As I blogged before, I could have signed up for the classic 47-mile freshnlo Pedal for Scotland bike ride, from Glasgow to Edinburgh, on September 9. And I’m sure I would have loved it. But something mad in me made me sign up for  the 110-mile freshnlo Pedal for Scotland sportive that takes place on the same day. This is claimed to be a tough 110 miles with lots of hills and I have rarely even cycled more than 60 miles in one outing this year. But I do love a challenge!

Two years ago I completed the Bealach Mor sportive two years ago, which is some 90 miles and includes the immense Bealach  ascent, but this was only achieved after many months of training and the expert riding support of a friend.

And so I decided that to have chance of enjoying the 110-mile sportive I would need to encourage my friend, Goat-Like Graeme, to accompany me on the ride. Goat-Like Graeme is a mega amateur cyclists and has long been the rider I aspire to be. He climbs hills like, well, a Billy Goat, and makes riding a bike seem so, so easy.

He could easily finish a 110-mile sportive hours ahead of me but like with the Bealach Mor I know he also occasionally enjoys a slower cycle with a pal and a chance to catch up on two years of gossip. He’s great at keeping the right pace, encouraging me when I start to feel tired, finding groups of cyclists to ride with for a while, chatting and dragging me to the finish line. And, thankfully, he’s agreed to do the Pedal for Scotland sportive with me. He’s driving all the way from Doncaster to do so!

Although this 110 miles will be tough and I will need to make sure I keep myself fueled properly (the worst thing for me on a bike is finding myself suddenly out of energy because I’ve not eaten enough), I now know I will enjoy great chat with Goat-Like. This should mean that the hours will pass that bit quicker. He’ll also be there to help me through the tough sections and to praise me if I do ok. He’ll be my own special domestique!

But I’m still apprehensive. The route of the freshnlo Pedal for Scotland Sportive takes riders through the Southern Uplands and down into Edinburgh, passing through seven local authorities and incorporating the best sections of numerous Scottish cycle racing circuits, including the A77 10 Mile Time Trial, sections of the Moscow APR and the Strathaven Anderside Classic, incorporating steeps climbs around Muirkirk and undulating stretches across wild moorland. Take a look at the graph for greater insight into the madness of this event.

PS The sportive was billed as 107 miles when I signed up… but it’s now said to be 110 miles. Big hmmmmmms!

Friends are doing the classic Pedal for Scotland route

I am delighted to report that a friend who only took up cycling last year after decades out of the saddle has signed up for the Classic route. She asked me last summer to help her to choose a bike and since then she has become a born-again fitness addict. She has given up a lifetime smoking habit, lost lots of weight and now exercises daily, and loves her bike. She will be cycling the event with two other mutual girlfriends, and one friend’s mum. It’s fabulous to see so many more women taking to their bikes. I’ll meet them at the end of the rides in Edinburgh.

Registration for both the classic 47 mile challenge ride and the 110 mile sportive is now open – log on to www.pedalforscotland.org to find out more.