@amir, thanks for asking.
It was a very long day, but a good one. I chose Wednesday just past for the ride, as I had a day off and the weather forecast looked good.
Very cold starting out (around 6.30am), lots of frost, ice and bike commuters coming the other way with buffs, scarves, etc. I had opted for a spring/summer combo instead of winter gear, knowing that it would heat up later. I layered up with summer base layers, bib shorts, then longs, overshoes, soft shell jacket, gilet and windproof. Also ear covers and merino gloves over track mitts.
Nice run up to Dollar, though the peak time traffic on the A985 was hellish and I changed my route slightly to get off that road ASAP, cutting up through Dunfermline toward Saline. By the time I reached Crieff it was positively balmy and I started to delayer, though was not yet quite ready to bare my legs. Spotted quite a few pheasants and a solitary black grouse on the back road to Perth, which I can highly recommend. By Perth it was hot: off came the overshoes, longs, gloves, though I kept my soft shell. The sun was fantastic, and the countryside great to cycle through. I noted that the daffodils in Angus have not bloomed yet, whereas here in Lothian they have.
The A94 just outside Forfar was very busy and unpleasant (lots of HGVs), but difficult to avoid. As I approached the town two truckloads of live pigs (double decker trailers) were travelling the other way, their snouts poking out sniffing the air and watching the sun (presumably on their way to the slaughterhouse). Forfar itself was shuting up shop as I arrived: no bridie for me alas.
At Forfar I noticed a cool breeze had got up, so on with the layers again. As the sun got lower in the sky, it got noticeably colder and there was a headwind on the way to Dundee and the Tay Bridge. Quite windy crossing that, and I had an issue with my front dynamo light not switching on which I feared would mean bailing out with less than 200k on the clock. Luckily got it working and carried on into the growing darkness.
St Andrews was buzzing with folk eating out, but I was behind schedule. I think the headwind and light faffing were factors, but there's also a point I seem to reach around 170k where my legs get tired. This seems to pass beyond 200k, and the tiredness creeps into my brain instead, but the legs were pretty much fine from 220k onwards. Can't quite figure that out, but it seems to happen every time around that distance: just a case of keeping going, taking a breather at the control, and pushing on.
Central Fife was pretty darn cold, and I began to wish I'd packed a few more woolen items at certain points. Certainly a buff might have been handy as I had a constantly dripping nose from the Sidlaws south. I was quite lucky that the night was dry and clear, and the moon was so bright I could read my watch by it. Also the roads were nearly deserted: even once I joined the A91 from Auchtermuchty I barely saw any motor vehicles. This was to be the pattern as I cycled into the night. After making Kinross within time, the roads through Kelty, Hill of Beath, were all deserted. It was after all well past midnight.
The Forth bridge was eerily quiet too, just the odd HGV passing. My was there a breeze though! At times I was worried a strong gust might blow me over. I could see the moonlight glancing off the waves in the Forth below through the gap between the main deck and pedestrian walkway, and was keen to get off the bridge.
Dalmeny, Standingstane Road, the Kirkliston road, I had them all to myself and was beginning to enjoy the peace. I skipped the NEPN and cruised down the smooth tarmac of the A90 into the city. Very little traffic, at times none. Cycling in the wee small hours gives a fresh perspective and means you can enjoy good road surfaces: something I learned to appreciate on this ride.
That was my first 300, and the final ride in my RRTY, which (subject to verification) I should have completed now. Next month I'll sample the challenges of an ECE...
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