We are experiencing a heatwave here, nothing like what most of you guys experience but with a summer average of around 18C we can't handle 28C...

Thankfully today was much cooler so I made the most of it, leaving at 6.15am for Ayrshire as it was showing the coolest temps! It was a little misty when I left home and it got more misty as I continued my ride, forcing me to remove my glasses as I had to keep wiping them constantly! It wasn't a day for scenery but it was a day of incredible roads, the day started with light westerly winds which were due to increase as the day progressed! 45 miles into my ride and I hadn't taken a single photo due to the conditions, eventually it did get a little better!
I made my way down to Galston in East Ayrshire and I usually turn east here and take the back roads to Sorn, but I decided to use a road I haven't cycled since 2012! The only downside was having to use the main A76 for a few miles and I was very glad to turn off and enjoy the rollercoaster back road to Sorn, I was glad of the change of scenery and it brought the memories of 2012 flooding back! I forgot how good this road is but having to use the main road to get there means it won't be happening again anytime soon as the main roads are so much busier now...
I managed to grab a photo on the road from Galston to Crossroads which was where I joined the busy main road!
I passed through the village of Sorn and tackled the big climb as you leave the village, its very steep in parts and not the smoothest road! Thankfully the road is in much better condition at the top of the climb and its very twisty, my kind of roads!
Still very misty at the 50 mile mark but I did get some photo opportunities!
I then had this awesome descent to enjoy!
A short time later I joined the main A70 and passed through Muirkirk, the wind was picking up now but it was a tailwind so I was making great progress and with roads like this it was so much fun!
I stopped at Glenbuck Loch for a break and a snack with 61 miles covered!
I then passed through Glespin and had this cracking descent with a lovely tailwind!
The next village is Douglas, the road here is pretty awesome also!
The mist wasn't as bad now and I was able to put my glasses back on and continue along the A70, Douglas water runs alongside the road and the mist had lifted enough to get a photo!
I decided to stop here and have lunch before heading down the descent towards Uddington which is quickly followed by a big climb into Rigside, another great road!
The road from Rigside to Lanark is just amazing, I love doing it both ways!
I was starting to see the hills now as things cleared up a little!
As I was cycling towards Lanark I noticed a side road that was signposted for the village of Carmichael and I remembered seeing it signposted from the A73 road near Tinto Hill and knew it was going to be a big climb, I wasn't wrong!
It ramps up even more after the turn and I saw 19% on my gps there, it was a real beast! I crested the climb and the road flattened for a short time before this came into view!
My eyes lit up as I saw how steep it was but I hadn't descended it before and didn't know what condition the road was in so i just freewheeled down it and as I passed the trees in the distance the road just dropped away and before I knew it 48.1mph showed on my gps! The road was so smooth, the next time I will easily pass 50 mph and look forward to it! Yes I'm a speed freak...

This was at the bottom looking back up, the photos don't do it justice...
At the end of the road I joined the A73 towards Biggar but I turned off after a short time to take the back road to Thankerton, where I stopped for a couple of photos!
The warm spell has had an impact on the water levels of the River Clyde! I started to make my way up the climb to Quothquan and stopped again for photos, Tinto Hill was shrouded in thick cloud!
I then had another big climb up to Libberton and this big climb up to Carnwath!
From Carnwath it was yet another big climb up to Braehead!
Finally another awesome descent down into Wilsontown!
The descent was short lived though as the road ramps up once again before the fast undulating descent down into Breich, I had a strong crosswind here though so had to take it easy! I had now covered 97 miles and the sun made its first appearance of the day, the difference in temperature was immediately noticeable! Luckily I would be turning into a strong headwind soon and that kept me nice and cool! The big climb up through Longridge was a tough one in the heat though but I then had the descent down through Whitburn to cool me down and I then joined the cycle path up to Armadale! The back road from Armadale to Blackridge had been closed for a couple of weeks for resurfacing and I got to enjoy it today, the whole road has now been done (all 3 miles) and its just amazing!
From Blackridge I turned west for home and was so glad of the 25mph headwind that kept me cool all the way home! I arrived home totally spent but absolutely buzzing after a cracking day on the bike, I picked the perfect route for the conditions! I will have no problem sleeping tonight!
