Getting my Kicks, on Route 76

Haven't done 100 miles in a while. Didn't have any real plans other than 'Round the Forth' so ended up following NCN 76. Being typically Sustrans there was a great deal of weaving about, and also there being some sections that wouldn't have been out of place on a cross course, as well as narrow and rough paths right next to main roads with lorries barrelling down towards you. But there were some really nice quiet country roads, and despite an ache from the arm, it all felt reasonably comfortable. And that despite the headwind for, bizarrely, about 65 miles of the ride (a south-westerly that combined with the Sustrans weaving to leave me disappointed at the Stirling turning point when I'd hoped for an immediate tailwind).

First cross race in over a year and a half a week on Sunday, which will be a somewhat shorter, but more intense, affair.

Came home (by late lunchtime as planned!) to find out we've got a mite infestation in one of the chicken houses. First time in around a decade of keeping chooks that we've had that happen. Probably down to the warm weather. So the house was pulled apart. Cleaned, disinfected, treated, and we're going to have to keep a close watch on everything.

After all that, Friday night cocktails were well earned - especially as I was on about 4 and a half hours sleep, having staying up last night to do a cartoon for work and tend to a couple of emails, before pinging away at 5.50am to go on the ride (before my fallback alarm was due to sound ten minutes later). I'll sleep tonight. And already pondering kicking back on the sofa once I've finished typi..... zzzzzzzzzzzz.....