Cycling Day 6 - Penrith to Edinburgh and Murrayfield

A Very Warm Welcome to Scotland

The day began with a clear blue sky and sunshine and the forecast of the best weather yet of the triathlon. Breakfast came in a small box as the restaurant was being refurbished.

With a big appointment at the end of today’s ride, it was an early start and the yellow perils hit the tarmac just after 7.30am. Their first stop was a courtesy call at Tesco Carlisle but having missed the turning for the A69, they were half way to Langholm before the support team caught them up and pointed them back to Carlisle. They were wonderfully well received by Bernie, Sharon and the rest of the team who were pleased to see the boys and allowed us to re-stock with food and drink.

Then it was back on the road with a second stop at picturesque Langholm in a car park by the river and the Thomas Telford bridge. Stage 3 took the riders to the outskirts of Hawick, it was a hard ride with a strong headwind and 2 difficult climbs and both Rob and Dan were exhausted. James helped to loosen up their sore muscles and they pressed on through Hawick and Selkirk and Galashiels and finished 2 miles up the slope towards Edinburgh.

Having completed an extra 10 miles at the start of the day, this was the point when the riders played their joker card and rode in the motor home climbing back on their bikes by the 18 miles to Edinburgh sign.

The last session of the day had James and me going ahead to Murrayfield to count down the cyclists’ arrival. Guy Richardson, Operations Manager for the Scotland team had arranged for the guys to cycle straight into the stadium and finish at the tunnel with the Scotland squad cheering them in a fantastic  welcome on an amazing journey.

Rob and Dan were presented with their own personalised Scotland team shirt and then had the use of the changing room and recovery facilities. These included an ice bath, Jacuzzi, food and drink followed by a massage from the team physio. The experience for all the triathlon team was brilliant and our grateful thanks and best wishes go to Guy and all the team for their game against South Africa and the World Cup itself – in future I will always root for Scotland except for one game each season!

Also welcoming us to Edinburgh were Billy and Lisa and Stephen’s cousins and it was back to Katie’s home that we went to stay for our one night north of the border. The house looks out over the Pentland Hills and with a glorious evening and the Festival in full swing, I’m tempted to get a taxi into the city.