Marybank Cycle day

Well, as I committed, I was determined to attend the Annual Cycle Day which runs from Marybank Hall, up Strathconon and back to the hall. A total of 38 miles. 

 

Having played golf at Invergordon and been battered around by wind and rain, the likes I have never seen in Invergordon before and walking straight into a steel bar after the game, as I lied in bed Saturday morning with a sore forehead and listening to the wind howling through the trees, I was not overly enthused.

 

However, convinced the wind was going to die off for 10 am, I got myself up, ready and had breakfast. A nice large bowl of Quaker oats, topped with milk mixed Protein shake and creatine.

 

Having decided that there was a very high chance of rain I went out with the rain jacket on, which turned out to be the wrong decision. When I got to Marybank, it felt as though it had rained on the inside.  So, I left wallet and phone with Anna at the hall (thanks Anna) and prepped for the start at 10 am.

 

Hard to say just how many riders there were, but when I signed in, I was given number 119. So I would say 130 ish at a good guess.  Many would take a bus with the kids to the top of Strathconon and ride back the one way. Others, would go part way and back or all the way.  I had committed to the full 38 miles.

 

My intention, after having driven the road a few nights earlier and knowing my current form speed, was a personal goal to completion the full ride in 2hrs 20 minutes. Time would tell.

 

10am came and all were unleashed on the road to Strathconon.  Knowing not to burn out too quick the initial pace was steady, but 1 mile in I thought too steady, so picked up the pace to catch a group who were out in front. At this point I had no idea on how many were in front. They had a good rhythmic pace and steady through the initial ups and downs up to scatwell  and Meig.  This pace in the group remained pretty constant and by the time we were nearing the end of the first 19 miles before turning back, I noted we were sitting at about 16.7 mph average. Note, the wind was full on all the way up the glen and the outwards section is all up hill.

 

The group in front of me consisted of 6 people and I noted the guys from square wheels coming back (3 of them). I then calculated I was sitting around 10th to 11th.

 

As we turned to head back with no stop, I took on large quantity of liquid energy drink and continued. The group in front now started to pull off and I decided to stick with them. Passing several of the group I concentrated on 1 group of 5 at the time. However, we dropped another and carried on. The pace was quick, but I was holding ground with the group and enjoying the experience.  At 1 point I hit a bit of a pot-hole and my Bianchi bottle did a quick disappearing act. As naffed off as I was, I was not going back for it.

 

By the time we hit the Meig Dam, I had noted the average speed had increased to a nice 18.5 mph. Well impressed as I had never sustained this speed over that distance. pushing on into the undulations back to Marybank, I will admit I started to feel it. Probably due to lack of carb intake, but it is difficult to unwrap nutrigrains when riding at 24 mph. My own fault. Took more drink and pushed on. 1 of the group in front starting losing ground with his group, so I stuck with him.

 

Nearing the end we got some idiot slowing us up in a car, but eventually saw sense and pulled over. The next hill I took my chance and powered past and tried to put some distance between us.  This worked for a short period, but he soon caught me back as I slowed to recover.

 

The final mile or so is slight uphill and to our surprise we ended with a stiff headwind. I commented that I hadn't got the final sprint in me, but after spying someone in blue ahead, I decided enough was enough and maybe move from 7th to 6th was possible.  Sprinted up the straight but pipped by about 3 seconds.

 

I must admit, my initial target of 2 hr 20 was smashed as when I checked the CatEye I had completed in 2hr 1min. Average 18.6 mph. And, I was admittedly knackered. I had pushed myself the whole way and loved every single minute of it. It was a fantastic experience, one which I will have to repeat on other events in the near future.

 

The final 5 miles ride home to the Muir I took my time. the legs had totally cooled off and I could feel the previous 38 miles with every pedal stroke. Robbo had come down to the ride and met me there with a nice can of Tennants which I drank before I left. Cheers Alison.

 

The final hill to Rose Croft was a killer yesterday but thankfully I can report no detrimental effect on the legs today at all. They feel fantastic.  So jobs around the house with cleaning the garage as the main priority which I have almost completed.

 

Anyway, that completes my account of yesterday and a total days riding of a completed 48 miles.

 

Cheers