Day 7 - The right sort of wind at last

We negotiated a series of anvil-named features to leave Gretna, and set off on the old A74, which was almost completely empty as the M74 runs parallel to it. We had a rather welcome tail wind for the first time on our trip, rather than the wind from our tails. We also set off in glorious sunshine and Patrick couldn't wait to slather on the sunscreen (again). Another trip first was to see several other LEJOG and JOGEL riders on the road, three were solo and one guy had a support vecihle (lightweight).

Respect is due to the Scottish road engineers who managed to keep the A74 ascents so gentle that we weren't always sure that we were going upwards which was a little disorientating.
Not only that, but the surfaces were smooth as well - is the best place in the whole country for cycling?

Unfortunately, things couldn't carry on that well for ever, and some gentle rain made Nigel decide to put his raincoat on. 200m further on some slightly less gentle rain made Julian and Patrick decide to put their raincoats on
too.

Then before we could put on waterproof overshoes or find any shelter, some rain which couldn't in any way be described as gentle completely soaked us. We rode on to find a big bush to hide under, or any sign of human habitation, but after five miles the rain finally died out, and we found a local pub (for local people) to warm up and dry out in with tea, coffee, rolls and chips.


After lunch we had more tailwind which pushed us on for another 20-30 miles. Then things turned really hilly again, at one point we had a 18% incline. We struggled on with this terain until we found our rather grand accomadation the Powfoulis Hotel near Falkirk. Patrick was particularly taken with the monogrammed PH carpets in the main building.

Our host was very friendly - especially as we seemed to be the only guests in Powfoulis that night. Patrick & Nige had man-sized portions of pasta (which we'd been craving for a while), then Jules and Nige tried some whiskey - just a wee dram 'afore bed.


Julian's statoids - Day Seven
Daily Distance: 1oo miles
Cumulative Distance: 611.5 miles
Ride time: 6 hours 26 mins
Top Speed: 37.9 mph
Average speed: 15.4 mph
Calories Burned - 5000
Terrain - Gradual climbs, then serious undulations, and a final descent to sea level
Key Events: Marvellously empty road, seeing other LEJoG-ers, a very heavy rainstorm, and a very welcome tailwind.