Windy tonight innit!!

Well, after doing Turbo last night, the first thing on my mind as I left work was "I will go for a ride". All day I noted it was windy, but the thought came as I walked across the car park, that it wasn't that bad. So, home, change and out.

 

Decided would do the Redcastle route out to Kessock Bridge, back up the cycle path and the back over the A835 and back to Muir across Mulbuie.  In total by CatEye at 20.8 miles. I was under the impression it was further than that, but no it ain't. Validated it on Bike Route Toaster which gave it 20.46, but slight variation on my route I think.  Always difficult to get an accurate route when you jump cycle paths to roads etc.

 

Anyway, nice pleasant pace down the shore road to North Kessock. However, the wind which I thought wasn't that bad was blowing hard. I couldn't work out whether it was side on, behind or head on on this stretch. Pushed on to Kessock irrespective. Kept a nice steady pace of around 20 - 22 mph which wasn't overall too bad tonight.  Once at Kessock, took the slip road up to the cycle path which I had heard tales about. Only ever been down it before so I thought I knew what to expect.  Got half way up and thought not bad. Suddenly a car appeared. Only a single track road and knew if I stopped I would lose all momentum. So just carried on and the driver stopped. Good Man. Right at the top,the hill takes a kick upwards and a sharp turn to the left and another kick upwards. Down into bottom gear and standing up I managed to push the full distance. Decided to crack on and not stop for breather. Right Choice. Nice surprise in the ride that was.

 

Followed cycle path from there under the flyover and up to Tore. It was just as I got onto the road section of the cycle path that I realised that the change in direction etc meant I was going to have to ride back to Tore and over the tops with a howling wind in my head. It was then I took the advice of Carbonaut John on riding in the drops. Good man. Grabbed down and pushed on.  If your not used to it, it is awkward to start with, but good position into the wind.

 

As I got onto the path up the A835 I realised that the wind was more to the side so I know as I turned onto the Mulbuie road, it definitely would be into the face. Correct. After almost becoming a goner under the wheels of a Honda 4x4 at the T Junction (not saying that the driver never saw me, I reckon it was more a fact that I was wearing my England top). I think she was eager to get somewhere and obviously had no patience to wait for an England top wearing cyclist struggling with his pedals and trying to negotiate the crossing of a busy A road.

 

As predicted the head wind was ridiculous. All the way in howling wind (in the drops) and pushing like a demon in a low gear to try to keep good pace.  It ain't a bad road with a gentle climb for about 1 mile and then downhill.  Turned off into Balvaird road and final stretch to home. This is undulating but mainly downhill. Back up on the bars and head wind or no headwind I was pushing it. 26 mph for the final stretch before the main descent to home.

 

Finished up at 20.8 miles in 1 hr 6 minutes and average of 18.1 mph.  I must admit this was a last minute decision ride, but God did I enjoy it.

 

I think in future to get  used to riding into the wind I am going to employ the use of fan on the Turbo and also chock up the front wheel to go up hill. I will however remove this for the cool down section and freewheel an easy downhill section to finish. Will keep you posted on how I get on.

 

Cheerio now.

 

Hindo