kilsyth I could see the skies were looking ok to the north so I decided to tackle the big climb up the Tak Ma Doon road, its a tough climb but I have the bike for it! Its around 3 miles with an average gradient close to 7% with some really steep ramps, I was looking forward to the big descent as I battled my way up! At the top of the climb I had this view of the Ochil Hills and the roads were nice and dry, I then started down the descent and hit 41.7mph down the descent over the ford, it doesn't look much in the second photo but its pretty steep!
The view to the south where the rain squalls were making their way over the hills!
Time to continue my descent!
The Faughlin Reservoir part way down!
The River Carron flows along the valley, my next climb can be seen in the distance!
Looking west!
I then crossed the bridge over the river and stopped for this photo!
I then got a very pleasant surprise to see lovely new tarmac had been laid up the climb, it was badly needed and very welcome!
Part way up the climb I stopped for this photo, the road below is one I use a lot and leads down a big descent to Denny!
I reached the top of the climb and stopped for a couple of photos before hurtling down the descent with a 25mph tailwind at my back!
The start of the descent with the Ochils in the background!
Loch Coulter!
The descent was just incredible, I did have another climb ahead but just a short one before the road descends once again! I then felt some rain in the air and looked north to see a big squall passing over the hills! I was able to outrun it though with the strong tailwind!
A lone runner was just about to get a soaking as he was heading in the direction of the squall!
Further down the descent another runner was making his way up the big climb, his face was bright red and he wasn't at the steep part yet....
At the end of the road I joined the main road into the city of Stirling and I knew I was going to get wet soon as you can see there was a big squall in the distance in the last photo, I wasn't wrong as a few miles later as I was passing through Fallin the rain started belting down! Just to the north the sun was shining and the Wallace Monument was lit up, meanwhile I was getting soaked!
The Ochils to the north were also shrouded in sun!
The rain kept hammering down for me though and I was only about half a mile to the south...
Eventually I managed to outrun the rain and as I approached Airth the sun made a welcome appearance, the difference in temperature was immediately noticeable and very welcome and within minutes I was dry again! From Airth I turned south towards Carronshore and in the distance it looked pretty unpleasant with a huge wall of darkness way in the distance, I knew I wasn't going to remain dry! I then made my way through Falkirk and decided to tackle the big climb at Glen Village!
At the top of the first climb looking back down!
Now at the top and still dry for now!
I then headed for Avonbridge and made my way up the big climb over Heights and looking towards home all I could see was darkness to the SW! I enjoyed the descent down into Blackridge and turned west for home and I knew I was going to get soaked, just as I reached Caldercruix the heavens opened and I got a proper drenching! Amazingly as I reached my home town a few miles later it was dry, I arrived home with a very filthy bike and soaked to the skin! I managed to get the bike washed before the rain came hammering down again! I have been lucky to avoid the rain recently so the odds were stacked against me...
I still enjoyed it though and had a real blast, the bike got its first wash for about 6 weeks...it was great while it lasted!
