Well Pedal for Scotland was quite good fun. Furthest we've ever cycled on the tandem, and the furthest my son has ever cycled. He took it all in his stride. I had been a bit concerned he might not manage as we climbed out of Glasgow, but the provision of feed stops every ten miles or less meant he had lots of opportunities to rest and re-fuel. Although rather cold at the start, we were blessed with the weather: not a single drop of rain and several spells of warm sunshine.
This was my first PfS and I was impressed by the sheer scale of the event: 9000 riders this year apparently. It was nice that many sections of the route were partly closed to traffic, and police officers waving us through junctions where this was not the case. A huge diversity of people taking part. Not very many 'serious' cyclists* - I imagine they were on the sportive 110 miler - but just about every imaginable shape and size of cycle and cylist were present, including lots of children. Several other tandems were spotted, a recumbent trike, an ordinary/penny farthing and one chap who rode a unicycle all the way. I felt rather sorry for the riders we passed whose chains were squeaking loudly for lack of a drop of oil, or whose saddles were far too low.
Anyway my son enjoyed it thoroughly and wants to do a repeat performance next year. Oh and Edinburgh-St Andrews too!
* - though did meet some club riders, including a group from West Lothian Clarion, which was a surprise.
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