I tella lie. I thought I was going climbing tonight but my climbing partner G spent all afternoon tryingto get hold of me. "I'm ridingthe Etape [Caledonia] on Sunday and want to get a few more miles in - fancy a ride?"
The only riding we have done together before is on laden bikes on our way into bothies. He is the antithesis of me - very slightly built, but with little road bike experience. But he does have a shiny new boardman road bike
So I did a quick change, got Fred ready to go (the Pro2 Grip are starting to look a little tired after the winter), bottles filled and planned a quick route in my head.
G arrived and off we went. As I had anticipated he was much faster than me on the uphills - something to do with a 30kg weight difference. We cruised out through Birkhill and Tinky's Brae, waved at the welcoming committee for the club APR and then passed the various groups as they approached the finish (they were going the other way). F was still hanging on to the front group despite his first club weekender - 250 miles in two days for a 16yo.
We took a left and were on a road I had never ridden before. It was an absolute gem. Single track rising gently past a farm, then dropping into a hanging valley. Skirting the sides of the loch. Evening sun lit up the golden grass and gorse in that magical way that only a Scottish sun can. If you could bottle it you'd be a millionaire. Dead quiet apart from the bleating of lambs and gunting of tupping rams and ewes.
The road swings round and drops into Lundie. Only 500m away is the main road, but it is as good as 500 miles. We follow the road to the end of the village, a swng to the left on a steep hairpin and the climb starts to the top of Tullybaccart. My left calf is cramping, but my riding style is better than G's and we're not really pushing it so I can shift the effort and eventually manage to work the cramp around the mucsle and out.
Main road. It is eerily deserted as we ride side by side into Perth and Kinross. Yellow gorse by the side of the road in a pastoral idyl.
Before the road drops away down the hill we swing left for a short climb to the stunning descent through Littleton. The first part is open, fast and clear. Then the road follows the river as it twists down the gorge, steep banks of verdant green on one side, trees obscuring the water on the other. I know the road and let the bike run faster than is probably prudent, braking hard for the one tighter corner as the midges die hard across my face. And then run out, open countryside, and another little hanging dell. The road to the right is Jock's Brae, a steep climb, and a very entertainign descent if you have the bottle. Slightly lumpy and a bit of a curve at the top but otherwise dead straight and oh so fast.
But htat is not our route. We swing left, past the saw mill and through the clouds of insects. Jink left and cross the stream rising out of the saddle to blast the wee rise the other side, then drop through the village.
Count the left turns. 3rd left and we are on the home run. Rise and fall throguh Flocklones and past the Cat's Hotel. Only three more climbs to go and they are all short. It is into the wind now as we reach the junction and turn left to rise up again. Dundee sits clear on teh horizon,not so very far away in miles but a different continent in demeanour. Up we go, tired legs straining a bit. I'm starting to get the better of G. Fat and unfit I may be but I know how to ride a bike.
We turn towards Liff. My favourite road sign - road unsuitable for HGVs. A twist to cross the bridge, best not taken at speed till you know what is there, then immedieatelyout of the saddle up the step. Respite. Second step. Spin and Liff.
The old hospital is now luxury apartments. We greet a group of teenagers out on MTB's - there are so many people out on bikes this year - and roll on to Gourdie Brae. A bit of assertive traffic management is needed to gain access to the park. Mostly deserted at this time of the evening the ducks are resting. Admiral Duncan's house is a fitting backdrop - the sandstone a fine complement in the evening light to the rich greens and vibrant blossom of the trees.
All that is left is a short stint of city riding, just a mile more and back to my place. An absolutely fabulous evening. I wish I could have shared the colours and scenery with you. Pick the best Scottish calendar you can - it won't go far enough. A beautiful evenings ride, 24 miles in just under 90 mins. Hilly but not excessively so. And an unexpected bonus with which to finish the day.