Thankfully we were into the wind so we didn't get done for speeding!
We were heading along at a steady pace when we were joined by Mike Carroll in part of his training for the Glasgow 1/2 marathon, he left us at Coupar Angus heading for Blairgowire. Ron and Tom turned for home as we continued on, past the cemetry and had just enjoyed a wee rest stop when Dave got a puncture, his second in consecutive days, this called for dramatic action - the cluby tire!
It was fitted in minutes and we were off again!
We reached Dunkeld with no further problems and we had a brief jaunt up the busy A9, it was only 1/4 mile but it seemed to take for ever and we were overjoyed to get off even more so when Gus informed us all the we had 7 miles of continual climbing ahead of us! There were no steep sections and there were a few sections where we got some respite.
I had never doe this run before so wasn't expecting the final wee climb after we turned left just before Amulree, probably the steepest section of the run.
The tea room was busy but we all got in, good soup and coffee with a ginger beer for me, we had done 43 miles so it was a welcome break. Talk turned to the return and were soon off again heading down The Sma Glenn and turned left for Harriotfield with the wind behind us. It was quite a rolling road with lots of twists and turns to keep us concentrating.
Dave didn't fancy the Luncarty to Stanley road so we turned left onto the national cycle route to Bankfoot then up hill to the dairy. We didn't stop for an ice cream this week continuing on to a left turn to Murthly to retrace our route back to Coupar Angus.
Instead of going through Newtyle we headed for Ardler and the draw of a pint in the Tav was to strong, the rest headed for home with me an hour later. All in all a great day out and 94 miles to the good, the route is here if you would like to try it!
Next week it's a trip to the Bothy!!
