I’m not… riding a 200

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Zwift - Z1 ride on Libby Hill After Party in Richmond

Announcement: I'm doing Tour of the Highlands in May (3 days, 313miles - https://tourhighlands.wordpress.com), and I'm going to try and raise a few pounds for the MS Society - https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/RichardSandersonTOTH2017 more details there.

Wanted some way to kick that off, so my first Strava art (if you can call it that :)

The ride; started in the rain to about Dunino. Passed a cyclist, runner and dog walker on the Strathvithie road, only to pass them again a few minutes later in the opposite direction - wonder what they thought, but it was a theme for the ride - felt a bit odd for me too.

Motored on down past the cheese farm, speed felt good as the wind was giving me a bit of a helping hand. Think I took the wrong turning at Drumeldrie so the bottom of the S doesn't look as sharp as I'd hoped. For some reason in my split route (for Garmin) I'd put myself on a private road up there and had to double back a bit more to correct. It's a decent climb that one, really kicks you in the teeth at the start.

Peat Inn for my first stop, a bit of flapjack and malt loaf, turn and return the way I'd come.

New bit of road for me, Pilmuir Road, for the climb to Montrave. Full of gravel and mud - not good at this time of year. Spin round and return.

Leven, Kennoway and up to the Cults (or Devon?) mast. Rain returned. Starting to feel the early pace in the legs now, and with the rain returning getting up Porter Brae was neither quick nor too much fun. Quick message to Mrs S at the top - set off for the cafe rendezvous, and bring a pair of dry gloves!

Back down and the first stretch of A92 was on my mind. Not a road I'd want to cycle on normally, but there was little choice for the left side of the M. By no means was it fun, but all the overtakes were pretty good, certainly nothing to worry the muppets of the day leaderboard.

Off at Freuchie, through the 'towns and pit stop at Africafe. Coffee, baked potato, and cake were all demolished. Quick photo and back on the road.

Found it hard to warm up again after the cafe. In fact it was pretty damn cold all day with the north-easterly and rain dampness, but particularly after sitting in the warm cafe :)

Collessie, Monimail, Letham - I usually do this stretch in the other direction, nice change today. And, ugh, on to the second bit of A92. Again without incident - phew. I was particularly conscious of my speed, the wind at this point was doing me no favours at all.

Over to Cupar, this climb always looks worse than it is. But I was about done going up Tarvit, the sun was out though - think positive!

The last I'm-not-looking-forward-to-this bit, A91 out of Cupar to Dairsie. Speed was poor here too; slight climbs, headwind and 80miles in the legs are not the best recipe.

Stopped briefly at Dairsie bridge, had spotted a nasty rain cloud ahead and decided to get the jacket on. Also consumed a gel - probably just putting off Nydie.

If I wasn't already done, I definitely was by the time I'd got to the Peat Inn (second time today). But the sun was out again, cue jacket off and try not to think about the return - who thought this route was a good idea?

Shut up legs and head to almost-Lochty. Spin round and return. The final leg, and no more doubling back - superb. Back to the Peat Inn (third time - no really, who thought the Peat Inn three times was a good idea), Drumcarrow hilly bits, Craigtoun and home :)

Ooof that felt like a hard slog. Lots of miles and climbing to do to get me ready for three back to back century rides with a total of over 20,000ft ascent. Daunting.

Ooo, and this ride takes me over 5,000miles on the Giant. Nice way to mark it rather than a commute :)

Wind NNE -> E, 5-13mph.

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I’m not… riding a 200

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Real sleep, real ride 👍

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Zwift - Z1 ride on Libby Hill After Party in Richmond

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