Cademuir - Sunday Bike Ride

Big bike ride today, so I am up a little earlier than I normally would for a Sunday. Actually a little earlier than initially planned as I am cycling with a friend who has to be back home by a certain time to remain in the good books.

There's a strong SE wind, so I plan a clockwise route. I set off, realise I should take a waterproof jacket Just In Case, head back, get jacket, and set off again to Fairmilehead crossroads. Just 3 minutes late. South it is. The Seafield Moor Road is fine, and we start out at quite a fast pace.

To do the clockwise route, its either Roslin Glen or Auchendinny, both of which have long steady climbs. As I am gong for distance, Its Auchendinny, the B7026, which climbs up to Pomathorn, then we turn east, in to the wind, up and over Mount Lothian on the Top Gear Road, the B6372. There is respite as we head south to Gladhouse Reservoir, the wind seems to be getting stronger, and a couple of gusts try to wrench my front wheel away from me. Heading down to Yorkston I see a work mate heading in the opposite direction, I say hello, and he mutters back. From Yorkston, its east to Middleton, and on to a horrible rough road here to take us to the B7007.

Smooth Tarmac. The climb up to the Granites is in a westerly direction, and strangely wind assisted for a change. Its 3km long and climbing from 270m to 404m ASL. Once over the top, we have to pedal downhill for a wee while, especially at the appropriately named Windy Slack. A wee while later, the hills shelter us until we cross Heriot Water. The wind pushes us for while on to the B709. There's effort to get up to the Piper's Grave, once over the top, its a long descent along the Glentress Water.

The Glentress Water joins Leithen Water, the wind is in our face for a while, but not too bad. In fact we're catching up with another cyclist. Just after the 9-hole Innerleithen Golf Course, we overtake him, and he joins us for a wee while, through Innerleithen, over the Tweed and on to the back road B7062 at Traquair. The road actually heads north here to Cardrona, so instead of a wind assisted ride, there's a cross wind.

We work together through Cardrona and the road turns west. At Kirkburn, the third rider turns in to Kailzie Park, while we head up a segment called the ToTB 2014 Final Climb. Its fun to storm up it. From the top, its downhill to Peebles. We don't head in to the town, instead we head south passing the High School to head around Cademuir.

I stop at a convenient point to get my blip of Hundleshope Heights from  Cademuir, and Extra of my cycling companion.

Then its around to Kirkton Manor and up to the A72. Once on the A72, we are jet propelled along the road. We pass through Lyne, and it doesn't take long to get to the B7059. Its the fastest part of the ride. Nice to cycle along at about 42km/h, 25mph. We turn off on to the B7059 to head for Romannobridge. There's quite a bit of side wind for the first part, but as the road starts climbing, the hills funnel the wind to push us north.

From Romannobridge, we head SW for a few hundred metres on the A701, and on to the Bogsbank road to West Linton. Its along Main Street, then on to Deanfoot Road. At Whitfield, the road heads upwards, and the road becomes the Harlawmuir Road. The initial climb is not too bad, but once through Deepsyke forest, the strong east wind hits us on the right hand side. The next 5km are spent cycling leaning in to the wind at an angle along the road. Its nice to drop down at last to Ravensneuk. There is shelter from trees. A quick breather.

The home straight now. Its on to the A701, through Peebles, before turning off on to the Seafield Moor Road to Hillend and Fairmilehead. I get home before 1pm.

Total Distance 124.35km (77.26mi), 1,488m(4,882ft) climbing, 28km/h (17.4mph). Also 4,565 kCal burned. I've earned my coffee and cake today.