Beautiful Rolling Day in the Saddle

After nearly 3 straight weeks of riding, needless to say my legs are tired. I decided to take a relatively easy ride to cap it all off and went for a 30 mile rolling ride. The weather was incredible for this time of year: warm sunshine and not too much wind. The opening miles let me get my legs up to speed and the blood flowing before the hills. The rollers let me challenge the body but without having to dig too deep, and the descents off each little hill were always the perfect recovery. The clear day afforded incredible views all around and this was a great ride on a great day to cap off a long training block.

In between St Michaels and Dairsie, looking towards St Andrews

Looking towards Kemback

Cupar Hills in the distance

Just below Dairsie

Dairsie Bridge, I believe

Kemback Falls

Elie Bell Loop

Went on a beautiful ride this morning with Jamie. I lugged, ground, and dragged my legs over the hump--while Jamie flew up as always. Just as we hit the top I flatted and after a change we were dropping down a narrow, dirty, and an always surprisingly technical descent. When we hit the bottom then were were able to spin nicely along the stunningly clear, bright, and beautiful coastline. One of my favorite stretches of road lays along the coast, the A917 after the B942 junction then on down to Elie. Gently rolling hills, undulating curves, less traffic, beautiful scenery, and a normal quartering tail wind all come together to make this road a pleasure, and its decently well paved to boot. After some more easy spinning to Anstruther, we turned to head home but faced more climbing. More grinding ensued before finally coasting down back into town.

Classics Ride

Scattered showers have been passing through the area all day soaking the roads--a perfect chance to test my new water resistant bibs (check for the full NanoFlex review on the GearGrinder). It wasn't a half bad day: a little windy, a little wet but the day put up just enough challenge to give you an ego boost to make you feel like a classics strongman without feeling miserable while actually out in the saddle. It's a surprisingly rolling loop, makes the legs cry out a little, but the views afforded, especially on the road up to the Dukes golf course are second to none and make this a great wet weather ride.

Half Century

It'd been a while since I had done a half-century (more than 6 months, a travesty in my mind); but I never really had the time between schoolwork, jobs, and all of the other pushes and pulls in Uni life. But with no work, the girlfriend gone for the day, and warm--for Scotland--weather, the roads beckoned. 20 mph winds quickly put an end to the idyllic spin across Fife I had imagined as I spent the first 15-20 miles slamming into a head/cross wind. I rode 2 interesting new climbs in this sector: Craigs(anquhar) Hill--aka W Bryson Hill Road on Strava--and the A916 climb out of Cupar. The latter of which I quite enjoyed and seemed to suit my ideal characteristics (it wasn't steep).  A few miles of rollers led me to the descent into Upper Largo, and I remained along the coast for the rest of the ride, thankfully finally spinning with the wind generally at my back, letting the salt in the sea air regenerate my lungs. Turning up past Crail felt like riding into a brick wall again, and my legs were beginning to feel the distance: cramps were working their way in--thankfully, slowly. After grinding my way back into town, I did a few finishing miles along the beach in an attempt to warm-down. But I decided to top it all off with a cobbles blast--as fun as it always is.

Above Upper Largo

Elie

 

Somewhere between St Monans and Anstruther

Our very own Paris-Nice

Headed out today with Mark D. and Jamie; had originally planned a 28 mile route to Elie, Anstruther and back, but the wind made some minor modifications to shorten it. We start out on the first climb of the day with a hellacious cross wind--nothing too unusual for Scotland in March. With ominous clouds on the horizon we were all praying for a dry passage, but alas, it was not to be. By the time we reach the summit, about 5-6 miles into the ride, the skies open up into a downpour. Within 10 minutes, however, the rain had stopped, leaving muddy roads in their wake. My feet were beyond happy that I chose my nearly waterproof booties (Castelli Nano's for those who are interested, I would highly recommend them for Fife) as I was covered in mud, water, and grit from head to toe. After a good telling off from a moronic motorist who does not understand that cyclists have to be as far to the left as is safe, we headed up back over the spine of Fife up the lovely Arncroach climb and down the incredibly fun B940. As we neared St Andrews, it rained yet again, making a cobbles run all the more interesting. An epic ride all in all with all of the rain, wind, and cold of "The Race to the Sun."

Sunday Spin

After a slightly too long party the night before, I decided to jump on the bike and just spin the legs out. As I started the first climb, I could almost feel my body trying to cleanse itself, with my mind quickly following suit. It was a short ride, but one of the nice mental reboot ones. A generally nice and quiet spin with little drama; a ride that is always appreciated.

Thank god for embro, Assos and hot coffee--Over the Hills and Far Away

Starting out in the rain is never encouraging no matter how light; but with a thick layer of embro and hopes that it would clear out I set off. Within 45 minutes my booties and knickers had soaked through, luckily my jacket was holding tough, despite not being a rain-specific jacket. Passing Tayport I was rewarded with slackening precipitation and treated to some lovely views along the coast. I turned in from the coast to begin heading down to Cupar when I experienced a Fox Hunt for the first time--30 or so people in full morning jackets and formal riding wear with 30 bloodhounds, running under the horses it seemed, all entering a field to begin. After grinding up a surprisingly steep hill without properly gearing for it I was rewarded with a breathtaking view of rolling green Scottish hills stretching into the fog. And quickly had the opening Led Zeppelin's "Over the Hills and Far Away" stuck in my head. A tricky, wet, technical descent followed and I was thoroughly happy I was the only one on the road so I could use its entire width. Short, steep rollers followed until Cupar, and from there home I tried to hit it: I was wet, my feet were cold and I was ready for a steaming cup of coffee. Despite the discomfort it was one of the better rides I've had recently and I can't wait to head to the Tay coast again.