#1 in a very occasional series of 'MrFT goes to visit one of his brothers by bike for a cup of tea'. (Given the next nearest one lives in Orkney and the other one is Valencia, don't hold your breath on there being another one in this series just immediately...!)

The easiest one is the eldest of the four of us - who lives approx 25 miles away. Shortly after 7.30 I headed out into a breeze that would later assist me immeasurably.

Off up through town on well worn routes; left at Cameron Toll, a brief nod at the memorial for James Harrison (see FT passim) and onwards until the houses gave way to swaying cornfields and the calm of the cycle path that takes me all the way from Gilmerton Road to Roslin Chapel.

From there, it's unfamiliar cycling country. I'm an east / west kindofa guy when it comes to cycle routes. Hell, I've even venture north on the odd occasion into darkest Fife, but never previously into the Scottish Borders.

Penicuik; then right at Leadburn - uphill and into the wind. And then the fun began. Left onto the Shiplaw Road and a nippy wee climb before miles of single track largely deserted descending. Before I knew it I was on the bro's doorstep with a great big grin across my face. And two dogs clamouring for attention.

A cuppa and 75 mins of chat and then I was scheduled to meet Her at IKEA to inspect their bed selection. 

I opted for the Gladhouse (extended version) return; a road I'd driven once many moons ago and given the proximity to the bro's it's a bit of an anomaly that I've not been back. For the 3 and a half minutes of toil up the initial zig zag, it's so worth the effort for the next 30 of snaking moorland high gear / wind assisted joy.

She gave notice of her eventual departrue so I curtailed the activities and swooped and swept back to Pencuik and onwards to our RV. 

In a rare moment of disorganisation neither of us had a bike lock, so that fucked the IKEA wander (quel dommage...) so instead She refueled at Asda and we headed back to hers via the same outward route. Again greatly assisted by the wind. 

100km duly racked up, She popped the chicken in to roast whilst I rehydrated with a beer.

Top tip - roast chicken dinner always tastes better after a long bike ride. Rounded off with mango and strawberries. 

I took myself off home and slumped into bed, oblivious of Her plodding the streets at past midnight trying to locate the disobedient daughter......

Extra is the 'Kraftwerk / Solo Project version of the blip