Train Home from Stow

I am broken. Falling asleep as I write. Set off from Porty on bikes en famille this morning. To Pentcaitland - a beautiful, straight, more or less flat 20ish miles. Certainly was 20 as we reached the Lammermuir hills.

I should have suspected trouble when I had to walk to hill to the lunch spot. Defo too much for me - the 12km up and over the hills. Would be an amazing walk but on the bike it overwhelmed me. I cannot cycle uphill on rocky paths - my balance isn't up to it. Then on the descent I am freaked out too. The final section on grassy turf and through streams ended me. Sensory overload and too much fear. Wanted to lie down in a darkened room but still in theory had 19miles to do before we caught train at Galashiels at 6.30pm or 7.30pm.

Had a hair-raising cycle (because of other drivers) on road (I was so happy to be on road). Had a hair-raising brush with stampeding cows. Trampled through grassy fields and burns to get to Lauder. Choice between 11miles to Galashiels or 5 to Stow. I picked Stow but as we turned the road to Stow, my heart sank. I know that road and realised the climb ahead.

It was beautiful but broke me. I don't know how my boy got up it but he was way ahead of me. Husband and daughter pushed on with son to get 6.50pm train. Only two bikes per train on Scotrail, so Cristina and I had to wait till 7.44pm. I didn't get to Stow station til 7pm anyway.

This is her and I on train with our masks. I am broken. I am in bed. I will be asleep in 2 seconds.

The route for our cycling holiday end of July needs revised.