Hallowed be thy name.

The iron maiden was taken down from the hook. The colours donned. Sidis ratcheted tight. There was a need to grasp the nettle: to step up to the plate and give the legs some hard love. Out of glasgow, along the clyde walkway.



West, into the sunshine. legs beating a familiar rhythm, heart following suite and the mind at peace. As the coast gave way to the north i kept moving at a steady rhythm, now on road.



As the ground reared up to my left, the water incised the land and the mountain tops began to clear. Forever onwards, past the signs of mankind's war-mongering and a gasp as the cobbler's horned top is exposed.



Inland now. Towards the bonnie banks of loch lomond but the beast needs more. Its thirst not slaked by the 2.5 hours of work. North again, climb now well above the highland fault. The rocks become more severe, the sun bleaching everything and the blood pumps as altitude is gained. Reach the top of the loch and head on, crianlarich is left behind and a headwind rises. Lix toll, and a stiff climb gives me my first wall of the day. Iron Maiden times it perfectly on my ipod.

"Im waiting in my cold cell when the bell begins to chime
Reflecting on my past life and it doesnt have much time
Cos at 5 oclock they take me to the gallows pole
The sands of time for me are running low"



Over the top as loch earn opens in front of me. Hit the cycleway and more tight gravel.



Moving swiftly i take in some calories and immediately start burning them. Ben Ledi, then alongside the river to callender.



A quick assessment of the pain and i begin the route around loch venacher. From here i know the 39:18 will punish me as i climb to aberfoyle but the taste of pain is why i sat at this table today.



Limbs salty and dry, finding it hard to keep the rhythm running, but soon enough the campsies in the distance gives me all the strength i need for the final haul home.

Stats:
126 miles
9.5 hours
estimated 33% dirt 67% tarmac
power reasonable
cadence good
endurance in the right place

Power work on the k bells now, a few technical rides, and down to the singletrack weekender then a week of taper for K tree.