Author: Ian McIntosh

3 - 6 - 7 - 6 - 5 - 3 - 2 - 1 So before I’d even left home I had a WhatsApp from Grant saying he was stuck on a closed in both directions M9. With it likely that this would affect at least a couple of others coming up to Crieff, apart from the warm and sunny morning, things were not looking great for the start of the run. Sure enough, with only our leader and run organiser Kona, myself and run videographer, Ian Ness at the Visitor Centre start point we decided we would make a start after waiting a little while past start time. I left a further WhatsApp for Grant and Facebook message on the club page suggesting a meet up at Ballachulish…

Up at the crack of a Saturday dawn to make my way to Ian Ness’ run start at Kinross services. Fortunately made the right decision in wearing another layer as the temperature had only just made it into the low teens on leaving Crieff. First stop was a fill up at Muthill to see me and the bike through today’s ride and the first highlight of the day. After paying and coming back out to my bike, a car had pulled in behind and, not being the biggest of forecourts and me being ever so courteous (!) I wheeled my bike to the side of the forecourt, about 30ft away. The guy was ever so grateful and, as well as the obvious thanks, he proceeded while getting out of his…

Email drops with the rarest of things - a run to the seldom visited south west corner of Scotland! Not only that but it’s a first time lead for our Troon based Ben Pointer. Too good to miss and with forecast for the day looking fair, I cancel swimming and set my alarm for the middle of the night (7am) as it will need an early start to make the rendezvous in Kilmarnock for a 10.15 kick-off. Being the beginning of August I dress appropriately in full textiles and puffa inner jacket and brave the 14C of the early morning. As I pushed my bike out of the garage I was surprised by just how light it was before 9am. Not quite as surprised as my dog walking neighbour though…