A small milesstone today. The total number of feet I have climbed means I have climbed Everest twice, a total 62,000 feet. Not bad for a lad from Norfolk ☺
After a really comfortable stay at the Deeside Inn in Ballater we were ready for our last long day in the saddle. A total of 89 miles, but in the first 20 we would be going over The Lecht. A climb of two parts but more on that in a bit.
I woke up with a stiff back and very tired legs. My thought was to get into the climbing early and wake up the legs. The theory was good but in practice not so. Two reasons 1) Today was going to be all about the wind. Our ride was in a north westerly direction and the wind (any where between 12 & 20mph) would be coming from the north west. 2) Didn't look at the profile the night before. Completely unaware the we would be going around Mona Gowan in the first few miles. Just a small hill that tops out at 1500 feet with a small section of 15%. The view was good though.
Despite the wind today we had sunshine for most of the day so it did feel quite warm. I think the thermometer topped out at around 19°. After the first big climb we rolled through the landscape stopping taking more pictures. Every where was breathtaking.
Now the Lecht isn't like other climbs it comes in two parts. The first part is a ridiculously steep section of tarmac. It looks like a wall tarmac. If you lean too far forward on the bike you will wheel spin. Lean too far back and you will pull the front wheel off the road. It is steep and it goes on for quite some time at this gradient. Some didn't make it on their bikes and had to walk. With that out of the way you are presented with this!
Climbing to an altitude of 2,105ft with gradients of 14% it is another monster of a climb, bearing in mind everything that we have done up until now (plus the wind)but the view is worth it
Looking back down the valley
from the top of the Lecht
Over the top down the other side and to the feed stop. All that hard work deserved a bit of cake. (Oh and Jordan got all annoyed with "armchair Lynch" as he didn't assist with getting a kom just before the feedstop. Jordan didn't care that John was at his limit and couldn't have gone any faster. Not a happy bunny. Didn't stop us from laughing at the situation😂). Bellies full (thanks Steve & Dianne again) we set off in to the wind. Not more than a mile down the road I heard a bang and hissing sound. Puncture! Given the van was close by I gave them a call and I swapped tyres and used a track pump to get the tyre back up to pressure. Jordan and John turned round to see where I had gone. There was a bit of a palaver as the tyre wouldn't got back on. All sorted in the end and back on our way.
Us (me and John) stopping to take more photos gave Jordan a chance to ride off and have his fun for the day. John and I merrily chatted about stuff trying to take our minds off the wind. We eventually caught up with the rest of the group.
Connie & Stuart
Saying hello to everyone as we passed them and checked that they were OK. John and I raced up the road ahead. We did miss a turning but this was quickly rectified. The next feed stop couldn't come soon enough. Just to get out of the wind for a few minutes. After the feed stop the trio were reunited and off we trundled. We road under a great landmark structure. The Culloden Viaduct.
There wasn't much further to go and the hotel was almost in sight. I heard another bang followed by another hissing sound. Puncture number 2! FFS! I sent a message to Jordan and told him to carry on. Puncture fixed I rolled in to Dingwall and The National Hotel. A hot shower and beef pie was in the menu. The best was to end a long day.
In other news about 10 minutes after my puncture Rachel had a blow, completely destroying her rear tyre. That will teach her to make fun of my predicament. The other big news today, it was Derek's birthday. He is now 73 years old! An inspiration to us all
Happy birthday Derek!
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