Scone the Flat Way

Scoon the Fla’ Wee. Our first Audax began in Forfar on a bright Easter morning and was described as “a flat route up the valley and back” by the Easter bunny/ registrar as she handed over our Cream Eggs and Brevet cards. We had no idea what to expect but it should have dawned on us then that “valley” in Scotland actually means wind tunnel. After the registrar told us the rules (get your card stamped at the control points and write down answers to questions at the information controls) we waited for the start and watched the other participants arriving. As they arrived in dribs and drabs we realized that we’d probably be the youngest by about 30 years. And I was only one of three females.

As 9am ticked over the majority of the riders took off at a speed belying the average age of the party. We managed to latch onto a small bunch as we headed out of Forfar in the direction of Scone. As soon as we turned westward the wind tunnel effect started up and we were pedaling away like crazy but hardly moving. This is where I discovered the advantage of cycling behind rather amply proportioned middle aged men. I snuck in behind one and stayed there for the first 50km until we reached the 1st control.

I must admit I felt a bit daft at the first control-racing a bunch of retirees to be the first to get the check-out chick at a service station to stamp my brevet card. The feeling soon gave way to joy when she stamped my card and gave me a hot cup of tea. I didn’t want to relax enjoying my cuppa for too long though. I couldn’t afford to let my wind break leave my sight Suddenly he was away so I skulled my tea and took chase.

The next information control was at a bus stop in a small village in the middle of nowhere. We had to write down what time the bus comes. I couldn’t believe it-the bus was supposed to come in 20 mins-I could just wait and then finish my own Scone the Easy Way Audax. Then I read the fine print-this bus does not run on Easter Sunday.

Sustenance during the ride
Pre ride
1 bowl of Pukkola

On the road
1 Raspberry Muffin
2 Alpine bars
1 Cadbury Crème egg
2 bottles half water/half apple juice

At the end
2 banana peanut butter and honey panini
1 raspberry muffin