So many happy memories!
Section 1 Drymen, walking. Crossed the start line with my team mates. All in high spirits. The Rob Roy Challenge! Very exciting. All For One And One For All, everyone agrees!
2 hours later, stride into Aberfoyle with Iain. Can more or less see the other 3 up ahead so we finish Section 1 together.
Section 2 Aberfoyle, walking. Just manage to finish my reviving soup when the others decide it’s time to leave. Burn the roof of my mouth but at least we all leave together. After all, it’s All For One And One For All.
Somehow we get separated along the way. Good old DJ. He runs ahead in case McIntyre and Carruthers have got into trouble … there’s a risk they’re going too fast. Iain and I follow team orders by maintaining a steady pace.
Callander hoves into view. Rest. Food. Change wet clothes. A welcome break.
Oh goody, Willie has kindly got my bike all ready for a fast getaway. Who’s side is he on?
Section 3 Callander, cycling. Let’s go! Cycling. We’ll eat up the miles now. Chain comes off. Let’s stop!
The rest of my team mates cycle off cheerfully into the distance. Iain kindly waits for me a few miles ahead although that may be because another RR Challenger is lying prostrate across the cycle path blocking his way. Doesn’t stop McIntyre, Jackson or Carruthers who, judging from the tyre tracks across the back of the injured cyclist, barely break rhythm.
Everything’s going well. We spread out. Probably best that everyone establishes their individual, optimum speed. My optimum seems to be a tad slower than the others. But I think as it’s in the team interest it’s still All For One And One For All. Near to Lochearnhead, we come to a VERY steep climb. Better to conserve energy … get off and push. Iain … you can’t possibly cycle all the way up! OK, you can. No, you carry on. It’s OK, see you later.
Very long climb up Glen Ogle. 5 straight miles. I’m sure through the heavy rain that I can see at least one of them in the distance.
The downhill section into Killin is muddy, slippy, wet and lonely. It’s alright, checkpoint coming. And Yes, there they are.
Section 5 Killin, cycling. Thank goodness. Time for a decent break. Hot drink. Change wet socks. Massage. Maybe some food. How are you others getting on? Haven’t seen much of you recently. Are you nearly ready to go? is the response I get. Hang on guys. What about a piss break? Jeez, they’re gone.
Now that’s below the belt. All For One And One For … One, it seems.
Final section. 17 miles. Lot of hills. Still pissing down. And there seems to be no doubt now that the strategy has changed. It’s an individual race. You’re on your own, mate.
You effing B’s. All For One And One For All … you can shove it. Rage –it’s a fantastic motivator. Keeps me going all the way to Kenmore. And along the way I come up with some fantastically abusive names for my erstwhile team mates.
Eventually. The finishing line. Thank the Lord. A man shoves a microphone at me and asks me which team I’m with. I could have answered The Mono-cyclists … Johnny Nae Mates … Flying Solo … but I keep to the party line.
Oh and there they are. They want a team photo. The smile for the camera is decidedly wooden.
And now for a nice long hot shower … but that's a story for another time.
[Check out the opening lines of Plaistow Patricia from New Boots and Panties by Ian Dury And The Blockheads released 30 September 1977 on You Tube and you’ll get a flavour for my feelings during the last 17 miles.]
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