The sun was back out as we headed towards Kirriemuir from the leisure centre and much warmer than the previous two weeks. Ron was back in action after having the stitches removed from his hand to make up a foursome.
We joined the Bogside Rd at Padi School with Ron taking us along at a steady pace, he was only going as far as Alyth so we all took the steady climb from Meigle up to the five road roundabout. Ron headed into Alyth for a cuppee and the rest of us turned left for 5 miles on the A road into Blairgowrie and on down to towards Perth. The road was pretty busy and we were glad to turn off tight and across the bridge over the Tay. After a brief refueling stop at 27 miles we carried on round by the Ballathie House Hotel to Stanley and Luncarty and the bridge over the A9 to Methven via Pittcairngreen.
A brief pause before we crossed the A85 and down Station Rd heading for Findo Gask. As we crested the hill and the trees cleared we were afforded fantastic views down Perthshire to Stirling, it was a pretty steep twisty descent down to Broom of Dalreach where we crossed the A9 and got on the road to Dunning.
The stop for lunch was more than welcome after 50 miles. We got some supplies at the shop and a found a wee spot in the shelter. Refueled we headed for Perth and a couple of steep testing climbs before enjoying a long descent into and through the Fair City. We took a route to avoid the worst of the junctions and traffic and passed through without incident.
The never pleasant grinding 400' climb from the Bridges up to the aerodrome was next but we had a slight breeze behind us from time to time to ease us on our way. The road was busy and it was a relief to turn right at the MacDonald Arms in Balbeggie and get on oto the B and uncassified roads back to Forfar. Charlie took to the front through Kinrossie and the hamlets of Saucher, Campmuir and Kettins flew by before we had a wee breather. It was only our third stop of the day, after 76 miles we had only had 29 stationary minutes including this one!
We headed straight for Newtyle and home and had a rare sighting of a red squirrel just before Balkeerie. We rolled back into Forfar at 91.99 miles, the fourth longest run of the year. The route is here if you would like to try it.
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