Late Summer Colours along the Tay

I managed to get up early and head off before most of the road traffic and dog walkers were about; not that I mind dog walkers, I am one myself and take out two at a time who also have no idea about not getting under the wheels of cyclists, so caution has to be exercised when cycling at walkies rush hour.

Here they are earlier this year clearly wandering into someone's space and getting a telling off!

Anyway it was quite quiet about 6.30 am and by 7.00 the morning sunshine was showing off the natural beauty and richness of the late Summer colours that are on display, so I had a lovely cycle and managed to take a few pics of some the best bits along the way.

Preparation for the Fashion Show...

Preparation for the Fashion Show is now well under way with posters being placed and letters sent out this weekend to alert as many people as possible who may be interested in having a fun evening of fashion and food on October 1st at Willows Brasserie.

Tickets are by reservation only in order to maintain smooth delivery of the food side, but there will be lots going on fashion wise to keep everyone busy until food is served, with plenty of incentives to come early.

The main fashion show will be an informal walk through allowing everyone a close up preview of all the seasons fashions.

There will be various tables of interest including a new all natural make up range, plus an accessories table with opportunities to make donations to the hospital fund.

There will of course be plenty information at the special Nazareth Hospital information table with great pictures supplied by EMMS International which will be on display with details and maps relating to the actual bike ride in November.

The Road to Rynd

Today Jonathan and I headed out of Perth along the Harbour Road and out towards Rynd, passing Elcho Castle. The picture did not quite capture it as well as I thought it would, but it is there in the background if you look hard enough. (It helps to click on pic for a larger view)

We then headed across to Bridge of Earn, stopped for a bite to eat and then back up through Craigend into Perth and home.

It wasn't a great distance covered, approx 20 kms in total, but it was quite challenging with a steep climb at one point, but a great downhill run on the other side made up for the effort put in earlier.

The road was moderately busy with traffic and farm vehicles; it must be pea harvesting time, as the road between Rynd and Bridge of Earn was covered in them.

Return to the Glen.........

Today I went back to Little Glenshee; first cycled in May. This time I cycled from Stanley through Luncarty, past Battleby towards Logiealmond and then headed up towards the Hills. It was a fairly easy but steady climb most of the way, but I had the benefit of freewheeling almost all the way back returning by the same route and covering 33.6 kms in total.

I had a few incidents or accidents depending on which way you look at it. At one point I was obviously going too fast down hill on the narrow twisting glen road and the last thing I expected in the middle of nowhere was an articulated lorry taking up the whole road, so I must have lost almost all the tread on my tyres as I braked and mounted the banking to escape being squashed. The lorry proceded with caution on his journey with all lights flashing and alarms sounding to alert any more freewheeling cyclists taking advantage of the road that he was there.

By the time I came down off the glen road onto the main road it was still very much downhill, and as I approached a bend and then an upward sweep, my speed must have been too great for the gear change I made and I lost all my traction, and to be quite honest I'm not sure what happened next, but I was in a ditch with a dent in my left knee and masses of nettle stings.

Thankfully no traffic or any witnesses about to cause any major embarrassment, so I managed to quickly dust myself off and as no damage was done to my bike, I continued carefully on my way the rest of the way back home. I think I need to get a better understanding of the dynamics of cycling before tackling runs like that again.

Firstly a photograph taken at about 11.00 am this morning in Little Glenshee, followed by what I imagine the differences may well be in the Jordan Valley, I am used to seeing deer crossing signs in the Scottish Glens, but in Israel it is for camels crossing!

It's now a lovely evening, so tidied myself up and off again to Luncarty and back adding the extra I missed this morning and bringing my total for the day to a neat and tidy 53 kms.

The flies were bad tonight and reminded me that it is unwise to put the lip gloss on when out cycling! However an American on holiday chose to take an action picture of me cycling towards him through the park, so at least I was prepared for that.