Lepra Edinburgh to St. Andrews Ride 2016

Well the weather wasn't as wet as it could have been. It was cool and cloudy as we set out from Inverleith Park, and out via Barton and Dalmeny.

As we head over the bridge, it does become cooler, and a fine drizzle sets in. Its not so bad as we go through Rosyth, but at Crossford, the roads are definitely damp. The climb up to Cleish Hill starts here. Unlike previous years, when I get to the top, I don't stop. Its too cold and too damp. Fortunately the mist clears as I descend, so I wait for my friends at the bottom.(Main blip)

Lunch at Kinross is welcome. A nice cup of coffee to warm up and a couple of rolls, a small cake and a banana. No sitting outside this year.

From here, we head north around Loch Leven to Wester Balgedie. We trn left on to Dryside Rd. A short climb, followed by a couple of dips, then a long descent to Strathmiglo. On the main road, we turn right on the A912 to Falkland, from where we take a B road to Freuchie. An early afternoon tea is served by the Ladies Circle (see extra showing one of my five a day)

You don't want to eat much here. As you leave Freuchie, you have to climb up Kettle Hill. A steep climb after a cake stop. I wait at the top for my friends. We skirt around Cults Hill. This goes through the wee village of Burnturk. The photo of the building formed part of the Coaltown of Burnturk, which no longer exists.

The route continues to Chance Inn, where there is a short sharp hill. It is immediately preceded by a right hand bend. If you're in the wrong gear, and the hill does seem to appear out of nothing to the unaware, then you're walking up.

We're now on the home straight. We cycle through Craigrothie, Ceres and Pitscottie. This is easy, and quite fast cycling. The final extra shows rolling hills I noticed as we climbed out of Pitscottie. From here its downhill in to St. Andrews.

I've earned my curry and beer.