Harvest

Yesterday lunchtime Mr hazelh sent me this plan for today:

Train to Carstairs, cycle to Bella's for coffee (or lunch), cycle on to Tweedbank along the Tweed cycle way. Total distance 49 miles, mostly downhill (with the river).

The route after a lovely lunch with Bella and David, however, was not exactly as advertised. The second sentence above should have read 'Total distance 55 miles, mostly hilly, you'll see the river at a distance about 2 hours 15 minutes into the the torture, and finally reach the nice flat bit along the Tweed 3 hours in. However, by then, the sun will be setting and you will be panicking so much about reaching Melrose in the daylight to catch a train home again that there will be no time to stop for photographs of the beautiful countryside.'

The ride was so strenuous that my average heart rate over the whole ride was 141, with a high of 173. Apart from the challenge of the ride, however, it really has been a lovely day for cycling in the Borders, with the most beautiful end of summer weather and fantastic views, as can be seen in my blip.

Exercise today: tough 55 mile cycle ride.