Eyes on the prize

Much consternation in parts of Glasgow, Stirlingshire and East Dunbartonshire today as many major arterial roads were closed for the Time Trial events in the European Championship cycling competition.

The inhabitants of some villages, and many streets elsewhere, were effectively cut off due to the road closures, but things started to return to normal around tea-time.

For those of us outside the affected area who just wanted to see the cyclists go by, it was a minor inconvenience as all we had to do was find a safe and legal parking place near enough one of the many vantage points.

It was a case of second-time lucky for me, as I had reckoned the Women's Time Trial would pass the Torrance Roundabout, between Kirkintilloch and Bishopbriggs, around 10am. However, by the time I had parked and walked along, all of the competitors had already passed through. Oops!

I timed my return trip in the afternoon somewhat better, being in place about 40 minutes before the first competitor in the Men's race passed by. (The men were following a longer route than the women.) A further forty minutes or so later, it was all over as the last of the racers sped by, followed by a phalanx of official-looking motor-bikes, cars, vans and ambulances.

All that remained was to head over to the nearby retail park for a coffee and then, later in the evening, to edit / delete my many photos and post the remainder online. Blip tick.