Training Log Archive: Lard

Trossachs Ton. Well that went to plan, not. Aiming for sub-7 hours of pleasant group riding, gorgeous scenery and good weather.
Managed to work with a few people round the early stages to Aberfoyle and did the first 71k in 2hrs 40 (2:16/k average). Great catch up with family at Aberfoyle and happily over Dukes with no issues. Not just wet mist by now though - proper rain along Loch Katrine. Punctured on a downhill as I was parallel with Stronachlachar. Assumed it was a pinch-puncture and relatively quickly changed it whilst being eaten alive by midges. Put in an old tube with a repair and crossed my fingers it was OK. 10 minutes later (just before Stronachlachar) flat tyre. Damn. Bloody old tube! Grrr. In goes the 2nd one, a new one at least. But my pump don't work - had to flag someone and beg theirs - it was a cracker! Off I go again (I was now the colour of a coal minor as the midges had really tucked in). Hurtling down to Aberfoyle - 5 miles to go...puncher! F@&k!!! No more spares. Had to flag down a nice guy and blag one. Let him go on. Right, it's about time I triple-checked there's nothing wrong with the rim or tyre. Bollox. Found an old thorn, quite flattish but enough to puncture at speed downhill....explains everything. Had to flag another guy to borrow a pump. Up it goes. Ta. Back on the road. Three puncture in and 37 minutes of time lost I was pretty pissed off and there was no longer anybody to work with (only 211 people rode this route - what a fiddle!!!) so it was a long slog from there home, knowing 7 hours was out the window. Hey-ho, I was gonna bloody finish so pushed on and worked hard all the way. Chuffed to see whole family and extra supporters at Aberfoyle 2 and that got me over Dukes 2 easily (managed to flag a van to get a track pump to make sure tyres all good). Into wind and rain for last 10 miles. Job done. Body broken. Knackered. Looks like I'd have been good for well under 7 had I not punctured at all. C'est la vie. Glad it's over and I can prepare for the French 5 (when my body un-tightens!).

C • Well done 5

Into work from Garage (Passat service).
Cold (11) and wet (bloody wet!).

Three days to go to the biggest ride of my life. The Trossachs Ton!
https://www.action.org.uk/trossachs-ton

This is gonna hurt, so to alleviate my pain could you consider sponsoring me?
https://www.action.org.uk/user/222256

Or for those who remember the great John Pickering of Airienteers, BG Round etc then I'd rather you sponsor his wife Julie:
https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/MOTforJohn?...

Usual work loop. In self-preservation mode as the rain turned from light drizzle to heavy downpour.