Why does it always rain on me?

Well today was a true test of our dedication to our training. Tom and I set off at 9am to get the 9.30 train from Glasgow Central to Loch Lomond.

Problem 1 hit us shortly after. Glasgow Central was shut...we had to peg it to the next station about two miles away in Partick. ARGH.

We managed to get the train at 9.32am without any issues. As we pulled into Balloch though the rain started.

Problem 2 hit us then. I was wearing heavy cotton 3/4 length combat shorts as usual, they soaked in the rain and clung on to me like a squid hangs on to the side of the aquarium in a greek restaurant when you order it for your dinner!

Anyway we pushed on, Colin set a fast pace for us. Normally we average about 12 miles per hour instead this time we were averaging 18miles per hour. Now on a mountain bike with knobbly tyres and unlocked suspension with sodden shorts thats an achievement to be proud of.

The first 30 or so miles went in pretty fast through some spectacular scenery, Colin was on a road bike though so soon left us behind. Bob and I couldn't remember what way we were to go so we followed the road signs.

Problem number 3. Have you ever been on a road that tells you to use low gears in cars to go down the hills and has an escape lane? well this one had three of them! To be going down those hills though you need to first go up them. That means 1:6 inclines and crawler lanes 1-2 miles long at a time. We were shattered.

We eventually made it, legs quivering with tiredness, to the Tulley Inn for the usual Koppaberg and train home.

I'm really glad we did manage to get that distance over those hills done today. Nothing we are going to do in Sweden should be as tortuous as that so a BIG mental hurdle has been overcome.