WNRW The Return - Flashing on Soutra

[doug67]

It's that time of year again... a healthy turnout assembled at the sign-on for the official start of the WNRW season but alas there was no Le Patron to pop the champagne and cut the red ribbon to mark the occasion.  In his absence, trusty loo-tenant Richard G deputised as routemeister and announced a bit of an epic jaunt down over Soutra and back up the Granites.  Ouch.

Fantastic evening sunset as we headed off up past Carberry, Cousland, Fordell Dean and eventually towards Humbie.  Painful flashbacks from Saturday's 2-Up for some as we hit the climbs from Templehall onwards.  There was much admiration before and during the ride for Mr Easton's and Mr Hale's new steeds (Titanium Van Nicolas and carbon Condor respectively). It's only partly true that they got off and carried their bikes through damp sections to avoid getting them dirty.

Onto the A68 briefly and then to the first real test of the evening on the climb up Soutra Aisle.  A puncture at the top gave a chance for recovery and to discuss the discovery of anthrax nearby in the past, it's survival capacity, and how best to use it as a terrorist weapon.  Eric seems to know far more than a teacher ought to about the latter.....

Strangely for a road that's normally so quiet during the day, yesterday evening it seemed to be going like a fair.  As it turned out this was probably because of the road closure on the A7 which greeted us at the other end.  Fortunately the closure didn't affect us but meant that the road was quiet all the way up to our next turn-off at Heriot.

Along the meandering road by the Heriot Water (not that we could see it even with "Laser" Lee's lights) where "Galileo" Garrett helpfully illuminated me (geddit) that the two small shiny things in the sky were Venus and Mars and the biggish orange flashy thing was a plane.   Always useful to know.

Up the Granites next to decide who would wear the coveted first KOM jersey of the season.  The stroke rate was quietly ramped up by "Big Jim" Whitworth as we approached the top and then exploded as the glory hunters went for it.  Although history may record who took the points I didn't as I was too far back (only because I'm saving myself for the spring. Honest...). 

The descent down towards the A7 from the top of the Granites is one of the best things about riding a bike round here; even in the dark it's massive fun.  Fun over, t'committee voted to go the direct route back as time was pushing on, so it was on to the main road and engage warp speed for what felt like 53x12 all the way back to the viaducts.  I think James took a sneaky sprint into Gorebridge along the way.

To finish off the evening we had the cruel uphill sprint finish on Gilmerton Road - one for the strong men this.  First to show was "Smokey" Whitworth followed by a posse of bandits in hot pur-soot.  Again someone else will need to supply details of who eventually took the Green Jersey as I was, um, saving myself for the spring.

Anyone with info on the KOM and sprints please post (don't be modest now).

[AlexH]

Ricardo De Rosa may think he took the KOM on the line, but as we were both looking for it as we were neck and neck, who knows. It was sweet, I tell you.
Alex B&W Hale

[Garry]

Ricardo De Rosa may think he took the KOM on the line, but as we were both looking for it as we were neck and neck, who knows. It was sweet, I tell you.
Alex B&W Hale

I'm still looking for my cut of the prize money, for leading you all up to the final effort 

[AlexH]

Cheque is in the post, Garry.

Nice report Dougal, but bring back Marco Murdoch, please.