Watergate and Nivingston Crags

Up at a normal work time as I am doing the Lepra Edinburgh to St. Andrews ride. This is so I can have a proper breakfast, and pack the remaining things in the panniers. I am away for 7:40.

It's not raining at the start of the ride in Inverleith Park. I buy an event t-shirt, which is put in a pannier before I hand them to the luggage van. Apparently it is raining in Fife. I hope I am dressed ok for the weather. (my wet weather gear is in my jersey pocket and seat bag)

The ride starts off ok. In fact the cycling is nice and easy as we head out  of Edinburgh to Dalmeny, South Queensferry and on to the bridge. Its grey, but not too bad. In fact as we head through Rosyth and on to the A road it is still ok, but as we head west the rain starts, but its fine to begin with. Where we turn off to head for Crossford, the rain is much heavier, so I don my waterproof gloves and cap.

After Crossford, I put my overshoes on. And it's pretty persistent from now on as we carry on north along Lundin Rd, as wee bit eat on the A907, then north on the Craigsluscar Rd. At the top we turn east and the rain is in my face. I have to adjust my coat at the junction with the A283 as the sleeves of the jacket are riding up and allowing water to seep in to my gloves.

There's a short stretch along the A road before turning right on to the B915, which we follow to the B914, which we follow for a wee while to take a left turn on to the minor road to climb over Cleish Hill. Unfortunately, the ice cream van isn't doing much trade as we all cycle past in the rain. The descent is quite fast. There are a couple of twisty turns, so it helps not to over take. 

The blip shows Watergate and Nivingston Crags at the bottom of Cleish Hill. If you view it large, you can see the rain streaking through the image.

From here I wait for my friends. Then together we cycle to Kinross for the lunch stop.

After lunch is when I feel the cold the most. My chin starts shivering. The rain has gone off a bit though, and by the time we reach Balgedie, I have warmed up. It's here that we turn on to Dryside Road. This is a quiet road, a bit bumpy in places, and not very dry. The rain seems to be holding off through. The road climbs slowly at first, with a couple of dips, before we reach the top with a wind turbine. The follows a long descent to Strathmiglo.

We head along the Hist Street to the A912 to Falkland where we turn on to a B road for a while to Freuchie. We have an early afternoon tea, courtesy of Freuchie Parish Church. Too soon after lunch? Not with cakes this good, and you get a free refill of coffee / tea.

After the afternoon tea, there is the infamous Kettle Hill climb. the road is quite steep, and it is common for people to push their bike up the hill. (Especially when full of afternoon tea). At the top, the road runs through a wood, before we turn left to head through Burnturk and around Cults Hill to Chance Inn. My gloves ar every sodden now as a heavy burst of rain catches me unaware, and both gloves get a god fill of fresh rain water.

Just after Chance in, there is a sharp right hander. It helps to pay attention as almost immediately, there is a short sharp hill, and you have to be in the right gear to climb it, or you will be walking.

At the top, we head for Craigrothie, and we're on the B939, which will takes us to St. Andrews. A very heavy rain shower tries to drive us off the road. As the wind is in your face, the raindrops sting a little, good for the complexion??? So its generally head down as we cycle downhill to Ceres.

The rain eases a little as we head through Ceres, through Pitscottie and up the final hill. There is one final heavy burst of rain as we head past Strathkinness. The sign for St. Andrews can't some soon enough really.

As we head along Hepburn Gardens, one person loses a part of their mudguard. Fortunately they don't have to go down to the finish, so I bend it in to shape so they can go to the overnight accommodation. I head down to the finish to collect my certificate, I have managed to get over £200 in sponsorship,  collect my panniers, then head to the university halls. Its still raining when I get there.

The whole route, without the rain, can be viewed at Relive here.

Its good to change out of my wet things and get a shower.

I meet my friends at the hall's bar for a wee aperitif, before we head in to town for out evening meal at an Indian restaurant. We're all pretty tired, and so post meal drinks is just one drink each. At least on the group photo in the restaurant we're all smiling.

However, for a change, it's an early night in St. Andrews.