The weather was awful. A bit of rain, but mostly wind. Crazy wind. It was a few days until the start of the second Capital Trail bikepack adventure...or race…depending on your personal disposition. I'd already signed up and was now slowly getting my stuff together in my kitchen.

I'd been meaning to ride the Fife coastline for years. Somehow I'd never done it. There was always a better plan. Always something which sounded more fun. I remember reading about it in an old mountain bike guide book. The route was described as a must do for every mountain biker seeking adventure.

I could never correlate that description with what I knew of the coastline from weekend outings in the car. Sure, it was nice and had some nice sandy beaches, but it always seemed a bit busy, both with people, houses and industry. How could this possibly be at the top of any mountain biker's to-do list?

Half way though a busy and stressful week at work, I decided I needed a weekend away. I wanted nothing more than to have a break from normal life and enjoy the freedom that comes from cycling with a lightweight tent and a rough plan. I also didn't want to have to drive far and at first thought I'd go for a ride straight from my house to the hills to the south or west of Edinburgh. But, I'd done that many times before. Instead, I choose to ride straight from my house north. I asked a couple of reliable friends if they'd be up for joining me.

Unfortunately, it was too late in the week, they already had plans.
There is a Fife coast cycle route, but this wasn't what I planned to ride. I was going to try the walking route. A quick trip to shop to buy the relevant OS map and I spent a happy hour examining the paths. The walking route appeared to consist of paths and track-roads following the very edge of the coastline for almost it's entire length. The cycling route mostly follows roads, slightly inland. The walking route looked like it'd be far more challenging, interesting and fun.

Did this as a solo. Pretty happy with 14th in my category and 8 exhausting laps. Was loads of fun. Not sure I'd do it solo again though. Bit more technical than I thought it would be. Billions of slippy roots and a couple of properly scary sections.

"Bill's fifty-two years old, has a mountain man beard, and delivers pizza on a fixie in Brooklyn. Over the course of several shifts, DELIVERY unveils an intriguing man rushing food to your door while it's still hot and fresh."

I'm having my first go at this at the weekend. Supposed to be really good fun route. Bit more technical than gravel racing.

Did this at the weekend. I think it was the hardest ride I've ever done.
Took me 10 Hours 35 minutes.

Been trying to do this for the last couple of years. I've actually remembered to sign up on time for next year's!

Glentress Seven 2015 from TweedLove Bike Festival on Vimeo.

A short video of crazy people cycling around the world.

An insight into the 2014 Highland Trail Race - UK's toughest bikepacking race along an uncompromising 550 mile route through the Highlands of Scotland.

Started as a practice run for races such as Ride the Divide, the Highland Trail has become a established challenge of it's own. It may not be as long, but the terrain and weather more than make up for it.

Maybe next year..if not the race..then maybe the route.

This is a cyclist/pedestrian roundabout bridge in the Dutch city of Eindhoven.