Biking Blues Through The Blair and Bridge of Weir

We decided on an earlier start for this Saturday's bike run, partly because we wanted to get some extra miles under our belts, and more accurately, because we're all running scared of our partners and need to get back home by lunchtime on a Saturday. Well, there's shopping to do, isn't there??? The bright lights and sports shops of Braehead were beckoning for me, and like a moth to a flame, I was compelled to set the controls for the heart of the mall.

Anyway, on a rain-free, if not cold and damp morning, we set off as usual from Dalgarven - Colin, Alistair and myself (Gav was working and Stevie taking a rain check) and headed up the steep hill behind the mill, striking out for the Blair and Garnock Valley on Route 7. This route is so well trodden by us all now, as we've passed this way many times before, but it's familiarity never seems to diminish our enjoyment of this quiet wee country road. Alistair was sporting a new helmet (!!!) due to a fall earlier in the week during his commute to work and Colin was finding it difficult to get a breath in the damp conditions. Yours Truly was just trying to keep up, after a long winter of inactivity and an inclination to consume too many cakes! Bring on Castle Semple cafe!

The weather seemed to brighten up as the morning progressed and before long we found ourselves passing Castle Semple at 8.50, determined to reach Bridge of Weir as our half way point before turning tail to head back to Semple for the culinary delights and coffee of our much-frequented watering hole. Colin was setting a blistering pace by this point in the morning, whilst Alistair and I towed each other along quite a distance behind by taking turns leading and then drafting.

Being able to draft another cyclist by riding close to their rear wheel means that you are sheltered and tucked in an air pocket where you are no longer pushing through the air that the lead rider is breaking (and believe me, Alistair can break wind!). Consequently, you are literally being carried along by the eddy of forward moving air directly behind the leader, and therefore using 20-40% less energy. This technique really worked well for us today and we weren't too far behind Colin by the time we rolled up at the cafe.

After the customary coffee, sweet stuff and cycling banter at the Lochwinnoch pit stop, we set out for the home leg suitably refreshed, if a little cold and tired. By this time the wind was now facing us and fairly fresh, ensuring we were suitably tested on the hilly home strait. Achengree hill proved challenging, providing a stern test of character and weakening the muscles before it's smaller siblings flexed their biceps in the Blair estate, and we arrived again at Dalgarven in dire need of food, liquid and rest - pity we had a serious afternoon's shopping in prospect. Braehead? Bring it on!