A seemingly hard day in the saddle today, despite the fact that today’s stage should have been a relatively easy stage – must be a little bit of fatigue setting in already! Excellent breakfast at HQ 2 Div and once fuelled with haggis and black pudding the team set out into the teeth of a blustery westerly wind. Some hard graft was required into the stiff headwind for the first 20 or so miles before crossing the Forth at the Kincardine Bridge. Once the route turned east, we picked up speed and made good time along the coast road through Inverkeithing and Rosyth and Burntisland – big thanks in Burntisland to Alex Coutts Cycles who gave us some spares and helped to advertise our ride, check him out at www.alexcouttscycles.co.uk. The BBC certainly got the forecast wrong as there was no sign of the full day of sunshine we had been promised, although the Scottish members of the team were quick to point out that this was as good as it gets! The team soon split into 2 groups, with the Stn Cdr pressing on ahead with the lead group – not bad considering he hadn’t done much more than 30 odd miles in training, that said, his drafting drills were clearly well drilled!
We pressed on to the 1st feed stn at 33 miles and were met with a big pile of peanut butter sandwiches, courtesy of the Support Team – just what the doctor ordered. The 2 group laydown continued and we continued to press along the coast road, well, various coast roads to be honest over the next 30 miles or so. The rear group decided to take one of the coast roads that sadly didn’t lead to the 2nd feeding stn and popped out back on the route some 5 miles ahead of the Support Team. Careless! Needless to say, the banter was harsh on finally reaching the last feeding stn. An ad-hoc attempt to bring the feeding stn to their location also failed when the Support Team Manager drove straight past the waiting 3-ship with all the pies and wasn’t willing to dish’em out!! Another 10 miles down the road and the team regrouped in Anstruther. The pies were duly dished out and moral suitably restored to normal levels. We must thank Neil Cameron Family Butchers for some excellent freshly prepared pie action. Big thanks also to The Craw’s Nest Hotel in Anstruther for their kind hospitality. 
Topped up with Scottish tucker we pressed onto Crail with a hefty tailwind keeping the pace high. Sadly the tailwind didn’t last and on the turn northwards to St Andrews became a disappointing cross/head wind. Great views of the coast, but some twisty short climbs took the energy out of the legs by the time we got to St Andrews. Once there we were treated to a spot of ‘world famous’ (apparently) ice cream from Janettas Ice Cream Emporium, with a spot of ad-hoc bike maintenance thanks to also completed in the bike shop next door. Meanwhile, the Support Team were busy drumming up trade with some excellent on the spot fundraising.
The boss treated us to a tour of St Andrews, including the Cathedral and the Old Course – not sure what the Japanese tourists thought of 10 sweaty cyclists going past the 18th. A last push onto Guardbridge and into RAF Leuchars and another 100 miles put into the bag, before a spot of cake and a photo opportunity in front of the mighty F4. A good day out, tiring to be sure and despite a few teddies getting thrown, the team are still in high spirits – particularly if the harsh post-dinner banter was anything to go by. The nether regions are certainly getting a hard time now we are 3 days in and I for one am thankful for the joyous morning ritual of applying the chamois cream. The whole team are feeling the benefits of the High 5
energy and endurance products we brought, particularly the 4:1 endurance drink – top stuff High 5, thanks very much. Lots of prizes dished out tonight, some funny, some certainly not fit for release on these means, that’s for sure, but again , it shows the team are in excellent spirits. A huge thankyou to the Stn Cdr for his support and we all appreciate him completing today's stage - good drills. A much harder day in prospect tomorrow as we push the 100 miles up into Ballater and start our route through the Highlands – time for the small chainring tomorrow no doubt.
Topped up with Scottish tucker we pressed onto Crail with a hefty tailwind keeping the pace high. Sadly the tailwind didn’t last and on the turn northwards to St Andrews became a disappointing cross/head wind. Great views of the coast, but some twisty short climbs took the energy out of the legs by the time we got to St Andrews. Once there we were treated to a spot of ‘world famous’ (apparently) ice cream from Janettas Ice Cream Emporium, with a spot of ad-hoc bike maintenance thanks to also completed in the bike shop next door. Meanwhile, the Support Team were busy drumming up trade with some excellent on the spot fundraising.
energy and endurance products we brought, particularly the 4:1 endurance drink – top stuff High 5, thanks very much. Lots of prizes dished out tonight, some funny, some certainly not fit for release on these means, that’s for sure, but again , it shows the team are in excellent spirits. A huge thankyou to the Stn Cdr for his support and we all appreciate him completing today's stage - good drills. A much harder day in prospect tomorrow as we push the 100 miles up into Ballater and start our route through the Highlands – time for the small chainring tomorrow no doubt.
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