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GLAJOG ‘08 Training - Loch Katrine

April 21st, 2008

This was our first proper training run for GLAJOG ‘08. Since first talking about it we’ve added an extra body in the shape of Big “PH” Paul, who joined us for this ride on Sunday afternoon.

We actually did the route in the reverse direction of the route map below, choosing instead to do the “easier” route up Duke’s Pass at the end of the ride and finishing with the nice big downhill back into Aberfoyle.

lochkatrineloop.gpx

I had some issues with my bike on Saturday morning. Whilst adjusting the gears I managed to shear a bolt off of the front derailleur which means it’s stuck in the bottom chain ring. Ironic really, cos I was having problems getting down into the bottom chain ring, hence the reason for adjusting it in the first place.

So I had to make the executive decision to take along my “new” untested bike. When I say new, I mean new to me. It’s a 1958 Viking Hosteller that has been cleaned up and had some modern components added. I picked it up on ebay and luckily it arrived on Saturday morning, otherwise I’d have been on my mountain bike which wouldn’t have been much fun.

We went clockwise round from Aberfoyle, the road was fairly rough to begin with (maybe the mountain bike would have been a better idea after all). Our first stop was Stronachlachar Tea Room, approximately 12 miles in. So far, it had been relatively easy although mostly uphill and windy in places but nothing too tough. PH was coping well considering it was pretty much his first time on his bike this year. In fact the only problem at this point was the fact that the seat post on my “new” bike was slipping and I was now riding a couple of inches lower than when we started. Thankfully Geo has his toolkit with him and I was able to rectify the situation. Relatively easy or not, the tea and cake was much needed and went down a treat!

Geo assures us, it’s a nice easy ride around the Loch with some undulating hills but nothing too strenuous. So, refreshed and restored to fully working order, we head off feeling good from the sugar rush of the rather large slice of delicious carrot cake we’ve just scoffed. Next stop Loch Katrine car park.

Before long we come up behind some walkers and having learned my lesson previously I shout “Ding! Ding!” to make sure they get out the way. A little bit further on and it seems to be a Women’s Institute day out or something as we find ourselves having to pick our way through a large group of older ladies (or was it a group of large older ladies?) walking round the loch.

Soon we round the head of the loch and are heading along the north side towards the Loch Katrine car park and it doesn’t take long before we encounter the first rather steep hill. Geo comments that he remembered it as being further round. The good thing about hills is you get to go down the other side which is much more fun! But it doesn’t take long before we encounter the next big steep hill and this time Geo is heard to mutter that he doesn’t remember it being this hilly. Oh yeah? I’m beginning to think maybe Geo’s memory isn’t quite what it used to be

A few up and downs later (quite a few!) and we stop for a quick photo opperchancity. It just so happens to be almost exactly the half way stage for the day.

So, having broken the back of it we set off again still heading for Loch Katrine car park. Thankfully we also seem to have broken the worst of the hills and it’s fairly painless from here to the car park. A quick stop at the car park for me to readjust my seat post (again), a few glugs of juice and a bit of Go bar and we’re off heading for Duke’s Pass, the nasty big climb that will take us up and over and back down in to Aberfoyle.

It’s roughly about 6 miles from the Loch Katrine car park to Aberfoyle but it seemed much more, the rest of the cycle paled into insignificance when compared to the trek over this damned hill. It seemed to go on for ever, torturous mile after torturous mile, round each corner and over each crest there just always seemed to be more climbing ahead.

Me & Geo managed to stay together, each taking a turn at the front which no doubt helped a little. I remember looking back for Paul a few times and hoping he was ok but he wasn’t to be seen. Eventually we crossed a line that somebody had drawn at the top of the hill and pulled into a lay-by to die for a while.

What should we do about Paul? Should we wait here for him? Should we continue down the hill and go to the pub? We decided the best plan of action was to phone him and see if he was ok but there was no phone signal. So then we figured lets head down the hill into Aberfoyle and phone him from there. Ok, good plan.

So, off we set down the hill and I soon left Geo in my wake. The descent was excellent, fast and twisty just like you see on Le Tour (except a bit shorter). Sadly it was over all too quickly!

We pulled in to the car park (Geo wasn’t far behind) and congratulated each other. I tried to phone Paul but still no signal. Oh well, what can we do? Let’s put our bikes away and head to the pub, I’m sure he’ll be ok. But before you know it, there’s Paul coming round the corner. Hand shakes and congratulations all round!

Right, let’s get the bikes away a get to the pub! We made it just in time to see Rangers score a penalty in extra time of the semi-final of the cup to level the game at 1-1. We got a beer and watched the rest of the game, which Rangers eventually won on penalties, before heading home.

Summary

A good day’s riding was had by all and we all came through feeling tired but good and confident that we’ll be ok when it comes time for GLAJOG08 in August.

• Distance: 31.6 miles
• Moving Time: 2 hrs 36 min
• Moving Avg: 12.1 mph
• Max Speed: 35.7 mph (down the Duke’s Pass, whoooosh!!!)

• Stopped time: 25 mins (mostly for a pot of tea at Stronachlachar Tea Room)

Lessons Learned:

• don’t listen to anything Geo tells you about the upcoming terrain!!!
• don’t tinker with your bike the day before a ride, take it to a professional!
• You can’t beat a good hard ride on a Sunday afternoon

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