Time to get out for a ride. I still have a bit[1] of weight to lose and
find that unless I am really focussed I slack off on the flat so
decided to go play with some hills, and try some roads I had not ridden
before.
Half past eight, kids in bed and I am free to go. The bar bag light
bracket has been fixed (rod is more fatigue and bend resistant than
tube) so I have the bar bag with my Smart light in, toolkit, bottles
etc on teh commuter as it will probably be dark when I get back.
The first part is midgy, down past the hospital, nearly spinning our my
48x11 top gear[2] and out through Invergowrie and Kingoodie. For some
reason I am flying. There is no wind, just that that I create, and I am
able to hold a good gear at a good cadence. This bit is however flat. I
don't change down for the climb over the A90 at Inchture, just stand up
and sprint, and it still feels good.
Along the back road to Kinnaird and I am now into new ground. The climb
to Kinnaird itself is quite steep, dropping me down to the small ring
for a half mile or so but then the road swings around the hillside and
climbs gently over to Abernyte. No respite though for the 2 miles but
everything is still feeling good. The batteries are dead in the
wireless sensor for the computer so it is giving randomly slow speeds.
A short drop into Abernyte, right then left up hill number 2. This is
pretty easy, much easier than I was expecting and it is storming up in
the middle ring all the way. Time is getting on so at Newton St John I
turn right instead of taking the long climb to Tullybaccart, and head
down the Knapp. This is the route taken by the Thursday chain gang,
flat wam-up then 250m of climbing, but I am going the other way.
Fast but cautious through the village and then catch the left turn for
hill number three. I did the easier side of this last year and found it
tough so was expecting a real struggle. but the legs were there and it
was a little ring cruise, then power over the top. I'll skip over the
dropped chain and the bike going the wrong way when I unclipped - doh!
Now I am back on ground I know. The Berryhill road to Fowlis is a
fantastic road at night as you are high up and out of th elight
pollution so the stars are excellent. It wasn't really dark enough to
need lights though I had put the rear on to warn the drivers behind.
These roads are rolling, and my legs were definitely starting to feel
the strain. The gentle uphills became more of a struggle and then I
reached birkie brae, a fast downhill, round the corner and into the
roadworks.
Normally I don't hop across the A90 as it is a fast main road. The
resurfacing works meant that I could pass through the lanes of traffic
with impunity. And from there on it is automatic pilot uphill and
gently spinning on the downhill to warm down. Great evenings ride and
new roads discovered.
...d
[1] for large values of bit
[2] so that'll be something around 110 -120 rpm at present